(A/N: Sorry for the late post, my meds knocked me tf out.)
I cast one final glance at my handiwork as I untied Roach from the tree I'd left him at.
"Impenetrable fortress, bah."
Most of the so-called Twins were just gone, though I'd made sure to leave enough of the bridge intact that it could still be used by the common folk while dismantling the castles and towers in a way that left them unsalvageable.
I didn't have much other thoughts on the matter besides the fact that they would probably end up occupied by some other lord after some time, or maybe they'd steer clear calling it the wrath of nature or a curse or something.
"Good boy." I stroked the horse's neck with a small smile.
In the end, this was all in a day's work for me.
This wasn't the first noble house to be wiped out for being a cruel wise ass and it certainly wouldn't be the last, it was the way of the Lands Between, and my own... though, using dragonfire to mutilate the castle reminded me of something.
"Say Roach, you reckon I could give blessings like Lansseax and the others?"
The ancient dragon cult's whole gimmick had been blessing people like they were Gods or something, they'd even propagated dragon communion so would-be champions would eat the hearts of Bayle's ilk, the drakes, for betraying and ambushing their lord liege, Dragonlord Placidusax.
Unfortunately for them, that made me realise I could also eat the Ancient Dragons to even greater effect.
The horse neighed slightly, tilting his head as if he was confused so I just chuckled and stroked his neck, "Actually, you think I could bless you? Not to be a hardass man but you run pretty slow."
To my surprise, Roach nudged my shoulder with his head.
I doubted it could understand what I was saying, though it was odd how he didn't even try to run away anymore... We encountered no animals on our travels, because most of them avoided me like the plague and Roach was also the same, for a while, now it was just relaxing and doing whatever it wanted.
Shrugging, I climbed on top of him and tapped his neck, "Well, let's get going."
I'd try blessing him when he was distracted, on the off chance that he blew since I'd never tried before.
-
A few hours after sunrise, unsurprisingly, we came across another castle.
But compared to the Twins, this one was utterly captivating to look at.
It wasn't as massive as say, Winterfell or King's Landing, but it was a sight to behold all the same, built along the coastline, overlooking a town built on a smaller hill adjacent to the one the white walled-castle itself stood tall on.
There were several tall ivory towers jutting from the main keep, to keep an eye on the sea if my understanding was correct, and a separate tower, built on top of a rock formation that rose from the sea, connected to the keep with a stone bridge.
It always awed me how, despite being a medieval society, with no access to magic and beasts, humans seemed to be capable of building up such intricate and breath-taking statements to architecture, reflecting just what the human mind was capable of.
At the same time, I noticed something else.
The patrols marching on the roads were almost triple the size of any I'd seen so far, they were inspecting every passer-by, and for every 'unit', there was at least one knight in full plate overseeing their actions, with armour a light shade of purple that seemed to glint under the sunlight.
What was more was that there were a lot of men stationed on the walls too, almost like they were preparing for an attack.
Roach slowed down to a casual trot as I looked around curiously, content to take in the sight of people going by their days and not attacking me out of the blue for existing.
"Halt!" A knight strode up to me, pulling on the reins of his horse to make the animal neigh and dig its hooves into the ground, "State your business."
...Not again.
"Just travelling."' I held my hands up disarmingly, flashed him a polite smile and made sure to display that I didn't have any weapons on me, "Did something happen? Or is this normal for..."
I didn't know the name of the place.
The aged knight picked up on my unfortunate ignorance, stroking his small but well kept grey beard, "Seagard, good man, we've received word that the Twins have fallen... though I doubt the integrity of the claim. You'd do well to seek the safety of the castle all the same, regardless of your... business here."
I smiled wryly, but otherwise stayed silent.
"House Mallister and all those who serve it prepare to join Robb Stark, to end the line of the usurper." He explained further with a proud smile etched on his thick lips, drawing grunts of approval from his men, "Thus we prepare, for war."
I stopped at his words, mentally taking note of the sigil on his shoulder.
A silver eagle emblazoned on indigo.
House Mallister.
"So the Riverlands are joining the North then?" I inquired neutrally.
He nodded his head, "Aye."
"I didn't think he'd move so soon."
The North was vast from what I'd learnt so far, it would take months, maybe more, for all his men to gather... but at the same time, if word travelled as fast as it seemed to, I doubted the Westerlands would sit idly and let that happen.
"The Vale?"
"Doubtless, they shall do the same. Honour compels them to action." The aged knight smiled toothily before narrowing his eyes, "You seem all too interested?"
I shrugged my hands, "I doubt there's anyone alive who's talking about something else right now."
"Fair." He let out a small chuckle before shaking his head, "Be on your way then, good man. I shall not question you further, not about your eyes or your intentions, Tyroshi."
What?
I moved a hand to touch my eyes, briefly confused, but nodded at him and urged Roach to start moving.
"I need a book about these Tyroshi, why do people think I'm from there?"
Roach only neighed in response.
A few thought I was a Southerner but from Helman, then Greatjon and now this stranger, they seemed to think I was something called a Tyroshi.
-
I chose to ride along the coast on my way to the town, reading a book about the Riverlands and their extensive history as Roach's hooves dug into the wet soil, splashing water on my free boots.
My willing solitude made me briefly consider a rather annoying prospect.
Was I... afraid?
I'd avoided companionship in the Lands Between because the few times I'd had it, it ended in betrayal or abandonment, then I'd become shunned for the path I chose to power that allowed me to not fear for what would become of me come sunrise the next day.
Those I respected were banished, or died, or worse, strayed from all they'd stood for.
This new world was clearly different, the people were different... Everything was so distant and odd that I still had trouble accepting that it was still real... It felt too 'easy'.
I could do anything I wanted and suffer no real consequence for it.
This didn't mean I'd stray for what made me, me.
My ways were etched into my being through centuries, millennia of trying, dying, fearing everything that could move or think.
Now, in a world where people would eventually move mountains for my favor, why did I push away a chance at genuine friendship?
"Hmm..."
I closed my book and stared at the blue sky in pensive silence before sighing, "Guess I'll go with the flow this time."
My eyes caught the figure in the distance as I reached for my satchel.
It was a tall man in purplish plate armour, cradling an intricately-designed, winged helm in the crook of his arm. He was staring out into the sea with somber blue-grey eyes, his brown hair swaying in the wind.
He looked like some kind of noble hero, especially with the strings of grey scattered in his hair.
"Why the broody look?" I asked bluntly, dismounting Roach with a small jump.
"Hm?" He studied me with a brief gaze before smiling thinly, "Are you a demon come to tempt me? For glory in battle? I am afraid I will have to disappoint you."
I paused, "Whoa, I try to be nice and I get called a demon. That's the last time I'm being considerate to someone."
"Your eyes... nevermind, I have seen stranger things in life. What brings you to Seagard...?"
"Karl." I held out a hand, "I'm drawing a map of the Seven Kingdoms from the looks of it."
I intended to see everything this land had to offer before deciding on what I intended to do next, it would be fun beyond measure... and perhaps I could find a real companion too?
He raised his brow, then took my hand and gave it a firm shake, "Jason Mallister. An ambitious intention, Karl... but, I do not see why you would."
"It's more of a side thing." I waved my hand in dismissal, "I'm interested in what you people can show me."
He paused again, narrowing his eyes and tilting his head, "An odd goal, but I hope you will be able to see it through all the same."
I smiled slightly, appreciating his way of thinking.
"As for your question... Well..." He let out a small hum, "We prepare for a new war. It will no doubt be one for fame and glory, but fathers and sons die... even if for righteous cause. What is to become of those they leave behind?"
His words were unexpectedly reasonable and thought-invoking for someone who looked to be a noble, "Where I come from, they usually get significant reward."
"Indeed they do, but only those who are remembered. What of the boy who gives his life to protect the so-called hero from a stray arrow?" He explained calmly, "What of the faceless father who takes a sword for his liege and is tossed into a pile to be burnt? And the daughters, sisters and mothers who are left behind as 'reward' should they lose?"
I scratched my chin, "Don't lose then, I guess?"
It was a question that really had no right answer from the way I saw it.
There would be a loss in all circumstances, hell, one could say the enemy was also in the same situation.
There was a reason most soldiers saw enemies as inhuman.
He chuckled dryly, "A simple mind... perhaps that is the correct answer. House Mallister will ride with House Stark, for what is right and just... and to not lose."
"To not lose." I chuckled too and bumped his shoulder with the back of my fist.
"This I swear, as the Lord of Seagard."
Ah... so he was a bigshot after all.
"Would you like to stay at Seagard a while, my strange fellow?" He offered with a small smile, "I fear things have become so terribly dull even your words are refreshing."
I narrowed my eyes, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I jest. Might we exchange blows?" He looked at me with a strange glint in his eyes.
I could only tilt my head, "What makes you think I can even fight?"
"A feeling." He smiled neutrally.
"Fine, but if I win you have to do something for me."
"What might that be?"
"You have to send a message from me to Theon Greyjoy, 'heir' to the Iron Islands."
I was at Seagard for a reason.
Across the sea lied his so-called inheritance.
-
Hope you enjoyed.