Chapter 2: Trading, Training, and Trouble in Oldtown
Arrival in Oldtown
By the time Sam's group arrived in Oldtown, his excitement had only grown. The city was far more vibrant than he had imagined from reading the books or watching the show. Towering stone buildings, narrow winding streets, and bustling markets spread before him. The famous Hightower loomed over the harbor like a giant sentinel, and ships from all over Essos, the Free Cities, and even Dorne filled the harbor.
But Sam didn't have time to stand around gawking. His system's menu flickered open, presenting him with another prompt.
[System Update: Welcome to Oldtown!]
Objectives available:
1. Sell your wares at the market for a profit.
2. Improve your Trading skill.
3. Explore the Citadel. (Unlocks "Knowledge" perk upon visiting)
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Guess the system really wants me to start acting like a merchant," he muttered.
"Alright, Oldtown—show me what you've got!"
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Trading in Oldtown
The market was packed with vendors shouting over each other to draw attention to their goods. People swarmed around stalls selling spices, wool, grain, and even freshly-caught seafood. Sam quickly found himself surrounded by potential trades. Fortunately, he wasn't completely clueless about bartering thanks to his system-given Trading skill, which helped him haggle down prices.
After a few minutes of browsing, he decided to start small and cautiously approached a cloth merchant.
"Greetings! I'd like to buy a small batch of your cloth—say, enough to resell up north?" Sam said, trying to sound professional.
The merchant squinted at him. "And why should I sell it to you, eh? Half the traders around here don't even know their own numbers."
Persuasion Check flashed on Sam's screen.
He smirked. "I'm not just any trader, my friend. I've got an eye for quality and connections up in the Reach. With me, your cloth will fetch twice the price."
A successful check notification appeared, and the merchant's skeptical expression softened. After some back-and-forth, Sam walked away with a decent quantity of cloth, which he could sell for a potential profit in other towns.
Trading Skill +1!
"Nice," Sam muttered, feeling a little more confident. "I could get used to this."
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Exploring the Citadel
After selling some more wares and earning a modest profit, Sam decided it was time to explore the Citadel. The towering library of Oldtown, full of books and ancient manuscripts, had always fascinated him. If he could somehow use his knowledge from the modern world and gain access to the Citadel's records, it might help him navigate Westeros more effectively.
As he neared the grand doors of the Citadel, a group of novices, each wearing robes and chains with various metals, walked past. They barely glanced at him, too engrossed in their scrolls. The Citadel was just as imposing as he had imagined, with its tall, dark stone walls and arched windows casting an almost ominous shadow over the courtyard.
"Alright, system, let's see if you've got anything useful here," he murmured, half expecting some new prompt to pop up. To his surprise, nothing happened.
He walked up to one of the robed novices, hoping for some guidance. "Excuse me, do you know if visitors are allowed to enter?"
The novice, a young man with an overly serious expression, sighed. "Unless you're here to study, I suggest you find your way to the tavern instead. This is no place for wandering merchants."
Sam frowned. "Well, I'm a… prospective student, perhaps?" He tried to sound convincing. "Just wanted to check out the resources."
The novice barely looked convinced, but he shrugged. "If you're serious, speak to one of the maesters. They might humor you."
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Training Begins
As he moved through the Citadel, Sam's screen flashed with a new prompt.
New Skill Unlocked: Knowledge
Current Level: 1
Sam grinned. His Knowledge skill had finally activated, granting him a slight edge in interpreting manuscripts and understanding historical events. He spent hours roaming the Citadel's lower sections, reading scrolls and studying maps, getting a clearer picture of Westeros and its chaotic politics.
However, he knew that book learning alone wouldn't keep him safe. Westeros was a dangerous place, and he needed to prepare for any threat. The city's tavern area was filled with mercenaries and guards willing to train anyone who could pay. Sam decided to spend some of his hard-earned silver on combat training.
He approached a scarred, grizzled man who looked every bit the seasoned fighter. "Excuse me, sir. You take on students?"
The man gave him a once-over, grinning. "Aye, for a coin or two, I'll teach you how to swing a blade without cutting off your own foot."
Sam handed him a few coins. "Then, teach away!"
Combat Training Alert
Your training session has started. Endurance and Melee skills will improve gradually with practice.
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The Skills Grind
Day after day, Sam trained with his instructor, enduring a grueling regimen of strength, endurance, and melee combat drills. Swinging a sword wasn't as easy as it looked on TV, and he quickly learned that without proper form, he'd be a liability in a fight.
Endurance +1!
Melee Skill +2!
Each evening, he returned to the tavern, exhausted but satisfied. His system recorded every improvement, every small victory.
One evening, his instructor handed him a worn-out, practice sword. "Alright, lad, you've learned to stand without wobbling like a drunk. Time to try sparring."
The sparring session was brutal. His instructor didn't hold back, and Sam took more hits than he'd like to admit. But he kept swinging, determined to improve. By the end, his body ached, but his confidence grew.
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An Unexpected Ally
One evening, after another intense training session, Sam nursed his bruises at the tavern, his head spinning with fatigue and adrenaline. A stranger sat down beside him—a tall, lanky man with a mop of dark hair and a mischievous grin.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you, merchant," the man said, his voice light but sharp. "A trader who bothers with a sword? Odd mix."
Sam glanced at him, wary. "And you are?"
"Just a traveler, like yourself. Name's Tom, and I've got a nose for people who don't quite fit."
Sam shrugged, trying to play it off. "Westeros is dangerous. Can't be too careful."
Tom chuckled. "True enough. But I also saw you haggle with a cloth merchant like a lord. And then you end up here, of all places? Tell me, are you planning to fight or to trade?"
Sam sighed, feeling like he'd been caught. "Both, I suppose. I need coin, allies, and… safety."
Tom nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you look like you've got potential, and I happen to have a few connections around Oldtown. Ever considered joining a crew?"
Sam's screen pinged with a new quest:
Quest Alert!
Join Tom's Crew
Objective: Work with Tom to handle trading missions in Oldtown. Rewards: Allies, extra income, and improved Trading skills.
Sam grinned. "You know what? I think I could use a partner."
The two shook hands, and a new alliance was born.
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The First Mission
The next morning, Tom filled Sam in on a job he'd arranged—a trading mission to a smaller town outside Oldtown, where they could sell their cloth for a higher price. Sam's system marked it as an active quest, and the two of them set off with a small cart of goods, ready to make their first real profit.
The journey wasn't easy. The roads were rough, and Sam had to constantly check his supplies and navigate their route. But the thrill of adventure, combined with the potential for profit, made every step worth it. When they finally arrived, their goods sold quickly, netting them a tidy sum.
Trading Skill +2!
New Perk Unlocked: Bargain Hunter!
Sam's screen flashed a notification of his new skill. "Looks like the system really approves of this partnership," he muttered to Tom with a grin.
They split the earnings, and Sam pocketed his share with a sense of pride. For the first time since arriving, he felt like he was truly finding his place in Westeros.
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End of Chapter 2