Their lunch passed without much fuss except for Janna nagging their new guest with questions, Olenna honestly didn't mind however since the more information she managed to learn about her new guest, the more power she would have over him both now and in the future. . .
[Some Days Later] [Highgarden Castle Courtyard]
*SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH!
*CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK
*SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH!
*CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK
In the main courtyard of Highgarden was the same sight for a few days in a row, Ten or so household guards throwing themselves at the 'White Whirlwind' as the gossiping maids had nicknamed him.
*SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH!
*CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK
like a blur the Aestorius moved through the guards like a scythe through dry grass.
Whilst one guard was disarmed and smacked on his head with the wooden sword, another guard had his leg swept and wooden sword taken from his hands before he realized what had happened.
The next moment the disarmed guardsman looked up while watching his fellow guardsmen being 'cut down' helplessly.
The guards had started taking training much more in their free time ever since the humiliating defeats by the the Lords new 'Squire'
But their resistance was to no avail, Even the Household knights had little luck in their battles against demon eyes unless they were massed in groups and wore full armor.
One thing all of them had heard through whispers was that although he was a monster with a wooden sword his true skills came out when wielding his enchanted evil sword.
All of them had seen him practicing alone with Tir Tochair, it's entrancing white glowing blade nearly mesmerizing to onlookers but right now their eyes were locked upon the incredible swordsmanship which seemed to refine itself more and more every day.
*SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH! *SWOOSH!
*CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK *CLACK
With a final spar against the guards which saw them splayed out with relatively minor bumps and scrapes Aestorius bid them all farewell and thanked them for their time before making his way towards his chambers.
Following him like his ever present shadow as usual was Emlyn, Whom had somehow earned a spot into the personal service of the 'White Whirlwind'
This earned enmity among the other gossiping maids but alas none would have been deemed suitable due to the fact that nearly all servants had been bent over a table and ravaged by multiple lords in their lives.
Emlyn being a rare exception due to being in the service of women and having the protections granted to her by working for a Grand House like the Tyrells apart from having natural tendencies to be virtuous and not seeking cheap thrills like the other maids had.
Instead of being demoted to work for a minor knight she'd instead felt as if she had been betrothed to a high lord as everyone from maids to guards and knights seemed to treat her with more respect even if there was thinly veiled jealousy from the other maids.
Emlyn assumed it was because people were wise to fear her new lord on account of being a master swordsman and the widely spread rumors of wielding eldritch magic from across the seas.
But that was only a half truth. Instead it was Lady Olenna who had released an order that Emlyn was now under the full protection of House Tyrell.
Something the Queen of Thorns had thought prudent after seeing how attached the young noble sorcerer had become to the girl who had quickly transformed from a maid into a companion.
'Better safe than sorry, wouldn't want to lose his favor because of some idiotic mishap' Olenna had explained to her husband before he approved the order.
[Elsewhere]
*Tink! *Tink! *Tink! *Tink! *Tink! *Tink! *Tink! *Tink!
Balthor The Master Armorer worked dutifully as he added the finishing touches to his magnum opus.
If one were to take a peek into his workshop they would have seen the master armorer tapping away with his chisel, The entire room scented with the rich sweet smoke of incense from Quohor.
Nearby on a mannequin was the rest of the armor, nearly completely engraved in intricate designs reminiscent of Aen Aelle script which the Armorer was seeing upon the steel with the help of his Quohorik Incenses.
The accenting and style of the armor worked in tandem to give it a terrifying appearance which would surely strike fear into the hearts of any bastard unlucky enough to face it's owner.
Eventually the inscriptions and engravings were darkened before Balthor meticulously polished the steel polished to perfection.
Once Finished with the last piece, Balthor set up a seat a few meters in front of the glimmering gray armor and smiled.
The first time this Grizzled Master Armorer had smiled in decades. . .
'still missing something....' Balthor thought to himself while staring intently at the armor before finally realizing what was needed.
A good cloak to match it.
After reaching a long chest of various types of exquisite cloth he found the perfect shade of Gray Velvet to match the boy's Banner.
"I Pick You." Balthor spoke to himself before walking to a large workbench where the man kept his tools for fabrics. . .
[Elsewhere, in Kings Landing]
Varys stood in a dark room of the red keep while looking down at numerous scrolls from his 'little birds' from all around Westeros and Essos
There was a recent series of events which had gnawed at him greatly, A new variable in the Kingdom which he had not foreseen or set into any of his plans.
[Two Men At Arms In Highgarden's Taverns Spoke Of Magic Wielding Young Noble From Beyond The Sunset Sea]
Varys initially thought it had been a load of Shite, some tall tales or a silver tongued swindler trying to earn some coin and dismissed it.....but too many reports were popping up...He did not confirm it for himself Until the letter directly from Lord Luthor that is.
Instantly Varys realized what the final sentence from Lord Luthor's Letter meant.
[Due To The Possibility Of Interception There Is Another Matter I Shall Not Include In This Letter But I Assure My King That He Would Be Most Pleased To See In Person.]
Varys knew in his heart of hearts that Lord Luthor was speaking of fire magic when stating that.
'what to do...what to do....' Varys thought to himself while pacing back and forth.
'He shouldn't be long to visit Kingslanding.....Perhaps I'll pay him a visit and decide for myself.' Varys thought to himself before walking to a nearby wall.
With an upward push of a particularly smooth stone, a passage opened in the wall and before long Varys disappeared into the maze like walls of the Red Keep in complete silence.
He moved from passage to passage until finally emerging in the Great Hall upon which the Mad King Sat on, His body contorted and bent into a disgusting figure, His Crud encrusted nails a few inches long like claws, While his dry and matted silver hair lay more like a shaggy mane than a head of hair upon his visage.
To the King's Sides stood two of his Kingsguards, To his right stood Lord Commander Gerold Hightower an imposing middle aged man with salt and pepper hair.
To his left was Harlan Grandison, His old wrinkled face hidden from view by a polished gleaming helmet but Varys could feel the old guards eyes watching him like a hawk with every step he took towards the King.
"Varys. What News Of My Enemies Do You Bring?" King Ares asked a bit impatiently.
Varys continued walking until reaching the foot of the Massive iron throne before bowing deeply.
"My King there is little new news as of now, but I have just received a portrait of Luthor Tyrell's newest knight, which you seemed intrigued about last we spoke...." Varys spoke before pulling a large scroll from within his robes.
Instantly The King's clawed hands snatched the scroll from Varys and unrolled it before staring at it intently.
"How accurate is this?" King Ares asked while staring at the illustration
"Quite Accurate My King, All it took was a small payment to the Tyrell's court painter." Varys spoke in a hushed tone.
"Certainly Looks Like A Valyrian.....But Those Eyes....." King Ares spoke while staring at the slitted Golden Orbs
The King was soon distracted from the gibbering of demons in his head which soon returned as his eyes glazed over with madness.
Before long the King quickly made a retreat to his chambers away from traitors and threats, both real and imagined.
[Highgarden]
"Take me with you!" Emlyn cried out in my ear on the morning I was due to depart for the Capitol.
I turned to the sweet girl who had grown on me significantly in the past few days.
"Travel to the Capitol is too dangerous, especially with the Kingswood brotherhood around you know this." I responded warmly but she didn't wish to relent.
"Please, I can take care of myself, I can cook your meals and fix your clothes.....How would you sleep without me cuddling with you My Lord Drakkon!" She cried out a bit desperately.
"Don't think I'll forget you here girl. You're mine you know." I spoke while softly using my hand to raise her chin so I could take a better look at her.
"Please....Don't Leave Me...." She spoke with tears brimming in her eyes which I found irresistible.
Her own father had been drafted by the Lord of Honeyholt to fight in a petty dispute between him and The Lord of Bandalion, Only never to return.
Emlyn felt a searing pain in her chest as the thoughts of that happening all over again coursed through her mind, She had fallen deeply in love with this Strange Young Lord and his kind heart and didn't want what happened to her mother to happen to her.
"Fine you can come with, Bud you must follow my every single order." I spoke firmly.
"I swear it!" She shouted and wrapped her lovely warm arms around me tightly, unable to contain her excitement
just then I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers for the first time.....They were soft, indescribably soft.
I held our kiss there for a long moment before Tir Tochair's voice sounded in my head.
'Use Your Tongue Master' My blade spoke.....and so I did.
My tongue stuck out and pressed against her closed lips for a moment as if asking entry.
Before too long I managed to spread her lips apart and my tongue entered her sweet mouth, instantly she jolted and tried to pull back out of instinct due to the strange new feeling shooting strange sensations throughout her entire body.
But I didn't allow her to pull back and held her closely before slowly moving my tongue to hers and slowly tasting its mild sweet taste....absolutely delectable.
We continued kissing like lovers for a long while before she finally ran out of breath and started panting desperately, I wanted nothing more than to ravage her right there but our caravan was on a tight schedule.
Before Long we both walked through the hallways, myself in my new full armor and regalia, it's jagged imposing looks making any servants who spotted me instantly scurry away like rats.
Eventually I reached the courtyard where a young man stood, while holding a massive dappled destrier whose legs were like trunks.
"Ser Aestorius I am Barry Lightfoot, Lord Luthor has instructed me to be your guide to Kingslanding. This steed is a gift from Lord Luthor, selected from his personal stables." Barry spoke amiably.
"Very well, Hold the horse for a bit longer." I spoke before escorting Emlyn to the Carriage and loading her aboard.
"Keep the doors locked as we travel, If you need me just shout okay?" I spoke to my well behaved maid who nodded cutely in response.
After leaving my woman I walked up to the horse slowly and presented the back of my hand.
After a few moments the horse took a whiff and chuffed in my direction as his greeting.
"Seems Ferdinand likes you Ser Aestorius," Barry spoke before leaving the horse with me and mounting a nearby rouncey
Before long our Four Wagon, Fifteen man precession began the twenty five day journey to the capitol. . .
[A Few Days Later]
"No, Don't Lower Your Blade After Swinging. Or You Leave This Open." The Young Lord Drakkon spoke to one of the Two Knights Which had come on the journey While the other guardsmen watched on in awe at the inhuman stamina and strength of the Young Lord who seemed capable of beating all their asses and only being mildly tired afterwards.
Then they all heard light footsteps approaching from nearby.
"My Lord Drakkon I Brought You Some Honeyed Wine To Cool Off." The men all heard the young maids sweet voice but none of them even dared to look in her direction.
All of them knew how incredibly possessive the young lord was with his servant and none wanted to find out whether or not he could actually turn people into ash.
Once the sun began to fall from the sky the men began to grow sleepy, Each knight got a Wagon to themselves and so did the The Young Lord Drakkon who slept that night as he did all other nights, Wrapped arm in arm with his Pretty maid.
[Many Days Later]
And after nearly a month The caravan passed numerous small villages and farms, including the large towns of Appleton and Bitterbridge until finally reaching within a few miles of the Capitol.
The most distinctive thing for the Young Lord was the stench....As if a thousand years of piss permeated the air with the only respite being the cool sea winds which worked to mellow out the smell.
Luckily for him those sensitive Witcher's senses eventually muted out the stench of piss before too long.
And thus the caravan moved steadily onward, every man among them deeply tired of the journey
[The Red Keep]
Varys stood on a balcony while looking to the south where the Tyrell caravan was expected today, His little birds had been far quicker than the four wagon precession after all.
Eventually his beady eyes caught sight of his prize, at such a distance they were nothing but smudges but finally the strange newcomer to the seven kingdoms had arrived.
"What Kind Of Man Are You Aestorius.....A Bane or A Boone....." The spymaster whispered to himself before disappearing from the balcony back into the depths of the Red Keep.
Before long the Drakkon-Tyrell Precession began to make their way up the winding city streets towards the Red Keep.
The banner which flew above the middle wagon was a strange one which people had never seen before, A Gray Dragon marked with a slitted golden eye, The first time Drakkon Banners Had ever flown inside of Kingslanding but definitely not the last.
Eventually they reached the drawbridge which separated the Red Keep from the masses of smallfolk.
Standing in the way were A Dozen or more Goldcloaks.
"Who Approaches The Red Keep!" The head guard roared out as was customary.
From the Drakkon-Tyrell Precession, a young guard stepped forward and spoke while holding a parchment.
"Ser Marlon Dunn And Ser Gyles Osgrey, Headed by Aestorius Sallerich Von' Drakkon And The Tyrell Retinue Under His Command! Come To The Capitol Under Direct Orders From Lord Luthor Tyrell, Warden of The Mander And Lord Paramount Of The Reach!" Barry yelled out and waited for a moment.
"Bring Forth Your Documents!" The Goldcloak Sergeant yelled out, Barry approached as he'd done so many times before during his previous visits with Lord Tyrell, Heck he even knew the gate guard personally.
Upon reaching Ferdinand the Gate guard the other man spoke to him.
"Who's this Guy Never heard of that house name before." Ferdinand whispered while inspecting the documents.
"New Young Noble in Lord Tyrells Service, Swordsman like you've never seen and not a cunt." Barry spoke, calling a noble 'not a cunt' was quite high praise from a man like Barry and Ferdinand knew so too.
Ferdinand wished to talk more but he'd have to do so when off duty so he returned the scroll and yelled aloud.
"House Drakkon's Procession Is Permitted Entry!" Ferdinand bellowed out and stepped aside as the iron gate was raised by the guards.
"See you at the Yellow Tankard tonight?" Ferdinand whispered to which Barry nodded before heading past him.
Eventually they all reached the Outer Courtyard where their horses were unhitched and wagons stored while the footmen unloaded supplies and moved them into the designated quarters for Tyrell Attendants, A privilege only granted to the Great Houses of Westeros.
Within moments of stopping at the courtyard Aestorius dismounted and walked over to one of the wagons where the only woman in the group was waiting.
"Aestorius I'm nervous..." The plainly pretty maid spoke with a tremble in her voice, A newfound Golden Eyed Gray Dragon Pendant glimmering upon her lapel
"What are you nervous about my little lark?" The Young Noble asked before taking her hand into his, Although his hands were in their gauntlets she only felt his love instead of cold steel.
"It's the Capitol, The other maids always said there's no place more dangerous for a maid than the Red Keep...." She spoke nervously.
"There is nothing to worry about ....Just stay near me at all times okay, If anyone bothers you just let me know and I'll just slice off their pesky heads okay?" The Knight spoke in an all too casual tone which may have led the unaware to think he was jesting.
The pair chatted for a few more minutes until a steward of the keep walked out with a writing board in hand, He spotted the Noble in his resplendent armor and made his way there.
"You are....Aestorius Sallerich Von' Drakkon?" The steward asked after taking a moment to get the name right.
"I am." Aestorius spoke while looking directly at the steward, the man only met the knights eyes once before the glowing slitted predators eyes scared him into looking back at his paperwork.
"There are a few standard questions before you are permitted into the keep with your personal staff." The steward spoke and waited for the Knight's nod before continuing.
"How many of your personal household will be staying within the Red Keep Walls?"
"One"
"Name And Occupation Of This Servant" He asked plainly.
"Emlyn Of Honeyholt, Personal Attendant And Paramour" The Knight spoke and the Steward wrote it down on the paper.
'Shameless' The steward thought as he wrote [Attendant & Paramour] on the parchment before counting the other members and horses in the group.
Soon after The young Knight signed the Parchment and was escorted past another set of gates, these guarded exclusively by the House Targeryen Household guard who seemed far taller and more dignified than the Goldcloaks which guarded the outer courtyards.
As Aestorius walked past, Targeryen guards eyes widened in surprise and shock.
some of them initially thought they had seen a Targeryen until they spotted his predatory golden vipers eyes which sent a shiver down their spines.
I heard the Targeryen Guards whispering to each other.
"By The Sevens Was That A Demon?"
"Did you see that?"
"I thought I was seeing things."
They whispered among themselves.
The Young Knight and His Plain Maid continued onwards until arriving at a Nobles Chambers, normally more luxurious than what was customary for a lordling of a fallen house, but a request from Lady Olenna which had arrived a few days earlier by raven swayed fate in Aestorius's favor.
"This will be your room, And This the Key. Seeing that you only posses a single maid should you require assistance feel free to ask one of the Red Keeps numerous Attendants which you will recognize by this pin." The Steward spoke while pointing to a Polished Brass Three Headed Dragon Pin upon his lapel.
"Thank you for your assistance, I require Lord Commander Hightower know about my arrival." The young noble spoke.
"Of Course Young Lord Drakkon, I do request you do not Leave the Red Keep within he first day in case you are summoned to the Great Hall before the morrow, Food is available from the royal kitchens upon Request....Is there anything else you require before I take my leave?" The Steward asked.
"A bath, and where would I go to spar?" Aestorius asked with a restless hand upon his eye-catching blade.
"You may find the training yard in the outer court, simply ask any guard or servant for directions when you intend to head there....Your Bath will be brought promptly Now if you will excuse me my Lord." The steward spoke with a bow before walking off once his guards left the luggage.
[Mc Pov]
"I cant believe they let us into the Inner castle! I heard only the personal handmaids of the Lord and Lady are permitted here!" Emlyn spoke excitedly while skipping over to me.
She reached my side and began undoing the straps of my pauldrons when a knock sounded on the door.
*Knock...
*Knock...
*Knock...
"The Bath was quick...." She spoke and let go of my vambraces before skipping happily to the door.
Just then an sweetly acrid stench filled my nose....
"Stop." I called out which made Emlyn freeze in place, she turned back a bit surprised since I'd never spoken to her in that tone.
I moved her aside from the door and pulled it open.
Bald. . .
Fat. . .
Dressed in Purple Silk. . .
Varys.
[Lemon soon just not right time yet]
[End Chapter]
[Word Count: 3646]