However, as I finished my inner thoughts, I turned back to my guard, Captain Daeron Mudd, the man who commanded one of the 3 Guard Regiments, composed of 20 men and assigned to me.
"Your Father asks your presence in his office." He said, and I sighed. It was too early for this. But I nodded either way.
"I´ll be there soon." I said, and Daeron reformed his position in guarding my door.
And with that, I got my clothes on. It was a simple cloth, sort of tight with the Celtigar Crab on my right chest.
I had white hair, which was slicked back, reaching the back of my head, but not further than my neck.
I stood at about 5´6 in height, nothing too large, but not too small either, I was born in 96 AC, and I am currently 14 years old, and my brother Arthor Celtigar was 10 years old, born in 100 AC, and my mother died at the same time.
And to make matters worse, father refused to remarry. Which was sort of annoying, as both my father and mother is of such pure Valyrian descent, that the chances of my brother and I gaining a dragon, was at a similar level to the Velaryons.
And I knew, we needed dragons.
However, I put that into the back of my mind, as I headed for my Father office, flanked by Daeron Mudd.
He was the last descendant of House Mudd, which was originally destroyed and their noble status, revoked.
But for that same reason, I had won his loyalty.
As we passed through the corridors of Celtigar Keep, I nodded at a multitudes of servants.
First came, Head Chef Joffrey, he was the result of my advanced cooking skills, with his help and a few twists here and there, we had developed both Pizza, Pasta, Burgers and at last, Sushi.
Which had earned him the position of Head Chef.
Joffrey was the son of another Chef in my Fathers service, and he's currently at the age of 25.
I had 14 years to ponder over my future, and I decided to introduce some modern foods to this world, so at the age of 6 I began a complex plot to earn Joffrey´s loyalty.
An anonymous letter to my Father, detailing the treasonous acts of Joffrey´s father, got him killed, and Joffrey exiled from the Keep.
Then, a generous donation to the only thugs in Crab Town, left the poor fellow repeatedly bruised, robbed, beaten and spit at.
And then, I approached him. Offering him to personally serve as my chef, and in return I´d save him.
Now such a rudimentary manipulation might not have worked if I weren't 8 years old at the time, as no matter how intelligent I appear to be. For someone to suspect an 8 year old to be behind all these misfortunes, would certainly make someone mad.
And it came with the perk, that Joffrey had a newfound hatred of my Father.
Alongside Joffrey, I nodded to a few of the servants. I knew that eventually, when I became a dragon rider. My greatest threats would be assassinations, and other dragons.
And yes, it's "when" not "if", a dragon is the minimum requirement which I have placed for myself, for without it. I cannot succeed.
However, I put that into the back of my mind as I reached my Fathers office, Lord Commander Donnel Waters was standing outside it.
"Young Lord, Your Father is awaiting you." He said, and I nodded, before walking into the room. The room was pretty large, with 2 sofas in the corner, and a large desk. Alongside the paintings of many Lords.
"Father." I said as I entered.
Lord Bartimos Celtigar was an old man, he was well into his thirties, about to reach is forties, and he was by all means decent. His only flaw was his great admiration for Edwell Celtigar, his father. So much so that he admired his taxation under Maegor, the cruel.
Edwell was legendary for exploring the common-folk, while appeasing the nobles with his taxes. And it fit the personality of Maegor I "The Cruel" perfectly, why he was the only one on his Small Council, which Maegor appreciated.
"Clement, it's good to see you." My Father said, semi-coldly, but he held some emotion for me. House Celtigar were known for our cold attitude and harsh policies, and my father embodied said expectations perfectly.
"Indeed, it is." I said, with the same coldness.
I never held any real love for my father, which was the goal when I first realised where I had been reincarnated into, somehow though. My Mother was different, and she snaked her way into my Hearths, but my father did not.
"I called you here, to inform you of a change in your daily routine." My Father said, as he took out a map, which described all our trade routes.
"You'll be sailing on the Merchant Ship, ´Crabs Profit´, you´ll be taking the route to Astapor and return, the journey itself will take 6 months." He said, and my eyes widened. He was sending me away....
"Fathe-" I tried, but he shut me up as he lifted his hand.
"It is not up to debate, Clement. You need to learn the harsh nature of the sea, and the realm is relatively stable as is, but it won't be for long." He said.
Hmmm, he had exceptional perception, or he just had the balls to consider it. Rhaenyra would unstabilise the realm.
Now, sure this wasn't preferable, I wanted to attend the Heirs Tournament, and bet my entire wealth of 700 Golden Dragons on Ser Criston Cole, which could earn me cash along the lines of 2100 Golden Dragons.
But I wanted to set out to the sea, at some point.
"Understood, Father." I said, and the man smiled, shockingly. And spoke.
"Good, you'll depart within the week, you'll take Ser Daeron Mudd and his retinue with you for protection." He said, before dismissing me.
And I complied, turning around before leaving the room.
This was sort of early, but I would start the Dance early, for House Celtigar anyway.
As soon as I exited the office, I simply continued walking, as Ser Daeron fell in line behind me, fulfilling his duty as my sworn protector.
"Daeron, Father has ordered me to set sail on The ´Crabs Profit´." I said, and his eyes widened.
"Already? Is it not too early, you're barely 4 and 10." He said, but I shrugged.
"Who knows what runs through his head." I said, and Daeron nodded, but he became silent as we continued to walk in said silence.
—————-
"Oi, Young Lord, we're setting off soon!" I heard Captain Tytos shout, the Captain of the `Crabs Profit`
"I´ll be there soon." I shouted back, before I turned to my family again, or what remained of it. Infront of me stood Lord Bartimos Celtigar and Arthor Celtigar.
I got down on one knee, and opened both my arms, and the 10 year old child ran into my arms, as I hugged him.
"I´ll be back in 6 moons." I told him, and he sniffled slightly. But nodded, determined not to disappoint me.
And with that, I stood up.
"I´ll be awaiting your successful return, my son." Bartimos said, and I nodded. As I turned my head towards the top of the ´Crimson Wall´.
Ontop of it stood Joffrey, my Head Chef and we shared a resolute nod, before I turned around and headed towards my ship, the ´Crabs Profit´. He had a role to fulfil.
**Flashback**
"Milord." Joffrey said as he kneeled.
I had just returned from my meeting with my father, and I was currently standing in the storage room of the kitchen.
"Stand, Joffrey. It is time." I said, and Joffrey slowly stood up. And at the same time, an excited facial expression appeared.
"Will I finally get my revenge, Milord." He said, and I nodded.
"I´ll be heading off on a trip, it will last for 6 Moons. In the end of the 5th Moon, you will serve my father the Black Crab, and the extraction of its poison will fail, resulting in his death." I said, and Joffrey smiled, before he nodded.
"Understood, Milord. Thank you, for the opportunity." He said and I nodded, before leaving.
*****
patreon.com/pondsfyre
Captain Vaughn: +8 Chapters
House Celtigar: +4 Chapters
House Bracken: +5 Chapters
Thalron Veridian: 20+