Outside of Braavos, at the Golden Company's camp.
The intelligence officer, Lysono Maar, rushed into the tent of the Captain-general.
"The Cheif Blacksmith, Rolly Duckfield, the Archer Commander, Black Balaq, and Sergeant Lemen Biz, were found by Wright Baratheon at the Outcast Inn. All three were killed on the spot. Daemon Sand was severely injured by Wright and dragged through the streets to Prince Oberyn's ship at the harbor."
"Is the information reliable?" Young Griff, with his blue hair, stood up.
"I was supposed to meet Daemon Sand. I arrived early, waiting on a small boat across from the tavern. Wright Baratheon didn't even try to hide; he struck directly inside the tavern's private room. The tavern owner handled the bodies of the three," Lysono Maar replied, placing three golden armlets on the table, sweat beading on his handsome face.
"I threatened the tavern owner to hand them over."
The new Captain-general, Harry Strickland, and Young Griff examined the inscriptions on the armlets.
"Yes, it's them."
Lysono Maar continued, "Daemon Sand wasn't dead when he was dragged to the harbor, and many saw him. But I'm afraid he won't survive. Afterward, Dorne's prince's guards sealed the harbor's dock, so I returned to report."
The tent was filled with Golden Company soldiers, their faces grim. They wanted revenge but lacked the strength to act. No one spoke for a while.
Young Griff held one of the golden armlets and walked to the center of the group. "When I was young, I joined the Golden Company with my family. It was Rolly who taught me my swordsmanship. When I grew older, I knighted him. Rolly didn't have a surname before, but where I knighted him, there was an area full of ducks, and that's why he chose 'Duckfield' as his surname, also the origin of his nickname, 'Duck.'"
Young Griff raised the armlet, drew his long sword, and rested it on the armlet. He looked around at the men, his voice growing passionate. "We, the Golden Company, will remember their debts. The four Baratheon brothers are widely known as rebels in Westeros! The eldest, Robert Baratheon, is the murderer of the rightful king and prince. The second, Stannis Baratheon, hunted down the queen to Dragonstone, defying the will of the Seven, and opened a casino in King's Landing to amass wealth! Renly Baratheon relied on his king brother to oppress the people of Stormlands and the Riverlands, robbing the poor and committing countless wrongs!"
Young Griff, knowledgeable in history and military strategy, knew this was the perfect moment to rally the men. He spoke with increasing passion, stirring the emotions of those around him.
"And Wright Baratheon, who knows what cursed demon turned him into a Warlock, Sorcerer, Mage, or whatever he call himself. Over a thousand of our brothers died at his hands! These are our comrades, our blood. Right now, we lack the power to face Wright, and the Baratheon's are far away in Westeros. But we can gather allies, unite others who are dissatisfied with the Baratheon family. Our first target will be to kill Wright Baratheon in Essos!"
"Kill Wright Baratheon!" Ronald Connington and his son Ronnet Connington immediately stood up, banging their swords against their shields, loudly echoing the cry.
"Kill Wright Baratheon!" The tent filled with fervor, the sergeants' faces turning red as they shouted, eager to release the pent-up frustration and anger they felt.
Young Griff, holding the armlet and sword, approached Captain-general Harry Strickland, bowing respectfully. "Captain-general, please give the order. The Golden Company will not engage Wright Baratheon for now. We will head south to grow stronger, gather allies, and avenge the over a thousand brothers we've lost!"
Captain-general Harry Strickland stood, responding in kind. "Golden Company soldiers, prepare your supplies and head south immediately."
"Understood, Captain-general!" The sergeants saluted and quickly departed the tent.
Young Griff had grown up within the Golden Company. Many suspected he came from noble origins, arriving with a retinue of servants when he first joined. As he matured, his vast knowledge, fair judgment, and sense of loyalty earned him the respect of many. The previous Captain-general was dead, and now, under Young Griff's leadership, his faction had become the dominant force within the Golden Company. Even the Captain-general seemed to favor him, rumored to be grooming him for the role of the next leader.
After exiting the tent, Young Griff mounted his horse, ready to head to his camp and make preparations. Beside him, Ronald Connington followed, riding in parallel.
"You did well today, Young Griff."
"The men of the Golden Company wanted to retreat, but because of our traditions, they also felt they had to avenge their fallen brothers. Anyone who suggested retreating was labeled a coward. I simply gave them a reason to retreat — though, upon deeper inspection, that reason isn't even all that solid." Young Griff rode on, not even glancing at Ronald Connington.
Ronald Connington didn't have Young Griff's sharp instincts. Having brought him from Westeros to Essos and into the Golden Company, Ronald Connington thought of himself as a kind of father figure to him, knowing every little thing about his words and actions. "Wright Baratheon's threat is too great. We must preserve our strength. Who cares about the reason, as long as the Golden Company soldiers believe it."
Young Griff then asked, "What's the situation in Braavos?"
Ronald Connington replied, "Drowned Town plans to rebuild. These shameless nobles and merchants only care about making money! The Sealord 's death was definitely Wright's doing, but they claim they can't find any evidence, and they've pinned the blame on the Sealord 's bodyguard."
Young Griff tilted his head slightly, glancing at Ronald Connington out of the corner of his eye. "Any other news?"
"No, that's all. I only just heard about Wright Baratheon from intelligence officer Lansono."
Young Griff didn't respond, his violet eyes now bloodshot with a growing intensity.
As a child, he had truly viewed Ronald Connington as a father, but as he grew older and learned more about his own lineage, especially with Prince Oberyn's influence and the tutors he'd had, he became well-versed in Targaryen history.
Ronald Connington's brother had been the late Hand Of The King of the previous dynasty, but Ronald himself was a shortsighted, arrogant, and ordinary noble second son, only executing his deceased brother's will while repeatedly using the debt of him saving Young Griff life to taunt others.
Now, both Prince Oberyn and Golden Company's intelligence officer Lansono Mar could communicate directly with Young Griff, and he was fully aware of Ronald Connington's dealings with Viserys Targaryen.
Now, even Viserys Targaryen's beheading by Wright had been kept a secret. This was bound to be public knowledge soon, with Wright displaying the severed head at the Sealord's Palace, and soon everyone would know. Ronald Connington was clearly hiding something, likely to avoid revealing his own double-dealing, but was it really just to avoid letting slip some details?
Young Griff mentally marked Ronald Connington with a label: unreliable.
The horse galloped faster, and Young Griff's blue-dyed hair began to fade, revealing its natural platinum blonde color underneath.
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