272 AС
P.O.V. Aerys Cold
Are you sure you want to leave right now? I asked again, helping my brother saddle the horse.
- Once again I repeat - yes. This is a great opportunity. It's not every day that Lannisport hosts tournaments to celebrate a decade of a king's reign. - Felix answered, adjusting and checking the straps on the saddle so that they did not rub the horse's skin during the ride. "This is the perfect chance to show off, raise money, and buy the right things for the journey ahead.
"Have you decided to go to Oldtown yet?" Still want to become a maester?
- Of course not brother. – Seriously said Fel, making a playful expression. Hell, how can he be the same height as me, even though he's two years younger? It's not that I myself was short - my brother and I have long surpassed my father, who was a local giant, in height. But after all, I almost stopped growing, and he still continues and will probably quickly bypass me. – But you yourself understood a long time ago that you won't achieve much without knowledge. You can even be the most invincible warrior and conquer the whole world, but you cannot save it. We need skills, abilities, knowledge. And the Citadel can provide all this. Don't forget, you don't have to become a maester after forging the chain. You can safely go to all four sides, getting everything you need.
- Are you sure? I had never heard of such a possibility before and always thought that the only way out of there was by taking an oath.
- Sure. - The brother answered, taking the horse by the bridle, and led him to the exit from the village. "Almost five maesters in a row have told me about it. At the same time, two of them had more wine than their own blood. People in this state are very bad at lying.
- Always amazed how you can talk to them. Even when they are drunk, they look at others as narrow-minded fools, and when they are sober it is even worse.
- Just like you can voluntarily put any girl to bed, whether she is married or not. Talent. – From his words on my face the color appeared by itself. He should have caught me at that moment. Thank the Seven that he did not tell anyone, otherwise the father ... I don't even want to imagine. "I hope you don't need to be reminded what happens to overly loving people?"
- No need! The memories that surfaced made me shudder. When this little shit showed up a few days after that incident, with a few sheets of parchment, I didn't suspect a thing. But then... - One of your stories about "love" illnesses was enough for me. I could not look at women for several days after this! Where did you even find these pictures?
- Drawn. For this, he even spent a few deer to buy paper. But what won't you do for your brother? - At these words, this bastard burst out laughing, looking at my face turned purple with rage.
"Calmly. He provokes you. Revenge for all your recent jokes. This game can be played by two
- Himself something else in bed dragged how many, m-m-m? – I asked, carefully peering into his face, trying as best as possible to see any emotions. "Half of the village girls look at you with loving eyes.
- When, brother? I'm busy all day, constantly working. You know perfectly well that my sleep lasts only four hours.
- And who makes you? - We were already approaching the outskirts of the village, where our father was waiting for us, with a long 6-foot package and a large voluminous bag in his hands. - You train more than me, work more than me, sit with your sisters more than me. My voice naturally rose a few tones. "Brother, why are you torturing yourself like that?"
In response, there was only silence, under the quiet steps of Felix, who finally approached his father.
- OK it's all over Now. Father was sad and melancholic today. He was sad to let our youngest out of the house so early, as well as our whole family. Mom and sisters cried all evening last night, persuading him not to leave. They probably used all known methods, ranging from tears to threats, but the brother remained adamant. "You have already grown Felix. I don't know if you were a truly good father, but I do know that you were a wonderful son. The best of which Cersei and I deserved. Take the bag. - With these words, he handed him a bag, jingling with every movement. "This is all the money you've earned in your entire life with us. Cersei, Chloe, and I have been putting them off since your very first hunt.
Judging by his face, he is not surprised at all. I've known for a long time. After handing over the bag, which apparently turned out to be heavy - look how Fel tensed when he took it - the turn of the bundle followed.
"Even though you know what's here, traditions are traditions. - My brother and I chuckled, knowing full well that my father doesn't give a damn about these "traditions". He just wants to spend more time with his son. - I am Alexander Cold, son of John, from the Cold family I release you Felix, my son, on a free journey with a mandate. - He came close and took his brother, who towered over him by almost half a head, by the shoulders. - Be honest. Be good. Be brave. Be faithful. Be decent. Be merciful. Be healthy. And know that you are always welcome in this house, regardless of whether you are alone, with or without a wife, with legitimate children or not. Here you will always find a hot hearth, a warm bed, delicious food and family warmth. Our doors are always open for you.
None of us could stand these words. In a joint impulse, we merged into an embrace, letting out a single tear. We didn't stand that long until my father got tired of our chins poking into his eyes.
- So, enough veal tenderness, you overgrown sheep. He abruptly broke off the hug, returning to his usual mood. Yes, son. Now there will be an unofficial part of farewell. Remember. First, don't trust anyone. There are no people in the whole world whom you can trust, except for your loved ones. Secondly - do not rely on the help of friends. Friends are made only for friendship, and debtors or allies are needed for help. Third, nothing is absolute. Calculate all options, regardless of victory or defeat. So you will always stay afloat. And fourthly, find yourself a wife for love, not need. It is the destiny of lords to trade their children for the sake of the power of their house, and we are simple people - we need simple human happiness. Remember?
- Yes, father. The brother nodded in agreement, jumping on his horse with the strange name Bucephalus with ease. Where did he get this monster? Seven feet tall, he towered over us like a mountain. However, the horse itself was always distinguished by a good disposition and loved people very much, allowing the sisters to feed themselves directly from their hands. A rarity for a war steed that has been trained from infancy to blood, screams and fast chases. As my brother said there ... Exactly!
"There should be many good horses"
- Well done. Hold your axe. Now you are a free rider, serving yourself and only yourself. - Smiled father, finishing the ritual of farewell - handing his brother his weapon.
Removing the fabric, Felix once again showed his pride - a gigantic double-edged battle axe. I have always believed that a real man's weapon is a sword, and I will never change my mind. But I must admit that this weapon is worth dying from. Six feet long, with two ribbed handles, between which a weave of tanned leather is criss-crossed. The end ended in a long point, suitable for piercing necks, and two large blades, in the form of bat wings, were decorated with a very beautiful engraving in the form of a vine, over which the brother suffered for almost three days.
"A product of excellent quality worthy only of him," I thought, while I watched and waved after my brother was leaving. Only he could calmly use it with just one hand, doing such things that one wonders.
All the words have already been said and desires voiced. It remains only to wait for his return and proceed to his duties ...
- Aerys! - The shout distracted from important thoughts, forcing him to turn around and look in the direction of his brother. He was already standing on a hill a hundred yards from us. In his plate armor, with a shield, sword, dagger, ax and cloak, on a giant bay horse, he looked like a knight from fairy tales that my mother read to us at night. It's even enviable... - You asked why I work so much. The answer is simple - only we create ourselves!
With these words he reared up his horse in a dashing manner and galloped off to the other side of the hill, disappearing from sight.
- Good words. – I said, considering his phrase. "That's right for you brother."
A smile spontaneously appeared on my face.
***
P.O.V. Felix
As I galloped along the River Road, I re-thought my plans for the future.
All possible preparations have already been made long ago and now it is time to reap their benefits. Literally three days ago I turned fourteen - the age when you can officially leave your father's house. So I planned to leave it only at the beginning of next year, but circumstances were beyond me. A week later, King Aerys will arrive in Lannisport at the invitation of his right hand. The celebration in honor of his ten-year reign promises to be top-notch, as are the prizes for participating in the tournament. This opportunity should not be missed.
- Lannisport is almost 150 miles away. I reasoned aloud, swaying measuredly in the saddle. – Bucephalus will be able to overcome almost 60 killomes per day ... ugh, I can't get used to local measures of length. About forty miles if you drive for 8-9 hours. With all the stops and inconsistencies in the city, I'll be somewhere in four days.
I'm more or less lucky. Usually travelers traveled such distances only in caravans, the speed of which did not exceed 25-30 miles per day, due to the threat of attack and robbery. And often the main danger is not robbers or robbers, but tax collectors of local lords, who do not differ much from the first two categories. But someone like me is unlikely to attack.
Once again checking the buckles of the armor and the shield fastenings on the saddle, I smiled with satisfaction. Every piece of my equipment was personally forged by me. Of course, I had to take lessons from a tanner for cash, because armor is not just pieces of iron attached to the body. This is a whole mechanism supported by dozens of fasteners, fasteners and seams. But it was worth it. The difference between two armors when one of them is made specifically for you is colossal. The reason here is not only convenience, but also a much smaller number of weak points that usually have to be covered with chain mail. Forge which I can not stand. Like any other blacksmith in my opinion. No one gives pleasure to sit in one place for hours and fasten the rings together.
"Of course, Bern said that it becomes boring with time and even begins to calm, but I don't have such a long experience," I thought, dismounting and taking my horse by the bridle to circle around a giant puddle on the road. Only the devil himself knows how deep it is. Westeros is not the modern Earth of the 21st century - here almost all the roads are made of earth and sticks, falling apart at the first rain.
The journey was boring and exhausting at the same time. No matter how hardy I am, if my legs and back are not used to long walks, they will still hurt. But in this journey, the most terrible pain was not bodily, but intellectual. I am an information age person. It is natural for me to assimilate and analyze a huge amount of information every day. Before that, at my parents' house, I was always busy with something - training, working, talking, or looking after my sisters or Chloe, who lost the ability to walk in the last year.
Horse travel is a monotonous slow ride, with slowly changing landscapes, rare villages and even rarer castles. Saved only by a kind of "meditation" when you occupy your head with anything, from remembering recipes for tinctures for colds, ending with projects for castles in France of the 12th century. The main thing is just to think about something or you will go crazy. Or you get dumb, which is worse.
So the pale gray walls of Lannisport made me feel welcome. I have already been here when the fair and tournament was held in honor of the fifth anniversary of the heirs of the Cliff. Unfortunately, it was not possible to see them, but the prizes for the archery competition and the profit received from trade did not allow us to think about it. Now the city is not much different from a year ago - still the same high 30 yard walls, giant colorful markets selling everything your heart desires, ships sailing from all over the world, and, standing out like a pearl in the sand, the Lannister palace of Lannisport.
And we must not forget about the main asset of the Western lands - Casterly Rock. This giant castle, built on a high rock, with hundreds of winding passages going deep into the mountain, as if the lord, which he was, towered over the city. There was not a single person, except Lann the Clever, who could take this castle. The golden lion of the Lannisters has been hovering over its spiers for thousands of years and, according to legend, will never descend.
The only difference was the abundance of people constantly arriving in the city. Rumors of the king's arrival have long since spread throughout the Western Lands, and all the lords, knights, minstrels and merchants have been flocking here for days.
"And along with them are whores, thieves, murderers and the rest of the trash," I thought, watching how several guards dressed in the traditional colors of the lion's house were dragging a struggling man of gangster appearance under the arms.
Entering the city was no problem - the customs officers at the gate mistook me for a knight and let me through without even taking income tax. Who am I to disagree with them? The hotels were full for a long time, but my mother's relatives, who in this city are more than holes in cheese, gladly gave me a place in the attic for a symbolic three silver deer for the entire tournament.
Only when I was in "my room" and checked all its corners for various surprises, did I manage to do with a calm heart what I had been putting off for so long - to count my money.
A very joyful and at the same time sad picture refused in the inside-out bag - even at first glance, golden dragons and silver moons made up the majority. Deer and pennies turned out to be regrettably few. Only after the first count did I count 97 gold, 4850 silver and 487 copper coins. This picture became sad from the understanding that for such money they would easily cut me down in the nearest alley. But there is always a way out.
The next day after arrival, in the morning, after a good breakfast, water procedures and warm-up, I went to the local branch of the Iron Bank. Merchants who often passed through our village told me about this institution. The bank itself is the largest and richest in the entire world, with its main branch located in Braavos, the strongest of the nine Free Cities. But the most important thing for me is why it is called iron - this bank is famous for the reliability of this metal. If you took a debt from him, then he will always return it, and if you put money in, even if all of Braavos becomes bankrupt, they will be returned to you.
The local branch of the bank was located near the main building of the city, which is also the home of the local Lannisters. A wide street led to the town hall, which simultaneously served as the house of governors and the main administration, modestly called Golden, for the color of the road, lined with expensive yellow bricks.
On both sides of it, there were a huge number of beautiful stone buildings for various purposes. For example, next to the local merchant guild, both the guard department and the elite brothel could freely coexist. The representative office of the bank was located at the end of the street, at its most inanimate end, clearly showing that there are few visitors here. But I even liked it - the more I am in this city and inhale its amazing amber, the more I want to get out of here.
I hope I never make it to King's Landing, I thought as I passed two well-armed guards who changed their minds about stopping me after looking at the sword and sack slung over their shoulder. "It's rumored to smell five times stronger in there."
At the entrance I was met by a counter with a typical clerk. It was no different from my old world, except for the clothes. The same languid and disinterested look, which was almost always present in the workers of pen and paper, even made a note of nostalgia break through.
"Greetings to the Iron Bank of Braavos. - His voice did not match the appearance at all and was low and deep, forcing the interlocutor to listen to him. - What do you want, sire?
- I'm not a sir. I corrected him right away. Assigning yourself the title of knight, without dedication, is considered a crime and it is better not to tempt fate just like that. - I would like to contribute.
- Of course, sir. A smile appeared on his face. Apparently, I am one of those rare visitors who do not mistake the door when going to a neighboring brothel. With a deliberate movement, he took several sheets of paper from the drawer and moistened the tip of the pen with ink. – In our bank you can make a deposit starting from 100 silver deer. Deposits are no longer accepted. Money can be deposited at different interest rates. It all depends on the amount of the deposit and the time for which you put them. How many coins do you want to invest?
- 119...
- Let's write it down. 119 silver deer. - He began to quickly fill out a special form, without even listening to me to the end.
- Stop, stop! "I stopped him before he ruined the sheet of paper and wasted ink. I know such people - they can then demand more money for it. "I didn't say they were silver deer.
- Hm. He looked up at me in surprise and stopped. How embarrassing not being able to read. You never know what they write there and whether they are deceiving you or not. – Do you have another currency? Which? Marks? Valar? Onera?
- No no no. - Once again I interrupted the clerk. – I would like to put 119 golden dragons into the bank.
His surprised look, like the two guards standing on the sides, made me laugh a lot. You can understand it - only small lords or middle-class merchants usually manage such large sums. And I don't look like one of them. Too simple a caftan, too simple a shirt and, most importantly, pants, a thing that only commoners wear.
- Hmm, okay. The clerk came to his senses first. - This is quite a large sum. She's out of my control. I need to call the manager. Can you wait while I call him?
- Certainly.
- Thank you, my lord. - The clerk bowed politely, instantly disappearing behind an inconspicuous door.
"My lord... It's even interesting who he thinks I am now" - I thought, deciding to inspect the decoration of the reception room for the time being. This manager can be expected for a long time. According to a merchant from Riverrun who was often on business in Lannisport, this is one of the favorite tricks of the Iron Bank - to keep their client waiting. Exhausted from impatience and anxiety, then to negotiate on their own terms. So you can relax and unwind while taking in your surroundings.
The reception area itself was nothing special. Everything is in a minimalist style - walls and ceiling made of rough stone, fastened with a special compound, a smooth floor covered with wooden boards and torches in holders that serve as the only source of light in the absence of windows in the room. Well, two statues, mistakenly called guards, standing on the sides of the large table at which the clerk sat.
The wait didn't last long. Relatively. An hour later, through that very inconspicuous door, the local manager came out, having the most banal Lannister appearance - slightly dull emerald eyes and hair shimmering with gold. Otherwise, he did not differ much from a simple merchant, always famous for big bellies, plump cheeks and small pig eyes. Not the most pleasant type of people, but you don't have to choose. No matter how greedy he may seem, no one will dare to disgrace the name of the Iron Bank. There are too many stories about a quick death among the people associated with his name.
- Greetings, dear customer. - Said the local manager, bowing his head slightly. "I am honored to host you at the main office of the Iron Bank in all the Western Lands.
- Very nice. I mirrored his gesture. "I've heard a lot about the fame and power of the Iron Bank. Therefore, I decided to make my contribution here, and not in the banks of the Tyrosh and Lysian cartels.
- Very pleased to hear. – Judging by his smile, he really is proud of his employer. - Let me introduce myself. My name is Tybalt Lunni, son of Edgar Lunni, of the Lanni clan, a branch of the Great House of Lannister. What is your name, my lord?
- Very nice, dear Tybalt. My name is Felix, son of Alexander of the Cold family. I am neither a sire nor a lord, so just call me Felix. - I said, trying to mirror a smile in response. It is always better to communicate in a comfortable and similar style to the interlocutor. So you will make the most pleasant impression on a person, increasing the chances of making a good friend. A good relationship with the head of the Iron Bank branch of the third largest city in Westeros never hurts. "I am honored to meet the son of Edgar Lunni, head miner of the Westlands. All the welfare of the West rests on it and you.
- Oh, so you know my father? Few know of the existence of his office, let alone of himself.
- Miners often passed by my village, and several times your father was with them. We had a great conversation over a glass of good ale in the tavern. He talked a lot, including about his position. It was clear that Tybalt enjoyed talking about his father. "But he didn't talk about his son holding such a high position.
Indeed, I met several times with his father, the head miner, when he drank honestly stolen gold from the mines in our tavern. His duties include surveillance and control of all mines located in the Lannisters' domain. From him I received a lot of interesting information, ranging from the latest prices for the precious metal, ending with complaints about the gradual decrease in mine production in the Nunn Basin and the Castamere mines. Naturally, during such conversations, he was not sober and it is better not to talk about such conversations, otherwise you can lose your head.
Our further conversation took place in his office, where he treated me to everything he could and asked me about extraneous topics, trying to quietly, in his opinion, find out where I got such money from. But the level of epochs is too different - on Earth, anyone who communicated with government officials or good psychologists would easily understand his tricks.
We started discussing the contribution only a few hours later. In Westeros, there is no fixed interest rate - here for each transaction you need to negotiate with the banker. So our negotiations weren't much different from bidding. I tried to convince him, using all my eloquence, that in the future I would be a good client for the bank and it would be better to give me higher interest. He strongly doubted this, arguing this with my appearance and precarious position. As a result, help came from where they were not expected. As soon as he found out that I was his distant relative, and also that if I won the tournament, all the money would be added to my contribution, he immediately agreed.
To my question "why?" he did so, Tybalt only said that he liked me. I hope this is not far from the truth. As a result, we agreed on a chic contribution of 10% per annum. The deal was closed immediately, striking Lanny with the presence of my signature, and not the traditional "illiterate cross".
The rest of the days leading up to the tournament were spent walking along Steel Street, the traditional local name for the artisan quarter. Lannisport is the commercial and industrial center of the Western Lands: the largest sea and land routes converge here, such as the River, Sea and Gold roads. This city has always been famous for its artisans, especially jewelers and goldsmiths. I talked with the last two, or rather with their apprentices. The masters of working with gold themselves are often the owners of "great life experience", which gives them the most unpleasant character traits, ranging from sycophancy to great megalomania. And their students were for the most part simple guys from the street, who were picked up for good talent and perseverance. It is much easier to communicate with them.
As a blacksmith myself, I had a variety of topics to talk about, ranging from common metalworking techniques to differences in our craft. They gladly, without even realizing it, told me a lot of interesting things about jewelry and the peculiarities of working with gold. In response, I showed my axe, explaining the technique of making engraving on metal, which their masters consider "secret", and told a few facts that I accidentally remembered from Earth. They were particularly interested in the method of creating shining gems. I myself did not know much about this, only from the stories of my friend I remembered that gems acquire their radiance after the correct cut, made specifically so that the rays of light loop in the stone, making it lighter. After my story, their eyes just glowed with delight. When I asked why such joy, they replied that such a technique is available only to the best masters and they keep secrets very strictly.
- It is not a secret. - Then I answered, looking at eight pairs of interested eyes. - The whole complexity of this method is in calculating the correct angle. But for this you need to know the science called geometry. She teaches correct calculations.
- Where can you learn it? - Asked one of the apprentices, who is the owner of a very interesting red head of hair.
- In the Citadel. - After my words, disappointment immediately set in their eyes. – I will go there myself after the tournament.
- Do you want to become a maester? - The same redhead looked at me in disbelief. "Abandon your wife and children and serve the lords all your life, without any reward?
- No, of course not. Did I say such nonsense? - I was slightly indignant, surprising the listeners. - Remember - in the Citadel it is not necessary after training to become a maester. You can simply leave without saying your vows, even forging your own chain, remaining forever in the rank of dropout candidate.
Judging by their appearance, for these 8 guys, who were mostly older than me, this turned out to be a real revelation for them. After further questioning and clarification, something happened that I did not expect at all - three of them decided to come with me.
It was the same redhead and two black-haired brothers, similar to each other like two drops of water. According to them, they are the oldest here and have learned everything they can from their masters. To continue their education further, they had to become the main apprentices, and these places have long been occupied by relatives of their masters. According to them, they do not want to always be eternal assistants and work all their lives for not the most pleasant people.
Thus, by the day of the tournament, I had three traveling companions - a red-haired and cheerful Joen and two eternally gloomy brothers Rick and Jack.
And so, on the eighth day of the 7th month of 272 from the conquest of Aegon, the Lannisport Tournament began, in honor of the decade of the reign of Aerys II Targaryen.