272 AС
Here comes the tournament. From the very morning the streets of the city were filled with crowds of people, screaming and raging in some kind of epileptic fit. The reason is simple - King Aerys II himself entered the city along with his son, 13-year-old Prince Reigar. Due to the clogged streets, trees and windows along their entire route, I looked at them from the roof of the hotel where I was staying, located on the main street of the city.
The royal family was beautiful. Now I understand why all who saw the descendants of ancient Valyria call this disappeared people the most beautiful in the world. Aristocratically pale skin, white shimmering gold or silver hair, facial features that combine softness and slight sharpness, coupled with their twinkling eyes, like expensive amethysts, made them one of the most beautiful people I have seen in both lives. It was the breed. A breed created over the millennia of Valyria's existence and one of the last reminders of its existence.
At least that was the case for the prince. Two heads shorter than me, he gave the impression of a kind of poet, melancholic and slightly sluggish, not understanding what he was doing here and why he was forced to come here. Although the posture betrayed in him a well-trained warrior. But Aerys... The whole impression of the king was spoiled by his eyes. Constantly running, sparkling, changing the tone and meaning of the look several times a minute, with characteristic bags. It was clear that this man was out of his mind. Beneath the expensive armor, good looks, and royal majesty that he imbibed with his mother's milk, there was something unpleasant, slimy and nasty.
"Even though it's very well disguised," I thought, taking one last look at the back of the royal procession. "It's hard for people without rich life experience to see it. I hope the Golden Lion is included in this number.
The first 2 days at the tournament were completely devoted to knightly competitions - padarm and jostra. The next three days will be a general fight, a competition of archers, ax throwers, singers and horse races. Well, the last days are again given to knights who love to poke their neighbor with a spear at full gallop. I was interested in the average 3 days. I have already signed up for all the competitions taking place at this time, with the exception of the singing competition. As my mother, who taught my brother and me music and poetry, said, it was like a bear stepped on my ear, and after that it also jumped. Three times.
The next two days were spent in the inn in training and preparing for the tests. Only in the evenings I was distracted to talk with my new acquaintances, who were returning from the stands at the lists. When asked why I didn't attend the "show", my answer was that I wasn't interested in these games. This was probably one of the few things in which my brother and I were absolutely in solidarity. We tried to learn how to fight with spears in order to give the sisters chivalrous shows, but even the little twins understood and dissuaded us when they saw our "pleased" faces after several attempts. Boredom is deadly.
Only on the third day I left the hotel, preparing for the most important event for me - the general fight.
- I didn't know you were a warrior, Felix. Joen said as he helped me put on my armor. In general, this role is played by squires or specially hired workers, but the redhead and his brothers very strongly asked to be led to the participants' parking lot. Who am I to say no to the good guys?
- It's not a secret. - I answered, adjusting the last straps on my pauldrons and bracers. "You yourself saw the sword hanging from my belt from the very moment we met.
"Yes, but for a warrior, you are too good at blacksmithing. – Intervened in our conversation one of the brothers, like Rick. They were both tall, only half a head shorter than me, and bald guys with muscular arms and legs, powerful torso and shoulders. In my opinion, they looked more like bandits from the highway than apprentices from one of the best jewelry shops in the city. But, according to the stories of Joen, in which case they can crack with a hammer in the face.
- Who forbids a person to be a warrior and a blacksmith? - Because of the helmet worn on my head, my voice seemed muffled and hard to distinguish. "I simply honor two manifestations of the One, not one of them.
Adjusting the shield fixed on my back and taking the ax in my hands, I headed for the exit from the tent. The fight will start in a few minutes. You can't be late, because good money is at stake.
P.O.V. Jaime Lannister
- Sit here and try not to catch the eye of your father. - As always, my mother said softly, stroking Seri and me on the head. She looked even better today than yesterday. Her soft and silky hair, not inferior even to those rare fabrics that merchants bring from overseas, shone like pure gold, making her the most beautiful mother in the whole wide world. - If you catch his eye, he will drag you by the ears.
- Okay, Mom. - At the same time, we responded, hugging her in unison for a small tummy, in which our brother or sister is now growing. Or maybe both.
"Why can't we sit next to the king and the pope?" Seri asked once again, pulling her mother's sleeve several times. Dressed in a beautiful red dress, the same color as my doublet and breeches, she was an exact copy of my mother. Only small. "I really want to see Prince Rhaegal.
- Reigar, daughter. - Mom smiled radiantly with her smile, from which even dad melts. "Your father needs to speak to the king like a right hand to a sovereign. We cannot be there. And the prince is now sitting in the library, and asked him not to disturb.
Her smile twisted briefly at that moment. On the first day of the tournament, King Aerys looked at his mother in a strange way and shouted something to her. I was far away and didn't hear. But at that moment, my father's face turned very red, and veins appeared on his temples. After that, mother was taken away from the royal box, and for the third day she has been sitting with us, watching the tournament from a secret niche.
- Mom, you will remain a beauty queen to the end, right? Seri asked, climbing onto her mother's knees and starting to look at her with pitying eyes, at which almost everyone is led.
- It all depends on who the knights choose and how often the defenders will change. - Said mother, holding her sister tightly to her.
You will remain her. If they don't choose you, their father will rip their heads off! - The sister belligerently threw her fist, making me laugh a lot to colic in my stomach.
"You can't say that, lady, dear. - Mom shook her head condemningly, but Seri and I could see that she liked this threat of ours to the poor knights. Daddy can really rip their heads off.
- Today again competition of knights? I want to see Ser Barristan the Valiant knock that Garnet Knight out of his saddle. - Having climbed over the railing, I said, peering towards the lists, where today for some reason there is no divider. "Mom, why isn't that fence there today?" Will there be something different today?
- Today there will be a general fight and a competition of archers. - Gently pulling me by the scruff of the parapet, she said.
- Watch how a bunch of knights flounder in the mud and how the mob makes holes in stuffed animals. Seri said piteously, looking up at the sky. - Boring.
- But why. They say Ser Barristan Selmy and Prince Leven Martell, two of the strongest royal guards, will take part in the general fight this time. Mother muttered in response, nuzzling the top of Cersei's head for a moment and then pulling herself away. - Wow, look. Begins.
Indeed. The horn sounded and the stadium began to be massively filled with people. I recognized almost all the coats of arms of the West, grouped together, such as the houses of the Braxes, Westerlings, Justes, Kennings, Crakehalls, Leffords, Lyddens, Marbrands, Morelands, Plumms, Presters, Sarviks, and Serretts. Together with them were 5 more groups, led by Tyrell roses, Tully trout, Martell sun, Arryn falcon and Baratheon deer. Another group consisted of rare knights of the North in alliance with free riders. Naturally, there were also loners, like that tall man with an ax in his hands, standing on the edge of the lists.
The horn sounded and the battle began. The openers and stormtroopers grappled with the Dornishmen, the rivermen attacked our vassals, and the freemen and northerners, for lack of rivals, grappled with the warriors of the Valley.
The most interesting and cruel part of the general fight began. Dozens of knights, without any hint of formation, as taught in books that I can not stand, fought each other with swords, shields and fists. Soon most of the participants died, and their squires began to carry them out of the field. The most powerful warriors immediately became noticeable.
Wearing the white cloak and armor of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy fought only in exchange for his usual helmet for a large pot helmet. He, like the very embodiment of the Warrior on earth, wielded his blade, incapacitating his enemies with every movement.
"Simplicity and craftsmanship. Like real art"
In the same white cloak, but already in light Dornish armor, Lieven Martell glided across the field, making rare and light attacks, after which people folded in half.
"Fly like a butterfly, pity like a bee"
The third who stood out, surprisingly, was the same tall one. Tall, half a head taller than all the knights present, he unpretentiously sent everyone who approached him into flight with crushing blows of a two-handed ax, which he held in only one hand.
"How primitive"
- Mom, who is this knight? Seri, like me, noticed him too. On his back was a shield and he himself was in armor, without any coat of arms. But my father said that anyone who comes to the tournament creates a coat of arms for himself. Even the most incomprehensible and uncivilized. Here is a gray void.
- I don't know, baby. - Said the mother, frowning slightly, as if remembering something. "But his appearance reminds me of someone. We'll all know soon.
She was right. Soon, only three remained on their feet in the arena - the royal guards and that unknown warrior.
- What are they doing? Cersei asked as the three of them circled the arena like kites as the crowd booed. To this question, my mother only glanced at one of the men at arms guarding our niche.
- Milady, look at the king's guards. They exchange glances. – Indeed, their heads sometimes twitched and the distance between them gradually decreased. – Surely they agreed to defeat the unknown and then fight each other.
His words turned out to be true. Lord Barristan and Prince Leven, united, began to push that tall one to the border of the lists, clamping it on both sides.
- Look, he's panicking! Coward! Seri yelled, leaning over the railing as she was quickly pulled back by her mother before anyone noticed her. She was right. The big man began to quickly look around, as if looking for a way to escape, and even almost tripped over someone's body, still lying unconscious. Everyone in the audience laughed at this. The king's laughter was especially loud from his box.
But the laughter stopped abruptly.
What happened next, I will remember all my life. I was so shocked by the events of that day.
Here is a giant, instantly accelerating and releasing the ax from his hands, grabs the body lying next to him by the leg.
Here he is, at great speed, not expected from such a thug, hitting Ser Barristan with an unknown body from top to bottom.
Here Ser Barristan dodges with ease, moving slightly to the side, and counterattacks with his sword, trying to hit the enemy in an unprotected visor.
And he flies off from a terrible blow with an iron fist right in the face, falling and dragging along the arena, raising a trail of dust and sand behind him.
He didn't move anymore.
Only later, after thinking it over and learning the details, did I realize that his opponent had let go of that body in the middle of the blow, a moment before the collision with the ground, shortening the distance and using his speed and weight, he struck his left fist into the blind spot of the royal guard. It was a ruse built on deceit and Ser Selmi's ignorance of the capabilities of that warrior.
There was dead silence. Me, Seri, my mother, the soldiers present and the rest of the audience were all in shock. Most generally sat uncivilized with bulging eyes and open mouths, resembling freshly caught fish. Just now, the knight considered one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom, the vanquisher of Maelis the Two-Headed, the last Blackfire, was defeated in just a few moments.
Two things helped to get out of the stupor - a loud laugh from the royal box, and the same unknown warrior who took advantage of the hitch, removed the shield from his back and took out the sword from the scabbard, standing in the middle stance, suitable for both defense and attack.
Prince Lieven also quickly recovered and rushed into battle. It soon became clear that before the thug was just pretending. Straight as a stick, the blows changed to a real sword dance, where each blow was an application of the previous one, trying to seep into any gap in the enemy's defenses. Taking all the spear attacks on the shield, he drove the royal guard around the arena.
- Martell will win. - One of our guards whispered quietly, hoping that no one would hear him in the general hubbub. We heard.
- Why do you say that? I asked loudly, drawing attention to myself. On the one hand, the guards should be quiet, like silent sisters, but on the other hand, I was already wondering who would emerge victorious.
- Milord, I...
- No, answer. Seri interrupted him, smiling at him with the smile of a real lioness who saw a lamb. She copied it from her mother a long time ago and constantly continued to improve it. After hesitating a little, the guard answered.
"Prince Leven Martell has been a royal guard for ten years. I've seen his fights before. He flits around his enemies, unleashing relentless attacks until they fall from blood loss. It was only through luck that that warrior was able to defeat Ser Barristan. Soon he will make a mistake and will also lie on the sand.
But his words did not come true. The fight had been going on for ten minutes, during which the Dornishman had exchanged three spears and was already using a fourth. He had to constantly move in order to bypass the shield and strike at the gaps in the armor, and the Gray Knight, as the stands had already dubbed him, did not allow himself to be reached. It became clear that Lieven's strategy had been turned against him - either he jumped like a Dornish goat around his opponent, attacking an always-timed shield, or he jumped again, because when he stopped, he was attacked with a sword.
"The fight will take place before the first mistake of one of them"
The mistake occurred only a quarter of an hour later, when almost everyone in the stands was tired and almost stopped watching the fight. Prince Lieven stumbled. I stumbled over the very ax that the Gray Knight threw in the middle of the battle. He was not a fool, immediately lunging with his sword and repelling the last blow with a spear, he put the blade to the neck of the royal guard.
- Felix of the Cold House wins! The steward's voice echoed over the stands, followed by a loud roar from the crowd. Even here, one could hear the curses of those who bet on Martell and the cries of joy from those who risked betting on the dark horse.
Only the raised palm of the father made everyone fall silent, and the herald called the winner to the royal box.
- Take off your helmet. - Said the father, whose voice and appearance was now more majestic than that of the king, next to whom he sat.
- Yes, my lord. - The knight's voice was very muffled because of the helmet, but in the silence that reigned it was perfectly audible.
With my helmet off, I expected a lot, from an ugly ogre with scars and ulcers on his face to an old knight with gray hair. But not a guy, no older than our groom's son, who recently turned fifteen. Similar shock was visible on the face of the mother, and on the face of Seri.
- They said you were from the Cold family. Not a single emotion showed on my father's face. He only cast a displeased glance at the crowd, calming the murmur that had arisen. Are you the second son of Alexander Cold?
- Yes, my lord. His voice turned out to be very strong and soft, involuntarily catching something inside me, even when he made a slight bow towards his father and the king. "I am honored that you remember my father.
- Alexander is one of my best warriors, who went through with me the war of the Ninepenny Kings and the rebellion of the Reins and Tarbeks. - On the face of my father appeared one of his rare real smiles, which I have seen in my life less than the fingers on my hands. If they are not facing the mother. "In the Western Lands, there are few who can compete with Blood Rain. How is he?
- All right, my lord. The knight smiled softly, grabbing his helmet more comfortably. Was it just me or did he flinch for a second? Nobody interfered in this conversation. Everyone wanted to know where this monster came from that defeated two royal guards at once, and they did not want to incur the wrath of their father, the Lord of Casterly Rock and the King's Hand. "Now he breeds horses so that in the future you, his majesty Aerys, and your armies can ride faster than the wind across all the Seven Kingdoms.
- Good answer. - It was clear that the father liked the guy, since he talks to him so much. In past tournaments, dad exchanged only a few phrases with the winners and sent them back. - If he managed to raise such a son, then he will bring out good horses. How old are you?
- Fourteen, my lord.
Judging by the sounds, many choked on their wine at his answer. He was already over six and a half feet tall, and he could grow even stronger. It will be a real mountain in the future.
"But at the age of fourteen to defeat Barristan Selmy and Leven Martell…" Looking at him again, strange feelings began to arise in my chest. Something between admiration and envy.
- Such success at a young age is commendable. - If the father was surprised, he did not give it away, only showing signs to the butlers to give the king, who began to twitch strangely, more wine. I knew the king for only a few days and already understood that now he could brecze some stupidity. – What are your future plans for life? I can offer you a place in our house guard and a knighthood for further service.
The gazes of many of the knights present immediately turned envious, causing me to puff out my chest involuntarily. Our home guard consisted of the finest knights of the Western Lands and was one of the strongest troops in all of the Seven Kingdoms. No fool would refuse such an honor.
- Thank you, my lord. But I planned to see the world, first by going through training at the Citadel.
- Ha-ha...
"Here's a fool and found"
Now many people are choking, including me. With such skills and physique as a maester… Idiot.
- An interesting decision. If you ever change your mind, you will always be welcome at Casterly Rock. - Apparently, my father, as always, understood more than me and made some of his own conclusions. "You may go, Felix the Gray.
- Thank you, my lord. - Bowing, he said, pressing his hand to his heart. "And congratulations on your new addition to your family. "I swear by the Seven Gods, at that moment he turned and looked directly into my eyes, and then his mother and Cersei, making them cringe. Although we were in the niche of the town hall, almost a hundred yards from it. After that, the Gray Knight, turning around, left the stadium.
"I hope we will meet again sometime" - I thought, getting up from my chair and following my mother and sister, who had already left the niche. I still saw those bright green eyes that glowed with fire. - "Interesting person"
***
Crashing into the tent, I crashed down on the nearest bench without looking. His breath was still stale, and his hands were trembling as after a long drinking bout.
Felix was amazing! - The cries of the brothers and the redhead were deafening no worse than a hand grenade exploded near the ear. Thank all the Gods further chatter continued only one of them. "You have defeated Ser Barristan the Valiant and Prince Leven Deathspear!" Why didn't you tell me that you are such a strong knight!? It was incredible! Ballads and songs will be composed about you. A gray knight without fear... Kkhar... Why throw gauntlets in your face!?
"That's the only way to make you shut up"
- So that I once again went out against such monsters. I croaked, pointing with my hand to Joen, who was still rubbing his bruised face, to give me my wineskin. Wine is a rarity in my stomach, so I had to wash down the stress with a cool mint broth. "Redhead, you're a fool if you think it was easy." I walked the entire fight on the edge of a knife. If the Valiant had not fallen for my bluff or had been able to react to a surprise attack, then it would not have been him who had dropped out of the competition, but I. And Prince Lieven... I managed to win only because he did not pay attention to my ax, on which I drove him. He is much more experienced than me and if the fight continued at the same pace, he would be the first to find a loophole in my defense. If I now face one of them one on one, I will surely lose.
- But it's still a good result. "What I liked about Joen was his almost endless optimism, as opposed to the two gloomy brothers who stand like guards at the entrance of the tent. You should probably thank them later. Judging by the shouts outside, it was only thanks to their efforts that this tent was not yet packed with people. "You gained the glory of a warrior who defeated two royal guards and a thousand golden dragons. Very big money.
- Agree. - I said, leaning back on the previously laid skin, and relaxing. I didn't even have the strength to laugh at the finally recognized nickname of my father. "Blood rain"... What did he do, since he was given such an interesting name? In a few hours there will be an archery competition. You need to be fresh and rested. - I've always been amazed by it. On a golden dragon, you can hire a whole brothel for the night or not starve for a whole year. Many peasants have never seen dragons, and now I got a quarter of a pood of gold just for beating a few peasants. This world is strange.
- I agree, my friend. Joen chuckled as he drank from his wineskin. Apparently the wine, since it smiles. Apprentice jewelers are rarely allowed to drink it. We need strong and firm hands, not combined with alcohol.
The rest of the day went much more smoothly. Of course, there were screams of surprise when they saw me in the ranks of the archers, and real screams of disbelief when my arrows hit all the targets thrown right in the center. But the extra five hundred gold pieces easily reconciled my slightly damaged hearing.
The other two days passed at the same pace. In horse racing and ax throwing I did not win - the lean Dornish horses and skilled people from the Iron Islands were too fast. But the second and third places in these competitions were also satisfactory.
There were countless visitors these days. Most of them were prostitutes, charlatans and robbers who wanted to help the "stupid boy" spend money properly. More decent people also came. Several lords and merchants, with a face like they are doing me a huge favor, offered to become their soldier and were sent to hell. There was even a boy who asked to be taken as a squire, but quickly ran away when he found out that I was not a knight. According to rumors, Leven Martell himself even wanted to visit me, but he could not move away from the king, due to the concussion I gave to Ser Barristan. I overdid it then.
On the day of the end of the tournament, I became the owner of a pot-bellied chest filled with 1600-Tyusta rounds of the most noble metal. In order not to tempt people of a less noble profession, the money was immediately taken to the branch of the Iron Bank and added to my old deposit. Tybalt, when he saw the chest, was as happy as a cat overeating sour cream. For such a good investment, the way to the main branch or the head of all branches in the Western lands will surely be opened for him. It all depends on his choice and possible benefits.
I left the minimum amount of money with me - 5 gold and 800 silver coins. In case of need, money can always be withdrawn in the Old Town, where the main branch of the Iron Bank in Westeros was located, using the issued special token, with a pattern in the form of a key, the symbol of the Iron Bank depositors.
Soon my three new friends and I, having bought two carts and mares for them, left Lannisport, heading south to the Reach. Where in a month, according to Tybalt and several passing merchants, the name day of Highgarden's heir, Mace Tyrell, will take place.