Chapter 17
Jon Snow. Wolfswood.
After I'd gotten a decent distance away from Winterfell, when it already seemed tiny, I stopped and took a deep breath of the forest's scent.
Even knowing that an unknown and possibly difficult path awaited me, my soul was calm with a tiny hint of excitement. This is where I met Lord Solomon, and this is where my journey begins. My sword is true to me, as is my magic with the Ghost.
And with one last look around Winterfell, I set off further through the forest towards the Wall.
The Wall. The giant block of ice that shields the people from threats from the deep North. That deserter whom Lord Stark had executed months ago had mentioned the reanimated dead whose eyes shone with blue light.
And when I heard this, my Origin, which I had learned to activate at will, revealed something. This deserter was not lying. His eyes, the pounding of his heart, and his hands trembling with fear confirmed it. Which meant that an ancient evil had begun to awaken in the North beyond the Wall.
In the past, I would have considered such thoughts delusional, but not anymore. In one of the lectures given by Lord Solomon, he talked about the Mystery.
If people believe that the subject of mystery "exists", the World allows it to exist. And certain concepts do not require specific beliefs of existence.
This directly applies to the very reanimated dead, who are similar in description to the White Walkers. While most people don't believe in their existence, the very idea, "Maybe they do exist" is alive, at least here in the North.
Even the ancient texts of the Stark family directly hints at it, which is already enough for this "Mystery" to arise. Which means that the world itself allows for the existence of the White Walkers. My goal is to investigate this incident, and maybe I can get to the bottom of it. At least, I hope so.
Suddenly, my body stopped and my eyes began to intently study my surroundings. The ghost, noticing this, looked at me in bewilderment.
I noticed a broken branch by one of the trees ten meters away from me, and there were no extra footprints in the snow. Or rather, at first glance. The thickness of the snow cover was different in a couple places, indicating that they were camouflaged.
My Origin not only gives me a high learning speed, but it also increases my perception. A very useful thing, as Lord Solomon put it, in which I agree with him. After all, if my attention isn't too spread out, it's almost impossible to catch me off guard. And judging by the details in front of me, there are several opponents.
- Come out," I said in a monotone, my hand on the hilt of my sword, "I know you're here.
There was only silence in response. It didn't last long, for a few seconds later, three men appeared from behind the trees. They were wearing clothes made of various animal skins. And not far from us, my hearing picked up movement, and with a quick glance in its direction, I saw a black-haired woman aiming a bow at me.
Wildlings.
They surrounded me on three sides with weapons in their hands, now and then casting predatory glances at me.
- Oh? We've got some pretty smart prey here," said a wildling with a savage grin on his face, a rough-looking man with a spear in his hand, "lost, boy?
- Look, he even has his own tame wolf. - Another with a sword added, at which Ghost bared his fangs and growled.
- Our first outing, and only one sucker? Not enough prey for all of us. - said the last one with the axe.
They certainly don't take me seriously. They looked to be about twenty to twenty-five years old. And this is probably one of their first forays. Their grip on weapons is stiff and amateurish, as Ser Rodrik would put it, and I think Robb would have no trouble dealing with them.
I smirked, and the excitement in my blood ignited a giant fire.
So did I.
- First foray? - I began, extending the Durandal's blade slightly with a noticeable clicking sound - But how did you get here bypassing the Wall? I assume you had an escort, and I would be very grateful if you could take me to him.
If I can meet him and get his services as a guide, I can avoid the Night's Watch. This method is much quicker and easier than the last one.
- We'll take you to him," the one with the spear smirked and began to approach me, "Piece by piece.
The next moment, he lunged toward me, aiming his spear at my throat. Waiting until the distance between me and the wildling was no more than a couple of meters, I ducked under his spear in one swift movement and, pulling out Durandal, slashed at his weapon arm, applying Strengthening to my body. My sword cut through the wildling's bone and flesh like butter, and his arm and spear flew off to the side, splattering blood all around.
- Aggh!" he cried out in pain and fell to the ground.
Seeing this, the other two and looking amongst themselves, attacked me from both sides. The distance between us was about ten meters, and while the two wildlings ran towards me, the woman fired two consecutive arrows, which I managed to repel with Durandal.
That short action let the two wildlings get to me. I parried the sword strike, redirecting it toward the other wildling, who was clearly not expecting it. Since the one with the sword had definitely put all his strength into the blow, his redirected blade slammed into his ally's shoulder, losing almost no momentum.
In the end, they both ended up disoriented. The first from surprise and the second from pain, who also fell to the ground holding his wounded shoulder.
Taking advantage of this, Durandal stabbed the sword-wielding wildling in the throat with one precise move, and the next one blew off the head of the last wildling next to me.
I quickly shifted my gaze to the last member of their group that had begun to flee, and moved after her. The surviving wildling with the spear was definitely no longer a threat, but the woman could call for reinforcements. She would have been able to do so if it hadn't been for Ghost jumping out in front of her, blocking her path and growling at her.
Since the distance between us wasn't that great, I reached her quickly, and the wildling shifted her gaze between Ghost and me, clutching her bow taut with an arrow. The woman's breathing quickened and panic danced in her eyes. What was surprising was that I couldn't sense her fear.
- Put the bow down, wildling," I said slowly, putting the Durandal back into its scabbard, "I just want to get beyond the Wall, not kill.
- Оh? How unexpected. And the fact that you've already killed those two doesn't count, admirer? - The woman sarcastically remarked, still aiming at me and Ghost.
- It was self-defense," I replied as politely as possible, "You seem much smarter than your colleagues. But then again, I need to get beyond the Wall, feral. And I swear I won't touch you or anyone else without a solid reason.
- Not 'wildling' but 'free woman', admirer," she said grudgingly, "And why should I believe you? You can kill me and the guide once you're beyond the Wall.
- If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead already, freewoman," I said, and then pointed a finger at Durandal, "But my blade is in its sheath, isn't it?
The woman was silent in response, and after a few seconds of staring in my direction, she clucked her tongue rather loudly and lowered her bow, to which I sighed in relief, and Ghost stepped around her and stood beside me.
- You seriously want to believe him, Mara?! - came the voice of the wildling I'd cut off his arm. As I turned, I saw him moving slowly toward us, holding onto the stump of his arm - Are you crazy?!
- Shut up!" she shouted back - As if I had a choice, damn it!
- You... traitor! I knew I shouldn't have listened to the old witch's ravings and taken you along, you bloody whore!
The old witch? I guess I'll have to ask about that later, but for now...
Just as I was about to intervene, the woman raised her bow and shot at the armless man, hitting him right between the eyes. When I saw that, my eyes widened in surprise, and then went in the direction of the shooter. She just snorted in a feminine way and slung the bow over her shoulder.
- He's been wanting to fuck me for a while now, and he's been pestering me. Good riddance," she hissed, spitting in his direction, and then turned and headed off into the woods. But when she noticed that neither I nor Ghost were moving, she stopped and gave us a disgruntled look: "Are you coming or not, admirer? I'm not going to wait for next winter, or for blocks of ice to sprout in your head.
- And... I'm coming..." I managed to squeeze out an answer and followed her along with Ghost.
For the first time in my life, I didn't know what to say. This woman is so unpredictable and unusual that my mind just goes into a stupor. And frankly, I find that feeling quite... entertaining.
Slowly walking and staring at her back, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
- Stop staring at my ass, admirer," she said in a disgruntled tone without turning around, "It's not for you to color.
In response, I just froze for a moment, and then lowered my head in embarrassment.
Yes, really entertaining...
-0-
Solomon. Pentos.
I was sitting in Halon's office, twirling a glass of wine in my hand while the owner of the room himself was sorting through a mountain of papers, which made the sound of pen scribbling on paper echo through the room.
Semiramis of Assyria and Amakusa Shiro Tokisada, or Shiro Kotomine. Two Servants, the first called to this world. Just remembering their arrival brought a cheerful smile to my face.
If for the Queen of Assyria to see me as Master was a mild surprise, it was different for the priest of the Christian faith. He immediately knelt down and greeted me solemnly, and the fires of deep respect and adoration burned in his eyes.
I guess it's normal to meet your idol, huh? Although I am not the original Solomon, but a Pseudo-Servant, as Shiro himself had informed me.
As it turned out, both he and Semiramis remembered the time in Chaldea when the King of Israel lived as a human being in the form of Roman Archaman. And the news that he was already living his third life in this uncharted world outside the jurisdiction of Akasha was indeed a surprise to them. And while Semiramis only shrugged in her usual character, Shiro was genuinely happy about it.
After outlining the situation to them, they were not opposed to the idea of training the young girl. Even Semiramis, who found the history of this world and the Targaryen family interesting.
When the question of helping Daenerys came before me, the idea of Servants immediately popped into my head. There was a lot of choice, but I decided to settle on just them.
I needed a Servant who knew how to run a medieval state. Someone who had proven his foresight and competence, as well as being in tune with the realities of this world.
At first I thought of Artoria Pendragon, but given that she hid her gender during her reign, that option fell away. Later I thought of the Queen of Sheba, the one who sought wisdom from Solomon, but her excessive kindness and understanding for this world did not quite fit the current situation.
In the end, my choice was Semiramis. Wise, determined, and deadly. Perfect, even with her history with poisons.
In addition to her, I needed another Servant from more or less modern times. And someone Semiramis could relate to. The answer came quickly in the person of Shiro Kotomine, who had participated in two Grail Wars: one as a Servant and the other as a Master. A Servant educated in modern science and having a romantic relationship with Semiramis. Perfect.
As I strayed into my memories, my hearing caught the clearly tired voice of Halon, who took a short break.
- So, are you leaving? - He asked, draining his glass.
- Right," I nodded, "I need to visit Braavos. The tales of the Black and White House interested me.
- Given your proximity to the Red Faith, I suppose your interest is understandable.
His black circles under his eyes spoke of fatigue, and the amount of paper on his desk hadn't changed. Given his plans for Pentos, though, this had become a routine for him, eh?
- By the way, how's your case going? - I asked.
- Pretty good. Thanks to Illyrio Mopatis' support, I have two-thirds of the city's power in my hands now," Halon shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Changing established traditions isn't easy. However, in a year or two it will all work out, I think.
- I understand the last magister is resisting?
- Not exactly. He's just bidding up the price. Farid is the most insignificant of the three magisters. He's willing to sell out his family for a large coin. The last time we spoke, we agreed on a sum that would see him hand over his power to me and leave the city.
- Hmm?
- He realizes he has no other choice. It's either that or be replaced. So Farid wants to make the most of the situation.
- I understand, - I said and, putting my glass on the table, got up from my seat - See you later, Halon. I still have to say goodbye to the other people.
- Of course," he nodded, "Have a good trip.
The next moment I disappeared from his office, back to the Red Temple.
I suppose little Fina will be a little upset, won't she?
-0-
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