Chapter 477: Chapter 477: Joining the Faceless Men
The man before Jaime's eyes had a handsome face, with hair of red and white intermingled, his eyes fixed intently on the former knight.
Jaime, recognizing the warrior's instincts in the other's stance, felt a sudden warning flare within him.
The man simply stood, but emanated an aura of unity, like an impenetrable hedgehog.
"This man is formidable."
Jaime's inner alarm soared, and his hand even reached for the dagger hidden beneath his coarse clothing.
Yet on the surface, he appeared calm. After a month adrift at sea, Jaime had said a perfect farewell to the proud youth within him, recognizing his true self, becoming more practical and composed.
"Who are you?"
The disheveled golden-haired knight asked coolly, shaking his head to deny the other's recognition.
"You've mistaken me for someone else. I do indeed hail from Westeros, from Oldtown, and I have heard of the 'Kingslayer,' but I am not he."
The handsome man with red and white hair only shrugged slightly, soothing Jaime's sudden tension.
"A man need not be tense."
Glancing at Jaime's hand on his waist, where he knew a dagger was concealed, his subtle gaze made Jaime more nervous because the stranger had noticed his small movement.
"Some man is but a nobody, and means no harm in seeking you. Otherwise, you would be lying down by now."
"As for whether you are the 'Kingslayer' Jaime Lannister."
The man shrugged again, speaking cryptically.
"Some man believes you know in your heart."
Jaime, hearing these words, took a deep breath. He knew the man had identified him, and further concealment was pointless and troublesome.
But the stranger's arrogant yet self-assured tone irked him.
A young knight, the youngest member of the legendary Kingsguard in the Seven Kingdoms, with swordsmanship rivaled by few, Jaime's ambition to become the next Arthur Dayne had turned him into the Smiling Knight.
Jaime finally ceased to hide, his eyes sweeping the surroundings, followed by a faint smirk.
"A nobody?"
"I don't know who you are, but if it's just you, what harm can you do to me?"
Though ragged and greasy-haired, Jaime's expression was proud, almost regaining some of his former bearing, as he boldly spoke.
"Speak up. Since I've fallen into your hands and been discovered, I can't escape."
"What do you want? To sell me to that boy in King's Landing for a mere thousand gold dragons?"
"You'd be better off selling me to my father; he might pay ten times that price for my life."
Jaime no longer disguised his identity, admitting he was the 'Kingslayer' Jaime Lannister, but his seemingly arrogant words were tinged with caution, probing the 'nobody' for information.
Was he alone, or were there others? What was their stance and purpose? Was Braavos their turf, or were they foreigners like himself, who happened to recognize him at the docks?
What did they intend to do with him? Kill him? Exact revenge? Though Jaime had not intentionally offended anyone, his haughty demeanor wouldn't have won many friends.
Or were they planning to kidnap him and sell him to the 'boy' (Viserys), whom Jaime had once escorted from the Red Keep?
If these people were truly motivated by money, Jaime suggested they sell him to his father.
Jaime didn't want to die, and he knew his father had plenty of money. He believed Tywin would pay ten times the price to buy his life from these bandits.
To Jaime's disappointment, all his guesses were wrong.
The stranger, indeed alone without any accomplices, harbored no animosity towards Jaime, nor any intention to kidnap him for Viserys or Tywin. He wasn't after money either.
"Some man is now named Jaqen H'ghar. You may call me Jaqen."
Jaqen H'ghar looked at Jaime, impatiently breaking his Lorathi speech pattern.
"Some man sees great talent in you, 'Kingslayer.' Only one question: do you wish to return?"
Jaime paused, then shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Some man has no special meaning," Jaqen said calmly, unfazed by Jaime's threatening eyes.
"The Many-Faced God is a debtor, and only life can pay for death. Some man comes from an organization that might help you."
No one on the docks paid them any mind, perhaps because Jaqen was naturally inconspicuous. His conversation with a tall 'beggar' attracted no attention.
When Jaime learned Jaqen's true identity, his eyes widened. After reflecting on his lack of standing in Braavos, he nodded.
"Very well."
"I agree to join."
"Don't be hasty, 'Kingslayer.' Whether you can join requires an assessment."
Jaqen spoke calmly.
"Succeed, and become 'no one.' Fail, and become 'no one' all the same."
"From then on, the world will have no name for you."
Jaime understood the words of the Faceless Man and clenched his fists. Success meant joining the Faceless Men; failure meant death.
Yet, the proud knight believed that with his swordsmanship, he could pass any test and return to Cersei's side, perhaps even kill the boy.
The two walked towards the harbor. Jaime glimpsed a wanted poster on the wall, a face he recognized as Jaqen's.
He turned, but Jaqen was gone, replaced by a hawk-nosed man with a scar on his face.
"What are you dawdling for?"
"Hurry up!"
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