Kapitel 747: Chapter 747: A Distant Tale
"You've been gone for far too long."
"So long, in fact, that many believed you were dead."
Docked at the port of Blackwater Bay in King's Landing, the twin-masted warship 'Tempest' from the Summer Isles was busy unloading its cargo.
They had come to King's Landing for two reasons: first, to represent Lady Asha Greyjoy, and second, to deliver a particular 'item.'
The mission was of utmost importance; Asha had to choose someone reliable and competent for the task.
'One-Eyed' Romy Pyke was intently directing his men as they carefully unloaded a large crate from the ship's hold. The crate was then placed onto a specially designed large wagon.
On the other side, Davos Seaworth, the Master of Ships for the Empire, was conversing with the ship's first mate, 'Blond' Jack.
His words echoed the thoughts of many. The spreading fog from the Smoking Sea had severed communication between the east and the west. They had received no news of Asha Greyjoy, leading many to believe she and her crew were lost. Yet, unexpectedly, a ship had returned after such a long absence.
Davos had already sent word to the Throne Room. Today was the Emperor's day of audience, where he would hear petitions from the nobility in the Hall of Five Hundred.
Any noble with suggestions or grievances could come to King's Landing and submit an application to attend the court session. Commoners and merchants were also welcome.
The Small Council usually met once a week, while the larger audience days occurred bi-weekly or sometimes monthly.
The timing of Romy and Jack's arrival was less than ideal. The Emperor was currently in the Throne Room hearing petitions, and they would need to submit an application and receive approval before being granted an audience.
However, not long after, a message arrived from the Red Keep granting Romy and Jack from the Summer Isles permission to meet the Emperor.
Tyrion Lannister, the Emperor's personal advisor, would personally greet them at the gates of the Red Keep. Any matters they wished to discuss in the Throne Room had to be pre-approved by Tyrion, who would decide what could be made public and what could not. They were also briefed on the proper etiquette for meeting the Emperor.
"Take your leave, Lord Davos."
"Go ahead."
As Davos bid farewell to the captain and first mate of the 'Tempest' from the Summer Isles, he couldn't help but wonder what had transpired at the world's end, thousands of miles away.
Unfortunately, he had official duties to attend to today.
The severed fingers hanging around Davos' neck indeed served as his talisman, grounding him whenever his thoughts began to waver.
As Davos continued with his duties, elsewhere, soldiers donned in antiquated Imperial Navy armor were escorting a massive wooden crate through the bustling streets of King's Landing, drawing the attention of many of the capital's citizens.
It had been a long time since they had seen such battle-hardened soldiers, and the strange sounds emanating from the crate they were escorting piqued the people's curiosity.
Among these soldiers, who had been on an expedition to Naath Island, many had originally set sail from King's Landing. They hadn't seen their homeland in years. What met their eyes now was a mix of unfamiliarity and delight.
The unfamiliarity came from the drastic changes that had occurred, while the delight stemmed from the evident prosperity all around them.
However, as they turned a corner, a massive shadow loomed overhead. The soldiers escorting the crate, including 'One-Eyed' Romy and Jack, were startled, instinctively drawing their swords.
But upon closer inspection, they realized it was a colossal golden statue in the heart of King's Landing's central square.
"What a massive dragon!"
The menacing dragon's claws rested on a stone pedestal, its semi-spread wings almost touching the distant building known as the 'Imperial Bank.'
The dragon's head was raised, its eyes fierce as if it were howling at the sky. Atop its back sat a handsome young human, sword drawn, pointing towards the northern sky.
"That's the great Emperor and his battle companion, Balerion."
Upon seeing the soldiers' startled reaction and even the drawing of swords, a passing merchant, dressed lavishly with a twirled mustache and portly figure, spoke disdainfully.
"Country bumpkins!"
Beside him was a dolled-up beauty, her arm entwined with his.
The pair then casually strolled past the pirate captain, heading across the square to the Imperial Bank to withdraw money for some luxury shopping.
The grandeur of the place was evident, with people from all walks of life coming and going—be they impoverished dockworkers or wealthy merchants, they all entered side by side.
"Damn it!"
"I'll gut him!"
It was only after the pair had walked away that 'One-Eyed' Romy came to his senses, feeling as if his nose was about to go crooked from anger. He had just been insulted to his face.
However, Jack quickly restrained his impulsive comrade.
It had been many years since Jack had last set foot in King's Landing. The last time he was here, he was but a boy accompanying his father. He could clearly feel that the city had changed dramatically since then, not just in its renewed architecture but also in the air—gone was the foul stench of yesteryears. Even the spirit of its people had changed.
He had heard the tone of pride in the voice of the lavishly dressed merchant who had just passed by, boasting about the city. It was the same man who had 'reminded' them that the statue was of the Imperial Emperor.
"Do they feel pride and honor for this nation, for this city?"
"Can so much change really happen in just twenty years?"
Jack muttered to himself, casting a glance at the towering statue of the young man, then shifting his gaze towards the distant Red Keep.
His anticipation grew to meet the man who, according to the tales, had single-handedly built this empire—a man who even commanded a tone of reverence whenever Lady Asha Greyjoy spoke of him.
"Let's go!"
Four or five years ago, Asha Greyjoy had led two thousand Imperial soldiers and a fleet on a half-year-long expedition to the distant island of Naath to protect the vassal states that swore fealty to the Empire.
However, after defeating some pirates and slavers on Naath, Asha faced a dilemma: whether to consolidate her gains and retreat to the Summer Isles or to press the advantage and strike at the unprepared Lizard Islands.
In the end, the Kraken's Daughter chose the risky path, leading a surprise attack on the Lizard Islands.
But the war turned out to be a disaster. The pirates of the Lizard Islands had received prior intelligence and set up an ambush. The Imperial fleet suffered heavy losses and retreated to the Summer Isles.
The islanders of Naath even faced retaliatory attacks and massacres from the pirates.
On the other hand, the pirates, not content with just repelling the Imperial fleet, coveted the ships, equipment, and wealth they could gain from defeating them.
So they allied with the Red Flower Valley tribe, located not far from the Imperial fleet's camp.
The old chieftain of the Red Flower Valley had died, and his son had become the new chieftain. However, the new chieftain was treacherous and lusted after Asha Greyjoy's beauty. He conspired with the pirates to attack the Lizard Head, asking only for a portion of the spoils, including Asha herself.
The Throne Room was abuzz with whispers, people astonished by the tale unfolding at the world's end.
"What happens next?"
At this point, the crowd couldn't help but hold their breath.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein