Bab 6: Of Priorities and Choice
Marcellus woke with a jolt. He stood up with heavy breaths, recalling the last memory he remembered, A bear attacking him desperately trying to end his life. The gates of death opening upon him and with sheer will, he refused to enter.
Alicent, His Love. He recalled her last words, words that presented him the truth. They're gone, and there isn't a thing he could do to bring them back. He has to accept that, or he will live in the past.
But how can he accept that? It isn't that simple, they were his family, his joy. It feels as though if he accomplishes this mission, a part of his family would be here, not whole, but here nonetheless. He would be happy, content.
Distraught thoughts lingered in his head; if he let them go what would remain of himself? They were the main reason he had his Ambition in the first place There is nothing left within him besides one thing, His ambition. He has no other dream, no other desire. Only that.
'Achieve greater glory than us.' A voice of a woman whispered in his head. For a moment he paused, realization dawning on him. They didn't want him to restore the old Empire, no. They wanted him to do more, more than they were able, they wanted him to be better.
Fury burned inside him. He understands it now, the brilliance of his Ancestors, their greatest accomplishments their glorious conquests.. If he achieved more, did more, created more, ruled more, they would be pleased. His family would be pleased, Alicent would be pleased. Their will would live on, Through me.
His thoughts cleared, his desires listed, His focus shifted to the present. He felt extreme pain in his arms, shoulders and chest, courtesy of the bear's sharp claws and teeth. He needed to get back and get treated, else he won't be able to move his arms for a moon.
He heard the sound of neighing, he turned to it's source and found his horse kicking the corpse of the bear, the horse neighing every time he kicked the corpse.
"Huh. You're one cruel bastard for a horse." Marcellus stated before approaching it. "You like kicking it?" The Horse turned to him, looked him in the eye and with what looked like a smile; nodded. Once again the horse turned its attention to the bear, kicked it's head, looked at him, and neighed. Proud of it's actions.
Marcellus joined his horse and kicked the corpse. Once again, the horse neighed, looked at him and nodded, giving it's approval.
Marcellus looked silently at the bear and decided to take something for himself. So, he skinned the Bear's head and took a fang from it.
Then he mounted the horse and began his journey back to the castle, the Horse; reluctant to leave didn't obey Marcellus "Alright alright you cruel little bastard, let's get out of here, I'll give you more corpses in the future." The Horse side-eyed him "I promise." Reassured, the horse finally obeyed and left, with one final look at the bear. "Alright, from now on, your name will be Bob Corpsebane."
And they lived happily ever after.
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Marcellus arrived at the gates of the castle, and immediately, two soldiers went to his aid. When they attempted to help him get down, he refused and stated "Im fine, it's just a scratch."
He got down with a grunt, the soldiers still trying to help him but he insisted in walking to the Maester's Tower by himself.
He walked up the stairs of the Tower, accompanied by a soldier while the other already informed Maester Wyman. When he arrived at the door, he thanked the soldier and stated that he could leave. Maester Wyman greeted him and ushered him to a chair, and began treating him.
"What happened to you, My Lord? Already trying to kill yourself?" The Maester said while stitching his wounds.
"Went out to the woods. A bear nailed me from the side and dismounted me, almost got me if I say so myself, good thing I killed it. A story to tell to my children in the future." Marcellus said while tolerating the pain.
"Well, you won't have any kids in the future if you try to kill yourself again." And pulled extra hard on the stitch.
"Sh*t! Don't do that again you old bastard!" Maester Wyman just laughed "Ha! Gets 'em everytime."
"You do that frequently?" Marcellus asked
"Aye, everytime I treat someone for the first time, ask the man that accompanied you here, He was a screamer that one." Wyman said with a smile.
Marcellus didn't trust this man at all with his shoulder, not with that smile"They taught you that at the Citadel?
"No, I just like doing it." Continuing his work.
Marcellus shivered...
"There, all done. You just need to take it easy for about a sennight." Wyman said.
"Ah, thank you."
"Pleasure." Wyman replied and started to clean up. As Marcellus prepared to leave, a thought came over him.
"Ah, Maester, I have something to ask." Marcellus stated with a serious tone.
"Yes? What is it?" Maester Wyman replied while returning his things.
Marcellus's blue eyes locked onto the Maester and asked "To whom does your loyalty lie?"
Maester Wyman paused. His demeanor becoming serious, He knew these types of conversation. The Maester put down what he was holding, turned around and looked into Marcellus's eyes.
"You're playing a very dangerous game, My Lord." Marcellus's eyes narrowed. "Depending on where your loyalties lie, I don't have to worry do I?"
"Maybe, but maybe not." Marcellus approached the table filled with letters "You see, with my return, I think it is time to go back to old traditions is it not?"
"What are you suggesting Marcellus? Out with it." Maester Wyman said with a tone of seriousness.
"You swore your life to the Citadel, and the Citadel was formed by us; House Atlas." Marcellus approached the fireplace, his eyes staring deeply into the flames. "Thus, every Maester, Acolyte, and everything that comes between, is owned by House Atlas, and seeing as im the head of House Atlas, that makes me your Lord." Marcellus stated as a matter of fact.
"I swore no allegiance to you. The Maesters of the old did, but this is the present, you hold no power over me." Maester Wyman said in defiance.
"And now you defy your Master, Hmm?" Marcellus stated, his voice getting deeper, still focused on the fire.
"Yes." Marcellus heard the word from the Maester, but the tone of uncertainty with a hint of fear did not escape his ears.
"Must I remind you the fates of the ones that Talked?" The threat was clear, and the Maester hesitated "What would I gain from you, Hmm?"
"Ahhh, now we're talking." He smiled, facing the Maester. Blue eyes containing amusement. "Well firstly, you would be my first friend in Westeros, wouldn't that be great? "The first ally of the Emperor" the people would call you."
"Some petty nickname won't have me betting all my cards to you." The Maester responded proudly.
"Ha! Funny.. Second, being as my first ally, shouldn't I feel gratitude towards you? The first man to support my cause, you deserve a great reward! Worthy of your name!" Marcellus offered, not hiding the tone of playfulneds in his voice.
"What kind?" Maester Wyman pressed.
"Ha Ha Ha, greedy huh? Well I suppose a seat in the Emperor's Council is well-deserved don't you think, Oh Grand Holder of Knowledge?" He said with a wide smirk displayed on his face.
Maester Wyman stood with shock, to offer him such seat and title in his council, he would attain power greater than he ever expected.
"What say you? Ha! Together with you as my first councilor, you will witness the entire world kneel before my might." He approached closer to Maester Wyman "And besides, you don't need to worry about what you'll gain, there's plenty of it."
He leaned into the Maester's ears. "Worry about what you'll lose." And the Maester felt something poke his abdomen lightly.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone