Bab 22: Chapter 22: The fallout
It was a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled. Any sudden movement could lead to a tumble. And they still needed to go back for the others. They had no choice. It felt as though time stood still, but the waves did not, if you allowed your mind to wonder you could even fear or perhaps hear the melting of the wood. They must cross the Black River ash slowly. Any potential overstep could lead to awful misfortune and there was still the misconception of passing the gates. They could easily be thwarted, but no such emissary has taken place. The shipmasters who remain behind simply watched them leave.
Vaemond did not look ahead. He watched the others carefully, "slow and steady", he shouted "the quicker the pace the deadlier our deaths maybe. Once they reached the side of the hull, two anchors were placed at the end of each oar to lift them up. "Steady men". "Pull", he roared.
As soon as his feet touched the deck, did he breathe. "I need a headcount of all our men on board?" "Thirty-eight give or take captain".
"Ardrian, where is he?" "He's down in the mess deck. Shall I call for him? Captain". Vaemond shook his head.
"We are besieged by land and sea", he told them. "Quickly we must set our sails, if we are to beat this oncoming storm. Place the sickly below deck, Aerion, I need you to stay behind. Alys will go with them; his prayers will perhaps sanctify their will". (G.R.R.M quote)
Aerion only nodded as he squeezed the pommel of his sword, he could barely see the port now as the winds took to the sails. He mumbled slightly to himself. "Prayers are worth more than feeble minded hands". He felt as though his teacher was aware.
From the port Redworm watched them abroad the ship, he knew not of their destination. He thought long and hard about his time in Essos to dwell on his helm once more is an afterthought. It is better suited for his disciple perhaps a gift for if they ever see each other again. He walked away into the chaos that was Asshai, thinking out loud. "War will make them old," Redworm said, "as it did us". "I pity them, old friend. Who could he be referring too now they were so many. They are young and strong, full of life, but it will not last because they are knights of summer, and winter is coming. An honor rare as summer snow". (G.R.R.M quote)
"Asshai lied far to the south, at the end of the known world", it truly felt that way especially when the storms came and went. It never felt as though we were going anywhere, at times, Vhaera felt doomed. "She woke aching and alone and weary, weary of hurting, weary of duty. I want to weep, she thought. I want to be comforted. I'm tired of being strong. Just for a small while, that's all ... a day ... an hour of no longer being foolish and frightened for once". (G.R.R.M quote)
She knew not where she was, but the constant sound of prayers filled her head daily. She could barely feel her toes, her fingers felt numb, and she wondered where her brother lay. She could stomach nothing but the blood it seems. She called his name many times but those around her muffled the reply.
He heard her more than once it seemed, but his voice gave out a long time ago. The weight of the mail on his shoulders made his back ache but no one noticed, was he so quiet that they figured him dead. "Even breathing was hard, and the air was so cold it hurt to swallow it. He wanted the fire, dreamed of the fire. If I had fire, I would not be cold". Daemond pondered this idea. (G.R.R.M quote)
"Shadows hid his eyes as he looked upon the dead", Daemond they shouted, and he shook slightly with each passing death. (G.R.R.M quote)
Alys roamed among them for days, observing their habits, those that no longer showed any inkling of life were taken elsewhere their bodies would not be taken to sea. Those that remained would bury them he assumed it a wiser decision than cursing their souls to the dam.
"The narrow sea was often stormy. Vaemond loved the sea. He liked the sharp salty smell of the air, and the vastness of the horizons bounded only by a vault of azure sky above. It made him feel small, but free as well. There are dangers at sea as well. Corsairs and pirate hunt the southern route, and north of valyria the wyverns have begun they're mating season. The next storm could sink or scatter us, a kraken could pull us under... or we might find ourselves becalmed again and die of thirst as we wait for the wind to rise". (G.R.R.M quote)
"I do not tell you this heedlessly, Aerion. I need you to put aside your grief and focus on what needs to be done. I do not tell you this out of kindness, but once the wind picks up again, we need to depart for Astapor. It is more likely that we will find help there rather than Yi-Ti and Sothoryos. There is an herb that the unsullied uses that eliminates pain we are in need of medicine, supplies, and food. I need every man on deck". He lowered his gaze and placed his hand upon his shoulders to ground him back to reality. "No harm shall befall you with so many of us near".
"A coin is as dangerous as a sword in the wrong hands", I do not need to explain the meaning behind these words though you have a distaste for it you still need to find its uses if it is in fact your wish to help our people.
"What will you have me do?" There was a ripple in the waves as he answered. He knew to himself that they were still far off course due to the storm. It would take them another fifteen days to reach slavers bay. During this time the ocean seemed to calm itself.
The switch in temperature was swift. It was not there first time near these ports, but it will be the first time they ever roamed the streets willingly. A rowdy bunch of men no more than four were offering them food. A simple transaction as they divided amongst themselves. Half of his men remained to watch over the ship as the other went in search of water by the barrel. His group only consisted of two. There was talk of men vandalizing the pride of Ghis. No commoner, slave, or high born of station would think of such a de-creation. It was most likely men from foreign lands.
"Astapor. From here it looks almost beautiful, he thought. The stars were coming out above, and the silk lanterns below, the brick pyramids were all glimmery with light. But it is dark below, in the streets and plazas and fighting pits. And it is darkest of all in the barracks, where the children play".
In the center of the plaza of pride stood a red brick fountain whose waters smelled of brimstone, and in the center of the fountain a monstrous harpy made of hammered bronze. Whoever these men were they had the gall to deface the statue. They actually made it even uglier than before somehow the lady is missing her ivory teeth and wings. They deliberately choose to keep the curled venomous scorpion tail.
The plaza of pride had been baking in the sun since dawn. Even through the thickness of his boots, he could still feel the warmth of the red bricks underfoot. More than half the city had copper skins and almond eyes of Dothraki and Lhazerene, but he saw men from Qarth, and ebon-faced summer Islanders. Some had skin of the same amber hue as the slave masters the bristly red-black hair that marked those of Ghis. (G.R.R.M quote)
He was seeking "the wine of courage". It is no true wine at all, but made from deadly nightshade, blood fly larva, black lotus root, and many secret things. One of the merchants told him. It makes one feel less and less with each passing sip. And then the merchant went on to say meaningless things to occupy their time so that they may buy something from one of his stales. He had many things in his possession but nothing of herbs or spices. "Astapor is most beautiful at dusk, young ser. The Good masters light silk lanterns on every terrace as you see here tonight. So, all the pyramids glow with colored lights". I tossed him a coin as I headed back to the harbor. (G.R.R.M quote)
"All the streets were made of the same red bricks that had paved the plaza. So too were the pyramids, the deep- dug fighting pits with their rings of descending seats, the sulfurous fountains and gloomy wine caves, and the ancient walls that encircled them. Their fine red dust was everywhere, dancing down the gutters at each gust of wind. Small wonder so many Astapori women veiled their faces, the brick dust stung the eyes worse than sand".
"The Great brick pyramids lined the shore, the largest four hundred feet high. All manner of trees and vine and flowers grew on their broad terraces, and the winds that swirled around them smelled green and fragrant. Another gigantic harpy stood atop the gate, this one made of baked red clay and crumbling visibly, with no more than a stub of her scorpion's tail remaining. The chain she grasped in her clay claws was an old iron, rotten with rust". (G.R.R.M quote)
It was late most of our needs were meet but this meant another day among the wasted sand and sea.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone