章 60: Eight Moons
299 AC, Pentos
Three men were sitting on a wide table while there were many scrambled scrolls on the table. They were the most important members of the temple. However, there was a joyous mood in the room as the smiles were plastering their faces. Their talks were about the ongoings in the world and their plans but their words were cut short as the door was knocked.
A smile came upon Gerold's face when he heard the knock on the door. Today, his plans regarding the Westeros was going to advance on its tracks.
"Come in," Gerold said.
The door was opened and two guards entered with a fit-looking man with an eye patch between them. All three of them bowed but the guards left after a small bow while the man stayed in that position.
Gerold stood up with a big smile on his face and advanced to hug the man. "Ah, Ned, my loyal follower, come sit with us," he said. "How is life treating you, it has been three moons since you came back to the palace."
"Good." was the only answer Ned gave. However, when talking with Gerold he didn't show any reaction except reverence in his eyes to him. He sat onto one of the empty chairs and looked around to see the two other men.
Gerold introduced the other two occupants of the room when he saw Ned looking at them. "This is Trios, a dear friend of mine and someone you should show respect but don't take an example from his actions." Trios rolled his eyes. "And this is the leader of my shadows, he is the one who keeps our lands in function. You can call him Ser Lurs as he will accompany you to your children and help you there regarding your troubles"
Ned's eyes shone briefly when he heard that he was going back to his children but the lustre was quick to go as he went back to his unresponsive-self.
Gerold turned back to Lurs and said, "You can continue."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Lurs said. "As I said earlier, the girl is disposed and the three subjects were transferred to the headquarters but there was some problem on the way. Three attempts were made to steal them but none succeeded as two shadows were accompanying the party."
Gerold nodded his head. "Good, send your men to deliver them to the biggest of the three islands in Sunset Sea, Aegon. Tell your men to put them in the room with the stone."
"It will be done, Your Holiness," he said.
"Now, let's talk about Westeros as Ned, here, will be on his way soon. Give a little summary of the past sixth months for our Ned." Gerold's eyes turned to Ned and he saw a little hope in his eyes but it was so small that none could bring that hope out.
"First of all, your daughters are back at Winterfell," he said.
Ned nodded his head when heard it and gave out a little smile.
"Tywin Lannister sent his dog to Riverlands after taking the news of his son's kidnapping. Before your attempted coup, Lord Tyrion Lannister was released from captivity after a battle of trial. There were small clashes in Riverlands but none big until your rescue from the King's Landing. Robb Stark marched to the South with his army when he received the scroll about your arrest and demanding his presence. A battle happened in Riverrun and Lord Edmure Tully lost."
"Is he dead?" Ned asked in a monotonous voice.
"No, he was captured and the Lannister forces besieged the castle. Lord Stannis Baratheon and Lord Renly Baratheon declared themselves the king. Lord Stannis has the support of his vassals and some minor Stromslands' nobles while Lord Renly has the support of Stormslands and Reach. Your son has brokered a marriage with Freys in return of passage from their bridge but the Freys also demanded your daughters' hand for marriage."
Ned frowned upon hearing these words but the next words of Lurs came as a relief.
"Upon the orders of the Prophet, three shadows were sent to help and the northern gates were opened at night and Northern forces took over the first castle without any casualties but while assaulting the southern castle with a surprise, approximately 300 hundred men were lost."
Ned looked at Gerold with a grateful look on his face. However, it was strange seeing his face going from a monotone look to grateful look and then going back to its old self. He was like those stage actors of Braavos.
"He fought his first battle at Whispering Wood, just beside the Riverrun and won." Lurs continued. "After the battle, he received news about your disappearance. His second battle was at the doors of Riverrun and he captured Kingslayer at the battle while lifting the siege. The next day, the lords gathered at Riverrun's great hall and they discussed their route in the war. As the Northern side did not lose any battle against the Lannister and your whereabouts were not known, a letter was sent to Tywin Lannister. In case of an attack to North or Riverrun, Jaime Lannister and all other noble prisoners were going to be executed. And this marked the end of any battles and clashes on Riverrun. Your son sent more than half of his men back to North and half of those men were sent to the Wall to support it as there are words about some wildling army marching to the Wall. He also declared his neutrality in the war and left some of his commanders at the head of his southern army and went back to the North."
"What about Jon, is he okay?" Ned asked.
"After your brother's disappearance, Lord Commander organized a great ranging to the Beyond the Wall and your son did not return to the Wall since then."
Ned frowned to his words as he remembered his last words to him but right now, he was not permitted to show any emotions according to the education he received during his blessing times.
"King Stannis captured the Storm's End and sent an ultimatum to his brother, demanding him to lay his sword down and bow before his true king but King Renly refused and told the same thing to him. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin captured Tumbleton and raided the Reach, frequently."
Ned scratched his chin, "Any army coming from the Reach or the Stormsland has to pass Tumbleton to reach King's Landing from the land so Tywin plans to use the castle to finish the war in one battle with the remaining Baratheon brother." he said.
Lurs smirked, "Yes, my lord. Just as you said that was Lord Tywin's plan but King Renly did not attack his brother. He just sieged Storm's End with ten thousand men while proceeding towards Tumbleton but that was a fake movement as half of his men went to the South of Westerlands and raided to their heart's content. During their raids, they captured Crakehall, Cornfield and Silverhill. And that was all that happened during your stay here."
"Thanks for your insight Lurs," Gerold smiled gently and said. "Now, coming to your story, Ned. After you escaped from King's Landing, your ship was attacked by pirates and you lost your left eye in the fight and they took you as a prisoner. However, you were rescued by the ships of the believers and they brought you to Pentos as you needed a healer's attention. Thus, you stayed here for eight moons as you did not remember many things before the pirate attack. However, you regained your memory in recent days and you are going back to your home, am I right?"
"Yes, Your Holiness," Ned nodded his head. "Do you have any orders for me after I return to the North?"
"Yes, the first thing you will do is will be defending the Wall," Gerold said. "As Lurs said, a wildling army marches to the Wall so you will go there but there will be no negotiations, only death or obedience from them. Meanwhile, you will send your son, Bran to Riverrun as when you arrive at the North, Lord Edmure will meet an unfortunate event and without an heir, the Lord Paramountcy of Riverlands will fall to your children. Of course, some "advisors" will be sent with him until he comes of age. That is all for now but Lurs will inform you if any new things reveal itself. Now, you go and rest as there will be a long journey waiting for you."
Ned nodded his head and rose from his seat but he stopped halfway, "When will I be sailing, Your Holiness?" he asked.
"Tomorrow morning," Gerold said as he watched Ned leaving the room after taking his answer.
After Ned left, Trios finally broke his silence, "That man needs to show some emotions or else they will realize the minute they talk with him. By the way, I thought you were going to kill those dragons?"
Gerold smirked and sipped from his wine, "Yes, we can't allow the magic to return or else we would be losing our advantage but they are a clear power source and before killing them, I need them for a project of mine…"
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