章 59: Arthur XXIII
"Don't tell me you actually believe that nonsense about Heathen God's My Prince?"
"To be frank, Lord Paxter, I have no other explanation for what happened today." I sighed purposefully, intending to appear particularly belabored to the Lord of the Arbor. "You know as well as I that the wind behaved unnaturally."
"That… that may be, but it does not prove Euron is connected in any way to Gods, heathen or not."
"You're correct, but it does prove he is most likely using magic." I ran my hand down my face. "We cannot let him run about the coast slaughtering more innocents to add to his spells."
Lord Paxter stared at me for a moment before nodding. "Yes, of course, you're right I will send some of my captains in pursuit at once."
"Cogs will not catch an Ironborn warship on the open ocean," I said plainly. "I fear I will have to cut my time getting to know your daughter short, though know that I do not mean any offense by it, only that my father is master of ships, and I cannot let this go when I have the power to stop it."
"You…" the man started, but then looked at me, sighing. "You are very much like your father, if more charming. I understand." the man wore a bittersweet smile, and honestly my heart went out to him, he had probably spent a fair bit on the party and everything just to entertain me, and here I was leaving on only the second day.
"Thank you, and for what it's worth I apologize," I said, bowing my head slightly. "Now, we'd best get my gift for Desmera offloaded before we go, and I had hoped to have more time to introduce your stable hands to caring for them, oh well, I suppose Hirn can stay here until the Great Stag arrives next month."
"Did you bring horses for her, we don't ride much here but she will like that. She's terribly jealous of Margaery sometimes."
"Well." I smiled, "She won't be jealous much longer."
Even as we approached the Shimmering Tide I saw that my orders had got through and the first of the animals were already being led off of the boats.
Unicorns were, ironically, the first seemingly magical creatures I had encountered in this life. They had a sort of air about them, making it clear that they were creatures with their own pride and a sort of odd sense of purity, albeit I imagined much dimmed compared to their pureblooded ancestors. The wild ones had sharp teeth and more goat-like features, but these had been domesticated beasts, raised in the herds of Skagos and crossbred with horses (and don't ask me how that worked between what I would presume were two entirely separate species).
What they had lost in ferocity compared to their wild kin however, they made up for with size. I had no idea how the Skagosi had done it (and no neither did Hirn their handler, who called the island home), but these crossbreed Unicorns were easily the size of warhorses and shared many features with the hardy Ibbenese stock they had been bred with. Short, thick fur covered their body, and powerful muscles bulged beneath it. Their color was a pale grey speckled with white, and the only visible remnants of their wild ancestors were sharpened and polished Ivory horns that protruded from their foreheads and the cloven-hooves that capped their powerful legs.
Whatever Lord Paxter had been about to say it settled in his throat as he gaped at the majestic beasts.
"Un… Unicorns? You brought Desmera Unicorns?"
I smiled as I turned towards him. "Aye, though these aren't the ones you'll find in the wild. One of my captains traded for these personally from the herds of House Crowl of Deepdown. All total I have brought her a third of all the Unicorns in the world outside of the Isle itself. The rest of them are being kept in my own stable on Dragonstone." I turned to look at the man "Strange that so few are willing to trade with the Skagosi, my captain said the only other ships they had ever seen were Ibbenese. I should figure the Northern Lords ought to talk to their vassals at least."
The aging Lord of the Arbor looked like a Seven-year-old who had just been given a puppy for Christmas. "I… bweh, this is a tad extravagant my prince. I cannot repay this gift."
"Pah, it didn't cost me overmuch, only a few tons of alcohol and a boatload of food." I nodded towards Lord Paxter. They can breed with horses too, but my man Hirn over there will know more of that than I, he'll teach your stable hands how to care for them. They are fiery and proud, more so than all but the wildest horses."
Lord Paxter nodded at that, "I thank you, Prince Arthur, on my daughter's behalf. This is a gift fit for a king."
"I think the Crowls still believe themselves, Kings, honestly." I chuckled "Regardless of that though, you are most welcome Lord Paxter. I trust you can see to their handlers well-being until my next galleon arrives?"
"Aye, I'll see to that. It's the least I can do after such a gift. Are you going to be underway now then?"
"Yes, unfortunately. It took near three hours for the wind to return, I fear what That warlock might do with the head-start it has given him." I sighed, this time quite honestly. "I will say goodbye to lady Desmera before I depart however, my men are still stocking the ships anyway."
'She deserves to get a bit of closure at least.'
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット