章 89: Ned 2
293AC
Ned considered himself well traveled for a Northerner. He had seen the wall, and both coasts of Westeros, and during the rebellion, he had traveled south all the way to Dorne in pursuit of Lyanna.
Still, though, the sight of the City of Pentos baffled him, and he made a silent prayer to the Old Gods that they would protect him in this strange land. Great walls, thrice the height of those which shielded King's Landing rose up to almost touch the sky, and behind them, towers of the same stone rose even higher. You could fit Winterfell within the walls a hundred times, and stack it ten times atop itself before reaching the height of the tallest towers.
He clutched at the railing on the side of the ship as he realized just how far out of his depth he was.
The Bay itself was filled with hundreds of ships, ranging from small fishing boats all the way up to Dromonds which rivaled the Galleon beneath his feet in size, many bearing flags that he half remembered as being that of Braavos.
It made him feel very small, knowing that all of Westerns together would only make for a tiny portion of this war.
It wasn't long before the boats docked at the long piers of Pentos, which stretched almost half a mile into the bay and could accommodate even Galleons.
Before leaving, Ned made sure to thank captain Addams, one of the King's Brothers men and the captain of the Morning Glory. "Thank you for your courtesy during this voyage. I am sorry to have kicked you from your quarters."
The man just snorted. "I don't take it personally, it's honor enough having a Lord Paramount aboard."
He smiled at the man's humility, he had gone out of his way to ensure that the Northerners were well treated, despite the ship being more cramped with more men than Ned had imagined would ever fit inside of it. "Nevertheless, thank you. I suspect that voyage could have been far worse if not for tour expertise and courtesy."
The man looked him in the eye and nodded. "Let's see if I can repeat it when you get back then my Lord."
He let out a swift chuckle at that, before walking down the gangplank onto the Sandstone dock below. Robert and the Great Stag had docked at the Prince's port at the center of the harbor, so he was going to need to walk a fair way on foot before he caught up to the man. Glancing about he smiled as he spotted the man he was looking for and placing a hand on his shoulder, "Ser Wendel. Over here please."
The knight almost jumped out of his skin, turning to face him. "Ah, my Lord Stark, I apologize, I hadn't seen you there." The man lifted the visor on his Bascinet. "I take it you want an escort into the city? I still have some time before they have Randolph off of the bloody boats."
"Randolph?"
"My horse sir."
"Ah," Ned said, it sounded an odd name for a horse, but then the Manderlies were strange folk. "You can get your horse later Ser Wendel. I need to go meet the king and plan the accommodations for tonight. Unless you would rather sleep outside?"
"No my lord." Wendel quickly said, stepping into line behind him. "I'll accompany you, certainly."
Ned nodded smiling, as he walked down the enormous dock, Wendel falling in behind me. The men working seemed to know well enough to clear away for him, probably due to his height and armored bodyguard. He wondered how much wealth they all spent on dyes, with all their brightly colored garments and frippery. Even the South of Westeros was not so exotic.
Eventually, he got into the warehouses of the port proper, making his way to the jutting peninsula of the Prince's dock as he pressed on through the crowd of men and women who seemed to fill every nook and cranny of the area. He kept tight hold of Ice, and of his purse as well while he moved. Thankfully Wendel had no such fears in his plate-harness.
Eventually, he reached the circle, and spotting Robert was easy at that point, since he stood out well above the crowd along with his Brother Stannis, he had not spoken to the famously dour Master of Ships in some time, but the man had at the very least done a good job getting them here.
As he approached someone pointed him out and Robert turned to him with a smile.
"Ned! They made you walk through the city, did they? Hah, if they could fit more than one Galleon at the Prince's dock I would have had you land here."
"Yes well, it was an experience," he eyed the Pentoshi emissary who stood nearby. "Your city is breathtaking, far larger than anything in Westeros."
"Oho, that's certainly true," Robert said, laughing. "I think half of those towers dwarf Maegor's rotten old keep, though none of them come close to Harrenhal."
As the Pentoshi Emissary seemed to swell up with mixed pride, Robert turned back to him.
"So, have you heard the news?"
"News?"
Robert's smile widened. "The Volantenes have marched from their city down the Orange Coast towards Myr. It seems they intend to meet us in open battle, where we can use our cavalry." The King sounded almost giddy, like a boy going hunting for the first time. "We're only waiting on Renly now to go speak to the Magisterial general and come up with a plan."
Ned smiled at the enthusiasm his old friend was showing. Toying with his massive Warhammer in his hand as if they were young again.
The man really was born for war.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット