Capítulo 22: Chapter 22
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Soon came the long-awaited moment for many - the tournament in Panizhata.
The Colosseum, which held a record one hundred thousand people, was buzzing with joyous exclamations and eager anticipation of what was to take place in this arena filled with sand and only sparse channels, which were designed to drain the blood of the fallen, down below the Colosseum.
In the box of honour, next to the Emperor and his retinue and the Small Council, sat the delegates from Dorne. Also a little further across one delegation from the I-Tian Empire sat Lady Velarion and some of her cronies. She was also a guest at the event.
Oberyn's daughters had finally found out yesterday what the story was that connected the two of them, and had been quite... impressed. Elaria, who was similarly ignorant of the details of his first love before, began to constantly reassure him and try not to give him too much wine. The Sand Snakes treated Alice with mixed feelings somehow. There was both sadness, sympathy, and guilt that they were alive and their brother or sister was dead. As a result, they tried not to look in her direction, but they didn't blame their father either, because as it turned out, he and Elia were going to be married to Jaime and Cersei Lannister. And it turned out that even before the tragic events with Rhaegar and Lyanna, the Lannisters had managed to screw up their family. And that made them even angrier.
Quentin Martell was also angry that his attempts to woo and talk to Daenerys Targaryen had hit a wall of indifference from the princess, she had no interest in the Prince of Dorne at all. Moreover, he had heard rumours that she only paid attention to women and older ones at that... The thought made him cast his eyes on the Lady of the Tides and remember the way they had held hands the first time they met.
Oberyn... Oberyn was just drinking. Though he was kept in check in case of trouble by Elaria and Obara. And Dane would occasionally glance at Martell.
By the time Oberyn was more or less sober, a full hour of the tournament had passed. There were sword fights in the arena. And they were coming to an end. Dane had also gone downstairs half an hour ago, for it was his turn to enter the duel. Already a third of the fighters who had fought here today had died the death of the brave and desperate. Blood was plentiful, staining the arena and soaking into the sand, though streams of it flowed through the niches that ran under the arena. Some fighters refused to fight from what they saw, even over a Valyrian sword. When Oberyn had finally sobered up, only a quarter of the original number of people in the contest remained. And when the second round began after the archers' and crossbowmen's competition, which decorated the feast with less bloody spectacles and gave a breather to the people who took part in the fights, the number of people willing to take part in the second round decreased dramatically. Those brave men, including Ser Dane, one knight of Lady Velarion, and a couple of other Dorne warriors, totalled only fifty. These fights were far more incendiary for the spectators and for the participants themselves. There were far fewer deaths this time, but still the fights were spectacular. Ser Herold Dane lived up to his name and won all the fights for the day, taking first place and the right to fight for the main prize. Next up was the second round for archers and crossbowmen, where two men emerged victorious. One Quartian and one Dornian named Engai. At the end of the last of today's competitions, each of the three winners received their winnings, as well as the right to take a seat next to Emperor Darken.
On the second day, there were jousting spear skirmishes (two stages) where Dark Star again took part, hand-to-hand combat, a skirmish, a skirmish, and a spear-wielding competition where Obara took part.
There were fewer casualties compared to yesterday, but there were casualties. Yes, and these fights were rich in spectacle. Especially the fist fights and the spear fighters. That day Obara pleased her father with her victory and the well-deserved reward that followed it.
On the third day, Obara sat in the Emperor's box with the other "champions" that did not participate in the last competition before the contest for the sword and the right to be in the Emperor's guard.
And to the surprise of many, but not the Dornish, Herold Dane won.
After that, the winners of all the competitions, except the fist competition, expressed their desire to participate for the right to receive this long awaited honour.
The terms that Ral announced were quite unusual to many: "Everyone uses the fighting style and skills they possess. Everyone fights for themselves against everyone else. On horseback or on foot, it doesn't matter. My guardsman should be able to fight against anyone."
That's not to say the fights were all that fair. Both Obara and Dane did not attack each other until the end of the contest, and when they were done with everyone but each other, Herold got off his horse and started to fight "fairly".
The fight was a long but lubricated one. Both fighters were quite fast, while kicking up a lot of dust. But in the end, Dane was able to catch Obara, knock the spear out of her hands and put his blade to her neck. She surrendered. But she lost with honour.
- Ser Dane! - Ral called out to the Herold, who was immediately behind both Dornishmen in an instant.
Which, by the way, because of the effect of surprise, frightened them.
- Your Majesty? - They both said stupidly and began to stare at the box and at Darken, who was calmly silent and smiling with one sword in its scabbard and a spear in his hands. - How did you...
- Just went down quickly to the winner and his opponent. - Rahl interrupted them. - Your performance was truly amazing. And that's why I've decided to change the winnings for both of you. Double the winnings for you, Ser Dane, and give a prize for Lady Obara. - Darken Rahl released the sword and spear, which flew to their new owners. - The sword bears the name "Duty and Honour", I think for your surname it is the right one.
- Valyrian steel! - Obara exclaimed, running her hand along the tip of the spear.
- Yes. Finished it this morning. I was up half the night, but I managed to get it done in time. Your efforts last night were not missed by Lady Sand, so I thought I'd give you an unexpected gift.
- I am, quite...pleased...I mean thankful for the honour Your Majesty.
- You deserve it. - He nodded to her and then turned to Herold. - And you, Ser Herold? Have you decided the fate of your blade? I allow those who are already bound to another state or suzerain to simply take the winnings and not swear an oath to me. But as far as I know, you are not bound by oath in the Seven Kingdoms, nor do you own land there.
- You are right, Your Majesty, so I have decided to exercise the right granted by this tournament and join the First Cohort.
- That's wonderful. I would be happy to have you serve Ser Herold. Please, come upstairs, we'll be expecting dinner and the duels we've had lately. I'll join you later as well. The last act of the day remains.
Jon Snow emerged from one of the niches in full battle gear and walked straight up to Emperor Rahl.
- Master Rahl! - he knelt and put his fist to his chest.
- Jon Snow. - The Emperor rolled his name on his tongue. - Do you still wish to keep that name and surname for now?
- I do.
- Well, when you think the time is right, you'll change them. Well, now I'm going to ask you what I have to ask. - at which point a grey dragon with white legs and red eyes landed behind John. - Are you ready to swear allegiance to me again, but as a Dragon Rider? Do you pledge to take care of your dragon as yourself and serve me faithfully with it for the rest of your days?
- Yes, Master Rahl. My life belongs to you.
- Well, Rahl's eyes glowed violet. - by the power vested in me, you, Jon Snow, are given this dragon called the Grey Knight. Serve me faithfully and diligently with him. Gods and ancestral spirits are my witnesses. You are now bound. Give me your hand, John. - Ral made a single cut on his arm and the dragon moved closer to the two men. The dragon licked his palm and his eyes glowed the same colour as Rahl's for a moment, then turned red again. - The ritual is complete. Saddle the Grey Knight, Jon, and soar into the heavens with your new friend.
John knelt again, followed by Rahl's loyal subjects. Immediately, the prayer vow was sounded:
- Master Rahl leads us. Master Rahl guides us. Master Rahl protects us. In the radiance of thy glory is our strength. In thy mercy is our salvation. In thy wisdom is our humility. Our whole life is a service to you. Our whole life belongs to you.
That same evening there were great festivities in the capital. And at the People's Palace in particular. It took place right in the Throne Hall, where under a thousand people gathered. Toasts poured in torrents in honour of the Emperor, today's heroes of the day and many other traditional drunken shouts of the people.
Oberyn was once again gorging himself on wine, and once again Elaria was trying to control him somehow. The presence of Alice, laughing and enjoying herself with the last Targaryen, Mellario and the red-haired Sarnor girl Miriam, had a very negative effect on him. Eventually he bowed and departed under the arm of his mistress to his chambers. Obara was next to Darken and conversed with him and Ser Herold. The younger snake, Sarella, was not at the festivities, she was studying for tomorrow's exams to enter the Academy. Therefore, the two snakes Tiena and Nymeria were left alone at the feast and passed on to each other the latest rumours and information they had learned about the local inhabitants.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lady Nim caught sight of Jon passing by in company with Dragon Master Rhys Firestorm and signalled to Tiena.
- Perhaps the noble lords would keep the lonely abandoned maidens company? Our two sisters, father, and almost everyone we know have left us. To be honest, we're lost here. - Tiena pouted flirtatiously.
- Not at all! Of course, we will be happy to please our Emperor's guests. - Rhys exclaimed happily and dragged John along with him.
They sat down next to the sisters. John on Tiena's right hand and Rhys on Nymeria's left.
- Hey, boy! - he beckoned to the servant. - Bring us some better wine.
- I won't drink it.
- Come on, John. - The red-haired man waved his hand. - No one's forcing you to drink as much as they did at Ocris's birthday party. And the Mord-Sith won't harass you, they've got their own worries right now. So drink up.
- Hmm. So our new rider is quite popular with those frowning women?
- Not only them, but all the female sex, although some men are looking at him too, hee-hee-hee.
- Rhys..." John closed his eyes tiredly.
- And what kind of women do you like, John? - Nymeria asked provocatively.
- Strong, I guess. - shrugged his shoulders and began to drink the wine.
- And how many strong women have you brought into your bed? Or do you prefer them to drag you into theirs?
- I don't like to submit to those who aren't worth it. That's why I don't accept provocation.
- That's right my lovely nymphs. - John has character, but he's learnt a lot from Darken.
- Do you always call your Emperor by his first name? - Lady Nim turned her attention to Firestorm. - Or did it come about by accident?
- I've known him as long as I can remember. We were raised together by an old woman in Tolosa. Then she died and we started loitering and stealing together. - Reece's usual smile was gone. - Life in the slums of Slave Trader's Bay is hard and very dangerous. He was almost killed when he was ten years old, I barely got my only friend and almost brother out. That incident was probably the turning point in his life. Darken was hardened by life. So was I. After that, he was determined to rise to the stars and never kneel before anyone. I've been with him all this time, and I can say with certainty that Darken has already risen higher than any man you've ever heard of. Unless Azor Ahai can match him in his achievements.
- You have a lot of respect for him, Rhys. It must warm you to think you're standing next to a man like that?
- No. I'm afraid.
- Of what? Tiena genuinely didn't understand what he was saying.
- Of him. - he leaned closer to the snakes. - I've seen a lot of things on this world in my life. Most people think there's nothing scarier than magic, dragons and Asshai, but that's not true. There is nothing scarier than Darken Rahl, who is evil. I love and respect him, but at the same time, I fear him to the same extent. For, if I recall the words of my dear friend, there is no one more dangerous and terrible than man. Man is a rabid creature that poisons not only his own life, but also the lives of others. I agree with that.
- You have... very interesting thoughts. - Nymeria stretched out.
- They are not reflections, but conclusions from the days I've lived with him.
- And you, John? - I turned the conversation to the dark-haired man. - Do you also think His Majesty is so scary and dangerous?
- I think he is even more frightening and dangerous than Rhys represents. After all, he is his friend, and I have learnt in these five years that it is better not to cross our emperor. Otherwise, he'll get someone who's wronged him out of the world.
After a short pause the sisters managed to translate the further conversation into a more... pleasant direction, but they did not forget the words they had spoken. And they remembered them well.
The next day, Quentin and Oberyn dumbfounded the others with their swift decision to depart back to Sunspear. Only Dane and Sarella stayed in Panisheart. They all still wanted to be here, but duty demanded their departure.
They were given the honours and festivities befitting noble and distinguished guests.
The Dornish left Panizharth, and life in this vast city seemed to go on as it had before. Perhaps it did.
But only until evening.
Late in the evening when John was still performing some of his old duties and bringing in a couple of reports from the Viceroys in the Free Cities, Darken struck him with some unexpected news:
- John. - He smiled at him. - Your lieutenant... this Bronn is in White Harbour?
- Yes Your Majesty. - Snow nodded demurely. - He and five other warriors from my squad. They are there in their spare time and decided to meet up with old friends and drag them under your hand.
- Excellent. Tell him to stay there with his small detachment until we arrive.
- Our arrival?
- Yes. You, me, Rhys, Nyssa, Boros and the priestess of Kinvara leave tomorrow morning for White Havana and from there to Winterfell. It's about time you showed yourself to your "father"....
To be continued...
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