Gavin politely saluted Willas and said, "Nice to meet you, Lord Willas. My name is Gavin Flowers."
Willas smiled warmly and responded, "I've heard Edmond speak of you before. I didn't expect you to be so skilled in swordsmanship at such a young age."
The three of them walked into the banquet together.
At the banquet, Gavin and Willas were seated next to each other. Initially, Willas spoke to Gavin out of politeness, but as their conversation deepened, the two became engrossed in their discussion. Willas was surprised to discover that, despite his youth, Gavin spoke with maturity and insight.
Whether it was analyzing the current political landscape or understanding human nature, Gavin's words carried wisdom and unique perspectives.
When the topic shifted to territorial development, Gavin's proposals were both pragmatic and visionary, showcasing an exceptional ability to balance practical needs with long-term planning.
Willas watched Gavin with growing admiration. The clarity of Gavin's thoughts and the confidence in his delivery were captivating. Each point he made was well-structured and logical, creating an almost magnetic pull that drew Willas deeper into the conversation.
"This young man is truly a rare talent," Willas thought to himself. "If he could be brought into the Tyrell family's fold, he would be a great asset. It's a shame he's a bastard." Willas began to think of ways to persuade Edmond to let him take Gavin under his wing.
As the banquet concluded, Willas extended an invitation to Edmond and Gavin:
"After the archery and group competitions, Highgarden will host a banquet to celebrate my sister's thirteenth name day. Edmond, be sure to bring Gavin along."
Edmond smiled and agreed.
Later, in the quiet of his spacious tent, Gavin was carefully inspecting and polishing his equipment. Sir Edmond had prepared a fine, well-crafted bow for him to use in the competitions.
Just then, Tommen lifted the tent flap and entered quietly. "Captain, I've got the information," he said.
Gavin looked up from his work. "What do you mean?"
"The odds of you winning the archery competition are 1 to 10. For the group competition, the odds are also 1 to 10, but if you emerge as the sole winner, the odds jump to 1 to 20," Tommen explained in a single breath, his expression a mix of astonishment at the high odds and concern about Gavin's chances.
Before Gavin could respond, Tommen continued anxiously:
"Captain, are you really planning to bet everything?"
Without hesitation, Gavin replied: "Bet."
Tommen frowned, his face tight with worry. "But, Captain, the risk is too great. If something goes wrong—"
Gavin interrupted firmly: "There is no 'if.' Risk and opportunity go hand in hand, and I trust in my abilities."
Seeing Gavin's resolute expression, Tommen sighed and nodded. "Alright, Captain. We'll trust you. The brothers will pool all their savings to support you."
Gavin clapped Tommen on the shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I won't let you down."
Tommen nodded and left to arrange the bets. Gavin returned to his preparations, his face calm but determined. He had resolved to risk everything for his family's honor and his own ambitions.
Edmond had already given Gavin 1,000 gold dragons as a reward for representing the family, and Gavin had decided to bet it all on himself.
On the day of the archery competition, the sun bathed the tournament grounds outside Highgarden in a warm, golden glow. A towering stand was erected for the noble spectators, who sat dressed in resplendent
Gavin politely saluted Willas and said, "Nice to meet you, Lord Willas. My name is Gavin Flowers."
Willas smiled warmly and responded, "I've heard Edmund speak of you before. I didn't expect you to be so skilled in swordsmanship at such a young age."
The three of them walked into the banquet together.
At the banquet, Gavin and Willas were seated next to each other. Initially, Willas spoke to Gavin out of politeness, but as their conversation deepened, the two became engrossed in their discussion. Willas was surprised to discover that, despite his youth, Gavin spoke with maturity and insight.
Whether it was analyzing the current political landscape or understanding human nature, Gavin's words carried wisdom and unique perspectives.
When the topic shifted to territorial development, Gavin's proposals were both pragmatic and visionary, showcasing an exceptional ability to balance practical needs with long-term planning.
Willas watched Gavin with growing admiration. The clarity of Gavin's thoughts and the confidence in his delivery were captivating. Each point he made was well-structured and logical, creating an almost magnetic pull that drew Willas deeper into the conversation.
"This young man is truly a rare talent," Willas thought to himself. "If he could be brought into the Tyrell family's fold, he would be a great asset. It's a shame he's a bastard." Willas began to think of ways to persuade Edmund to let him take Gavin under his wing.
As the banquet concluded, Willas extended an invitation to Edmund and Gavin:
"After the archery and group competitions, Highgarden will host a banquet to celebrate my sister's thirteenth name day. Edmund, be sure to bring Gavin along."
Edmund smiled and agreed.
Later, in the quiet of his spacious tent, Gavin was carefully inspecting and polishing his equipment. Sir Edmund had prepared a fine, well-crafted bow for him to use in the competitions.
Just then, Tommen lifted the tent flap and entered quietly. "Captain, I've got the information," he said.
Gavin looked up from his work. "What do you mean?"
"The odds of you winning the archery competition are 1 to 10. For the group competition, the odds are also 1 to 10, but if you emerge as the sole winner, the odds jump to 1 to 20," Tommen explained in a single breath, his expression a mix of astonishment at the high odds and concern about Gavin's chances.
Before Gavin could respond, Tommen continued anxiously:
"Captain, are you really planning to bet everything?"
Without hesitation, Gavin replied: "Bet."
Tommen frowned, his face tight with worry. "But, Captain, the risk is too great. If something goes wrong—"
Gavin interrupted firmly: "There is no 'if.' Risk and opportunity go hand in hand, and I trust in my abilities."
Seeing Gavin's resolute expression, Tommen sighed and nodded. "Alright, Captain. We'll trust you. The brothers will pool all their savings to support you."
Gavin clapped Tommen on the shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I won't let you down."
Tommen nodded and left to arrange the bets. Gavin returned to his preparations, his face calm but determined. He had resolved to risk everything for his family's honor and his own ambitions.
Edmund had already given Gavin 1,000 gold dragons as a reward for representing the family, and Gavin had decided to bet it all on himself.
On the day of the archery competition, the sun bathed the tournament grounds outside Highgarden in a warm, golden glow. A towering stand was erected for the noble spectators, who sat dressed in resplendent finery, chatting elegantly or watching the field with keen interest.
The competition rules were straightforward. Contestants would aim at a target 100 steps away, each getting five shots. Those who hit the target would proceed to the next round, where the target would move 10 steps farther and shrink in size. This process would continue until only one contestant remained.
"Ready to shoot!" the referee's commanding voice echoed across the field.
Gavin stood poised on the field, bow in hand. His posture was straight and steady, his eyes calm and focused. He blocked out the noise around him, letting nothing distract him from the target ahead.
His striking silver hair cascaded over his shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering under the sunlight. The combination of his handsome appearance and confident demeanor caught the attention of several noblewomen in the stands, who whispered excitedly among themselves.
Willas, sitting in the stands, teased Edmund with a grin: "It seems your nephew has quite the charm. Look at those ladies—completely captivated."
Edmund chuckled, a proud smile on his face. "Of course. That's the blood of my family."
As the competition progressed, Gavin's skill became evident. Every shot he released was precise, his arrows striking the targets with unerring accuracy.
This continued until the target had been moved back to 180 steps, reduced to the size of a small dish barely visible to the naked eye. By this stage, only Gavin and one other contestant remained.
Gavin adjusted his breathing, focusing all his energy on the task at hand. His opponent, visibly fatigued, was struggling to keep steady. The tension in the air was palpable.
At this moment, several young noblewomen in the crowd began chanting Gavin's name with flushed faces. Their enthusiastic cheers echoed across the field, breaking the concentration of his opponent.
Already under immense pressure, the opponent's hands trembled. When he loosed his arrow, it veered off course, missing the target completely.
Gavin, observing the scene, couldn't help but smile wryly. "I never thought I'd win the championship just because of my looks," he thought to himself, shaking his head slightly.
Despite this unexpected advantage, Gavin felt immense pride as he was declared the champion. The cheers from the crowd washed over him like a wave, a triumphant conclusion to his remarkable performance.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
That night, Sir Edmund hosted another celebratory banquet in the camp to honor the Cotoin family's victory in the archery competition.
Gavin, attending the banquet, seemed distracted. His eyes kept drifting toward the door. When he finally saw Tommen lift the curtain and wave to him, Gavin quickly excused himself from Sir Edmund and hurried outside.
The two ran back to Gavin's tent, excitement written all over Tommen's face.
"Captain, we're rich," Tommen announced, barely able to contain himself. He bent down and pulled a heavy leather bag from under the bed.
Gavin hastily opened the bag. "How much is in here?"
"A total of 13,000 gold dragons. You bet 1,000, and the brothers pooled another 300," Tommen said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "We've really hit the jackpot!"
Gavin nodded thoughtfully. "Call the brothers over to collect their shares. Keep my portion separate, and divide the rest among everyone."
Noticing Tommen standing motionless, Gavin asked, "What's wrong?"
Tommen's expression turned serious. "There's some bad news. Your odds for the group competition have dropped."
"What are they now?" Gavin asked, his gut tightening with unease.
"For an independent championship, it's now 1:5. For winning the overall competition, it's 1:10," Tommen replied.
Gavin considered this for a moment before nodding. "Not bad—still acceptable. Take all my winnings and the bonus we just received and bet it all on me to win independently. You and the others can decide for yourselves whether to follow suit."
Tommen's face hardened with resolve. "Captain, there's no need to divide it. We've all decided to follow you and bet everything."
Gavin clapped Tommen on the shoulder and smiled. "Alright, go and take care of it. Trust me—we're all going to come out of this wealthy."
Tommen nodded firmly and left to handle the bets. Gavin watched him leave, his mind racing with calculations of just how much he stood to win.
His thoughts turned to his ultimate goal—the creation of the blood witch puppet. The funds were almost secured, but a new challenge loomed: sourcing the corpses needed for the process.
Gavin paced the tent, furrowing his brow. "The Reach has been peaceful for too long. Where can I get the necessary corpses without raising suspicion?"
His mind drifted to Essos and the Narrow Sea. The idea of becoming a mercenary seemed increasingly appealing. It could solve two problems:
The chaotic regions were abundant with opportunities to obtain corpses—whether from pirates in the Narrow Sea, conflicts between the city-states, or the predations of the Dothraki.Bringing back blood witch puppets from Essos would raise fewer suspicions, as they could easily be presented as loyal guards recruited abroad.
The more Gavin thought about it, the more feasible the plan seemed. He resolved to explore this option further, even though he understood the risks it would entail.
Suppressing his thoughts, Gavin returned to the banquet. After all, he was the star of the evening, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him to stay away too long.
Sir Edmund, perhaps too jubilant, was already drunk. He was laughing uproariously, holding Sir Ryan by the arm, though it was unclear what amusing story they were sharing.
When Gavin re-entered, Edmund waved him over enthusiastically, pulling him into another round of drinks.
By the end of the banquet, Edmund could barely walk. Gavin and a few servants helped him back to his tent. As Gavin was about to leave, Edmund suddenly gripped his forearm tightly.
Edmund's eyes, now clearer than before, met Gavin's. Using some effort, Edmund propped himself up and reached for a cup of water handed to him by a servant. After a sip, he gestured toward a large chest nearby.
"I was planning to give this to you when you came of age," Edmund said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "But now, I think you need it more. Open it."
Gavin, confused and curious, walked over to the chest. He hesitated before lifting the lid.
Inside was a set of finely crafted plate armor. Each piece was engraved with intricate designs, and the metal shone even in the dim light of the tent. Alongside the armor lay a slender, straight sword with a red gem embedded in its hilt. The blade was razor-sharp, emanating a subtle yet intimidating aura.
Gavin stared at the equipment in awe, his eyes wide with surprise.
"This was made for your father when he came of age," Edmund explained, stepping closer. "Now, it belongs to you."
Gavin quickly closed the chest. "My lord, this is too precious. I can't—"
Edmund raised a hand to silence him. "Take it. I hope it protects you in the future. That's all. I need to rest now, boy." With that, Edmund lay back on his bed, leaving Gavin speechless.
With Tommen's help, Gavin donned the armor the next day. It fit him surprisingly well, despite his young age of fifteen. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and the design practical, including a hook on one side for securing a spear. It was clearly a piece of extraordinary value.
As Gavin looked at himself in the mirror, a wave of warmth washed over him. In his heart, Sir Edmund was more than just a mentor; he was a beacon of kindness and guidance.
Despite Gavin's status as a bastard, Edmund had always treated him with care, never withholding his support. This profound bond filled Gavin with gratitude in a world that often felt cold and unforgiving.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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