บท 41: Chapter 40
Solomon. Braavos.
The guests were brought out of their stupor by Lina's arrival. As their gazes met, cheerful smiles appeared on the faces of Oberyn, Ellaria, and Lina herself, and I put away the Gae Bolg as it was no longer needed.
- Oh? Is it the snake boy and...? - Lina began, taking a seat beside me.
- Ellaria Sand," Ellaria introduced herself and smiled seductively, not hiding her gaze on the High Priestess' body, "Oberyn has told me much about you, Lady Lina, and I must say his words about your beauty are not exaggerated in the least.
- How sweet you are, Ellaria, and let's dispense with the formalities," Lina waved her hand, "After all, we can be considered friends now that he has chosen you and talked about me, can't we, snake boy?
- You haven't changed, Lina, you're still as carefree as ever," Oberyn laughed, "And how have you not been removed as High Priestess yet? I suppose the Red Men have very peculiar requirements in that regard.
- Don't think about it too much, but I can assure you they are much better than the Seven," Lina chuckled, then looked at me, 'Has he been a nuisance to you, 'my King'? That snake can often be overly excitable and amorous.
- "My king?" - Oberyn marveled, as did his mistress.
- 'How romantic,' Ellaria smiled, 'Who is this young maiden that calls Solomon that?
I raised an eyebrow.
Romantic? I wouldn't say that. Kinvara is addressed that way because of circumstances surrounding my importance and R'Glor. I am important to the fate of this world, and am the one who will apparently have to do battle with the ancient evil and end this conflict.
Kinvara has shown herself to be a loyal, compliant, and extremely accommodating person when it comes to me. And given her occupation prior to meeting me, that would fully explain her appeal to me. As-Azor Ahai himself, the foretold savior is less important than I am.
Perhaps I should speak to her on the matter when I meet her. My plans are to leave Braavos as soon as I resolve the issue between Painteria and her materia, taking the former with me if possible. This girl has caught my attention, and I can safely say that I have no desire to let her go.
- My ward," I answered, and interest flashed in Oberyn and Ellaria's eyes, "Anyway, you still haven't answered why you sought me out, Oberyn. What did the brother of the ruler of Dorne need since he crossed the Narrow Sea in search of some sorcerer?
- You underestimate your importance, Solomon," Oberyn grinned, "the Starks are only on their feet because of you and your connections. Pentos has shifted power to one that will back you at your word. The Red Men obey you as their god, and the doors of the House of Black and White are always open to you. You are certainly not "some sorcerer."
- My lover is right," Ellaria nodded, "What the Black and White House is worth. The Faceless Ones are the best assassins in the whole world. They are emotionless, efficient and incorruptible. When they are ordered to do so, the target will be eliminated wherever they are. They are respected and feared at the same time. I have no doubt that any order with you as the chosen target will be rejected or more.
- And the Red Men, even if their influence in Westeros is practically zero, have tangible power here in Essos," Oberyn added, "Even in Norvos, where my sister-in-law, Mellario, lives, they are respected and reckoned with. Though, the city is essentially ruled by a different religion. The Starks have climbed out of poverty and are slowly catching up to the rest of the Great Houses. And they have room to grow, as their territory is the largest of all.
Hmm? My influence is that great? I realized that it was partly true, but not to that extent. If you think about it and put the two religions aside, with enough money and time, the Starks could secede from the Seven Kingdoms while making the others count.
The North is unfriendly. The winters there are harsh and merciless. The many predators, the difficult landscape, and the amount of forests make it a very uncomfortable land to conquer. Due to the small number of paved roads, the offensive becomes extremely slow and predictable. Defending the land is much easier in both resources and effort. The problem may arise solely from the sea, as the North does not have at least an acceptable navy.
Of all the Stark vassals, only the Mormonts and the Manderlys are involved in shipbuilding. The former are forced to have ships due to their location on a separate island, while the latter own White Harbor, one of the largest ports in Westeros.
Ned has a lot of unused land, just as Oberyn said, and if it is settled, ennobled and fortified, the "Kingdom" of the North will indeed become a kingdom.
It would take a tremendous amount of resources, though. If plant breeding was practiced here to make the plants tolerant to the climate and reduce the maintenance requirements, the process would go faster. In the current era, only strategic advantage matters, which does not include breeding. Money is not enough, nor is the level of scientific progress.
Although, I could give a push, but I don't see the point. The world needs to develop at its own pace when people like me don't have an influence. Glass production was already known, and paper and printing presses came about in roughly a similar time frame of the two worlds. Lenses are a bit more complicated with lenses, but not so much as to break out of "normality" and conformity.
- So, what's the deal? - I repeated the question, at which their smiles disappeared, revealing serious faces.
- Can you heal my brother? - Oberyn asked - Dorne is willing to pay any price you name.
Hm? That's a lot of trust for a friend of another friend, especially if he's a mage. On top of that, his words provoked something. Something strong. It was as if I'd been hit in the head and had all but one thought knocked out of there.
It was a similar feeling when I spoke to Daenerys' brother. When the madman had spoken bluntly about how he planned to use me, as if I were a helpless puppet in front of him.
A disgusting feeling that resonated truly strong in my soul. Perhaps even enough to use force. But not now, at least not unless Oberyn explains it to me.
- Your request sounds very strange," I began, to which he did not react as if he expected something like that, "Yes, Halon and I are friends, but still, magic is something unnatural, even dirty, to the people of Westeros. Your phrasing hints at the great importance of this request, and yet you trust the life of your brother, the ruler of the Great House, to an unknown sorcerer.
I put my hand on the armrest and propped her head up.
- When I was at Winterfell, I was able to study the general situation of the Seven Kingdoms. Doran Martell, the current Prince of Dorne, very rarely goes out in public, and there is no word of illness. Yes, there are various rumors, but they are still rumors, nothing more. And now you are asking me to cure his illness, that is, directly admitting the weakness of the head of the house. And you have plenty of enemies, or rather those you want revenge on. Elia Martell.
Oberyn clenched his fists at the name, and Ellaria frowned.
- I know the circumstances of her death. The versions of the rumors vary, but one detail is the same everywhere.
- Why did you mention her? - Oberyn asked with a grin.
- You're a friend of Halon's as much as I am, but we're not friends, and we're not enemies yet," I said calmly, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Lina squint at the guests. "Your request would make sense if we were, but we're not. You came here for another reason, hidden behind your brother's concern.
- But-" Ellaria wanted to start, but I stopped her with a raised hand.
- I'm sure I know why you're here for real. It's too obvious when your family's circumstances and my magic are known," I said and directed a neutral look at him, "Now I'm giving you a chance to say it yourself. If you don't...
- Are you going to kill us? - Oberyn asked defiantly.
- No, not this time. As a tribute to Halon, we will part peacefully. But then, when we meet again, I will not think twice before acting. We will not become enemies, but between you and the man I do not know, I will choose his side over yours. So, what is your choice, Oberyn Martell?
There was a tense silence in the room, accompanied only by the sound of breathing. Oberyn stared at me intently as he pondered. Ellaria gave him a concerned look, and I waited patiently for his decision. Lina, on the other hand, would take my side, whatever my opinion, and so did nothing.
It went on like this for a while, and when I was about to send them away, Oberyn took a deep breath and bowed his head, to which my eyebrow rose in surprise.
- You're right, I should have been honest with you. I hope we can forget my transgression and start over, but the request was indeed sincere," he began and glanced at me, "By coming to Dorne and curing my brother, you would have gotten everything you wanted. We would use every method in existence to get you as an ally and friend. And when we did, you would help us bring justice. My sister, she-
He paused, and Ellaria put her hand on his shoulder for moral support.
- She has had a great deal of bad luck. First she was a hostage in the hands of the Mad King, and then-" his face creased at the memory-"Now her murderer walks freely around Red Castle as if he were a hero. And the Lannisters he serves don't even think about any punishment. We want justice, we want blood. Him and every man involved in Elia's death.
Then he fixed his steely gaze, filled with pain, directly on me.
- Help us, Solomon, and we will help you. Become our ally, our brother, our strength, and we in turn will do the same. We don't want to use you - only to become more than acquaintances.
- What do you mean by that? - I raised an eyebrow.
- We know that Eddard Stark is the new Hand of the King, and now he, along with his daughters, is on his way to King's Landing. Arryn's death was no accident. Apparently, he learned something important to the Lannisters, who got rid of him, because only they have both the ability to do it and the motive. Knowing Lord Stark, he'll stumble upon it, just as the previous Hand did.
- Yes. Lord Stark is incapable of being secretive. His personality just isn't capable of it. And the Lannisters will go to great lengths to silence him. They'll use anything, even his daughters," Ellaria said, "We'll prevent it. The Martells are the Great House, with powers above a great many people. The Lannisters and even the King won't be able to shut us up without consequences for themselves. The Starks will have our protection, and you will have the assurance that they will be all right. House Stark and House Martell will be allies, a huge force to be reckoned with. You can't be everywhere at once, can you? We'll cover that front.
That makes sense. It would if I were someone weaker. What the Martells are proposing could be completely overridden by the Servants. However, it has consequences for the world, and in the long term.
The air has already changed. I can feel it filling with mana drop by drop, indicating that the decisive moment in the story is approaching. And the presence of just two Servants and me only reinforces it, making the world adjust to the change.
In that vision, I was personally involved in the battle, which shows how strong the differences are. That is, something forced future me to use my power that I prefer to avoid. We're not talking about my decisions based on emotion here, like now with Oberyn, but something much larger than that.
- Your point of view seems biased to me. Why are you so sure the Lannisters are responsible for killing the Hand?
- Because they own Castle Red. They're the only ones who stay there at all times. Not the Baratheons, not the Starks, not anyone. And they're the ones who are there the most. The Hand of the King is tightly bound only to the King and his family, and our conclusion has more than a firm basis," Oberyn replied, "Now I've told you everything. Will you help us, Solomon?
I wondered.
Now he was really sincere. Justice is a delicate thing, the boundaries of which are very easy to cross without even realizing it. But Oberyn has clearly said he only wants the blood of those involved, and that's pretty commendable.
His situation is a bit touchy, and just dealing with a murderer isn't going to work. Send in mercenaries? You could, but it would be too obvious who sent them. Essentially, it's trespassing on someone else's property, since the assassin is serving the Lannisters on an official level.
There would be questions, a demand for compensation and an obvious refusal, and then a conflict that could very well start a war with the Martells as rebels. The Queen of the Seven Kingdoms is from Lannister House, which means it would already be treason against the crown. On the other hand, if his sister's murderer has a dispute with someone else of a lower rank, nothing will happen, and if also at an event, there will be no problems in principle. In front of my eyes, to be exact.
I closed my eyes, and after a couple of seconds I looked at the guests waiting for my answer.
- All right, I'll come to Dorne and try to cure your brother. Maybe even help with justice," I began, to which Oberyn and Ellaria sighed and smiled in relief, and Lina's cheerful mood returned, "But only after I've finished my business. Is that okay with you, Oberyn?
- Absolutely. - Oberyn declared.
- Very well, then. - I nodded.
Well, now the to-do list has been updated with a visit to Dorne, ranking it after Painter, Kinvara, King's Landing, and Valyria. We'll see what comes out of it and how long it takes, and in the meantime we'll wait for Ms. Kirana's response. He won't be a problem, right?
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