Chương 16: Time to Leave
Tolfdir leaned back against the cliff face with Evelyn wrapped in his arms, the morning was cold, and Tolfdir was happy to receive any form of warmth. Evelyn, who was wrapped in thick pelts, didn't feel the bite of the cold, but enjoyed Tolfdir touch nonetheless.
Jon stood to their left with Aela, while Astrid stood to the right. Everyone was wearing thick pelts aside from Tolfdir, who as always wore his cloak and armor, and Aela who had traded her robes for a thick pair of breeches, a woolen long sleeved tunic, and a hooded muffler occasionally pulled glances from Jon, who found himself enthralled with the northern woman's figure.
Currently they were awaiting the arrival of Jon Arryn, his wife Lysa Arryn, and their entourage, who were due to arrive this morning. The courier who had been sent previously, acting as a guide to Tolfdir's actively controlled lands.
It took nearly a 1/16 of a day for Jon Arryn and his entourage to reveal themselves from the net of trees. Lysa Arryn held a deep frown, and annoyance flickered in her eyes. While Jon Arryn cautiously looked around trying to find out what exactly Tolfdir had seen in this place.
Jon Arryn stared Tolfdir in the eyes as the two had a silent conversation, Lysa who stood at Lord Arryn's side seemed severely upset, most probably because she had been dragged out of her cozy castle with her aged Lord Husband.
Tolfdir gave a shallow bow, "Lord Paramount, Jon Arryn of House Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, and Warden of the East," Jon was a man with broad shoulders, and half a mouth of teeth, as for the woman at his side, she was a sight for sore eyes when she wasn't scowling next to her husband.
"Lady Lysa Arryn neé Tully, Lady of the Eyrie, Lady Regant of the Vale of Arryn. I hope the roads were uneventful," Lysa was a pretty young woman, cursed with an old ugly husband, despite his extensive lands.
Jon Arryn returned a light bow, "Lord Tolfdir Solas, I hope we don't have to go through all the pleasantries of nobility, I am much too old to stand around speaking honeyed words."
Tolfdir gave a nod, but stiffened as Lysa spoke, "Lord Tolfdir, I've received quite the interesting raven from your mother…"
Evelyn tightly held Tolfdir's hands, faintly narrowing her eyes, "Lady Arryn, you must be mistaken. Tolfdir's mother is no longer among the living…"
Jon Arryn eyed his Lady Wife, unsure of where she was going with this, yet her words continued, "Ah, I know. Executed for Kinslaying if I'm not mistaken… However, I'm speaking of Lady Hardsan. The unfortunate woman who was widowed, and according to her claims, by Tolfdir."
A silence over took the wooded area, and Evelyn winced under Tolfdir's tight grip. Yet, she didn't release his hands, faintly afraid that Tolfdir would kill the woman if she did. Not hearing Tolfdir attempt to defend himself, only hearing the grinding of his teeth, Evelyn spoke up, "Lord Arryn, have you come here under the guise of visiting Lord Solas' lands to slander, and spread unfounded accusations…?"
Jon Arryn's grip on Lysa's arms tightened as he forced a smile, "It seems my wife's words had been misunderstood, Lady Hardsan, had simply heard of Tolfdir's achievements and had reached out in hopes of rekindling a past relationship, soiled by the actions of others."
His words were hardly convincing, and if the tightening of Tolfdir's deathly grip was anything to go by, not welcomed. Hoping to mend as much of the situation as possible, Evelyn spoke once more, "If Lord Arryn said so, as the respectable and honorable Lord you are known to be. We will believe your words. However, any slander or baseless accusations from this moment on will be met with an equivalent force…"
"Understood," Lord Arryn gave a nod, while Jon opened the trap door into the Dimlight Passage, excitedly exclaiming, "Welcome to the Dimlight Subterrane!"
Lysa frowned, "You expect us to climb into some dirty hole in the ground…?" Lord Arryn frowned at his wife's words yet didn't voice his own.
Tolfdir snapped, his tone seemed passive, poorly hiding a thick venom, yet his expression was extremely aggressive, "If you think of yourself so highly, why visit these backwater lands?! Not a year has passed since I've claimed these lands and—" Evelyn stopped Tolfdir from continuing by pressing back against his body, and rubbing her thumb against his hand. He took a breath.
"I assure you, Lady Arryn. The Dimlight Passage, and the Dimlight Subterrane. In its entirety, has had intensive work, care, and cleaning to reach the point it has today. You won't need to worry about dirtying your dress, My Lady." Jon Stone, stepped forward and carefully voiced his thoughts, slightly angered that his 'baby' had been compared to a 'dirty hole in the ground'.
"Is that so…" Lord Arryn mused, "Let us see."
Jon showed a careful smile, Astrid stifled a groan, Evelyn placated Tolfdir, while Aela simply did her due diligence protecting her Lady. In such an order they trailed into the Dimlight Passage.
"Is this a mine…?" An attempt to prove information from Jon Arryn.
"No," Tolfdir dryly replied.
"I see. The walls look natural enough… are these candles made from Wickenden Wax…?"
"Yes," Tolfdir once again replied dryly.
Lysa frowned, and silence ensued until light filled the dimly lit passage, "W-what…"
Lord Arryn was stunned, Lysa dumbly stared at the field of wheat spread out in front of her, the ray of light that shone down from above momentarily blinded the two guests. Their entourage of knights was much the same as they funneled into the Hunter's Reach, "Once these crops have fully grown, it will officially mark the second harvest within the Dimlight Subterrane."
Jon Stone spoke lightly, introducing various aspects of the Hunter's Reach, on their path to the Hunter's Rest, "While incomparable to the farmed fields of the Vale, these plots produce enough to feed everyone living within the Dimlight Subterrane."
"Currently, we have no wares that can build our reputation, nor our coffers. Yet, we prided ourselves with our Tavern, 'Hunter's Rest'" Jon finished just as they reached the wide wooden door, in an unreasonably large grassy hill.
The door opened to reveal a low lit Tavern, furniture made from Valenwood, which was notoriously difficult to carve, almost the same level of difficulty as Ironwood, but comparably easier. Floorboards, and the ceiling were made from what Lord Arryn instantly recognized as Elderwood.
Both types of wood weren't hard to find in the Vale, in fact it filled most of the markets for lumber within the Vale. Valenwood which was known for its density, strength, and inflexibility. Elderwood, which was known for its flexibility, lightness, and strength.
While Valenwood was most used as building material, Elderwood was used in most bows of the Vale, Lord Arryn's finger ran across the surface of the tables as he passed, feeling their remarkable craftsmanship. Alongside the faint wear present on their surface.
Jon Stone, who had slipped behind the bar. Brought out a wooden tray with warm bread, melted tallow, a few types of honey, and some salt. While Astrid who trailed behind him brought out a few mugs.
"Wine or Mead?" Astrid, who didn't bother to speak formally, asked. Lysa's face scrunched with displeasure but didn't speak her mind, while Lord Arryn spoke, "Wine."
A few women walked out from the back of the Tavern, their faint valyrian features clear to anyone that had eyes, proving their beauty. Their movements were as entrancing as the most experienced wh*res in King's Landings, Lord Arryn even found himself following their every step, not noticing the trays they carried until they were upon him.
"Slaves…?" Lord Arryn muttered, recognizing the small 'L' in the nook of their necks. The exclusive mark of Lysenne Slaves. However, seeing that they were free of their collars, and moved around freely, Lord Arryn had assumed they were freed slaves…
"Indeed, they were once slaves. However, I had freed them during my return from Essos, after squandering a large sum of gold," Tolfdir spoke with a 'calm' smile, his grip considerably softer, yet Evelyn had yet to release his hands.
The freed slaves, who acted as servers for Hunter's Rest, waited until Lord Arryn and Lady Arryn had their bread before placing down their trays and lifting the lids to reveal a steaming roast, seared vegetables, and a thick soup. Which Tolfdir loved to enjoy with tallow spread bread.
Lord Arryn stared down at his meal, his nose twitching as he picked up various scents from different spices. Yet what was in his mug mixed with his wine truly caught his attention.
The mug's surface was cold, much like the wine within. A far cry from the hit meal laid out in front of him…The knights of the vale also received meals, although not as hearty as their lord.
Yet none were going to complain, as the large bowl of soup, and decent sized mug of mead laid out in front of them was definitely within their standards.
Evelyn sat in Tolfdir's lap, and slowly fed him while trying to keep him from glaring at Lady Arryn. Aela stood a step behind Tolfdir and Evelyn. Astrid and Jon sat with Tolfdir and Evelyn, and talked amongst themselves. Leaving Lord Arryn and his Lady to enjoy their meal at a separate table.
Jon Arryn left soon after his meal, as his stomach had begun to churn, hearing mumbles from his knights that had returned from the back of the tavern, stating that there were no chamber pots, and that they had squatted over a hole in the floor… Sadly his body wasn't what it once was, and the food he ate went right through him…
They had forgotten to flush…
•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•.•*•
[2 Years & 2 Months Later] [287 A.C.]
Tolfdir climbed up into a carriage and looked over the day's catch. It's been nearly a year since he had the Cogs go out and begin fishing, and from the looks of it. The 'Ship Division' had managed to bring back a massive haul, "5 Silver to everyone! Well done!"
Cheers resounded through the Dimlight Passage, which had been widened enough to fit two carriages side by side. The walls and roof were secured well with large timbers, and the trapdoor had been removed and replaced by a large angled wooden gate. Many trees were felled to start the process of building a road, which will eventually lead to Wickenden.
Tolfdir watched as the carriage disappeared deeper into the Dimlight Subterrane. Sadly, despite having all the security checkpoints built, and temporarily sealed with wooden gates, the Dimlight Subterrane didn't have the amount of people to man them all. The hundred odd people Tolfdir had brought initially still filled the population of the underground.
There hasn't been any further population growth aside from a newborn who had been born a few moons ago. Evelyn assured him there it wasn't a problem nor would it be moving forward, but even with everyone present, construction was still moving slowly.
There were just too many project happening all at once, the Endless Falls' rolling hills were being flattened to make room for Jon's plan to build a large town, Darkstone's measurements were taken as Jon sketched rough drafts for the City, the Garden's of Light was slowly being filled with crops, those in Darkhollow were mining Ice and working on building 'Ice Farm'. The Hero's Retreat had plans in the works to turn it into a resort, and the Dimlight Subterrane's depths were yet to be fully uncovered. As more scouting had been put on hold, until they began to catch up on projects.
To Tolfdir's surprise, Jon and Aela had gotten together after an intoxicated night, the part that actually surprised him however is the fact that Astrid would join them during their nightly actions. Forever losing her purity
Which brings us to the present day… Jon had yet to wake up. Evelyn had left for Wickenden with Aela, while Astrid had yet to be seen. Standing outside the Dimlight Passage, looking out towards the rising sun, Tolfdir felt like traveling once more.
So, Tolfdir returned to his room in the Hunter's Rest. Grabbed his things, donned his armor. Then left, leaving only a note.
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