Chương 16: Chapter 16
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***
Tolos. One month later.
Darken Rahl stepped out of the carriage satisfied and elegantly dressed in black and silver tones.
In the last month of his stay in Norvos, the charcoal coloured hair had grown out even more. Now he had it tied back in a high ponytail that already came down to just below ear level. It made him look older, perhaps.
Behind him, jumping down from a really huge horse, was his well-known bodyguard Boros, who was dressed in black armour of Valyrian steel, with two claymores fixed on his back, one dagger of the same steel on his side, which although in his hands was a dagger, but for an ordinary man it was more like a sabre. And in his hands he held a formidable weapon, which was a mixture of a halberd on one side and a spiked hammer on the other. His face was covered by a helmet that was decorated with six mountains of dragons of different sizes, but in pairs, which created some harmony and beauty.
Following Boros were his two most experienced Mord-Sith that had accompanied him on his journey, Nissa and Alishara, shrouded in brown robes.
Then came Lady Mellaria of Norvos. No one knew what she was doing in the Emperor's retinue, but whispers had already begun to circulate that the "wife" of the Prince of the Sun Spear, had traded the "spear" for "dragon eggs". But the uninitiated would not know the truth for a long time to come.
This procession was closed by six soldiers from the First Cohort.
Darken marched to the Senate Hall of Tolos. It was there that he decided to check in before refreshing himself from the road.
To his surprise there was almost no one in the Senate at this time, except, Larina Vaysserion, a couple of senators and a clerk.
- Lady Larina. May I ask where the other senators are?
- On duty, Master Rahl. - She bowed with some apprehension.
- Hmm," Rahl raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, "So you moved the Senate building to another location? Well, that's all right, where is the new building?
- There is no other building. They are at a service held by the High Priestess of the cult of R'Glor Volantis Kinvar.
Darken frowned rather heavily at that, which gave Larina goosebumps.
- I see, looks like I'll have to find someone to take over as my 'master over the whisperers' after all. With a little help from Reece, I can't do it alone.
- Excuse me?
- I'm saying I almost missed a threat like Kinvara in my own city. And I got too caught up in the wars and intrigue in other parts of Essos. - Drogo and Ocris are back from their quest?
- They should be back in a week. Ocris reports that they were delayed in travelling by an important matter. He'll give us more details when he gets here. Is there anything else you're interested in?
- How's the recruitment and distribution of funds seized from Lang and the old pirate base going?
- Over twenty thousand men have volunteered to join the D'Haran army in the last month. The officers of the First Cohort and officers from the Dragon Corps are now checking how many are actually eligible. As for the redistribution of funds, it is more complicated than that. Tyria, Mantaris, and New Gis have had a mix-up in their calculations. And the taxes from them have not yet been received. And rebuilding individual small flotillas of former pirate ships and building a new merchant fleet is pulling new funds out of the treasury. It's not catastrophic, but it complicates the full picture of taxation across the country. Plus with Lang we only got "trophy" funds. Rhys Firestorm has already finished your mission and will return to Tolos as soon as possible, but the real taxes will not come into the treasury until three months after the repair of the shipyards, ports and roads on the island is completed.
- That's all right. You can report back to Ocris later. Just add "Mord-Sith Temples" to next year's budget.
- "Mord-Sith Temples"? - What's that?
- It is the name of the future Mord-Sith dwelling places across the Empire. So far in the next year such temples will be built in Tolos, Astapor, Meereen, Yunkai, Oros, and probably New Gys and Quarth. That's it for today, I'm going to get cleaned up.
Almost to the exit of the Senate building, Ral turned round and added:
- Ah, yes. Congratulations on the new addition to the family. - And with a smile, he walked away.
Larina didn't understand at first what the Emperor was talking about, but then a thought struck her and she put a hand to her stomach with a smile and pleasure.
***
The service led by the High Priestess of Kinvar took place at the foot of the mountain that was near the harbour. Quite a few people had come to hear her. A couple of thousand people. Half of them were slaves, the rest were merchants, some warriors, and the senators Darken Rahl wanted.
Kinvara was giving a history lecture to this crowd.
- ...Azor Ahai is a legendary hero who lived some eight thousand years before the landing of Aegon the Conqueror. Legends say that during the Long Night, Azor Ahai defeated the Others with a flaming sword named Lightbringer. In the cultures of different peoples of the East he bears different names: Azor Ahai, Hirkun the Hero, Yin Tar, Neferion or Eldrik the Shadow Chaser, but all legends converge to one thing: the hero with the flaming sword led brave companions to the battle, in which the darkness was defeated....
She spotted Darken Rahl among the crowd, lurking beneath her illusion. He smiled at her, and she smiled briefly at him and continued her story.
- ... Thousands of years ago, an important prophecy was written in the sacred books of the distant city of Asshai. It says that on the day after the Long Summer, when the bloody star will shine, Azor Ahai will be reborn amidst salt and smoke for the final battle with evil, and will draw the blazing sword "Lightbringer" from the fire. If he wins, a summer will come to which there will be no end, death itself will bow the knee to him, and all those who fought at his side and died will be reborn. The same prediction was known in other lands, including Westeros. The last Targaryens, though they did not share a belief in the true god of light, Rglor, still believed that the "promised prince" should be born into their family. The "dragon" family. In a way they were right, it was the "dragon" who would become Azor Ahai, only they were wrong about the family of the chosen one of the God of Light. - She smiled," He does indeed not burn in fire and soar through the heavens. But he is of a different lineage and was not born in King's Landing. The prophecy has been fulfilled and your Emperor will lead not only D'Hara to the light, but the whole world! He is the Azor Ahai that will save the world.Suddenly, one of the senators spoke up.
- We believe in our emperor. But I don't have much faith in your stories, priestess. I don't see the Long Summer. And a lot of the legends are made up.
- They're not fiction, dear senator. But in a way, you're right. The Long Summer has not yet come and gone. But it will be soon. And it will be followed by what I said it would be. I have no reason to lie to you. Servants of R'Glor's Will must not lie to anyone about our faith.
- Then when will it come? - Rahl removed the illusion and stepped closer to Kinvara, who bowed before him. You speak of interesting things, but I like specifics.
- Your Grace. I have been looking forward to our meeting, you have no idea how much.
- I've already heard from some of my closest people that you've told them all about me. - He smiled, "I hope tonight will suit you? I haven't sorted out all the things that have accumulated during my absence.
- I'm happy to talk to you at any time that suits you.
- Then I won't interfere with your speeches. - Rahl turned to the senators, -And I hope that our dear senators will also be busy in the near future with matters related to the improvement of the city.
At these words, the men and women began to sweat, turned pale, and nodded in response.
A satisfied Darken Rahl left.
***
Boros and Darken stood in a smaller version of the battle arena, and watched several large varans that were the size of a horse, or even larger. They were charcoal black with small flecks of grey or marsh green scales. Scarlet eyes with vertical pupil gave a little intimidation, but in general the most a man had to fear was the teeth of a varan, as they were sharp as a sword blade and poisonous as an adder.
- What do you think of my work, Boros? Now you have your own riding animal, which will not die from the weight of your carcass and armour. - grinned Master Rahl.
- I am grateful to you, Master Ral. - put his fist to his chest Boros, -They are good. I will inspire terror in your enemies by riding them.
- That is admirable, my loyal servant. But the main thing is not to instil terror in these reptiles my dear Boros. - Darken grinned as he continued to watch the predators curiously dividing their prey in the form of the executioner, "I sometimes think that you are more frightening than these wonderful creatures that I have improved with my knowledge. They'd die of fear at the sight of you in Valyrian armour.
- They're good. - Boros said with a sigh, "I won't hurt them.
Darken smiled even wider again when he heard those words. It seemed to him for a moment that he was still standing next to him more a child than an adult. Such bright feelings for such dangerous creatures was worth something to an ordinary man.....
- Go ride the one you like best. And then, if you can, pick up some more thugs as skilful to the point of fighting as you are and form your own personal squad. I think I'll find such "riders" a purpose they'll fulfil for me. At the very least, you will be a scarecrow on the battlefield.
- Yes, Master Rahl. - Boros saluted and went downstairs.
The Emperor did not wait for the results of this 'ride', and went for a walk. Or rather flew off to the cave where the Mord-Sith were being prepared. He took part in their training and initiated two of the girls in the third stage of training and placed them personally in the hands of Alishara and one of Miriam's assistants to teach them how to fight and many other important things for the Mord-Sith.
He then visited some dragons that were frolicking in a clear field away from humans. They were hunting, fighting among themselves, or resting. Only three of them were missing: Nightmare, who was at the ruins of Ancient Valyria, Albion, who was with Ocris, and Drygon, who was accompanying Rhys.
There he only admired them for a little while, and then he still travelled to Tholos, where he was to meet Kinvara.
He was not afraid of her. Rather, he feared a confrontation with this cult, which was in some ways dangerous. Of course, Darken was confident of his victory in a possible "war" with them. But avoiding it, and utilising the red priests and priestesses would be wonderful.
But the trouble was, he still had a hard time imagining how the members of this cult thought. Especially how those who had grown up in the temple thought.
And Kinvara was one of them.
***
The meeting took place in the Vayserion house, the place where Darken Rahl liked to receive important guests or ambassadors, when he was not yet the ruler of such a vast land and did not have such influence as he did now. Time had passed, but he still had some of his habits. However, Darken Rahl did not change his way of life even from his previous life, he only took into account some mistakes and corrected them for the local realities of life. But on the whole, he remained himself.The red priestess was lovely: her dark hair was loose and reached to her shoulder blades, her blue eyes with a touch of grey shone with joy and anticipation, and the usual scarlet garment well emphasised the woman's waspy waist, her ass and full breasts, which were clearly visible thanks to the deep cleavage, and the slits in the sides of the dress when walking gave a perfect view of Kinvara's slender and long legs. She noticed Master Rahl's gaze and his appraising look and bowed with a smile giving an even fuller view of the neckline of her breasts.
- Lady Kinvara," Darken smiled at the woman who entered his office, "It is good to see you again.
- I am not a lady. Just Kinvara, if you don't mind.
- Good. Would you like something to drink?
- No, I'd like to talk to you about important matters with a fresh mind and energy.
- Yeah. I'd like that, too. I'd say at first you're trying to draw me into your faith, but I think it's something else.
- I know that you are the Azor Ahai. And it is for this reason that I am here to help you find your way to the Light and defeat the Great Other so that the Eternal Summer may come.
- And how are you going to help me?
- To bring more believers in the Lord of Light under your banner. All the priests and priestesses of our god will be loyal to you.
- Is that so? - The brunet was surprised. - I thought they were scattered all over the world, supporting other monarchs, warlords and so on. And I know for a fact that Melisandre of Asshai, who is at the court of Princess Celisa and Prince Stanis of the Baratheons, assures the woman that her husband is your god's chosen one. What do you say to that?
Kinvara smiled.
- 'It is so. And they will continue to say so until the time comes to declare that you are the true chosen one. You're a politician and you must realise that there are workarounds and bluffs in life. Sometimes the plain truth can be devastating to a lot of people.
- I realise that, of course, and I can even accept it in a way. But where's your guarantee that you won't stab me in the back?
- Our loyalty. We will swear an oath for you to Volantis and its lands. Our influence is strongest there. The other Free Cities of Essos we do not, alas, rule completely. But Volantis will be yours with its resources and its people. There are over fifty thousand warriors under the banners of our city's army. And there may be more, if you take up the cause.
Darken pondered her words for a while, then continued.
- Okay, let's say I get Volantis and the believers in R'Glor, but what do you want from me? I'm not going to believe you're doing this just hoping to get a saviour hero in the future.
- True," the red priestess nodded, "We want you to help us spread the true faith to the masses.
- My empire is a land that welcomes all religions, beliefs, peoples and people regardless of their characteristics. As long as they do not contradict the laws of the empire and do not pose a danger to me. Therefore, I will not interfere with your actions, as long as they do not cause harm. But no more. That is my word!
The priestess was clearly displeased. But she remained silent.
- You are very wise, but at the same time you are stubborn and... clearly do not trust me. I realise that, and I don't blame you. If you want me and my brothers and sisters to prove our intentions to you, so be it. But I still hope that your heart will melt the fire of the Lord's love.
Rahl only twitched the edge of his lip in a smirk at that.
- One more thing. I want to learn all the knowledge the Lord of Light has accumulated. It will help me defeat the Other. And besides, I'm interested in your religion and what it is. So I can hope to be your apprentice, High Priestess?
- Of course, My Emperor. - I am sure I can teach you a great deal," she said with pressure, smiling back at him and curtseying, "I am sure I can teach you a great deal. And besides, thanks to this time together we will be able to discuss many things....
To be continued...
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