I know. I know I said I was done, that I wouldn't post another story until one is finished.
What Is Dead May Never Die and The Falcon Flies High are almost finished. Long May They Reign is following right behind them if I focus on it.
Chapter 1: Seven Blessings
"May the Seven bless this holy church, may the Father guide us in building it. May the Warrior protect those that come here to pray. May the Mother bless this place in fertile youth. May the Maiden safeguard purity and beauty of all women. May the Smith grant strength to all men that live in these lands. May the Crone grant the chosen Septon and his Septa's to teach thine flock to see right from wrong. Lastly, may the Stranger give all those that are at the end of their lives go in peace."
With his sermon complete, a young man, possibly thirty and one stood to his feet.
His eyes were clear blue, his hair was auburn and dark, short and his skin was a shade of olive. Behind him was a flock of worshippers, bowing to the newly built Sept within the Riverlands.
The people need it, especially after the harvest these past three months.
"Ser Addam! Ser Addam?" He got up from his position and turned to see a man come forward, he smiled as he remembered the lad.
"Goodness, Tyrek. Where did you come from?" He wondered that, hoping the Lannister boy was not infatuated with those harlots from the brothel once more.
"I... Came to tell you... There is trouble, in another village." He steeled at the mention of such words, seeking the truth for the Crone gives them curiosity in such circumstances.
He said not another word, merely whistling for his horse to come forward. His steed is a stallion, black with a white mane and tail, and fiercer blue eyes than his own.
Along the way, his squire told him about what is happening. That the Mountain and fifty men sacked the village, killing anyone in their way.
Gregor Clegane is an anointed knight, but that he would break the sacred vows to that title? It makes him no more than a brigand, a heathen in the sight of the Gods, and he has taken it upon himself to stop any man who would forsake those vows.
"My grandfather has to have set the Mountain loose, Gregor wouldn't lift his sword unless Tywin orders it." He looked to his squire, a member of the House of Lannister.
Tyrek Lannister. Son of Tygett Lannister, the man who knighted him when it was his time and took on his son as his squire. Tygett lost his life to the pox, leaving behind his son and a mother who was quick to re-marry and leave her son.
One could say that he is a Lannister lapdog, but it couldn't be more inaccurate.
It was at an early life that he gave himself to the Seven, to the Father who looks upon them all. He remains pious but open to other religions, convinced that the Old Gods are but an image of the Seven.
But to non-believers, those that rape and murder to satisfy their pagan devils. They are heathens, nothing more and upon this, he has made an enemy of the Ironborn.
He killed many of the pirates in the last Greyjoy rebellion, slaying pagans where they stood. He made them see the Light of the Seven and forced them to be judged by the Father himself.
Tygett often told him that the gods are symbols, nothing more than an excuse to make wars just and righteous. He'd laugh and think that his mentor just hadn't seen the proof, that they exist and affect the world and shape it.
He was a child, five years old. He caught the wasting sickness, as it spread in his home at Seagard. The local Septons and Maesters were sure that he would die, that the sickness would take him in the night... But it was not so.
He rose from his bed, basking in the sun as dawn peaked through the Sept and he was cured, on that day he would worship and give his life for the Seven, to bring them honor and live in this world, teaching many the way... Or he would die defending his faith in battle, falling with his blade in his hand.
"There, the flames and smoke are still fresh," Tyrek said as they approached, he frowned in sadness as he saw the blood, the dead worst of all, the naked women lying down on the ground with some still alive, others dead and a couple burning.
"These rats, they will all feel the gods judgment." He whispered to himself and dismounted, "You, where did the brigand and his men go?" He asked a man coming out of his home, a cloak wrapped around a child's bodice. "Tell me where they have gone, and I will get justice, I swear it." He told the man who shook his head.
"We don't know, Ser, we hid in our homes when the raping and killing started." He gritted his teeth, gripping his hand as he watched the people come out of their hiding spots. "We don't even know who they were, the big one, he raped my little girl." The man broke down with his daughter.
"Tyrek, we must inform the Lords of these lands, then go to the capital and inform the King or the Hand." He said to his squire who nodded, bringing over his stallion and mounted up, "These are Piper lands, we'll see them first, then to House Tully of Riverrun before going to King's Landing. Hyah!" He kicked his horse into a gallop, heading for the seat of House Piper, Pinkmaiden.
Lord Clement Piper was doubtful, but upon telling him everything, he ordered for a raven to be sent to Riverrun. He thought that since House Tully will inform the King, that he may be left to search for Gregor Clegane, the False Knight must be brought down lest he further besmirches the title of Knight and Lord.
"Ser, might I get your name?" He was asked and he sighed and bowed.
"Ser Addam, a Hedge Knight serving the greater Faith of the Seven." He told Clement who nodded, holding out his hand, "Forgive me, my Lord. I am duty-bound to bring Gregor Clegane to the Father's judgment, I dare not wait to find his trail." He said to the Lord of Pinkmaiden but his son, Marq stopped him.
"The King. He must know what has happened, please go there and I will prepare a party for you." He almost declined the man, but there must be no time to debate, action has to be considered, not questions.
Giving a single nod to Marq and Clement, he left an hour later with thirty men.
King's Landing will be made known of Gregor's crimes, and maybe his own past will be avenged with it.
AN: Tis only the beginning, it'll get longer.