The Bleached Throne
Chapter 2: A New World and an Unexpected Face
Author's Note: Ok. Here's the second chapter to this story. Like I said in the earlier chapter this chapter will involve a time skip because let's face it… we need to give my OC some time to adjust to the new world. Don't worry though. Action will be picking up by the end of this chapter will properly commence within the next chapter. So without further ado, let's begin.
Chapter 2: A New World and an Unexpected Face
Five years later…
The harsh rays of the sun beat down on the dull, bareng land. A single road, wide in breadth snaked across the land disappearing into a grove trees toward the far north. Two narrow ones branched off the wider one. Towards the south, the road continued on till it entered a vast gate manned by crimson brick walls, which were as high as thirty solid feet.
King's Landing. The capital of the Seven Kingdoms and the seat of the Iron Throne. Built by Aegon Targaryen approximately three centuries ago and located on the east shore of Westeros, and at the mouth of the Blackwater Gate, it was the largest city in all the Seven Kingdoms. Housing a population of nearly half a million people, King's Landing was a luxurious haven for those of course who could afford such a posh lifestyle. Most buildings were much the same shade of crimson as the wall which sometimes King's Landing.
Off towards the southern end of the city, on top of Viseryn Hill, was the Great Sept of Baelor. One of the largest structures in the city, the Sept of Baelor was the venue of many a religious ceremony or royal weddings. Towards the southeastern side of the city and overlooking the Bay was the Red Keep, the seat of the current King, Robert Baratheon of House Baratheon. The castle rose as a magnificent structure sprawling over acres of land encompassing nearly a quarter of King's Landing.
Over at Central Square, the busiest location in the city, a large number of people were passing by, some of whom were shouting their wares, while smiths were busy in the heat of their furnaces. A few merchants were observed walking to and fro. Occasionally,a member of the City's Watch would pass by on their horses, noting the humdrum of activity. While each stall was set up in the main Square itself, one fairly non-conspicuous one could be seen right towards the end of said Square. It was a fairly small stall and quite easy to overlook if one weren't particularly searching for it.
A young man not more than 16, was could be seen working away at a table towards one corner of the stall. A scroll of paper lay open in front of him with an array of intricate lines spreading across it. He was almost about to tear his hair out in frustration, he heard a call from outside. Turning around, he saw who it was and cursed internally.
Oh god, not him again, he thought with a sigh.
Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coin and a member of the King's Small Council. A small man, of a short height, he was slender and quick with sharp features and laughing gray-green eyes. He had a pointed chin beard and threads of silver in his hair. He was dressed in a rich brown cloak, which was fastened by a small replica of a sigil- a silver mockingbird.
"Aren, are you in there?" he asked, calling out once again.
"Coming, Lord Baelish." he replied, getting off the chair and approaching the exit. Upon crossing the threshold, he found Lord Baelish waiting there.
"I'm lucky i found you here. Such good timing too for you are away at times when I come calling." Lord Baelish replied.
"My apologies, Lord Baelish. As you know I was busy restructuring Lady Mell's halls a few days earlier, assuming that is when you called." he replied in a polite voice.
"No matter, no matter." waving the matter off. "I'm glad I found you when I could. Actually, it was from the Queen herself that I came to hear about you. She told me you did an excellent work remodeling her personal quarters. She is very pleased with your effort and sends her regards."
Some Queen, he thought in disgust. With a polite smile, he replied.
"Please do inform the Queen that it was my pleasure to be of service to her and I hope I will be able to serve her again in the future."
Baelish nodded. 'I will send the Queen your thanks. Besides, I wanted to ask you for a personal favour, if it isn't too much of a bother."
"Of course my Lord, how may I be of service to you?"
"I would be very obliged if you were to remodel my personal quarters as well, if you have enough time to spare of course." he replied in a tone which while overtly polite, had an underlying threat to it.
You are a freaking lord. You don't ask. You demand. He knew the games this man could play to get what he wanted. While superficially, he appeared a gentleman, but in reality he was nothing but a scheming man, who only worked for personal gains. He was weary of him as he was of the other Small Council members he had had the misfortune of encountering.
"Of course, my Lord. It shall be done. If you could provide me an appropriate time to visit your quarters for an examination…?"
Baelish appeared to be in thought for a while,before replying.
"Friday would be fine for me. I will have a Council meeting to attend. So you shall have the undisturbed freedom to examine the quarters to your content."
He nodded. " It shall be done, my Lord. I will see you on Friday." he replied, with a small bow.
"I will inform the guards of your arrival. Good day, Aren." he replied before walking off.
Aren sighed as he watched him round a corner, disappearing out of sight.
I don't trust that man, a voice spoke in his mind, who know what secrets he is hiding.
You don't have to tell me twice, he replied, they are ALL the same.
Aren ran a hand over his copper hair as strands off it fell over his forehead.
Five years. It had been five years since he had arrived in the Known World. Five years since he had wandered the world, getting to know it's ways and it's people.
Flashback
At first when he had exited the Senakimon, he had appeared in what looked like a forest. A light drizzle was pouring from the sky, which didn't bother him much owing to the shade provided by the canopy of trees surrounding him. It was a tall cluster of fir trees, with the occasional conifers here and there. A narrow stream trickled off somewhere nearby. He had felt a sudden gust of icy wind which blew past him. Turning around, he had noticed clumps of ice not far off from where he stood. Walking over to one such clump, he had knelt down and felt the ice. It had a soft constituency, lacking the hardness he had been expecting.
Summer must be around the corner, he thought as he got back up.
As he began to traversed the length of the forest, the trees began to thin out steadily,until he emerged at the edge of the forest. As he exited the forest, he quickly took off his backpack, and dug into it, withdrawing the charm containing the Gigai, given by Urahara. He placed it on the ground before raising his hand and uttering "Release!"
The seal glowed momentarily before dispersing. In its place lay a Gigai, which he noted that Urahara had already equipped with what he felt would be appropriate clothes for the world. It had on a heavy dark fur coat underneath which was a soft white cotton shirt, heavy-set black trousers and a pair of black leather boots, which would not the sturdiest of things, would do for now till he could get better ones in the future. On the waist, he was pleased to note was a sheath attached to a buckle. Upon examining the sheath, be noticed a passive Kido on it which would hide it from view,unless he drew his Zanpakuto from it. As long as his Zanpakuto remained in its sheath, the sheath would be invisible to others.
Ah Urahara, he thought. While he had only met the man once, having being introduced by Ichigo, he had noted that while his behaviour was certainly odd or eccentric, he was a brilliant man, and certainly not someone to take lightly.
Shrugging, he lowered himself and entered the Gigai. As he got up, he felt a bit uncomfortable, a feeling which most Soul Reapers experienced upon entering a Gigai for the first time. His Zanpakuto appeared in the sheath. Clutching the hilt, he drew the blade from it. It was a longsword with a black hilt. A crossguard lay at its top, and a red tassel hung from the pommel. The blade glowed brightly, reflecting the daylight. He put it back into its sheath, satisfied.
Toshio traveled to various regions in his first three years or so in the Known World, deciding to get a glimpse of the world before he decided to begin his duties as an Observer. His first of many visits was to the the Stormlands, which he came to know from his handy guidebook, was led by House Baratheon from the castle of Storm's End. After exiting the Rainwood forests, be had made a beeline for the nearest settlement, being able to cover larger distances due to the Flash Step, which he was glad to note, he was able to use in Gigai. Ichigo had told him that while he could use spiritual energy to a certain extent such as casting low-level Kidos or using the Flash Step, if he were to release his Zanpakuto, he would have to exit his Gigai.
As he arrived at the castle of Mistwood, a holdfast located closest to Rainwood, he stopped to rest under one of the larger fir trees which provided ample cover for him from the constant rain, which steadily beginning to get on his nerves. As he rested, he continued to pursue the book steadily. It was quite a thick one with more than a third of it dedicated to Westeros while the rest of it was dedicated to the lands of Essos and Sothoryos. As he read on, he came to know of the language spoken in the world. As a whole, Westerosians-the people of Westeros- spoke two common languages- the Old and the Common, which had almost entirely replaced the former with only a few regions in Westeros which still spoke it while the latter was spoken by quite a few people outside Westeros as well. Most Westerosians spoke the Common tongue, which he noticed was in many ways, similar to Old English of the Human World, which he had been fortunate enough to learn from his father at a young age. The language itself was quite uniform throughout most of the region, owing to the nearly three centuries of Targaryen rule over the nation. There were no major dialectical differences in the language itself,which thus made it easier for him to understand. The book also contained a few references to specific terms which were more often used as titles rather terms themselves. Such words included titles attributed to people such as Hand of the King- the person responsible to aid and assist the king in discharging his duties, the Crows or Black Brothers- a derogatory term applied to those who were in charge of the The Wall and members of the Night's Watch, or Wildlings- people who lived north of The Wall, or The Wall- the massive wall located at the far north which kept out wildings and other mythical creatures which were of much debate by the people of the current generation. As he read a few of these terms, be began to develop an understanding of the world and his fascination grew. While there were nearly a hundred such terms, he was thankful to his predecessor for taking the pains to document it in such a detailed yet simple manner.
As he shut the book, and put it aside, his gaze fell to the sky, noting that the stars were out momentarily, the rain having stopped for the time being. He noticed the position of a few stars and how brightly they shone, unlike those in the skies of the Human World,which were far away from their respective planet. Having spent much of his life in Soul Society, he had never had the luxury of gazing at the stars, as the stars of Soul Society were pitch black at night. With a soft smile, he dozed off.
As he wandered the lands of Westeros, he traveled through most of the Seven Kingdoms. From the Stormlands, he had had one of two choices- to go south into the the Dorne ruled by House Martell, or move west to where House Lannister ruled over the Westerlands. He decided on the later as it would be far more difficult to to cross the Sea of Dorne or transverse the Red Mountains, both of which were effective natural barriers to the region. Thus, he set off westward bound.
It had taken him approximately five days to travel to Lannisport, one of the main port cities of the Westerlands. While he had flash stepped half the way, he had been able to hitchhike the other half due to a kind merchant and his wife who were heading the same way. It was here that he came to know of the currency system of Westeros- the Gold Dragon, named due to a dragon being etched on each and commonly referred to as Gold, was the highest unit of currency, the next was the Silver Stag, called so due to a stag being etched on each ,and lastly, the Copper, the lowest form of currency. From his guidebook, he also came to know of each of their values- each Gold Dragon was worth 50 Silver Stag while each Silver Stag, was in turn, worth 50 Coppers. The guidebook also mentioned that the House of Lannister was regarded as the wealthiest of all Houses in the Seven Kingdoms. What it failed to mention was how pompous and stuck up each member of the House were.
He had had the extreme displeasure of walking right into one right when he was on his way to one of the various markets at the port. Characterised by their blond hair, their fair complexions, Toshio knew immediately tara this was undoubtedly a Lannister.
"Watch where you're going, kid. Walk tight into a Lannister, did you?" be replied, with an annoying amount of arrogance and pride, as he glared at Toshio. Not wanting to stir trouble, Toshio bowed humbly, muttering a quick apology before leaving.
"Arrogant pricks, the whole lot of them…" when he was out of range. It was like an entire House of Byakuyas, which brought a smirk to his face. Yet he would face Byakuya any day over these people. While Byakuya was a prideful man and a noble to boot, he knew perfectly well that his Captain had always revered and respected him as a brother. So, be clearly had some good in him to garner such a respect.
He had spent a good few months at Lannisport. At first he decided he needed to earn a living. While most souls did not require to eat in order to survive, those which utilise spiritual energy, such as Soul Reapers, needed to eat in order to replenish their energy. While be had spent the first few days surviving on the rice balls Ichigo had given him, and the occasional fruits, he knew he couldn't possibly carry on like this. At first, he had sat himself down at night, thinking jonno what professions he could possibly take up. Towards the other half of town, be could still hear a smith working away which struck him with the idea that maybe he could become a smith. After all, he believed he could operate a furnace and he did would a Zanpakuto. He had also observed the Zanpakuto of quite a few others. So maybe it would work out.
But then he realized the complication which stood in his way. A smith did not gain a reputation easily. Smith's had to prove their mettle to others and gain that reputation. Also, if he were to gain a reputation as a smith, it would draw unwanted attention to him, seeing as he would be requested by more higher up personnels, thus making him far too conspicuous in the long run. He sighed. He would have to sleep on it.
The next morning, as he was making his way down the main road, he observed a man by a door, attempting to steady it as it had fallen out of its hinges, owing to the rock which had been holding it to its place dislodging.
He approached the man.
"Need a hand?" he asked.
The man looked up at him. He had clearly been struggling with him for quite some time, as his hand had traces of rust from the rung which had been holding the door in place.
The man shrugged. "Sure lad, why not?" he replied, as he moved aside.
Toshio walked up to the door, examining the hinge. It had clearly cum loose from the run itself, as that area was cracked. He heaved the door to the side while carefully playing his palm on the rung, muttering "Seal: Stage One".
Seal: Stage One. A basic Kido used in conjunction with other complex Deals or Kidos to reinforce their effect and power.
A Kanji for 1 glowed unobtrusively on the wall before fading away. Re moving his hand, he swing the door almighty from one side to the other, as if examining its structure.
"There. Good as new." he replied. The man looked taken aback that he had done it with such ease. Smiling, he teacher into one of his pocket in his probes, killing out a Dragon, handing it to him.
"For your troubles." he replied in a genial manner.
"Oh no, I couldn't.." Toshio replied, waving it off.
"I insist." he replied firmly, in a tone that left no scope for argument.
"Umm...Ok." he muttered, pocketing the coin.
"Thanks again for the help lad. What's your name? I don't believe I've seen you around these here parts."
He was about to give his name, when he paused for a short while. He couldn't give his true name away because it would obviously stand out, given that most people in Westeros used names which were more or less, were Old-English derivatives.
"Aren. Aren Saltcliffe." he replied, choosing a name which he guessed was quite a common one in Westeros. He based the title off a location he had read in his guide book the other night. The Saltcliffe Shores were a location to the far south, near Sunspear Castle, ruled by House Martell.
"Ay, you've come from far. Don't get much Dornish folks around here that often." he replied. "Anyways, thanks much for the help, lad."
"Sure. It wasn't a problem." he replied,as he walked off.
Infact, he knew just what he wanted to do.
Taking up the name Aren Saltcliffe, he roamed the lands, not spending more than two months at Lannisport. He was weary of the Lannisters, the whole lot. Each of them were powerful, influential and owned nearly half the lands in Westeros owing to the fact that they were the wealthiest of the Seven Kingdoms.
From the Westerlands, he headed north, bypassing the Crownlands and entering the Riverlands, which as he read was the land of "no kings". While the other regions each held a ruler, with the title Lord Paramount, the Riverlands lacked such a person, and were currently ruled by House Tully who governed from Riverrun, a castle located in the central-western region of the Riverlands. He decided to cover the journey on foot instead of resorting to using the Flash Step, a journey which took him approximately a month to cover. It wasn't a bore as he had thought it would be, as it was during this time that he had encountered his first Hollow.
It had been during his stay at the Crossroads Inn, an inn located on Kingsroad, and a popular resting stop for wandering travellers and merchants. On his way out of the Inn at night after a hearty meal, he had felt it.
The first spike in spiritual energy. It was unlike that let off by natural animals and other such creatures. He had read on his guidebook, that the Known World possessed quite a few mythical creatures, most of which were regarded as extinct or mere myths such as Dragons, Direwolves, Krakens, Phoenixes and so on. This was felt different, almost malevolent. It was coming from a cluster of trees further ahead.
Ad he Flash Stepped to the trees, he spotted a large shape lumbering about in the shadows of the tree. Upon noticing him, it quickly whirled around, lumbering into the open.
It was a tall one, almost seven feet and of a dark-grey colour, allowing it to blend perfectly with the night. On its arms, were a set of dangerous appendages and on its chest where it's heart should be was a massive hole. It's eyes fell on Toshio as it lumbered toward him in excitement. Meanwhile Toshio was purposefully looking away in the opposite direction.
"A human with spiritual energy." it thought, as it steadily approached him. " Must be one of those Stark brats. Well, at least this ones alone. Ripe for the picking." it cried, as it lunged for Toshio.
Except when he reached him, he was gone. Looking around in puzzlement, he spotted him, standing a few feet away from when he had originally been standing.
"Looking for me?" Toshio asked in a singsong voice, a mocking grin in his face. It wa then, that the hollow noticed his hand resting in the hilt of a blade on his left.
"An Observer." the Hollow cursed his luck, before grinning in turn. This was the first time it had ever run across one in this world. This ought to be interesting.
"No matter. I've not had to work for my food in a long time." it replied, before attempting to smash him into the ground.
Toshio watched in an alarming bored manner as the Hollow's arm approach at an alarming rate. He silently drew his Zanpakuto from its sheath.
A flash of silver and a spray of scarlet. The arm lay cleaved in half and on the ground. It slowly began to disperse into spirit particles.
"Sorry. I don't plan on dying any time soon." he replied with a smirk.
The Hollow, mad in rage, lumbered at him with the other arm, intent on killing him, instead of eating him. Toshio sighed.
"You Hollows just don't know when to do you?" he asked rhetorically, before side stepping the other arm, leaving the Hollow wide open for a counterattack.
The Zanpakuto steeped across before cleaving a gash right across the Hollow's chest. It stepped back in shock, as it's entire body was cleaved in half. The body fell on on to the forest floor. He sheathed his Zanpakuto as he observed the hollow disperse steadily.
"Well, atleast the night wasn't a complete bore." he replied cheerfully as he turned back.
He had spent around six months at Maidenpool, further north of the Crossroads Inn. He had taken up work as a minor mason, helping other men in several spots of reconstruction. At first most were sceptical of him, seeing a he was nothing but a "young lad". But he soon gained a reputation of being able to repair most things which others were unable to do, with the help of the occasional Kido of course. Once, he had been tasked with fixing an entire door which had been blown off it's hinges. He had pretended to have some difficulty with it, fumbling with it for a few hours before he successfully 'fixed' it. Thus, most of the people of Maidenpool were unhappy to see him leave a few months later. As a token of gratitude, most of the folks of the town pitched in and threw him a grand farewell with much food, drink and merriness. Thus, Toshio had left Maidenpool with a smile.
It was during his journey further north that he had one his more notable encounters. It had been shortly after he had left Maidenpool.
He had been traveling north at a leisurely pace , thankful that he had had the sense to bug a couple of shirts back at the markets of Maidenpool as the one he was wearing was too worn out. He saw a tiny blue stream further ahead, hidden behind a grove of trees. As he cleared the grove, he suddenly came upon a pair of hushed voices up ahead. Deciding to stay back, he gud behind one of the larger trees, eavesdropping.
"...I say we kill him. We've already gotten what wanted." one of the voices replied in a feral voice.
Bandits, Toshio thought.
Bandits are pretty much a common occurrence in the roads of Westeros. Most travellers preferred to travel in packs rather than individually, owing to them. While he hadn't run into any as of now, he had heard many tales of them from the people.
"But if we spare him…" the other argued,before a third voice spoke up. This voice was far different from that of the two bandits. The tone was polite and polished, clearly belonging to a nobleman.
"Kind Sers , do spare me. If you do, I promise to make you richer than your wildest dreams. And you know what they say of a Lannister- A Lannister always langs his debts." he replied.
A Lannister, Toshio thought with a frown. It was odd to encounter one so far off from Casterly Rocks, where the main House members resided. He peeked around the tree, taking a good look at all three.
While the bandits were unremarkable, it was the Lannister which drew his attention.
He was a short man. A very short man. Hardy two feet tall. He had the characteristic blond hair all Lannisters possessed. He was dressed in a rich leather jacket with leather boots. A golden sigil hung from his neck. Only one man in the entirety of the Seven Kingdoms matched that particular description.
Lord Tyrion Lannister, youngest son of Tywin Lannister of House Lannister. The man was called by many names- Imp, Halfman and Dwarf were but a few of the names Toshio had heard. Yet he recalled the distinct difference between him and other Lannisters- he was widely regarded as the most genial of all Lannisters and an overall pleasant fellow, which was almost shocking, considering he was a Lannsiter.
What Toshio took not of most was the man's eyes. They were sharp and possessed a great deal of intelligence about them.
"We have no need for your debts." the other bandit replied. "You die here, halfman." the bandit replied, before swinging his left hand down, which was holding an axe.
The Lannister shut his eyes, preparing himself for what he imagined would be a gruesome death. But the blow never came. Opening his eyes, they widened.
Toshio stood beside the Lannister, his right hand gripping the bandits arms, the axe mere inches away from the Lannister's face. He quickly stepped back in shock.
"Why don't you take someone your own size?" Toshio replaced with a glare as he let go of the bandit's arm. Before the bandit could step back, Toshio slammed his knee into the bandit's gut sending him crashing onto the ground. The bandit wearily got up with the assistance of the other.
"Who are you?" the other bandit asked.
"My name is of no concern to you." Toshio replied. "Now leave, before I make you leave."
"You are joking right kid?" the other man replied as he straightened up. "You and what army? You aren't even armed. This should be a price of cake."
Both bandits nodded before they charged at Toshio. The Lannister could only watch in shock as the boy stood by, calmly, as he watched the two bandits approach.
May the Seven protect you boy, the Lannister thought as he watched the axes flew at the boy.
His eyes widened at what occurred next.
Toshio quickly lashed out,his left arm grabbing hold of the first bandit. With asar wrench, he grabbed the axe from the arm, throwing it away before smashing his elbow right into the bandit's nose. With what appeared to be a light shove, the bandit was sent skidding back to his earlier location, where he collapsed.
The other bandit had meanwhile stopped, as he watched what happened to his companion. He quickly rushed to him, helping him up. His fearful eyes then flickered over to Toshio, as if waiting for him to attack.
"Leave." Toshio barked in a harder voice. "Next time I won't be so merciful."
With a nid, the bandit helper his companion up before fishing off into the trees as fast as their legs could carry them.
He was about to leave when the Lannister cried out to him.
"Wait." the Lannister asked. Toshio paused, turning around to face him.
The Lannister took a deep breath before he spoke.
"I owe you a great debt,boy. Not only did you save me from those two bandits, but you put your own life at harm's way. If there is anything I could do to…"
"Stop." Toshio replied.
The Lannister paused as he stated up at him. His voice contained a note of authority. And yet he didn't look like a nobleman.
"Lord Tyrion Lannister." the boy spoke, the Lannister's eyes widening.
"You owe me nothing."the boy continued. "I did not save you in order to have you in my debt. I was merely passing by when I encountered those bandits. I am not a man of needless violence."
Tyrion meanwhile, was in shock. Never in all the Seven Kingdoms had he met a man or a woman, who wouldn't be delighted to be at the debt of a Lannister. And yet, here stood a boy refusing the debt. Tyrion cleared his throat before replying.
"Be that as it may" he replied "as a member of House Lannister, I insist on it. There must be something I could do for you."
Toshio noted the Lannister. He sincerely seemed to want to make it up to him.
"I have neither need nor want of your gold, Lord Tyrion." Toshio replied. Seeing that he was about to interrupt, Toshio held up a hand. " If you still insist on it, then I'm afraid we have to leave it as it is for now."
Tyrion nodded. That deemed acceptable. He may ask for a favour in the future, which the man hoped he would be able to grant.
Toshio was about to leave when a thought occurred to him.
"Why are you all the way here of all places?" Toshio asked, puzzled.
Tyrion sighed.
"It was my folly. I strayed away from my camp. It is the first time Father has sent me outside the Westerlands on an errand. I decided to roam the woods on my own. I must say I did not expect to run into bandits of all people."
"That's not too bad." Toshio replied. "Perhaps they are nearby."
"If it isn't too much of a bother…." Tyrion asked, in a clearly humble tone "...Could you please escort me back to my camp. It's due north, just beyond the stream."
Toshio shrugged. "Sure" he replied.
As the two trekked across the stream and through the trees, Tyrion was eying the boy critically as if he were trying to gauge him. While he valued himself as a good judge of character, he could not say anything about the boy's past. His attire were far from noble, but above that of a commoner. Yet his diction and fluency of language indicated that the boy was certainly educated. As they moved across a particularly thick group of trees, he noticed a sheath on his waist. It was a sword.
After a good twenty minutes of walking, Toshio began to see crimson banners up ahead in a clearing. Each held a lion, the sigil of House Lannister. He stopped shortly from the clearing.
"Looks like we part ways here, my Lord." Toshio replied with a smile and a humble bow. As he was about to turn back, Tyrion asked one last question.
"I didn't get your name, lad." Tyrion spoke.
Toshio stopped, turning around.
"I thought you'd never ask." Toshio replied with a cheeky grin. " It's Aren. Aren Saltcliffe."
Tyrion watched as the boy disappears back into the forest.
Aren Saltcliffe…, Tyrion thought in wonder, …you are an enigma. He pondered for a few moments before shrugging and resuming his journey back to his camp.
End Flashback
Toshio re-entered the store, as he sat back down at his work table, resuming studying the complicated Kido seal array, which he hadn't made a single ounce of progress with last evening.
He toured the lower North for a few months before doubling back down south, for the North was the largest of all Kingdoms in Westeros and he wanted to save it for a later date. Arriving at the Crownlands almost two years ago, he set up a small store off the end of the Mim Square from the earnings be had gathered in the previous years. He gained much the same reputation he had gained elsewhere and occasionally people began to come to him with larger requests, such as restructuring an entire room or a hall, as he had done last week. Life was fine.
As he had travelled, he had spent quite some time honing his Zanjutsu skills, for just because he bad barely fought a handful of Hollows in his five years of existence, there was no point in getting rusty. Every night, he would sneak away into the barren deserts, far off from Kingslanding. He would exit his Gigai and train for two hours at a stretch, while spending a third in Jinzen-sword meditation. Shashutaiho had even informed him that he was steadily approaching Bankai, a thought which had clearly excited Toshio. While Toshio had fought jdi Zanpakuto spirit several times, none of those fights had been nothing more but spars. Thus, both Soul Reaper and Zanpakuto were looking forward to this particular fight.
As he was about to get back down to work, be heard excited yells and shouts from outside. As he went out to examine what it was, he saw a throng of people gathering around the Castle Road, leading up to the Red Keep as he could see a procession about to enter right through the Mud Gates. One of the men who rushed past him in a hurry, called out to his companion.
"The new Hand is here." he replied in an excited tone. " Let's go have a look shall we?" he said, as both joined the crowds.
Oh that's right! he realised. He had heard from one of the occasional City's Watch members in the Square that Robert Baratheon, the current King had left Kingslanding for the North a couple of weeks ago. It was rumored that he had gone appoint Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Paramount of the North and Lord of House Stark as the new Hand of the King, after the previous Hand, Lord Jon Arryn of House Arry, had died three weeks ago.
He was about to re-enter his store, when he felt an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy. Eyes widening in shock, he turned around instinctively, facing the Mud Gates.
What the… Toshio thought. His mind flashed to a similar incident which had occurred two years ago.
Flashback
He had been at Barroton, a settlement located in the Barrowlands. He had spend a couple of days here and had noted the pleasant difference between the folks of the North from that of the other Kingdoms. They were a far more merry and genial lot and the people were far more accepting of him than those of other places he had visited. They had even brought him to a tavern and toasted to him and his journey, a fact that puzzled, but amused Toshio. All in all it had been a pleasant stay at Barroton.
He was about to resume his journey back to the south, after a month's stay at Barroton. As he was about to leave the town in the early hours, be felt a sudden spike in spiritual energy. No sooner could he trace it, it disappeared. He turned to face the north. The spike of energy had been emitted from somewhere further north. At first, he had been puzzled as to what it could have been. It most certainly did not feel similar to the tainted aura of a Hollow. Thus had felt far more similar to that emitted by a Soul Reaper.
He shrugged. Dismissing it as a casual flare of spiritual energy by an animal or something, he move on.
End Flashback
This one though…, Toshio thought, in worry. It was enormous. He had never felt such a massive amount of spiritual energy in this world at any given time or place. It was almost unreal. The spiritual energy was on par with what one would expect a Captain level Shinigami to possess. Yet as he homed in on it, he sensed that there were far deeper reserves of spiritual energy which lay, waiting.
His curiosity getting the better of him, he decided to investigate. He knew it couldn't possibly be a Hollow as it was not malevolent in any way. On the contrary, the spiritual energy felt uncannily warm, almost comforting in a way.
As he made his way to the crowd which had gathered around Castle Road, he had to push his way to the front to get a better view. He could see the procession of chariots accompanied by knights in gold cloaks, the Kingsguard, leading the front of the party. As he narrowed his eyes, he spotted the two men leading the procession. The two were engaged in conversation.
One was clearly King Baratheon. He was a round man and quite short at that. Roughly 50 years of age, he had a haughty expression on his face. He had a tuft black hair and a thick beard on his face. He had on a chainmail vest on top of which he wore an armour. A travelling valo was attached to his shoulder as he rode. As he watched, he finished his conversation with the other man, who fell back.
His gaze fell on the second man.
His eyes widened in shock. At first he thought the desert heat around Kingslanding had finally got to him. But as he drew closer, the man's details came into sharper focus.
He was a tall man. He had long copper coloured hair which fell on his forehead. Some if it was tied in a near ponytail. He bad on a chainmail and a sword rested on his waist. A travelling cloak was wrapped partially around him.
What was district was his face. He had a sharp face. The face of a commander. Yet he had pleasant air about him as he smiled and nodded at various people.
Toshio felt as if he was viewing the events from the end of a long dark tunnel, barely able to hear the cheers of the people. His hands were shaking in shock as he watched the man pass by.
Only one word escaped him.
"D-dad?" be stuttered out.
Authors Note: There you go! The second chapter. I hope I got most details concerning Westeros correct. Also, i have gone back and made a couple of significant changes to the Prologue. So do go back and give it a read as it contains a some new information. The update schedule will be bit slow this week as I have midterms next week. So I may not be able to update this week. I will be free from the next updates will become far more frequent from then. Anyways, i hope you enjoyed. See you next time.