Lord Calidours

Her wrists were burnt and bleeding from the binds of the rope. The light that trickled in past a splintered window with bars was barely enough to ease the darkness. She could feel the cold and damp crawling over her skin and hair. Every breath she took was foul.

Two suns and moons had past since her arrest. Two days since she had seen Kiana. Since then she hadn't eaten anything, the only rations of water she found in her cell were the loose raindrops and snow that fell through the narrow window. Wherever Kiana was, it couldn't be more pleasant. Norin shivered at the thought.

Stupid little girl, she thought over and over again.

How many times had she warned her tiny accomplice to never steal from a Sea Lord? Even if it was a courtesan Kiana had to know that the she belonged to someone. Now Norin was in the thick of it, she had thrown herself out into the open to save the only living friend she had. As the days passed by it seemed less and less worth it.

Another prisoner in a nearby cell was singing a creepy lullaby. She didn't know what the man looked like but judging by his song of madness she probably didn't want to know.

Her head thumped against the mossy walls of the dungeon, all she could think about was the story Kiana had mentioned. A thief that crossed the wrong people getting their tongue and eyes cut out, and just for good measure their hands. Norin wondered if that was her fate, or worse Kiana's. After all it wasn't Norin who tried to steal, but thieves run in packs, even ones like Norin. The city guards had to know that. Perhaps they even recognized her.

Suddenly an iron door in the darkness screeched open. Norin narrowed her eyes but it was too black to see anything but shadows. The footsteps were heavy.

She pressed her back further into the wall.

They moved closer and closer.

The crazed prisoner's song abruptly stopped.

Silence fell.

With the shadow's final step she dropped her eyes and parted her lips. There was nowhere to hide anymore, nowhere to run.

Her barred cell door swung open. She didn't flinch, only her blue eyes slightly lifted. They rose slowly and steadily.

The guard had a crooked smile.

"Time to be judged."

He reached for her arm, forcing her to her feet. She wanted to pull away. Out of instinct she calculated how fast she could dart through the open door and out of the dungeon, but she knew it was no use. Guards were probably swarming the place. Out in the open streets of Braavos she could manipulate and outrun all of them, but not here.

Her bones ached as he pulled her through the dungeon. The last thing she saw before they started up the steps was the singing prisoner. He was old, with wide black eyes and sagging skin. He was staring at her, examining her. She felt disgust, even pity for the man, but he just smiled his insane and mysterious smile.

Once the dungeon door shut the singing returned, it's eerie tune simmered through the bars.

"The Sea Maiden fair,

Is waiting there,

Upon her crests of shells and folly."

Her mouth opened in fear. The song stung at her ears, making her head spin. The farther the moved up the steps the more his ballad echoed.

"And when she meets you

do beware,

Through seaweed glare and silken hair,

Oh! She'll swallow your heart with lips so sweet and salty. "

Daylight burnt her eyes. They air was warmer above ground. For every step the guard took Norin had to scramble to keep up. He was twice her size with a grave expression and a valyrian steel sword. They past several servants along the way, as well as merchants settling debts and bargains with the name of the house.

Noise and voices picked up as they reached a pair of doors. Door that opened instantly.

Norin froze, but the guard refused to let her stay in place. She felt her feet slide against the stone floor as he dragged her forward.

It was a great hall, with columns of granite, and milk glass windows. People filled the chamber but quickly hushed as Norin was pulled down the steps and towards the front. Incense burned with vibrant fire clouds. Normally the scent would have smelt sweet but now it was heavy, it made her want to vomit.

Whispers and glares bombarded Norin. As a theif she was used to being invisible, used to going unnoticed. Her lungs stung with a gasp as the guard practically threw her onto the floor. Her knees collided with hard stone unforgivingly, pain traveled through her body.

"So this is the second thief?"

Her blue eyes struggled to look up. Her hands pressed against the cold stone. Strands of hair fell across her face.

The Sea Lord was setting in a silver chair, he had the weathered face of a sailor and scars of a fighter, two guards flanked him and at his feet was the courtesan. Her smile was still as cruel as Norin had remembered.

"She was asking for mercy."

"There is no mercy for the scum of Braavos…pick yourself up!" He ordered.

Norin's bound hands clawed at the floor as she corner-eyed the guards and staggered to her feet. Her eyes were searching for Kiana, but there were so many faces it was hard to discern one from the other.

"I didn't steal anything!" she suddenly replied.

The Sea Lord laughed to himself before rising from his chair and descending the sparse steps to her. He was only a few paces away when he unveiled the golden dagger she had pinched off the obsidian merchant from his robes and tossed it to the ground. It hit the stone with a metallic clamor that made Norin jump.

"I found that in your belongings."

"It was a gift."

He took a step closer. A long scar ran down his face from the corner of his left eye to his ear.

"Bring in the merchant, now!"

Her eyes anxiously widened. Suddenly her heart was racing. She would remember his voice anywhere, his shouts heightened as he stumbled through the crowd to the front of the hall.

Guards made sure he didn't get too close to the Sea Lord.

"You there! Merchant! Is this the thief?"

The plump merchant walked so close to Norin that she could smell his acrid breath. Her eyes fearfully stared into his. There was a chance she wouldn't be recognized but the maddening look in the merchant's eyes said otherwise.

"Yes! That's the whore!" He spewed. His mouth was practically foaming in hate.

Norin's teeth gritted slowly. Her eyes twitched to the Sea Lord. He was smiling so broadly that she wished she had one of her daggers to cut that smile out of him.

"Take him away…"

"I want justice!" The merchant continued, his yells were sharp and cracked, "Justice!"

The Sea Lord's eyes scanned her body quickly before he whipped around and returned to his lavish pedestal.

"Everyone out!" he dominantly yelled, "Everyone!"

The surrounding crowds and servants stood in place for a split second before rushing towards the doors. Their murmurs and amused banter echoed long after the entrance had closed. Even the courtesan was escorted out of the Great Hall. All that was left in the cavernous chamber were the Sea Lord, Norin, and his personal guards.

His skeleton fingers drummed against the metal armrests. As his head tilted up to the light, shadows fell over his face. He looked frightening.

"Do you know who I am?"

"One of the reigning Sea Lords."

"My name, thief!"

She quickly dropped her eyes, "Lord Calidours."

"Yes. And what is your name?"

"I—I wish to see my friend, my lord," she quickly stammered.

"Your name!"

Her eyes closed, "Norin, my lord."

"Norin what?"

"I have no family name. Where I come from they call me Silverfeet."

This seemed to give Calidours amusement. Promptly he laughed, his hands slapped his knee in a fit as he glanced to his guards.

"A fitting name for a thief."

"I believe that was the point, my lord."

"Well, Norin Silverfeet, it seems you have made the fatal mistake of getting caught."

"I never stole from you."

"But the little thief did…my courtesan means nothing to me, she's just another whore…but my gold, my food that means something. Rats like you and your friend should be thrown into the winter seas for such crimes."

"Perhaps your whore shouldn't be strolling caravans of wealth through Braavos if she doesn't want to get pinched, my lord."

Suddenly the air was stiff and heavy.

Lord Calidours narrowed his eyes to one of his men.

Without warning, the guard standing nearest to Norin struck her across the face for her contempt.

"You have a silver tongue to match your silver feet, Norin of No Name."

Her fingers pressed against the cut in her lip as she leaned over.

"That merchant wants you dead."

She let out a laugh and quickly peered at him, despite the pain and fear she was still able to look the Sea Lord directly in the eyes. "That merchant can try to kill me himself if he wants me dead."

"Brave words from a woman."

"I am not afraid."

"Yes—I see that in your eyes. You aren't, maybe you should be. Belloc?!"

A man in leather armor briskly approached the Sea Lord and went on one knee, "Yes, my lord?"

"Bring in the little thief and that annoying merchant."

Norin's eyes widened, her lips tightened.

"Yes, my lord."

Her gaze followed the guard named Belloc with intensity until he disappeared behind a column and out a small door.

"No misdeed goes unpunished."

"My lord, she's just a child, she doesn't know any better."

"Age has no bearing on punishments, Norin of No Name."

She could hear Kiana's yelps before Belloc brought her in. Norin's fingers grazed the ground as she straightened her back. Kiana had bruises all over her face. Her hair had been cut off. Her eyes were red from crying.

"There the little thief is!" Calidours exclaimed, he giggled to himself as if it were all a game.

"Please—" Norin struggled with her words, she wasn't used to begging, "—Please don't hurt her!"

Kiana's body collapsed on the ground like a bag of bones. Her dark eyes turned to Norin for a heartbeat before lifting to Calidours.

"Today is the day of your sentencing," he hissed acidly, "But…"

His pause was long. Several seconds passed before the merchant was dragged back into the Great Hall. He was still frothing at the mouth, hungry to get his hands on Norin.

"…first things first, we have a squabble to settle. Get up, Silverfeet!"

Norin side-glanced the merchant before obeying the Sea Lord.

"You said she would be punished for stealing from me, my lord!" The merchant squawked.

Calidours smiled darkly, his eyes were glinting with madness, "The punishment must suit the criminal, dear man. Belloc, give the girl and the merchant a sword."

Norin tilted her head in surprise.

"Yes, my lord."

"What?!" the merchant's voice cracked.

"Everyone deserves a fair trial…you aren't afraid of fighting a woman are you?"

"No, but, my lord—"

"Good."

Still in shock Norin stumbled back and skeptically eyed Belloc as he offered her a sword.

"I'd like to see how brave you are, Norin No Name…I'd very much like to see that!" Calidours shouted, placing his fingers on the side of his face.

She glared at Belloc the guard before shifting her gaze to Calidours. Her blue eyes darkened as she peered to Kiana's battered face. Slowly her hand reached for the hilt of the sword, it was a Braavos fashioned sword, slimmer and lighter.

"As you wish, my lord."

It was obvious what the Sea Lord was doing. It was obvious how much amusement he took from cruel jokes and games to the death, but she wasn't going to let him get under her skin, not just yet.

Her eyes steadied on the merchant.

Wisps of hair blew across her eyes as Belloc moved away.

She could hear Kiana's breathing tremble. Feel Calidours excitement at the duel he was about to see.

Rarely had she fought a man with a sword, always she used her daggers. The death was quicker that way, sneakier. She wasn't afraid of killing, not if it was necessary, and right now it was. Her fingers adjusted on the leather hilt as straightened her back and widened her stance. She lifted the sword like a true Water Dancer would.

Their swords kissed with a metal clash and then another.

The merchant's footwork was sloppy, and his eyes moved around in a frenzy.

This was going to be quicker than Norin thought.

Her hair danced around her back and shoulders as she whipped around and lashed her blade at the merchant, he blocked the hit but only barely.

"This girl knows the water dance, Belloc!" The Sea Lord shouted in glee and equal excitement.

Suddenly she could feel the merchant's anxiety. See it in his eyes. She took the tip of the sword and slashed at his cheek. Crimson spilled from the cut, but he kept on the defense.

It had been a long while since she had danced, but her maneuvering was impeccable. She furrowed her brow as she spun the sword and swiftly kicked the merchant's feet out from under them.

His weapon went flying onto the floor.

That was the thing about the Water Dance, you didn't have to be a brute or a giant, you could be nimble and small. The Water Dance was an art.

She stepped on his foot and pressed her knee against his chest, he was so fat and breathless that he couldn't move. Long and hard she stared into his eyes. He was frightened and shaking, it almost made her feel sorry for him.

But then her eyes hardened as she thought of Kiana's beaten face.

Gravely she moved the blade to his neck. She was just about to cut his throat when Calidours voice stopped her.

"That's enough!"

She took a silent breath and closed her eyes. In confusion she caught her breath, pulling the sword away and stepping back.

"Guards, take the merchant away…"

The fat merchant mumbled in frustration and terror, "You said there would be justice!"

"…make sure he's given some gold for his troubles."

The door closed once more. Norin dropped the sword and stared daggers at Calidours.

"You're a Water Dancer."

"I am familiar with the art, my lord."

"This day is full of surprises."

Norin shifted her eyes to Kiana, she was still collapsed on the ground, tears in her eyes.

Calidours followed Norin's eyes to the little girl. He grinned broadly and snapped his fingers.

"Bring the little thief forward, now."

Instinctively Norin tried to dart to Kiana's side but Belloc quickly held her back.

"You stole from me, little thief."

Kiana was speechless, horrified and speechless.

"She didn't know what she was doing!" Norin shouted, "Please—let her go."

"You're brave keeper seems to think you're innocent, but we both know that's not true."

"Yes, my lord," Kiana's words were a whimper that made Norin's heart hurt.

"Please!"

Calidours eyes burned as he shot Norin an icy stare.

"Thieves that steal from me are known to be killed, little thief."

Norin could see Kiana shaking.

"If I let you go, then that would make me look weak…"

"I'll take her place!"

Calidours twitched his eyes to Norin.

She was struggling against Belloc, "I'll take her punishment!"

"Such a noble warrior, our Norin No Name is, isn't she Belloc?"

Belloc baritone voice made her skin crawl, "She is, my lord."

"Tell me, Norin Silverfeet, would you be willing to die for this girl? Would you be willing to die so that her life could be spared?"

She was on the brink of tears. Adrenaline and sadness was streaming through her body, filling her heart and soul. She breathlessly nodded.

"Yes—yes, of course."

Calidours leaned back and smiled, "A day full of surprises, indeed."

"Please let her go!"

"No. Not just yet."

He cupped his hand behind his back and descended the steps, passing Kiana entirely and studying Norin. He scrutinized her face and form, squeezing her face with his fingers as Belloc held her in place.

"Fine…"

Skeptically relief read in her eyes. Relief that Calidours noticed right away and laughed at.

"I'd be willing to accept your brave offer, but under my own conditions."

She wiggled her face away from his hand and pursed her lips, "Anything."

"Anything?"

She bared her teeth, "Yes."

He laughed, "That's the spirit."

As he turned back around he lowered his eyes to Kiana and hummed.

"May I tell you a story, Norin Silverfeet?"

She didn't reply, she didn't have to.

"When I was a young Sea Lord, there was a man in my court. A man with two names. I trusted this man with my life, with my wealth. He was a friend, a confidante. And then a merchant sailed into Braavos. Can you guess what he had?"

Again, she remained silent.

"Dragon rocks. The merchant gifted them to me as token of admiration, an acknowledgment of the powerful position I still maintain to this day."

Her brow furrowed. Dragon eggs. They were hard to come by…very rare. Dragons had been extinct for ages, to have dragon rocks would make anyone wealthier beyond belief. They were more expensive than gold, and far more priceless.

"And can you guess what happened? In the middle of the night my confidante slinks into my chambers. I was away at the time, off fighting the good fight. But my wife—she was not so lucky. My friend, the man with two names, he gutted her just before stealing my tribute. He betrayed me like a serpent."

Norin's breaths shortened, her eyes lifted, "And what happened to him? This friend?"

"He disappeared. Just as he hoped he would."

"What a terrible story, my lord," she darkly whispered back.

Her mockery was obvious, but Calidours smiled despite her crassness.

"Terrible indeed. For years I've been searching for him, years…ravens and hawks were sent all over Essos and the seas, I would have sent them to all seven hells if I could. But it wasn't until a month ago that I heard back from one. A single raven ventured across the Narrow Sea, far into the depths of Westeros, where I have a man. The note I got back was cryptic, mangled by the wind and salty ocean breath."

She didn't understand where this was going, didn't realize why Calidours was so concentrated on telling her this tale.

"Have you heard about the Wall in Westeros, Norin of No Name?"

She pursed her cracked and bloody lips.

"It's a colossal fortresses that stretches across the northern lands of Westeros. Caked in ice and snow it stretches towards the sky. A group of men keep watch over the Wall and castle inside. They keep watch because the myth is that something stirs in those northern winter lands. Something terrible and dark."

"And that is where your friend is?" she barely was able to speak.

Calidours took a step away and smiled, "A frost dusted raven told me so."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You asked to take the punishment that is meant for your friend?"

"Yes."

"And you will accept it without question?"

Normally Norin was more aggressive, more practical, but not now. Now she felt helpless, she had to save Kiana.

"Yes."

"Don't worry," he must have noticed the fear in her eyes, "I won't kill you, it would be a shame to waste such talent on death. I told you this story because I want you to remember it, I want you to remember the details. I told you this story because your punishment Norin of No Name is to find me the man with two names and bring me his head on a spike."