Sam

While they were washed and fed, Sam managed to discover some information about their new owner. His name was Crowley, and he was one of the Thirteen ruling the City of Qarth - the most powerful and dangerous man on the eastern coast. Nobody knew where he came from and how he earned his fortune, but rumors stated that his ways were dark and bloody.

After Dean had got some aid for his wound, brothers were brought to Crowley's parlor. It was huge, decorated with gold and silver and tons of rare rubies that were mostly dark, but if the light touched them in some way shone with millions of bloody red sparkles. Crowley sat in an enormous armchair, relaxed. Beside his chair laid a huge black hound. Sam had never seen a dog of such size. The hound was so big its head would be at the level of Sam's chest.

- Sit. – Crowley gestured to the bench in front of his chair. – Max, this will be all.

The stone faced Max bowed and left the parlor.

- By the way, don't think you can do anything stupid if we're alone. – Crowley said. – 'Cause we are not. My doggy is much more capable of taking care of the business than most of my guard. But he doesn't have a habit of spying on me.

Brothers glanced to the "doggy", that seemed to be sleeping. Sam decided that the hound had a direwolf blood in it, but what a direwolf was doing so far from the North?

- Now, I'm dying to hear your story. How did noble man from so far west happen to come here as slaves?

- There are still those who thrive by selling slaves to slave traders in the East, My Lord. – Sam answered evasively. – They should be eradicated like weeds in a garden, but sometimes they still can outnumber and overpower good men.

- And you are good men, I take it. So how did House Tully degrade to being King's retrievers for hunting

- To serve the true King in any way honors our family. – Dean spoke up sharply. – His commands are not ours to question.

Sam winced. That was neither the time nor the place to reveal their commitment to a certain King or a certain job. Sometimes his brother's devotion made him reckless.

- Oh look, the smaller one can also talk. Wonderful. You seem to be of different kind than your brother – a lot less interesting one. I guess you're a Knight, aren't you?

- Yes, my life and honor belong to Castiel of House Tyrell, first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. – Dean held his chin proudly up.

- Ah, yes. Honor, bravery and uncontrollable pigheadness. I thought so.

- Of course, risking one's own life instead of lives of others may seem like madness to you, my kind Lord.

Sam felt his heart dropping and he was ready to apologize for his brother, but Crowley just laughed.

- Freshly knighted, I take it. Delightful! Get yourself together, Sir. Having your head on a pike as a result of talking back to me like that will do no good for your precious King. By the way, Castiel Tyrell is not technically a king yet, is he?

Dean's cheeks flushed.

- It's just a matter of a couple of days. The true King is taking the Iron Throne as we speak … My Lord.

- The true King, how sweet. – Crowley made a face. – Off with you, you're boring. – the Merchant pulled a satin rope beside his chair, probably ringing a bell somewhere to call a servant or a slave. Max appeared in no time. – Max, assure that Sir Pighead is in charge of something suitable for such a brave Tully… fish scaling will do nicely.

Sam could see his brother's sword hand twitch with rage, but Dean followed Max without a word. Sam wondered if he had a plan to fight Max somewhere on their way.

- Now, back to you. You seem like a more sensible fella. Do you serve Tyrells also?

- My House has sworn loyalty to King Castiel, My Lord.

- Tell me, how many men does Castiel have?

- Twenty thousand, My Lord. – Sam lied.

- Really? My information states than around twenty two thousands and after House Baratheon joining him, he'll have more than thirty. Why do you lie to me? Have you grown bored of having two arms?

- No, My Lord. The news about House Baratheon joining our forces is a surprise for me. – Sam lied more carefully.

You must've been away for quite a long time then. – Crowley frowned. – Anyways, just so happens, I tend not to root for any of the kings.