Chapter 10
It was time for her to go back, she had to negotiate with a noble one from Volantis about her payment. It seems that despite his title he was getting out of gold, like many other nobles, and he probably wanted to bargain with her. They were supposed to meet to the other side of the island and she was about to board on a boat, when a little urchin pulled her cloak. Xelia looked down and saw the child.
-Lady, are you Xelia of the Elite Jackals?
-Well...it depends who's asking!
Xelia answered teasingly but the little boy didn't seem to mind the jape.
-Yes sweety, that's me. Do you need anything?
-Someone named Harmen gave me a coin to come and find you. He said that you need to go the Jackals' haunt as fast as you can!
-But did he tell the reason?
The boy huffed restlessly and looked at his bare feet.
-Something about someone...I don't remember the name, that he's sick or something… He said that it was an emeg… emreg…
-Emergency maybe?
-Aye, that!
-OK dear, thanks for informing me. Take some more coin!
The child took the coin, thanked her and run away. Xelia felt her heart was beating fast, like she was in the middle of the battlefield. She left the dock and went to find her horse. She rode and started galloping as fast as she could. She knew what is was about.
When Xelia first met Demian, he was already a middle-aged man. His hair and beard, although he dyed them, had gotten gray. Nevertheless, he was a well-built man, tall and muscular and always in a good shape, better than many younger guys than him. A master in all fighting styles and one of the m]ost fearless warriors she ever met. Demian commanded his sellsword company spotlessly, always wise and fair, he commanded respect to his companions. He was able to turn the Jackals from a small and nameless companies to one of the most well known ones and he also increased the number of the jackals by recruiting new and skilled members.
For Xelia, Demian was a mentor, an adviser, a father-figure and of course a very good friend. He was the one who found when she was all alone without any perspective and gave her the chance to prove herself and build a future. All she was right now, she owed it to him.
This is why Xelia started worrying about him lately. The last six months he was getting sicker and sicker. It all started with a contiguous fatigue during the day and a light dizziness sometimes. Although Demian was insisting that it was nothing serious, the symptoms didn't faint away. In the contrary, Demian was getting weaker every day, he had lost wight and he seemed to be older than he was. When the symptoms got worse, his limbs were stiff and he had difficult in breathing, Xelia and the others had to find a healer despite Demian's protests.
Unfortunately, the healer couldn't do much. He could only suggest some analgesic potions which Demian refused to take because he claimed that they made him feel groggy. The last month things had gotten out of control. Poor Demian was unable to take a few steps without wheezing and now he spent the most of his day in his bed. Xelia was thinking about finding a way to bring a meister from Westeros to examine him, she discussed it with Harmen and some other friends of her and they agreed, but it wasn't easy to contact one and convince him to cross the narrow sea and come to Tyrosh to see him.
As she was running up the stairs to Demian's chambers, she could hear her heart beating like it was to get out of her chest and her breath had gotten short. On the top of the stairs she saw Meredyth wiping her tears. In the hallway there were many other people, members of the company, standing or sitting on the floor. They were all silent and seemed worried. Meredyth came closer to her.
-Oh, Xelia…
-Meredyth what's going on, where is Harmen?
-He inside with Demian. Xelia, he is really, really sick!
Meredyth couldn't hold her tears anymore. She hugged Xelia and started sobbing. At this time, Demian's door opened and Harmen came out to the hallway.
-Harmen, what's all of these about? Why did you called me here immediately?
-Come Xelia I need to talk to you.
Xelia followed him to the next corridor, there wasn't anyone there, so they could talk in private.
-It's not about me. It's Demian, he asked to see you. He is not doing well, Xelia.
-I know that. What does he want? Why such a hurry?
-Xelia, please. Don't make it harder. I know that you can understand. Demian is out of time that's why he needs to talk to.
-No! That can't be, that healer said that he still had weeks, even months before… before…
-I know, but it was like two weeks ago. Listen, you need to accept the truth. Go in there and talk to him.
-Talk to him? Harmen I don't know if I can do this! I mean, what am I supposed to say?
-Yes you can! You are the strongest person I know! And when I say to talk him, I mean about you. About who you really are!
-You can't be serious! What would be the point Harmen?
-He deserves to know, Xelia! Demian was always there for you like he was for all of us.
-Oh Harmen, look at you! You are so… grown up.
Xelia was crying now. She could not believe that it would be the last time would see and talk to Demian. It was like witnessing he father's death once again. Harmen embraced her and chuckled bitterly.
-I had to grow up, Xelia. After Janei's death, I had no one to look after me. I have to look after myself now! And one last thing before you go to Demian: He brought up the matter of leadership. He wants you to succeed him as a Captain of the Elite Jackals. Just be prepared. That's why I wanted to keep the conversation in private.
-I...don't know what to say…
-Say nothing. Just go now.
Harmen pushed her softly to the closed door. Xelia stood there for a moment and then knocked on the door lightly. She heard no answer so she knocked harder. After a few seconds seconds she heard Demian's voice inviting her in. She opened the door and forced herself to smile. The room was a pretty nice one. In fact, it was one of the biggest and the brightest in the building. Demian by himself had bought the furniture and decorated his chambers with some stylish and expensive items. Right now though, it seemed to be small and dark. And all this fancy decoration had lost its glamor. Also, the smell was strange. Xelia could not distinguish what exactly it was. ''Is this the smell of death?'' She shook her head to push that thought.
Demian was lying on his bed, covered with a sheet. It was obvious that he could barely breath and he was in pain. There was no doubt that he was out of time. Despite his whole situation, he smiled when he saw Xelia.
-Ah Xelia, finally!
-What's the rush Demian? I had a ''business appointment''!
-Busy as always! What was that about!
-Some impoverished-ex noble ass who thinks that I make charities! The usual…
-Huh, like they're ever gonna change! Listen Xelia, as Harmen probably told I wont make it until the night-
-Demian don't-
-Hush, don't interrupt me! I told you, my time is over and I have an important assignment for you! I have already talked to Harmen and Sallor. As you know, as the captain, not for a long but still, I can designate the one who will succeed me. This one will be you, Xelia. You know how much I appreciate you as a person and as a warrior. I myself chose you to become a member of this company. You proved me right. You never failed me Xelia. Gods didn't deem me worthy enough to have my one children. You are the closest I have to a daughter; to how I wished my daughter had been. I want you to command the Jackals after me. Like me, even better than me!
-Demian, I… I don't know what to say…
-That's easy, say yes!
-Hold on a minute, why me? There are many members who older and much more experienced than me. Why don't you have one of them to succeed you?
-Bah, who says that an old prick is gonna make it better than you? You can be a leader, you are a natural , Xelia! Make the Jackals reach the top!
-This is…Gods Demian, this is the greatest honor I could ever get! You trusting me with the leadership of the company that you found and commanded all this years means the world to me!
-Enough with the courtesies, are you in?
-Listen I…
-The question was a rhetorical one, of course you are!
-OK Demian, I need to talk to you about something, it's a confession I should have made to you a long ago but…
-Whatever it is, do it fast. We need to call Sallor and Harmen, they are the executors of my will.
-The truth is Demian that I… haven't told you the whole truth. About me, about who I really am.
-What's that now?
-I am not the person you think I am. When we first met, I told you that I was just an orphan girl, with no family who worked in a tavern in King's Landing. That I run away because they wanted to sell me in a brothel. But those are all lies.
As Xelia started her confession, Demian was not so willing listen to her. He thought that it would be a waste of his limited time. But as she continued talking he was his interest in her words had grown annd despite his exhaustion he drew up from his bed. Xelia took a deep breath and carried on.
-My last name, is not Waters. The real name is Xelia Baratheon.
-Baratheon? Wait, is it…
-Yes, house Baratheon in one of the greatest Houses in the Seven Kingdom. Robert Baratheon is the King in Westeros and he is my older brother. I run away from our ancestral seat, Storm's End, the night before my sixteenth name's day. My Second brother, Stannis, was forcing me to marry some other young lord. My older brother wasn't around at the time and I had no one to support me. And… well you know me, I would never be able to adjust to a life like this...So I had to leave, secretly, in the middle of the night. Do you understand now? This is how I was trained in weapons and I speak all these languages and that's why I had such expensive weapons and armory. I didn't stole them, I owned them. This is all the truth about my true identity. I am so sorry for lying to you all this time Demian, I only hope that you can forgive me.
The man looked at her for a moment and he chuckled.
-Heh ,like I didn't got it!
Xelia opened her mouth to protest, but she didn't. Demian was still chuckling when he sagged his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. He had still that grin on his face.
-Hey, Demian what? Did you fall asleep?
She poked him on the shoulder but the man didn't react. Xelia panicked. It wasn't that she had never gotten in touch with again. No, but never like this. She shook him gently at first.
-Demian, come on! Wake up, talk to me!
How could she accept that he was gone? What would happen then? How things would be without him around. As she realized that there was no reaction by him, she started shaking him hardly. Her eyes had been blurred by the tears.
-Demian no, please! Talk to me, please! Please!
She was screaming and crying, the words were choked between her sobs.
The door opened and Harmen followed by Sallor and a couple of others got in with a worried look in their faces. Her screams echoed on the whole building. Harmen approached the bed, he could sense what have happened.
-Xelia what happened? Please, calm down and tell us!
But she couldn't. She was still shaking Demian's lifeless body while sobbing. Sallor, touched his ear on the dead man's chest. He pulled Xelia away from the body.
-He is gone, girl. There is nothing you can do, neither you nor any of us.
Xelia was still weeping and Harmen came to embrace her. Sallor looked at him and Harmen nodded at him.
-Come now, Xelia. We need to go out and announce it to the others. Are you gonna be al right?
-Yes...I..I guess I am. But what about…
Xelia pointed at the bed. Harmen sighed and gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
-Don't worry, love! He will be taken care off. Come now, we have a lot to do!
Outside of the room and in the rest hallways, were gathered numerous members of the company. Since Demian's condition had become impossible to hide, the most members mande sure not to be to far away from there. Most of them had already known what had happened. Xelia saw many other faces in tears as well and she felt a little less embarrassed. Harmen clapped his hands to attract the people's attention.
-Friends, my condolences. Our Captain had just perished. Now if you all please, let's move to the great hall. There will be made announcements about the future of the Elite Jackals.
Xelia followed her friend. Harmen stood in the center of the room next to Sallor who was arleady in the room.
-OK, since every one is settled, Sallor may take the floor.
Sallor took a step forward. He took a quick look at the crowd and he took a piece o paper out of his pocket.
-Companions! As Harmen said, the Leader of our company is now dead after a long suffering due ti this horrible illness. I am not going to loose time by mentioning how great man Demian was. We all know it very well. There is another issue major importance. As they say, the Captain is dead, long live the captain! I hold this paper here, with Demian's last ''command''. As you will probably guess, it is about his successor. It is mentioned clearly in his will, in which both Harmen and I were witnesses, that he wishes to be succeeded as Captain of the Elite Jackals by Xelia Waters of the Seven Kingdoms. As he mentions, he was seeing in Xelia as the most suitable person to command this Sellswords Company since, as he says, she is a skilled and experienced warrior, capable of taking important decisions and initiatives and inspiring people following he lead. Xelia as our new Captain, please come and say a few words!
Xelia came next to Sallor and looked around her companions. Most of them were cheering her while others seemed more skeptical. Of course there were also a couple who might have been a little disappointed. The majority though appeared to be rather pleased with the news.
Now, what was she supposed to say to all of these? Did she knew? Yes, she did. She mumbled a little but she started talking with a clear and loud voice.
-Friends! I know that this is a really hard time for these kind of…proceedings since we are all devastated for Demian's loss. But they necessarily need to be done as fast as as possible so we can secure the right efficiency of the company. Having Demian trusting me as much as to assign me the command of the Sell swords Company the he was leading all this years and he had found, is the greatest honor I could ever take. And as I could judge from your reactions, that you are willing to support in this. Even those who may doubt, which is perfectly understandable since I am young enough for such big responsibilities. Definitely, our cooperation would have been more than satisfactory. But...well, as you probably know, it was Demian who found me and recruited me as member of the jackals. It was him who was inspiring and encouraging me becoming better. But feeling that my life as Xelia the mercenary, is over. So I am sorry but, I won't accept this offer! I had studied the statutes of the company, and I know that when the successor does not accept the leadership, he or she needs to propose someone as a substitute. My proposal for the substitution, is Harmen the Pentosi!
Xelia took a step back and closed her eyes. She could feel the disturbance she had caused. The awkward silence that followed her little speech was quickly replaced by mixed whispers. Impossible for Xelia to distinguish what were they saying, everyone seemed they were talking at the same time. Actually, not everyone; Harmen was speechless. He had dropped his jaw and he was looking at Xelia with his ''what the fuck'' look. Once again. Sallor came forward and cleared his throat.
-OK everyone, quite now please! I know that we all caught by surprise, but let's stay calm. As Xelia said, she has the right of course to propose her substitute, since she doesn't accept the place of the Captain. However, as I say it's a proposition, not a final decision. In this case, the substitute can be declared as the Captain of the Elite Jackals only after he gets the approval of the other members. The members are giving their approval through secret ballot. This is what the statues stipulates. The procedure is simple enough and I'll explain it right now.
Sallor beckoned to someone in the room to come next to him and he whispered something to his ear. The man left the room and Sallor continued.
-Each of us, will be given an oyster. If you agree with the proposition, then you will throw the oyster in the ceramic pot. But, if you disagree, then you break a piece of the oyster before you throw it. So, if the most of the oysters are unbroken, the proposition will pass and Harmen will be our next captain. If the most of them are broken, then the proposition will not pass and there will have to be made a new one. I hope I made myself clear. Note, that this procedure will be followed for the first time. By the way, we can take the secret the secret ballot because the majority of our members is present right now. Let's proceed!
The man who had left the room before, came back carrying a ceramic pot. Sallor thanked him and checked the interior of the pot.
-The oysters are in the pot. Now, everyone is taking one of them and we all leave the room. Then we are coming back to the room, one person at a time, and throw the oyster in pot, broken or not. When we are all done, the tally will begin.
The whole voting took about an hour or so. When the last one came out of the room, Sallor called everyone back in. Harmen, who had barely spoken all this time, came next to Xelia and grabbed her arm. He still looked upset.
-Hey Xelia what…
-Oh, shut up now! Look, the tally is about to begin!