In the end I didn't have to worry about anything, the slaves- or former slaves now- that had been in the ship I stole from Old Mother the pirate, knew more than enough to take us to port without a hitch. After that and a lot of thanks from the freed slaves I began to make my way to the splendid keep that was the Red Keep, though the smell wasn't certainly that of roses it didn't smell as bad as depicted in the works.
As I went by the people of the city always glanced at me. I mean, I know I am quite good looking, having dreamy purple eyes on top of long silver hair that I wore in a messy ponytail that somewhat resembled Geralt of Rivia's in the Witcher 3 though I don't have a beard, having a smooth jaw and not as much scars as he did just some from training and a nasty one placed vertically on my left eye.
-That scar reminds me that Maelys wasn't called the Monstrous just because of his frame-
I wore Mihawk's clothing, a long open black coat with no shirt underneath, with red, flower-patterned sleeves and collar, purple trousers and large boots.
Which had cost me a mere 1.000 pt.
At my back rested a large straight broadsword with a cross guard that I had requested to be forged when I stayed in Qohor two years ago. The sword was 150cm long and I stood at 178cm so you can imagine the picture that I made. The pirate sword I once got from the system lies stored in my inventory along with the gun so that I can get them in times of need.
Surely I looked like some eccentric Braavosi swordsman or a Lyseni sell sword to this men and women.
All in all I looked damn good, maybe even a little badass if I do say myself.
Nearing the gates of the imposing Red Keep the goldcloacks eyed me suspiciously as got nearer.
"Halt, unless for official business or servants; people have forbidden the entrance to the keep" Told me one of the city watch guarding the gate.
I smiled and tilted my head to him as a greeting, "I assure you good man, that the news I bring are official business, so if you could let me pass"
He shook his head in denial, "I am sorry but if you don't have someone to vouch for you then I can do nothing about this"
"Then I do have someone to vouch for me or that will, you only need to tell him I bring information"
Raising his eyebrow he looked at me with dubious eyes, but nodded at me, "What kind of information do I tell him you bring?"
"Maelys Blackfyre"
I was, as I had hoped, granted access to the Keep and guided to the door of what I had been told were the Small Council chambers. At each side of the wooden door stood two men in white scaled armor and whiter cloaks.
One of two I have come to know as Gerold Hightower the White Bull, who was already in his thirties, was well built man with a stoic face and a silent countenance. The other was Harlan Grandison, already past his forties yet looking like he was in his fifth decade.
Though no matter how they looked they had their gaze wondering all around searching for threats even inside the Red Keep, a commendable attitude were it not for how often they turned their gazes on me, watching me, as if daring me to try do anything threatening even when I had already given my sword to the guards.
Finally after waiting for what it felt like an eternity I was allowed entry into the Small Council room.
(I'll admit I am impressed)
Indeed I was. Albeit not overly decorated, just a tapestry and a –no doubt expensive- Myrish carpet, it radiated and aura of regality and its beauty resided in its simplicity.
In the center of the room illuminated by the sun stood a circular table with seven seats which were occupied by some of the more powerful men in Westeros.
I could recognize by how they looked to some of those present. At the head of the table stood an old man, he kept his hair not too long and his beard well trimmed, dressed in silks themed black and red and a crown on his head this could only be the King Aegon V Targaryen. To his right dressed in kingsguard armor stood another old man whose name I remembered was Duncan the Tall and tall he was, even seated he stood over everyone else at the table.
To the left of King Aegon sat who I assumed was his son Jaehaerys with the pin of the hand on his chest. As for the others who occupied the rest of the sits in the room I had no idea of who they were.
"Are you going to stand there looking or are you going to enter" The kings voice wasn't laud nor was it commanding, but it certainly held the authority a man of his station commanded.
Nodding I stepped fully into the room becoming the center of attention.
"Duncan" Said the king while looking at a black haired man who had the purple eyes of those of Valyrian heritage, "tells me you have information about Maelys Blackfyre"
"Indeed, but first let us talk about my reward" The eyes of many of those present hardened at my words, but this was a matter of life and death for me.
"What is that you wish" Replied the Hand instead of the king.
"Three things; first a safe stay in your city and in the rest of the realm"
"That is but of course, we shall extend to you our hospitality"
"Very well, next is to be absolved from the sins of my ancestors"
Aegon looked troubled at that, "I may have to consult it with the High Septon, but if what you bring to us is worth it then I promise you to grant you a pardon, but now I am curious, were your ancestors Westerosi?"
"Just promise me these three things Your Grace and I will tell you everything I know. You are a man of your word are you not Your Grace?"
Tapping his armrest he looked upset I questioned his honor "I am. Now then your third request"
"I want Maelys' head for myself" I spoke through gritted teeth.
He gave no clue as to whether he was surprised or not, "If you can get to him in the field of battle then I don't see why not"
I gave him a bow of thanks "This is what I know, Maelys has recruited a few men with ambitions as wild as his and have created the Band of Nine sworn to help each other gain a Kingdom. This Band of Nine is composed of merchants, pirates and mercenaries, each ruthless and coldblooded. Let's start talking about the pirates; Old Mother" a few men snickered at the name, "I wouldn't laugh at her nickname for she is neither old nor a mother, she is a ruthless pirate and slaver as most pirates are, and if her fleet was a few times bigger she could have conquered the Stepstones with how well she knows them."
"Samarro Saan, member of the Saan family famous for the pirates it has produced for generations, I know not which place he wants as his own kingdom nor do I give a shit about it. What matters is that he has a fleet as big as that Old Mothers and with that number of ships one can do many things. He and Old Mother tend to be quick to forget about the fighting once they have the prize in their hands"
"Xhobar Qhoqua, the Ebon Prince, an exiled prince from the Summer Isles; probably trying to get them by force. He leads a sellsword company that has been quite successful in the Disputed Lands, a company which I may add is compromised of mostly archers and little infantry preferring ambushes to direct combat"
There were a few murmurs about his cowardice and I tried not to sigh at the stupidity that was trying to win by fighting upfront when you could make your enemy a pincushion before he even gets close.
"Liomond Lashare, the Lord of Battles, and accomplished sellsword captain, his army of sellswords consist mostly of infantry and calvary"
"Spotted Tom the Butcher; another sellsword with a thing for needless cruelty. Don't expect any prisoners he takes to come home"
"Ser Derrick Fossoway, the Bad Apple, exiled knight of the Reach. He certainly isn't contributing much in terms of men-at-arms so he is more likely there to provide information and military counsel"
"Nine Eyes, a mysterious man, I don't really know much about him but if I had to say anything it would be that he is like the Small Council's Master of Whispers and he is very good at it"
"Alequo Adarys, a Tyroshi merchant that doesn't lack ambition or the coin to see it done. He most likely wants Tyrosh. He really isn't a fearsome personage by himself, what is dangerous is that he alone has enough funds to support their side for a prolonged war"
"And finally Maelys Blackfyre the Monstrous, big, huge and with a second head and strong enough to kill a destrier with a punch and a savage whose lust for blood is only topped by his desire to get the Seven Kingdoms. The man is a kinslayer having killed his own cousin to get the command of the Golden Company. But don't let this confuse you, he is the one to have gathered all these people, he is the brains behind them"
With my part done I went out to let these lords discuss the issue. But not even five minutes after that I was called once more inside.
Stepping once again into the room, I made eye contact with the King who with a nod of acknowledgement turned to his Small Council.
This time it was the Hand, the Crown Prince Jaehaerys who talked to me, "we have revised the news you have brought us and as agreed will give you the first two rewards we promised, as for the third, our interest align but if you want to kill Maelys you'll to have to head to the battlefield yourself"
I raised an eyebrow at that statement "So you will confront them?"
Jaehaerys shook his head "No, but according to what you have told us they want to carve their own Kingdoms and aside from Maelys I doubt any of them would want the Iron Throne, so we will wait until the free cities eradicate this Band of Nine, so if you want his to cut off his head I'm afraid you will have to head to Essos yourself, of course if you stay here we will offer you our hospitality for as long as your stay here continues"
Trying not to lash out I took a deep breath, "my lords, you don't realize the threat they are all together, a few of them united will be possible to stop by the means of the free cities, but the nine of them and with the Golden Company? They will lose. Besides, Maelys is not stupid, he knows he has to make an example that he will abide by his words so he will conquer one or two territories in Essos for his new friends, and don't forget two of those friends are famous pirates who know the Steptones like the palm of their hands, the same Stepstones that also happen to be a strategic place for an invasion of Westeros, with all respect, you should take the Stepstones before they even place a foot on the islands and work with the free cities to end them." though my words held merit, and many of them nodded, they still disregarded them.
"Your words are true" the King looked at the map on the table, "but would the free cities allow us to hold the Stepstones and should they allow us on basis of fighting the nine which I highly doubt, would the lords of the Seven Kingdoms ever agree to fight alongside slavers even for a common enemy. No, they may have the Golden Company, but even with them we doubt they match the might of the free cities together"
"But Your Grace" "Enough" he didn't raise his voice, didn't need to.
"You have done us a great service; you may stay as long as you wish"
"Very well"
"Oh and one more thing"
"Yes Your Grace"
"The High Septon will need your name and what sins your ancestor committed for the pardon"
(Well, here it goes)
"Daemon Blackfyre"
Leaving them with their chins touching the floor in surprise I stepped out of the room as fast as I could making my way to a servant so he could guide me towards my accommodations.
Once I arrived at what will be my room from now on I sat on the bed, thinking of what a long as well as stressful day it had been.
*Ding! Hidden achievement unlocked 'Traitor' for betraying your faction; reward: 15.000 pt
(That, is something I did not expect)
Happy at the sudden windfall that had befallen me I made my way to the kitchens to celebrate, all my worries left behind.
