I do not own any George R. R. Martin articles and or any aforementioned literary articles.
Walder Frey pov:
Standing in the courtyard of my uncle's manse or should I say Alaric's manse, the manse was in the Braavosi style or Venetian Gothic style it had pointed arched windows, doorways with tanned brick making up most of the building while the arches, windows, and the doorways were made of white limestone.
Within the grounds of the mansion was a pool, gardens, a apiary, stables, training grounds, a Essosi style sept, guest houses, servants' courters, and a bathhouse that my uncle had installed before his death.
The Red Tridents were here but they were encamped in a nearby woods waiting for the signal.
I traveled here a week after Alaric left with the Red Tridents with a hundred men, three days before the meeting.
Today is when they are to come to the Manse, and I have been waiting for them to arrive all day.
The Brave companions rode in on their black and white striped horses, bearing their black goat banners high in the air for all to see in the light of the setting sun.
It was only a small part of the companions twenty or so, probably left the rest outside the grounds of the manse.
"I welcome you to my home, I do hope that your journey was peaceful." I said, clasping my hand behind my back
One of the riders dismounted before stepping forward, "It was pleasant, my name is Zontar Choqu, and I am the Commander of the Brave Companions." He said, walking toward the stairs
He was tall with ebony skin, bald head, black eyes, and he wore a brightly colored feathered cape with a simple scale cuirass.
"I am Jon Heimdallr, before we discuss the job you were hired for, and I would like to invite you and the company to a feast?" I asked, walking to the bottom of the stairs
"On behalf of the company and I accept your generous offer." He said, straight faced
"It will be held outside the gate you just came through after sunset." I said, walking back up the stairs
Walking into the manse, through the window I watched Zontar climb back on to his horse and his men leave the courtyard back to the rest of the Brave Companions.
Turning to the head servant, "Prepare the feast, and remember to add the vial you were given by Alaric." I said, venting some of my anger, hate, and rage into my words
The head servant hurried away to the kitchens as fast as he could without running or tripping on himself.
I probably shouldn't have let my emotions leak when I was talking to a stranger, but I am so close to seeing a plan come to the final act.
The feast was setup outside of the manse, majority of the Brave companions sat at five separate tables while I sat with their leader at are own table.
The ground was covered in hides, carpets, and pillows; everyone sat on the ground under canopies.
Zontar Choqu sat next to me wearing a dark green linen tunic with white linen pants that ended halfway down the calf, tan sandals, and his colorful feathered cape.
I wore a white cotton sleeveless tunic with dark scarlet cotton ankle banded pants, dark hobnailed boots, and around my neck I wore a bronze torc decorated with Celtic knots on it.
In my boot I had a stiletto blade hidden in it, and another smaller blade hidden at my waist in the small of my back.
Turning to him, "Before we discuss the job, tell me about yourself?" I asked, leaning against some pillows
He sipped from his chalice, "I was born on Stone Head a small island in the Summer isles to a no name family." He said, leaning forward
"What about you?" He asked
"I was born in the Riverlands one of the Seven Kingdoms to a wealthy family." I said, biting into a fig
"Tell me about your family?" I asked, looking around at the feasting Brave companions
Chewing on a grape, "I had a loving mother, and a stern but fair father, but no siblings." He said, sounding thoughtfully
"You said had as in past tense." I said, thinking on how he was going to answer
His face twisted, "I awoke in the early hours of the day, I could hear the screams of men, women, and children coming from outside my family's home, I could smell the smoke from the fires, and see the light of the flames through the edges of the door." He said, stopping there he took a gulp of wine
"My father told my mother and I to run into forest, and too only come out if it was him who came for us, he then ran out of the house, my mother picked me up and took me into the woods." He said, breathing heavily for a second
"That was the last time I ever saw him, by the time the sun rose what was left of the village including my mother and I were in chains on the raider's serpent headed ships." He said, speech filled with hate and rage
"We were taken to Lys where my mother and I were sold to a Brothel." He said, his voice a mix of anger and sadness
He refilled his chalice, "What about your family?" He asked
"I never knew my parents; I was raised by my uncle after they had passed." I said plainly
"How did you end up with this lot?" I asked, motioning out to the company
"I ran away and snuck on to a ship, once the ship was docked in Tyrosh, I was found by a member of the Brave Companions who was on the ship." He said, grinning triumphantly
"Instead of handing me over to some slavers, he offered me a post in the Brave companions." He said, smiling happily
"I heard recently that the Brave Companions got into a bit of a skirmish with the Red Tridents." I said, trying to keep a plain demeanor
"Yes, it was a mistake, the brother of the man that was killed went and killed the leader and a few other members of the Red Tridents." He said, exasperated
"So, this feud is settled." I said, looking at the feast
From the looks of it the poison is starting to take effect or it could be that they are just drunk either way they are slow and dulled.
"No, it isn't, the Red Tridents may be new to the scene but they are better equipped and better trained then us, and they have some Westerosi lord backing them." He said angrily
It sounds like he doesn't agree with the death of my uncle.
"Then why stay with the Brave Companions?" I asked
"I wanted to make something of them, I had hoped to return to my home one day to unite my people instead of being ruled by a dozen petty princes." He said, dreamily
I like his dream but I think he should've left and joined another company; I almost feel bad that I'm going to kill him or I could try to take advantage of his dream.
Before I could think of more questions or pose more questions to him he spoke.
"I have a question?" He asked, staring me in the eyes
"What is the question?" I asked, returning the look
"Why is it that you need the Brave companions when you have a proverbial army guarding your manse." He said, curiously
I moved my hand to the dagger in the small of my back.
Leaning into his ear, "My real name is Walder Frey, and the leader of the Red Tridents was my uncle." I whispered, into his ear
His face didn't show any emotion besides surprise, and resignation.
"You're here for vengeance." He said, taking a big gulp of wine
He looked to the many guards that were surround the feast all of them armed and ready for a fight.
"Yes, but after listening to your story, I will offer you a out." I said, drawing my dagger
"I will let you pick out those that are loyal to you, no less, no more." I said, placing the point of the blade right below his rib cage
He pointed out those that were loyal to him, and it only came to fifteen people.
"The rest you can kill." He said, finishing his wine
Handing him a vial, "Give your men each a drop on their tongues, and then have them rest." I said, polishing a pear off
"You should really do that now, and get them out of the kill zone." I said, pulling out a horn from under the table
He went and dragged each of the fifteen to the side of our table then giving them each a drop.
A servant came over to me, "Bring me the bottle of pear brandy, chalices I brought with me, tell all the servants that they are to return to the manse, and to not come out until I blow the horn again." I said, quietly
"When you do come out bring the chest with you, and remember don't look inside of it." I said, pulling them close at the end
Looking out over the feast the servants trickled away from it, the Brave companions were pretty out of it, they haven't noticed that the servants were gone or that their captain took some of them off to the side.
I wonder what was in that vial the Lyseni made for Alys Snow, it's no poison that I know of since it is taking a ridiculous amount of time to kill or disable them.
The servant brought out the bottle of brandy, pouring myself some.
Picking up the horn, "You should sit back and watch the show." I said, leaning back and relaxing
When he sat next to me, I blew the horn for all to hear, HEERRRR!
The minute the horn blew the guards that I had brought with me surrounded my table on all sides, and lining up on either side of the Brave companions leaving only one side open.
No one made a sound in that moment, as seconds passed marching could be heard coming towards the feast.
It was the Red Tridents marching forward in formation, they stopped in front of the opened side of the feast.
In the middle of the Red Tridents was Alaric Rivers leading them.
"Let it begin!" I yelled, sipping from my chalice
The Red Tridents moved forward stabbing with there spears and bashing with shields, my guards didn't move just kept a tight shield wall not allowing any of the Brave Companions to break through.
Some tried to fight but the poison concoction had done its job in weakening their mind's and bodies.
Once the screams had stopped, I stood up from my seat, "Red Tridents you've made my uncle proud in the execution of our justice." I said, holding my chalice up in the air
The Red Tridents cheered and hit their shields before going silent again.
"Too those that followed me here, you doing you duty will not go unrewarded." I said, blowing the horn again
Four servants came out carrying a chest with poles, they placed the chest behind me.
Opening the chest, it was full of smaller bags that were full of silver stags.
"Step up and claim your reward." I said, picking up two of the bags
My men and the men of the Red Tridents formed separate lines before my table, each of them got a bag of stags.
After getting their money they started to remove the bodies to be burned, I walked to Zontar Choqu who was sitting at the side with his men.
They all looked like they were from the Summer Isles with their bright feather cloaks, Zontar was speaking to them about something in language of the Summer Isles.
"Here's the deal I have for you and your men, return with me to Westeros where you will be provided for and trained by my people." I said, crouching down next to him
Before he could respond, I held up my hand for silence.
"Meet me in Pentos four days from now, I think you should get to your camp before the Red Tridents loot and set it ablaze." I said, grinning
"Before you go and do that, what can you do?" I asked
I handed Zontar a chalice of brandy, he downed it and handed it back.
"We all can fight with spears and shields, and know how use bows and slings." He said, motioning to his men
"That's good, I hear that summer islanders are quite skilled at the bow." I said, walking away from them
Sitting back at my table I looked up at the stars while sipping some brandy.
"I think you should've killed them all." A voice said, from behind me
Looking around it was Alaric standing there with a chalice.
"Take a seat Alaric, and have some Tyroshi pear brandy, it was my uncle's favorite." I said, motioning to the flagon
He poured some into his chalice then sat next to me.
"Those that made my house bleed are now food for the bugs and crows." I said, watching the Red Tridents and the guards remove the bodies
"You said you would end the Brave Companions when we began this." He said, giving me a questioning look
"And I kept my word the Brave companions are no more, the men I spared are no longer Brave Companions but are future comrades." I said, sipping from my chalice
"Most men would take you at your literal word when you said, "I will end the Brave Companions." He said, sounding exasperated
"Are you one of those men?" I asked, giving him a questioning look
He sat there sipping his brandy for a minute, "If I didn't know you, I would say yes I am one of those men who would take you at your literal word." He said, while staring at the liquid in his chalice
"But everyone else doesn't know you as well as I do, they may perceive your choice to let some of them live as weakness." He said, motioning his chalice towards Zontar and his men
"All I can say now is that I will always do what I feel to be the right way." I said, topping of my chalice
He emptied his chalice placing it on the table, and stood up from the ground.
"The Red Tridents and I leave on the morrow." He said, bowing his head to me
"Alaric, I want to show you something tonight before you leave tomorrow, meet me later tonight in the garden." I said, finishing my drink
After he left for the manse, I stayed, and watched the flames of the pyre consume the Brave Companions.
Sitting in the garden I waited for Alaric to show up, looking up to the sky I stared at the glow of the many stars.
This is one of the few things I never got to see in my old world, light pollution made it impossible to see the true night sky with its shining white specks dusting over the limitless glowing purple and dark blue background.
The only light around me came from the stars themselves or the brazier before me, all was silent besides a few crickets chirping.
Sitting down on the bench behind me, I closed my eyes listening to the soft sounds around me, I drifted off to another meeting I had with the Being before I left for Essos.
Flashback starts:
Closing my eyes in my bed, I opened them up to see that I was standing on a sailing ship in the middle of the ocean, the ship was very nice three masted square sailed cutter.
Walking around I searched for the Being on the deck, I found him standing at the helm of the ship.
He was wearing a pure white uniform with a matching hat, didn't look like any Planetos garb I've seen its probably from my old world.
"What are you wearing?" I asked, leaning against the wall
He didn't turn around, "I thought you would've remembered this ship and this uniform from your old world, your memories must be fading faster than I thought." He said, sounding surprised
"Being, what do you mean my old memories are fading?" I asked
"Call me Anu, most details of your world will fade over time, you will always remember the broad strokes of everything but will forget the small details." He said, nonchalantly
Now that I think about it, I can't really remember anything beyond words I heard or what I've read, I can't remember any images of my old world.
"Will I forget this world once I have moved on?" I asked
"Yes, you will forget this world, the human mind wasn't meant to handle this much strain from living as long as you have." He said plainly
"That being said I have a solution for you, a necklace that acts as a backup memory for you but it won't have the memories that have already faded for you." He said, handing me a silver locket
Putting it around my neck it glowed for a second.
"Thanks, Anu." I said, bowing my head
"The necklace can take any formm as long as the form is a piece of jewelry." He said, with an edge to his voice
The tone in his voice is a bad sign, I am probably about to be told that this necklace comes with price, hopefully it isn't an arm and leg price.
"If the necklace leaves your person for an extended amount of time, it will call out for people to pick it up and will corrupt those that do pick it up." He said, seriously
"Why would it corrupt others?" I asked, staring at the pendant
He stepped away from the wheel, turning to stare at me with his non-existent eyes.
"The pendant was forged with a part of your soul but also holds everything that is you, your memories, your emotions, your flaws, and your wants, the holder's mind wouldn't be able to make sense of all that and not go a little mad." He said, like the answer was obvious
Sounds cool but deadly, hopefully I won't lose it by accident, and cause someone to go a bit bonkers.
"This isn't like horcruxes where a shard of your soul is separated from you inside of an object, this necklace is still a part of you, it's just been given another form." He said, turning back to the sea
"Before you go the necklace also has other effects, increased strength, speed, and agility, and it can be used to form connections to other people that will allow you to track, and monitor their status." He said, still looking out at the horizon
Everything began to fade to darkness, and then I woke up in my bed.
Flashback ends:
The necklace or the soul around my neck was in the form of a bronze torque, I wanted to try connecting with Alaric so that no matter how far he is was from me I would be able to feel him even if he was a world away.
A sound brought me out of my head, and back into the present.
The sound was of footsteps heading towards me, opening my eyes I saw that it was Alaric walking down the path.
He was wearing a simple bright red tunic along with dark pants, sandals, and he had a dagger on his belt.
Sitting next to me on the bench, "Walder, what was it you wanted to show me?" He asked
Turning to face him, "Can you keep an open mind, and keep a secret?" I asked
"Walder we've known each other long enough to be open minded about each other, and I can definitely keep a secret." He said, smiling
"Ok just don't freak out or do anything brash." I said, nervously
He gave me a queer look, "I won't freak out." He said, sounding exasperated
Hitting him softly on the shoulder, I gave him a slight glare.
"And I won't do anything brash." He said, smiling
Closing my eyes, I imagined the glamour sliding down off my body to the ground.
Opening my eyes, Alaric was staring at me with large unblinking eyes with his mouth agape.
Waving my hand in front of his face, "This is my real face." I said, pursing my lips
"What was that shining stuff around you?" He asked rapidly
"That was a glamour, it's an illusion that hides my true face." I said, thinking on my words carefully
He caressed my face, touching my cheek softly, "You look younger." He said, simply
"I don't age a day beyond two and one namedays old, the glamour allows me to hide that from the world." I said, squeezing his hand on my cheek
"How is this possible, how did you gain this curse or gift?" He asked
I didn't know if I should tell the full truth or I should tell a half truth.
"I made a deal so that my days in the sun would never end." I said, staring sadly into his eyes
When I made the deal, I never thought I would become a father, and to meet people that love me for all that is me.
"Walder, what was the price?" Alaric asked, concerned
"The price was to provide entertainment." I said, putting the glamour back on
"Are you going to tell Alora, and Nedis, what about the children?" He asked
Now I really wish I didn't decide to let the cat out of the bag, since it seems when you tell one loved one then you have to tell all of them.
"I do plan on telling Alora, and Nedis once I return to the Twins, the children will probably be told when they are older." I said, looking at Alaric
From the look he was giving me, he was not convinced that I would do it.
"If you don't tell them then I will tell them myself." He said with a growl
I stood up from the bench, Alaric followed me standing up from the bench.
Alaric wrapped his arms around my neck, I locked my lips with his giving him a long kiss.
"I love you, what about we head to your chambers, and have a bit of fun?" I asked, grinning wolfishly
He kissed me back with a heat, "I don't think I would be able to say no to such an offer." He said, taking my hand
He began to lead me out of the garden to his chambers.
I laid on his bed while he locked his door, and covered the windows.
We both laid on the bed kissing with our hands roaming each other, warming up to the main event of the night.
I let my thoughts fade into the recesses of my mind as I focused on Alaric.
Sorry, everyone that this chapter took so long, I would've had it out earlier but recently I was in a accident.