Chapter 22: Jon

"Why are we heading to Pentos?" Jon asked, careful to keep his voice to a whisper. The ship might have come from White Harbour, and the men might be northmen, but one could never be too careful. That was what he was learning quite quickly.

"The Sealord has recently passed away." Ser Oswell said, keeping his voice just as low. "Usually that would not be a cause for concern, but the man's supporters are determined to have the man's son succeed him, and have got their men guarding the port until he is elected."

"And I take it the other candidates are looking to change that?" Jon asked. He knew a little about Braavos, enough to know that a hereditary Sealord would meet a lot of backlash.

"Yes. There are reports of fights breaking out, and even rumours that the Iron Bank and the Faceless Men are getting involved." Ser Oswell said.

"I thought the faceless men were a rumour." Jon said. At least, that's what every book he'd ever read about Braavos claimed.

Ser Oswell snorted. "That's what they want you to think."

Jon frowned. "So, we're going to Pentos then?"

"Yes." Ser Oswell said. "Pentos is far safer, and far more stable. We'll spend about a day or two there, with someone I know, then we shall travel onward."

"Onward?" Jon asked, he thought that they'd stay in Pentos and meet his brother.

"Yes, it seems that," Ser Oswell paused as a deckhand walked passed them. When that man was gone, he continued, his voice very low. "It seems that His Grace has moved on from Pentos to Volantis. So, that will be our final destination."

"Volantis." Jon mused. Volantis was the last city of Valyria, the last place where the blood of Old Valyria stood strong. He looked at himself then, he knew he didn't look like a Valyrian, indeed, he looked far more like his Father-Lord Stark-than he did Prince Rhaegar.

"Don't worry." Ser Oswell said, as if reading his mind. "We'll be allowed behind the Black Walls."

The Black Walls, where the Old Blood resided, and where there were rumours of magic and other such things. Jon quirked an eyebrow. "How?"

Ser Oswell reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, he handed it to Jon.

Jon glanced down at it, and saw that the writing was slightly slanted, and formal.

I, Prince Rhaegar of the House Targaryen do give the bearer permission to come beyond the Black Walls of Volantis in perpetuity, to act in my name and my interest.

Those who refuse the bearer permission, shall be met with Fire and Blood.

Signed this day

278.

The three-headed dragon of House Targaryen-his house-was on the bottom of the paper. Jon looked at it again, so that was what his father's-the man was his father-handwriting looked like.

He handed the paper back to Ser Oswell and said. "You've had that piece of paper for a long time."

The knight nodded. "Indeed. Your father gave it to me before I travelled with Lord Steffon to Volantis."

Jon felt his eyes widen. "You travelled with King Robert's father?"

"I did. Lord Steffon was considered part of the Royal family, and thus King Aerys wanted him to have a member of the Kingsguard with him." Ser Oswell replied.

That raised another question for Jon, given how Lord Steffon had died.

"You weren't on the ship that accompanied Lord Steffon back from Volantis?" Jon asked.

Ser Oswell shook his head. "No. I was summoned back before their departure. There was trouble in the Riverlands, and the King wanted me to sort it out."

"What trouble?" Jon asked.

Ser Oswell sighed. "Not important, some dispute or the other that Lord Tully found too tedious to handle."

"So, the King wanted you to handle it?" Jon asked. That sounded odd. Why would the King ask a member of his Kingsguard to adjudicate in a dispute between two lords?

"Indeed, he did." Ser Oswell said.

Jon wanted to ask more about it, but before he could, the Captain of the Ship barked out a command and the ship came to life. Deckhands started moving quickly, there was the odd swear word being shouted out. Jon looked at Ser Oswell who shrugged. This continued for another five minutes, before the Captain appeared before them.

The Captain was a tall, thin man, who was completely bald. He was also missing his front two teeth. When he spoke, it was with a slight lisp.

"You might want to go inside, Ser." The man said addressing Ser Oswell.

"Why?" The knight asked.

"We've spotted a hostile ship." The Captain replied.

"A hostile ship?" The knight replied.

"Yes." The Captain said. A pause then he added. "Have you heard of The Silence?"

"You mean Euron Greyjoy's ship?" Ser Oswell asked. "Yes, I have."

"That's the ship we've just spotted. It has gained a reputation for cruelty, and for selling people off to slavers." The Captain said.

"This close to Westeros?" Ser Oswell asked. "Surely, he wouldn't be mad enough to do that."

The Captain laughed and shook his head. "Euron Greyjoy has lost whatever sanity he had. He will do whatever he wants. So, please, for your safety take shelter inside. And we shall try and fend him off."

For a moment, Jon thought that Ser Oswell was going to refuse-he hoped that he was going to refuse-but then the man sighed and said. "Very well." The man then turned to him and said. "Come, we must do as we are asked." The man then stalked off toward the cabin, Jon looked at the Captain then followed Ser Oswell.