The galley moved forwards, the mutes not making any noise, of course, but Jon could spot when they were urging each other forward. They'd lean forward and smack one another on the shoulder. It seemed to give them all a sense of purpose. Jon had volunteered to serve as well, his Father-Lord Eddard-had always said that a Lord must lead by example. But, Ser Oswell had told him not to be a fool.
Jon listened as Ser Oswell barked out commands. Go this way, this man go there, that man go this way. The man knew a lot about ships and how to command one, which surprised Jon, if he were being completely truthful. There was a lot about the knight that surprised Jon.
The knight came to stand at his side then.
"How is it?" Jon asked.
"All is in order, Your Highness. The men know to lead us to Volantis and they are taking us there as quickly as possible." Ser Oswell answered.
Jon nodded then asked. "How do you know so much about ships?"
Ser Oswell smiled then. "When I was a boy, my father took myself and my brother Walter out on our boat in the God's Eye. It wasn't very deep, but he did teach us a few things." A strange look came over the knight's face then. Like he was reminiscing about something. Jon supposed he was. "Then when I joined the Kingsguard, I learned a few things from Lord Lucerys Velaryon as well. I served on his ship during the war against the Pirate King."
"Pirate King?" Jon asked, he had never read about a Pirate King.
"Before the Defiance of Duskendale, there was a pirate by the name of Quaithe Qohor, they started causing trouble in the Stepstones, and because Myr, Lys and Tyrosh were at war with one another, King Aerys decided to get involved. He ordered Lord Lucerys to handle the issue. Lord Lucerys did, and as a member of the Kingsguard, it was my duty to represent the King." Ser Oswell said.
"What was it like?" Jon asked. He wondered if because the Defiance had happened, this event had been forgotten.
"It was as you would expect. Chaos and sweat. But I learned a lot." Ser Oswell replied.
"And, what was it like being a member of the Kingsguard back then?" Jon asked. Ever since he'd learned the truth, he'd wanted to know. He'd heard and read so many stories about the Mad King-his grandfather-that he wanted to know from someone who was there.
Ser Oswell sighed deeply. He rubbed his brow. "It was as good as it could be. We were respected and before Duskendale, the King was a very good man. After Duskendale he changed."
"The madness?" Jon asked.
"Partially, but I think whatever happened in Duskendale broke him. The King never spoke of it, but he was never the same." Ser Oswell said.
Jon nodded, he wanted to ask more, but he got the sense that doing so would be inappropriate. Therefore, he changed topic. "What happens once we get to Volantis?"
"We will meet with His Grace the King and with the others." Ser Oswell said.
"Others?" Jon asked.
"Lord Connington, the Hand of the King, Ser Arthur Dayne, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Richard Lonmouth, Commander of the Dragon's Companions, and other members of the King's court." Ser Oswell said.
Only one name stood out to Jon. "Ser Arthur Dayne?!" He exclaimed. The Sword of the Morning?!
Ser Oswell grinned. "Aye, the Lord Commander."
"What….what are they all like?" Jon asked, suddenly feeling very, very nervous.
"Well Lord Connington is a serious man, not unlike Lord Stark. Ser Arthur is a good man. Ser Richard is a fun fellow." Ser Oswell answered.
"And the King?" Jon asked. The King who was his brother, his older brother.
Ser Oswell exhaled. "The King is…the King was a good man, or good boy. It has been a long time since I last saw him." Ser Oswell said.
"And when was that?" Jon asked.
"Roughly around the time that Lord Brandon was born. I went with Lord Benjen." Ser Oswell said.
"Ah." Jon replied, he remembered that, Father had been busy with the new baby and looking after Lady Catelyn, so Jon and Robb had had the run of the place. With a new boy in Theon as well.
That brought another thought to Jon's mind. "How long have you been planning this journey?" He asked.
Ser Oswell smirked. "From the moment I arrived in Winterfell. Your uncle, Benjen, was the one who instigated it."
"He was?" Jon asked surprised. He could not imagine his uncle doing something so huge behind father's back.
Ser Oswell was about to reply, when one of the mutes got up and pointed. Ser Oswell took a looking glass out of his pocket and placed it to his eye and cursed.
"What is it?" Jon asked.
"Ship approaching." Ser Oswell said. "And it doesn't look friendly."
Jon's hand immediately went to his sword.
