From Extinction to Glory
Disclaimer: I'm not taking ownership of any of the two series PJO or Game of Thrones. Those rights strictly to their authors.
Chapter 2
Percy roamed the wondrous and beautifully arranged halls of his sponsor who had kept him fed and clothed. He had seemingly been living for free ever since his aunts had slowly died one by one after striking a mysterious disease that seemed to affect his aunts and not anyone else. He also found it strangely odd that a representative of the Iron Bank had taken an interest in him and had even provided for him.
He was now a man merely turning sixteen and yet it seemed that those years in Braavos had progressed rather quickly. Having surprisingly been raised by his wet nurse and the same maiden that had helped his mother to bore him on that dreadful night. But his wet nurse stayed true to her duties and continued to pamper the son of Sally as he seemed to have an appetite even from such a young age.
He continued to roam into the halls wearing a regal blue tunic with elegant silver silk embroidered on his cuffs and neckline. Adding on to his attire were black leather breeches and his leather boots which were elegantly stitched. However, the most beautiful item in his possession was his longsword. Which had been passed on through generations, a family heirloom. Wrapped and tucked in its worn scabbard on the side of his waist was the sword known as Tempest. Forged of Valyrian Steel with everlasting sharpness, it was perhaps the most valuable item in his possession. It was brilliantly decorated with a navy blue leather hilt and adorned with a single elegant sapphire on its pommel. His wet nurse giving it to him on his sixteenth birthday.
Percy's hair was stuck to his head as the sweat accumulated on his forehead and the base of his neck. Braavos although beautiful in its own right was rather heat filled. The sea breeze seemingly not enough to provide a nice temperature change for the citizens of Braavos.
He walked into the great hall of the tower belonging to Tycho Nestoris a representative of the interests and business of the Iron Bank. The hall was rather empty as Tycho seemingly did not have a wife or any children. Only his servants buzzed around placing warm food onto the table as they knew their owner was due to arrive with his semi-permanent guest.
Percy was grateful for the nice hospitability offered by Tycho. However, he knew he didn't belong to Braavos or any of the free cities. He belonged and yearned for his family's ruined castle at the near edge of Crackclaw Point in Westeros. His dignity seemingly withering away as he believed he held no purpose in such a forsaken world. Drinking his sorrow away longing for restoring his family's glory and honor. Alas he knew that crossing the narrow sea was fool hardy as he knew his life would be in severe danger. Contrary to everyone's belief he loved his head attached to his neck.
"I know that look young Lord. It's a look of desperation and longing. What whore has you wrapped around her finger?" As Percy turned to the voice he couldn't help but shed a small yet visible smile.
"Barin Cave, such an amusing assumption. I wish it were true." Percy replied as he looked at the banished Kingsguard.
Ser Barin Cave, belonging to House Cave of Crackclaw Point, was a tall, yet lanky knight still wearing his Kingsguard armor. The gold armor still providing a glow and sense of cleanness as he polished it every night. His gray and thinning hair attached to the top of his head along with the white whiskers on his upper lip clearly showing his age. A scar adorned the right side of his face, a souvenir from Jaime Lannister after a short skirmish trying to avenge the betrayed and deceased Mad King.
Although, he was no longer the warrior he once was, he still was a master with the sword. He had been found by Tycho and brought to teach Perseus the arts of jousting and battle. Ser Barin Cave hastily accepting the offer, knowing that any form of security and safety was better than none. He would have a purpose after being left with nothing.
"Anyhow I thought we discussed about calling me 'young lord'. I cannot be a lord, there is no such thing of being the Lord of nothingness." Percy continued as he noticed Ser Cave face turn into one of amusement.
"You're right Lord Perseus. I will have to agree with you on that." The former Kingsguard responded disregarding the negation of formalities Percy had spoken to him about.
"It seems we won't be blessed with presence of Mr. Nestoris tonight, once again." Ser Cave deduced as the hall had only laid plates out for a small party which consisted of only Percy, Ser Cave, and the rest of the staff looking after the tower.
"Excuse me Ser Cave. Actually, we have received a message from Mr. Nestoris himself. He will be attending today's supper as he has something of extreme urgency to tell the both of you." One of the serving girls iterated rather quickly before quickly going to finish her task.
"Well we cannot eat without the head of the table, now can we Ser Cave?" Percy slyly said as he cocked an eyebrow at the older man.
"Another training session. Haven't you beaten me enough?" The Kingsguard said rather miffed a blow to his ego.
"Of course. However, I want to work on jousting. It seems that is the only thing you have me beat at. For now." Percy looked deviously at Ser Cave as the knight narrowed his eyes at the haughty lordling.
The tower had many floors with one floor completely empty and with a large enough space to practice jousting. Cave didn't comprehend why Percy would want to learn such a thing. Braavos rarely, if any hosted tournaments and much less one with horses involved. The people of Braavos were sailors for the most part and surrounded by vast water. Therefore their main source of transport were boats and ships.
"Lower your lance. You only aim your lance high if you're planning to kill someone by decapitating or gutting their throat." Ser Cave sternly advised Percy.
"That in itself is dishonorable. Perhaps if it was an accident for a novice. However, in tournaments only the best and the most well-known knights tend to go to such tournaments. The rewards are high so any knight or noble looking to make coin would be a silly fool not to go. So killing someone in a tournament would be skeptical and there would be intent involved" Cave continued as he knocked Percy off his horse with ease.
By the end of the jousting session Percy had amassed a multitude of bruises. He had only been able to knock Ser Cave off his horse once and that was on Ser Cave's own free will. Percy had aimed a little too high and the banished kingsguard knew if he didn't fallen of his horse it would be certain death. However, Ser Cave did relent that the young lord was improving. He had noticed such immense growth from Perseus ever since he began teaching him the art of jousting and battle. He had taught many knights and nobleman and trainees but no one with such potential. Perseus although merely sixteen proved to be as strong as his teacher. His mind able to comprehend and analyze tactics that only seasoned men who have experienced war could accomplish.
Both combatants were sweating as their clothing beneath their armor was soaked with salty sweat. Percy licking the sweat off his palms. He had developed an uncanny and peculiar taste for salt and wouldn't eat anything without the condiment of sea salt. As they were dismounting their horses a messenger came into the training hall.
"Mr. Tycho is ready for supper your presence is required immediately." The messenger relayed the message as he left the room.
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Ser Cave and Percy walked through the halls before opening the main doors of the great hall where everyone convened to eat. Tycho looked from the end of the long table looking at his two guests walking side by side. He was a simple man tall and lanky wearing his trim less purple robes. He seemed to be going through the stages of malnutrition as his skinny and bony hands were placed together over the table. His dark eyes looking over his guests analyzing them with high intelligence.
"We once again reconvene for another meal. I beg your pardon for not being present or being a warm and welcoming host. However, the Iron bank had called an important meeting so I had to attend." Tycho explained with a hint of an accent yet it seemed to be a genuine apology.
"It is all within reason. We must understand as you have kindly given us homage." Percy astutely said. After all, his host had hired all kinds of scholars to teach Percy to write and to speak courteously.
"Well yes. Anyhow I'm afraid my hospitality must come to an end." He responded seemingly regretful.
"I do not understand." Before Percy could continue, Tycho put his hand up halting Percy from continuing his sentence.
"Lord Jackson, you see you are merely an investment. Well you were. I have provided everything since your birth. Now it's time to get a return on my investment. You see one of my sources from Westeros has given me information that King Baratheon isn't keen on repaying the Crown's debts to the Iron Bank. Something you must know, is that the Iron bank will have its due." Tycho hadn't realized that saving the last living lineage of House Jackson could perhaps be useful.
"What does that have to with me? Westeros is across the narrow sea. I do not see how I am involved in the Iron Bank's predicament." Percy cautiously responded hoping not to sound resentful.
"Well you see, like I have told you I represent the Iron Bank in some matters. I want to get this particular matter resolved. If King Baratheon isn't keen on repaying his debts we must fund a rebel campaign to provide trouble to the king." Percy scrunched his eyebrows still not comprehending where the banker was going with the conversation.
"A rebel campaign?" Percy asked hoping for clarification.
"Yes a campaign that can cause enough problems for the Usurper to repay his debts. I have chosen you Lord Jackson." Tycho responded easily.
"Pardon my skepticism. But there is no possible way we can force that drunkard and whore mongering King to submit to pay the Iron Bank." Tychos sighed.
"My source from inside the small council has told me there are talks of usurping the current king." Tychos looked at Percy and Ser Cave trying to gauge their reactions.
"That's playing a deadly game Mr. Tycho. King's landing is a viper's nest and their culture is the art of deception and lying. They could be false rumors." Ser Cave responded speaking of experience.
"Perhaps but the Iron Bank must recoup its debt. King Baratheon must pay his due. I also understand that you want to rebuild your House. We can fund it as long as you pay us back of course." Ser Cave for the first time since being exiled felt hope, genuine hope. However, Percy was the individual who would have to decide. Wherever his Lord went he followed. After all, his family had made House Cave a vassal of Crackclaw Point.
"There's no amount of men that would be able to cause problems to the Crown. It's a foolish idea it could lead to our deaths." Percy responded still skeptical of the idea but still captivated by the idea of restoring his House.
"Lord Jackson there is risk in everything. If you must we can wait perhaps a few months to see if there are any significant events that transpire in Westeros. But you will be going on this expedition it's just a matter of time. You can be the catalyst to the downfall of the current king and the catalyst to the restoration of Crackclaw Keep." Tycho tempted the young lord.
"Very well. We will see. I will need allies to even believe that there's a chance of this idea being a success." Percy looked at Ser Cave who nodded agreeing with his judgement.
"Very well Lord Jackson, I will alert my source to poison the Usurper. It will be mayhem from thereon. Be prepared. After all, you're not the only one taking a risk." Tychos finished as he began to eat his stew.
Percy looked at his broiled fish and salted bread with a decreased appetite. He deduced if the assassination and inner revolt from the small council proved to be successful Westeros would enter in a state of war, everyone would lay their claims to the iron throne. It wasn't a beautiful option but one worth taking a risk on.
Authors Note: So I know Berin Cave is not a real character in Game of Thrones. But House Cave does exist, it's just there doesn't seem to be much information on any of its members. They are also apart of Crackclaw Point. So I decided to make Berin Cave, apparently there once was a member of House Cave who was a part of the Kingsguard. So I kept that storyline to a degree. Thanks for the support. I think for the next chapter it might focus on people from Westeros in particular and maybe some on Dany.
I was struggling on how to get Percy back to Westeros and what better way by being secretly funded by the Iron Bank to recollect it's due. Maybe Percy will play the Game of Thrones I don't know: P. Also, anyone have any suggestions on Percy's "Love interest" Or better yet marriage alliance.
Sometime in the future I will delve into the powers Percy can develop seeing that his father is the drowned god.
Thanks for the support I decided to keep going with the story :).