From Extinction to Glory
Disclaimer: Characters belong to their rightful owners. Not taking ownership of nothing.
Chapter 7:
Percy and his company of men stationed first in the docks of Dragonstone. Their aim simply for the feet to touch some of form of land. Some of the mercenaries unaccustomed to traveling through sea, were beginning to gain sea sickness. Those who had gotten sick simply never stepping off Braavos as they protected and escorted wealthy noblemen around the Free City.
From there they hurried and sailed to Natural Harbor near Rook's Rest. They had entered the Crownlands finally. Percy could see in the distance the wilderness and mountains of trees to the East of Claw Isle where his House had once belonged to. He had bought destriers and carriage horses from Rook's Rest to make his transport easier.
However, as he yearned to explore the lands of the untamable Crackclaw Point he had to head in an entirely different direction to the South of Crackclaw Point and onto King's Landing towards the Hand's Tournament.
Percy witnessed many caravans cross the man-made road of Kingsroad for transportation heading down to the south. However, that didn't interest him as much as the grey sky which was rumbling with lightning. He could smell the "earthy" smell of the moisture in the dirt that sometimes signified the commencement of rain. His concentration was broken by his horse's whine. The horse continued to shake its head and move back and forth with impatience. The rain began to fall with light drops as that signaled for Percy to move forward to King's Landing. The rain was the only sound on Kingsroad on their journey until they reached their destination.
Once they had reached the gates and the outer edge of King's Landing, they noticed there was a line for many noblemen and fame seeking knights awaiting to enter. About two dozen Gold Cloaks monitoring and filtering the travelers inside the Capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Whilst many of the bannermen of the famous Houses held their banners high and proud, Percy wouldn't dare to raise his. It was enough that no one would recognize his banner, but the undoubtable meddling from the spies within King's Landing would be watching his every move. Something he wanted to avoid at all cost. He wanted to be the needle among the many travelers and noblemen now occupying the majority of the Capital.
"This is mayhem. They are undermanned to patrol the city and filter in travelers. I wonder how they would keep the peace with so many visitors." Ser Berin Cave spoke as he looked around and witnessed many peasants and many merchants come to see the tournament.
He was wearing a different set of armor this time around. Instead of wearing the regal gold steel plated armor of the Kingsguard he was wearing a leather tunic with a boiled leather cuirass to protect his vitals. On his left shoulder one simple boiled leather spaulder. He knew that being dressed in Kingsguard armor from a different tyrannical king was not a wise choice and would draw too much unwanted attention.
"Undermanned? How can you tell?" Percy asked as he witnessed the Gold Cloaks struggle to maintain a rowdy bunch of peasants being pushed to the latter part of the line. Noble's being favored to enter first.
"They are letting thousands of travelers in. With just a few dozen Gold Cloaks monitoring the Dragon Gate entrance, if a riot broke out, they would be helpless to intercede." Berin Cave said as they were finally let into the Capital.
Many of the noblemen and ladies made their way towards the best Inn's in King's Landing. However, the various knights and heirs to several noble houses made their way to the opposite direction as Percy followed the many knights to the sign-up post to enlist his name in the melee while his loyal guard enlisted for the jousting.
As they concluded their enlisting, they made their way throughout King's Landing looking through the heavily crowded walkways of the capital. Percy had never been inside the Capital nor had any prior knowledge of where to stay. Many of the Inn's closest to the main entrance were already pack to the brim with various knights.
"We will have to sleep on the streets it seems." Percy joked to his loyal guard as they continued to move from Inn to Inn looking for enough room to house his men.
As they progressed further into the outer edges of the capital Percy began noticing the abject poverty. Makeshift houses littered the grounds with various streams full of pollution. Although King's landing seemed to excellent for those that could afford the lavish life, those who could not were in constant fear for the lives. Even on the best days of King's Landing it seemed to be a dangerous Capital as the Gold Cloaks couldn't cover or patrol every part of the city.
"I know for the most part the Broken Anvil and the Old Inn on Eel Alley are always lonesome for the most part. Of course, the Old Inn, is packed with many peasants. It is well away from the eyes of the city watch. Murder in cold blood is not uncommon." Cave responded as he led the way to the distant inns he was speaking about.
He had heard about the Old Inn on Eel Alley from Jaime Lannister when Jaime was once a raw and young recruit for the Kingsguard in white. Why a Lannister would willingly sleep or even know about such a wretched place Berin Cave did not know.
Out of the corner of his eye Berin could see his lord take a heavy gulp. Although Percy was a fine warrior with the sword and seemingly did not fear any man or anything for that matter, he was still spoiled by Tycho with the exquisiteness of a noble. He was pampered with the finest silks embroidered with silver links of expensive jewels. He was served with the best food available in Braavos, from the rare fish to the finest pastries. However, he was unaccustomed to witnessing or even experiencing the worst of the worst services. The Old Inn was rather unsanitary with the worst food and ale ever serviced according to Berin's experience. The skeptical men that were housed there were bandits, drunks, and messy murderers. Not exactly the everyday wealthy folk his Lord intermingled with in Braavos.
"Let us hope the Broken Anvil has enough space for us. It is better than the Old Inn that is for sure. We can have a few mercenaries stationed outside your sleeping quarters to make sure no one dares to enter the room." He reassured Percy who nodded with a halfhearted smile.
Miraculously the inn keeper had blessed Percy with the news that there was enough space for his party and himself, for a few more gold dragons. It was a price he was more than willing to pay. Sufficient space for his men and some sense of safety monitored by the city watch was enough for Percy to convince him to pay the steeper price.
"Perhaps you need rest. We've been traveling for some time. From sea to horseback it is a distinct difference." Cave broke the silence as Percy dropped his many belongings into the room.
"I think not. We need to purchase supplies wherever that would be. I will need you to show me around. I even expect you to know where the best brothels are best found." Percy sarcastically replied. After all Percy knew that Cave at one point was young as himself and the urges to satisfy a man's desire sometimes overcame intelligence. However, he was only teasing his teacher as his real destination was to a blacksmith.
"I leave you to protect my items. I hope not to find any of my items missing" He warned the mercenaries he stationed directly outside his sleeping chamber.
Of course, he wouldn't leave the room unattended he left his wet nurse and his mother's maiden that had served him and his mother for so many years inside his sleeping quarters. Outside of Berin Cave they were the only individuals he could trust. They had stuck with him through his birth until now and he was willing to protect them and support them at all cost.
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Unlike Braavos, King's Landing had the most beautiful weather. The humidity in King's Landing was to a minimum and the soft spring breezes perfectly neutralized the sun's scorching heat. The streets of the Capital were flooded with travelers as there was barely room to fling one's arms.
Cave lead Percy and few of the accompanying mercenaries onto the Street of Steel. The many establishments of blacksmiths and hazy smoke filled the already polluted air. They passed quite a few shops before stopping outside one that seemed to be bigger than the rest.
"Let us hope Tobho Mott still services even those that have been exiled." Cave said as he entered the shop.
Like expected the forge was in use, and the steaming heat was enough to make Percy commence to sweat profusely. Percy could already feel the annoying drops of sweat creep onto the back of his neck and onto his lower back.
"And who might you be?" Percy presumed the owner spoke to him as the man looked greedily with his hands together.
"Perseus, and you would be?" The master armorer began to laugh at Percy's expense as he noticed the hint of an accent Percy had developed while living in Braavos.
"A foreigner like myself. You're from one of the Free Cities. Not one of my first clients from overseas but definitely one of the few." Tobho responded as Cave cleared his throat to focus the attention onto him. Tobho squinted his eyes before recognizing the kingsguard from the Mad King.
"Ah Berin I didn't expect to see your face ever again. I thought after your duel with Jaime that you had perhaps died. It seems it wasn't so. He did leave you with a nice souvenir now didn't he." Berin self-consciously brushed the side of his face with the long-lasting memory of the scar that he wasn't good enough to fight for his King. But then again, even Ser Arthur Dayne had met his end during the rebellion.
"It is nice to meet again Tobho. But at the moment we are here for a different occasion." He nudged his head towards Perseus who was watching the exchange rather curiously.
"Well in actuality we're here to get you a new set of the best armor Tobho can offer. You're representing me. Eventually the old kingsguard armor will have to go." Percy smiled towards Berin before he looked onto Tobho rather seriously.
"How much will it cost?" Percy asked as he noticed Tobho's eyes glint with avarice.
"Depends what material you want. Chainmail or steel plated. With or without decoration. Tinted or not." Tobho looked at Percy hoping to undercut him.
"Steel plated. With various rondels of silver around the armor specifically for his cloak." Percy responded.
"We're talking twenty thousand golden dragons. And perhaps two months' time. Your set of armor will be a priority, we will work tirelessly." Tobho replied as he was practically counting the money in his head.
"Very well. Your payment will be given to you when you finish your work," Percy halted Tobho's daydreaming as the master armorer simply nodded.
"I understand. Anything for a new client. We will set to work right away." He reassured Percy than looked back at his old acquaintance.
"Good luck on your endeavors in the tournament Berin. It's been a long time since King's Landing has seen one of best jousters" Before Berin could reply Tobho was already giving orders to his apprentice who was busily hammering steel and readying to put the steel in the forge.
The tournament would be in a few days. Percy had to make sure he was ready for the melee. He knew various warriors of high renown would be participating. Not only that, many nobles and the King himself would be watching him. Percy had to make sure everyone knew he was a force to be reckoned with. Unlike jousting, melees were a truer test in combat. They simulated real life battles that could transpire in the future. However, unlike melees, in war there was no yielding. If your enemy decided to kill you then you were at their mercy…
Author's Note: So, Percy is finally in King's Landing. It took me a while to write this chapter because I was blanking out for the most part. Like I previously stated there will be some twists in this story, so it won't be canon to the GOT storyline. I will also add some things from the books here and there cause why not. Also, I had to give my man Ser Berin Cave some love so yeah.
Moving onto my next course of conversation, I asked a question in the previous chapter's author's note about folk lore such as the Night King beyond the wall and squishers folklore from those in Crackclaw point. But no one gave their input. Obviously, the story has a long way to go so I won't be inputting those ideas right away. I just though squishers could add a ripple to the story.
All in all, I believe the chapter turned out decent. But let me know.
Thanks, and Happy New Years to my fellow Americans.
Like always the grammar mistakes and flow of the story will eventually get better as I edit the chapters along the way…