James: Chapter 6
The sun was bright out this day, blinding even. James loved and hated days like these. He loved them because it gave the people a chance to get out of there steads and converse in the streets. The light probably even gave them hope that more days like this were to come, but that was also why James hated days like this. The sun never stayed, the light never shined on Gotham for very long. It was the day, or two, or three afterwards when the sun hid again for a week or more that always made these days hard.
James feared the same would happen with the city itself. Since the Batman had emerged from the shadows unexpectedly, the crime of the city had actually lessened to a degree. It was still far more rampant than even King's Landing to be sure, but for what was commonplace in Gotham it had gone down. James worried that soon, the clouds would come back, the sea would thrash and grow violent, and the darkness would strike back. Am I going to be enough? My men? Is Batman going to be enough to stop the darkness from fighting back…?
James had an uneasy feeling in his gut despite all of the smiling and happy faces he saw passing him in the streets. It was that instinct he had that made him good at his duty as head of the City Watch, and what had saved his hide on more than one occasion. Well not fully, James remembered the ugly scar across his back from where some faceless knight had slashed across it with a long sword more than two decades ago. Well I got the bastard's arm, so I suppose I still won that one in the least.
It was a rather quiet day, only three thefts and one murder down near the docks. James told his men he was taking the day off to head home, and to call on him should anything arise. He felt spending a night in his real bed for the first time in more than a month was a welcome idea.
Barbara will be at the stove, cooking that beef and barley stew I hope. His stomach ached at the thought. He had lived off simple soups and salted strips of horsemeat for weeks and his belly desired real food. Young Barb will be out. She tries to get out on the rainy days even, so she would not pass a day like this up for the world. He wondered what his son James would be doing. Playing knight with a stick maybe, or trying to help his mother cook.
James smiled at the thought of spending an evening with his family for once. He had not had the time to miss them, but he did. Every night he fell asleep remembering his daughter ride her first horse, or James walking for the first time, when he first laid eyes on his wife all those years ago in Highgarden. Just a few more steps. Before James could reach the dirt pathway up to his cottage looking out onto the bay however, he heard his name called out from behind.
"Ser James Gordon, are you not?"
James spun around, his hand reaching to the sword at his belt. He froze when he saw his caller slowly approaching him with a small grin on his lips.
"Careful Ser, many who dare to draw their blades against the Red Viper rarely leave with their life intact," Prince Oberyn Martell jested.
"Prince Oberyn, I had not expected you. I was not aware you were still here, I thought you had left with the rest of the visiting lords."
The Red Viper chuckled, "You may wish to inspect your men's abilities once more, for they seem to be greatly wanting of simple observation skills."
James swallowed, he had not been expecting a visitor, let alone one of the princes of Dorne at his stead's gateway. His visitor looked of a similar age to James, with a face sharpened and creased from age and battle. Prince Oberyn was a fearsome warrior, as intelligent as he was aloof. He was not the sort of man to let all of his plans slip through his lips unless he found a way that it would serve him best. Whatever the reason that had brought him to Gotham, James was certain he would not be telling him of it. The stab at his men wounded his pride a bit, but it was nothing he had not known. Many of James' men paid more mind to the whores on the street than the men that passed along it. He had great trouble finding men he could trust, but he had managed to do it time and again.
"Allow me to worry about my men's skills, and pray tell me once more, what has brought you here? I figured a Dornishman would tread carefully in the Reach, for he is sure to have little friends amongst us," James retorted.
"That is why I travel with a century of men at my back. Truthfully I was here to gather some fresh spices and herbs for my daughters from your seaside markets, but I heard last night was rather exciting for you and your men. How many crippled thugs did the Batman leave behind again? Ten? A dozen? The number seems to have escaped my mind," the prince teased, feigning ignorance. Stupidity does not suit him, James thought.
"I'm afraid I cannot speak for the activities of the Batman Your Grace. That information is supposed to be remain with myself and my men," James reaffirmed.
Oberyn smiled, "And yet I know of it. Yet again Ser Gordon, I pray you to choose some men with some sense of wit in their skulls."
"I hope you did not walk all this way only to test my patience Prince Oberyn."
His visitor took a step back and smiled, "No Ser, my apologies. My men are so dull and witless that I find it good fun to dance with words on occasion, with a worthy man of course. Rather than a blade, dancing with those does get so messy. I was merely on this side of the city near the bay and wished to see what sort of man he who leads the City Watch of Gotham was. Some would say a man wishing to lead the City Watch of this city may be as mad as King Aerys was."
James' mouth retained its thin lined shape as he replied, "My footing at dance is horrid. If you wish to see my dance with a sword in my hand sometime, I would gladly oblige."
Oberyn laughed heartedly at that. "Ahh Ser Gordon, it pleases me to see a true man leading this city. Don't think I haven't heard the stories of you in your youth. Ha! The Fiery Blade and the Batman, working side by side to fight the crime that plagues Gotham…What a story that will make for my daughters to hear. Good day to you Ser."
With that Oberyn turned, his crimson traveler's cloak swaying out behind him, before walking back down the stone street before him. James watched the man go for a few minutes before he turned and stepped from the stone path to the one made of dirt as he walked up the pathway to his cottage. It made for a longer walk home, but he loved his cottage overlooking the bay.
It was modest, only two floors with four bed chambers, a kitchen, supping room, and family room with a big stone fireplace to warm it. It was a wooden dwelling, rare in this city of stone and brick, but James had requested it when he first moved here. He walked through the waist high gate and up the small stone cobbled path to his front door.
As he grabbed the old, iron handle and opened the door, he heard crying. James quickly drew his dagger and ran up the stairs to find the source of the sobbing. He turned his head from one side of the hall to the other, Barb's room. He ran to the door and pushed it open fearing to find a bloodied body. All he found however was his daughter on the floor sobbing.
"B-Barb…what happened? Where's your mother?"
Barbara looked up to James to him with red, puffy eyes from hours of sobbing, "She's gone father…she left…and took James with her. This morning before the sun even rose. She asked if I wanted to go with her, that it'd be safer and I'd be happier with her, but I couldn't…I…"
James' heart seemed to fall out of his chest. He fell to the floor on his knees, broken. His child moved from the bed to his side and he took her up in his arms in a long hug. The light is already beginning to wane.
Selina: Chapter 7
"Oh it looks beautiful" Selina held the necklace up to the light, letting the sunlight dance off the gold in a shimmering glow that lit up the room. "Only four gold pieces you say?"
The elderly woman nodded, "Yes my lady, and the matching bracelet's just another four."
Selina looked to the golden ring on her wrist, "Hmmm I suppose, might as well spoil myself on such a beautiful day. Here you are and thank you oh so much."
She left the lavish metalworking and jeweler's cottage and departed back down the hill. Selina wore a vividly green summer dress that complimented her new golden adornments elegantly. It had only been a week since she donned her mask as Catwoman and already had enough gold to live comfortably for the better part of a year. The way I see it, if I keep this rate up I can live an even more luxurious life for a shorter amount of time as long as I keep making the rich poorer and myself richer.
Holly was next to her in a light violet dress with a silver necklace around her neck. As they descended into the town square she looked up at Selina and asked, "So no one's going to ask us how we could suddenly afford garments and jewels like these?"
"We were just whores Holly, not even the men who took us into their beds will likely recognize us. They were focused on places other than our faces." She had already run into three men she had previously slept with and none of them recognized her, only gazed at her body more than they did when she was a whore. Maybe now that I look higher up on the social chain they find me suddenly more appealing, fools.
The square was alive with people, merchants shouted prices, ladies giggled at jokes, and men either sized up the women as trophies or other men as competition. Men can only think with one of their heads it seems. That was when she saw him, slowly pulling past in a carriage.
Bruce Wayne was gazing out over the square as he and the circus boy he had taken in passed in their horse drawn, luxurious looking wagon. He may be the first man I've ever truly met. As she looked out at the carriage passing by Bruce took notice of her and told the carriage driver to stop.
"Good day my lady, and a beautiful one it is. I apologize for not calling upon you for I've been busy with listening to lord's complaints and dusting off the castle and such. What would you be doing tomorrow evening?," he said with a smile that could blind women a league away and a tone of voice that mirrored a level of confidence that most men would envy.
Selina smirked, "Oh you do the dusting now? I thought you had servants for that hm? And honestly my lord, I was not expecting you to call on me. Most men only have one thing in mind if we are speaking plainly and I doubt a cripple could prove enjoyable in bed."
Bruce laughed and then looked back down to her from up on his high and mighty carriage seat. "I highly doubt we have the same thing in mind Lady Kyle, but you may call me Bruce. I merely wanted to sup and show you the castle, nothing more."
"Ah yes, with an extended look at your bed chambers I'm sure. As it is with most noblemen trying to show off how large their castle is. Take a lesson from other men Bruce, size of a castle does not make a man more appealing."
Bruce's smile turned to a smirk as he looked into her eyes, "Yes, but Lady Kyle, I never said it was my large castle I was showing off. The castle is my father's, and I think you will find I am not like other men."
It appears not. "Hmm, very well. Since I know where you live for it can be seen leagues away and you have no hint of an idea where I do, I shall come to your castle at dusk tomorrow. Call me Selina as well, Lady Kyle makes me sound as if I were some old crone."
Bruce smiled that infamous smile again, "Oh no my lady that would be improper of me as a gentleman, my carriage will be waiting for you before dusk tomorrow outside of the Lion's Den. That is the name of the place is it not Selina?"
Her mouth gaped for a second before she caught herself. The bastard's found me out, but how? He's barely left his castle since returning and he knows I live in a whorehouse? But why would he want to keep company with a whore…why most men do I suppose. Maybe the great Lord Wayne is no different than the others…. "Yes my lord it is, shall I dress in this? Or something easier to slip off I wonder?"
Bruce extended a hand, "Wear something comfortable, or noth-...Well I suppose we shall say just dress as you please in front of such young company." He is a charmer to be sure… She slid her hand into his outstretched one, "As you say, Bruce."
He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed the knuckle, "Until the morrow, Selina." The carriage pulled forward and continued on its path along the street up to Wayne Castle. Selina stood and watched the carriage continue its ascent before Holly broke the silence.
"What was all that about?" Selina almost forgot she was still standing behind her.
Selina briskly turned and continued walking the other way down the street, Holly having to step quickly to catch up. "It was a…challenge. Lord Wayne wants me to see the beauty of his castle, I'll be kind enough to take a little home with me."
Sorry Bruce, you are nice, but you also happen to be the second richest man in the seven kingdoms, and that is not a prize I can pass on unfortunately.
Alfred: Chapter 7
"Well it certainly is a beautiful bird Ser, but I'm afraid I know nothing of training or tending them." I suppose I should be happy they didn't find a wounded wolf and bring the bloody thing back.
"I'm not asking you to tend it Alfred, just tend to it. Simply patch up the wing, even if the hawk doesn't fly again. Granted young Dick here adamantly argues that it will," his master told him with a smile.
Dick was the one holding the hawk, its right wing bloodied and bore a few tear marks. It was wrapped in a small blanket and was no bigger than a newborn babe. "Because it will fly again. I'm going to help it."
"Ah so now you have the healing powers of a maester eh? Can you make me walk without this cane again too?" Bruce retorted laughing.
Well at least they seem to have bonded from their afternoon excursion together. "I shall see what I can do, give it here dear boy." Dick handed the bundle to Alfred but as soon as the hawk was placed into the servant's hands it began writhing and trying to flap its wings free of its wrappings. It cawed and screeched trying to break free, but as soon as he handed it back to the boy it began to calm. "It appears to dislike me I'm afraid, very well, follow me Master Richard."
Before they departed, Bruce put a hand on the young boy's shoulder, "I had a pleasant time today Dick, we should do this again. Next time we'll actually ride about the city more and hopefully not come home with another chore for Alfred! Ha!"
Dick smiled, "That would be fun." Perhaps it takes seeing a younger version of himself to help Master Bruce. I think Master Richard will help Bruce more than he can help the boy.
"Well come along Master Richard, let us see what we can do for this Nightwing of yours," he led the boy into the main doors while Bruce walked out to the garden behind the castle.
"So I trust you had an interesting afternoon young ser, what with seeing the bay and finding yourself a new friend."
Dick cracked a wide grin saying, "Yeah, it was better than sitting around the castle to be sure. Where will we keep Nightwing?"
Alfred thought a moment, "Well I doubt the bird would be happy perched in a small cage in your chambers…so perhaps a nice, big cage in the gardens. If he flies again that is." The lord of bats and the ward of birds, how odd of a place this castle has become in a month.
They set up in the guest dining hall to go about repairing the bird's injured wing. Alfred noted it was the same table he had stitched Bruce up on just over a fortnight ago. I feel this will become a common occurrence for me unfortunately.
Nightwing cawed when the needle first pierced its skin, but did not try to flap free as Dick held it down as gently as he could manage. The hawk's talons cut him a few times throughout the hour they spent slaving over the bird but the young boy did not flinch away once. He was as determined as Bruce was when his mind was set to something.
"Well that seems to be the last stitch needed, give me that hand cloth over there young Master Br-Richard…my apologies I suppose I still need to get used to having two boys to care for Ha!" The likeness was so close between the two it seemed Alfred had trouble differentiating when a majority of his focus lie elsewhere.
"It's fine Alfred, it's not as if I haven't called you as one of my circus friends before. Derken the lion tamer, or Kasder the snake charmer hehe," he responded giggling.
"Well I suppose you have your head in the trees then, since you seem to be more akin to a squirrel or treecat than a boy." Alfred ruffled the boy's dar,k black hair. He knew Dick hated it when messied his hair.
"Oh a tree-boy am I now? Maybe I shall come up with my own title for you, Ser Shiny Head!" Dick retorted as he finished wrapping the bird's wing in bandages. He set the bird in a small dusty cage they had found in an untouched room floors above them.
Alfred picked up one of the small, dulled fencing sabers that lay to the side of the room. He tossed the other one to Dick when he had finished closing the bird's cage door. Dick caught it and took a novice swordsman stance facing Alfred. His left leg stood out much too far, overextending his stance and making him an easy target to knock over.
"Oh Ser Shiny Head am I? What say you to Lord Cannot Make His Bed!" Alfred swung the thin blade down making it easy for Dick to sidestep and try to repartee. Alfred blocked and swung again, this time horizontally so Dick could duck under it and try to hit Alfred in the belly. Alfred stepped to the side and attacked until Dick had his back to the table. Dick leapt up onto the table with great ease while never turning from Alfred. They continued their fight but more evenly matched in height.
"Alfred, the light bouncing off your head is nearly blinding me! Perhaps standing up here was a poor decision after all!," the boy shouted laughing and snickering as he deflected Alfred's slowed attacks and tried to counterattack.
"Blinding am I? Well young ser, you are so scrawny and limp I could confuse you for a young lady!" Dick failed to bring his sword up in time and was rewarded with a hit to his shoulder from Alfred's dulled blade.
The boy winced at the unexpected pain but continued fighting. Alfred chuckled at the boy, "Oh did I hurt you, my lady?"
"Oh that's it Alfie! You are as good as done after that jape!" Dick leapt from the table and landed on the servant knocking him to the floor. They both laughed uncontrollably as they fell to the floor. After a few minutes they heard the familiar sound of a stuttered step accompanied by a light wooden knock come into the room.
"Alfred, your duty is to keep the castle clean and serve the boy, not ruin it and fight him!" Bruce jested with a chuckle as the two entangled on the floor slowly stood.
Alfred straightened his jacket and tunic. "My apologies Ser, but the little ruffian was begging for a good beating. Also, it is not my fault his skills with a sword are on par with a scullery maid."
Dick burst out laughing again, "Alfie I'm going to shave that fuzz you call a mustache off one of these nights while you sleep!"
Nightwing cawed from the corner of the room making all three of them chuckle some more. "Dick, take Nightwing up to your chambers and be quiet about it I pray you. I don't want the bird's screeching echoing through the halls making everyone's ears bleed heh. We'll have supper in an hour so come back down then," Bruce told the boy.
Dick went over to the table and picked up the rusted cage and left the room with his new pet.
"Ah Alfred, however are we going to train that bird. If it even flies again," Bruce said once the boy was assuredly gone.
"We could see if the Cobblepots are willing to depart with one of their bird trainers Ser. They have so many birds I can imagine they'll surely have one whom is free." It's good to see him smile again.
Bruce's face grew more serious, "Have you any word, or uncovered any information on this Half-Mask while we were out?"
Back to business as usual it would seem. "No Ser, there's…nothing. No accounts in wars, no rumors in the taverns or whorehouses, not even a story from the ports. He seems to be as mysterious as the Batman himself."
Bruce looked out the window quietly, "I fear the sun may set soon enough in Gotham, and we shall unfortunately find out."