I DO NOT OWN SILENCE OR GAME OF THRONES.
"Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so." 1st Corinthians: 7, 21
Harlaw Island. the Iron Islands. Off the coast of Westeros, August 17, 296 a.c
The seas looked like a field of stars as Fathers Francisco Garupe, George Steadham and Sebastiao Rodrigues embarked on their journey to Westeros. The land called Westeros was not on any map that they had, so all they could really do was keep sailing west past where others had gone before and have faith that the Lord would send them on the right path.
The trio of priests had packed an abundance of supplies, as much as their ship could possibly carry; for they could not be certain of how long the journey to Westeros would take them. In addition, Father Valignano had sent the padres with plenty of Bibles written in both English and Latin, in the insistence of Steadham saying that "They would need them,". As well as rosaries, crucifixes, and other relics and books of the faith to maintain the orthodoxy in this new land and prevent heresy.
As the ship continued to sail, Garupe felt his doubt sneaking into his heart once again. He kept thinking about Father Ferreira. The man was solely responsible for bringing both Garupe and his friend Rodrigues to the love of Jesus Christ. There had been no one stronger than he among the Jesuit order. He had been the hero for not only Garupe and Rodrigues but for all of their fellow priest at the Cathedral who trained to be Jesuits. Now, all of Ferrieira's words and teachings seemed to ring hollow.
He had encouraged his junior apprentices to put Christ above everything else in their lives and to welcome death in his name if it came to that. However, when the Japanese tortured him and his followers, Father Ferreira had apostatized. Their mentor and father figure to the majority of priests had denounced God in public and surrendered the faith. The man who has instilled God's word within them was now sentenced to eternal damnation; according to the Catholic Church. When the news came they were heartbroken and Rodrigues even demanded to go to Japan and disprove such defamation towards Father Ferreira, but after some time they reluctantly accepted that he truly had abandoned the faith.
"What troubles you Francisco?" his friend Rodrigues inquired as he saw the turmoil on his companion's face, while Steadham checked the ship for its optimal function.
"I still think about Father Ferreira, he brought us God's word and yet, he gave up the faith to the Inquisition in Nagasaki," Garupe replied in weariness, closing his eyes tried to image the events but those thoughts only brought sadness.
"You are not Ferreira and neither am I." Rodrigues insisted as he clasped his friend's shoulder. "Jesus called us both by name, he knows that we shall not fail him in this mission." he finished before George appeared, he was wet of controlling the ship, he was with Sebastiao the experts on naval affairs, meanwhile he had come from a family of traders in Castille, so he only knew how to swim.
"Rodrigues have you finished? I need help with the mast," asked the other priest with a frown, although they had been at sea for some days they still did not talk much, George Steadham was a solitary and serious priest, at meals he sat in the most remote place at the table and ate in silence, only speaking when asked something.
"wait for me a minute I haven't finished talking with my friend," responded Sesbastiao without worrying, first was his friend.
"Okay," said with a sign George before going to try and resolve the situation alone.
"You are not Ferreira and neither am I." Rodriques continued as he clasped his friend's shoulder again. "Jesus called us both by name, he knows that we shall not fail him in this mission." finished with resolve.
"But if a pious and strong man like Ferreria can apostatize, anyone can," Garupe shot back as he looked at his fellow priest, the other strong person he could think about was Valignano but his mission was different.
"Do you think that the Lord Jesus Christ would have sent us to spread his word to the people of Westeros if he had the slightest doubt in our faith?" Sebastian asked as he looked into the man's eyes, he was secure and excited about the mission, he wouldn't allow Francisco to become disillusioned.
"He knows all things, surely he must have faith in us," Francisco finally replied, conceding that his friend made a good point. Jesus would not take a risk unless he was absolutely sure about it.
"And if we bring this country to him, we shall prove that he was right to trust us with this mission," Rodriques said with a smile as the brothers in Christ embraced before hearing Steadham calling his name so he went to help with the mast leaving Garupe only with his thoughts.
Eventually, after a couple of weeks at sea, and a great storm the priests saw an island coming into view.
"Land in sight!" shouted with happiness Steadham, seeing the new land on the horizon after the great storm, making the trio of priests wet, and in his darkest thoughts he thought they would die without making it to Westeros.
With their faith renewed, and with the realization that they would not die at sea. They embraced each other even if Garupe and Rodrigues didn't know a lot about Steadham, they were on the same ship and after the isolation of being alone at sea had gripped their hearts, but now seeing land...there was a relief. They sailed the little boat that the ship had through the bay and up to the island. Garupe was not an expert seaman by any means, but with Rodrigues and Steadham they could bring the boat safely onto the shore. They guided their ship to a safe zone and dropped the anchor, before embarking. They only took a few religious items with them, as well as a bible. As the three priests set foot on the island, they took a few moments to allow their senses to absorb what they had walked into being finally in Westeros.
"So…this is Westeros?" Rodriques asked aloud as the three men were spellbound by the sight of the rocky island. The three had never in their lives been outside of Europe, until now. George even thinks that it is like coming home to England…
"We should start walking." Father Garupe said as he motioned his mission companions to follow him. The men began to walk along the island coast. After forty-five minutes, the priests came upon a group of men coming ashore in small boats. As the group drew closer, they saw that these were fishermen. The men were dragging several nets that were full of fish onto the shore where other men were packing the fish into carts with chunks of ice to keep the fish fresh, their skins came from pale to dark, meaning they were from different countries.
"The men are fishing, as the apostles once did," Francisco remarked as he and his mission companions watched the men continue their activities.
"This must surely be a sign from our Lord, our mission must begin here and now! We must become fishers of men, as the apostles did" Sebastiao insisted as the rest agreed wholeheartedly. The Jesuit priests made their way over to the fishermen as one of them caught sight of the men and also made his way over to them. He was a dark-skinned man with wild hair. He was working alongside another man who was quite muscular with long flowing braids, both curious to see other people.
"Who are you?" The younger fisherman asked as he approached the missionaries when they came to a good distance Garupe responded.
"I am Father Francisco Garupe and these are my companions, Father Sebastian Rodrigues and Father George Steadham," Father Garupe said as he introduced himself and his partners.
"I am Daaraquo Dirros and this is my brother, Nakillos Sanoris." He said as he nodded his head at the priest. Thankfully, the man spoke in the English language which Garupe and Rodrigues were both fluent in, and Steadham was native. Garupe thanked God that communication with the people of these lands was possible.
"Who are you and why are you on these lands?" Nakillos asked, his eyes glaring dangerously at them, mostly at Steadham, whose hardened look, made him similar to the reapers the only thing different was his clothes not being too good for being from a common Ironborn.
We have come to bring you news to cheer your hearts, we bring the word of God," Rodriques explained to the men.
"Which god?" Nakillos asked with a scoff, he had too much put with the Drowned priest and from those crazed priests of the Fire god
"There is but one God." Garupe declared as both men looked at him in utter shock, for what they heard.
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