Chapter 5 - Elys
Air on Stepstones was definitely different than in King's Landing. For one, it was fresh. And you didn't have to worry that someone would stab you in the back. Elys paid the captain of
White queen quite a sum for a transport to the Bloodstone, for a very few dare sail into these waters infested with pirates. When he heard the rumours of the supposed ongoing liberation of the Stepstones one night in the taverns of King's Landing, he knew those weren't just rumours. Mission Roger Reyne tasked him with year ago was over. He was tasked with gathering information about ongoing events of the Westeros which could possibly benefit lord Roger and if possible gather some hardy men willing to fight for Roger's cause. Westeros report was ready, with some interesting events that happened not too long ago, some concerning the succession of the Iron Throne among all other things. As for the latter, lord Roger would definitely be surprised by the news Elys has for him regarding the men he was supposed to bring to fight for house Reyne.
Elys was a Westerman that has lived through thirty seven years. He comes from the coastal part of the region, Castamere to be precise. Reyne-Tarbeck revolt was the event well known to Elys, one he can never forget. He lost his family when army of Tywin Lannister sacked villages surrounding Castamere. Lost of his family changed Elys, and sometimes he found himself to be a cruel man. Although he was a family man, Elys never remarried, for a reason that a marriage with another woman than his late wife was something unthinkable. Even though she was dead for nearly twenty years, Elys still loved her fiercely, for she was the love of his life.
White queen anchored at the docks of Bloodstone on thirteenth day of the voyage, in afternoon of a sunny day. The trip was quite tiring for the most part, as Elys was not a man of the sea. He didn't bode well with seafaring, and has spent most of the time trying not to throw up, for reasons it was disgusting and because it dirtied his full grown beard. Westerman was surprised when he saw the docks of Bloodstone thriving with workers and traders. Sailors were loading and unloading ships with carts filled with various goods and resources. They must be coming from Free Cities, judging by the way sailors look and beacuse of the clothes they wear. Elys was surprised, because he expected to see a backwater slump instead of a prospering town, something he witnessed as he proceeded further into it. Streets were active with people selling all kinds of things on their stands, yelling '
Fresh fish!' for the most part. People stood in rows in front of stands to buy food and other neccessities.
This could be a start of an economy, a thought came to Elys' mind as he walked through the streets filled with people. Several traders walked up to him offering him fish and other types of meat, but also various wooden figurines in the shape of a lion, dragon and other dangerous predators. He ignored them all and proceeded to his destination, opening the leather bag that fell to his waist as he hung it around his neck, checking once again for the report he made for his lord, just to make sure it's there.
It didn't take long to walk through the main street, and Elys found himself in front of a large white two story building, with neat and pretty garden with several guards patroling the area.
''This is the place.'', Elys whispered to himself and proceeded to walk inside, when a guard intercepted his path, holding spear in his right hand with sword sheathed on his waist.
''Unless you have a business with the lord, I can't let you in.'' guard spoke in strict tone with a hard face, barely visible under the iron helmet that covered his forehead with eyes being just barely visible. His boiled leather armor was sliced by the blade so many times it barely had any purpose now.
''Lord Reyne expects me. I bring a report from Westeros.'' Elys said confidently and guard nodded, stepping aside to let him pass through the fence gate.
Elys found lord Reyne inside his manor eating with a woman Elys didn't know. He presumed it could be his wife. Westerman enjoyed the nice smell of the served fish and realised he was hungry. Roger raised his head, spotting Elys which brought a smile to his face. He waved his hand to Elys, gesturing him to come to him. Elys looked around as he walked to his lord, finding manor pretty impressive.
''My lord Reyne.'' Elys said as he walked up to Roger, bowing his head to him and turning his head to a lady sitting on the opposite side of table ''Lady...''
''Eglantine Wensington, ser.'', lady introduced herself with a smile.
''You're flattering me with a
ser, my lady,'' Elys said and smiled honestly ''I'm not a knight.''
Elys turned his head back to his lord, upon which Roger asked ''Why are you standing, man? Sit. Make yourself comfortable.''
Man laughed weakly and pulled a chair out of the table, taking a seat. ''I must say, you've done quite a job here, my lord.''
Reyne grinned at the comment, slicing a part of fish meat and putting it into his mouth. ''Thank you, Elys. It was quite a fight to make this possible. Roro Vunatis was formidable opponent. With his fall, biggest pirate threat on the Stepstones is ended.''
''I must say I'm amazed, my lord. I've heard stories about Roro Vunatis, pillaging the coast of Disputed Lands and putting Free Cities to unrest.'' Elys added and continued ''You've made quite a name for yourself, my lord. Rumours have spread to the King's Landing the last I've heard them, perhaps even further. Commoners speak of a pirate's bane, a man that would free people of Stepstones, a Red Lord of Stepstones.
Roger's lips curwed upwards and he smiled widely, with proud face. ''I must say I'm surprised to hear that the news are spreading like wildfire. But I'm glad to hear that.''
Elys nodded his head, looking down at delicious fish, making his mouth water.
Roger laughed ''I love the way you stare at the fish. Are you hungry? Sea voyage must've been hard on you.''
Elys inhaled, almost squeaking when Roger offered him food. ''Thank you for your offer, my lord. I'll join you. And yes, voyage was quite difficult for me to handle. I was seasick for the biggest part of it.''
Roger gestured with his right to a man standing not far away from the table, to which man responded with quick nod and walked quickly to the other room. ''I presume your report is finished?''
Elys nodded and shoved his left hand to his leather bag and rummaged through the mass of small objects for a piece of parchment. ''Here it is.'' he said and pulled out something which resembled a letter, tied with a thin red thread, a small security measure so it wouldn't open. He handed it over to lord Roger who pulled the thread and snapped it. Opening the letter, lord Reyne pulled another piece of parchment and started reading it silently. He widened his eyes at the certain point of the letter, and Elys knew exactly which part his lord read. As Roger's eyes were focused at the bottom part of the paper, young lord's eyes could reflect pure hate, as far as Elys could recognize. Reyne placed the parchment on the table and sighed.
''King Aerys is dead.'' was the first thing he said.
Lady Eglantine didn't seem very surprised. ''How did he die, is it known?'' she asked.
''He was poisoned. No one knows by whom, but we all know why. A man was a pure tyrant. During last few years, he used authority to revoke titles of various petty lords, all in the name of justice and Iron Throne. While lordlings and weak houses couldn't oppose him, there were those who could do it after all.'' Elys explained to his lord and his lady, who listened keenly ''Few even dared to call him Mad King. He didn't just take the titles away. He took lives, so many of them. And that had to be put to an end. There were rumours that Darklyns were behind his death, but who knows? Some say Darklyns. Another say Lannisters themselves.''
''Lannisters.'', Roger said angrily and frowned.''
''Yes, my lord. Lannisters. Tywin Lannister is the most influental man in the kingdom after the king. No wonder, he is richest man in Seven Kingdoms, and a Hand of the King.'' Elys further explained.
''If he put an end to Aerys' life, the crown might be his ultimate goal.'' Roger stated, stroking his chin. ''And if he becomes a king, it will be near impossible for me to get my vengeance.''
''I don't know if it's possible to end Lannisters by now, love.'' lady Eglantine added, giving her husband a look of worry ''They are way powerful, maybe even for the king himself.''
''My target is just one Lannister, my lady. Tywin Lannister.'' lord Reyne stated with spite in his voice.
Hand of the King, Tywin of house Lannister
''You do understand, my lord, that Tywin
is house Lannister. To kill him means to kill the most powerful man in Seven Kingdoms. How is that possible for you, my lord?'', Elys asked with a voice full of concern.
Roger glared at him with eyebrow raised
''I mean not to offend you, my lord. But I'm just being honest. I doubt there is anything you can do at this very moment that would be even a slightest threat to golden lion of Seven Kingdoms.''
Roger nodded to Elys and took a deep breath ''You're right, Elys. Let's hope that Rhaegar is better king than his father. I can only pray he won't allow Tywin to grow more in power.''
Elys smirked ''Silver Prince, or should I say, Silver
King is a clever man. Unlike his father, he understands well in what world we live in. He's well liked and has support of his vassals. He'll use it well.''
Silver king of the Iron Throne
Roger simply nodded and said ''I must say, the rest of your report is pretty unsatisfying. Tywin is the new Hand of the King, put in that position by Rhaegar himself. If Tywin indeed killed Aerys, pray that Rhaegar won't suffer the same fate, for he is last Targaryen. If he dies, Tywin is the potential contender for the throne.''
''That is well known to me, my lord. But, I also have another set of news for you. A good news, I dare say.'', Elys said, smiling proudly, which made Roger raise his eyebrow.
''And that is?''
''Five hundred men are sailing to Stepstones. They are ready to join your cause. You've got an army coming your way, my lord. And they'll fight for house Reyne.''
Lord Reyne smiled at the news and stood up, at the moment servant returned with the food for Elys ''I don't know how you managed to gather an army for me, but I trust you. Gather the commanders, Elys. We've got another island to take.''
Elys' cheerful smile when he saw food being served for him faded away the moment Roger gave him the order.
No food for me, yet.. What a bummer.
xxx
I hope you won't find this chapter too boring, guys, for it lacks action. Fear not, next time, there will be
A LOT of action, I promise.
