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***
272 A.D.
P.O.V. Aeris Cold.
«Are you sure you want to leave now? - I asked once again, helping my brother saddle his horse.
«Once again, yes. It's the perfect opportunity. It's not every day that Lannisport hosts tournaments in honor of a king's decade of reign. - Felix replied, adjusting and checking the saddle straps so they wouldn't rub against the horse's skin as he rode. - It's a perfect chance to prove yourself, get some money and buy some things for the journey ahead.
«You've decided to go to Old Town after all, haven't you? Do you still want to be a Maester?
«Of course not, little brother. - Fael said seriously while making a joking expression. Peklo, how can he be the same height as me even though he's two years younger? It's not that I'm short - my brother and I long ago outgrew my father, who was the local giant. But I've almost stopped growing, and he's still growing, and I'm sure he'll overtake me in no time. - But you have long ago realized that you can't achieve much without knowledge. You can be the most invincible warrior and conquer the whole world, but you can not keep it. You need skills, abilities, knowledge. And the Citadel can provide all of that. Don't forget, you don't have to become a Maester after you forge the chain. You can walk away with everything you need.
«Are you sure about that? I've never heard of it before, and I always thought that the only way to get out was to swear an oath.
«I'm sure. - He took the horse's reins and led it out of the village. - I've been told this by almost five maesters in a row. Two of them had more guilt in them than their own blood. People in this condition are very bad liars.
«It always amazes me how you can talk to them. They look at other people like they're stupid when they're drunk, and even worse when they're sober.
«Just like you can willingly bed any girl, married or not. Talent. - His words made my face blush. He should have caught me at that moment. Thank the Seven that he didn't tell anyone, or else my father... I don't want to imagine. - I hope I don't have to remind you what happens to people who love too much.
«I don't. - The memories that came back to me gave me a nervous shiver. When that little shit showed up at my door a few days after the incident with a few sheets of parchment, I didn't suspect a thing. But then... - I'd had enough of your love sickness story. I couldn't look at a woman for days after that! Where did you even find these pictures?
«I drew them. I even spent a few deer to buy paper for it. But what you don't do for your brother. - At those words, the bastard laughed gleefully as he looked at my face that was flushed with rage.
"Take it easy. He's provoking you. He's getting revenge for all your recent jokes. It's a game you can play together."
«How many more have you gotten into bed yourself, hmmm? - I asked, scrutinizing his face, trying to get a good look at any emotions. - Half the girls in the village look at you with amorous eyes.
«When, Brother? I've been busy all day, working all the time. You know very well my sleep lasts only four hours.
«And who makes you do that? - We were already approaching the outskirts of the village, where my father was waiting for us, with a six-foot-long bundle and a large, bulky sack in his hands. - You train more than I do, work more than I do, babysit your sisters more than I do. - My voice went up a few tones on its own. - Brother, why do you torture yourself like this?
There was only silence in response, to the quiet footsteps of Felix, who had finally approached his father.
«Well, that was it. - Father was sad and melancholy today. He was sad to let our youngest out of the house so early, as was our whole family. Mom and sisters cried all night last night trying to convince him not to leave. They used every method known to man, from tears to threats, but my brother was adamant. - You're all grown up now, Felix. I don't know if you've been a good father, but I know you've been a wonderful son. The best one Cersei and I deserved. Take the sack. - With those words, he handed him a sack that jingled with every movement. - This is all the money you've made in your life with us. Cersei, Chloe, and I have been saving it since your very first hunt.
From the look on his brother's face, he's not surprised at all. I've known for a long time. After handing over the sack, which must have been heavy - Fel tensed when he took it - it was the turn of the bundle.
«You know you're here, but tradition is tradition. - My brother and I grinned, realizing that my father didn't give a damn about those "traditions". He just wants to spend more time with his son. - I am Alexander Kold, son of John, of the Kold family, I release you Felix, my son, on a free journey with a command. - He came close and took his brother, who towered over him by half a head, by the shoulders. - Be honest. Be kind. Be brave. Be loyal. Be decent. Be merciful. Be healthy. And know that you are always welcome in this house, whether you are alone, with or without a wife, with or without legitimate children. There is always a hot hearth, a warm bed, delicious food and family warmth waiting for you here. Our doors are always open to you.
At these words, none of us could not stand it. In a joint impulse we merged in an embrace, letting a lonely tear. We didn't stay like that for long before my father got tired of our chins poking into his eyes.
«Okay, enough with the calf tenderness, you overgrown sheep. - He broke the hug abruptly, returning his usual attitude. - All right, son. Now there's the unofficial part of the farewell. Remember. First of all, trust no one. There are no people in the world you can trust except your loved ones. Second, don't rely on your friends for help. Friends are made only for friendship, and for help you need debtors or allies. Third, nothing is absolute. Calculate all options, regardless of victories or defeats. That way you will always stay afloat. And fourth, find a wife for love, not need. It's the lords' job to trade their children for the power of their house, but we are simple people - we need simple human happiness. Do you remember?
«Yes, Father. - His brother nodded, easily jumping on his horse with the strange name Bucephalus. Where did he get that monster? Seven feet tall, it towered over us like a mountain. However, the horse had always had a good disposition and was very fond of people, letting his sisters feed him right out of his hands. A rare thing for a war horse, who was trained from infancy to blood, screams and fast chases. As my brother used to say... Exactly!
"A good horse should have plenty."
«Well done. Hold your axe. You are now a free rider, serving yourself and only yourself. - His father smiled, finishing the ritual of parting - handing his brother his weapon.
Removing the cloth, Felix once again showed off his pride - a giant double-bladed battle axe. I have always believed that the weapon of a real man is a sword, and I will never change my opinion. But I must admit, this weapon is worth dying for. It was six feet long, with two ribbed handles, with a weave of tanned leather crosswise between them. The end ended in a long point suitable for piercing necks, and the two large blades, shaped like bat wings, were decorated with a very beautiful engraving in the form of a vine, over which his brother had agonized for nearly three days.
"A piece of excellent quality worthy only of him," I thought, as I watched and waved to my brother as he drove away. He was the only one who could use it with only one hand and do such things that one could marvel.
All the words had been said and the wishes voiced. All that remains is to wait for him to return and begin his duties....
«Aerys! - A shout distracted me from my thoughts, making me turn around and look at my brother. He was already standing on a hill a hundred yards away. In his armor, with his shield, sword, dagger, axe, and cloak, on a giant horse, he looked like a knight from the bedtime stories our mother used to read to us. Even envious... - You asked me why I work so much. The answer is simple - only we create ourselves!
At these words he galloped up the horse and galloped away to the other side of the hill, disappearing from sight.
«Good words. - I said, pondering his phrase. - Quite in your spirit, brother.
A smile appeared on my face.
***
P.O.V. Felix
As I rode down the River Road I was once again contemplating my plans for the future.
All possible preparations had been made long ago and now it was time to reap their benefits. Just three days ago I had turned fourteen, the age when I could officially leave my father's house. I hadn't planned to leave until early next year, but circumstances were beyond me. In a week, King Aerys would arrive in Lannisport at the invitation of his Hand. The festivities in honor of his ten-year reign promise to be top-notch, as do the prizes for the tournament. It's an opportunity not to be missed.
- Lannisport is almost 150 miles away. - I reasoned aloud as I swayed in my saddle. - A bucephalus can travel almost 60 kilometers a day.... I'm not used to the local measures of length. That's about 40 miles if you ride for eight or nine hours. With all the stops and bumps, I'll be in town in about four days.
I'm still more or less lucky. Usually travelers traveled such distances only in caravans, which speed does not exceed 25-30 miles a day, because of the threat of attack and robbery. And often the main danger was not brigands or robbers, but the local lords' tax collectors, who were not much different from the first two categories. But someone like me is unlikely to be attacked.
After checking the fasteners of my armor and shield mounts on my saddle once more, I smiled with satisfaction. Every piece of my equipment had been forged by me personally. Of course, I had to take lessons from a tanner for a dime, because armor is not just a piece of iron attached to the body. It's a whole mechanism supported by dozens of clasps, fasteners and seams. But it was worth it. The difference between two pieces of armor, when one of them is made specifically for you, is enormous. There's a reason not only for comfort, but also for the much smaller number of weak spots that you usually have to cover with chainmail. Which I hate to forge. Nor any other blacksmith in my opinion. No one enjoys sitting in one place for hours on end and piecing rings together.
"Of course, Bern said it gets boring after a while and even starts to calm down, but I don't have that long of an experience" - I thought, getting off and taking the horse under the reins to circle around the giant puddle on the road. Only the devil himself knows how deep it is. Westeros is not the modern Earth of the 21st century - almost all roads here are made of earth and sticks, falling apart at the first rain.
The journey was boring and exhausting at the same time. No matter how hardy I am, if my legs and back are not used to the long treks, they will still hurt. But on this journey, the worst pain was not bodily, but intellectual. I am a man of the information age. It is natural for me to absorb and analyze a huge amount of information every day. Before, at my parents' house, I was always busy with something - training, working, talking or looking after my sisters or Chloe, who has lost the ability to walk in the last year.
Horseback riding, on the other hand, is a monotonous slow ride, with leisurely changing landscapes, sparse villages and even sparser castles. The only thing that saved me was a kind of "meditation", when you occupy your head with anything, from remembering recipes for tincture for colds to projects of castles of France of the 12th century. The key is to just think about something or you'll go crazy. Or dumbed down, which is worse.
So the pale gray walls of Lannisport welcomed me like family. I'd been here before, when there was a fair and a tournament to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the heirs of the Utes. I had not been able to see them, but the prizes for the archery competition and the profits from the trade kept my mind off that. The city was not much different than it had been a year before - the same high 30-yard walls, giant, colorful markets selling everything you could possibly want, ships coming from all over the world, and, standing out like a pearl in the sand, the Lannister palace of Lannisport.
And not to be forgotten is the Westlands' greatest asset, Casterly Rock. This gigantic castle, built on a high cliff, with hundreds of winding passages going deep into the mountain, towered over the town like the lord it was. There was no man but Lann the Clever who could take this castle. The golden lion of the Lannisters had been roaring over its spires for thousands of years and according to legend would never descend.
The only difference was the abundance of people constantly arriving in the city. Rumors of the king's arrival had long since spread throughout the Western Lands and all the lords, knights, minstrels and merchants had been flocking here for days now.
"And with them whores, thieves, murderers and the rest of the scum" - I thought as I watched several guards, dressed in the traditional colors of the lion's house, dragging a man of banditic appearance under their arms.
It wasn't a problem to enter the city - the customs officers at the gate recognized me as a knight and let me through without even taking my income tax. Who was I to disagree with them? The hotels were already full, but my mother's relatives, who are more numerous than holes in cheese in this city, gladly gave me a place in the attic for the symbolic three silver stags for the duration of the tournament.
It wasn't until I was in "my room" and had checked all its corners for surprises that I was able to do what I'd been putting off for so long - count my money.
In the turned out bag refused a very happy and at the same time sad picture - even at first glance most of it was gold dragons and silver moons. The stags and pennies turned out to be sadly scarce. Only after the first counting I counted 97 gold, 4850 silver and 487 copper coins. This picture became sad when I realized that for such money I would be easily slaughtered in the nearest alley. But there is always a way out.
The next day after my arrival, from the very morning, after a good breakfast, water procedures and warm-up, I went to the local branch of the Iron Bank. I had been told about this institution by merchants who often passed through our village. The bank itself is the largest and richest in the entire world, with the main branch located in Braavos, the strongest of the nine Free Cities. But the most important thing to me is why they call it iron - it is the reliability of this metal that this bank is known for. If you borrow from it, it will always pay you back, and if you put your money in, even if the whole of Braavos goes bankrupt, it will be paid back to you.
The local branch of the bank was located near the main building of the town, which was also the home of the local Lannisters. A wide street, modestly named Golden for the color of the road, lined with expensive yellow bricks, led to the town hall, which served as both the Viceroy's house and the main administration.
On both sides of it, there was a huge number of beautiful stone buildings of various purposes. For example, next to the local merchant's guild, there could be a guardhouse or an elite brothel. The bank office was at the end of the street, at the most uninhabited end of the street, clearly showing that there were few visitors. But I liked that-the more I was in this city and inhaled its amazing amber, the more I wanted to get the hell out of here.
"I hope I never make it to King's Harbor," I thought as I walked past two heavily armed guards, who changed their minds about stopping me just by looking at the sword and the sack slung over my shoulder. - "Rumor has it it stinks five times worse in there."
I was greeted at the entrance by a counter with a typical clerk. He looked no different from my old world, except for the clothes. The same lethargic and disinterested look that was almost always present in pen and paper workers even made a note of nostalgia come through.
«Greetings at the branch of the Iron Bank of Braavos. - His voice did not match his appearance at all and was low and deep, forcing his interlocutor to listen to him. - What do you want, sire?
«I am not a sire. - I corrected him at once. Assigning yourself the title of knight without initiation is considered a crime and it is better not to tempt fate. - I would like to make a contribution.
«Of course, sir. - There's a smile on his face. Apparently, I'm one of those rare visitors who doesn't mistake the door for a neighborhood brothel. In a deliberate motion, he pulled several sheets of paper from a drawer and moistened the end of his pen with ink. - In our bank you can make a deposit starting at 100 silver reindeer. Deposits smaller than that will not be accepted. The money can be deposited at different interest rates. It all depends on the amount you deposit and how long you deposit it for. How many coins do you want to deposit?
«119...
«Let's write that down. 119 silver reindeer. - He began to fill out a special form without even listening to me.
«Wait, wait! - I stopped him before he ruined the paper and wasted ink. I know how they can demand money for that. - I didn't say they were silver reindeer.
«Hmm." He gave me a surprised look and stopped. It's embarrassing not to be able to read. You never know what they're writing and whether they're lying or not. - Do you have a different currency? What kind? Marks? Valars? Oners?
«No, no, no. - Once again I interrupted the clerk. - I would like to deposit 119 gold dragons in the bank.
His surprised look, as well as the two guards standing at his sides, gave me a good laugh. I could understand him - such large sums of money are usually only handled by lords of small or medium size. And I don't look like one of them. Too simple caftan, too simple shirt and most importantly - pants, a thing that only commoners wear.
«Ahem, all right. - The clerk was the first to come to his senses. - It's quite a large sum. It's beyond my authority. I'll have to get the superintendent. Can you wait until I get him?
«Of course.
«Thank you, my lord. - The clerk bowed respectfully, disappearing momentarily behind an inconspicuous door.
"My lord... I wonder who he thinks I am now," I thought, deciding to take a look around the reception area. This steward would be a long time coming. According to a merchant from Riverrun who was often in Lannisport on business, it was one of the Iron Bank's favorite tricks to keep their customers waiting. To wear down their impatience and anxiety so that they can then negotiate on their own terms. So one could relax and unwind, scrutinizing one's surroundings.
The reception area itself was nothing special. All in the style of minimalism - walls and ceiling made of rough stone bonded with a special compound, smooth floor covered with wooden planks and torches in holders, serving as the only source of light due to the lack of windows in the room. And two statues, mistakenly labeled as guards, flanking the large table where the clerk sat.
The wait didn't last long. Relatively. An hour later, through the same inconspicuous door, came the local steward, who had the most banal Lannister appearance - slightly dull emerald eyes and hair flecked with gold. Otherwise, he wasn't much different from the common merchant, always famous for his big bellies, chubby cheeks, and small piggy eyes. Not the nicest type of man, but there was no choice. No matter how greedy he may seem, no one would choose to dishonor the name of the Iron Bank. There are too many quick death stories associated with his name.
«Greetings, honored customer. - Said the local manager, bowing his head slightly. - It is an honor to receive you at the main branch of the Iron Bank in all of the Western Lands.
«A pleasure. - I mirrored his gesture. - I've heard a lot about the glory and power of the Iron Bank. That's why I decided to make my deposit here, rather than in the banks of the Tyrosh and Lysian cartels.
«That's good to hear. - Judging by his smile, he is indeed proud of his employer. - Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tybalt Lanni, son of Edgar Lanni, of Clan Lanni, a side branch of the Great House Lannister. What is your name, My Lord?
«A pleasure, honorable Tybalt. My name is Felix, son of Alexander of the Colde family. I am neither sire nor lord, so call me Felix. - I said, trying to mirror my smile in return. It is always better to communicate in a style that is comfortable and similar to the manner of the interlocutor. This way you will make the most pleasant impression on the person, increasing the chances of making a good acquaintance. It never hurts to have a good relationship with the head of the Iron Bank branch of the third largest city in Westeros. - I'm honored to meet the son of Edgar Lanni, chief miner of the Westlands. He and you are the backbone of the West's prosperity.
«Oh, so you know my father? Few people know his position exists, let alone him.
«The miners often passed my village and your father was with them several times. We had a lovely chat over a mug of good ale in the tavern. He spoke of many things, including his position. - You could see that Tybalt enjoyed talking about his father. - But he didn't talk about his son holding such a high position.
I did meet his father, the chief miner, a few times when he was drinking the gold he had stolen from the mines in our tavern. He's responsible for overseeing all the mines on the Lannister estates. I've gotten a lot of interesting information from him, from the latest prices for the precious metal to complaints about the gradual decline in mine output in Nunn's Hollow and the Castamere mines. Naturally, he was not sober during such conversations, and it was better not to talk about such conversations, or you might lose your head.
Our further conversation took place in his office, where he treated me with everything he could and asked me about extraneous topics, trying to find out where I got such money. But too different level of epochs - on Earth anyone who communicated with representatives of authority or good psychologists would easily understand his tricks.
It wasn't until several hours later that we started discussing the contribution. There is no fixed interest rate in Westeros - here you have to negotiate with a banker for every transaction. So our negotiations weren't much different from haggling. I tried to convince him, using all my eloquence, that I would be a good customer for the bank in the future and that it would be better to give me a higher interest rate. He doubted it very much, arguing that my appearance and my precarious position were the reason. In the end, help came from nowhere. As soon as he found out that I was his distant relative and that if I won the tournament all the money would be added to my deposit, he immediately agreed.
To my question of "why?" he did so, Tybalt only said that he liked me. I hope that's not far from the truth. In the end, we agreed on a fancy deposit of 10% per annum. We made the deal right away, impressing Lanni by having my signature rather than the traditional "illiterate's cross".
The remaining days before the tournament were spent walking down Steel Street, the traditional local name for the artisan neighborhood. Lannisport is the commercial and industrial center of the Westlands: major sea and land routes such as the River, Sea and Gold Roads converge here. This city has always been famous for its artisans, especially jewelers and goldsmiths. It was the latter two that I had interacted with, or rather their apprentices. The masters of goldsmithing themselves are often the owners of "great life experience", which gives them the most unpleasant character traits, ranging from sycophancy to great megalomania. And their students were mostly simple guys from the street who were picked up for their good talent and perseverance. They are much easier to communicate with.
Since I am a blacksmith myself, I had plenty of topics to talk about, from general metalworking techniques to the differences in our craft. They gladly, without even realizing it, told me a lot of interesting things about jewelry making and the peculiarities of working with gold. In return, I showed them my axe, explained the technique of making engraving on metal, which their masters consider "secret", and told them a few facts that I had accidentally remembered from Earth. They were particularly interested in the method of creating shining gems. I didn't know much about it myself, only remembered from my friend's stories that gems acquire their radiance after a proper cut, made specially so that the rays of light are looped in the stone, making it brighter. After my story, their eyes just glowed with delight. When I asked them why they were so happy, they said that this technique is available only to the best masters and they keep their secrets very strictly.
«It is not a secret at all. - I answered then, looking at the eight pairs of interested eyes. - The whole difficulty of this method is to calculate the right angle. But for that you need to know a science called geometry. It teaches you how to calculate it correctly.
«Where do you learn how to do that? - Asked one of the apprentices, who had a very interesting red hair.
«In the Citadel. - After my words, their eyes were immediately filled with disappointment. - I will go there myself after the tournament.
«Do you want to become a maester? - The redhead looked at me incredulously. - Give up your wife and children and serve the lords all your life, without any reward?
«No, of course not. Did I say such a stupid thing? - I was slightly indignant, surprising my listeners. - Remember, in the Citadel you don't have to become a Maester after training. You can simply leave without saying your vows, even forging your own chain, leaving you permanently in the rank of an understudy candidate.
From the looks of them for these 8 guys, who were mostly older than me, this was a real revelation to them. After further questioning and clarification, something happened that I didn't expect at all - three of them decided to come with me.
It was the redhead and two black-haired brothers who looked like two drops of water. According to them, they were the oldest and had learned everything they could from their masters. In order to continue their training, they needed to become chief apprentices, but those places had long been occupied by their masters' relatives. According to them, they didn't want to always be eternal helpers and work for not the nicest people all their lives.
Thus, by the day of the tournament, I had three traveling companions - the red-haired and cheerful Joen and two perpetually sullen brothers Rick and Jack.
So, on the eighth day of the 7th month of the 7th month of the year 272 from Aegon's conquest, the tournament at Lannisport began, honoring the tenth anniversary of Aerys II Targaryen's reign.
***
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