Chapter 42
"By the way, I want to introduce you to someone."
Auron pull Aidana closer and began to introduce the two parties.
"Aidana, this is my personal servant and the master of my coins, Marlena. Marlena, this is Aidana known as the Moonshadow, my lover. I hope you two get along. The ten guards behind me are her guards sworn loyal to her and these are her two servants."
"It's nice to meet you, my lady. I heard so much about you from the letters Master sent to me." Marlena greeted with smile.
"The pleasure is mine. I also heard a lot of things about you from him." Aidana smiled devoid of any jealousy. She was aware of what happened between Marlena and Auron and the state of their relationship. She was quite open about it since she already accepted long ago that she wouldn't be to keep Auron for herself. She knew his fickle heart so instead of causing problems for her lover, she prefer to support him in any way possible as long as she have her own place in Auron's heart.
Auron on the other hand heaved a sigh of relief. He was actually observing their reaction, especially Aidana and he was glad everything went well. It's a good move that he confessed everything about Marlena to Aidana in advanced and he was quite nervous on her reaction although Aidana already reassured him that she understand and said she supports every decision he make. However, he remembered that women are complicated creatures and they are famous for saying things contrary to their intention. Auron was glad Aidana wasn't among those type of women.
So before the awkward atmosphere became more awkward. He hurriedly interjected.
"Uh.. shall we go to the trading house? I'm eager to know the progress of the business and the problems it face at this time." Auron said.
"Very well, Master. Please follow me." Marlena said respectfully before turning around leading the group towards the Amazon Trading House establishment.
--
In a castle not far from the port, a a man was hurrying along towards the depths of the stone structure that kept the Manderlys safe for generations.
As he was about to go inside the Hall, he was stopped by the guards.
"I bring news from the port for the lord. I need an audience."
"Wait, here. I'll go see if the Lord wanted to see you." The guard said.
The other guard stayed watching over the man. After a few minutes, one of the guard came back and said, "The lord will see you now. Go ahead."
The man didn't finished what the guard said running inside the hall bringing some news.
The man only stopped when he saw a chubby old man sitting on his throne looking at him.
The man hurriedly bowed in courtesy.
"Lord Wyman, I bring news."
"Mmm, go on."
"Amazon Trading House was receiving a guest from Essos. It was confirmed that the man was the famous Storyteller, The slayer of armies and herald of death. I heard he's going to stay here." The man said while panting.
"Oh! A dangerous person has come in our turf. Did he do anything outrageous?"
"No, my lord."
"Then act cautiously around this man. We can't provoke such individual unnecessarily. Tell our men never to offend the man as long as he didn't do anything that would tarnish our honor."
"Yes, my lord." The man hurriedly left.
"What is he doing here?.." Wyman Manderly muttered as he frowned in daze.
--
Amazon Trading House, Cellar
Auron sat behind an oak desk as he tap the table rhythmically.
He was accompanied by Marlena, Bronn, Aidana, Heman, Melissandre and Shera as they surrounded him.
"I'm pleased that you were able to open some branches of pub near White Harbor. This only means that our business and money are accumulating. Plus the coins I brought which I can say that we already have a certain amount of wealth." Auron said as he looked at them one by one.
"However, it is not enough. Now that I am here, we're going to expand a lot and open our branches from Winterfell down towards the shithole of King's Landing. Aside from that, we are going to need a place to build our own force."
Marlena was confused for moment and she couldn't help but ask, "Master, I'm confused. What do you mean in needing a place? We already have a place here and we have a certain influence in this area."
"Good question, Marlena! Listen. What I'm trying to say is, we have to own a territory so we can established a proper force that belong only to us."
Auron's eyes gleamed with ambition as he said, "We need to find a place where we can train our soon to be private army so we won't be bullied easily when the time comes. Trust me, I have a hunch that there will be war soon. Once that happens, we won't need to fear anyone including those fucking Lanisters."
"After so long, you are finally making a move... " Melissandre muttered.
"But how can we do that? Lands here are all occupied unless..." Bronn muttered.
"Unless we replace an existing house hehehe. Don't worry, I have an idea and if it didn't work, we gonna occupy Moat Cailin no matter the cost." Auron grinned devilishly.
"Uh.. I just wanted to ask, where are we going to get an army once we have our own territory?" Shera asked.
"Oh that? I already have a candidate. Although, they are still in Essos but once I inform them, they won't hesitate to come here for my aid." Auron explained.
"Who?"
"Well, they're from the Golden Company. Around three hundred men and I managed to brainwa--ahem!! convinced them to join my cause. I'm gonna make each one of them an elite soldier who can face a hundred troops on their own."
"I'm surprised you were able to brainwash a lot of them." Bronn smirked.
"Well, did I mentioned I'm a charming person? And I prefer to use the word 'convinced', Bronn. It was most appropriate word for what I did. I'm not a red priest for fuck sake.", Auron said and he turned to Melissandre saying, "No offense."
"None taken, black dragon." Melissandre nonchalantly answered.
"Only a fool would believe you." Bronn on the other hand continued to snicker.
"Hahaha, funny right? Tell me Bronn, how long has it been since the last time we spar, hehehe?" Auron grinned.
"Months, almost a year." Bronn said when suddenly he felt a chill running down his spine. His instincts kicked in and his guts told him that something bad was about to happen to him.
He look around and saw Auron still smiling at him. It was a gentle smile but for some reason he shuddered when he saw him looking at him like that.
"Oh, how I miss our spar, Bronn. I so miss it that I can't wait to have a spar with you after this meeting, hehehehe." Auron said while smiling.
"W-what? We are still discussing something important here. I remember I have something important to do after the meeting so let's schedule it next time. Hehehe." Bronn said while beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Then he heard Aidana whispering to Marlena.
"Someone's going to suffer later."
Then he heard Auron once again.
"And what important thing would that be? I remember not assigning some task to you aside from protecting Marlena. Hehehe, you wouldn't be someone who would abandon a friend during a sparring right? After all, we missed each other." Auron put his arms around Bronn's shoulders not giving the latter any chance to excuse himself.
"Anyway, Marlena. Prepare a gift for me cause I'm going to visit our landlord tomorrow lest they accused me of disrespect."
"Right away, Master."
Auron nodded and said, "Since everything is clear, then I officially announced that this meeting is adjourned. Oh before I forgot, Marlena, fetch me a paper and quill. It's time we add another another delicacy in our menu."
Marlena ever curious asked, "What would it be?"
Auron smiled and said, "Tacos!".
--
After the meeting, Auron didn't give Bronn a chance to sneak out. He drag the poor man towards the field for a round of sparring. In the end, the field was full agonizing shouts and hiss as Auron continues to abuse Bronn in the name of a spar. Bronn tried to fight back but to no avail, his body was full of bruises in the shape of a sword. A punishment he deserved for not being able to read the room.
Meanwhile, a group of thugs was currently sailing in a medium size passenger ship from Tyrosh sailing towards Whiteharbor. However, luck wasn't on their side as the sea was currently in a state of chaos. Outside pours a heavy rain and gigantic waves were trying to topple the shop over. Fortunately, the captain of the ship was a veteran of sea and he can still sail despite this kind of climate.
The group of thugs was surrounded a little girl with a pale face as they tried to ease her from sea sickness. They were very nervous and they didn't know what to do but rub the back of the little girl. They huddle together to keep warm.
"Don't worry, kid. The captain said we're only a day away from Whiteharbor. You'll be able to see the Storyteller soon. Just hold on."
The little girl just nodded but didn't say anything. Just throwing a thankful weak smile towards the group of thugs.