Chapter 28 Hedge Knight

  There was nothing in the big room except straw mats. After Ian asked Rohr to pile most of the straw mats into the corner, he went outside and brought in a table and three stools.

  The environment here was less than ideal, and the smell inside even made Ian wonder if the straw mats had ever been replaced.

  But even if they hadn't been changed, it was understandable. This place was originally provided for farmers traveling to and from nearby villages and castles. It only cost one copper cent a night, which was less than one eighth of a normal single room. It was essentially equivalent to low cost accommodation, and those who opted for such affordable lodging usually had a high tolerance for its shortcomings.

  After all, if you had the money, you could stay in a single room.

  Of course, Ian didn't choose such a large room to save money. He simply felt it would be safer to share a room with two knights.

  What he didn't want to admit was that the shadow of the previous battles and massacres in the salt mines hadn't dissipated.

  After they arranged everything, Martha, the proprietress, came to the door of Ian's room.

  "Sir, your food is ready." Her voice sounded somewhat tired, and Ian guessed she might be a bit resentful about being awakened to cook in the middle of the night.

  "Come in," Ian responded. He didn't care whether Martha had any complaints. He was more interested in Martha's cooking skills, which had been praised by Catelyn Tully in the original book and Tyrion Lannister in the tavern. After all, the day's journey had left him exhausted and hungry.

  Upon receiving Ian's permission, Martha and the two maids opened the door to the large room.

  Soon, a meal consisting of whole wheat bread, potato bacon, onion beef soup, roast lamb, roast quail, and ale was brought to Ian's table.

  Ian didn't devour the food hastily but observed Martha, the landlady, who remained in the room.

  "Sir, sirs."

  "We don't need any other services. Thank you. You can go and rest," Ian said, dismissing her, anticipating that she might ask about their identity.

  But Martha shook her head quickly. "I didn't want to ask about that. I'm sorry, Sir."

  "Relax and speak slowly," Ian put down the fork and looked at Martha.

  "Thank you, Sir," Martha nodded quickly and composed herself. "You're the knights of the Lannister family, right?"

  "Yes," Ian admitted directly, displaying his heraldic sword without hiding his identity.

  Martha had likely asked this question after seeing the lion head on Ian's sword.

  When Martha received Ian's affirmative answer, she beamed, revealing her teeth stained yellow from years of chewing tobacco. "So, you're coming from King's Landing?"

  "How did you come to that conclusion?" Ian asked, tearing a leg from the roasted quail.

  "Hehe, I've been running this establishment for many years, and I've seen knights from all over the Seven Kingdoms," Martha pointed at Rohr. "The black armor on this knight has intricate patterns, a style found only in King's Landing or Highgarden. And you're a Lannister knight, with King's Landing having strong Lannister influence. So, I guessed you're from King's Landing."

  "Yes, you guessed correctly. I am Ser Lucian Lannister, and these are my subordinates," Ian raised his eyebrows, resumed eating, and took another sip of soup. "So, what can we do for you?"

  "That's right, Sir Lucien. There have been a group of bandits in the vicinity recently. They've been robbing houses and causing chaos. Their hideout is in the former White Wall City, so we call them the 'Ghosts of White Wall City,'" Martha explained after Ian's approval.

  "The Ghosts of White Wall City," Ian repeated and searched his memory for relevant information, but found none. "Have you heard of them?"

  "No, I've never heard of them," Ian shook his head. "But if they're bandits, I assume you want us to help get rid of them, right?"

  Ian couldn't help but find the situation with the wandering bandits amusing. In any medieval-themed game with missions, dealing with bandits was a traditional quest. It was practically a given.

  "No," Martha surprised him by denying this. "It's not me; it's Sir Wilder and the others."

  "Them?" Ian asked in confusion.

  "They are an alliance formed by the wealthy knights here, and they need help," Martha clarified.

  "You mean the local wealthy knights have formed an alliance to deal with the bandits?" Ian was taken aback.

  "No, this alliance has always existed, but they've gathered this time to deal with the Ghosts of White Wall City."

  "How many of them are there?"

  "Including Sir Wilder, Sir Willy, Sir Kahn, and others, there are seven wealthy knights. Of course, they also have their attendants and guards."

  This was entirely unexpected for Ian. He had assumed that the Ghosts of White Wall City were a group of petty thieves with little power, as the original works made no mention of them.

  "If there are so many knights ready to deal with them, why are you seeking our help?" Ian was perplexed.

  "Sir Wilder is concerned that they may not have enough manpower, so he asked me to keep an eye out for reliable foreign  knights who have passed through here in recent days. He hopes to secure your assistance."

  "A foreign knight?" Ian's eyes narrowed as he considered this unexpected turn of events.

Note ((according to my understanding of Game Of Throne: wealthy knights are knights who own land they may own a village a manor and so on.... town and above are lords as for the Hedge Knights they are strong warrior mostly second son's of noble family but also commoner they usually roam the land looking for employment similar to mercenary but somewhat honorable they are also refereed to as Foreign knights in Westeors or Exiled Knights in Essos)).