Imminent Threat

294 AC, The Bloody Gate.

A sword descended towards me, but I swiftly maneuvered my shield to the side and thrust my bastard sword towards my opponent's chest. He skillfully used his shield to block my attack, so I shifted my body behind my shield and pushed forward, attempting to bash him.

However, he sidestepped the blow and retaliated with a slash at my side. Reacting quickly, I used my sword to block his strike and then utilized the end of my shield to counter-attack.

He managed to block the strike with his own shield, but the splinters that flew off distracted him momentarily, causing him to squint his eyes. Seizing this opportunity, I swiftly struck the pommel of my sword against his face, disorienting him.

With his guard momentarily lowered, I slashed at his sword arm, causing him to drop his weapon. To ensure his defeat, I delivered a well-placed kick, sending him sprawling to the ground with my sword pointed at his neck.

"Yield," I commanded firmly. He nodded, catching his breath. I couldn't deny that these knights were skilled adversaries. Extending a hand, I helped him to his feet, acknowledging his efforts.

While walking down the hallway, I spotted my grand-uncle Brynden Tully engaged in conversation with another knight. Known as the Knight of the Bloody Gate, Brynden had responsibilities beyond just looking after me.

Brynden was a tall and lean man, with a raspy voice and a face weathered by the elements. His once-auburn hair had turned grey, and he possessed bushy eyebrows and deep blue eyes that sparkled with laughter.

A man of kindness and patience, Brynden also possessed a blunt and stubborn nature, caring little for others' opinions. As a seasoned warrior with countless battles under his belt, his movements were precise and calculated.

Currently, he was dealing with increased raids from the mountain clans, which might lead to my first battle in this life. Approaching him, I overheard the knight next to Brynden reporting, "Our scouts have detected movement. A band of nearly five hundred men is headed this way."

"When will they arrive?" Brynden inquired. "In three days," came the response. Without hesitation, Brynden commanded, "Send a message to the Eyrie for support, immediately!"

"But, Ser, it will take them at least five days to reach us, if not longer," the knight countered. "Send the message regardless, and gather men from the smallfolk," Brynden insisted firmly.

Spotting me nearby, Brynden called me over. "You will have your first battle in two to three days. Make sure your armor and sword are polished. You will soon take a life." I nodded in understanding and excused myself to take a bath.

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The past few years had been kind to me. At only ten namedays old, I stood at an impressive height of five feet eight inches, nearly as tall as a grown man. I possessed ice blue eyes and shoulder-length hair, with a sturdy and muscular build.

Before me lay my armor, a gift from Brynden, alongside a castle-forged blackened steel longsword. I had been sent here when I turned six namedays old, a decision wholeheartedly supported by Brynden. He had trained me in various disciplines, with lance and jousting being among the most prominent - an excellent means to earn prestige.

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Author's note

The next chapter will be posted tomorrow.