Tolos

Jason walked along the smooth Valyrian road, his boots tapping lightly against the dark, glossy stones that fit together seamlessly beneath his feet. The ancient roadway stretched endlessly ahead. On either side of the road, vast grassy plains unfolded, dotted with vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. Clusters of trees stood in the distance, their leaves shimmering under the midday sun.

Ahead of him, Garth—his newly made friend in this new world—walked without missing a beat. The maester wore a large straw hat that shaded his face, and his attire was well-suited for travel: sturdy boots, a light tunic, and a cloak that fluttered slightly as he moved.

In contrast, Jason's clothes were not as suitable. They were already showing signs of wear from two weeks of continuous travel. The fabric was fraying at the edges, and dust clung stubbornly to every crease. He had wrapped a cloth over his head to shield himself from the increasing heat of the midday sun.

Garth glanced back at him, a playful smirk on his face. "Come on, Jason! You're falling behind!"

"I told you, I'm not used to walking like this," Jason yelled back, adjusting the makeshift turban on his head.

"Yes, yes, you told me about your horseless carriages," Garth replied with a chuckle.

Over the past two weeks, Garth had questioned him rigorously about his supposed homeland. Jason had answered half-truthfully, often explaining technology as a form of magic to make it more digestible. Garth had been quite excited to learn about it, and even more intrigued when he discovered that Jason was a student like himself.

"So, in your land, messages can be sent instantly across vast distances?" Garth had asked one evening.

"Well, it's not exactly magic, but it's a kind of... controlled energy," Jason had replied.

Garth's eyes had widened with fascination. "Incredible! And you were studying to be a historian, you say?"

"Yes, I was," Jason had nodded, grateful to find common ground.

He had come to like and trust Garth and felt a pang of guilt for not telling him the full truth. Saying he was from a land far away was easier than explaining he was from another world entirely. Through their conversations, he had confirmed what year it was in Westeros: around 268 After Conquest, with Aerys II Targaryen as king.

'That means Robert's Rebellion won't happen for about thirteen years,' Jason thought to himself. But that didn't matter as he had no plans of going to Westeros.

Perhaps he could find a nice place here to live peacefully, maybe use his powers discreetly to make some money.

Jason noticed that Garth had stopped and was waiting for him by a lone tree in the grassy plain. The tree offered a rare patch of shade in the open landscape, and Jason was grateful for it.

When he finally caught up, Jason sat down gratefully next to Garth, leaning against the rough bark of the tree.

"Thought you could use a rest," Garth said, handing him a waterskin.

"Thanks," Jason replied, taking a long drink. The water was warm but refreshing nonetheless.

"The heat can be brutal if you're not accustomed to it," Garth remarked, wiping his brow.

"Tell me about it," Jason sighed. "Back home, I didn't spend much time outdoors, especially not walking for miles under the sun."

Garth laughed softly. "Well, consider this part of your education. There's much the world can teach us outside the walls of a classroom."

Jason nodded, gazing out over the endless expanse of green. "You might be right about that," he said.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

"Do you miss your home?" Garth asked suddenly.

"Every day," Jason admitted.

Garth remained silent, unsure of how to respond. He knew Jason's past was shrouded in mystery, and it was clear there was more to his story, but he respected his new friend's privacy.

"So, what's our next destination again?" Jason asked, breaking the silence.

"Well," Garth began, pulling out a worn map from his satchel, "if we keep a steady pace, we should reach Tolos in a couple of days. From there, we can take a ship to Qarth."

"Sounds like a nice place," Jason said.

"It is. I've read it's a wondrous city, close to the Jade Gates. Beyond that lies the mysterious Far East, where the lands of Yi Ti await us."

"Ah yes, fantasy China," Jason said, without realizing what he'd just blurted out.

Garth looked at him, confused. "China?"

"That... I... uh," Jason stammered, scrambling for an excuse.

"Is that what your people call Yi Ti?" Garth asked, his curiosity piqued.

Jason exhaled with relief. "Yes," he said triumphantly, "that's what we call it."

Garth smiled, taking out his little book. "I learn something new from you every day," he said as he scribbled down the new name, his face alight with the thrill of discovery.

As they continued walking along the ancient Valyrian road, Garth turned to Jason, his curiosity piqued once again. "Do your people know much about Yi Ti?"

Jason shook his head, sticking to the story he had crafted. "No, as I said before, we are a secretive people. Remember, I'm here because of an experiment gone wrong."

"Ah yes, truly marvelous," Garth said, admiration clear in his voice. "To think your people mastered magic and continued to use it for knowledge and progress. Unlike the Valyrians who built this road... they only brought misery to these lands."

Jason listened, reflecting bitterly on his so-called "peaceful people" from back home. Yeah, peaceful, all right, he thought sarcastically.

"Garth, tell me about the city we're going to." Jason asked. "I want to know the history of this city. so far you have told me about the free cities and the seven kingdoms…but i believe there is so much more."

Garth smiled, pleased at the request. "Of course, my friend. Let me collect my thoughts for a moment," he said, glancing at the road ahead.

As they continued walking, Garth began to recount the rich history of Tolos. "Tolos has a long and storied history, much of it tied to its rivalry with the Ghiscari Empire and, later, the Valyrian Freehold. The city's origins are shrouded in legend, but it is said to have been founded by the remnants of a forgotten civilization, the Tolorii, who settled on the Black Cliffs centuries before the rise of the Ghiscari."

Jason listened intently as Garth continued, his voice animated as he recounted the tales. "Tolos's most significant claim to fame is its role in igniting the first Ghiscari-Valyrian War. In the days before Valyria's rise to power, Tolos was a thriving city-state, fiercely independent and known for its exceptional slingers. The Ghiscari Empire, under the rule of Mazdan the Conqueror, sought to expand its influence into central Essos and viewed Tolos as a key strategic asset due to its port and skilled warriors."

Garth paused, letting the weight of the story settle in before continuing. "Mazdan demanded Tolos submit to Ghiscari rule, offering the city a choice between subjugation and destruction. The Tolosi, proud of their heritage and military prowess, refused. In response, Mazdan launched a massive invasion, intending to crush the city and incorporate it into his empire."

Jason could almost picture the brutal siege as Garth described it. "The siege of Tolos was brutal, with the Ghiscari forces overwhelming the city's defenses. However, the Tolosi slingers, from the heights of the Black Cliffs, inflicted devastating casualties on the invaders, hurling their soft lead balls with deadly accuracy. Despite their efforts, the city was on the brink of collapse when Valyria, seeing an opportunity to challenge Ghiscari dominance, intervened."

"The Valyrians, with their dragons, shattered the Ghiscari siege and liberated Tolos. This intervention marked the beginning of the first Ghiscari-Valyrian War, a conflict that would shape the future of Essos. Tolos, grateful for its salvation, became a loyal ally of Valyria, its slingers serving as elite troops in the Valyrian armies."

'Eerily similar to the start of the first Punic War,' Jason thought.

Jason nodded, absorbing every detail. "So Valyria saved them and then they were incorporated into the Valyrian empire?"

"Yes, over the years and four more wars with the Ghiscari, Tolos became just another city in the growing empire," Garth added.

"But what about after the Doom?" Jason asked.

"Ah, after the Doom of Valyria, Tolos was greatly damaged. It took centuries for the city to recover. However, over time, it has become a vibrant city once more, though it still bears the scars of its past."

By the time Garth finished and Jason left to look for firewood to set up camp, he couldn't deny that he was having fun here. But then again, who knows what danger awaits him and his new friend down the road?

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In the early morning light, Jason stood with his hands outstretched as small rocks and clumps of dirt floated effortlessly around him. He concentrated, focusing on each tiny fragment, watching in amazement as they danced in midair, orbiting him like planets around a star. The sensation was surreal, the control intoxicating. He had never imagined he could possess such power. It was as if all his fantasies of becoming a Jedi warrior had come true.

Each pebble and speck of dust responded to his thoughts, rising and falling with subtle shifts in his focus. The faint hum of the morning breeze was the only sound, save for the gentle rustle of the rocks as they hovered in place.

A few yards away, Garth sat with his legs crossed, scribbling furiously in his journal, his straw hat tilted low over his face.

Jason marveled at the sight of the floating stones. This power—it was thrilling and almost too good to be real. Could he do more? Could he push his abilities to affect larger objects?

His gaze wandered to a group of trees standing in the distance, their thick trunks rising tall from the grassy plains. A wild idea struck him, and he wondered, Could I lift them too?

His pulse quickened with excitement and determination. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to center himself. Focusing, Jason stretched his senses toward the distant trees. His mind strained as he tried to visualize the roots pulling free from the earth, the entire mass lifting into the air. He felt the weight in his mind, as if he were physically gripping the trees, struggling against the resistance of gravity and nature.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the trees trembled, and Jason's heart raced as he saw them begin to rise, their roots dangling like tendrils in the air. The trees lifted slowly, inches above the ground, swaying unnaturally. But the effort was immense—far more than he had anticipated. The strain surged through his body, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

Just as quickly, his energy gave out, and the trees crashed back to the ground with a heavy thud. Jason nearly collapsed, stumbling as dizziness washed over him. He fell to one knee, panting heavily, his vision blurring for a moment.

"Are you alright?" Garth called from his sitting position.

Jason took a few ragged breaths, nodding as he steadied himself. "Yes," he managed to say between gasps, "I'm fine." His heart pounded, but beneath the exhaustion was a flicker of exhilaration. He had done it—he had lifted trees. The very idea made his head spin with wonder. His power was growing, and the possibilities were endless.

====

They continued their journey, though an hour later than planned due to Jason's impromptu tree-lifting experiment. By the time the sun began its slow descent, they finally set their sights on Tolos.

Perched atop the Black Cliffs—famous for their dark, obsidian-like color—the city loomed ahead, silhouetted against the fading light. To Jason, it looked like an ancient city straight out of Greece, one he had only imagined while reading about them. But Tolos was more than that—it was like a Greek city on steroids.

Even from a distance, Jason could see the grandeur of the place. Grand marble temples gleamed in the waning sunlight, their pristine white columns reaching skyward. It was an overwhelming spectacle. Everything seemed larger than life, more grandiose than anything he had ever seen in his world.

As they got closer, Jason noticed several ruins scattered across the outskirts of the city, structures that had clearly crumbled long ago. Garth, always eager to share his knowledge, commented as they walked, "Those ruins—most believe they were destroyed during the Doom of Valyria. Tolos was once a much larger city, sprawling far beyond what you see now."

Jason could see the excitement in Garth's eyes as he spoke of Tolos's lost grandeur. "If Tolos is this impressive, imagine what Valyria must have looked like at its peak."

Jason found Garth's enthusiasm endearing. There was something charming about the way his friend got so lost in the history of this world.

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In the morning, Jason and Garth left the cramped lodgings they had found in Tolos. As they stepped into the bustling streets, Jason stretched, still feeling groggy.

"That place was way too cramped with people. I barely slept," Jason grumbled as they made their way through the busy streets.

Garth glanced at him with a smirk. "I'm not a rich man, Jason. This is how it's going to be unless we stumble across a treasure chest."

Jason winced, remembering that Garth had been paying for both of them.

As they wandered through the city, Jason's initial discomfort gave way to awe. They made their way uphill toward the Acropolis, perched at the highest point of the Black Cliffs. Jason was struck by the sight. The Acropolis stood like a grand beacon, towering above the city, its stone structures gleaming in the morning light.

At the heart of the Acropolis was the Temple of Rhaegas, dedicated to the ancient god of war. According to Garth, Rhaegas had blessed the Tolosi with their deadly skill in slinging, a talent that had saved the city countless times throughout its history. Jason paused to admire the sheer majesty of the temple—its stone steps worn smooth by centuries of use, and its towering statues of warriors lining the entrance. It was like nothing he had ever seen, even in his wildest dreams. The Acropolis also housed the Senate House, where the ruling council of Tolos gathered, and the Citadel of the Slingers, where the famed Tolosi slingers trained.

As they descended from the Acropolis and made their way toward the Lower City, Jason's excitement grew. Soon, they arrived at the Arena of Rhaegas, a massive amphitheater carved directly into the cliffs. It dominated the landscape with its sheer size. Garth explained that the arena hosted gladiatorial games, mock naval battles, and slinger tournaments where the city's best warriors displayed their skills.

"That's insane," Jason muttered, gazing at the grand structure.

"I've heard the tournaments are something to behold," Garth added. "Perhaps, if we're lucky, we'll witness one."

They continued exploring, heading toward the marketplace in the Lower City. The market was a labyrinth of narrow streets, stalls overflowing with goods from every corner of Essos. Brightly colored fabrics, exotic spices, strange fruits, and handcrafted trinkets were displayed, all accompanied by the clamor of merchants haggling with customers.

But as they reached the far end of the market, Jason noticed something that made his stomach churn: slaves. A raised platform had been erected near the edge of the marketplace, where several men and women were being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Groups of slaves stood in chains, their heads bowed, while auctioneers barked out prices, their voices cold. Jason saw men, women, and even children, their eyes hollow and faces emotionless, resigned to their fates. The sight left him speechless.

Garth noticed Jason's expression as they passed the auctions. "Slavery is an unfortunate reality here," Garth said quietly. "The legacy of Valyria. Tolos… like many places, still trades in lives."

"This is not right," Jason said, his voice low but laced with anger as he watched the slaves being paraded before the wealthy bidders.

Garth sighed, his expression troubled. "Yes, I know. But this is how it is in Essos. It's… part of the world. The reason we're heading to Qarth and not Slaver's Bay is because I can't bear to witness the brutality there. It's far worse."

"Slaver's Bay," Jason murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is messed up."

"Maybe I can—" Jason began, a dangerous idea forming in his mind. But Garth quickly cut him off with a harsh whisper.

"No. You can't," Garth hissed, his eyes wide with fear. "Even with your powers. We will be killed."

Jason clenched his jaw but reluctantly agreed, knowing Garth was right. Yet, as they stood there, watching the grotesque display of human lives being traded, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had to do something.

"Only the wealthy come here," Garth added, eyeing the finely dressed men and women who stood near the platform. "Let's go before we're told to leave."

"Wealthy, you say?" Jason asked, his tone suddenly shifting.

"Yes, look at them—look at how finely they're dressed. These men and women are rich," Garth replied, confusion creeping into his voice.

Jason smirked, a plan forming in his mind. "Well, Garth, I'm going to make you rich."

Before Garth could protest, Jason began walking closer to the crowd near the auction platform.

"Jason! Jason!" Garth whispered urgently, but Jason kept moving.

Jason slipped into the crowd, keeping a safe distance from the platform but positioning himself near some of the wealthiest-looking spectators. The air was filled with the voices of the slavers and the mutterings of the bidders, providing enough cover for what he was about to do.

He glanced around, spotting several potential targets. One man, dressed in a richly embroidered blue tunic, had a heavy pouch tied to his belt. Another woman wore ornate jewelry—golden bracelets and rings that glittered in the midday sun. Jason took a deep breath, focusing his mind on the objects.

He felt the familiar sensation in his fingers, the slight hum of energy building as he concentrated on the man's pouch. Slowly, he moved his hand, making sure not to attract attention. The pouch of gold shifted slightly at the man's side. Jason closed his eyes briefly, focusing harder.

The pouch untied itself from the man's belt and floated gently into Jason's waiting hand. Jason quickly stuffed it into a small fold in his cloak, hidden from view. The man hadn't even noticed.

The trick to stealing with his powers, Jason realized, was to focus on lightweight objects that people wouldn't notice missing right away. He avoided anything too obvious, working in quick bursts and immediately blending back into the background.

He continued like this for several minutes, stealing pouches of coins, small valuables, and jewelry without raising suspicion. His cloak was soon filled with the stolen goods, though not so much that it would be noticeable.

When he felt he had taken enough, Jason slowly made his way back to Garth, who had been nervously watching from a distance.

"Jason… what did you do?" Garth whispered anxiously as Jason approached.

Jason flashed a mischievous grin and patted the heavy folds of his cloak. "Like I said, Garth… I just made you rich."

====

As the day came to an end, Garth and Jason found themselves in a much nicer establishment in the wealthier part of the city. They sat in comfortable chairs, watching the sun set over the vast ocean, the sky ablaze with hues of orange and pink. It was a far cry from the cramped, dingy place they had stayed the night before.

"This is not right," Garth muttered, staring at the pile of coins on the floor, a mix of gold and silver they had acquired earlier.

"Relax, Garth," Jason said, leaning back in his chair, clearly more at ease.

"We stole this, Jason… no, you stole this," Garth replied, his voice filled with unease.

Jason sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yes, from slavers, Garth. From evil people who sell and buy humans. Do you really feel bad about taking their money?"

Garth looked conflicted, glancing at the coins again. "It's still theft," he said softly.

Jason eyed him carefully, then asked, "Do you want to go back to our previous lodgings? Back to the place where you couldn't breathe without smelling someone else's sweat?"

Garth's eyes widened at the suggestion. He let out a deep sigh, shaking his head. "No, I suppose not." He paused for a moment before adding in a low voice, "We can sell the jewelry in Qarth."

Jason grinned, leaning forward. "Ha ha, I knew you'd come around. We'll find the best ship, the most comfortable one to sail on, and... I need to get some nicer clothes and other supplies."

Garth nodded in reluctant agreement. "We'll need provisions for the journey anyway," he admitted.

Jason lifted his goblet of wine, swirling the deep red liquid as he raised it in a toast. "To our journey, Garth. And to the wonders we're going to see and discover."

Garth smiled, albeit a bit wearily, and raised his goblet as well. "I can drink to that," he said with a nod. They clinked their glasses together and took a long drink, watching as the last rays of the sun disappeared below the horizon.

For the first time in days, Jason allowed himself to relax, enjoying the peace of the moment, knowing that their journey was only just beginning.