Taking Care of Business

As Damian's unsettling presence continued to fill the room, Eamon couldn't help but feel a mix of intrigue and caution. He decided to engage the enigmatic figure in conversation to better understand his motives.

"So, you have an interest in the affairs of those seeking power, do you?" Eamon inquired, his silver-streaked hair glinting in the warm glow of the room's flickering candles. "And what is it that you propose, exactly?"

Damian's smile widened, revealing a hint of amusement in his mismatched eyes. "The Fishhook Gang," he began, his voice smooth and commanding, "I see potential in your endeavours. A means to an end, if you will. You may not realize it yet, but our cooperation could bring about great changes in these lands."

Eamon raised an eyebrow, studying Damian carefully. "Cooperation? And what do you bring to the table, exactly?" he questioned, wanting to discern the extent of Damian's influence and power.

Damian's reply was cryptic as if he revelled in the mystery surrounding him. "I have unique abilities and knowledge that could greatly aid your operations. Think of me as a guide, a facilitator, if you will," he offered his words leaving much to the imagination.

Gunnar, never one to mince words, chuckled gruffly and interjected, "You talk a big game, but do you have the coin to back it up?" His massive form loomed over Damian, challenging him to prove his worth.

The enigmatic figure merely shrugged, an enigmatic glint in his eyes. "Coin is but a trivial aspect of true power," he replied calmly. "My wealth lies in knowledge, secrets, and influence."

This drew a snort of amusement from Gunnar. "Knowledge and secrets won't fill our pockets or buy us loyalty," he retorted, unconvinced.

Eamon, however, saw an opportunity in Damian's words. "Gunnar, ease up," he said, signalling the hulking enforcer to step back. "Let us hear what he has to offer. Power can come in many forms, and we must be open to possibilities."

Gunnar grumbled but complied, still eyeing Damian warily.

As the conversation continued, Damian gradually revealed his plans for the future, how he wished to change the Fishhook Gang from the regional gang to a network of individuals spread all around Westeros, the strings he could pull to further their goals, and the valuable information he could provide. His words were enticing, and Eamon could sense that the potential benefits of this alliance were substantial.

Malcolm decided to approach Damian directly, taking a step forward. "So, you're saying you can make us more powerful than we already are?" he challenged, crossing his massive arms over his chest.

Damian's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Indeed," he replied confidently, "but power comes with a price. Loyalty to me, and only me, will be your ultimate test."

As Damian continued to speak, a growing sense of scepticism crept into Gunnar's mind. He was not one to easily trust outsiders, and Damian's mysterious demeanour and lack of tangible proof of his power grated on him. The more Damian spoke of loyalty and influence, the more Gunnar's impatience grew.

Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, Gunnar snorted and rolled his eyes. "Enough of your empty words," he grumbled, stepping forward with a challenging glint in his eye. "If you're as powerful as you claim, prove it. Let's see just how strong you really are."

The room fell silent as tension hung in the air like a charged storm. Damian's enigmatic grin only widened, seemingly unfazed by Gunnar's taunt. "Ah, so the brute wants a demonstration, does he?" Damian mused, his voice carrying an air of condescension. "Very well, then."

As if in response to Damian's unspoken command, the atmosphere around them seemed to shift. Shadows danced, and a gust of wind swirled through the room, causing the candles to flicker wildly. The gang members around the table shifted uneasily, unsure of what was about to unfold.

Gunnar, undeterred, clenched his massive fists, his determination burning bright in his eyes. "Show me what you're made of," he growled, charging forward with the intent to prove his own strength.

In a flash, Damian met Gunnar's challenge head-on. He moved with almost preternatural grace, effortlessly sidestepping the hulking enforcer's initial strike. With a swift and fluid motion, Damian retaliated, his fist landing a calculated blow on Gunnar's side.

The impact was thunderous, sending Gunnar stumbling back a few steps. The room echoed with the clash of power, and the gang leaders watched with a mix of awe and trepidation. Damian seemed to be toying with Gunnar, his movements fluid and precise, as if predicting his opponent's every move.

But Gunnar was not one to back down easily. His pride wounded, he charged forward once more, unleashing a series of powerful swings with his massive battle axe. Each strike was met with Damian's uncanny ability to evade, his form seemingly becoming a blur.

Despite the apparent mismatch in size, Damian managed to dodge Gunnar's attacks with an almost supernatural agility. His mismatched eyes glowed with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of those watching.

In the heated exchange, Gunnar's frustration grew, and he channelled all his strength into a final, thunderous swing. But Damian, with a seemingly effortless twist of his body, managed to catch the blade of the axe between his palms.

For a moment, the room fell into silence, the tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. Gunnar's eyes widened in disbelief, realizing he had underestimated his opponent. With almost inhuman strength, Damian pushed back, sending Gunnar stumbling backwards, his axe wrenched from his grasp.

As the axe clattered to the ground, a sense of realization washed over Gunnar. Despite his brawny size and strength, Damian was no ordinary adversary. There was a dangerous edge to him, a power beyond comprehension.

Regaining his composure, Gunnar's eyes locked onto Damian's intense gaze. He might not fully trust the enigmatic figure, but he recognized a kind of strength that he hadn't encountered before.

"Fine," Gunnar grumbled, conceding the match. "You've made your point."

Damian's enigmatic grin returned, and the tension in the room seemed to ease slightly. The clash of power had proven Damian's strength, at least for the moment. As the gang leaders looked on, they realized that they were dealing with an enigmatic and formidable figure, one who would undoubtedly change the course of the Fishhook Gang's future.

As the echoes of the intense clash subsided, Damian's enigmatic grin remained firmly in place, seemingly unshaken by the confrontation with Gunnar. He turned his attention back to Eamon and the other gang leaders, his aura of power undiminished.

"You are a force to be reckoned with," Eamon admitted, his silver-streaked hair shimmering in the candlelight. "And your proposal intrigues us. But the Fishhook Gang is not one to jump into alliances blindly."

Damian nodded in understanding, acknowledging the gang's cautious approach. "Of course, trust must be earned," he replied. "But I have no intention of deceiving you. Allow me to demonstrate my dedication to this alliance."

He gestured towards Evelyn, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. "Evelyn will accompany me to King's Landing," Damian declared. "As we establish our network within the city, she will act as a bridge between our operations and the existing power structures."

Evelyn looked uncertain, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes at being entrusted with such a crucial role. Eamon regarded her thoughtfully before nodding in agreement.

"Very well," Eamon said. "We shall give you the chance to prove yourself. But know this, if any harm comes to Evelyn or if we sense any betrayal, you will face the consequences."

Damian's grin widened, his eyes glinting with an enigmatic spark. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied.

With the agreement in place, the gang leaders began to discuss the logistics of wrapping up their extortion and kidnapping activities. The smuggling work would continue, with Malcolm leading that aspect of their operations while the rest of the gang prepared to join Damian in King's Landing in four months' time.

As the meeting continued, Damian divulged more information about the city of King's Landing – its complex power structures, its influential figures, and the opportunities that awaited them there. He seemed to know every hidden corner of the city, and his knowledge impressed even the ever-cautious Sofia.

Gunnar, who had initially been sceptical, began to recognize the potential of this alliance. "You better not disappoint us," he warned Damian, still harboring some reservations.

"Believe me, Gunnar, you won't be disappointed," Damian replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.