Chapter: 15

Chapter: 15

The next morning, Ariel and I found ourselves at the bustling docks of the Valyrian port, with merchant ships busying themselves along the coast. Valyrian ships carried goods and rare treasures across the Narrow Sea to Westeros, bringing back whatever exotic items they could find. Today, Ariel and I had our sights set on finding passage to Westeros.

It didn't take long before we came across the ship we were looking for. A lean, rugged man stood at the helm. His short black hair was flecked with hints of gray, and his dark eyes were sharp and observant. His posture was formal but relaxed, showing the confidence of an experienced seafarer. He wore the sigil of a dragon and bore a well-worn sword on his hip.

"Morning, Draezar."

The man turned and, upon seeing me, gave a short bow. "Lord Victor, how may I be of service?"

"Your usual route takes you to Westeros, yes?"

Draezar inclined his head with a nod. "Yes, my lord. Is there something you require?"

"Simple, really. I'd like you to bring Ariel and me over to Westeros. Is that possible?"

"Of course, my lord." Draezar's voice held no hesitation. "It would be an honor."

As Ariel and I boarded the ship, we were greeted by bows and respectful nods, which I acknowledged with a polite smile. Soon enough, the ship set sail, its white Valyrian sails catching the morning sun as we embarked across the Narrow Sea. I made my way to the deck to feel the ocean breeze as we departed.

After a few moments, Ariel and Shiraori approached, curiosity evident on Ariel's face.

"Hey, Victor," Ariel started, "I have a question."

I turned to her, an amused smile forming on my lips. "Go on."

"Why are we taking a ship? We could just ride a dragon or even teleport. It'd be much faster." Ariel sounded genuinely puzzled, and I couldn't blame her.

I chuckled, crossing my arms. "Firstly, we're just observing, not looking to make an entrance. Showing up on a dragon would definitely cause some panic; people believe they're extinct, remember? Secondly, teleporting would attract attention. Three people suddenly appearing out of nowhere would put us on everyone's radar. And while I don't fear any of them, there's no need for unnecessary theatrics."

Ariel rolled her eyes but nodded in understanding. "Fine, but how long will this take?"

I flicked my wrist, manipulating the air to fill the sails faster. "Call it half a day."

Satisfied, Ariel moved off to observe the open sea. I gazed down at my shadow and smirked.

"So, Kira, why are you lurking in my shadow? Shouldn't you be helping Lilith and Sepherina oversee Valyria while I'm away?"

My shadow expanded, and Kira emerged with a graceful bow, her long, dark hair flowing like a river behind her. "But, my lord, as your humble maid, I must ensure your safety."

I shook my head, a small laugh escaping me. "You're a terrible liar, Kira."

She feigned innocence, a playful glint in her eyes. "My lord, I simply can't lie to you."

"Uh-huh. So, why are you here, really?"

She grew more serious, her voice shifting into a businesslike tone. "To provide an update. The Academy is running smoothly, and the spy and assassination unit's training is progressing well."

I arched an eyebrow. "How many recruits so far?"

"We have fifty in the unit, and over three thousand students enrolled in the Academy."

"Good. And the instructors?"

"For magic, we have Shiraori, Arthur Leywin, Rudeus, Mavis, Aizen, Lilith, Talia, Daeron, and a few others. For weaponry and martial arts, we have Kisuke, Yoruichi, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Scáthach, Cú Chulainn, Jin Mori, and five others."

I nodded, satisfied with her report. "Thank you, Kira. You may return."

She bowed and faded back into the shadows.

A few hours later, the ship finally reached Westeros, and Ariel and I set foot on its shores. Wasting no time, we started our journey toward King's Landing. With our enhanced speed, we moved swiftly but carefully, making sure not to attract undue attention. As we ran, Ariel chatted on, her eyes wide with the thrill of the unfamiliar landscapes whizzing by.

Eventually, the towering Red Keep of King's Landing loomed before us, its stone walls etched in history and tales of power. As we approached, Ariel wrinkled her nose, covering her mouth.

"Ugh, the smell…" she groaned. "How does anyone live here?"

I laughed, nodding in agreement. "It's not easy. Took me a while to get used to it too. You learn to ignore it… eventually."

Once inside the city, we strolled through the bustling streets of King's Landing, blending in with the crowds. The marketplace bustled with people hawking wares, servants rushing about, and the occasional knight making his rounds. Ariel and I kept our ears open for any noteworthy information. Soon enough, murmurs of an upcoming tournament caught my attention.

"Did you hear?" We heard two civilians whisper to one another. "There's a tournament coming up. The Hand's Tournament."

Ariel raised an eyebrow . "A tournament, huh? What kind?"

I grinned, explaining, "Oh yeah it's about that time no. It'll have jousting, melee battles, archery contests, and even axe-throwing. There's also a horse race. It's a grand affair where Westeros' finest compete."

Ariel smirked, catching onto my thoughts. "You're planning on participating, aren't you?"

"Maybe…" I replied, feigning innocence. "Why? Do you want to watch?"

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms in mock impatience. "Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world."

With that decided, we began preparations to enter the tournament, ensuring that everything was in place for our arrival without raising too many questions. 

"This should be fun."

Chapter 15: End