Chapter 23: The Wall

 "It has been four summers and still we have not been given any word of his account". His knuckles were already turning white from his frustrations, "he has casted me out like some common dog". Anger cannot begin to describe his pain. "How can this be?" He unbinds his hands as he watched the sand drift through the wind. 

The Jade Pyramid is where he resides in the 'very heart of the city', "Where a viper awaits his master still deciding to either aide in his demise or sacrifice itself upon their command". He alone has refused to adhere to the custom of lighting the lanterns in hopes that the king would one day visit. He is tired of waiting for something that has already come to pass. All of their glory and battle means nothing if he no longer resides at the table. Their victory would be at hand not dragged through these longs' years.

The joy he once had for tortured souls has left him hollow and grey. It alone brought him solace for a time, but it soon became a demonstration and slowly he lost interest in anyone. He was sitting upon the throne of his own making, but his king has refused to see him. His only remaining tie to the throne is through the king's son, which he had provided. A worthy woman of stature to his majesty during the war. There were no questions asked between them. In turn he was given three gifts each on separate occasions. The first was the kings ring banner. He twirled the ring upon his finger. This little thing allowed him to command the great army of the lock step legion which only consisted of free men. A completely different training grounds that the unsullied were crafted from, only to be casted aside for another. "A trade", he said. If I had only known, I would have gladly given it to the dogs. Vigar has come to terms with this loss, in hopes that the king would see him a changed man. 

A freckled thought that he wished to look upon him once more to ask why he of all people... He must know if it is true what his spies have come across. This feeling of distress in the loss of his presence has left a bitter taste in his mouth than he cares to admit. 

After the death of his crows, he sunk into his cups until it was brimming to the tilt, now it wasn't even half as full as he thought. The king never trusted him, but he also never feared him. Yet the look in his eyes that day has haunted him.

He must know why?

"It is time, my lord". The unsullied spoke. Vigar left the view of the terrace, which overlooked the castle walls.

"It is a history lesson, that we shall attend". He reminded his unsullied smiling softly; this only left the guard with a thought of apprehension. His master has truly come out of his element, and he knew that only time will worsen his appetite if he is not given what he requires. 

"Prepare the horses. I wish to ride sun-spear". This was the second gift from the king named after the ship of the Rhoynar natives. Once he left the confines of his home, did he see his work at play a cruel jest from his lady? He looked upon her the bronze harpy, though she did not look it, all plated in gold and furry. Now more than half the city looked like her. They had the remains of his mechanisms of all designs which were now becoming the new trend of power. 

In the past anyone who looked upon him held their fealty to him. Now he's just another lord. No longer was he the eyes and ears of his ruler. They rode through the streets and markets deciding to take the long route to the castle. He wanted to see how far he had fallen even in the eyes of the common. They passed him by without a thought going about their days as though they were not in a war. 

He tried to calm himself, reminding himself of how one learns to rule. You must watch and you must hold your tongue. He never took his eyes off those that displayed their ignorance only focused on what the people seemed to be interested in. 

Upon his return to the castle, he was taken through the back route, another blow to his already fallen ego. He assumed the Princeling wished to discuss his history in the garden. "This slave greets his majesty. I have brought our Lord adviser". She took a step back, head still bowed down to stand in the shade as another gifted her a branch. It is used for various things, but mostly to guide the wind when the days are overbearing in heat and sand. 

It felt as though he was slowly becoming a foreigner in his own land it's been so long since he was granted access to these walls no matter how thin. When he finally took a seat did, he take a long moment to familiarize himself with its texture. He did not greet the boy as befitted either their station, instead, he hugged him sweetly and asked about his day. His giggles and laughter did most of the work to ease his mind.

"Now tell me, what have you learned?" Vigar asked as he looked upon the slaves. 

"Nothing really", the boy answers quick witted and he once again smiled. He no longer knew if it was an act he was performing or if he truly cared for the boy. It has crossed his mind many times. All he could understand is that the child brought a familiar feeling to his mind when he was a boy, and his mother and father were at his side. 

"Is that so, then perhaps you won't mind playing a game with me."

"There's no need father has already sent his regards and requires you in his chambers after our lesson". "Isn't that what you've always wanted?" "Now you no longer have to show you care for me. Mother says there will be many other pawns to play with and that I must think carefully about the ones I pick". 

The prince opened his book giving clear indication to begin his lecture. Was what he felt relief or dread? He could not decipher its meaning. Instead, he seeks to comfort though he truly did not know if it was for himself or the prince. "I haven't always been like the rumors; you've been told in court. I rather did enjoy our time young prince. It is only that I wish to understand your father and my forgotten station. If you must through away one of your pawns let it be your mother, do tell her that for me". He was throwing shade for all to hear.

Vigar chose to recount their history of how Ghiscari came to be and that each location their ancestors conquered has become their greatest pride. 

"Far to the east of Westeros, nearing the bone mountains of central Essos reigned our empire for the last 8,000 B.C. Though it is the year 5,004 B.C. the reason for this is because when our ancestors began their great expansion, they decided to proclaim their reign much longer than it actually was to scare off potential invaders such as the Dothraki. The capital of Ghis was founded by your father's, great grandsires. Who formed armies but it is your father who created the lock step legion that truly provided our strength. We have colonized Gorosh at wyvern point, zamettar at the mouth of the zamoyos river, and Gorgai on the isle of tears. All of them destinations of Sothoryos across the summer sea. 

We still are explorers of the sea we discovered the island of Walano in the summer isles but fled since the people there are demons. They have dark skin, and we believe them to be deities of hell. So, we renamed Walano as the demon isle. The forbidden place which none have dared to enter.

Our riches truly come from Astapor, Mereen, and Yunkai. This is where we were descended from. Three small lands that became the backbone of our tales and history. 

But if you ask me, none of this he pointed to the scenery is what made us who we are today. There is another account one of sorrow which my mother told me when I was your age". "Do you wish to hear it?"

The boy nodded. 

"Our empire has always been ruled by spear and shield. No sword can ever match its might even with a thousand behind it's backs. My mother told me how it was to be. A boy who left his home to travel with nothing but his clothes upon his back came upon a small animal. A hybrid with human qualities. Our lady, he reminded. But this was a man. Gigantic, he roamed, supposedly he descended from the heavens to greet this boy. He had tasked him with a message. To bring forth three of their strongest soldiers or master in the land. One must answer a riddle, one must die from its bite, and the other must win in a battle. So, he asked the boy to construct a vast fighting pit. The very first one was built in Mereen or it could have possibly been Yunkai. No one really remembers truly. The seat gates were flooded. Everyone wished to see this great spectacle".

"The day the pit was made three eligible commoners stood before the great beast. One was an old man with a sword, beside him a boy with a sharpened ended stick that he used to catch scorpions in the sand to sell in the markets, and lastly a master who came into his newly wealth recently by means no one truly appreciated. The boy he had tasked did in fact spread the word far and wide, but all of our warriors were at sea so those he told were people of no great consequence". 

"Before the great battle, the boy had asked the old man to trade his weapon for his. It is said that a viper like smile appeared on the old man's face that day. The boy had striked first, not even adhering to the rules. He charged upon his tail thinking it a game. He did indeed wound the creature, but it cost him his life, the blood that spewed forth from its tail had seeped into his skin. The old man had taken it upon himself to stand back as the creature clenched his hind quarters".

"They had brought shame upon the creature. It wished to end its own misery of a disgraceful defeat. This in turn made the wealthy master asked for a powerful nation. The creature told the master if it wished to have this nation that he must answer his riddle, but he must beware that to answer him wrongfully will cost him his soul". 

"Ask away" he boasted, and the crowd watched in anticipation. 

"What has hands but loses its head in the morning but only gets it back at night just for it to clap?"

"Now my young prince I should warn you that a God such as this has seen and been through a vast number of years in time itself. The answer to this riddle could not be answered because we lacked and still lack the inventions of time itself". So, it went unanswered. And the creature labored in agony in the pits of sand. Only to be relieved at the mercy of the old man and the stick he now carried". 

"What happened?" the boy asked, as Vigar got up from his seat. "I will let you decide young prince when we meet again. I expect a long recount of our time together and not one as some pawn". He kissed the boy atop his head as he departed for his father's throne room. He will not enter such a place as his bed. 

The door to the throne room opens. Vigar placed his thoughts among the scenery. "It was not long ago we once had ivory and amethyst in our garden. I had once persuaded you to deal with the Valyrian's in hopes that it will ease your mind". Grazdan entered the room watching him from those high steps. His hair descending down his face as his eyes watched the golden tiles.

"You look as though you haven't slept these past few days". He was allowing this feeling to sink in further every detail he wanted to encase in his mind. How the throne suited him in the light, everything. 

"I have indulged you long enough. For four years we have wasted our resources though not depleted we have allowed our enemies a small victory. The de-creation of our God has been put to the test. You and I alone understand my fear of such things", he whispers. "Which is why I have tasked you with the mission to seek out these traitors to the crown". 

Vigar chuckles. "So, this is where we finally part ways. I guess I should have seen this coming after you proclaimed my Jade pyramid. The long hours you spend in the company of other whispers. As I linger scattering for scraps. I alone have stood by you as you sunk into your omens. He said bitterly and now that you have found unwavering strength, I am the one you chose to cast aside". 

"Have you truly forgotten that I am your eyes and ears of Ghis. His voice trembled as he pleaded for understanding and recieved none. "Treason is too kind for you, my king, my Great Calmorian Grazdan".

"It is I who have suffered at the wake of your hands; our citizens feared you and all of your establishments. You left me with no other choice". "What would you have me do?"

"There is always a choice", you shouted, "and you've chosen to abandon me among the cripples. Should they not fear me since it is I who stands at your side, now what shall they say when the old crows come knocking at your door. I have regretted that day for so long must you continue to punish me. Take away my jewels if it suits you but do not cast me from your shadow". 

Again he disregarded him. "Vigar, it saddens me this loss". The king tried to soften the blow. For the first time in his life, Vigar became undone and, in the presence, of the one person who should have never seen him cry. 

"It is not the valyrian's who will be your undoing but our very own people who upholds our legacy. I will go to the ends of the earth if that is what my king demands. But I will seek retribution on the ones who took my place at your seat".