Chapter 18: The Black Castle's Secrets

Chapter 18: The Black Castle's Secrets

In the newly erected castle on Bloodstone Island, Jonas Spartan reclined in a room adorned with maps and scrolls, his attention captured by the parchment that bore the seal of the Red Keep. A smirk played upon his lips as he read the invitation that beckoned him to King's Landing.

His amusement echoed through the room, and with a single, decisive clap, a figure clad in shadows emerged. A man, concealed in black from head to toe, bowed respectfully before the master of the castle. Jonas instructed him to dispatch messages to various corners of the world—Astapor, Meereen, and distant places in Westeros.

With a nod, the shadowy emissary vanished into the depths of the castle, leaving Jonas to ponder the unfolding events. The king's missive, returned with a positive affirmation, indicated his imminent arrival. The purpose of Jonas's journey to King's Landing was intertwined with the 16th nameday celebration of Princess Rhaenyra, marked by a grand tourney.

Making his way to the underground recesses of the castle, Jonas entered a chamber humming with activity. Laborers meticulously packed high-quality steel weapons into crates, a tangible manifestation of Jonas's vision for Bloodstone. Here, he commissioned the construction of a Bessemer converter, tapping into an iron vein discovered in the mountainous terrain of the island.

His discerning gaze scrutinized the craftsmanship of the weapons—longswords, spears, chainmail, plate armors, and axes. Each bore the symbol of House Sparta: a black-helmeted Spartan warrior on a green background with a red crest atop the helmet. The ominous words "Beware of Our Wrath" adorned these war goods, a testament to the ethos of House Sparta.

Pleased with the meticulous workmanship, Jonas exited the armory chamber. The air in the castle resonated with an impending sense of action, as the master of Bloodstone prepared to embark on a journey that would echo through the halls of power in King's Landing.

The scene shifted to a training ground where three thousand elite Unsullied, already a formidable force, underwent a transformation. Through the use of superior equipment and advanced training regimens, they evolved into Spartan warriors executing disciplined routines. Clad in steel armor and wielding the distinct weapons crafted for them, they moved in unison. Instructors meticulously assessed their forms, ensuring martial prowess and unwavering discipline.

Jonas, observing the display of his warriors' enhanced skill, felt a surge of pride. The already elite Unsullied, now molded into the embodiment of House Sparta, stood as a testament to the convergence of power and destiny within the Black Castle. As the chapter concluded, the anticipation of the imminent journey blended with the echoes of transformation and preparation in the air.