Chapter 4.3 Angel of Death

Wolfgang made all the necessary arrangements, and had grouped the miners he would take with him. Lord Manderly tried to give him the older and less productive ones, but young Dustin was able to avoid him, and in the end he ended up taking the young ones.

Unfortunately, he was not able to meet his fiancée, but Wyman Manderly promised to send her to Barrowton on her fourteenth birthday, that is, in five years, however, they had arranged some meetings before that date, in order to get to know each other better.

The miners, together with their families, ended up adding a population of a little over a thousand new inhabitants to Barrowton, but there were not enough houses for all of them; most of them would have to sleep in camps on the outskirts of the city for at least a few months.

The return trip was much slower than the outward journey, due to the whole group of people who had to travel on foot. In addition, Wolfgang had to buy some wagons with food, in order to feed his new settlers on the way, although most had brought something for themselves; they had many their own wagons with their belongings, and although Wyman had forbidden them, almost everyone brought their tools as well.

When they finally reached their destination, Barbrey Dustin was waiting for them, with Hubert at his side. A few yards further back, Amon was looking at him with cold eyes; those were his eyes after all, and Reek was flashing a goofy grin, however, that wasn't what was remarkable. About two thousand soldiers, maybe a little more, were lined up along the entrance road to the city, not moving a single millimeter.

"You've trained them well" smiled Beron, and the Sergeant nodded. This was already agreed; it was a way to impress, and at the same time frighten, the new settlers.

Beron, without getting off his horse, raised his right arm straight, and saluted all the soldiers; who also did the same, but saluting not Beron, but Wolfgang, who only nodded with a satisfied smile.

Lord Dustin's horse began to approach his mother, but he could not help but notice another figure, dressed in the robes of a Maester. No, these were a bit grayer, darker.

"My Lord, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"So you are Lyndon's replacement."

"Yes, I am Maester Qyburn, at your service."

"It is also a pleasure to meet you, Qyburn. Meet me in my office in an hour, I want to talk to you."

"I... yes sir" the man replied, and his tone was a bit frightened, he didn't want to suffer the same fate as the one he replaced. 'Scared with a child?' were his thoughts, and he felt it was somewhat humiliating, but then he came to his senses. 'If half the things the villagers say about him are true, that's not a child, that's a monster, there's no shame in being afraid in his presence.'

Wolfgang Dustin first took a bath, attended by a couple of maidservants, and then went directly to his office, where Master Qyburn was waiting for him at the door, since the guards would not let him enter alone.

The young Lord beckoned to the Maester, and entered the room after him. After settling into his wooden chair, and arranging a couple of things on his desk, he raised his gaze to Qyburn's eyes, but remained silent for a few seconds.

"So," said the young man suddenly. "What did you do to get sent here?".

"I beg your pardon? I don't understand what you mean, my lord."

"The Maesters don't like me, and probably some believe that Maester Lyndon's unfortunate death was not as accidental as it seems. I see your collar, absolutely no chain, and while you are also not of the age expected in a Maester, but you are... what, 40 years old, a bit younger perhaps. That's definitely enough time to forge some chains. So, tell me Qyburn, are you really a Maester?".

"I... I am, it's just that I wasn't exactly well-liked at the Citadel" the man replied, and his eyes turned a bit grim; more so than usual.

"Why?"

"Because of my curiosity for... the unknown."

"And that would be?" asked Wolfgang, but Qyburn hesitated. He knew that, if he ceased to be Maester in this place, he would simply be expelled. This was the excuse used by the Archmaesters who did not want to antagonize Marwyn, who always saved Qyburn from expulsion, but, although he saved him from being expelled, he was not able to help him form the chains; that would not be allowed by the rest of the Archmaesters.

"The study of the human body."

"Just that? That doesn't sound so bad."

"In living subjects," the Maester added, and Wolfgang's face showed surprise for a moment, but then a small smile appeared at one corner of his mouth.

"So you specialize in medicine, I take it?"

"Yes, my lord. I'm confident in stating that my knowledge is on the level of an Archmaester."

"So they sent me their blackest sheep."

"I am afraid it is so My Lord..." replied in a listless tone Qyburn, and then he knelt down without any embarrassment. "My Lord! I beg you please give me a chance! If turned back... I will simply be expelled from the Citadel. Here at least I can remain a Maester!" exclaimed the man, and his eyes showed utter supplication.

"There is no need for you to kneel, not now at least. I, as a lord, naturally need a Maester. Your services are welcome, Qyburn."

"Thank you very much My Lord! I promise you won't regret it!" affirmed the man, and after giving his thanks he returned to his cold and somber temper, with the typical Maester's smile on his face.

Wolfgang Dustin smiled too, he could see it on Qyburn's face, the madness, typical of a mad scientist obsessed with his project. In this place Qyburn's wings spread, the man began to feel free. His master did not judge him.

But Wolfgang was not so careless, although all his senses told him that, as long as he gave him proper space, Qyburn would be a fiercely loyal subordinate, especially given his lifelong rejection by his colleagues, young Dustin could not be trusted. He would put the Master to the test for a few months; judging his character, but Wolfgang Dustin wished that in the end the man could be trusted, since he could not help but be reminded of one of his intellectual mentors from his past life.

Wolfgang, for obvious reasons, never got to meet the man in person; he had been dead for many years by the time the young man was born, but he did read many of his books, all about medicine and genetics.

Josef Mengele, the Angel of Death.