CHAPTER 159
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CHAPTER 159
290 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
"My King, please bestow this honor onto other houses. I have already enjoyed your great generosity in establishing my house. I will make more contributions to the North to deserve owning land. Thanks to the blessing of the Old Gods, I have become one of the protectors of the North," Aermir earnestly implored, his words carrying a sense of humility and duty.
"Brave and humble, Ned, you are one lucky wolf," King Robert replied with a hearty laughter, acknowledging Aermir's modesty. Ned Stark returned the laughter with a modest smile, his uneasiness fading as he found common ground with the King's sentiments.
Robert Baratheon, known for his jovial demeanor and love of wine, took a deep sip from his goblet, the rich red liquid swirling within. He continued speaking, his eyes now fixed on the gathering.
"I have already said I will reward you. So, what should I give you other than land?" The King's brow furrowed as he pondered, his thoughts drifting towards finding a suitable token of appreciation.
In the midst of this thoughtful pause, Aermir Drasil, the newly-made noble of the kingdom, seized the moment to make his own request. He believed the King's generosity extended beyond mere land, and he had a particular desire in mind—one that he hoped would further bolster his knowledge.
"My king, could I ask for something?" Aermir's voice was measured and respectful as he addressed the King.
"Tell me if it is reasonable, I will grant it," King Robert responded, his curiosity piqued by Aermir's request.
With determination in his eyes, Aermir pressed on, outlining his petition. "I would like to retain the services of a master blacksmith of Qohor, and I heard there was one in your service. Is it possible for him to work for me exclusively for two years?"
The King considered the request for a few seconds, and after that brief moment of contemplation, King Robert gave his consent.
"Is that it?" he inquired, seeking confirmation from Aermir.
Aermir nodded firmly. "Yes, My king."
"Okay then, I grant that to you." The King's decision was final, and he turned to his kingguards to ascertain the name of the blacksmith in question. "Tobho Mott will exclusively work for you, and the crown will pay for two years. After that, it will be up to you and him."
With this exchange, the atmosphere in the hall remained charged with a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect as the King honored the requests of his loyal vassals.
...
The final day of the grand tourney had arrived, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation as the archery contest took center stage. Unlike the previous days, this event saw a diverse group of participants, including commoners who had a chance to showcase their skills. Among the knights, however, there lingered a sentiment that archery was an inferior art, often dismissing it as a coward's weapon. Most of them looked down on the weapon, calling it a soldier's weapon. Nevertheless, the archers lined up, ready to prove their mettle.
The contest commenced with the target set at a reasonable 40 meters. Succeeding at this distance allowed the archers to progress to the next challenging targets, strategically placed at 60, 80, and 100 meters, each demanding greater precision and skill.
As the distance increased to 60 meters, the field narrowed considerably. Among the contestants, five had managed to maintain their accuracy, showcasing their prowess in archery. Two of these skilled archers hailed from noble backgrounds, while the remaining three were common soldiers: Fletcher and Anguy, representing the commonfolk, and nobles Balon Swann and Jalabhar Xho. Jalabhar Xho, in particular, stood out as an exiled prince from the Summer Isles. His striking appearance, adorned with a feather cape resplendent in green and scarlet hues, drew the eyes of many. His bow, crafted from the rare Goldenheart tree, was considered second only to the legendary dragon bone bows.
Advancing to the 80-meter target brought a surge of excitement among the participants and the crowd. However, it also marked the end of the journey for Balon Swann and Fletcher Dick, who had displayed exceptional skill but fell just short of advancing further. This left Aermir Drasil, Anguy, and Jalabhar as the final contenders, each eager to claim the coveted title.
Jalabhar Xho was the first to release an arrow at the 100-meter target, his shot missing the bullseye. Following him, Anguy stepped forward, releasing his arrow with the precision that struck the Bullseye. The crowd erupted into cheers, acknowledging the incredible display of skill. Aermir, too, demonstrated his mastery by hitting the Bullseye, and the audience's excitement soared. Two of the contenders had hit their targets with pinpoint accuracy, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
With the competition progressing to the 120-meter target, Aermir decided to inject an element of flair. Turning to Anguy, he proposed a friendly wager, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"You are a great archer, Anguy," Aermir complimented.
"Thank you, my lord; your words honor me greatly," Anguy replied humbly.
"Shall we make this contest more interesting?" Aermir suggested, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
Intrigued, Anguy inquired, "What do you have in mind, my lord?"
"If I emerge victorious, you shall come and serve me," Aermir proposed, the glint of competition shining in his eyes.
With a spirited glint of his own, Anguy questioned, "And what if, by chance, I emerge as the victor?"
Aermir's confidence remained unwavering as he declared, "That, my friend, is a scenario we need not entertain. But should it occur, I shall bestow upon you all my gold."
The crowd, catching wind of their spirited exchange, buzzed with excitement. The prospect of such a wager added an extra layer of suspense to the contest.
With the stakes set, Aermir readied himself for the challenge. He picked up three arrows, deftly nocking one to the bowstring while holding the others between his fingers. His movements were so swift that it almost appeared as though he had fired a single arrow.
In rapid succession, the arrows were released, and the sounds of their impact echoed through the air—thump, thump, crack! Two of Aermir's arrows found their mark on the Bullseye, while the third split an arrow already embedded in the target before striking the Bullseye itself. The silence that followed was momentary, giving way to an eruption of cheers and applause from the crowd. Anguy, Jalabhar, and Fletcher looked on in awe, their jaws figuratively dropping.
Undaunted by Aermir's impressive performance, Anguy stepped up to take his shots. However, his speed and accuracy couldn't match Aermir's. He managed to strike the target twice, landing in the outer rings, while the other last shot narrowly missed its mark while knicking the edge of the target.
With this triumphant display, Aermir was crowned the archery champion, having emerged victorious in all three contests—the joust, the melee, and now the archery. His prowess and achievements were solidifying his status in the North as a formidable figure.
Although the path to establishing his holdfast lay ahead, Aermir knew that time was on his side. With patience and strategic planning, he would cultivate the necessary prestige within the North to attract talented individuals to his service. Propaganda, bolstered by his druid persona, would become a potent tool in creating a hidden network of allies and supporters.
As the grand tourney concluded, the various lords began their journeys back to their respective lands. The matter of the Iron Islands had been addressed, with Harlaws chosen as the new Lord of Iron Island and The Sea. Additionally, Theon Greyjoy, Balon's heir, had been entrusted to Lord Stark's care as a hostage. Despite these measures, Aermir remained vigilant, wary of the potential return of Balon Greyjoy's other troublesome brothers—Victarion, Aeron, and Euron, who had eluded capture and could pose future threats.