Chapter 12

Next morning, Auron, Marlena and Tristan were on the stables. Tristan was helping him secure his pack strapping it tightly in his horse. Marlena was in another, tidying up her own as well.

After making sure everything's alright, Tristan pulled Auron into a hug.

"Have a safe trip my friend. Be seeing you."

Auron rolled his eyes and said, "You are making me look like a kid who was about to go to school."

Tristan was bewildered and asked, "What's a school?"

"Nevermind, by the way, don't do the stamina training in the morning anymore. Do it when the sun sets when the camp is in relax state and avoid running in groups. I think Ser Jon is suspecting a mutiny."

Tristan nodded seriously patting Auron's shoulder.

"I will reach out to you once the time comes." Auron said.

"Stop nagging and get on with your journey. Tell us your adventures next time we meet."

"Okay, okay, geez can't wait to kick me out eh."

Auron pulled himself and mounted his steed. Marlena did the same and they both urge their horses to the direction of Volantis officially leaving the Golden Company.

They packed light. They only brought a few essentials like clothes and food. He wasn't wearing an armor anymore and he didn't even bring a sword with him. It is to make them really believe that he's leaving for retirement. He only brought a small dagger. With his skill, he thinks it was enough to defend themselves and reach Volantis. From there, they would buy their equipment and essentials for their adventure. The lute was already returned to Little Pussy. The guy wanted him to have it but Auron saw reluctance in his eyes. So he decline. He wasn't going to deprive an introvert with his own little hobby.

Gradually, their receding backs slowly disappeared accross the muddy road.

What Auron didn't know was that he escaped an impending disaster.

Jon Connington and Septa Lemore were watching him leaving the camp.

"I was just about to find an excuse to kill him, why did you intervened?" Ser Jon asked.

"Don't get do worked up with your dead servant. But I also don't know why I did that, I was also keen on killing him as his existence itself was a threat to Aegon. But something tells me that if we do that, we will regret it. If he didn't propose to leave the company, I would've ordered someone to kill him secretly. Perhaps, we maybe investing an insurance in case... just in case things go south with the young king." Septa Lemore took a deep breath and watched the back of Auron disappear in the horizon.

Jon Connington scoffed at her remarks and said, "In case you forget, you are just a Septa who was tasked to guide the young king. You are not in charge here!"

Septa Lemore bowed and said, "Of course, my lord."

--

"How long until we reached Volantis?" Auron asked while he marvel at the sight of his surroundings. The feeling he felt now was different unlike the camp. It was like the first time he played the origin of MMORPG, Ragnarok online back in the day in his old world. Like there was a feeling of anticipation in the air.

Marlena thought for a moment and said, "I heard it was only a day from the camp. According to the sun, it was now close to noon. So half a day away, my Lord."

"Can you stop calling me my Lord. Do I look like a Lord to you? I don't have anything alright? Not even a sword, hahaha."

"But I don't know how to call you besides that."

"Hmmmm..how about calling me Master Black? Look, I got plan for us but I don't know if you'll agree. If you agree, that's the name I want you to me. So..wanna hear that out?"

'I think what I suggested to her before was a bit reckless. I don't even know if the North will accept her or not. That's dangerous for her. Well at least I have another preposition now.' Auron sighed inwardly.

"Please my lo--Master black. I need your advise."

"Well, it was actually a question of whether you want to work under me or not and go to the North like I used to advised, but I would prefer if you work for me."

"I don't think I have anywhere else to go and I don't have a family anymore. If you would be so kind, please take me in and let me work for you."

"Haaah! You trust me that much? You made the decision almost immediately. Anyway, I formally welcome you as a team. You are not to betray me is that understood?"

"My life is yours my lo--Master Black."

"Very good, you won't regret your decision I promise you. My plan for you is to become the one in charge of handling my businesses in the future. We'll start once we reached Westeros."

Marlena trembled when she heard it, she became excited at the thought. Believing it would come true someday, she silently pledge herself to Auron til death.

"As you wish, Master Black."

"To tell you the truth, the reason why I want you to call me Master Black is to hide the fact that I am the real owner. In the eyes of the world, you will be its owner while I remain in the shadows who controls everything. You have to prepare yourself for being known. I will help you in the process."

"Thank you, Master."

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask, how did you get here?"

"I was a servant of Septa Lemore and we came a long way from the Old Town in Reach, south of Westeros. She brought me along with the other female servants."

"Really? Then why did she persecuted you? If not for me you would be dead by now."

"I also don't know. She was impartial when it comes to the trials. What I know is, Tom, the servant you murdered was one of Ser Jon Connington's servant."

'So she was forced... Hmmm that explains why he is so eager to kill me.' Auron thought.

"By the way, I thought Septa's always wear all white and all. Then why is she wearing something like a daughter of a wealthy merchant?"

"Oh that, Septa said she needs to disguised herself because faith of the Seven isn't particularly accepted in Essos. Specially we are near Volantis where the main faith worships R'hllor. They often went there to resupply."

"Oh, the ones who worships the fire?", Auron asked to confirm.

Marlena nodded.

"Thanks for clarifying. Let's hurry along, I'm excited to see Volantis.. Err I mean as a traveler."

He was regretting that he didn't take Little pussy's Lute. If he did, he would be playing the Prontera theme song right now while traveling. That would be a nice way to pass time.

--

It was already evening when they reached Volantis. He was amazed by a huge wall erected in front of him. It was like the ruins of castles in Europe that he saw on TV. However, the gate seems to be closed for some reason. A lot of Caravan was outside the walls setting their own camp to wait the next day. He wasn't sure if it is the original rules of the city or something happened inside.

"Ahhh, I guess we'll have to spend the night here. Don't get too far from me, Marlena. Stay close, aye?"

Marlena nodded and said, "Aye, Master Black."

Auron scanned the surrounding looking for a place to settle down. However, it looks like all the good places are occupied.

'Hmmm..looks like I have to play an actor again.'

He dismounted his horse signalling Marlena to do the same. Then the two of them walked slowly towards one of the biggest caravan.

When both of them approached, all the guards of the caravan became alert eyeing the two of them suspiciously.

"Good evening my goodman, they call me Master Black, a Merchant from a distant land, my trade is in Barley and Ale. Pardon me for my intrusion, if you would be so kind to share the fire with the both us, we would be grateful for your hospitality. You see the night is cold and we can't seem to find a good place to wait for the night."

Auron patiently wait searching for the guy who was in charge.

Then a man with a pot belly raised his hand to the guards. They instantly relaxed when they saw his gesture allowing Auron and Marlena to approach the man.

"My name is Alihad, a fellow merchant in Myr. Sit with me my friend, we have a long night to wait."

Thankfully, Alihad was kind, at least to us. Maybe his hospitality comes from my bluff really believing that I'm a fellow merchant. He might be thinking that I'm a potential business partner that's why he treats me so well.

"You have my sincere thanks, Master Alihad. I'm curious, what's your trade my friend?"

"Oh, my trade is cotton and silk. I also dabble in slave trading to keep up my business." Alihad casually revealed.

"Is the slave trade that profitable?"

"Believe me Master Black, you will become one of the wealthiest in Essos if you managed to occupy a spot and focus your trade in slaves."

Auron saw Alihad's face looked complicated so he asked further.

"Is there something wrong about the slave trade?"

Alihad sighed and said, "Other merchants are maybe okay with it but I couldn't do it. In my opinion, slaves still have lives of their own. If it weren't out of necessity for my business, I wouldn't even dip my hand on it. I only do it when necessary and I only traded those who are the scum of society."

"To each their own. You did what you have to do my friend." Auron patted him in the back to console him.

Then Alihad suddenly shifted the topic.

"You said you are a merchant but I don't see any caravan behind you my friend." Alihad finally asked his suspicion.

"Oh, that's because I'm buying barley seeds this time. I wanted to try to plant them myself than buy it from other channels."

Alihad heaved a sigh of relief and said, "I hope you find what you're looking for, Master Black."

Alihad was surprised to find himself opened up to a complete stranger. The young man wasn't unlikable. He was polite and knows how to talk his way through a good conversation.

Auron on the other hand was now clenching a new black ring with green aura in his hand. It was a skill he extracted from Alihad called 'Business Acumen'.