Chapter 480: The High Sparrow

Samwell Caesar ascended Visenya's Hill at a measured pace, flanked by seven knights clad in white armor and an entourage of guards.

The composition of the Kingsguard had been finalized. At its head was Ser Barristan Selmy, now serving as Lord Commander.

The other six members were: Loras Tyrell, Katu Tiger Fang the Fearless, Noah Rowan, Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, Robert Royce, and Brienne of Tarth.

Loras Tyrell had originally been sentenced to take the black and join the Night's Watch, but Samwell allowed him to remain in King's Landing and join the Kingsguard instead. Loras had proven instrumental to Samwell's rise and was a key witness to Tyrion Lannister's secret involvement in patricide.

Katu and Noah Rowan were both former squires of Samwell, while Robert Royce had fought alongside him in the sept of Tarth to the bitter end. All three enjoyed the king's trust.

Brynden Tully, the legendary "Blackfish," had never met Caesar before joining the Kingsguard. However, during Samwell's campaign against the Lannisters, Brynden raised the banner of rebellion in Riverrun, rallying the Riverlords to sever ties with the Lions. His actions destabilized the Riverlands, causing widespread famine in King's Landing and contributing significantly to the Lannisters' downfall.

Samwell had wanted to reward Brynden with a lordship and a holding, but the Blackfish refused. A lifelong maverick, Brynden had rejected an arranged marriage from his brother Hoster Tully and never married or had children. He had little interest in titles or lands but found the honor of the Kingsguard appealing. Samwell granted his wish.

Brienne of Tarth's inclusion in the Kingsguard was the most controversial. A woman had never before served among the White Cloaks.

Samwell stood firm on her appointment, not out of any ideological push for women's rights but because Brienne genuinely deserved the honor.

The entourage reached the summit of Visenya's Hill, where the grand dome and seven gleaming towers of the Great Sept of Baelor loomed into view.

However, between the royal party and the marble steps of the sept stood thousands of people clad in coarse brown robes. Dirty and ragged, they waited in orderly lines for handouts from the sept.

Samwell's brow furrowed slightly.

Since taking King's Landing, he had imported large amounts of grain to stabilize food prices and had established aid stations throughout the city. Even Queen Margaery herself had distributed food in Flea Bottom, yet these people still flocked to the sept for charity.

The guards moved to clear a path through the crowd.

There were no cheers or bows, not even a single smile.

The gathered masses cast sullen, even hostile, gazes at the new king.

Samwell was unsurprised. Since his arrival in the capital, rumors had spread about his lack of piety. He had yet to visit the Great Sept for prayer or seek coronation by the High Septon. His presence today was meant to address that issue.

The Faith of the Seven wielded considerable influence in Westeros. Even a king had to tread carefully when dealing with the church.

Still, Samwell would not submit. To him, religion was merely a tool for governance, not a master to obey.

As he passed through the crowd and approached the steps, a septon stepped forward to block his path.

"Does the Great Sept of Baelor dare bar the king's entry?" demanded Ser Barristan.

"Of course not," the septon replied. "The Great Sept bars no one, but no weapons may enter."

"By tradition, the Kingsguard may bear arms in the king's presence," said Ser Barristan.

"The king rules by his own authority," the septon said calmly, "but in the holy sept, the gods' laws prevail."

"When did the gods decree this?" Samwell asked. "I don't recall such rules on my last visit."

"This is a new edict, proclaimed by the High Septon."

The High Septon had indeed been replaced.

The previous High Septon had been torn apart by a mob during the riots in King's Landing. His successor was a man of humble origins.

Typically, the High Septon was chosen from among the Most Devout. However, this time, the process had been upended.

Years of war had created a vast, impoverished underclass, a desperate and devout group that had become a potent force.

Desperation often deepens faith, and these poor believers, nicknamed the "Sparrows" by the people of King's Landing, rallied around their leader—the "High Sparrow," who now held the office of High Septon.

When the Most Devout convened to elect a new High Septon, the Sparrows stormed the Great Sept, brandishing swords and demanding their leader's appointment.

"If the gods command it, then mortals must obey," Samwell said, feigning a smile as he unbuckled his greatsword.

The seven knights of the Kingsguard followed suit, surrendering their weapons.

The septon stepped aside.

The king ascended the steps, flanked by his knights.

Inside the Hall of Lamps, Samwell saw twenty or so septons kneeling, not in prayer but scrubbing the floor.

He recognized several as former High Septons.

"Septon Raynard," Samwell called to one, "have the septs run out of servants?"

Raynard's face flushed red. "Your Majesty, labor is a form of prayer, pleasing to the gods."

Samwell raised an eyebrow. "Another new decree from the High Septon?"

Raynard hesitated, then glanced nervously at someone behind him.

A tall, gaunt old man with a patchy gray-and-brown beard and hair tied into a simple knot stood in the shadows. His robe, though clean, was covered in patches.

Samwell met the man's gaze and chuckled.

"You must be the new High Septon."

The old man's pale gray eyes met Samwell's, unflinching. He nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am the High Septon."

(End of Chapter)