Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 3: Growing Tensions

Pentos ~ 298 AC

Baelor's voyage over the Narrow Sea went not as planned. It is as if the Gods were against him or a test to prove himself. He wasn't sure which one it was, but he kept going. If he stopped now he would have wasted years of his life, went into exile for nothing. What he didn't regret was refusing Barristan's offer on joining the Kingsguard of Robert. He will not kill and bleed for a King that approves of the killing of children and helpless women. What he mostly wants is to serve someone worthy.

The ship changed course to a safer place to dock. Even if Pentos is closest to Westeros, it is not safe to travel through a fierce storm. Baelor could hardly force the sailors. Therefore they took shelter just past Sharp Point. In a town where someone could stay without being reported to the King immediately.

The captain informed Baelor it was a long storm making them take shelter for close to a month. It didn't make Baelor happy to wait so long. The whole month he was stuck in Westeros wasting time. By the time the storm finally relented, he was more than eager to get back on track and start his search anew. Luckily, it seems the storm made way to favorable weather and the voyage over the sea took only a few days.

"Ser, I wish you the best," the captain says as he watches Baelor walk over the gangplank on to the large and busy harbor of Pentos.

"Thank you, captain. May the winds be even better on the way back," Baelor says nodding polity to the man.

"We will see, but it is not I that has to start a search for Gods know how long. I have my ship and a fine Lord I am proud to serve. That is enough for me," the man says with a smile.

"A simple but true life," Baelor mused as he looked at the busy harbor and the yelling of merchants. Even the many dockworkers that were unloading the ships. And the usual traveler a filled with either drunken sailors or weary travelers.

There is also tension in the city that is hidden among the usual day-to-day activities. Something is happening in the city that caused the people to be at least a bit more alert. Baelor has not seen this before when he was here. It could be a good sign.

"Good journey, Ser Baelor. Driftmark will remember you," the man says before he shouts the order to prepare to leave the town.

"What makes you say that, captain?"

"The famous knight of Driftmark? Trained by the legendary swordsman Barristan the Bold? Former Kingsguard? You carry more fame than you think, Ser Baelor."

'Famous knight?' Baelor questions himself. He is certainly famous due to having worn the White Cloak. Barristan is of course famous which may have added to his own. But he isn't certain whether he is one of the best. Jamie Lannister, Barristan the Bold, there are plenty of knights and fighters who are just as or more skilled than he.

"My reputation is bigger than I thought it was. Thank you, captain, for the company and the kind words. I best be going, good journey!" Baelor says. The captain waves him goodbye as the ship once again made its way to the sea. With his left hand on the hilt of his sword, he marched into the city looking for the source of this tension.

= The Manse of Illyrio =

This day is the worst day Jaehaery has known in his entire life. His dislike for Viserys has grown to hate. The root of this hate is the plan to sell Daenerys to savages to gain an army. Who does that to his own sister? And after all that talk about keeping the bloodline pure. He didn't even ask him or Dany for their opinion. Jaehaerys stands up from his bed to make his way to Daenerys. Servants are busy preparing for the coming of the horse lord. The savage that will take his sister. Viserys best watch out or he will not live long.