The valyrian Freehold

Chapter 15: Desperation: Breathing fire

The clouds are no longer swollen, brimming to the tilt with rain. What remains of the downpour are shallow muddy puddles.

"Splash, splash, the pattering sound of children running could be heard as they clashed their wooden swords against their opponent". Their instructor Redworm observed their forms. The man was at an age that surpassed kings but his eyes could spot a mistake like a hawk and he would pounce at the slighest hesistation. His star pupil a formor slave boy of the name Aerion who mastered his techniques like no other. The boy has taken it upon himslef to educate the slackers and correct their mistakes. An improvement for some while others entertain their distractions. Redworm watched Daemond lastest distraction enter the cortyard. They resided near the mountains of the morn.

The cold would make them stronger he hoped but their sickly appearance left doubt upon his lips. Some don't even attend training as their stomachs prohibits them from leaving their beds. They would have awful headaches, sores, and bruises, upon their body, but, their leader would not send for a healer. And the very next day they were healed as though their cries of pain were nothing of the past. This repetitive nature has made him wary of the valyrians.

Daemon dropped his sword after Aerion struck him on the shoulder. The boy seemed unfazed as his eyes never left his sister. Everyday Vhaera and the elders would come to support their kinsmen as they picked the wild poisonous herbs from the mountains. Their hands would be covered in blisters and frost by the time training was done. Cattle has made it clear to him that his servants must learn the allure of poison, so that when they truly learn to bend a person's life it will be harder for them to get caught.

Redworm is just a soldier, a knight to some, or a old crow to others but in his eyes the valyrians were not to be trusted. Cattle was no friend of his but he would hate to see the bastard dead. As soon as Daemond left the tide of wavering students he allowed them to take rest. It was better not to push them for the captains at port would be arriving here shortly. All hands would be needed on deck as he's heard reports of a new ship arriving today on the morrow. They say the fleet has a flag of a seahorse, blue in stride, pointy on each side with hard scales on the surface. A seahorse they said symbolizes good luck, magic, strength, persistence, and peace; for their abundant fertility knows no bounds.

"In those days before his knighthood, he had often bought cargoes from smuggler to trade to bankers, and notorious pirates. When a pirate grows rich enough, they make him a prince... self styled prince of the narrow sea".

"It reminded him of the Gods being burned. The red priests have many temples. Always they are burning this and burning that, crying out to their lord R'hllor. The old lords were like that; they took their dusty fueds to the grave, forgetting nothing and forgiving less. As a boy, he used to run across the bridges at port, even in the black of night. Boys believe nothing can hurt them, his doubt whispered. Grown men knew better for hard places breed hard men, and hard men rule the world".

"It was what he tells the children, " a frightened man is a beaten man". These children do not seem to fear us but whats beyond the horizons. The bell rung signifying the arrival of ships. All who were in his care quickly placed their swords away in their haste to get to the ports. Daemond head was still in the clouds as he smiled towards his sister. A boy so young would likely endure many hardships, he figured. Aerion was the only one who walked in slow strides beside him. He said nothing as he watched the children play and run.

The boy had once told him why he did not desire friendship. "He told him that when his mother used to work in the fields he managed one of the lords many gardens. That lord had a son who would pick trouble with anyone who encouraged him. He said he had made a mistake that day. A older boy from another house bullied the little lord. He had been trimming the edges on the trees when the fight started. He went to the little lords aide. And soon after he was acknowledge but the little lord still loved to play pranks which led to a misunderstanding on his part as his mother paid for his naivety and foolish beliefs. Her back reminded him everytime of his dereliction in duty. She was beaten because of a toy he was given, plated gold they told him. Now he repents for gold and riches no longer catches his eye for they never really had any power. They taught him a valuable lesson that day, he said".