Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Chapter 29

Solomon. Braavos.

The setting sun was slowly sinking behind the sea as its rays softly illuminated the streets and buildings of the bustling city. Lina and I walked slowly towards the Tarmo mansion where the banquet was to be held.

It was located in the northeastern part of the city. It was where the Sea Lord's palace and the upper class Bravos were located. And its area was about a fifth of the entire city, which was divided into the Purple Harbor and the residential area.

I walked ahead of the group, indicating my supremacy in it. Lina followed right behind me and pointed the way, and the two priestesses rounded out the group. The High Priestess of Braavos had taken them with us as maids, and to show the status of our group. After all, only more or less important people are present at the banquet, and Lina obviously doesn't want to belittle her faith and god.

Their attire hasn't changed much: the same scarlet dresses and ruby necklaces that all the red priestesses and priests wear. But one item of clothing was added to them: a short black cape with red patterns and white edges. Lina insisted on these capes, reasoning that in this way it would show that she and the priestesses belonged to me.

I saw no need for it and even found such an action strange. Everyone knows that they serve R'Glor, but this tiny cape directly indicates that I am either him or someone above him. That's on the one hand.

On the other hand, she obviously wants to elevate the Red Faith in this way, since I am... an unusual person. Even if the people at the banquet don't know it. Aside from that, the capes will give weight to me as a person unknown to anyone, as well as negate the anonymity. To my questions, Lina only brushed it off and said that there were more benefits to be gained that way. Eventually I relented and left it at that, deciding to see what would come of it.

Our small group was on foot, something Lina had to put up with already. She wanted to use the palanquin, for obvious reasons, but it would be unnecessary, for I wanted to study the reactions to us.

The people who saw us, and especially Lina, either obediently parted and bowed, or they looked at me with genuine interest and tried to figure out who I was. The latter were far more numerous than the former, by the way.

But I could say that I had achieved my goal. The looks Lina and the priestesses received ranged from lust and praise to indifference and interest. No hateful or spiteful emotions I felt, which couldn't be more gratifying. After all, I was aware of the practice of burning heretics, at least until I arrived.

Without faltering, I looked at Lina.

She had a cheerful smile on her face that would have suited a young girl in her twenties. From time to time she giggled, winked flirtatiously, or waved her hand at people passing by, causing them to sprawl on the ground in a silly grin. The image of a mature and gifted woman behaving this way is... cute, I guess. It's like she was a teasing big sister, willing to listen and help, but with a witticism. A couple of funny jabs, to be exact.

So the time flew by, and we made our way to the venue. A really impressive three-story mansion appeared before my eyes. Everything in it looked rich: the roof covered with red tiles, walls of pure white stone, shaped gates and fences. Tall columns framed the entrance of the mansion, and the light of the sun reflected off the glass in the windows. Just by looking at this residence, it was safe to say that someone like Tarmo lived here.

Two guards were standing in front of the entrance, and when they saw our group approaching them, they bowed respectfully and let us pass, of course with a scrutinizing glance at me. A couple of minutes later, we found ourselves at the mansion, where a smartly dressed servant greeted us with a bow and led us inside.