The Golden Dragon

Chapter One: Griff

286 AC

It was early in the morning, birds were chirping out and light poured in through a rip in the tent. The light landed upon the soft features of my face, causing me to groan out softly, rolling over onto my other side to escape it. It was then that a rough sounding voice spoke out. "Griff, its time to get up" The voice was one that belonged to my father, Jon Connington, an exiled knight and Captain of the best sellsword company in all of Essos, The Golden Company.

"Just a little while longer..." I said as I kept his eyes closed tightly, enjoying the comfort of my bedroll and welcoming the darkness so that I can rest. My body was aching from the past few days.

"No, I have something to show you so get up" Jon said as he dropped a mask beside my face. "Don't forget your mask, we can't let anyone see your face" He said as he walked out from the tent.

I opened my eyes and stared at the mask before me, the bane of my existence. I hated the damn thing, I knew that I needed to wear it but for gods... How I longed for the day when I could throw it into flames and watch it just burn up. Well, I couldn't go back to sleep now so I simply sighed out and sat up, throwing the blanket from my body and reaching over to grab the mask. I couldn't help but look at the mask that doubled as a little leather helmet I could wear in fights. I was only 5 so of course, I wouldn't exactly be involved in any fights but when I was old enough and able, I could use the mask as a helmet. It was made of hardened leather, it went all the way around to the back of his head and covered the entirety of my fair face, the only exception was my eyes. The mask had two holes over where my eyes would be so I was still able to see quite clearly, the only thing people can see of my face was my dark bluey purple eyes. The mask was quite a thing, it could be tightened and loosened as I got older and bigger so it was practical and could be used for years to come.

I let out a sigh as I stared at the black mask with detestation. As I was about to stand, I heard a noise which caused me to turn my head to the girl who yawned in the bedroll beside me. Amara, the girl who was being raised alongside me as a sister to me, she was kind and always had a smile that could brighten a room even if she was a child. Her eyes opened to reveal her light greyish eyes which locked onto me. "Up so early?" She asked as she herself sat up, her shadowy black hair falling down her back as she sat up straight, it stopped just below the top of her spine. Amara was only a year younger than myself but she seemed smart, being taught well by her mother, our mother.

"Father, he has put me to a routine, I asked for it yes but not one as strict as this" I said as I let out a soft sigh. "You should rest some more Ami, your mother is still sleeping" Griff told her.

"Our mother you mean" She said as she stared at me. It was true, she was like a mother to me but I knew she was not my real mother, I was smart enough to keep that a secret from everyone but Amara likes to remind me that I should keep the act up even when no eyes are prying on us. Then again.. I don't even think she properly understands that I am not her real brother... Honestly, it is hard to tell.

I just nod at her and smile softly "Yes, our mother... Please sleep Ami, father is waiting" I told her and crawled over, our bedrolls were close but not touching. I crossed the small gap and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead before standing. I was barely dressed, only with loosened trousers at the moment. I went over to my clothes and picked them up before going behind a folding screen and changing into some more practical clothing. Luckily the Golden Company were not exactly poor so buying proper clothing and such items was never a problem, however, nothing expensive or lavish was ever purchased for me, not that I really cared. So long as I had clothing, I considered myself lucky.

I pulled on a black long-sleeved linen tunic that went down to just below my hips. Next, I grabbed my black linen trousers and pulled them up, they went down to my ankles and were quite tight but spacious enough to give me the ability to move around, not restricting my agility either. Finally, there were my black leather boots. My dress sense was not exactly the best, I rarely wore colourful clothing, it was either black or white. This made me the odd one out within the camp since mostly everyone wore gold, many of the officers and captains wore golden rings around their arms and it was hard to tell one man from another due to everyone dressing quite similarly. I finally grabbed my leather belt, this was the only thing with any colour to it apart from that mask I was forced to wear. The belt was black in colour yet the buckle was gold in colour as was the tongue of it. Once the belt was finally on, I turned my gaze to the mask that sat on a small stand, even though it laid on its side it still stared at me... A sigh left my lips as I reached over and grabbed it, pulling it up and looking at it. While the front of the mask was mostly black in colour, the underlayer that went around to protect the back of my head was more of a golden colour though I doubted it was real gold, actually of course it wasn't real gold, it would be so much heavier if it was, the colour just made it look golden. I lifted the mask above my head, slowing lowering it down over my face. The claustrophobic feeling I used to get in this thing had left me quite some time ago, it was replaced with a hatred for the mask I wore but the thing was necessary for now.