Harsh and brilliant were the rays of the sun that beat down on the forehead of Garrick as he walked through the city streets. Over his body he wore magnificent purple silk cloths that were as smooth to the touch as water and over his shoulders a black robe to cover his fine wears. The city that Garrick had ridden too may have been civilized but it was not a safe place to be showing off your expensive items unless you were making a death wish.
His brotherâs didnât know it, but Garrick had plans in motion since the day he discovered they would be traveling to Essos. He never intended to sit around and watch meaningless games of joust and archery take place for that would be a sinful waste of such a grand opportunity. There was something here for the young man that could be of such importance to his mission that he could not simply pass it up.
He continued down the dirt street of the city, passing various vendors and marketers trying to shove their unwanted goods on passer-bys. One thing was for sure about Essos, it was a much different place than anything you could find in Westros. The sun shinned more and the general life style of the people was fascinating. Well, not to one such as Garrick who cared little for even his own culture. After all, his own culture had done nothing but curse his life since the day he was born. Unless it had enough value to be of gain to Garrick, he had no reason to even acknowledge it.
The son of a man who would leave him now throne continued down the street to a small temple, one draped in red banners of the local faith, Râhllor. Garrick had long dreamed of coming to Essos to meet one of these so called Red Priests, ones who could teach him the ways of the higher mysteries. But he was no fool, through what little whispers and tales he had heard about the Râhllor followers; he knew that many of them in this time believed that all other religions worshipped demons that must be destroyed. It was not as if Garrick believed in the religions of Westros anyway, but he would need to pretend to believe in this ârighteous causeâ so that he could find his way into the clergy. This was going to be a huge risk, especially considering that the current group he was on his way to visit were notoriously one of the most extreme sects of the religion.
As Garrick approached the two hollow slabs of doors the temple held, he threw them open as if an emperor into the capital of his new kingdom. His darkly cloaked figure cast a long shadow across the cold stone floors of the temple, only dimly lit by a series of flames springing from large torched sitting eerily along the corridor. Garrick studied his surroundings, the orange glow flickering off of his skin as his dark eyes analyzed ever crack in the stone and every dark corner. It would seem he was alone, but as the door creaked closed behind him, blocking any hopes of reaching safety if hell itself were to charge after him. A silly thought if one were not in such a dark, mysterious and groggy place.
Garrick could not see another living soul as he stood in the midst of a shadowy lobby, but he could feel the eyes of hundred evil things glaring into his soul. Unfeeling, inhuman, cold and waiting in the thick shadows of the temple and they were so wicked that the maddest of men could not help but shiver.
Cautiously, Garrick took a step forward and the floor made a tremendous creak and a sweet dark voice followed in its wake âWhy so frightenedâŠoutlander?â not even thirty seconds through the door and he had been branded as a foreigner.
âWho are you calling scared, you are the one hiding like a coward?â Garrick hissed into the darkness
âOh, a touchy one I see.â The sweet voice chimed back and, from the dark void, a slowing red dress appeared. It was long and brilliant with depictions of flames that rose from the bottom of the dress up the back and then broke off into several directions throughout the flowing dress. Wearing the viciously elegant dress was a woman with milky brown skin that was soft to just look at and deep brown, warming, eyes. Black hair swirled down her body to the bottom of her breasts and hung over her right eye and corner of her soft lips. She appeared to be very young, no older than maybe nineteen, but her eyes housed a soul decades older. âYou look like a man from across the sea.â She said softly as he strode toward Garrick with her hips swinging from side to side gently.
âIt doesnât matter where Iâm fromâŠwhat matters is why Iâm here.â Garrick said in a light, but still mildly aggressive tone as he starred at the womanâs exposed legs as she walked.
The woman gave a seductive laugh and reached out to lightly though Garrickâs shoulder âthen tell me why are you here?â she smiled lustfully at Garrick, her eyes not leaving his face as she reached for his hood. However, as her hand graced the edges of the cloaks hood, Garrickâs hand lashed out and snatched her hand. Instantly he could feel the shadows shift, hissing at him for what he had just done.
âIâm here to learn the ways of the priests.â He said, matter of factly
The young girl smiled and gave a slight moan âhmm, yes I knowâŠyouâre the one I saw in the fireâŠif the fire doesnât lie, and it never does, then you are much to handsome to be wearing that hood.â These words were nothing new to Garrick, the wenches and whores he slept with in his adventures to fill the void in his soul had said things all too similar. Still, there was something in this womanâs eyes that brought up a feeling in the pit of his hollow stomachâŠone he had not felt for a very long time.
Slowly his grip loosened on her wrist and the womanâs light fingers grasped his hood and gently pulled it over his head to reveal Garrickâs hard face. Though his face was still the stone cold stone carving it normally was, his eyes showed the effects of her simple gesture. âWh-who are you?â Garrick asked like a small child trying to desperately grasp what he could not understand.
âMy name is Mira.â She said ever so lightly âthe head Priestess of this temple.â She smiled as she continued her seductive acts of physical contact, swiping her hand gently down the young manâs cheek âand you are Garrick ArrynâŠarenât you?â
Garrick suddenly had a rush of his usual self charge into his thoughts and he put one foot back and placed a hand on his dagger âHow do you know all of this?â he growled, but the young woman barely moved in response.
âThe light tells much of what has been and will soon beâŠI have seen you in the fires Garrick, your coming was not unexpected.â She said smoothly, wrapping her hand around the side of his face gently âI know why you are here, you are here to take things which are not yours to haveâŠuse powers that not mere mortal should holdâŠdo things that no priest ever could.â She smiled from ear to ear as she moaned her next words âIâve been waiting so long for you.â
Garrick trembled at her voice as the words slipped through her lips, it was as if a spell had been cast on the young man, his heart drummed against his chest and he spoke in a tone of pleasure that he rarely knew âif you know so muchâŠthen will you teach me what Iâve come here to learn?â
âYes.â She said and then turned on the balls of her feet and began walking back towards the shadows from which she had emerged âbut it is not as easy as simply learning, first you must understand.â She gave a wicked smile to the fourth brother of the Arryns âfirst you must have faithâŠcome with me, there is much to be done.â
âRoarke!â Renold exclaimed as he took his old friends hand in a strong grip and brought his body into him for a friendly embrace
As the embrace ended Roarke pushed the girl his brothers had called Rydell forward âMay I present my sister, Rydell Lannister.â The man said with glee; however it would appear that his sister did not share it.
Renold returned her slight nod and gave a smile fit for an angel âIt is a pleasure to meet the sister of my good friend. Me and your brother go back quite a time, donât we?â Renold smiled and patted Roarke on the shoulder. He then turned to see that two of his brothers were staring at the girl while Gideon glared at the man, he didnât like his space being invaded by anyone and that went double for other houses. If it were only the girl there he would not have cared because he would have been just as interested in her as the rest. His mother didnât even bother to turn around when he heard Roarkeâs voice, she knew better than to put herself into a position to say something that Rylond would make her regret later.
âLet me introduce you to my brothers, Rydell.â He turned a pointed out each brother one by one âGideon, Addam and Rylond and that rather dashing woman is my mother.â Gytha didnât move, mere flattery was not enough to get her to associate with the likes of a Lannister.
Gideon was about to speak up but Rylond beat him to the punch âIt is such a pleasure to meet yet another Lannister.â Rylond announced, throwing himself from the throne and coming over to take Rydellâs hand and bowing to kiss it âespecially a lovely one such as you.â He gave a sly grin and stood straight up again âI knew the Lannisterâs came in many forms but not in the forms of angels.â And so the charming began.
Just about that time a soldier ran into the box, one of the elite guard that Gideon insisted the family bring just incase âMy lord! There is something you need to see.â
Rylond didnât even acknowledge the solider, he simply waved him off and called to Gideon âBrother, please go deal with whatever is troubling the men.â He usually took the word of his guard but they had a tendency to overreact and this was no time to humor those reactions.
Gideon growled, irritated that his brother got in on the girls first yet again and stood from his seat âFine, but Iâm taking off this bloody cape.â He said, un-strapping the bear hid from his shoulders and laying over the back of his chair before marching towards the guard âThis better be good Rodirok.â He hissed, following the man out of the box and to the small Arryn camp outside.
Gideon stomped through the sand, his head beating with envy, anger and irritation part being due to his brother and part to the fact that the men were making up some wild ass story about flying monsters in the air. He swore that if he got down here and found out they were going nuts over some overgrown Essos bird that he was going to pound someone into the ground.
âOkay, so where is this flying monster of yours Rodirok?â Gideon growled, coming to a rough stop in the middle of the camp.
âItâs right over this ridge sir.â The guard said, hurrying the Constable along to a small sand mound at the edge of camp. Gideon rolled his eyes and marched up the sand mound, his feet sliding on the loose sand. As he climbed he lost his balance and suddenly tripped, falling onto his hands and knees. Cursing under his breath he tried to stand, when suddenly a wave of air rushed over him and the shadows of dogs flew over him. He hit the ground and rolled onto his back to see what the hell had just happened. What he found were the damn Stark mutts her hauling ass through the camp, probably on their way back to their damn masters.
Gideon was slightly worried now and quickly rolled back to his feet and charged up the rest of the mound. Rodirok reached out his hand to help the general to his feet and once he got his footing he looked out over the empty sea. In the distance a wall of dust and dirt was being kicked into the air by a line of figures on horseback and soaring above them were what appeared to be birds overgrown by a few thousand times. Gideonâs eyes shot wide open as he looked at the incoming contacts. He looked over to Rodirock, who seemed just as surprised as he wasâŠhe failed to mention the wall of men rushing toward the site. But judging from his surprise that probably meant they werenât there when he last looked, it would make sense since thoseâŠthings in the air looked big enough to see from miles away.
âGet the mean geared up, I want two formations of spearmen and swordsmen geared up and on me in five minutes and make sure all the archers are ready. Send the royal guard detachment to the box and make sure they keep my family safe.â Gideon thought fast and talked fast, spitting out orders like he had this all memorized in his head for days.
âRight away.â Rodirok exclaimed and turned on his heel to give the High Constables orders. Whatever these things were, they werenât getting past Gideon without a fight, he was the scariest damn thing on this continent.