It had been three days since Tiber and Ser Benedar had gone their separate ways, and Tiber still carried the weight of that parting like a stone in his chest. The silence of the Vale's roads did little to fill the emptiness left behind. He rode on Pebbles, his faithful mare, along a winding dirt road that cut through the hills and woods like a brown scar. He hadn't spoken a word in days, save for the quiet mutterings to Pebbles and the few prayers he said over the carcasses of rabbits and birds he killed for food. He had drunk from rivers and brooks, slept under stars and cold skies, and sharpened Twilight beside campfires that sputtered and hissed in the dark.
As the sun was dipping low behind the western hills, casting long golden shadows across the road, Tiber spotted a man in fine clothing standing beside a cart. The man waved frantically.
"Help! Ser, help me!" he cried, his voice trembling.
Tiber slowed Pebbles, hand drifting toward the hilt of Twilight. "What's the matter?" he asked, eyeing the man and his cart, which was loaded with sacks and wooden crates tied down with ropes.
"Bandits," the man said breathlessly. "Five of them up the road. They blocked the path and threatened to take everything. I ran back before they could catch me. I just want to get to Gulltown, but I need help."
Tiber glanced toward the woods where the road curved and vanished behind thick trees. Five wasn't many. Not for him. Not with Twilight in his hand.
"I'll deal with them," he said simply, turning Pebbles and mounting her with practiced ease. He gave the man a nod and trotted down the road.
The bandits had set up a crude blockade using logs and rocks. Five of them loitered by a fire, laughing and drinking, one of them even pissing against a tree.
Tiber didn't hesitate.
He urged Pebbles forward with a hard kick, and the mare galloped at full speed. One of the bandits turned just in time to catch a hoof to the chest—he flew back with a scream, ribs shattering. Tiber unsheathed Twilight and, in one clean motion, swung it through the neck of another man. His head rolled in the dirt, eyes wide in shock.
The third lunged at him, but Tiber parried the strike, and Pebbles kicked him square in the stomach. The man doubled over—Tiber brought Twilight down into his back, splitting him like firewood.
The last two tried to flee, but they weren't fast enough.
Tiber ran one through the back and then turned, throwing his sword in a high arc. It spun like a flash of moonlight, and buried itself in the last bandit's spine. The man collapsed in a twitching heap.
Breathing hard, blood running down his sword and arms, Tiber pulled Twilight free and cleaned it on one of the bandit's cloaks.
He rode back.
The man in rich clothing was still waiting, now seated on a crate, nervously picking at his fingernails. He stood up the moment he saw Tiber, eyes going wide.
"Gods," he said. "You dealt with them?"
Tiber nodded. "All dead."
The man's face broke into a broad grin. "You're a knight, through and through. What's your name, ser?"
"Tiber," he said. "Just Tiber."
"Well, Ser Just Tiber," the man said with a laugh, "how would you like four gold dragons to accompany me to Gulltown? As my bodyguard. It's only a week's ride, and I'd feel a lot safer with someone like you watching my back."
Tiber blinked. Four dragons? He hadn't seen that much coin in his life.
"I'll do it."
The man introduced himself as Leo Wind, a merchant with business in Gulltown. The next week passed in relative peace. They traveled the main roads, keeping close to the coast, with Tiber always riding close behind or ahead of the cart. He kept Pebbles well-fed and his sword sharp. He didn't talk much, but Leo did enough for both of them. He talked about trade, the prices of cinnamon from the Summer Isles, salt fish from the Fingers, lace from Pentos. Tiber barely understood half of it.
But he didn't mind. The coin would be real, and it would be his.
When Gulltown finally came into view, Tiber felt his breath catch. He had never seen a city before. Not a real one. The walls were high and thick, gleaming pale in the sun. The harbor stretched out like a beast of its own, full of ships with colorful sails and billowing banners. The sound of gulls, the creaking of wood, the calls of dockworkers—it was all new to him.
They passed through the gates after Leo showed a letter to the guards. The city opened up before him like a storybook: narrow stone streets, shops overflowing with goods, taverns and inns, street performers juggling knives, and women in dresses finer than anything he'd ever seen. He even spotted a dark-skinned man with a gold earring and feathered hat. Tiber stared—he'd heard of such people, but never seen one.
They rode through the city until they reached the harbor, where Leo met a group of men who handed him a chest in exchange for the goods. Tiber carried the chest—it was heavy, very heavy. When they reached a large estate surrounded by iron-wrought gates, guards stepped aside to let them pass.
Inside, Tiber saw women draped in silk lounging in the gardens, laughter and moans drifting from shaded alcoves. The air smelled of perfume and wine. He wrinkled his nose. The place reeked of decadence.
"Brother!" a fat man with gold rings on every finger came waddling out of the house. He embraced Leo, who handed him the chest.
The fat man opened it. Tiber's eyes went wide. Inside were hundreds—maybe thousands—of gold dragons.
Leo fished out four and handed them to Tiber.
"Well-earned, hedge knight. Now leave."
Tiber didn't argue. He took the coin and left, riding Pebbles through the winding streets until he found a quiet tavern called The Rose and Falcon.
Inside, it was quiet. A single man a dwarf sat at a table near the hearth, sipping from a tankard.
"Ho there!" the dwarf called out. "New face, are you?"
"I am," Tiber said. "Name's Ser Tiber. Looking for a room."
"You've found Robbie's fine house of drink and sleep," the dwarf said with a bow. "That'll be one silver for the night."
Tiber took out one of the gold dragons. "How long does this buy me?"
Robbie's eyes widened. "A year, ser."
Tiber chuckled. "Then I'll take a room for a year."
Robbie didn't argue. He personally led Tiber up the stairs to the best room—clean sheets, a soft bed, a tub already filled with warm water.
Tiber took off his armor piece by piece, set Twilight beside the bed, and slid into the bath. He let the warmth seep into his bruises and bones.
For the first time in days, he felt peace.
And yet… a part of him wondered where Benedar was.
And what came Next.