On the road back to the Golden Oak Inn, a carriage bearing the inn's insignia was slowly making its way. Maeve, sitting opposite Marko, suddenly spoke.
"Marko! How did you know about Roose Bolton of the Bolton Family and Seagull Town? Has your perception become so strong that you can read other people's memories?"
Unlike Moonshadow and the others, Maeve was a hero from ancient times. Some of her knowledge and ideas came from humans, so she was very familiar with the underhanded dealings of human nobles.
Sometimes, she would even offer Marko advice, though her thinking could be a bit extreme. She especially couldn't stand evil deeds. When they were at Griffin's Roost, she wanted Marko to burn the murderers and rapists at the stake.
Marko smiled at her question.
"Actually, this question isn't that difficult to deduce. Seagull Town and White Harbor have always been rivals, and some families in the south without much property have some gray income. Both the Bolton Family and the Graveson Family were suppressed too severely, which led them to this point. Only the Graveson Family wanted to suppress White Harbor, while the Bolton Family wanted gold dragons."
Maeve frowned in dissatisfaction and said,
"How disgusting! Who would have thought that the glory and honor of their family are built on a pile of vengeful spirits? I really want to purify them all with Holy Flame."
"Heh! You! Don't be so extreme. In the end, I'm the same as them. It's just that our methods differ. From the moment we pick up weapons, we're already creating a path of killing. Remember, order is built on a foundation of resentment."
Marko said to Maeve calmly, as if he never viewed himself as a particularly noble person.
"You're not the same. There's a reason why the Light has chosen you."
Maeve looked at Marko, speaking each word deliberately. Her golden eyes were filled with complex emotions: reverence,感动, and a hint of shyness.
Marko smiled and said,
"Perhaps it's because I was educated by the red giants since childhood! Some of the spirits they advocated have always remained deep within my soul. Whether it's hypocrisy or pretense…
I just don't like seeing people oppressed or starving and freezing. I didn't have much ability before, so I could only take care of myself. Now that I have the ability, I naturally hope to take care of more people, to make them comfortable, and to make myself live a better and more comfortable life! I also hope you can always help me and walk this path with me."
Moonshadow's small hand tightened its grip on Marko's, and she said softly,
"I will always be by your side, no matter what. You are my companion, and we are bound by the vows we made before the gods. I will always help you, follow you, until the stars fall."
Maeve also said to Marco with a serious expression,
"Our fates are intertwined. Naturally, I will always follow you. I will use my Dragonsteel Sword to eliminate all your enemies."
"And me, and me! I will always follow you, Master Marco!"
Nymph excitedly clutched Marco's right hand and said, as if wanting to express her presence.
Marco ruffled her head and smiled at Moonshadow and Maeve. The bright moonlight streamed in through the carriage windows, making everything seem so warm and comforting.
Three days after Marco and his companions left Seagull Town, the Graveson Family announced that they, too, had acquired a Dragonsteel Sword. It was currently in the possession of their heir, Arthur Graveson. The Graveson Family had named the sword "Joy."
This name caused many onlookers and other families to cast mocking glances at the Royce Family of Runestone. The Royce Family possessed a family heirloom, a Valyrian Steel Sword, named "Sorrow."
During the Targaryen dynasty's "Dance of the Dragons" civil war, Ser William Royce of the Royce Family wielded Sorrow in the service of the Blacks. Unfortunately, during the later stages of the war, a riot erupted in King's Landing. When the mob stormed the Dragonpit, Ser William was killed, and Sorrow was lost with him.
It was obvious that the Graveson Family was deliberately antagonizing Runestone, but the Royce Family was powerless to do anything about it. Their family sword had been missing for many years, and all they could do was silently endure the taunts of their rival family.
However, at this moment, Marco had arrived near Dragonstone in Blackwater Bay. Standing at the bow of the ship, he could see the peculiar, dragon-shaped castle in the distance. The castle on Dragonstone was one of the few remaining structures from the Valyrian Freehold era.
The Dragonstone castle was built using the most advanced Valyrian stonemasonry techniques of the time. Rumor had it that the strange, dragon-shaped structures were built by Valyrian sorcerers using special magic. However, due to the fall of the Valyrian Freehold, this technology had been lost for a long time, making it the most unique castle on the continent of Westeros.
The Dragonstone castle was built of black stone, with its towers carved in the likeness of dragons. The castle's outer walls had various dragon-shaped gargoyles that served as battlements. Most of the castle's design was related to dragons: smaller dragons decorated the door frames, dragon claws protruding from the walls served as torch holders, and huge stone wings housed the blacksmith's shop and armory. Dragon tails formed arches, bridges, and outdoor staircases.
Moreover, possibly because this castle was built with magic, it had remained exceptionally sturdy over the centuries, unlike other castles that required expensive maintenance. Otherwise, the small population of Dragonstone would not be able to support the high maintenance costs.
Furthermore, the castle on Dragonstone had witnessed the rise and fall of the Targaryen family. It was from here that the Targaryens—one man and two women—began the "Conquest." Similarly, it was here that one man and two women (Daenerys and her mother counted as two) fled, marking the end of the "War of the Usurper" and the decline of the Targaryens.
Once upon a time, this was a paradise for dragons. Countless dragons soared and frolicked here, and countless dragon eggs hatched here. Many famous dragonriders subdued legendary dragons here, and countless legendary figures were born or perished here. Although Marco wanted to go up and take a look, his destination today was not here.
And, right now, this is the territory of Stannis Baratheon, "The Stag." He wouldn't be interested in Marco's Dragonsteel Sword. It also seemed to be the time when the Red Priestess, Melisandre, was preaching. Marco didn't want to provoke her, and if she kept playing her "burn and be a whore" game, Marco could better reap the benefits.
High Tide is also an island in Blackwater Bay, located west of Dragonstone, and is the territory of the Velaryon family.
The Velaryons also possessed Valyrian blood. Before the "Doom," they, along with the Targaryens, guarded Dragonstone, a forward outpost of the Valyrian Freehold. After the "Doom," they formed an alliance with the Targaryens.
In the early days of the Targaryen dynasty, the Velaryons held considerable influence within the realm. The first captain of the Kingsguard and the Master of Ships both came from the Velaryon family. For a time, only members of the Velaryon family could hold the position of Master of Ships.
They also shared the Valyrian traits of silver hair and purple eyes. The Velaryon family's sigil was a silver seahorse on a sea-green field, and their words were "Faithful, Courageous, Ancient, True."
However, starting with the "Dance of the Dragons," the Velaryon family, like the Targaryens, gradually declined. The current Lord of High Tide, Monford Velaryon, only has four main warships and more than ten longships. It can be said that, aside from their family bloodline, the current Lord of High Tide is not even comparable to a second-rate lord in Westeros.
Once upon a time, "Sea Snake" Corlys Velaryon, the Count, sailed nine times, exploring many seas that no Westerosi had ever reached, bringing back countless treasures. Back then, the Velaryon family was wealthier than the Lannisters and Hightowers combined.
Moreover, the port towns of High Tide, Spice Town and Tides End, developed better than King's Landing. The Velaryons also intermarried with the royal family multiple times. However, since "Oakfist" Alyn Velaryon allowed the family's naval hegemony to continue for a period, the Velaryon family gradually withdrew from the ranks of the top nobles in Westeros.
After landing at the Whisper Port docks of High Tide, the first thing that caught Marco's eye was the magnificent Seahorse Keep, the ancestral castle of the Velaryon family.
Seahorse Keep was styled as a traditional Westerosi castle, lacking the unique dragon-shaped features of Dragonstone. However, its base walls appeared to be black, which Marco estimated was due to later repairs. It was very likely that, before the "War of the Usurper" period, it was also a Valyrian-style structure, rebuilt for some particular reason.
As it was late, Marco and his companions found a few suites in an inn at Whisper Port. After all, this was close to King's Landing. Even though the Velaryon family had declined, this was still a royal domain, and its prosperity was unmatched by other places. It certainly wouldn't be as dilapidated as Widow's Watch.
It was already evening. The inn's hall was filled with guests eating. The inn where Marco and his companions were staying was called the "Golden Shell," and it was arguably the best inn on High Tide.
Therefore, those who stayed here were basically big merchants from all over the world, and there were many more people gathered here than usual.
This was because they had received news in advance that King's Landing would be holding a tournament, so they brought with them a large amount of goods, hoping to make a fortune in King's Landing.
It has to be said that Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish, was really a shrewd businessman. He knew that after King Robert returned with Eddard Stark, he would definitely hold a "tournament" in King's Landing, so he released the news in advance, so that he could make a killing.
He didn't worry at all whether Eddard would agree, because he had already planned everything. When King Robert went to Winterfell, a raven from Lysa Arryn would arrive at Winterfell at the same time. At that time, with Catelyn Stark's personality, she would definitely strongly urge her husband to go south to King's Landing.
Marco frowned slightly at the noisy environment in the arena. He wasn't fond of such places, so he spent a bit more to have the waiter deliver the food to his room.
Just as Marco was about to return to his room with the three women, a flippant voice suddenly appeared beside them.
"Oh! I didn't expect to find two ladies with such exquisite figures here. May I have the pleasure of making your acquaintance?"
Marco frowned at this, while Henk and the others, who were acting as bodyguards, had already surrounded the man with hostile expressions. Henk looked at him with a cruel expression and said:
"Kid! Looks like you're tired of living. You dare to offend our two mistresses? Do you want me to throw you out of here, or will you jump yourself?"
Seeing the six people closing in, the flippant young man unconsciously swallowed, and a hint of fear appeared on his handsome face under his black captain's hat.
It was at this moment that Marco got a clear look at his appearance. The young man had silver-gold hair and gray-green eyes. His handsome face, combined with his double chin, made him look like a young master from a noble family, though he was somewhat thin.
Marco looked at his face and attire, and instantly thought of someone. Just now at the docks, Marco had specifically inquired about the information of Lord Monford Velaryon. From the mouths of many sailors, he learned that the Velaryon family was dwindling in this generation, and the heir was Monterys Velaryon, who was only 5 years old this year.
There's also a bastard, Aeron Waters. He's the captain of the warship Seahorse from High Tide. This guy only appeared on High Tide after the Countess died. His hair color and name always make people unconsciously think of him in connection with Count Monford.
Aeron Waters swallowed hard and said, "I... I was just expressing my feelings, nothing more. Besides, aren't beautiful things allowed to be praised?"
"I think you..."
Henk said with some dissatisfaction, he seemed a little angry, and the killing intent on him was revealed. The momentum accumulated from years of killing and eating people was not a joke.
Aeron Waters, who hadn't experienced many battles, was instantly terrified. He looked at Henk and said fearfully:
"You... you don't come over here, I am..."
Certain words were just about to be spoken, but then he suddenly thought of something, and his eyes instantly dimmed.
"Boy! For the sake of your bloodline, I'll spare your life, but I still have to give you a small punishment."
After saying this, Marco cast a "Weakness Curse." The man instantly felt all his strength drain away, as if he had fallen seriously ill.
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