Authors Note:
Hope you all enjoy the chapter. I have a few ideas about how I want this to go. Gonna just do my thing.
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101 AC
Bravos
It's been a year since I woke up in the ruins of Valyria before being claimed by Morgoth. For an entire year I've destroyed every slaver ship I could find and the free cities are getting ansy.
Good news for me? Until the old king dies none across the narrow sea would make a move. This is why I've come to Bravos. What I'm about to do will either get me killed or get me a form of protection none in this world are equipped to handle.
Turning the small coin in my hand and through my fingers I stop it to look at the symbols.
One one side is a man in a cloak. Faceless.
On the other is a very styled looking scale. And around it is etched in Valyrian, 'Valar Morghulis.'
I'd found it when I first arrived in this city just sitting by one of the many canals. I picked it up immediately recognizing it's significance from the Arya Stark storyline.
Now I stood outside the place that could be my doom or my salvation. With a few breaths to steady my heartbeat, I began walking toward the building. The House of Black and White.
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A few minutes post my loud knocking on the large door I was about to turn around when a man in a robe opened the door.
I was scared. Morgoth was away from bravos considering their penchant against people who look like me, I was alone.
I didn't greet him. I simply handed the coin to him and spoke. "Valar Morghulis."
He takes the coin and inspects it for a moment before looking back to me, "Valar Dohaeris." After speaking he turns aside letting me in.
I walk inside and the door shuts behind me. Instantly I feel eyes on me. So many eyes. I try to keep it together but I know to a trained killer like the one walking beside me I must be as open as a book. Or 'scroll' as people use here.
The fact that the man was silent, I couldn't even hear him breathe let alone walk. It was eerie.
By the time we reached where I assume to be our destination I was close to just running out of here, so weird was the energy.
The door opens to reveal a completely dark room. All aside from a small tourch illuminating a statue with many faces carved into it.
Some were twisted in agony, others in joy, and yet there were more who we're resigned or straight faced.
The man spoke. "It is not I who judges." He said before stepping back. Instantly I was on my knees. Not of my own volition. Something else entered the room.
I decided to speak. "You know I've already died and served. What's next?" I say, thankful my Valyrian has progressed so far in such a time. It was as if I was meant to read it.
(AN: using a bit of the Percy jackson lore here. Sue me.)
There was no verbal response. At least to my ears. However, the man behind me sucks in a deep breath before muttering incoherently. Finally, he looks to me with something weird, adoration.
"Come. I will show you to your quarters. Tomorrow, we dicuss your plans." He said almost excitedly.
"Wait, what just happened?" I asked truly lost at the sudden change in attitude.
"You are his champion. The many faced one."
"And what exactly does that mean?" I ask.
The man shook his head. "I do not and cannot know the full scope of it. He just said to follow you."
I nod, following him out of the room toward a bed. I'm suddenly very tired. But one thing is crystal clear in my mind. 'No getting assassinated for this guy,' I think. With the faces less men on my side poisons and treachery are almost impossible to occur.
A plan begins forming in my head. I could take a few slavers ships, raise some of the men there to my cause and with them, morgoth, and my new guards….. I'm gonna become a king. Not of an entire continent no. That's an early grave if you ask me. Nope. I'm going for the Panamal canal of this world. The step stones.
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I'm awoken by a different man than the one I met last night. He and another man stand outside my door. "Forgive me for waking you my lord. But the high one has asked for your presence."
I wave him off. "My name is…" I begin only to stop. I'd actually not come up with my own name in this world yet. I decided I'd I already named my dragon morgoth I might as well stay on theme. "My name is Sauron. Sauron Balaerys." I say remembering a Valyrian last name I'd heard during my deep dives on the internet before coming here.
He nods. "Very well lord Sauron. Shall we go?" He asks. I nod and we make our way out of the room and down the hall. With both men on each shoulder.
"What can I call the of you?" I ask them.
The one I'd spoke to before, more bronze colored skin spoke, "we give up our names when we come into the order." I nod.
"Then I'll call you Bayek." I said smiling. "Your silent friend will be called Enzo." I nod to myself and begin making my way down the hall I remember walking down last night.
Arriving in front of the door I step in after a knock and am greeted with the man from lastnight. One who kept his hood on still.
"Lord Sauron. Come." He says.
"how'd you know my name?" I ask.
"I know only what our patron told me my lord." I sigh. These guys were usually always cryptic. "How about we discuss what it was that brought me here this morning, high one." I say to him.
"I've made some preliminary moves since learning of your arrival. Many in this city would jump at the chance to leave. Many more in the other free cities. I've got almost 300 people already and they will only become more numerous. I also secured some gold from our contacts in the iron bank."
I nod. Trying to look unfazed but inwardly shocked. 'They work fast.'
"Then let's begin preparations on how we're going to take the stepstones before someone else does." I say hiding my foreknowledge for now.
He nods. "Good assessment. The situation in the stepstones grows more volatile by the day. Intervening before a coalition of the free cities can form and getting a foothold there will be crucial if you wish to make that your home." Who I have used context clues to understand is the head priest says to me.
I nod once again. "I understand. Then let's begin." I say as the man pulls out a map and begins to talk strategy to swiftly dealing with the pirates.
The beginning of the dragon heads kingdom had begun.
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AN: quick and easy. Sorry. I have to work 🤷