280 AC
Flea Bottom, Kings Landing.
Bartimos POV
Bartimos was never a godly man, never went to the sept. What use did he have for it? He lost three daughters and a hand. He prayed to any of the Seven who would hear it. They would not come. His whole life was utter shite. The good thing he ever managed was his Sam, his little boy. Until he met Lady Dallon. By the gods, was she like one of his daughters reborn.
She was fierce, full of wit and a right good old laugh, and she saved Sam. His face reddened with rage. Oh, what he would do when he caught those Bell Brothers. He would tear them apart limb from limb and leave nothing for the rats. To dare think they could touch his Sam, his sweet Sam.
His mind returned to the now, as his boy was standing guard by Amy's room. His son fast asleep on a stool with a wooden stick as a sword.
Amy had been a right wonder. She saved so many from death. The crowd outside his inn were a testament to that. It was first light, and those people out there were all worried beyond belief when Amy fell. To them, she was their saviour. A ray of light in a world utterly dark. Bartimos never had more men offering to protect the inn and Lady Dallon than now.
It had only been a week since she came. Bartimos looked outside the window of the inn. He was on the upper floor by the hallway leading to the rooms.
Bartimos had quickly closed the inn when news of the Gold Cloaks attacks were happening. No news of Lady Dallon was spreading to the scum who wore gold. They would try and bully her. Bartimos would never let that happen.
For every life she saved, Bartimos made them swear a vow to never tell a Gold Cloak. Amy didn't know about this, but he would repay his debt in some form. A debt that could honestly never be repaid. His gaze at his fresh hand. His eyes wet from simply remembering that day.
His boy and his hand, by what right? Did he deserve this wonderful lady? She would never go hungry under his roof, never need for anything. Bartimos will make sure of that.
Bartimos now headed down towards the door of the inn. People were clamouring at the door. Many had slept the night outside on the street. Bartimos opened the door. Many people backed away, but he could see it in their faces. The sheer worry they had for Amy was evident. Many of the eyes Bartimos looked upon were wet.
"Rite, milady is resting. Ye better fuck off home, otherwise she ain't gonna get her rest properly."
Bartimos, without waiting for a reply, shut the door. He waited a moment, and all he heard was footsteps all moving. Only a couple, a devoted few, still standing and praying. Bartimos chuckled. He knew Amy had that kind of effect. He had a task though.
He reopened the door, and he locked it behind him. He whistled for his neighbours to come down. The boys ran out.
"You fucks, keep watch at the door. If any of ye messes up, I'll bust ya rotten balls!"
The boys nodded and got into position fast.
Bartimos was on his way to see Davos. The best smuggler he knew. He needed some supplies. Food was running low. He always got his stuff from Davos. The man was hard as nails, but true all the same. Bartimos chuckled as he knew what Davos's wife used to say about him.
"He can sail anything, yet can't even tie his son's breeches."
Bartimos walked down the streets. Gold Cloaks were sparse in his neck of Flea Bottom. He only saw a few here and there. Always spitting at the ground whenever he caught sight of them. Fucking pompous pricks they were to Bartimos. Ever since the Mad King became mad, the Gold Cloaks were hunting every sign of disloyalty.
Bullying the weak, killing the sickly and the innocent. Gods, it irked Bartimos. Who were they to snuff people out? They were just like him, till they fucking donned the gold.
Bartimos felt his mind coming back to the now as he was coming up to Davos's house.
"Please let tha fool be in."
He saw a simple house, white exterior just like all the other Flea Bottom houses. Single floored, because two floors meant you were a rich prick. Bartimos was an innkeeper. He had to have two floors. He chuckled to himself.
He knocked on the wooden brown door.
He heard a lot of sniffling and crying inside. Then the door flung open. He saw Davos's face stricken with tears. Davos latched onto him, embracing him in a hug, surprising Bartimos.
Davos wept on his shoulders. Bartimos was lost.
"Davos... wha's wrong?"
Davos had much better speech than Bartimos due to all his smuggling and lying to nobility.
"My son, he's dying. He's fucking dying, and I can't do anything about it. How can a father not do anything to save his son? What is my life if I can't give it for him?"
Bartimos knew the feelings too well. Knew what he would do to save Sam. The terror when he went missing and heard the Bell Brothers had him. Bartimos smiled.
"Don't ye worry, Davos. Just take me to him."
Davos was lost.
"Did you not hear me? He's ill. Now, I don't know what game you're playing, but not wit my son. Don't fuck around wit me, Bart!"
Davos was red with rage.
Bartimos assured him.
"Have ye never even asked me how I got me hand back? For all your wit, you're still a dumb fool."
Davos looked down at Bartimos, gazing at his hand.
"But, but how? By the gods, how!"
Bartimos grinned.
"Just take me to ya boy!"
Davos, wide eyed, obliged and walked to the room, where the boy was laying. The boy had black hair and a gaunt pale face, his mother by his side, drenched in sweat. The boy was frail and feeble. A fever was overtaking him. Bartimos knew what he had to do. Lady Dallon always told him to bring any child he found by death's door to her.
She was resting, but this boy would die. He couldn't bear to see his friend lose a son.
"Davos, trust in ye friend. I gotta take him back to mine. There is a lady. She heals all. You'll understand when we get there."
Davos nodded. Bartimos knew the depths a father would go to protect his son. He picked up the boy, the mother being wide eyed but too weak in exhaustion to speak against it. Davos following him. He then made great haste.
He ran, for he had a boy to save.