Seagull Knight

Seagull Knight

Just as he had expected.

Before the sun set, a town enclosed by low white walls appeared ahead of the party.

Gulltown sprawled over a vast area. The curling smoke and bustling voices beneath the setting sun attested to its prosperity.

As an ice-free port, it had never lacked maritime trade.

"Whoa!"

Before they reached Gulltown, an armored knight rode forward to block their path.

The man bore no ill intent. Seeing dozens of imposing Vale Knights, he dismounted and offered a bow.

"Honored Lady, House Shett of Seagull Tower has been awaiting your arrival."

The knight lowered his head and knelt on one knee with impeccable courtesy.

The commotion outside woke Aemon from his drowsiness. Little One sleepily lifted the carriage curtain to take a look.

The knight wore silver-gray plate armor and had handsome features. Dark brown curls framed his face, while a short beard rested on his chin. His tall, straight figure exuded strength.

When he looked up, intelligence gleamed in his eyes.

Aemon tilted his head, studying the handsome older man who looked to be in his thirties.

They were both middle-aged men, yet he was far more popular than Gonsal.

"Rise, Ser Lyon."

Though dusty from the journey, Lady Rhea replied coolly, maintaining the bearing expected of a great noble.

"Yes, my lady."

Ser Liane Shett rose with thanks.

Aemon leaned against the carriage window with both hands, his chin resting on the backs of them. All he wanted was to eat and sleep as soon as possible.

Fortunately, House Royce had a foothold in Gulltown and had vassals of its own there.

Ser Lyon was clearly a shrewd and capable man. He ordered a Servant to return home ahead of them and prepare everything, while he remained behind to guide his liege.

Gulltown was beautiful, with architecture dominated by white and orange-yellow tones. Many towers stood in the town center and along the coast.

Compared to Runestone, which existed purely to defend against foreign enemies, it was picturesque beyond compare.

Just before nightfall, the group arrived at a tall white tower in town.

"My lady, please come in."

Ser Lyon was respectful, while his wife and children presented a tray of broken bread and salt.

"Thank you for your hospitality."

Lady Rhea smiled faintly. She casually picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in salt, and ate it, not forgetting to stuff a piece into Aemon's hand at her side.

In accordance with the ancient laws of guest right.

"Thank you."

Aemon politely thanked them for the food and chewed away in large bites.

Once they entered through the gates, he noticed a banner hanging on the wall of the narrow hall.

Three spread golden wings stood against a black checkered field.

Aemon turned the matter over in his mind, recalling what Old Maester had taught him from books.

House Shett of Seagull Tower was one of House Royce's loyal vassals.

Come to think of it, the web of relationships here was rather complicated.

Gulltown was obscenely wealthy, so naturally it contained no shortage of noble families.

The oldest was House Shett, which had been the hereditary enemy of House Royce and was also known as House Shett of Gulltown.

After the last Bronze King defeated House Shett and occupied Gulltown, the losers attempted to hire the Andals from across the Strait Sea to reclaim their homeland.

Unexpectedly, the golden-haired, blue-eyed Andals had no respect whatsoever for contracts.

After driving back the Bronze King, they casually smashed their employers, House Shett, to pieces as well. One powerful noble house took the opportunity to seize control of Gulltown.

That was its present lord, known as House Graffson of Gulltown.

Aside from that house, the original House Shett had not been entirely wiped out. They swore fealty to the victors and continued living in Gulltown.

That was much like House Royce, who had chosen submission after their defeat.

Over time, great houses always produced collateral branches.

The Ser Liane Shett hosting them was from one such landed knightly branch, whose family had lived in this Seagull Tower for generations.

Since both his lands and castle bore the word "seagull," he was praised as the Seagull Knight.

"Prince, if you are tired, you may go upstairs and rest first."

Seeing the silver-haired boy looking around curiously, Ser Lyon tactfully spoke up.

"No need. I'm a little hungry."

Aemon waved his hand, his manner friendly.

If His Highness the Prince said he was hungry, no one in Seagull Tower could afford to ignore it.

A lavish dinner was soon brought to the table, made with fine ingredients that were difficult to purchase in Runestone and prepared with great care.

Aemon smiled and sampled each dish in small bites.

He got to eat delicious food without disgracing the royal family.

Both host and guests enjoyed the meal.

The next day.

Gulltown's harbor was extraordinarily lively, with more than a hundred sailboats of all sizes moored on the water.

Aemon held his mother's hand as they walked and looked around under layers of protection.

The area was as bustling as a market district. Merchants and sailors streamed back and forth, their clamor carrying far into the distance.

"This is truly an eye-opener."

Aemon stood on the shore, gazing out over the rolling blue sea.

Having lived two lives, this was still the first time he had ever seen the ocean.

His mouth hung open in amazement. Even watching sailors unload cargo felt endlessly novel.

"My lady, Prince, our ship is over there."

Ser Lyon was dressed as he had been the day before. Wearing his armor, he pointed toward a three-masted sailboat moored by the shore.

Aemon followed his gesture and saw a triangular flag fluttering in the wind atop the tall mast.

It bore an emblem: a black triangle upon a flame-red field, with a burning yellow tower above it.

"That's a House Graffson ship."

William had somehow sidled over, showing off his shallow knowledge.

"I know." Aemon nodded.

House Graffson controlled Gulltown, one of the Five Great Ports. Countless merchant ships stood under its command, earning it immeasurable wealth.

There was no way they had not received an invitation to this Kingswood Hunt.

Not only could they attend, but they could also transport goods to King's Landing and make a fortune. Giving passengers a ride along the way was perfectly reasonable.

"Let's board."

Aemon could not wait to experience sailing for himself.

Lady Rhea was not one to dawdle. She immediately led the group aboard, greeting the ship's captain after Ser Lyon introduced them.

The captain was a fat man, slick and fawning by nature.

The moment he heard there was a Targaryen prince among his passengers, he proclaimed himself extraordinarily fortunate and declared that he would rename the ship the Prince Aemon.

Aemon's response to that: ...

Why did the words "extraordinarily fortunate" make his whole body feel uncomfortable?

The fat captain gave him no chance to object. He swiftly arranged two clean, spacious cabins for the "important figures," then vanished without a trace.

A young prince!

If he built ties with him early and wrapped himself in the royal banner, his business would stand above the rest.

Even setting aside the royal family, House Royce of Runestone and Gulltown had been "good neighbors" for generations.

Once the Little Prince inherited his mother's family castle and lands, would their relationship not become even closer?

By the time Aemon realized it, all he could say was that no merchant was without guile.

The man's little schemes were truly flying.

The ship soon set sail, sending sprays of water high into the air.

Aemon stood at the bow, watching as the ship drifted farther and farther away from the harbor.

Many sailboats traveled alongside them, like pieces on a chessboard moving outward in parallel.

Looking to either side, he saw towering mountain cliffs hundreds of meters high enclosing the harbor in an inverted triangular shelter.

It was this natural barrier that blocked the winter chill.

It had created Gulltown's warm, ice-free harbor throughout all four seasons.

Aemon watched attentively, his fondness for Gulltown growing as he secretly envied such an exceptional territory blessed by the gods.

"If I lived in Gulltown, I could definitely collect more items containing magic."

He rested a small hand against his cheek, his large eyes gleaming with envy.

He silently swore that one day, he would obtain a territory as prosperous as Gulltown.

Then he would enjoy life to the fullest!

Set sail! Depart!