Meanwhile, Stoke Worth.
The gray stone wall is covered with ivy, like wrinkles.
This castle has a history of thousands of years. From Aegon's conquest of the Seven Great the Seven Kingdoms to Robert Baratheon's uprising, and then through the War of the Five Kings, the bloodline of House Stokeworth has continued on this land from generation to generation and has never been cut off.
Osfryd Kettleblack·Kettleblack walked through the corridor, and his boots made a crisp sound on the stone slabs.
It has to be said that although the three Kettleblack brothers's swordsmanship is not very good, their appearance genes are still very good. At this time, Osfryd Kettleblack's neckline is open, revealing a lean chest, and his hair is meticulously combed. The whole person looks extremely handsome.
Of course, it would be even more perfect if she wasn't wearing the "new cloak" from Queen Mother Bedchamber.
It's just that he can't think about changing clothes yet.
The news that Tyrion Lannister had been captured by mistake made him so restless that he didn't even have time to follow Queen Mother's instructions to notify Tybert Hetherspoon.
He had to deal with this matter as soon as possible, the sooner the better.
"~~~ and Osfryd Kettleblack stopped in front of a door, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
The candlelight flickered in the room, and the smell of incense hit her face. A woman was sitting in front of the dressing table, arranging her hair in front of the mirror.
She was wearing a nightgown as thin as a feather, barely covering her key parts.
Seen from behind, he looks pretty good.
But if you look at the front...
Osfryd Kettleblack looked away silently.
He has seen many women, but Falyse's appearance can be regarded as a... challenge even in the eyes of this well-informed Kettleblack.
That face looks so much like a fish.
The facial features are squeezed together, the lips are almost non-existent, the eyes are as small as two mung beans, and they are still wearing bright red lipstick and heavy makeup. The whole person looks like - how should I say, an egg that has been painted by a child in a prank.
But Osfryd Kettleblack didn't show anything strange on his face.
Because Falyse is useful.
Fort Stoke Worth was their transit point. The captured children were first kept here until a large batch was assembled before being transported out of the city through a secret passage and sold to slave traders on the other side of the Narrow Sea.
This way of making money is inseparable from Falyse.
The door is ajar.
The dim candlelight shone through the crack in the door, mixed with the sweet smell of powder.
Osfryd Kettleblack Push the door open.
In the room, Falyse was sitting in front of the dressing table, arranging her hair facing Bronze Mirror.
When she heard the sound of opening the door, she turned around in surprise. When she saw it was Osfryd Kettleblack, a smile immediately broke out on her fishy face.
"Osfryd Kettleblack!"
She stood up and put her arms around his neck, bringing her lips together to kiss him.
However, Osfryd Kettleblack tilted his head to avoid the kiss, and at the same time took her hand off his neck without leaving a trace.
"Now is not the time, ma'am."
Hearing this, Falyse's smile froze for a moment, but soon returned to its sticky smile.
"What happened? Didn't you say you wouldn't come over tonight?"
"Tyrion Lannister."
Osfryd Kettleblack said seriously, "When those idiots under my command arrested someone in Flea Bottom tonight, they kidnapped him as a child."
As soon as these words came out, Falyse was stunned.
"Tyrion Lannister? That Tyrion?"
"That's him."
"Where are the people now?"
"Locked up in the cellar with those kids."
Seeing that Osfryd Kettleblack didn't seem to be joking, Falyse was silent for a few seconds, with a particularly weird smile on the fish's face.
"What's the trouble?"
She curled her lips disdainfully. "Can't we just kill that guy and sink him into the Blackwater River?"
However, Osfryd Kettleblack did not agree, but frowned. "Kill a Lannister, you are crazy!"
"No one knows anyway."
Falyse shrugged. "By the time the prime minister finds out that his son is missing, it will be who knows how many days will pass. By then, even the corpse will probably be eaten clean by the fish in the Blackwater River."
"It's just a pity that bitch Cersei Lannister got her way."
Saying that, Falyse sighed, seeming to feel a little regretful that he had done a favor by tying up Cersei.
But Osfryd Kettleblack shook his head again.
"No."
"That Tyrion is now the focus of Golden Robe. He has to report to Gold Cloaks Headquarters every day. If he doesn't go, someone will immediately find something wrong."
"Besides... that guy was caught in Flea Bottom, you should know exactly whose territory it is."
Hearing this, Falyse's smile suddenly froze.
She had the courage to confront Queen Mother in public, but she could not ignore the power of Corleone.
After all, House Stokeworth has been in the royal family for thousands of years. Whether it is Queen Mother or the Prime Minister, sufficient evidence is needed to prosecute her, and Black Hand Mafia...
Black Hand Mafia doesn't need any evidence to kill someone, just a name.
Thinking like this, her mean eyes rolled around a few times, then suddenly lit up again, and her voice sounded sharp, "Then... then put the blame for this matter on Balman!"
As soon as these words came out, Osfryd Kettleblack felt happy.
Put the blame on Balman?
He did not go to the cellar first but came here. He had this plan in mind, but he was too embarrassed to say it directly. Unexpectedly, this woman actually brought it up herself!
However, Osfryd Kettleblack didn't show anything strange on his face, he just frowned slightly.
.. your husband?"
"Yes."
Falyse held his head high and said as a matter of course, "He is the person in charge of the Flea Bottom area. Tyrion disappeared in the area he was responsible for. He was the first person to be suspected."
"That guy has always obeyed my advice. No matter what I say, he will believe it. As long as I make up any excuse, he will definitely take the blame for me!"
Hearing what she said, Osfryd Kettleblack pretended to be embarrassed again. "But he is your husband after all, wouldn't this be bad?"
"Husband?"
Falyse sneered disdainfully, "If I hadn't seen him handsome when I was young, I wouldn't have begged my mother to spend so much Gold Dragon's dowry to propose a marriage contract to House Byrch. Now that guy is old, ugly, fat, and his hair is almost bald!"
"Did you know that every time after sleeping with him, I would go to Sept and pray that that guy would die soon?"
"If it weren't for the business need to confuse him, I wouldn't...
Falyse said through gritted teeth, then stretched out his hand and caressed Osfryd Kettleblack's chest obsessively.
"You are young and handsome, and the spot in Flea Bottom Squad Leader should be yours!"
"We will get married as soon as Balman dies. Then my family and my castle will be yours!"
Feeling Falyse's hands constantly roaming his chest, all the way down, Osfryd Kettleblack's stomach was churning, but he still kept a gentle smile on his face, lowered his head and kissed the other person's forehead.
"Good idea, I'm going to deal with that Tyrion now!"
But obviously, Falyse is not satisfied with this, she wants more. "So... the matter has been resolved, Ser."
She grabbed Osfryd Kettleblack by the collar and pulled it towards her, her eyes full of lust. "It's still early, put that damn Tyrion aside first."
"Oh... your Silk Cloak is so sexy."
Listening to Falyse whispering in his ear, Osfryd Kettleblack felt a blockage in his throat, as if he had eaten a fly and felt nauseous.
But he also knew very well that if he didn't give the other party a taste of sweetness tonight, things might not be that easy.
Just when the two were about to take the next step.
Bang!!!
The loud noise caused the candlelight to sway, and Falyse screamed and turned around suddenly.
The two of them looked around and saw a panting man standing at the door.
Balman·Byrch!
His hair was messy, his face had an abnormal blush, and he exuded a strong smell of alcohol, but those eyes that had once fascinated countless nobles Maiden in King's Land were now bloodshot!
"You... shouldn't you be at Cured Meat Street tonight..." Falyse blurted out after being speechless for a moment.
However, Balman had no intention of answering, and just stared directly at their bodies that were tightly pressed together.
Seeing this, Osfori hurriedly explained to Faris: "This... this is a misunderstanding, Sir... If I said that I was just here to deliver some fruit to Mrs. Faris to taste, would you believe it?"
"What do you think?"
As Balman exited, the atmosphere became a little awkward.
"Falyse." Immediately afterwards, Balman looked at his wife, his words were still full of drunkenness, but every word was clear.
"Buying Willis, abducting children, I thought this was the worst news I could hear tonight.
As soon as these words came out, Falyse's eyes suddenly widened even more.
"You... how do you know...
,"Twenty-three years, Falyse."
Before his wife could finish speaking, Balman interrupted her again, "Twenty-three years ago, your mother Lady Tanda stepped into my father's castle with three thousand Gold Dragon and asked me to be your husband."
Hearing this, Falyse was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting why the other party would bring up the past.
However, Balman just stepped into the room, approached unsteadily step by step, and continued to talk.
"My father told me that I am the second son with no inheritance rights, no territory, and no knights willing to serve me. I am lucky to marry the eldest daughter of Stokeworth, otherwise I will have to ask the king to let me become the Kingsguard."
"I was very dissatisfied at the beginning and always complained about my father and my background."
"But later, I gradually realized the reality, so I began to endure the meanness of you and your mother, and everyone around me was sarcastic and sarcastic."
"I told myself, this is marriage, this is life..
", his voice seemed a little bitter, but his slightly funny fat face looked a little scary at this time.
Yes, twenty years ago, he was the most handsome knight in the kingdom.
With fluttering blond hair and a tall and tall figure, if he puts on his shining silver armor and stands there, all the women in King's Landing will scream.
But he also knew very well that what his father wanted him to marry was not a wife, but the surname of Stokeworth and... the three thousand Gold Dragon.
As time goes by, Balman, who has achieved nothing in his middle age, gradually begins to accept his fate. Sometimes he even feels that it is not impossible to live like this forever.
But contrary to expectations, there was a greater conflict between him and Falyse.
They have no children.
Yes, twenty-three years of marriage and no children.
I don't know whose problem it is, but Balman never mentions it.
Until a few days ago, when Falyse said that he wanted to adopt a child from a side branch, Balman agreed without hesitation.
Even though he knew that Falyse adopted the child not because she really wanted a child, but because she wanted to cut off the hope of the hedge knight named Bronn to inherit Stoke Worth.
But Balman still agreed.
Because he knew that adopting a child to raise him and letting him inherit the castle might be the best choice for them as a couple, and he could devote himself to the Golden Robe career.
Fifty years old is the age to work hard. Maybe when he is six thousand years old, he Balman·Byrch can also become Commander of the City Watch?
But now?
Child trafficking.
His wife, Falyse Stokeworth, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Earl and the future mistress of Stokeworth, actually did this kind of thing behind his back!
Not only that...
"I want to help you, Falyse. I don't care even if you have an affair with a hundred knights, because I was indeed a bastard when I was young."
Balman clenched the hilt of the sword with his right hand, approaching Osfryd Kettleblack step by step and glaring at the opponent. "But... how dare you try to impose all the sins on me!"
"I am your husband!!!"
With a roar, Falyse turned pale and couldn't help but take a step back.
But when she saw Balman swaying, seemingly unable to walk, a trace of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.
"Enough!"
She screamed, "Who do you think you are?"
It seems that he did not expect his wife to react like this. Balman, who was originally licking her tight pussy Osfryd Kettleblack, looked at her in surprise.
However, Falyse stood beside Osfryd Kettleblack nonchalantly, with his arms folded across his chest and his chin raised high.
"Twenty-three years ago, you were indeed the most handsome knight in the kingdom."
"But what now?"
As she said that, she looked Balman up and down, with a mocking smile on her lips, "Look at yourself, fat pig! I bet you can't even see your shit when you pee now!"
"If it weren't for me, do you think you could return to the Golden Robe with your ability?"
"And Ser Osfry..
Seeing that Balman's face was getting more and more ugly, Falyse even held Osfryd Kettleblack's arm arrogantly. "He is young and handsome. He made great achievements in Battle of the Blackwater Rush and was named a knight."
"And... he can give me things you can't."
Hearing this, Osfryd Kettleblack straightened his back slightly.
Although he was still feeling weak just now, Falyse's words helped him regain some confidence.
That's right.
He is young, handsome, and highly skilled in martial arts.
The guy across from me is just an old, ugly, fat loser.
What are you afraid of?
"So."
Falyse waved his hand at Balman, as if he was sending a servant. "Get out of here and do whatever you have to do. I will pretend that nothing happened today, and you can continue to be your golden robe!"
"Otherwise, I will go to Mr. Corleone and ask him to remove you from your post, idiot!"
Seeing how strong Falyse was, Osfryd Kettleblack also stood up at the right time and puffed up his chest. "Ser Balman."
There was a hint of condescending pity in his voice. "Please go out. This is Mrs. Falyse's order. Don't force me to do it."
As he said that, Osfryd Kettleblack pulled out his sword, the blade glowing coldly in the candlelight.
Balman looked at the sword without saying a word, but turned his head and glanced at his wife.
I saw Falyse with a proud smile on his face, as if he had already seen his ending.
Seeing this, Balman lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
Osfryd Kettleblack started to get impatient. "Hey! What on earth are you...
Being urged by him, Balman raised his head.
The moonlight shone in from the window and fell on the fat, flabby, wrinkled face, but the bloodshot eyes seemed to lose the smell of alcohol in an instant and became extremely sharp.
The killing intent contained in it made Osfryd Kettleblack's heart suddenly skip a beat.
"Do it, Ser."
"Let us, like two true knights, begin this duel without honor for a certain woman."
Balman said and also drew out the sword blade.
Under the candlelight, although the old knight held the sword in a very awkward posture, the sword did not move at all.
This momentum made Osfryd Kettleblack feel a little guilty, but seeing Balman's body that weighed at least 150 pounds of fat, he held the sword hilt tightly.
Do it!
What are you afraid of? I'm almost 30 years younger than him. Can't I beat such an old guy who only knows how to drink all day long?
Thinking like this, Osfryd Kettleblack gritted his teeth and rushed towards Balman with the sword in hand.
Even if he is very self-aware and knows that his swordsmanship is not that good, but his opponent is old, frail and full of alcohol, at least... he should... definitely win!
Then...
His confident sword move was dodged by Balman. At the same time, he stretched out his right hand and grasped Osfryd Kettleblack's sword-holding wrist.
Twist gently.
Click!
The sound of broken bones was particularly harsh in the silent room.
Osfryd Kettleblack screamed, the sword in his hand fell from his hand, and fell to the ground with a loud sound.
Before he had time to react, he saw the hand move again.
The sword flashed.
Osfryd Kettleblack's voice stopped abruptly.
His eyes widened in disbelief, and the expression on his face was frozen in this moment forever.
Blood spurted out and splashed on Balman's body. The brand new dark blue velvet jacket was stained with scarlet blood, and a few strands of golden hair hung slightly down.
"Ser, your swordsmanship is a mess."
As Balman finished speaking, Falyse stood there as if struck by lightning.
She watched with her own eyes as Osfryd Kettleblack's body slipped to the ground, the wound on his neck was still bleeding out, and his handsome face was now distorted into a human shape.
However, under the moonlight, Balman stood there holding the sword, with a little blood on his golden hair.
Through the drooping hair, she seemed to be able to see the other person's green eyes, and in her mind, they gradually overlapped with the handsome knight with high spirits more than twenty years ago.
The sun was shining brightly that summer, and Balman rode a white horse through the streets of King's Landing, with her blond hair flying and her silver armor shining.
She sat in the carriage and peeked at him through the gap in the curtains.
At that time, he was the most handsome knight in the King's Landing, but she was the ugliest-looking noble eldest daughter in the entire King's Landing.
But now the handsome knight has become old and fat, and the young lover she was proud of was killed without even surviving a round.
Suddenly, Falyse seemed to understand something.
The knight is not dead.
The knight is still the same knight.
What has changed is myself.
"No!"
When Falyse came back to his senses, he was trembling all over. He kept backing up and hitting the dressing table. He waved his hands in fear. "You... don't come here... I just... I just made a mistake that many women make."
Seeing his wife's embarrassment, Balman just stared at her for a few seconds, then without saying a word, he dropped the sword and turned and walked towards the door.
Falyse was stunned, as if he didn't expect Balman to leave so simply.
"From today on, you are no longer my wife."
Balman stepped out of the door and said without looking back, "Stoke Worth is yours, the territory and title are also yours, I don't want anything."
"But you'd better pray that this doesn't involve you."
After saying that, he walked directly outside.
Falyse was left standing alone, watching him slowly leave. Then his legs gave out and he slid to the ground in fear, but his mind was filled with the last words left by Balman.
"You'd better hope this doesn't involve you."
He... he's going to tell the story?
Falyse gritted his teeth and his eyes happened to catch a glimpse of the Longsword Longsword that Balman dropped on the ground before leaving.
He will say it.
She kept repeating it in her mind, as if trying to convince herself.
He will definitely say it.
That damn bastard, he will tell Corleone... tell the golden robe, tell everyone what she did!
No.
Not like this!
Taking a deep breath, Falyse stood up and bent down to pick up Longsword from the ground, then walked quickly and quietly out of the door.
It's dark in the corridor.
Only the moonlight shone in through the window, paving a pale road on the ground.
Balman walks in front.
His pace is slow and steady.
Falyse followed behind, holding the sword tightly and approaching step by step.
step by step... step by step...
Suddenly, Balman stopped for no reason, raised his head and looked at the portrait at the end of the corridor.
That was the first head of House Stokeworth's family. His face looked exactly like Falyse's, like a fish.
Good opportunity!
Falyse took a deep breath, held Longsword tightly and rushed forward.
Phew!
Without any warning, Longsword stabbed into Balman's lower back. However, due to Falyse's weak strength, it only penetrated about two inches without penetrating.
The severe pain caused Balman's body to freeze and he looked back at his wife in disbelief.
Falyse didn't feel any guilt on his face. He even continued to use force to push Longsword in. He kept muttering in his mouth, "You can't leave, you know too much."
However, Balman's right hand clamped tightly on her neck.
The feeling of suffocation caused the woman with no combat experience to let go of the hilt of the sword and scratch her attacker's arms randomly.
"Balman... I... don't... I am your wife...
She tried to beg for mercy and use words to influence her always obedient husband, but this time, Balman just looked at him coldly.
The moonlight shone on his face, pale and calm.
Balman looked down at his waist Longsword, blood gushed out from the wound and dyed the brand new dark blue velvet jacket red.
"That afternoon twenty-three years ago."
"I stood at the door of Byrch Castle and watched you get off the horse. You were wearing a blue skirt and the sun was shining brightly."
"I thought that was the beginning."
He paused and grinned with a pale smile, "Now I know, that's the end."
After saying that, Balman turned around, grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled it out hard.
Pfft.
Blood spurted out and splashed on Falyse's face.
piping hot.
"You gave me a sword."
"Now I'll give it back to you."
Under Falyse's hard struggle, Longsword cut through the air without any explanation and pierced Falyse's chest.
Falyse opened his eyes wide, kicked his legs randomly for a moment, and then stopped struggling.
Balman let go of his hand and let the other party collapse to the ground. Falyse lay on the ground angrily, looking at Balman's face becoming increasingly blurry.
The moonlight shone on him, and the blood stains on his blond hair shone in the moonlight.
It was only then that she remembered the afternoon she went to Byrch Castle with her mother.
The sun was shining brightly, and a handsome man riding a white horse galloped from a distance, just like what the bard said.
At that time, Falyse was thinking that if I could marry this man, my life would be worth it.
Later, she really got her wish and married him.
Later, she forgot about the sunshine that afternoon.
She only knew that he was a good-for-nothing, an old, ugly and useless man who was dependent on her for her support.
And the knight who came out of the story riding a white horse.
The person she once loved...
But it seemed that he had died as early as the moment the two got married.
As Falyse closed his eyes, the corridor became completely quiet.
Balman looked down at his wife's body. Even the severe pain in his lower back seemed unable to make him frown.
The moonlight shone on her face, which was so pale that she looked like a fish until she died.
Then he stood up, glanced at the portrait at the end of the corridor, and murmured, "This decadent family... should have ended long ago."
After that, Balman walked towards their room again. In the room, Osfryd Kettleblack's body was still lying in a pool of blood, without saying a word.
He stepped over the corpse, and the blood on the soles of his boots was sticky, but Balman didn't pause and just continued to move forward.
Open the window, the moonlight shines on the earth, silvery white.
In the distance, the lights of King's Landing flickered in the night, and the Blackwater River flowed quietly, like a silver ribbon.
Balman lowered his head and looked at the wound on his waist.
The blood is still flowing, and soon the strength in the body seems to be draining away, but he will not die for a while.
Then he raised his head again and looked at the candlestick on the wall.
The candle was almost burnt out, and the flames were swaying in the wind, as if they would go out at any time, just like this extremely decayed Stoke Worth.
Stretch out your hand, hold the candlestick, and push it down.
The candlelight fell on the curtains, and the flames suddenly jumped up, spreading around as if alive, and soon ignited this thousand-year-old house.
Balman stood there quietly, watching the fire get bigger and bigger.
The firelight reflected on his face, which was very warm.
He hasn't felt such warmth in many years. Even the hypocritical smiles of those businessmen and the disguised flattery from his wife these days are actually so cold when he thinks about it now.
The fire is getting bigger and bigger.
Balman smiled, no longer lingering, turned and walked downstairs.
Behind him, Stoke Worth was burning, and his body became colder and colder as the blood flowed away.
However Balman cannot be stopped.
Because he knows that he still has unfinished business.