Chapter 27: The Faceless Man
Sailing upon the Summer Sea was long and monotonous, yet House Varezes' fleet was vast, and with favorable winds at their backs, the armada made swift progress westward.
Even so, Dragonzel felt an undercurrent of powerlessness.
Ray's young dragon, Shadow Nightmare, grew at a terrifying pace. In scarcely two months, it had reached the size of a calf, and its appetite was insatiable. Beyond the beef and mutton supplied by the ships carrying livestock, Shadow Nightmare boldly snatched portions of the sea beasts and whale flesh that Vermithor and Silverwing hunted from the waters.
To call it theft, however, was not entirely accurate. For reasons unknown, Vermithor and Silverwing displayed unusual tolerance toward the hatchling. Silverwing in particular would sometimes allow the young dragon to feed from her own catch.
Doctor Visari, who arrived with the second wave of ships, theorized that Silverwing perhaps regarded Shadow Nightmare as akin to her own offspring. There was, however, no proof.
Valarr had taken position aboard the vanguard vessel to drill with the men. Only Dragonzel remained upon the flagship with a handful of trusted retainers. Among them stood the golden-eyed Hofa—now properly styled Hofa the Law-Holder—methodically polishing his spear. Sebastian Jieyan read quietly in a shaded corner, while Lynn Valtaken practiced sword forms upon the open deck.
The spoils Dragonzel had claimed from the Valyrian ruins were inventoried and divided after the fleets reunited.
The ancestral blade Silver Blood was returned to Dragonzel and now hung within the captain's cabin. The Valyrian steel scale armor known as Dragon Knight, once worn by Emperor stood displayed beside it. After departing the ruins, Dragonzel had used blood magic to cleanse and restore the relics to their former glory. Each scale-shaped plate bore intricate runes; the pauldrons were wrought in the likeness of dragon heads, and the helm rose in winged crests that met above a raised dragon sigil upon the brow.
Beside the armor rested Emperor Ao Li Ang's dragonlance, Cinder Snake. Though forged for use upon dragonback, Dragonzel found its balance unfamiliar atop Vermithor. It seemed fashioned for a mounted rider upon horseback rather than a dragonlord in the sky.
The blade known as Black Skirt Widow passed to Valarr, together with the Valyrian steel lance Heartbreaker and a suit of Valyrian plate-and-mail armor crowned with a winged dragon crest, named Silver Shield.
Ray received the Valyrian steel rapier Blood Tear and the brigandine armor titled Starry Sky.
Lynn Valtaken gained the longsword Griffon's Heart and a mirror-polished suit of black plate armor called Black Mirror.
Sebastian Jieyan claimed the flame-edged sword, which he named Jiyan in honor of his house.
Hofa received a Valyrian steel lance called The Lawful. Ago accepted his arakh Moon Singer. Aemond, who remained steadfastly at Dragonzel's side, was granted the restored crescent-bladed poleaxe Guillotine. Amos Fezerel took possession of the Valyrian steel greatsword Steel Flame, won after taming his dragon. Aslan Longdel acquired the ruby-inlaid longsword Lion King.
The remaining treasures were secured by Dragonzel himself:
Four longswords, one rapier, one hand-and-a-half sword, two greatswords, and two complete suits of armor.
Dragonzel set aside the book in his hand and regarded the man who had entered the captain's cabin.
"My lord, I have come to refresh your drink," the man said smoothly, replacing the wine upon the table.
"There is no need to conceal yourself from me, servant of the Many-Faced God," Dragonzel replied calmly. Even at a glance he perceived the unnatural density within the man's shadow—like a hundred unseen faces watching from within.
"I beg pardon. My craft is not yet flawless," the stranger answered. His features twisted subtly before settling into the unremarkable face of a young man.
"You are honest at least," Dragonzel observed. "It seems you have not come to kill me. Sit. Drink."
The young man complied without hesitation, pouring himself a cup of the famed silver wine and draining it in one swallow. "Worthy of its reputation."
"Speak your purpose."
"An oracle from the Many-Faced God," the man said quietly. "Someone must serve until death."
"For what cause?"
"The god has spoken. That is cause enough."
Dragonzel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The god has severed a thread," the Faceless Man continued. "And I have drunk the wine you mingled with your blood."
"The Many-Faced God is generous."
"He merely balances what is owed," the man replied. "The name I bear in this mortal guise is Qungul Potter. I offer you loyalty and my death."
Dragonzel inclined his head in acceptance.
"There is further word from the west," Qungul added. "An envoy from the Iron Throne has reached Pentos. They request parley with you directly."
"So," Dragonzel murmured, "they have come at last."
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