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Robert leaned forward on the Iron Throne, eyes locked on the case.
The longsword rested on red silk, its crossguard set with an emerald the size of a walnut. The blade was long and razor-sharp, traced with faint glowing blue runes that ran from hilt to tip. Soft light seemed to flow along the steel, giving the whole weapon an air of mystery and quiet power.
Every lord and lady in the hall stared. Even without touching it, they could tell this was no ordinary blade.
"What is it?" Robert asked, already rising from the throne.
"It's called Song of the Azure Sky," Leo answered with a calm, confident smile.
It was the upgraded version of the classic World of Warcraft one-hander—Lifeglow Song of the Azure Sky—looted from Onyxia herself. The emerald glow came straight from her. The stats were gone, but the edge and beauty were untouched.
Robert stepped down from the dais, ignoring Barristan Selmy's quiet warning. He took the sword in both hands, running his fingers along the blade.
"A fine blade," he muttered. "Valyrian steel?"
Leo shook his head. "Not Valyrian, Your Grace. But it will still cut through ordinary steel like it's butter."
Robert's eyes sparkled. He pointed at a nearby guard. "You—give me your sword."
The man hurried forward and drew his blade. Robert swung Song of the Azure Sky in a clean arc.
Clang!
The guard's sword snapped in two. The broken half clattered to the floor. Robert examined the emerald blade—perfect, not a nick, still glowing softly.
"Ha! Ha ha ha!" Robert roared with delight. "A true treasure!"
Leo seized the moment. "In my homeland we have a saying: a fine blade belongs with a true hero. After hearing of Your Grace's legendary courage, I knew only you deserved this sword. Please accept it as my gift."
Robert grinned like a boy on his nameday. "Well done! You have my thanks."
Leo motioned to the second, shorter case. Varyn opened it.
Inside lay a beautifully balanced shortsword, its pommel crowned with a fiery red ruby.
"This is Lifeforce," Leo said. "I offer it to Prince Joffrey for his nameday. May the Baratheon line flourish forever, strong and unending."
Robert laughed heartily and clapped Leo on the shoulder. "Excellent! Both gifts please me greatly. When court ends, stay in the Red Keep. I'm holding a feast in your honor to welcome you to Westeros."
"The honor is mine, Your Grace."
Leo bowed again, then continued. "There is one more gift."
Robert followed Leo's gesture toward the heavy chest.
At Leo's nod, a servant flipped the lid open.
A collective murmur swept the hall. The chest was packed to the brim with gleaming gold coins.
Robert picked one up. He recognized the make—same as the one Jon had shown him.
Leo spoke clearly so the entire hall could hear. "Four thousand coins of the Great Tang Empire. Four more chests wait outside. Twenty thousand in total. I offer them all to Your Grace."
Whispers exploded across the Throne Room.
Robert studied Leo for a long moment, then asked with a faint smile, "What do you want from me in return?"
Leo met the king's gaze with open honesty. "As everyone knows, I am only a duke's second son. I once dreamed of grand adventures and sailed across the sea with ships, soldiers, and treasure. The storm taught me how foolish that dream was."
"I've learned the lessons my father tried to teach me. I want to put aside childish fantasies and build something real. I wish to settle here in Westeros and swear my loyalty to you. I ask only that Your Grace personally knight me. The title I carry from home has no standing under Westerosi law."
Robert glanced up at Jon Arryn. The Hand gave the smallest nod.
Robert's smile widened. He raised Song of the Azure Sky and rested the flat of the blade on Leo's right shoulder.
"You may kneel, ser."