Kartiga hopped out of the wagon, stretching his arms and letting out a small yawn. He glanced up at Maidenpool's pink walls and the busy entrance, taking it all in like he was sizing it up. "Not bad," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as he made his way toward the gates.
Near the entrance, his men were already talking to the guards, but Kartiga didn't bother stopping. He walked straight through without a word, knowing the guards wouldn't stop him. After all, they were his people—spies he'd planted here several months ago. More than a hundred guards in Maidenpool were his men now.
The town smelled just as bad as he guessed—dirt, sweat, and whatever the animals left behind. He sidestepped a fresh pile of dung, frowning. Back in Crossroad Inn, he would've covered his nose or avoid leaving room too much because of stench outside . But now? Now, he just walked through it. Maybe he'd gotten used to it. Or maybe, after all this time on the road, he figured he wasn't any better now.
Kai caught up to him, falling in step beside him. Kartiga glanced around as they walked, taking in the noise and energy of the place. The streets were alive—merchants shouting, kids playing, and townsfolk haggling over goods. He looked up at the walls, solid and well-guarded, then back at the crowd.
"This place is gonna change," Kartiga said, mostly to himself. His gaze lingered on the walls for a moment longer. "It'll hold... for now."
Kai gave him a quick glance but didn't say anything.
Kartiga's mind wandered to what he knew about Maidenpool's future. In a few months, this lively town would be unrecognizable. He could almost see it: the walls abandoned, gates shattered, houses burned, and Jonquil's Pool filled with bodies.
"Three times," he muttered under his breath, voice low enough that even Kai had hard time catching it. "Once by the Lion, once by the Wolf, and later by outlaws." His lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "But this time, I will swallow it whole before them."
Kai nodded, saying nothing as more of their men joined them. Together, they headed toward the inn where they'd be staying.
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Next Day
Kartiga pushed open the door to his room, still drying his shoulder-length hair with a cloth. His steps were casual, almost lazy, but he looked oddly satisfied. "Kai, there you are," he said, flashing a grin. "I swear, I've never felt this clean since I got stuck in this messed-up world. Pool? Totally worth it."
Kai was standing by the window, his usual calm and composed self. Two other men stood silently near the corner of the room.
"So," Kartiga said, tossing the damp cloth onto a chair, "any good news?"
Kai gave a slight bow. "Our men have already smuggled out the blacksmith and... a boy."
Kartiga frowned, tilting his head. "A boy? What boy?"
"The blacksmith's apprentice," Kai replied simply. "His name is Gendry."
Kartiga paused for a second, his mind clicking. Gendry? Wait, isn't he... oh, interesting. He waved it off. "Alright, as long as he doesn't cause any trouble, whatever."
He walked over to the bed and flopped down onto it, exhaling deeply. "So, when are our guys leaving for Essos?"
"Tomorrow morning," Kai said.
Kartiga nodded, staring at the ceiling for a moment. "Good. Tell them to do whatever it takes to win her over. We need her on our side for future...if possible."
Kai gave another small bow. "Understood."
Kartiga propped himself up on his elbows, a smirk creeping onto his face. "So, once Robert kicks the bucket, we're starting, right?"
Kai nodded, his face as calm as ever.
Kartiga let his head fall back onto the bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Few more months," he muttered, almost to himself.
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The dim glow of the lamp flickered as Kartiga leaned closer, eyes narrowing at the worn parchment spread across the table. He traced the rough outlines of the Vale with his finger, comparing it to the grey, translucent system map floating in front of him. The details on his system's map were clean, precise—mountains, rivers, roads all neatly marked—but this local map, the one Kai had handed him that morning, was a different beast altogether. The terrain seemed rougher, more uneven. Vale that barely registered in his system were jagged and treacherous on the parchment. It was... frustrating.
Sighing, he leaned back, tossing the map aside. He swung his leg onto the table, resting into the chair with a contented sigh. Maidenpool was far better than the Vale—at least for now. His time there had been a mess, and he felt justified in choosing this place as his next stop. Of course, it wouldn't stay clean for long. That was just the nature of things.
A knock on the door.
Kartiga didn't even glance up. "Get in."
The door slid open, and Tanaka entered, bowing with practiced formality. "Lord."
Kartiga raised a brow, keeping his posture relaxed. "What's up? Bit late, don't you think?" He gestured vaguely, the glow of the lamp casting shadows across the room. "Not exactly the usual time for a chat."
Tanaka stood firm, his expression unreadable. "There is something important that I want my Lord to do."
Kartiga finally turned his head to look at him properly. "That so?"
Instead of elaborating, Tanaka merely inclined his head, his posture remain steady. That was enough to raise an eyebrow.
With a sigh, Kartiga pushed himself up and followed. The moment they stepped outside, he noticed the two shinobi standing guard behind him, their presence familiar and reassuring rather than alarming.
The group moved through the dimly lit streets, the quiet punctuated by the distant sounds of the city at rest. As they turned a corner, the sight before him made Kartiga stop.
Several street dogs—sickly, thin, barely clinging to life—were tied to a pole, their weak whimpers barely audible in the night air.
Before Kartiga could react, Tanaka moved. In a single, fluid motion, he drew his sword, the polished steel gleaming under the lantern's glow. The sudden action made Kartiga stiffen, and even the shinobi at his back seemed momentarily startled.
But then, Tanaka dropped to one knee and extended the sword towards him, head lowered in deference.
Kartiga blinked. "...What the hell are you doing?"
Tanaka's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable weight behind his words. "My Lord ordered me to train him."
Kartiga frowned, a hint of confusion slipping into his tone. "Yeah? Pretty sure I did."
Tanaka nodded. "Then that is what I am doing."
Kartiga stared at him. Then at the sword. Then at the pathetic creatures tied up before him. "Alright, I'll bite. Why—exactly—are we doing this at night?"
Tanaka remained composed. "A samurai is trained from childhood, but my Lord has never held a sword in his life. It is not too late to learn, but there is no time to start from the basics." His voice was steady, unwavering. "What my Lord need right now is not technique—it is the will to overcome hesitation. The will to overcome softness."
He turned his gaze towards the dogs. "Slay them. One by one. I have given my sword to be wielded by you."
Kartiga looked at him like he'd just suggested jumping off a cliff. "What?"
Tanaka's expression didn't change. "Do not hesitate, my Lord. Once you feel the thrill, you will wish to do more."
Kartiga stared, then slowly exhaled.
Inside, his mind was screaming: Lunatic. Absolute lunatic.
But outwardly, he only frowned, eyes flicking between Tanaka, the sword, and the trembling dogs. His fingers twitched, but he didn't move to take the blade.
This was going to be a long night.
[
Hey guys, I'm back! I've been a bit busy with a career switch lately, so it's been hard to find time. Anyway, the next four chapters are available on my Patreon—you can access them there.
link:patreon.com/AmouxCreationX
]