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274 A.D.
Staromest is the second largest port city in all of Westeros. With one of the largest harbors in all the Seven Kingdoms, rivaling the size of King's Landing and Lannisport, it had been the central pillar of wealth for centuries for one of the greatest families in Spaceland, the Hightowers.
"The sea gem of Prostor," I thought as I passed another harbor where a ship with green sails was moored, showing that it came from Tyrosh.
And like any other harbor, Staromest lived the bustling life of a major port city. Hundreds of ships and schooners docked here throughout the year, bringing in and taking out hundreds of different goods. Pomegranates and oranges from Volantis, fine wines from Arbor, colorful feathers and wood from the Summer Isles, Yunkai pepper, Western gold, Northern leathers, lace, mirrors and harps from Myr, Tyrosh paints, and much, much more. There wasn't a single commodity that couldn't be found in Staromest. Unless it was from the Far East. Our path lay to one of the shipyards located on the outskirts of the harbor and Whispers Bay.
The conversation with the conclave came out very heavy. Most of the archbishops, when they got to the heart of the matter, wanted to flog us and put us in stocks so that, in their words, "the urine would come out of the young and foolish heads". But my statement was official and completely serious and they, in spite of all the desire, could not do it.
Arguments began. Only the intercession of Archmistress Valefar, the chief architect of the Citadel, and Archmistress Barog, the bearer of the greatest knowledge in the science of hammer and anvil in all the Seven Kingdoms, prevented these nineteen goat... ahem, masked, ringed, and rod-wearing individuals from expelling us from the university in disgrace, having beaten us up beforehand. Eventually, after six hours of eating my poor brains out with a dull spoon, the conclave mercifully banished us from the Citadel, stripping us of all our earned chains and forbidding us to appear on the campus for the rest of our lives on pain of corporal punishment.
You might say we got off easy. After all, we could have been simply expelled, deprived of all past achievements and announced it to the whole world, leaving a very black stain on our reputation. As it is, we still have our credits, certified by the Archmasters, proving that we once had these links and are quite intelligent and educated people.
"Thank you Valefar. Thank you Barog." - I remembered with warmth the two people who had made everything go so well. - "The next time we meet, I owe you one."
I had gotten along very quickly with these two Archmasters early in my training, as they were very erudite and well-read people, always open to new knowledge. It was very easy and pleasant to communicate with them, because in most matters they were not only equal to me in knowledge, but also far superior. They were one of the reasons why many years later I would remember the Citadel with warmth and nostalgia.
"Now it's time" - I thought as I entered the shipbuilding docks area where a new milestone in my life would soon begin.
«Felix, so why don't you tell us where we're going? - I was distracted from my thoughts by Joan's interested voice. What was he talking about?
"Right. I didn't tell them about them." - Remembering that little oversight, I slapped my forehead, once again recalling my leaky memory. It wasn't surprising, though - I'd had too much on my mind lately. I've only slept in the library for the last month. - "Well, better late than never."
«Let me explain everything on the way. - I said, speeding up a little and outrunning the drunken sailor who was coming at me. - As you may recall, the main purpose for which I sought to enter the Citadel was knowledge. Knowledge about the world around me, the people who live in it, and the opportunities it can offer. We are all commoners. Even I, the son of a knight of the Border, until I'm a Ser, I'm nobody and my name is nothing. You don't want to spend the rest of your life looking like a black man with no rights or liberties in the eyes of the lords, do you? A mere bargaining chip to be used and discarded?
They all shook their heads at once, for any normal man with a shred of brain understood that if you were not a rich merchant, knight, or lord in Westeros, your life was worth less than a penny.
«There are only a few ways to rise up the hierarchy. The first is to become a knight, distinguish yourself in battle, gain the title of lord and the lands that come with it. Or to please some grand lord so that he "bestows his favor upon us" The second is to get rich. Wealthy merchants are often offered petty lordships to stay in the area and start investing there. The first is not available to us, due to the fact that now in Westeros simply simply no wars and nowhere to show their strength. And we're not warriors or mercenaries to risk our lives. And fools like-- ahem, good men like Titus Lannister are few and far between. Not everyone's as lucky as the Cleganes. The only option left is enrichment. There's only one disadvantage to that method, and it disappears depending on the size of the purse. Respect. Lords do not respect and do not like traders, considering them the same nigger who rose with the help of gold alone, and not as it should - with a sword and spear in their hands. But I see no other way, so my friends, you and I will become merchants.
Numerous whispers full of disbelief and disbelief were heard behind. This news came as a shock to the boys, for most of them had thought that after the Citadel we would disperse into the world, starting a new life. Joen, Rick, and Dick planned to use the money they earned at the House of Literature to open their own jewelry store. Piper wanted to open a carpentry shop somewhere in Dorn, on Zelenokrovna, where good carpenters were valued because of the orphans who lived there. Only Robin had decided to stay with me from the start, knowing I had Napoleonic plans for the future, and this was his chance to see the world and climb higher.
«Uh, Felix. - At last I heard the voice of the most enterprising of the group, the red-haired Joan. - You know very well that all trade routes and contracts on land have long been controlled by merchant clans patronized by lords. It's almost impossible to get in without good connections or support from above.
The redhead was right about that. In Westeros, and in Essos as well, most free traders are members of merchant families or guilds. Each of these clans has their own exclusive trade route that only they use. There is no way to get into it from scratch, because you will have to sign a huge number of contracts with customs officers, who have long been bought by certain people and who specifically drive up prices for other merchants, and buyers, most of whom have already signed contracts with other merchants and have no desire to switch to new suppliers. The route and contract has worked for hundreds of years? So why touch it and make something new? No reason. And even if the case is successful and everything works out, I'll have to work like Papa Carlo, and only my children will start receiving net profit.
"How narrow-minded are they?" A smile crept onto my face. We are almost to the right dock and soon I can look at their shocked faces.
«Who said we were going to be traveling overland? - I said just as we reached the right shipyard.
«What are you talking about. - Joen's initial question was quickly silenced when he saw the three beauties.
The three new, freshly launched shebeks standing at the dock, even with their sails down, looked like works of art. 50 feet long, 15 feet wide at their largest midships, they towered a good 40 feet above the water, and were a sight to behold. With three slanting sails, copper-clad battering rams, elaborate carvings all over the hull, and bow figures made by one of the finest carpenters in Staromest, these ships were my pride, commissioned almost six months ago and only recently launched.
«Felix, these are...
«Yes, these are our ships. - I said proudly, walking slowly toward the docks, where the crews were already making the last preparations before sailing. - Some of the finest creations of the Old Town shipyards. The ironborn's oblique sail system, which allows them to sail in any wind, three decks, one of them entirely for cargo, one hundred and fifty crewmen, forty oars. These are some of the fastest, most maneuverable, and load-carrying ships for their class. Gentlemen, the Purple Rhino, White Tiger, and Black Panther are just waiting for us!
The shock written on the boys' faces was a relief to me. Almost a year ago, when further plans were determined and, because of my language practice, acquaintances were made with most of the people in the port, I decided to order these beauties. Finding a good artel of shipbuilders, ordering good northern timber from the local trade guild and finding a finished design in one Citadel book took a bit of time. Construction lasted almost 4 months and cost me almost seven hundred gold dragons for each ship.
Very, very big money, any way you look at it.
In fact, I even overpaid, as one regular shebeka cost about 550-600 gold. But the wood, as well as the installation of the slanted sails, and consequently the hiring of carpenters from the Iron Islands, cost a penny.
Soon the boys died down and rushed at once to inspect the new "toys". No one stopped them, for all present could see that they had come with me, the owner of these ships and their employer.
«Gosp'din Felix. - Immediately after boarding the Black Panther, my flagship of choice, I was approached by three men whose looks told me that they had spent much more time at sea than on land. - Welcome aboard. We are almost ready to sail and will be able to put to sea in half an hour. All that's left is to put the last of the cargo in the holds.
«Thank you Edward, Victarion, Hoar. - Nodding to the three captains of my ships, I headed to my quarters to place my last of my belongings. Since it would be too inefficient to occupy the captain's cabin, I settled for the still empty cabin of the ship's doctor, who unfortunately could not be found. I only hoped that this oversight could be remedied later, in Volantis or Tyrosh. Having put all my few belongings in the locker and locked it with the key, I had only to go on deck and wait for the sailing to begin.
The sailors, with Edward and his XO, a middle-aged man whose name I didn't remember, rolled the last barrels of corned beef and sacks of breadcrumbs onto the deck, unfurled the sails, and checked the integrity of the hull and tackle in preparation for their imminent departure. The same thing was happening on the other two ships, where the same orderly chaos was being directed by Victarion and Hoar.
The only thing that stood out was my friends, like little children, scrutinizing every inch of the ship, always getting in the way of the working sailors. Except for Piper.
«Where did you find captains and crews? - He had long since come to his senses and was now standing next to me on the bridge, leaning his hands on the railing, still looking around disbelievingly. Too drastic a change had taken place in his life in just one day. Yesterday he was reading Maester Pilate's historical works in the Citadel library, and today he was already on the ship, preparing to set sail. - You told us yourself that it is possible, but almost impossible, to find a good captain who is not a needle in a haystack. I don't even want to mention the sailors.
«Do you remember that little boy I brought to the Citadel three months ago? - I asked, turning my head slightly toward Piper.
«Of course I remember. You dragged Ambrose from his bedroom to the operating room and didn't get out until hours later.
«That was Edward's son. - I pointed my finger at the black-haired sailor, at that moment reprimanding one of the juniors. - The boy had an intestinal blockage and needed surgery to remove a blind node. The man had spent all his money on medicine, and he'd been duped by some quacks. If I hadn't found him in time, the boy would've been dead in a few days.
«Gut twisting... - The old carpenter scratched his stubble thoughtfully, and stared unseeingly at the horizon. Although he had not received a silver link, he was close to it. So he knew about this disease. - To cure it, you need very good skills in medicine... No wonder you asked Ambrose. He's the only other person in the Citadel who could perform such an operation. What did you give him in return for agreeing to it?
«A barrel of Borg gold. As much as he tries to play the saint, he likes a drink.
«Hmm, so this sailor is in your service because you saved his son. But you're sure of his skills?
«Yes. Before his son fell ill, he was one of the best captains in the Hightower service. I have no idea why they refused to help him, but it's to our advantage. He's one of the few captains with a perfect record.
«What about the other two? - Piper asked, nodding his head at the other ships further down the dock.
«Hoar and Victarion, as you can tell from the names, are ironborn. They were both good captains, but their former lords got too involved in piracy and had emissaries sent from King's Landing on their heads. These two, like so many other captains, were blamed for almost all of it, stripped of all means and banished from the Iron Islands. I found them in the slums of Staromest and came out. They were then on the verge of death from starvation and red fever. After that, they swore allegiance to me and decided to become my captains.
«And what of their personal qualities? - Pipes asked, looking into my eyes and raising one eyebrow. Though he was a resident of the Expanse, where the ironborn are not hated as much as in the Western Lands, but... he has a dislike for them.
«Not everything was perfect, but they were the best option he could find. - Thinking back on how many tinpot assholes I've personally finished off while walking the local slums gave me a nervous shiver. - At least they're neutral about the New Law and other religions. All they care about is that I feed them on time and let them go ashore.
My answer did not fully satisfy the old carpenter, but he realized that it is not customary to look a gift horse in the mouth.
«What about the sailors?
«Some I've invited on acquaintance, others I've lured from other ships, and others Edward found. So I trust most of them, and even know them by face and name. - I said, watching as the ships slowly docked and the rowers took their places. In the light of the still-rising sun, the picture of the three ships sailing looked majestic and graceful. The only thing that spoiled it was the sour face of my friend standing next to me. - Don't worry, Piper. You'll sail with me for a couple years, see the world, save money, work, because I didn't forbid you, and open your own carpentry shop. Maybe even find yourself a wife in some port. Soon you'll be able to brag like Aegon the Unworthy that you've slept with nine hundred women.
My simple and uncomplicated joke made the man, who was twice my age, smile and adjust to the wind.
No medieval harbor smells good. The smell of rotten fish, unwashed bodies, dead cats and rats, and the waste that flowed from all over the city into the sea created a killer "aroma" that hit you in the head as hard as ammonia. But all this disappeared when the fresh sea breeze blew. The smell of the sea soothed, gave peace and rest to the nose, ears and eyes, which had long been tired of the bustle of Staromest.
Our three shebekas flew through the bay like arrows, catching surprised and envious glances from the shore. It is not every day that one sees such beautiful ships here, just launched. In only half an hour, despite the headwind, we reached the open sea of Whispers Bay. From here to the open sea we had only thirty-five leagues to sail, which on our ship would take hardly five hours. Soon we would be in the Redwyn Strait, which separates Arbor Island from the mainland, and we could go anywhere in the world. The stormy and uncharted waters of the Sunset Sea, the capricious and warm expanses of the Summer and Jade Seas, and the angry and unfriendly waters of the Student Ocean, like hundreds of demons, awaited us, beckoning us with their secrets and mysteries. I planned to visit all of them, to see every island hidden in the ocean, every country found on the map, every city I had read about in books. I was going to make the most of this world.
«Mr. Felix! Which way to go?! - I was brought out of my fantasies and dreams of faraway lands by the voice of Edward, who had been at the helm for a long time, giving commands to the sailors left and right.
Right. Our next destination. Well...
"Goodbye, Old Town." - I thought, looking toward the White Tower as it receded. - "Thank you for everything you've given me. For all the knowledge, introductions, meetings and partings. I will see you again, but not soon. "For I must be on my way."
«Set course for Bear Island! - I shouted at the top of my lungs so that I could be heard even on the other ships. - Captains, get us there safely! Or I'll rip your heads off even in the fiery heat!
«Aye, m'lord!" The loud roar was almost an immediate response, making me smile and put my face into the fresh sea breeze. I've been preparing for this for most of my life and now my journey begins.
"I am not my lord, but soon I will be."
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