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A Different Song 7
🕑 Added 2024-05-15 23:49:53 +0000 UTCChapter 7: The Cost of Power: Arrogance.
Kingsroad
Daemon Snow
Out of the 10 men-at-arms accompanying us, 5 were ahead of me and Aethan, while the rest guarded the rear. Everyone was mounted on horses, and I realized that shouting would only alert the ambushers. Though I couldn't determine their exact numbers, it was clear that it was big as they were confident enough to ambush a group under the Stark banner.
I glanced at Aethan, riding beside me, and hissed, "Ambush. Arrows." I then surveyed the guards, noticing the shields strapped to their backs. Aethan nodded in understanding.
"Stop, you shitheads! I need to take a piss!" I yelled loudly and with feigned petulance like a small child misusing his status on subordinates.
Aethan's eyes widened in brief panic before realizing my tactic to halt our slow gallop. Captain Cassel, who had known me since birth, immediately became cautious, recognizing the unusual petulant tone in my voice, which he has never even heard in my early years.
Captain Cassel halted the gallop and glanced back at me. I had already dismounted my pony and was walking towards him. As I passed the first guard, I murmured "ambush, shield," and his eyes widened, but he was trained enough not to immediately take it and alert the ambushers to our awareness. Captain Cassel observed me approaching and, as I passed between two guards on their horses, I mimed taking shields and hiding behind them to shield ourselves from archers on the side. He nodded, and I saw him discreetly signaling to the guards with him. A few meters back, Aethan also successfully reached the middle of the guards and informed them of the impending ambush. He was short enough like me that he could hide between two horses, preparing his bow.
Captain Cassel yelled, "Bastard, why are you here and not at the surrounding trees to take a piss? Do you want us to hold your dick for you?" While yelling, he made sure to unlock the shields and prepared to use them at a moment's notice. The rest of the guards followed their captain's lead.
Since I was positioned between two horses and guards sitting in the saddle, I was not noticeable from both sides of the forest due to the low light. I quickly retrieved a bow and quiver from one of the saddles and armed myself. Fortunately, it was not a longbow, so I could use it effectively even if not with perfect ease.
As I armed the bow, I briefly connected with my eagle to identify the archers of the ambush team archers. I spotted two archers perched among the branches on both sides, while two archers on the ground had advanced to the second row of trees on both side the road. I sent my falcon to the right side of the road to distract the archer in the trees and target his eyes.
Slowly moving to the side with my back against the horse on the right, I aimed the arrow and connected mentally with my second eagle, which was observing from the air. I saw myself standing still using the eagles eyes, and I calculated the angle needed to make the shot and marking the position of the second archer for my next move. After breaking the mental connection, I moved forward and peeked from behind the horse, quickly adjusting my angle. I located the archer with my own eyes, preparing to take the shot. I connected with Eagle to check again and tried to maintain both control of my body and the connection but failed as usual. I disconnected from the eagle and aimed.
Hours and hours of practicing knife throwing and training with the bow flashed through my mind in an instant. My talent had absorbed skills from everyone who practiced before me, including the hunters with bows during our outings with Lord Stark in the Wolfswood. Despite the challenge of making the shot from a hidden spot and an awkward angle, I was confident I could succeed. I hadn't missed a shot from even 100 feet away in the training yards over the past year. The archer was not even 100 ft away.
I adjusted my aim, connected with my eagle for final checking, disconnected and saw the archer finally seeing me with a bow and I could pick his eyes widening even from this distance, and I knew the moment is here.
And something clicked in my mind.
The countless hours of training alongside my talent has the first break through.
I mentally commanded the eagle on the right to attack. As the eagle dove, I released the arrow. Before the arrow had even traveled halfway, I knew it would hit its mark. I shouted "Shields!" just before the archer on the ground could react. Without hesitation, I grabbed the next arrow from the quiver, aimed, and let it fly toward the second archer in the tree.
Moments later, there was a yell from the archers as they were pierced and fell from the tree branches. The guards quickly took up their shields and defended themselves before the archers on the ground could retaliate.
I reconnected with the falcon and saw one of the archers on the left side holding his ruined eyes, while the other fell from an arrow shot by Aethan. The ground troops were shocked and panicked for a moment before regaining their composure and running toward us in anger.
During that moment, I disconnected from the falcon and rolled forward under the horse, pulling a knife from my boots into each hand. As the archers on my left side of the road released their arrows, I swiftly threw the knife in my right hand, followed by the one in my left hand a second later.
As soon as I released the knife, I rolled backward under the horse and positioned myself again in the middle of the guards. Through the eagle's eyes, I saw both knives connect with the archers, rendering them out of commission.
I checked the situation on the ground near Aethan. One of the archers was dead from an arrow, but the other was missing from his spot. The ground troops continued their advance toward us in anger and desperation.
Seeing that the archers were dispatched, two of the guards dismounted to defend me from both sides. The other three, including Captain Cassel, spurred their horses toward the oncoming bandits. Though not a true charge, the sight of moving horses with trained guards swinging their swords was effective against the unprotected and disorganized bandits.
I surveyed the battlefield, feeling numb as blood splattered on the dirt road and the screams of men assaulted my ears. I drew two knives from my hip sheath, prepared to defend myself against any stragglers who might get past my two guards.
I witnessed the merciless killing of bandits on the battlefield. Three screaming bandits who had escaped the guards on horses came running toward me.
My guards swiftly used their shields to block the first slashes of the rusted swords. The third bandit was impaled by the swinging sword of one of the guards. As I heard movement from behind, I dodged to the left, rotating on my left foot, and deflected a blade with my knife from the bandit who had ran toward me from the other side.
I completed a 180-degree rotation and thrust my left hand into the chest of the bandit. The knife pierced it to the hilt, and I saw fear enter the man’s eyes as realization set in.
Quickly withdrawing the knife, I simultaneously slashed the right knife in the neck. Blood splattered on my face from the slash, but I dodged to the side before it affected my vision.
By that time, the fight was over and the bandits lay dead. The numbness was receding, and the realization started dawning on me as the adrenaline wore off that this was my first kill in either life.
I fell to my knees, and my stomach churned as the smell of shit and urine hit me from the dead bodies of the bandits. I was in a daze when I heard Captain Cassel asking whether everyone was fine or if anyone was injured. I didn’t hear the reply of others or say anything myself. My thoughts started spiralling as the accusing eyes of bandit I killed filled my mind. I was looking for a distraction when I saw Aethan approaching me, and I wanted to get out of the battlefield, so I started walking towards him, with my guard beside me for silent support, a look of understanding on his face.
Just as I was about to reach Aethan, he called out for me to dodge. The last archer who was missing earlier had aimed at me and already fired the arrow. Since the adrenaline rush was over, I was in shock and couldn’t move at all. My guard, who was walking behind me, pushed me forward, and the arrow entered his right arm near his elbow. I fell to my knees from the push, looking backward, I saw the arrow in the guard's arm, and anger engulfed me. I threw the knife still in my hand, and it entered the bandit's eye up to the hilt due to the force of my throw.
It was the end of all the bandits.
I sat beside the fire after cleaning up in a nearby stream. We were resting while two guards stood as sentries near the edges, while the others rested. A guard with basic medical knowledge had removed the arrow and applied some herbs to the wound, stopping the bleeding by binding it. The arrow had penetrated deep, and everyone knew that without adequate care, the arm might need to be amputated if the wound festered.
Aethan, sitting beside me, looked at me pointedly. "Daemon."
"What is it, Aethan?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you?" Aethan murmured so that others wouldn't hear.
I looked down, feeling ashamed. I immediately thought of offering the guard my blood, but I didn’t want to reveal my abilities at this age. However, Aethan's pointed look reminded me that these guards were the future retainers of House Stark, and they would remember if I didn’t share my gift once they learned the truth about me. I decided to be cautious.
I took Aethan's Ale waterskin and opened it, still holding my knife and playing with it. Deliberately, I palmed the knife’s sharp edges while keeping my hands down in the shadows, squeezing drops of blood into the waterskin. I wiped my hands and watched as the cut on my palm healed.
I got up and approached the guard.
"Brandon, thank you for pushing me. Don't worry, I’m sure the Old Gods will protect your arm from festering. Here, you deserve a reward." I handed him the waterskin. "This is a special ale waterskin for you. Drink it now and keep some for tomorrow. Everything will be fine," I finished, trying to sound charismatic.
The guards looked at me with pity, thinking my optimism was misplaced. Brandon's face showed gratitude as he bowed.
"Thank you, my lord,"
He took the ale waterskin and drank from it eagerly.
Greywater watch.
It had been a couple of months since then, and during that time, I learned the ways of the swamp—how to navigate it and conceal myself within its depths. My stealth improved significantly as my innate Talent worked overtime seeing the Cranogman’s skill levels.
After a moon had passed, Captain Cassel and the Stark guards departed, having rested and allowed time for the soldier's arm to heal. The guards regarded me with a mix of awe and reverence, as the more experienced among them understood that Brandon should have lost his arm. The arrow had pierced bone, and even with immediate medical attention from a healer or woods witch, successful recovery was unlikely. Brandon's unexpected healing, coupled with my rumored abilities, began to sow seeds of belief in the rumours about me among them.
The seed of respect, loyalty over and above the respect afforded to me as a Stark blood. In time, I knew it will grow along with my own accomplishments. Brandon tried to stay as my own sworn shield, but I made him leave for Winterfell saying that I will consider when I return. The true reason was that I knew with him personally present there, the story would be more credible and my legend will begin with a bang.
I was waiting with Lord Reed in the dining hall as Aethan and his party returned from their hunt. The hunt for a lizard-lion was a rite of passage for any Crannogman seeking to venture beyond Greywater Watch. Aethan had traveled alone, shadowed by the party but with no assistance, tasked with tracking and successfully killing the lizard-lion.
As Aethan entered the hall with his party, carrying the spoils of their kill, I watched with pride for my friend, knowing that with his enhanced abilities, he could survive anything in the Neck. Aethan knelt before Lord Reed;
“Lord Reed, I have tracked and hunted down the Lizard Lion, proving myself as a Crannogmen capable of defending The Neck from the enemies of the Stark in Winterfell, let it my tribute to my loyalty towards you and The Stark in Winterfell. I swore my eternal loyalty towards House Reed of the Neck and Stark in Winterfell. I swear it in the name of the Old Gods, by Bronze and Iron and I swear it by Ice and Fire.”
The Lord Reed smiled proudly at his heir's accomplishment.
"Rise, Aethan. You have returned faster than any Crannogman in living memory from the hunt. You have proved yourself worthy of being a Reed of the Neck, and I hereby name you my heir."
Aethan stood and bowed again. "Thank you, Father."
I looked at the father and son in confusion. I had assumed Aethan was already the heir, considering Lord Reed had no other sons. Perhaps this hunt held greater significance than I realized.
“REED!!” “REED!!” “STARK!!!” “STARK!!”
The room was enveloped in cheers and I broke from my thoughts. I was exasperated as I watched the shouting and by the loyalty the Stark name has here. I really want to know what the Winter king who conquered the Neck did to ensure such loyalty millennia later and why it didn’t work with the Red Kings, The Boltons.
After the cheers died down, Aethan came and sat beside me with a smug grin.
"Daemon, I have returned with a gift for you, my dear friend," he began. "A lizard lion skin coat for your armor will look fantastic. It will always remind you that I am a better hunter than you, while you remain the better fighter."
I sighed theatrically. "Aethan, Aethan, don't be a whiny brat," I teased. "You just tried to one-up a 9-year-old on your day of ascension to Crannogman from Crannogboy. And if I need a lizard lion skin, I could hunt for one myself. I've learned your ways, thanks to Lord Reed and yourself being kind enough to teach me."
Aethan had that familiar glint in his eyes that signaled a cunning plan, a look I had grown accustomed to in our friendship. It was the kind of glint that went unnoticed by others until its culmination.
"Really, are you sure about that, my dear friend?" Aethan said with a sly smile. "You may be a better fighter than me, but hunting in the Neck is different. You won't survive the swamps with just a little time of teaching. I can't blame you for that, actually. You're not a Crannogman, and you don't have the advantages of those born here."
His challenge pricked at my pride, and I met his gaze sharply. I knew he was aware of my abilities to adapt and heal, so I wondered what game he was playing. But my pride was at stake, and I couldn't resist.
"Well, then it seems you like to be overshadowed by me," I replied coolly. "I will indulge your wish. I will go and kill a lizard lion right now."
Despite our low voices, Lord Reed, sitting on the other side of Aethan, had heard our entire banter.
"No, Daemon Snow. I forbid it," Lord Reed's voice interrupted firmly. "I don’t want to answer to Lord Stark about how his beloved grandson died under my care."
I wanted to protest, but I knew it would be fruitless. Instead, I nodded and turned to Aethan. "I guess you'll have that victory over me for the foreseeable future. But I will return when I am fourteen and do it then."
Aethan smirked in response.
It was nighttime, and I was scouting using my eagles. Determined not to be stopped, I wanted to confront and kill the Lizard Lion now, not wait until I was fourteen. I had great confidence in my abilities and survival instincts.
As I sneaked out the window, I saw Lord Reed and Aethan standing near the tree outside. I felt ashamed that I had been caught so quickly and that my own eagles had failed to detect them.
"Daemon Snow, did you think you could sneak upon us in our own home using those eagles?" Lord Reed's voice was exasperated. "Such arrogance could only come from your thrice-damned father, not from the Stark blood."
Father, Aethan's voice cautioned. Lord Reed shook his head and said, "My son is correct. He told me you would sneak out at night to hunt down the Lizard Lion, not to one-up him, but to test whether your gift from the Old Gods will save you."
I looked at Aethan in anger because he was not supposed to reveal anything about my powers to his father.
"Oh, don't look like that at my son," Lord Reed continued. "He didn't say anything to me directly, but I saw what you did for Brandon. His arm was saved only by your gift. The rumors among the guards, along with your actions, confirmed it for me. Aethan asked me to let you go, and he guaranteed that you will survive, even when you shouldn't, given your abilities to heal."
"We survive the Neck because we have learned to live with its lands, diseases, and poisons," Lord Reed explained. "Magical rituals by the ancient Marsh Kings ingrained this survival into our blood. It is reignited at birth by feeding every baby a small drop of our most lethal poison. Now let us see whether your abilities are up to the task. Leave, and you can either return to Winterfell or come back with a Lizard Lion skin. Aethan and his sworn group will follow you, whether it is to recover your dead body or to carry the Lizard Lion body—it is up to the Old Gods."
My anger turned into surprise upon hearing about the magical immunity passed down through birth for survival in the Neck. After the ultimatum, I looked at Aethan, and there was no hint of worry on his face—just pure confidence in me that I would survive.
I smirked at Lord Reed and replied, "Well, you can have a feast for another week from my own kill when I get back."
Turning, I headed to where I had hidden my supplies, knives and a spear. Armed and ready, I walked out onto the path in the swamp to hunt down a Lizard Lion.
After walking for 10 minutes, I regretted ever visiting the Neck. The darkness wasn't the problem; my eyes had adapted enough from warging into animals with night vision and walking in darkness myself to see very clearly on a moonlit night like tonight. The mosquitoes were my first enemy. They swarmed around me, biting any exposed skin, and I was becoming increasingly irritated. I didn’t even think about any diseases they might carry; they seemed inconsequential to me.
The second enemy was the dampness. I nearly drowned twice as I lost the path in the darkness, and my pants were already soaked with water and mud. I decided that aimlessly walking was foolish, at best. I climbed a nearby tree to rest and use my eagles to scout and look for the Lizard Lion.
Sitting with my back against the thick trunk, I secured myself on a branch and let my mind fly. The moment I left my body, I felt peaceful, no longer bothered by the mosquito bites or the sounds of insects.
I flew further as the eagle searched for any trace of the Lizard Lion. My on blood with constant warging at night has even made the eagle see at night. After a couple of hours, I failed to spot any signs of the creature and returned to my body.
As the first thing that I felt was fatigue and a strange high, I shook my head, and the swarm of mosquitoes dispersed along with dozens of spiders. However, as my head cleared, I realized that two different snakes were biting into my legs, injecting venom into my veins in an attempt to kill me. The sense of euphoria was actually from the poison.
Quickly, I retrieved a knife from my hip and slashed at both snakes. They were bisected and fell from the tree, blood spurting from the severed parts still embedded in my flesh. I bent down and pried away the snakes, hissing in pain as I pulled out their teeth, which had sunk deep into my flesh, ripping away chunks of tissue along with them.
“Fuck” I hissed.
I cursed my inability to monitor my own body while warging. I took the ale I stole from the store and drank two mouthfuls before pouring the balance on the rotten area in my leg where the venom is concentrated. I observed the area and was surprised to see the torn tissue not bleeding and the rot starting to fester and not slow down as it should by my abilities. Venom shouldn’t affect me so much, as I have grown my immunity to all the poisons and venoms I could find.
Even then, I could feel the fatigue and unconsciousness approaching, which surprised me as it should not be possible from two measly snake bites. So, I took the oil container that I had and tore my own shirt. I wrapped it around the spear and poured down the lamp oil. I took the flint and my knife. I made a cut on my hands, poured some blood onto the spear and flint. With one scratch of the flint against the knife edge, the spark fell on the spear and started burning brightly
I took the spear and put the fire towards my legs to cauterize the poisoned wounds. After moments, I realise that my fire resistance will be a bitch and the wound was not burning. It was then that I saw a black something near the snake bite through the torn part of the pants. Cursing my luck, I chucked both my boots and pants away and saw atleast 20 leeches sucking on my legs for the blood. And I suddenly understood why I was fatigued by a small snake bite.
I used the fire to burn away the leeches and free myself. Within moments, I could feel the fatigue lessening and the rotten wound not worsening. I sighed in relief and decided to eat the stupid snake for sustenance
I climbed down and looked for the snake, which I found lying near the water. I took a piece and pinned it using the knife above the fire to roast and eat. The snake was half consumed when the lizard lion, attracted by the blood, attacked me. Stupidly, I didn’t even realize it was creeping up on me due to the fatigue.
I didn’t even see its size before it jumped and bit into my waist, dragging me into the swamp water. The only thing I noticed was that it was positioned perpendicular to my body, so I wouldn't have to contort myself to stab it in the face. I tightened my hold on the knife pinning the snake as I hit the water and started drowning.
Pain unlike anything bloomed as its teeth pierced my stomach and near my spine in the back. Anger at the continuous assault by stupid animals surged within me. My right hand wrapped around the knife pinning the burnt snake. I turned sharply and used my entire considerable strength to stab it right in the eye and into the brain for an easy kill.
My knife pierced the eye, but I couldn’t push it inside because of the body of the snake still pinned in it. The Lizard Lion roared in pain, freeing me, but I wasn’t done with it. I swam and latched onto its head with my legs, sitting on its back as I couldn’t allow it to bite down on my neck, which would kill me. I tore the stupid snake from the knife and brought the knife down hard against its face again and again.
Even with all my strength, the buoyancy of the water was truly an enemy as the knife didn’t have enough piercing power to break through its scales. I cursed myself, realizing that I was behaving like a crazed barbarian by trying to use a knife. It is a stupid animal and I am a skinchanger with power to spare.
My mind hit the mind of the lizard lion like a battering ram of giants, and my own anger empowered it beyond limit. The mind of the lion broke, and I made it swim back towards the surface and then onto land. As it reached the land, I left the mind of the lion and plunged the knife into its other eye to the hilt, truly killing it.
I fell from its back into the mud, panting heavily as my eyes started to see blackness. I watched another lizard lion approach the dead body of the first one as I lost consciousness.
Authors Note: Arrogance will have consequences.
