Dragonstone - Year 27 B.C
It was early afternoon, and celebrations were taking place all over the island for the birth of Crown Prince Aegon, son of King Aerion Targaryen and Queen Valaena Velaryon.
All the smallfolk living on the island could eat and drink freely during the celebration. But two men weren't satisfied with the cheap food and drink and wanted something of a higher quality...
"Come, let's go to Old Anurys's shop, 'Hic,'"
"Oh, I see, 'Hic,' that place has the best food and excellent wine!"
Soon, the two drunks arrived at a beautiful shop that stood out from the others in the surrounding area. Its walls were made entirely of stone, and there was a beautiful house next door with a huge yard and a beautiful garden.
"Hm? Why is 'Hic,' the shop, closed?"
"Bam-Bam-Bam"
"Old Anurys, open the shop! We want drinks and food."
"Old Anurys, haven't you heard His Majesty's decree?"
"You must allow us to eat and drink for free in your shop!"
"Don't tell me you're a traitor—"
"Watch your words, you maggots, or I'll slit your throats!"
"Gulp"
The two drunks fell to their knees in fear after the threat of a young guard dressed in black who already had his hand on the dagger at his waist. There was something in his eyes that made them both tremble with fear.
But due to the drink, one of them still retorted:
"I'm telling the truth, the King said we could…"
The man in black lost his temper and was about to kill the two drunks when a hand gloved in golden steel grabbed the hand of the man in black.
The man's eyes narrowed as he recognized the golden armor and white cloak the newcomer wore. He nodded respectfully to the Knight and put away his dagger, sparing the lives of the two drunkards.
"I came to visit your boss. I heard he's leaving tomorrow, and I came to say goodbye."
"Sir Tristan, please come in."
Before entering, the Knight kicked the two drunkards who were still on the ground with his golden boots and said:
"All the staff at Lord Anurys's shop are working on the castle banquet, which is why the shop is closed. Now get out of here before I send you both to prison!"
Soon, the two drunkards crawled out, staggering and apologizing… They didn't want to offend the Knight Commander of the Targaryen Kingsguard…*
Soon, Sir Tristan was led to the back of the beautiful house, where he found an old Valyrian sitting there reading some documents. He was known throughout the island as Anurys "The Old" and also as Anurys "The Lucky". The first nickname was given to him because he was the oldest living man on the entire island, and even on the entire continent of Westeros, having surpassed 100 years of age...
The Valyrian had come to Dragonstone with only a few gold coins days before the disaster of Valyria, and built his shop from scratch. Using his cunning and skills as a merchant, Anurys quickly became one of the wealthiest men in the city. He was even offered a position as steward to the Royal family, but he declined...
Later, Anurys also struck important deals with distant locations in Essos, becoming one of the island's largest suppliers of gemstones and also bringing in exotic and extremely popular foods from the far east and some islands in the Jade Sea.
Even a young orphaned commoner whom Anurys had helped on a whim in childhood, he had now become one of the finest Knights in all of Westeros and also Commander of the Kingsguard.
All these events, combined with his good health and long life, earned Anurys the second nickname: "The Lucky."
"How is the young prince?" Anurys asked after Tristan sat down.
"He's doing well, full of energy, and born in perfect health. He'll certainly make a good ruler..."
Anurys took a pipe from his bag and arranged some herbs inside it in an extremely meticulous and unique way. Before finally lighting it, he took a deep drag and waved.
"Yes, he will..."
"I heard you're leaving today, so I came to say goodbye."
Tristan stood up in his shining golden armor and knelt before Anurys…
"I owe you so much, sir. When my parents died, you cared for me as if I were family, feeding me, clothing me, and paying for my sword training and etiquette… You even taught me to read and write… That is a debt I will never forget…"
"Get up, you're dirtying your armor and cloak… Besides, what would happen to this old man if someone saw the Knight Commander kneeling before me like that?"
Tristan stood up and said in a melancholy voice,
"This long sea voyage will be lethal for you, sir… Why don't you stay here?"
"My great-grandson, who shares my name, will inherit and take over my business and lands. Help him in any way you can when he arrives…"
"I promise I will care for him as if he were family! Farewell, sir Anurys, and thank you for everything!"
"Hm, goodbye, Tristan…" Anurys said, waving, smoking his pipe, and watching the young Commander leave.
That night, many in the harbor saw Anurys the Elder board a warship, whose final destination was the Far East…
But Anurys hadn't planned to go so far. Inside his private cabin, he had taken out a white fruit that smelled incredibly sweet and exuded a powerful vitality…
But he hadn't eaten the fruit yet, waiting for the ship to reach the next island for its next stop. Meanwhile, he took out a series of letters that he was about to read when Tristan interrupted him… They were sent by his son, who lived in Asshai, and reading these letters was one of the most satisfying moments of his life…
"Hello, Father, it's been a few months since I wrote to you… Something big happened here in Asshai…"
****
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