Chapter 98 The first month-end settlement
The *Black Oyster* departed from Duskendale, its destination the far shore of the Narrow Sea. It would first cross the vast expanse of Blackwater Bay before passing through the throat between Sharp Point and Massey's Hook, then sail on toward the Free City of Pentos.
The journey would last a week, at the very least.
Ian leaned against the gunwale, his hands resting on the salt-sprayed wood as he gazed at the distant horizon. The setting sun hung low, a bleeding orb that dyed the sea a brilliant, molten gold.
The waves lapped gently against the merchant ship's hull, and the occasional spray that misted his face left him feeling a slight chill. It was a small vessel, fit for rivers or the calmer coastal waters of the Narrow Sea. Its sides were not built high, and Ian knew that if it were to venture past the Stepstones and into the roiling Summer Sea, a squall would surely capsize it.
He glanced back at the Brown Castle of Duskendale, a fading silhouette against the darkening coast, and said a silent farewell to Westeros.
He did not know if he would ever return. But if he did, he suspected it would be as a conqueror.
Dinner was corned beef, a wedge of hard cheese, and brown bread that was tougher than boiled leather. Ian had to soak each bite in a cup of sour, vinegary red wine just to swallow it down.
It wasn't that he was being cheap, or that he wished to punish himself with meager fare. This was simply the best food he could purchase aboard the ship. Even the captain ate the same.
Most of the other passengers made do with less: a small piece of black bread and a thin fish soup, utterly devoid of any spice to mask the pungent, oily smell.
"Gulltown has fallen to the royal army," Daeron Grafson said, seating himself beside Ian. He kept his voice low. "The coalition was led by Lord Yohn Royce. Three thousand men. They took the city the same day they arrived and captured my father and brothers."
He let out a sigh. "They'll be sent to King's Landing for trial, just like your father."
"Is this news the sailors brought?" Ian asked, tearing off a piece of the tough, dried beef with his teeth.
"Yes. A man from a merchant ship that just made port in Duskendale from Gulltown told me." Daeron's voice was laced with a sorrow that sounded almost genuine. "I have damned them all."
But Ian felt none of his supposed sadness. If Daeron had truly been determined to save his father and brothers, he would have ridden for Gulltown the moment the battle at the abandoned fishing village was over.
He would have had time to reach home before Ser Wyman and the others arrived in King's Landing with their prisoners. Even if Gulltown could not be held, he could have helped his family escape Westeros with their fortune intact.
But he hadn't. He had instead listened to Ian's talk of "great deeds in service of the true king" and had chosen to follow his arrangements, meeting him here in Duskendale.
It was obvious to Ian that Daeron now saw his father and brothers as an obstacle—an obstacle to him claiming the title of Lord of Gulltown.
"However, you've had some… developments in your own family," Daeron said, changing the subject. "Hard to say if it's good news or bad. Ser Wyman betrayed Simon before the Iron Throne, laying all the charges of treason at his feet."
He paused, observing Ian's reaction. "Your legitimate brother, Lyman Darry, is also dead. No one knows if it was Simon's work or Wyman's. In the end, King Robert granted the city of Darry and all its lands to Ser Wyman."
Daeron watched Ian's face closely, and a slight, knowing smile touched his lips when he saw no flicker of grief. "In any case, it seems we are both the last of our family's line."
"All the more reason for us to stand together," Ian replied, playing along with his words.
"Yes! Unity!" Daeron repeated eagerly. "You saved my life, Ian. From this day forward, I will treat you as my own brother."
*You, who just arranged the death of your own kin,* Ian thought with silent contempt.
Daeron then asked, feigning casualness, "By the way, might I ask what kept you for the last ten days?"
"I traveled north to conclude some business. I secured a small amount of funding—about thirty gold dragons. As for the details, they involve the secrets of others, I'm afraid."
Ian could have simply refused to answer, but he knew he needed a plausible story. When they arrived in Pentos, Magister Illyrio would surely ask the same question, and the gap in time between the battle and their arrival needed to be explained.
Daeron seemed satisfied with the answer and did not press further. After finishing his food, he bid Ian goodnight and returned to the cabin.
Soon after, Ian and his companions also descended into the ship's hold. The environment was abysmal. This was a cargo vessel, not a passenger ship. There were no private rooms, not even shared ones. Passengers were forced to squeeze together like sardines in the dark, cavernous space, the foul stench of excrement and vomit thick in the air. People found what rest they could in the cramped corners between crates and barrels.
Ian, however, had no intention of suffering such conditions. He had money.
He found a crewman and, for the price of one gold dragon, rented a small cabin normally used by a group of sailors. It was cramped for his own party, but it was a world away from the squalor of the hold. Had he not felt the need to remain close to Case and his men for security, he would have tried to rent the captain's own quarters.
There were only five in his group. Dorian, the 'Black Falcon,' was not among them.
Following Ian's instructions, the Black Falcon was taking his men and the gold Ian had provided to travel to Pentos on his own. His mission was to re-establish their mercenary company in the Free City. He would lie low until Ian made contact and assigned him a task.
Lying in his bunk, Ian did not fall asleep for a long time. The rocking of the ship was not what kept him awake. It was the game's first monthly settlement. He needed to see where his twenty-six points had placed him among the surviving players.
The time ticked by. At the stroke of midnight, the auxiliary system's chime sounded softly in his mind.
`[Settlement Report: Day 30. Current number of remaining players: 44]`
In just one month, fewer than half the players were still alive. And Ian knew that number would soon drop by another three, thanks to the leaderboard's assassination mechanic.
He opened the second message.
`[Congratulations! You have ranked FIRST in the standings for the first month's settlement.]`
`[Rewards: 5 Points, 888 Gold Dragons, 2x A-Rank NPC Vouchers (redeemable in current area).]`
A breath he didn't realize he was holding escaped his lips. He had cut it close. Killing that Gold Cloak player before leaving King's Landing had given him a crucial infusion of points. Otherwise, after purchasing the [Gift of the Supreme Shepherd] and expanding his inventory, his remaining points wouldn't have been enough to even crack the top three.
Overall, Ian was deeply satisfied. A steady income of 888 gold dragons every month was a significant boon, even for him. The 5 points were invaluable, and the two A-rank NPCs—which he knew cost 10 points each in the system store—were a powerful addition.
More absolutely loyal 'religious warriors' under his command, even if their strength was only A-rank, would grant him far greater freedom in executing his plans.
---
$5 Tier – Early Access!
Read 30 chapters ahead of public platforms like RoyalRoad and Scribble Hub — with plans to increase to 40 chapters ahead once I reach 10 members!
Chapters are posted as soon as they're completed, so you'll always stay ahead of the curve.
Support the story and unlock early access:
Patreon is linked in My Profile or About.
Please select your membership carefully, as I have multiple novels ongoing. If you're on Apple, consider subscribing through your browser instead — it will be cheaper for you, and I won't have to wait 2 months for payments. Thank you!