"Then I wish you good luck, for many now call you Lucky Gendry, Favored Gendry," Ser Barristan chuckled. valyrian steel, in Gendry's context, seemed as common as onions. If House Royce, House Lannister, and House Hightower heard such confident words, they would be furious, as all their valyrian steel weapons had been lost. Tywin had approached impoverished families in the realm at least three times, offering large sums to buy their valyrian steel swords, but was always refused. Noble houses were willing to intermarry with House Lannister, but when it came to ancestral swords, there was no room for negotiation.
"Favored. Lucky." The Old Knight believed Gendry could truly succeed. Gendry's luck was exceptionally good; his rise was comparable to The Conqueror, and he would indeed collect many valyrian steel weapons in the future. Even Gendry's current equipment—a valyrian steel arakh and a double-curved dragonbone longbow—was already exceptionally luxurious and overpowered.
"It seems not many valyrian steel weapons are currently in the world, are there?" Gendry asked Ser Barristan, as the Old Knight knew this history best.
"valyrian steel swords are rare treasures; only a few thousand have survived to this day, with about two hundred on the continent of Westeros. Some ancient noble families simply won't let their weapons be seen, and the loss of valyrian steel weapons is common. The dragon kings' Blackfyre and dark sister, and House Lannister's lightbringer, are all now lost. In such circumstances, many nobles are even more reluctant to easily reveal information about their heirlooms," Ser Barristan said.
Gendry nodded. valyrian steel was a limited edition of a few thousand, and many owners did not reveal themselves.
Gendry felt that Blackfyre might be Across the Narrow Sea, and dark sister might be buried with Bloodraven somewhere in the snows Beyond the Wall. If he could acquire valyrian steel longswords, those two would be the best. Lamentation, Truth, Vigilance, and lightbringer were all lost swords. Because the valyrian steel technique was lost, valyrian steel weapons relied entirely on a family's heritage and good luck. Even minor Lords like Mormont had them, while major Lords like Arryn and Tyrell had none.
"valyrian steel, dragon eggs, and those distant relatives of the dragon kings' bloodline..." These most precious treasures of the known world were naturally the more the merrier. And Gendry also had detailed lists and clues, which he intended to pay attention to one by one: Blackfyre, dark sister, valyrian steel armor, and those lost dragon eggs.
As the two chatted, the duel below reached a fever pitch. Ser Lyn, being in the prime of his life, with his changing rhythm and layered swordsmanship, began to overwhelm Ser Brynden, until with a "clank," Ser Brynden retreated into the distance, defeated.
"I lost," Ser Brynden said with a bitter smile. Lyn picked up his blunted sword and proudly displayed it.
"Lyn! Lyn!" The Knights of the Vale and squire shouted, very excited, their Longspears and scabbards clashing.
"House Tully's reputation is completely ruined this time," Ser Barristan Selmy said with a sigh, looking at the defeated and bitter Ser Brynden on the field.
"The act of treason can only be attributed to Littlefinger externally, and Lysa's affair should be glossed over as much as possible, otherwise, it will damage Lord Jon's reputation. The Lords of the Vale also agree with this opinion; it's good for everyone," Gendry replied. For honor, for the scarce friendship between the fish and the eagle, they would endure for the common good.
Gendry looked at the still valiant Old Knight Ser Brynden, who was depressed by his family's misfortune. In the future, it was feared that the Lords of the Vale or other great Lords would no longer intermarry with House Tully, further diminishing their reputation.
"Lysa's love for Littlefinger was poison. Lysa loved her Littlefinger—no, it was the little girl in her heart who fell in love with him, not the Duchess," Ser Barristan sighed, having witnessed many wars due to mistaken love. Prince Rhaegar fell in love with Lady Lyanna, and tens of thousands of innocent people died for it. Daemon Blackfyre fell in love with the first Daenerys, and when he couldn't marry her, he started a rebellion.
"This matter ends here; I have already sentenced Lysa to death. But regarding this matter, everyone hopes to hear that Lysa had no improper relationship with Littlefinger after marriage, that she was an innocent Duchess of The Eyrie, even if there were so many things before marriage. She loved her Child too much and was deceived by Littlefinger, offering a tear drop." Gendry was tall and straight, like a sharp sword, a keen sword.
For honor, Lord Jon ultimately paid too much. But this was also what the Lords of the Vale demanded...
"High as Honor," Ser Barristan nodded. Even ordinary Lords could not withstand this scandal, let alone House Arryn, the ancient Ando royal family most insistent on honor, and it also concerned their beloved Old Jon.
"Your Highness, regarding your title, why do your letters not bear the name Baratheon?" Ser Barristan asked. Gendry's letters only bore "Heir Gendry."
"I have new ideas, Ser. From now on, there will be no Targaryen on the throne, no Baratheon, only a new family name," Gendry said, looking at the Old Knight. Since House Baratheon once replaced the Durrandon family, there was no reason why his new family could not replace House Baratheon.
"Just like House Rivers of the Riverlands back then? No wonder you are not in a hurry to be crowned," Ser Barristan understood.
Benedict Rivers was originally a bastard of the Blackwood Family and House Bracken, and later became the founder of House Rivers. According to Maester Yandel, in his early years as a Child, he was often neglected, but later became a great Knight, known as "the Fearless" Ser Benedict, a nickname similar to Ser Barristan. The Blackwood Family and House Bracken were the first to support this double-blooded bastard. Later, Benedict spent more than thirty years gradually eliminating other petty kings in the Riverlands, and then he was crowned King. After becoming King, "the Fearless" Benedict was praised as "the Just" Benedict, and it was for this reason that he named and established his family, House Rivers.
"Since I am the new liberator, the new dragon king, the new Storm King, then I naturally need a family name that encompasses the past and the present."
Ser Barristan couldn't help but nod. A new family would indeed help to mend the kingdom's years of division, showcasing the new King's glory, the unity of the dragon and the deer.
House Baratheon currently appeared fragmented, and Princess Daenerys would have no objections. People are creatures of beauty; it's a truth of life. Gendry was the favored son of this era, possessing both the ferocity of a warrior and the radiance of a liberator. He was the storm, and all girls were captivated by him.
"The road ahead is long, Ser Barristan. I need this crown, but this crown also means responsibility. You might think the current wars of the Lords are terrible, but the future we face will be even darker and more terrifying," Gendry explained to Ser Barristan.
"I am willing to obey your command," Ser Barristan promised. He believed the young man before him possessed an extraordinary charm, enough to overcome all difficulties.
Long Winter, Long Night, Rhaen, sorcerers, Faceless Men, and the god-like Crows Eye—only by overcoming these challenges would Gendry truly be the unique and sole King.
The storm should fearlessly conquer all, just as Durran declared war on the gods in the heavens.
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