Chapter 84: The Slave Uprising in Tyrosh (Part II)
Tyrosh, Dionysus Fountain Square
"Hurry, hurry, hurry…"
"All shops must close…"
"Wuuuu—!"
The normally bustling and prosperous Dionysus Fountain Square had now turned into an incredibly chaotic marketplace. Soldiers and fleeing civilians were mixed together everywhere. Because of the sheer number of people crowding the streets, the soldiers were unable to form proper ranks.
The mercenary soldiers stationed outside the city also assembled urgently. Under the command of Captain Velyn Naffa, the Tyroshi military commander, they began marching toward the city.
Meanwhile, at the secret stronghold of the Chainbreakers, Narsas and his men had already finished preparing everything.
Although the slaves had already descended into chaos, the weapons they possessed were far too crude. Therefore, Narsas and his group still needed to seize the enemy's armory.
Armory No. 3 was located northwest of Dionysus Fountain Square, while the slaves were confined to the south of the square. Most of the Tyroshi City Watch soldiers were currently rushing southward.
This resulted in a shortage of guards near Armory No. 3. Although the armory had been sealed at the beginning of the uprising, the damaged section of the wall had already been thoroughly scouted by Narsas and his men.
"Alright, my dear brothers, the most critical operation of the Cornerstone Plan has officially begun. This action will determine the success or failure of our entire strategy. For the Chainbreakers!"
"Long live the Chainbreakers!"
After delivering the short pre-battle speech, Narsas put on the special uniform of the Tyroshi City Watch.
It was not difficult for them to disguise themselves as these mercenary soldiers wearing purple cloaks and chainmail armor.
Moreover, the night before, Narsas and his men had already located a batch of discarded City Watch uniforms in a laundry shop.
"Boom!"
As the gates of the inn swung open, Narsas and his group began advancing toward Armory No. 3.
Because they lacked enough helmets, Narsas deliberately placed those without helmets in the center of the formation.
Since the city was currently in complete chaos, these three hundred Chainbreakers did not immediately attract suspicion.
However, because their direction of movement was not toward the south, after marching roughly three hundred meters…
A group of City Watch soldiers wearing eagle-shaped golden helmets blocked their path.
These men wore full plate armor, making them resemble iron warriors with eagle heads.
These soldiers were members of the Golden Eagle Guard, the watchers and heralds of Tyrosh.
Normally they stood atop the tall Crying Blood Towers, overlooking the entire city. As official Watchers of the City, they possessed the authority to command the ordinary City Watch soldiers.
When the slave uprising began, the Golden Eagle Guard had been among the first to detect the disturbance. The warning horns and bells that summoned the city's forces had originally been sounded by them.
In many ways, the Golden Eagle Guard resembled the Kingsguard of the Iron Throne, though they served the ruling magistrates of Tyrosh rather than a king.
Each member of this guard was an elite soldier personally selected from among the Tyroshi forces.
Because they were skilled in both archery and horsemanship, they were qualified to command the City Watch. Without such strength, no one would obey them—especially not an organization like the City Watch, which behaved more like a band of mercenary strongmen.
"Which unit are you from? Why do you carry no weapons, only uniforms? And why do those men inside not even have helmets?"
The leading Golden Eagle Guard stopped Narsas and his group and immediately questioned them.
This man spoke Valyrian with a thick Tyroshi accent, making it difficult even for Narsas—a master of disguise—to understand him at first.
"Report, honored Watcher! We are City Watch soldiers stationed near the East Gate. Our commander is Captain Karchis. We were attacked by slaves during our shift change while resting. Most of our weapons were taken. Captain Karchis sent us to retrieve replacements."
Tyrosh was a massive urban complex.
The dividing point of the entire city was Dionysus Fountain Square. Because the city required divided administration, Tyrosh was effectively separated into Northern and Southern districts.
The Purple Palace in the north stood upon an elevated foundation and was isolated from the surrounding districts by towering stairs and walls.
The southern district, meanwhile, consisted mainly of the commercial and trade quarters surrounding Dionysus Fountain Square.
To facilitate governance, many City Watch soldiers were not allowed to leave their assigned jurisdiction.
Thus, Narsas claiming to belong to the East Gate garrison did not immediately arouse suspicion.
Narsas's disguise skills were exceptional. His Valyrian carried a convincing Tyroshi accent.
Therefore, after hearing his explanation, the Golden Eagle Guard did not sense anything unusual.
"Then which armory are you heading to? Armory No. 1—the nearest—has already been emptied by the unit ahead of you. Where are you going? Do you possess an authorization order?"
"Uh… respected Watcher, our brothers are still fighting those damned slaves! We did not have time to request formal orders!"
As Narsas spoke, his voice trembled slightly, as if choked with emotion.
Anyone watching him would assume he was worried about the safety of his comrades.
"Very well. Then hurry along. Armory No. 2 has just been opened. You can retrieve weapons there."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, honored Watcher!"
After gaining the man's trust, Narsas hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
The longer they remained here, the greater the risk of exposure.
Thus, Narsas quickly led his men past the Golden Eagle Guard and began heading toward Armory No. 2.
Fortunately, Armory No. 2 was located close to Armory No. 3.
Once they were out of sight of the Golden Eagle Guard, Narsas intended to lead his men directly toward their true target.
"Wait a moment! I have something for you!"
Just as Narsas was beginning to relax, the Golden Eagle Guard who had questioned him suddenly called out again.
Narsas's heart nearly stopped.
"I almost forgot. Take this."
The man removed a token ring from his finger and handed it to Narsas.
"Bring this to Armory No. 2, and they will issue weapons to you immediately."
Most of the armories within Tyrosh were located in the northwestern district, largely because the headquarters of the City Watch was also located there.
Taking the ring with slightly trembling hands, Narsas bowed deeply to the Golden Eagle Guard captain.
Sweat covered his palms. Beneath his armor, the magic grimoire hidden against his chest had already been quietly activated.
"Thank you for your assistance, my lord. On behalf of the brothers at the East Gate, I thank you!"
"Go quickly. Don't be afraid. These things happen every few years. Kill a few troublemakers and everything will settle down. Just do your job."
The Golden Eagle Guard captain clearly did not recognize the true danger of the situation.
In his eyes, this slave rebellion was merely another routine disturbance.
The Tyroshi had not fought a true war in centuries.
Whenever conflicts arose, they relied heavily on mercenaries.
As a result, the city's own soldiers had grown complacent and lacked vigilance.
After watching Narsas and his group depart, the Golden Eagle Guard captain led his men toward the entrance of one of the Crying Blood Towers.
After assigning duties to the guards stationed at the base, he personally ascended the tower.
The Crying Blood Towers were a unique type of structure within Tyrosh.
At first glance they resembled watchtowers or small fortresses.
In reality, however, few people knew their true purpose.
These towers served as temples for a secret religious order within Tyrosh known as the Weavers of Fate.
Many of the mercenary soldiers who became members of the Golden Eagle Guard were also followers of this mysterious cult.
The high-ranking Archons of Tyrosh were aware of this arrangement.
Their relationship was somewhat similar to the quiet understanding that existed between the rulers of Braavos and the Faceless Men.
Both sides understood the situation and maintained a mutually beneficial cooperation.
The ruling powers recognized that mystical forces could sometimes help them guard against dangers that ordinary means could not avert.
The Golden Eagle Guard captain climbed the winding staircase and soon reached the top of the tower.
There, a beautiful young woman with green hair, dressed in an elegant gown, stood silently before an idol.
The statue depicted a cloaked figure whose face could not be clearly seen.
Or perhaps it was simply impossible to perceive.
Within the doctrine of the Weavers of Fate, destiny itself was believed to be formless and intangible.
It was precisely this shapeless nature that made their followers believe it to be a supreme and incomprehensible power.
"Lady Mia Moss, the operation has begun."
This beautiful green-haired woman was Mia Moss, the daughter of the ruling Archon of Tyrosh—the same woman Jon Snow had encountered when he first arrived in the city.
"I find it curious," the captain said quietly.
"Why would you help an outsider overthrow your father's rule?"
"Why?"
After hearing the question, Mia Moss slowly emerged from her silent prayer.
Her eyes drifted unfocused for a moment.
"Perhaps… the moment my father decided to marry me off to that old man…"
"…I had already begun thinking about destroying everything he cherished."
A trace of pain flashed in Mia's eyes.
Ever since her father, Archon Adolf Moss, had been re-elected to power, he had become completely consumed by the pursuit of authority.
Adolf Moss would exploit any advantage available to him.
Even if that advantage involved sacrificing his own wife or daughter.
Mia still remembered the night she used the Undead Warrior Summoning Staff.
Through the hollow eye-slits of a suit of armor, she had seen her beloved mother forced to wear a golden ceremonial mask and sent to serve the Archons.
Sensing the sorrow in Mia's expression, the Golden Eagle Guard captain seemed to understand something.
He tactfully changed the subject.
"The Great Weavers of Fate watch over this city eternally. No matter who rules Tyrosh, the Crying Blood Towers must remain untouched."
"This was part of our agreement."
"I trust you understand, Lady Mia."
Hearing the man's solemn words, Mia gradually returned to her senses.
"I understand," she replied quietly.
"That lord will remember everything you have done today."
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