Chapter 15: Chapter 15 : A Sad Death
Helios (POV) :
As my words finally rested and the shock on their ugly little faces subdued. All hell broke loose.
"YOU DARE INSULT US"
"BLOODY FOREIGNER"
"INSOLENT FOOL"
A couple more insult went about, the entire hall was offended. Except me and Luthor who was also just shook. He probably thought I would name him champion.
"SILENCEE!" Leyton Hightower made the hall go silent, though the whispers had remained, still very loud for me to hear. They were all pissed off.
It was nice.
"You foreigner, are an audacious one! Are you certain you want what you asked for" Leyton spoke, trying to hide his outrage and failing.
"YUP!" I put on a cheerful smile pissing them all off even more. It was something else entirely to have people be pissed at you but not giving two shits about it.
"You!.....I will Kill You!" Gunthor, Rhea’s pissy daddy spoke, Shaking from anger. Looking at me with a face full of red. He looked like a cartoon right about now.
"Do you’re best!" I clap "So where and who do I fight"
The outrage was spectacular. To them this was a scared ritual. One that left the verdict to the gods. But it was a loophole. A good one. This law was cool so I would not change it when I took over this world.
"The trial shall take place on the morrow! Choose you’re champion foreigner," these people did not know my name did they! Unacceptable.
"Helios fight’s his own battles. But do take you’re time to pick a champion for yourseld my lord!" I put on a mask of concern. Gods, these guys could not even do anything now! This law was truly great. It won’t go anywhere.
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Luthor (POV) :
I sighed as I heard him say that he would be his own champion. I was an old man, decent with a sword but I could not fight highborn knights, who were bred to be warriors.
I had served this man, Helios of Troy for only a few days but he seemed a good man. He was lost and was seeking to go back home. With the way he had thrown away gold, he must have a rich family.
He was tall, very tall and abnormally muscular. Muscles that I have only ever seen in the finest of statues. There was little doubt in my mind that he could fight but can he defeat a knight. Especially the one The Hightower’s would pick.
There was little left to do. The guards escorted me to my assigned chamber. As I began leaving I saw Lord Helios being stopped by Prince Oberyn Martell.
My teeth grind looking at that pretentious man, he was the reason we were stuck in this situation. Everywhere that man went he brought nothing but trouble. His tale with the Yornwoods was very popular.
He had seduced Edgar Yornwood’s paramour and killed Lord Edgar with poison during their duel, getting the name "Red Viper"
True to his name and his wretched dornish nature, he had us set up in a trap before we could even explain our side.
Lord Helios had demanded A Trial by combat immedietly, he had realized the situation would devovle and rumours would about him and Rhea...No Lady Rhea would only spread the more this goes on.
Smart but I could not help but be concerned. Can he truly fight and win. But there was no dwelling on it now.
I knew the type of people the Hightowers, hell all the lords of Reach were. Ambitious, pompous and without much honour. Schemers the whole bloody lot of them.
They had been insutled much thanks to Oberyn and would now do their best to win this trial.
After walking for what felt like a long time I finally reached my little chamber...well it was a cell if anything. But I had slept in worse places before.
I lay down and try to go to sleep.
"Gods above, save Helios from what ia to come! He has a greater purpose to serve yet." I was never a believer but calling upon the god’s did bring some comfort.
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The morning sun had welcomed Helios with a certain warmth that he had never noticed before. It was time for the show soon but it was not that which worried him. He did not care for the life of the poor soul going against him. But he had not seen the brat among the watchers.
It was strange to him, he used his x-ray vision to look throught the building but he had not seen her anywhere. It was strange indeed.
The viewers, mostly nobles had been watching with a quiet anticipation. Trial by Combats were rare. And when they did happen they made for fine songs.
But ultimately it was a source of entertainment to these people. It mattered little to them that the fate of someone’s life will be decided. But that was the truth everywhere. I was, in the end a game, a show. And shows must be spectacular.
Luthor approached Helios.
"You have’nt worn your armour yet, my lord?" He asked trying to sound stern and composed. But he was worried and Helios knew it.
Helios smiled "I do not need one friend, I could be blinded, with both my arms tied behind my back and I shall still win this farce. Worry about their poor champion"
Luthor wanted to object, to say this is folly but there was something in his words, something certain and confident that made Luthor simply retreat to the stand.
Helios needed to make this show worth remembering and to do that he needed to be unique. He decided, today there would be no need to hide. Today there would be humiliation and awe in the air. Soon enough.
The Hightower champion had made his way to the arena. It was ser Gunthor. Rhea’s father. The smug bastard was annoying that much was known.
He was adorned with a beautiful silver armor with a green cape. ’A cape! in an actual 1v1?’ This man either must be a great talent or has never been in a proper fight before.
The armor also just spoke wealth, a noble appearance than an intimidating one. It looked like a show piece much like mine own potential armor.
The higtower was painted in the brestplate. Fine engraving of wave’s and stars all over the arms.
I stepped forward next, slow and casual. Not a single glance spared to the audience. My hand in my pockets. My black tunic looked beautiful on me. It was plain but great suff. Loose black tousers tuck neatly into the leather boots. I was a beauty.
The ladies seemed to think so as I saw them all swoon. But they all looked shocked too. Even Oberyn and Ellaria looked at me like I was a fool.
I had no armor and I had no blade.
"What are you doing bastard!?" Gunthor asked mockingly "Where are your weapons?"
"I don’t need them for you," I say loud and clear. ’It was fun being this powerful’ he thought to himself.
"Helios! This is a sacred ritual do NOT mock it, do not dare!"
"I am not mocking this ritual, I am mocking you."
"ENOUGH ! Helios you must carry a weapon! even if you can’t wear armor" Lord Hightower spoke looking like a lord for the first time.
Helios (POV) :
My eyes scan the crowd. Some were dumfounded and some were confused. Most had a sneer on their face. Luthor had gone pale seeing my performance.
I look at Lord Hightower for one final time. Then I turn around walking towards the edge of the arena.
I pick up a rock.
"This will be my weapon!" I say raising it high.
The ladies gasped and some lords, men who looked as though they were proper warriors scoffed and some laughed.
"This is the weapon I am most proficient at!" They all laugh. At me. But they don’t know it yet. Today Rhea’s father is gonna die. I would worry about her opinion of me but she was not here. "It’s fair game."
"Ar....are you sure?" For the first time they all looked confused.
"Deathly," I smile, viciously. And for the very first time I see Gunthor hesitate.
"Then let it begin!" Lord Leyton commanded, the septon had stepped forward to begin his bollocks.
As the prayer finally came to an end, the fight had begun.
Gunthor rushed upon me, his stides heavy and slow. The armor was also very heavy, full plate. He swung his sword straight at my neck, he wanted to end it quick. Good. Atleast he realized that he would tire quickly. Or so I hope he did.
Anywho, I blocked his sword with the rock. They all freezed for a moment. I had not doged or evaded but blocked his strike with a plain rock.
He was now staring at me, they all were staring at me. Clearly dumbfounded. "This is entertaining"
I did not flinch or so much as moved an inch from my place. My gaze locking on to his beneath that ugly helmet. I satre at his frozen self. My eyes devoid of any warmth, my face a husk of the smirk I wore earlier.
His heart beat faster.
I grabbed on to his brestplate before giving him a terrible push.
He fell back. To the spectators he flew backwards before landing on his back, some eight feet away from me.
My eyes meet the viewers, they were quiet. I liked that feeling.
Gunthor scrambeled himself back up. Adrenaline seeping into his veins. He was serious now and scared to. He looked at me for a long moment before charging again.
I dropped the rock.
I gave a quick dodge to his slash, I turned to my left before landing a mean backhand to his helmet. He flew back again, several feet away.
But this time he did not get up. I had broken his neck. He won’t be getting up ever. But the crowd was expecting something else, they were expecting him to get back up and slay the rogue.
Looking at his body, I walked away.
