16 Chapter 15
"What are you doing here, young black dragon?"
Auron's pupil constricted but he managed to quickly regain his composure.
Auron shrugged at her inquiry and said, "Why don't you ask your god, I bet he knows."
Then Auron playfully turn to the fire in the lamp.
"Right?"
But then, the fire flickered and it burst before returning to normal.
Seeing this, he turned to the red priestess and said, "See?"
Auron may look like calm in the outside but inside, he was in turmoil.
'What the heck was that? Did the flame just responded to me?
For him, knowing that gods exist in this world and witnessing their power was different all together. That means those powerful beings are aware of his existence which made him very uncomfortable.
On the other hand, Melisandre was also surprised on the fact that a non-believer of their religion was able to get a response from the god they worship.
"Do you also worship the god of light? You seem to know him better than we, priests."
"Knowing your god doesn't mean I worship him. And don't give me that look, I'm not that promised prince, he's in Westeros doing his own thing."
Melisandre raised her eyebrows and asked, "You knew who the prince that was promised?"
'Oooopsie.. I might've said something I shouldn't have. Well, the arrow has been fired, no use lying about it.'
"I do but I'm not going to tell you. You will just disrupt his growth and I don't trust your poison tongue."
She didn't respond but he looked at me seductively.
'Oh no hohoho that won't work on me you hundred year old granny.'
Auron chuckled at her performance.
Seeing Auron wasn't affected, she reverted to her own original poker face.
"Now if you'll excuse me, my lady. I would like to call it a night as I'm already tired."
"Be careful, young black dragon.. "
She said meaningfully before I close the door behind leaving the pub.
"Whatever..."
Auron looked around enjoying the silence of the dead night. It was a stark contrast compare to the bustling street in the morning.
Not long after he left the pub, Auron stopped as he was walking down a dark street. He stopped because he encountered a mugger along the way. He remember then because they were among those who were drinking in the pub listening in his story.
"Herherher.. Well well well. Look what we have here, Charles."
"Yeahhh, look at we have heeere. But he's a bit creepy isn't he? He wore this gloomy costume, creepy hood can't see his face. He smells they danger in every away, Bernard."
Auron was amused watching this two stupid muggers. Based on their armor and looks, they look like they weren't local.
"Heeey... Heey! Charles! Look at me!"
"No Bernard, I think this is a bad idea. He seems to blessed by a plot armor."
"There's two of us..There's only one of him.."
"Oh.. I don't know if we can pull this."
"Heeeeeey!" "Look-at-me!!"
Charles reluctantly looked at Bernard.
"What are we?"
"We-we-we-we're muggers."
"Yeah.. Yeah.. Yeaaaaaahh and what do we do?"
"We-we-we mug people."
"So...."
"Let's go mug him!!!"
Yet when they turned around, Auron already left.
"Where did he go?"
"I told you he's shady."
"We can still mug him tomorrow night. Heheheheh."
"Yeah, I didn't think of that. You're a genius. Hahahahahahaha."
Auron on the other hand was shaking his head as he was heading towards the inn.
"What a bunch of weirdos."
--
Early Morning next day, Auron and Marlena went to the port to inquire for a ship that will take them to Lys, their next destination. They were bound to leave Volantis the next day so they decided to go to the port for inquiry in advance.
From the port, they began to get ready for their journey buying some necessities. They also sell their horses to gain additional coins since they will be spending their journey on a ship most of the time. Besides, they can just a buy a horse when necessary.
The whole day has passed and once again, night came. Auron once again went to the pub for his last performance in the city. He chilled out for half an hour before approaching the counter. With the tacit understanding with the owner and their agreement, he began his performance by attracting the attention of the customers.
"Good evening incredible people of Volantis. How was your night so far? I bet you're in for another crazy yet enjoyable experience in world of stories. So before we begin, you know the drill, aye? I'd hate to have another story interrupted by a sound of a coin so might as well do it in the beginning."
The customers from yesterday night stood and started to drop their spare coins into the mug. It continued until the mug was filled.
"Thank you, my goodman and goodwives. Since this is my last night here, the story I'm going to tell tonight is very..unique."
"There was once a vast land far north, home of ice and snow. But it is said that the land was melted and it turn into the ocean. Before it was melted, a group of men inhabits this land. They are special men with special blood. They specializes in dealing with monsters, witch, you name it, any creatures who can't be killed by an ordinary army or soldiers who reigned terror upon the villages as they were hired for their services. They are called 'The Witchers'."
"So basically, they are a group of sellswords, that it?"
"Aye! They are a group of sellswords but what they specialized in killing are monsters that hunts and eat people."
"One of them was a Witcher called Geralt of Rivia.. "
Auron began the story of the Witcher. After two hours, he began his song playing his lute.
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"When a humble bard Graced a ride along With Geralt of Rivia Along came this song..
They came after me With masterful deceit Broke down my lute And they kicked in my teeth
While the devil's horns Minced our tender meat And so cried the Witcher He can't be bleat
Toss a coin to your Witcher Oh, Valley of Plenty Oh, Valley of Plenty, oh Toss a coin to your Witcher Oh, Valley of Plenty.."
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--
Customers again left with satisfaction on their face. With their companions leaving the pub, they were engaged in a fervent debate and discussion about the story of the Witcher.
Auron on the other hand went back to the counter to count his earnings and gave the owner his portion.
"It's a pity that you're going to leave Volantis tomorrow. Sigh. Pleasure doing business with you, lad."
"The pleasure is mine, my friend. What can I say, you know. I still have cities to roam, land to explore, that's where my stories came from."
"Well, if you happen to visit Volantis again, consider staying here in my pub free of charge. As long as you perform every night hahaha."
"Aye, consider it an agreement between friends."
"Here, night finisher and for your safe journey. On the house." The owner pass him a mug of fine ale.
As Auron was about to enjoy it alone. He noticed someone sat beside him once again and there he saw the red priestess.
"Do you have nothing better to do? What the hell are you doing here again?"
"The Lord of light guides me once again in this place." Melisandre declared with conviction.
Auron rolled his eyes at her shitty reason.
"Suit yourself."
Auron got up from his seat and he left the pub. When he came outside, he heard the door behind him opened once again.
"What do you want from me?"
"You know what I want from you."
"No, I'm not gonna tell ya."
"I know, so I propose I follow you instead until you deem its time to tell me his name."
"Is this what your god really told you to do?"
"The Lord of light shows visions and signs. He showed me you are the way."
Auron didn't believe a single word she said. He was silent and he kept pondering the pros and cons of her following him.
"I have a condition, if you agree, I will let you follow me."
"State your condition then."
"It's actually simple. You will do every word I say or whatever I ask you to do. If I say you stay here, you will stay. If I told you to run, you will run. Do you accept the terms?"
She didn't answer right away, she closed her eyes bowing her head a little, seemingly praying. While she was doing this, Auron saw the red gem on her choker lit up and then it return to normal afterwards.
"Very well, I accept the terms."
"Good, since we have an agreement, let's set the rule number one. You have to ask my permission before doing some witchcraft voodoo shit like you did earlier."
She nodded and smiled weirdly.
"That's it for now. See you at the port tomorrow morning. We will leave at first light."
