19 Chapter 18

Auron returned to his room after getting the tears of Lys from Melisandre.

Then he called out to Marlena who was preparing his bath to call Bronn.

After a few seconds, Bronn came in his room.

"I think it's time to discuss your fee, Bronn."

"Make your offer then."

"How about 5,000 gold a year? It can be increased if ever I'm satisfied with your performance."

"Not bad for an offer."

"But I have another proposal for you. Goodman, Bronn."

"Just call me Bronn."

"Sure, the proposal I have for you is you will get five percent of my soon to be trading company's earnings annually. That means you get a substantial amount of money every year without doing anything. I can't give you any guarantee it's only my word that you can take a hold into. In return, you'll just have to do what I require you to do occasionally. What do say?"

"You're saying that I can have five percent of your non-existent trading company's in return of doing some tasks for you. Hehehe. This kind of a bit farfetch to accept. Only a crazy man will accept that gamble. "

"Your choice, my friend. Life is a gamble itself and I'm just here to offer you options."

Bronn didn't answer and clearly thinking if this is a test or trap. He thought for a long time while he stared at him.

"Ahh fuck it, I'm going for your second option. I'd like to take a gamble."

Auron was surprised as he arch his eyes brows.

"I'm curious, what made you choose the second option?"

"I don't know, guts maybe? The worst could happen is you scam me and I'll haunt you till you pay the gold I deserve. But if what you said could come true, It'll be my most proud decision I ever made in my entire life."

Auron sighed in relief inwardly. He was glad that Bronn took the trap he set up for him. He purposely proposed the second option to him to tie him up in his trading company. It might seem that Auron was at disadvantage but he made a good deal out of it. Once Bronn owned the five percent share in his trading company, he will have no choice but to protect his own asset which automatically protect Auron's business as well. Bronn would always consider the interest of his trading company as his priority.

"Well, you're in for luck because I'm gonna make that happen. Let me formally introduced myself to you. My name is Auron First of his name from House Blackfyre. I'm in a quest to make the most powerful force in the entire Essos and Westeros. To do that, you must have a lot of gold to spend and that's why I'm starting a trading company."

Auron didn't wait for his reply and continued.

"Now for your first task...You must escort Marlena to Westeros and make sure she safely arrived in White Harbor. Once there, you'll have to stay there to make sure she established herself. You are also there to watch the two slaves I bought and make sure they do their job properly. That's it for now. Our next destination is Tyrosh and we will spend a week there. After that, we will separate on our ways. All of you will go with Marlena along with the red priestess. After I'm done doing what I have to do in Essos, I'll join you."

Bronn nodded and said, "Understood."

"You may now return to your room and please call Earth Worm for me."

Bronn left and Earth Worm came inside a few seconds later.

"How have you been, Earth Worm? God your name sucks."

"I'm okay, Master. Do you have any orders?"

"One cheese burger with large fries and large coke with no ice."

"What? Sorry master, I didn't get any of what you're saying."

"Sigh, never mind. That's a lame joke. You know what? I'm gonna have to change your fucking name. From now you will be called Heman. That's my first order."

"Thank you master for bestowing me a new name."

"You deserve it or rather we deserve an easier name to call you. Now for your task, all you have to do is protect Marlena with your life and watch your two companion, Bronn and the girl slave a bought with you to see if they are doing their job properly. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, Master."

"You may now go and call your slave companion here. Tell her I need to talk to her."

Heman nodded and exited the room. Like the last time, Kera came inside with feisty and proud look. She didn't greet him and just waiting for him to talk.

This made Auron amused of this slave and her attitude made him somewhat pissed off.

Auron approached her and said gently, "You know, I have some respect for women. As a matter of fact, I consider their opinions precious unlike other Lords."

All of a sudden, Auron's aura change and his gentle attitude gone replaced by an overwhelming aura of fury and rage. He grabbed her throat and slammed her towards the wall while clasping her neck tightly.

"But you have to know your place, woman! Remember this, I own every single fucking piece of you!!! If you dare to show that attitude again in front of me, I'll shave your head and carve my name on it so you could always remember who's slave are you. Did I make myself clear?!!"

Kera tried to speak but she can't because Auron's hand is still squeezing tightly on her throat. Her face began to turn red from choking.

Auron noticed this.

"Oh.. I forgot you can't breath. Just nod if you understand."

Kera nodded furiously and her eyes are pleading to let her go.

Auron released his hold as she slide down sitting on the floor. She began to cough violently as she rub her throat trying to soothe the pain. Auron just watch her until she calm down. She stood up from the floor and bowed nervously to him. She was obviously afraid of him. She couldn't help but recall the feeling she had earlier when he got angry. It's like a standing before a monster, an apex predator and the only thing she can do is feel helpless. And those eyes, the way it look at her was like one wrong move and he will tear her to pieces. That's the oppressing aura she felt earlier.

"Please forgive my offense, master. I'm waiting for your order."

Auron, regaining his calm demeanor nodded in satisfaction.

"As your punishment for earlier offense, your name will no longer be Kera. Instead, you will now be called Shera."

"Understood, master. Shera is at your service."

"Very well, your task is the same with others. Protect Marlena with your life and keep an eye on Bronn and Heman who was previously called Earthworm. Is the clear?"

"Aye, Master! Is that all? Do you want me to warm your bed?"

"Forget it, just return to your room and rest. We will leave Lys tomorrow."

Shera looked disappointed but she nodded and left the room.

'Heh, women. They are indeed strange creatures. Some of them like to be tough but secretly wanted to be dominated. I can't believe she had a drastic change of attitude. I even noticed her thighs are wet.'

As he was lost in his thoughts, he remembered the names he gave to them.

"He-man and She-ra", Auron mutterednd he couldn't help but chuckle at their names.

Now that handing tasks are done, he called Marlena once again in his room to try his first ever gold ring.

He asked Marlena to prepare a clean cloth for him to bite in case it became painful.

With Marlena around, he became relaxed as he prepared himself.

Auron took a deep breath and fished out the gold ring. He put the clean cloth in his mouth to avoid biting his own tongue and to minimize the noise he make. Then he slipped the gold ring in his thumb.

The moment the ring slide in, a surge of information came in. Then he suddenly felt an excruciating pain all over his body his body. It was like someone is injecting something in his veins. From before, the pain he felt came from the muscles but this time, it came from his blood vessels. It's so painful to the point where it's overwhelming to him. Lucky for him, he came prepared biting the clean cloth. What made him relax a little was Marlena embracing him trying to comfort him. Tears and snot were all over his face yet it isn't over yet. Another pain came but this time it is between his eyebrows. His head pounded and he couldn't help but whine and grunt from the pain.

After a few minutes, the pain stopped and he weakly said with smile.

"I successfully received knowledge from Goddess Athena."

Of course it was a lie and his reason he gave her to explain what's happening to him.