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Wylis rode into Lannisport uninterrupted after revealing his identity at the city's gates. Unlike King's Landing, Lannisport inherently felt more organized. Protected by a ring of high and strong walls, the City Watch was also well-armored and patrolled the streets in groups of four or five. The main roads were wide enough for carriages to pass, and the buildings on the side were all selling something, and in some cases, goldwork shops.
The city felt alive, seemingly at the height of Lannister wealth. He didn't have to travel far and already saw the harbor where dozens of ships of the Lannister fleet were anchored.
Now that's what I call wealth. Real, hard power, not just a small keep and a dozen soldiers under your command.
Like usual, he searched for the city's garrison house and hitched his horse there. Then, he walked towards the building's entrance. He was instantly the focus of all eyes around him, dressed in dark grey clothes, cloak, and fur like a Northerner, tall as a giant with an equally massive sword on his back.
The spear and shield-wielding guards outside the garrison became alert, but not as much as the men of King's Landing.
"Greetings. I'm Wylis of Winterfell. I've been chasing bandits, on His Grace's orders." He offered a half-smile, voice calm and easy. "The Gold Cloaks in King's Landing were decent enough to hand me a list of the scum lurking in their alleys. Thought I'd try my luck here, see if your watch keeps a list too."
The two guards nodded at the same time. Both at the recognition of his name and the goal.
"We do have a list," one of them said.
"But you can't enter. We'll bring the list to you."
Wylis shrugged and took a few steps away from them. "Fine by me. I'll wait here."
Humming to himself, Wylis waited calmly, eying the various establishments around. There were some wine shops, and also a goldsmith shop. Seeing them, he thought of getting a bracelet made for Lyanna as a gift. He did miss her gaiety presence a lot.
"Stableboy."
Who the fu—
Annoyance written on his face, Wylis turned back to glare at the man. But he didn't when he realized who it was. The only man taller than himself, the one to be famed as the Mountain soon. The one and only, Gregor Clegane, dressed in full armor with the cape of the City Watch on his back, and a helmet on.
Now I know how the ladies feel. He felt threatened by the single foot that Gregor had over him.
Wylis was usually much more than a foot taller than the women he bedded. So, he wondered what Gregor's experience was. But remembering that the man was more a rapist than a human, he sneered inside.
"Ser Clegane, it's a pleasure to see you again." Wylis hated that he had to give the man respect. The bastard had become a knight just before the tourney.
The large knight vocally scoffed. "You're summoned to the castle at once."
A dog indeed. Already working as Tywin's runner?
"By his lordship? What an honor." Wylis played the part of a fool taking the first step into the noble world. It was better to seem foolish for now, at least until he got his knighthood. "Lead the way."
Wylis grabbed his horse and started following Gregor Clegane.
Casterly Rock was less than a mile north of the city, so it wasn't that far away. On the horseback, he quickly arrived at the massive entry to the Casterly Rock which was called The Lion's Mouth. It was a natural cavern at least two hundred feet high. The castle itself wasn't much above the ground as it was dug underneath, into the rock itself.
The entire stronghold—tunnels, dungeons, storerooms, barracks, halls, grand halls, stables, stairways, courtyards, balconies, gardens, a sept, passages, caves, mines, galleries, chutes, wells, barracks, armories, bedchambers, servant's quarters, etc.—lay within the Rock itself.
What an impenetrable castle… except for me. Wylis found it surprising how he didn't feel scared of castles anymore. No matter how big or protected, they were still made of stone, the very thing he had control over.
Finally, after crossing countless soldiers standing guard on the high watchtowers, and some walls, he entered the main courtyard. In a sense, it was less a castle and a more mountain fortress, like Erebor.
"Wait here." Gregor Clegane coldly ordered, halting Wylis in the middle of the massive courtyard where more than a dozen Lannister soldiers and some blonde-haired likely relatives of the Lannister blood worked around.
The courtyard was cut in the middle of the rock's tip, making it seem like a crater with high walls all around. The only retreat was the castle or the way he came from.
In front of him was the tower with large golden gates at its base, the likely entrance into Casterly Rock. There were also some balconies on the tower, where he noticed movement. A shapely, voluptuous, golden-haired woman had come out and looked at him directly. She was dressed in red with a gold necklace and bracelet, a cup in her hand.
While she looked at him, he looked at her chest. Her bodice was so tight around her bosom that so much of her breast was spilling out on the top side.
Who is this stacked beauty?
Sensing movement, he stopped eying the woman and focused on the golden gates. They opened and a small crowd walked out. Other than Gregor leading, everyone else was blonde-haired.
There she is.
He noticed Cersei right away. She passed him a smile instantly, looking rather excited. As expected, without Jaime there, she must have been utterly bored and dry down there.
Then he noticed a small boy, too small, actually. Tyrion Lannister, he reckoned. The boy was nine currently but looked smaller than nine-year-olds. Timid, lacking much confidence, Cersei must have used him as her entertainment.
Ignoring the other men, he finally eyed the Lord of Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister. He saw the man for the first time. Tywin still had blonde hair, not the greyish look from the future. With a face still filled with confidence and vigor, the man's stoic face was imposing. Dressed in that fine, deep blue coat with golden patterns, and sword strapped to the waist, the man had some fashion.
Damn, so much gold.
Wylis was more interested in how much gold they were collectively wearing. Ignoring Cersei's jewelry, even the men wore many golden rings, some chains on necks, or their belts had gold decorations, and the hilts of their swords were also gold coated.
"Greetings, your Lordship." Wylis addressed the man, not taking his name directly. He reckoned Tywin didn't want to hear it from a stableboy's mouth. Since the man was still young, the chances were that he wasn't as patient as he would become in the future.
Tywin Lannister gave a brief nod and stepped aside, not even sharing a word. Instead of him, a different Lannister man came forward to greet Wylis.
"Seven hells, you're a big one, lad. I'm Ser Kevan Lannister." The balding, portly man, big for common size, stepped closer. "And that beast—beautiful thing. Matches his rider."
"Wasn't easy to find, Ser. But I'm glad I did," Wylis replied, trying to guess what they wanted from him.
"Fortune smiles on the strong, they say. Perhaps it's fortune that's led you here. You see, I've made a wager with my brother, Tygett. He's convinced you'd fall against Ser Gregor Clegane, but I have a feeling you'd best him instead."
Ah… Of course. I'm no different from a jester to them.
Wylis eyed the large knight and nodded. "I wouldn't say I'm confident. That is if his sword is as mighty as his height."
"If that's no trouble, perhaps you'll spar with him. I suppose I won't get a better chance to settle the bet with my younger brother," Kevan added.
Wylis gave a glance at Tywin, who stood cross-armed. Cersei's eyes looked amused, as if enjoying it all. Other Lannisters were the same, and even the woman above on the balcony sipped from the cup with interest.
Want me to put on a show?
"Alright."
Might as well gauge the Mountain I'll eventually have to pass.
He had big plans for the future, after all. And he had foreseen going against the Mountain. Besides, he really wanted to kill the beastly man with habits as vile as a maggot, which was disrespectful to maggots. Sadly, he couldn't kill him there.
Wait! I can't kill him but… Hah! Yes! Let's do that!