24: Brienne spread a yellowed sheepskin map across the wooden table.
Rek’Sai pulled over a chair and sat down.
The wooden chair gave a strained creak under his weight.
“Three roads.” Brienne’s finger pointed at the position of King’s Landing and slid along the ink lines.
“The first: head north along the River Road, pass Riverrun, then turn toward the Westerlands.
This road is the flattest, but it is also the longest detour.” Rek’Sai’s fingers tapped the tabletop.
“Next.” “The second: cross the Blackwater to the west and take the Goldroad straight through.” Brienne’s finger cut across the center of the continent.
“This is the shortest route.
Total length roughly twenty-six hundred li.
However, the Goldroad runs through deep mountains and old forests, and quite a few bandit gangs have been active there recently.” “The third: head southwest along the Roseroad, pass Bitterbridge to Highgarden, then turn onto the Ocean Road and go north.” Brienne lifted her head.
“This road is the safest, with ample supplies along the way.
But the distance is a third longer than the Goldroad.” Rek’Sai stared at the texture of the parchment.
There were still more than two months until the tourney.
“Take the second one.” Rek’Sai made the decision.
“Bandits?
They’d better be carrying plenty of gold dragons.” Brienne nodded.
“Then when do we set out?” Knock knock knock.
The door was struck.
Tick pushed it open and stepped aside.
A thin little man in a dark-red velvet robe walked in.
He wore a neatly trimmed pointed beard and carried a strong scent of spices.
When the man clearly saw Rek’Sai’s size, his footsteps paused for a moment and the corner of his eye twitched twice.
He forced himself to steady his posture and gave a slight bow.
“Ser Storm.
Forgive the intrusion.” “Who are you?” Rek’Sai leaned back in the chair.
“A messenger.” The man folded his hands in front of him.
“My master holds extreme admiration for your display at the city gate.
He wishes to invite you to dinner.” “No time.” Rek’Sai picked up the wine cup on the table.
“The location is on the Street of Silk, Chataya’s establishment.” The man lowered his voice.
“There you will find the finest Summer Island beauties in all of King’s Landing.
My master has reserved the entire top floor.
All expenses will be borne by him.” Rek’Sai stopped moving.
He turned the wine cup and swept his gaze across the man’s face.
“Chataya’s?” Rek’Sai stood up.
His body completely blocked the sunlight from the window.
The man was swallowed by the shadow and instinctively took half a step back.
“Yes.
Once you arrive there, you will naturally learn who my master is.” The man swallowed.
“Lead the way.” Rek’Sai grabbed the Arcanite Reaper from the table and hung it across his back.
“Master!” Brienne’s brows knotted tightly, her face flushed red.
“You’re going to that kind of place?” “This is also part of training.
You can try it too—it doesn’t distinguish between men and women.” Rek’Sai patted Brienne’s shoulder.
The enormous force made her sway twice.
“We leave tomorrow on the Goldroad.
Tick, Rolf—check the supplies.
Brienne, feed Pig well.” “What time do we set out tomorrow?” Brienne asked through gritted teeth.
“Depends on when I get back.
Hahaha…” Rek’Sai laughed and strode out of the room.
Night fell over King’s Landing.
Torches lit the streets of Visenya’s Hill.
The man walked ahead leading the way, steps quick.
Rek’Sai crossed his arms over his chest and followed at an unhurried pace.
The Street of Silk lay at the foot of Rhaenys’s Hill.
The buildings here were finer than those in Flea Bottom.
The air held only the strong scents of perfume and fermented wine.
Chataya’s establishment was a luxurious three-story wooden building.
Pink lanterns hung in front of the door.
Two scantily dressed women stood at the entrance soliciting customers.
When they saw Rek’Sai their eyes widened, then they covered their mouths and giggled.
“Bringing such a large customer—Chataya will have to charge extra.” A blond woman leaned over, intending to take Rek’Sai’s arm.
Rek’Sai raised a hand and blocked her.
He had no need for the common goods at the door.
The man handed the blond woman a silver stag.
“Take him to the top floor.” The blond woman pocketed the coin and swayed her hips as she walked through the main door.
Rek’Sai lowered his head to pass through the doorframe.
Dozens of tallow candles burned in the main hall, bright as day.
The air was thick with incense that heated the blood.
Several tables of guests were drinking.
In the center of the hall an exotic woman was dancing.
Rek’Sai’s appearance quieted the main hall for an instant.
Several guards placed their hands on their sword hilts and warily watched the giant axe on his back.
“Top floor.
This way, please.” The blond woman climbed the wooden stairs.
The steps groaned with every creak.
Rek’Sai followed the stairs to the third floor.
There was only one spacious room on the third floor.
The door stood slightly ajar.
Rek’Sai pushed it open.
A carved round table stood in the center of the room.
It was covered with roast meat, fruit, and several jugs of wine.
A thin man sat at the table.
He wore a deep-green silk coat with a mockingbird embroidered on the collar.
His gray-green eyes were sharp with cunning, and a smile hung at the corner of his mouth.
In the corner of the room stood two young girls of pretty appearance, wearing only semi-transparent gauze.
“Ser Rek’Sai Storm.” The man stood and pointed to the large wooden chair opposite him.
“Please sit.
I am Petyr Baelish.” Rek’Sai recognized at a glance that this was not the Master of Coin—an impostor.
Rek’Sai took off the Arcanite Reaper and set it by his feet.
He pulled the chair out, sat down, casually tore off a roasted sheep’s leg, and took a bite.
“What do you want with me?” “Petyr” poured a cup of red wine and pushed it in front of Rek’Sai.
“King’s Landing rarely sees talent as unique as yours.
Your mount, and your performance at the city gate, left a deep impression.
After looking into your deeds a little, I discovered you are extremely powerful.” Rek’Sai chewed the mutton and did not reply.
“I hear you are going to Casterly Rock to take part in the tourney.” “Petyr” sat back down.
“House Tarth gave you a knighthood, but Lord Selwyn is not wealthy.
The support he can give you seems rather limited.” “Speak plainly.” Rek’Sai downed a mouthful of wine.
The liquid ran down his chin into the leather armor on his chest.
“I like direct people.” He clapped his hands.
The two girls in the corner walked over.
One poured wine for Rek’Sai; the other reached out to unfasten his belt.
Rek’Sai seized the girl’s wrist in one hand.
His strength was enormous.
The girl frowned in pain but dared not make a sound.
“Business first.” Rek’Sai stared at “Petyr.” The smile on “Petyr’s” face did not change.
“At the tourney, I need you to do something for me.” “What?” “Break a few people’s arms and legs.
Or make sure they never wake up again.” “Petyr” raised his wine cup and took a sip.
“I will pay a generous reward.
After the matter is done, whatever you want in the Crownlands, I can help provide.” Rek’Sai released the girl’s hand.
He leaned back in the chair and studied the power player in front of him.
The system panel flickered.
[Choice Quest Triggered: Transaction in the Shadows] [Objective: Accept the hire and kill the designated targets during the tourney.] [Reward: Determined by degree of completion.] Rek’Sai grinned.
He threw the sheep’s leg bone onto the table.
“How much?” “Two thousand gold dragons.” “Petyr” raised two fingers.
“Five hundred as deposit.
Five hundred more for each person killed.” In Westeros, a set of fine chainmail cost only four gold dragons.
Two thousand gold dragons was enough to buy a small sellsword company.
“Not enough.
And too much trouble.” Rek’Sai raised one thick finger.
“Petyr” raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?” “Five thousand gold dragons.
Two thousand as deposit, paid now.
Plus all expenses for tonight.” Rek’Sai pointed at the two girls beside him, then toward the door outside.
“And at the tourney I have to actually be able to run into them.” “Deal.” “Petyr” stood up, pulled a heavy money pouch from his sleeve, and tossed it onto the table.
The collision of gold coins produced a pleasant sound.
“This is one thousand gold dragons.
Tomorrow you will receive the other thousand.
Enjoy your night.”