Chapter 11 5 страница

" Well done, " he said, taking the mask off. " Pass these out to those coming on that boats with myself and the others. "

" Yes, sorcerer, " Talisa nodded, taking the mask from him and making to do as he said, only to stop and turn back after only taking a single step. " Is there truly no other way to deal with this…threat you spoke of, sorcerer? If it truly is as dire as you say, and now standing so close to this accursed land I am fully inclined to believe your words, then would it not be better to wait and come back with more men? Can such a small number truly deal with this darkness when my ancestors sent over two hundred ships, only to fail? "

" With what we are dealing with, numbers will not help. If anything, they will end up being a hindrance. And it is more than likely the reason why the expeditions your ancestors commissioned were doomed to fail from the start. "

Being so close now to Valyria, Nox could get a more complete gauge of the land they were about to venture into. The peninsula felt almost identical to the Dark Temple on Dromund Kass. And he remembered all-too-well his venture through the Temple. Specifically, the way the Temple and the dark side was able to twist the minds of those who entered who weren't prepared. Which was why he'd spent every night since they came within eyesight of the peninsula carefully weaving protections around the minds of everyone that would be setting out with him. The last thing he wanted, or needed, was to have one of his own men suddenly lose his or her mind and try to stab him in the back.

" I'll…defer to your expertise in this matter then, sorcerer, " Talisa replied slowly, bowing her head slightly to him before backing away so that she could begin handing out the leather masks to those that would be accompanying him.

As the last of the boats touched the water and the men and women began to fill them, Ser Manderly made his way over to him. " Lord Nox, " the rather obese man greeted him. " I wish you the luck of the gods, both old and new… It looks like you're going to need it. "

" I doubt any gods exist in this land, Ser Manderly. At least, not anymore, " Nox murmured, his senses still trying and failing to peer into the dark abyss that was looming before them. " Once we're away, move the Sea Wolf back a fair distance until you do not feel any pressure on your mind or until any strange thoughts cease. Then wait for our return. "

" And what if the worst should happen, sorcerer? " Ser Manderly asked as Nox began to lower himself down to the boats.

Pausing, Nox fixed his attention on the second son of Lord Manderly. " If we are not back in two sennights, then assume we are dead. Send no one after us and return to the North with Lady Talisa and deliver her to Lord Stark. "

" Aye, sorcerer, " Ser Manderly agreed, albeit reluctantly. " Gods be with you. "

Dropping the rest of the way down into the boat, Nox settled in towards the bow of the row boat beside Jon while the Prince Oberyn and his daughter Obara took seats just behind them while the other four sailors took up their positions on the oars and began rowing towards mouth of the river that, according to the maps of Valyria before the Doom, would lead them directly to the capital of Valyria.

" So, two weeks to reach the city, search it, and return, " Prince Oberyn commented idly as the sailors rowed them towards the land. " I wonder if you are cutting the timing a little too close, sorcerer. Looking at those maps you acquired, it could take us several days to even reach the city. And that is provided we do not run into any…unpleasantness. Then a few days to return. That does not leave much time to search through the ruins of Valyria. "

" Tell me, Oberyn, can you feel that slight weight on your mind? The unease. The fear? " Nox asked, but did not wait for the Prince to respond before pressing on. " What you are feeling is residual effects of a dark ritual that was performed that left the very land tainted. Do you ever wonder why, after all these centuries, that none who has ventured deep into this land has managed to returned? Or, if they had returned, why did they return mad? It is because it is no fallacy to say that this land is cursed. Literally and figuratively. The longer we stay here, the higher the risk we have of succumbing to whatever influence has taken hold here. Two weeks is a long estimate, Prince Oberyn. And at that point, should we not have returned, then it would be safer for all involved should we be left to die. "

He could feel the fear of the sailors in the boat grow with each word that passed through his lips. Even the seemingly unflappable Prince of Dorne was now facing off towards the land of Valyria with no small amount of unease. " Well…too late to back out now. And should it come out that Northman would venture where a Prince of Dorne dare not…I would never hear the end of it. "

As the mouth of the river slowly drew closer and closer, Nox could feel the familiar oppressive weight of a land infused with the dark side of the Force intensify to a level that he had not expected, even after taking a full night to study the broken peninsula. It was…unusual, and unnerving in the depth and quickness of the change. As they passed into the mouth of the river, Nox had to fight to remain stoic as he felt the Force wash over him in such a rush that it nearly brought him to his knees. And as if to exemplify the sensation, cries of alarm and spikes of fear came from every boat that was with him.

" Quiet! " Nox hissed, his voice carrying over the distance between the boats, silencing everyone. But the unmistakable fear remained, even in the quiet. " Acolyte, what happened? We passed through a wave of the Force, but that should not have elicited such a response from those not attuned to such matters. "

" It's…It's gone dark, Lord Nox, " Jon answered, fear making his voice quiver slightly. " It was bright as day just a moment ago…But now…now it's as if it is now dusk with barely any light to see your own hands. And there's a fog. It's so thick I can barely see the other boats. "

Frowning, Nox redoubled his Force sight to try and see just what exactly the others were seeing. But, for some reason, his vision was, limited. Under any normal circumstance, he could see just as well as any two-eyed individual with perfect sight. Even in heavy Force-concentrated lands, he could see just as fine, if not better. But now, in this land, his sight was hampered by something he had never encountered before. " Hold here! Light the lamps! " Nox called out to the other boats. " Stay within sight of the other lamps at all times! Trust nothing you see or hear beyond us! "

He could hear Jon fumbling about in the darkness as he brought out the oiled lamp with mirrors, another 'new' invention he'd brought up to the North before leaving. Finding the lamp, Jon held it out to the Prince of Dorne who, with but a single try, managed to light the oil infused wick with a piece of flint and steel. Taking the lamp, Nox affixed it to the front of the boat and waited as the other boats struggled to light their own lamps.

" Are the others lit? " Nox asked, thoroughly not enjoying having to rely on his acolyte to be his eyes while they were in this place.

" Yes, Lord Nox. "

" Good. We press forward! " he said, raising his voice to carry to the other boats. " Do not give into your fear and do not doubt. Trust only in yourselves and those around you. "

It took a bit, but soon enough the sound of oars striking the waters started up again and the small force Nox had assembled resumed their trek up the river towards Valyria. " Alright, sorcerer, " Oberyn called out after a time. " What's your explanation for the loss of the sun? There is no logical explanation I can find for it…and the only land that I've heard of that is even remotely like this is Asshai. But even then, then transition from light to darkness is subtle and slow the closer you draw to the city. "

" I have not seen Asshai, so I cannot comment as to why that land is shrouded in darkness. But as for here and now, the Force is vast and mysterious, Prince Oberyn. And lands where great concentrations of the Force can be found are often altered by the Force itself. And that is what has happened here. "

With that explanation, conversations died as everyone began trying to peer through the darkness that had surrounded them. A short time after passing into the darkness Nox felt something waver the edges of his foresight. " Acolyte, " he called out once more. " There, just before us in the river, what do you see? "

The boat shifted as Jon rose to his feet and took his place next to Nox, the young boy leaning forward almost to the point where he was in danger of falling into the river. " It…It looks like an island splitting the river in two. "

Frowning, Nox pushed harder against the darkness shrouding his sight. Something didn't feel right about the 'island', as Jon had described it. It was unmoving and moss had seemingly started growing over the small mound, but he could feel a slight pulse of life coming from just under the surface of the water. He wasn't sure just what it was, but he wanted to steer clear of whatever it was. " Steer clear of the island before us, " he ordered, feeling the position of the bow shift as the rowers shifted their patterns to obey his order.

As they passed the island by, Nox began to wonder if his senses were fooling him when he heard a commotion coming from the rearmost boat followed by a splash as something, or someone, fell into the water. " Bora! Get your arse back here! "

" There's a maiden! " The sailor in the water cried out as he swam loudly through the river towards the 'island'. " I can hear her song! She's…She's beautiful! We need…I need to get to the maide-"

" Fucking fool, " Nox growled, raising his hand to forcibly pluck the idiot out of the water and bring him back to the boats.

But before he could so much as twitch a finger, the water shifted as the island moved. The sailor could only give out a single scream before a giant head emerged from under the surface of the water, catching the man in its massive open jaw and raising him out of the water. The darkness may have blocked out what happened next. But the sound of crunching, followed immediately by the ending of the sailor's surprised cry spoke volumes as to his fate.

" Fuck me sideways…Is that a fucking sea turtle? It looks like one that fucked a giant and then got mixed with some beast! " Prince Oberyn marveled, his voice filled with awe and fear in equal proportions.

" Wonder about that fucking later, " Nox growled as the turtle finished its meal. " Row hard for the shoreline! We need to get out of the deep waters! "

The expedition didn't need telling twice and Nox had to balance himself as the boat he was on lurched forward as the rowers redoubled their efforts, none wanting to be anywhere near the carnivorous sea turtle the size of a small island. Holding his hand towards the turtle, palm out, Nox concentrated on the sea beast. Now that it was out of the water and active, he could get a good sense of the beast's mind. It wasn't mindless…but it certainly wasn't intelligent. It seemed driven only by hunger. Which was good. The less complicated the mind, the easier it was to influence in a manner that suited his needs. Sending waves of fear and domination towards it trying to scare the thing off. 'That fucking thing can swallow our boats whole…and that shell…a lightsaber could pierce it, but I doubt the wound it would create would be little more than a slight annoyance. '

But, strangely enough, as they moved closer to the shore the beast became fearful, even without his influence. And without even needing his help, the turtle turned tail and dove under the water, swimming away from them and back towards the mouth of the river. " Fucking hells, " Small Jon Umber cursed from the boat next to him. " Did you see the size of that fucker? Swallowed that poor son of a bitch whole in one go! Fuck me…At least he's run off. "

" And that should be more worrisome, Umber, " Prince Oberyn commented, Nox's senses telling him that the Prince of Dorne was currently keeping a watchful eye on everything around them. " A beast like that would only flee if it was in the territory of another beast. "

" What kind of beast could make…that…thing…flee? " Dacey Mormont asked from yet another boat.

" That, my dear, " Prince Oberyn commented dryly. " is what we should be more worried about. "

" Fuck this! " One of the sailors shouted as the boats pulled up near the rocky shore, water splashing about the man's boots as he jumped off the boat and ran to shore. " I'm not fucking dying for this shit! Not for any amount of coin! You fuckers can just pick me up on your way back…I'll be right fucking here. "

Nox could hear the others mumbling about how he was right as the darkness and the sudden attack by the mutated sea turtle began to eat away at their courage. But before he could calm them down, he sensed a lifeform approaching from just across down the shoreline. " Get back on the boat! " Nox yelled, trying to locate the lifeform but was having a difficult time considering just how fast the creature was moving. " You're not alone on that fucking shore! Get back in the damn boat n-"

A burst of flame shocked everyone back onto their backsides, the boats splashing in the water as at least two fell over. The man on shore had but a moment to widen his eyes in terror before the flames overtook him and then he was gone. His loud but brief screams echoing down the beach as some sort of…what he could only identify as an oversized serpent with a fiery glowing hide dragged the horribly charred man off.

" Fuck! We need to hunt that fucking thing down and kill it! " Eddard Karstark screamed, his sword clearing his sheath.

" Do that and you're dead, Karstark! " Prince Oberyn yelled, as the men who'd fallen out the boats were being pulled back in. " That was a firewyrm, I'd bet my cock on it. And trust me, the last thing you want to do is go chasing after one of those god forsaken creatures. With that thing around, the only safe place for us to be is in the boats in the middle of the river. Firewyrms can't survive in the water. "

" Back out there? With that fucking sea monster? " Small Jon yelled.

" I'd much rather take the fucking sea monster than the gods damned fire-breathing snake, moron, " Asha shouted back, staring the much bigger man down. " The turtle has fled. That thing, though…? That will be fucking back. "

" Asha is right, " Nox said, agreeing with the Ironborn. " Get us away from the shore. And we press forward. "

" Press forward? Two have already died! And you want to keep going? Fucking hells… You're fucking mad, sorcerer! You're…You're going to kill us! Feed us to the darkness…and…and you want us dead! You only want us dead! We should feed you to the fucking snake and sacrifice you! Yes…an offering to the gods of Valyria! The, the darkness is the way! The only way! We must feed the darkness! Feed the darkness! " Lunging forward, the man pulled a dagger from his belt, heedless of the others on the boat as he made for Nox with the blade extended towards his heart. " Feed the darkness the power of the sorcerer! Feed the true gods of-"

The air hissed as Nox's lightsaber sprung to life, the blade cleaving through the air and removing the man's head from his shoulders. And then with a simple Force push, the headless corpse fell out of the boat and into the water, the man's head joining soon after.

Deactivating his lightsaber, Nox turned his full focus on the shocked and frightened members of the expedition. " I told you all not to listen to the whispers in the darkness. To not give into your fear. This land is cursed, have no doubt of that. But your fear will only destroy you if you let it. This one let his fear get the better of him. Which is how and why the darkness within this land latched onto him and drove him mad. Trust in yourself. Trust in each other. Hold on to a powerful thought. A loved one. Your home. Your reward at the end of this voyage. And the darkness will find no purchase in your mind. But make no mistake. There is no going back now. Not until we finish what we came here to do. And that is end the curse on this land. You can either continue on with me, or you can take your chances swimming back or walking on land. "

Silence greeted the end of his speech. A silence that was eventually broken by Asha. " Well, I don't know about these pussy-fuckers, but no Ironborn fears the water. What is dead may never die, only comes back stronger. I'm with you. "

" Not about to let some Ironborn cunt outshine the bears of Bear Island. My mother and grandfather would never be able to look me in the eye again. " Dacey Mormont added. " I'm in. "

" Fuck, " Small Jon grumbled. " My old man would let the fucking Bolton's flay me alive if I was too much of a coward to not go where women will…I'm still fucking in. So is Karstark here…even if he has pissed his pants. "

" Fuck you 'Small' Jon. At least, judging from the smell coming from you, I didn't shit myself! " Eddard Karstark jibbed back, breaking the tension and drawing more than a few uneasy chuckles from the men.

Sitting back down, Nox motioned for them to press. As they started to move up the river once more, Nox's mind went back to just how quickly the man who had attacked him lost his mind. 'I despise having to use anything that woman taught me…but it seems I underestimated the pull of the dark side in this land. I'll have to actively shield everyone's mind from the darkness…and there's only truly one viable technique to do so on this scale though it will be very taxing. But still, better to be taxed than to have to constantly look over my shoulder waiting for my own men to stab me in the back. Force…it feels like I'm back in the Dark Council Chambers. '

As he began working out the logistics of shielding everyone, Oberyn leaned towards him. " Sorcerer, while we need to stay out in the middle of the water, it would behoove us to find a place to stop for a brief time so we can inspect each other thoroughly. "

" Why? " Nox asked, turning his attention to the Prince of Dorne.

" Not much is known about firewyrms, sorcerer. In fact, there is only one documented case in all of the Citadel about them. But one thing that is known is that they produce larva. Larva that infect the flesh like bot flies. Only difference is these larvae burn the host from the inside as they grow. Killing their host in a most horrendous fashion. And I don't know about you but being slowly roasted alive by larva festering beneath my flesh is perhaps the last way I wish to leave this world. "

Nox could see his point. Risking exposing himself, Nox focused hard on the river before him and let his sense flow outwards but kept himself contained to the river. " There is a wrecked ship less than two hours row from here, " he said. " The ship ran upon some rocks and cannot move, but it should serve for our purposes. And I wholeheartedly agree with you, Oberyn. That would indeed be one of the last ways I would want to leave this world. "

" Alright, lad. I don't see shit on you. Not that I can hardly see shit to begin with. Now put your clothes back on before you make the women blush, Snow. "

Shaking his head, Jon immediately began pulling on his pants as Eddard Karstark began to do the same. Looking around the deck of the shipwrecked Lannister ship, Jon took a quick count of everyone on board. Not that he really needed too. He already knew exactly how many of them there were. And it was two less than the number they set out with. And those two, gods, Jon didn't think he would ever forget what happened to them. One was pulled underwater by some sort of giant turtle. And the other…the other plucked off the ship, burned alive, and then eaten by a firewyrm. Neither was a fate Jon would wish upon anyone.

Tightening his pants and throwing his shirt back on, he left his Karstark kin to finish getting dressed while he went over and stood next to Master Nox, who at the moment was standing by the edge of the ship staring off towards the east. At least Jon thought it was east. It was near impossible to tell in the thick fog that covered Valyria and blocked out the sun to tell which way was which. Standing beside the sorcerer, Jon tried to peer out into the darkness with both his eyes and through the Force, yet he failed with both.

" Can you see anything, Jon? "

Nox's sudden question caught Jon by such surprise that he only just barely managed to keep himself from jumping. " I – no, " Jon answered honestly, trying once more to see, or sense, anything beyond the ship. " I can't see anything through the fog and without the sun. And I – I can't sense anything either. At least nothing beyond the ship. "

" And why do you believe that is? "

Jon frowned in thought as he tried to work out an answer to Lord Nox. " Because something is…preventing us from seeing? "

" In a manner of speaking, you are correct, " his Master confirmed. " But it is far more complicated than just someone blocking our sight. There is such a ritual for that specifically, but it would be impractical to use the ritual I'm thinking of in such a confined area. So, rather, it is not someone but rather something that is blocking our Force Sight. And that is the very land of Valyria itself. "

That brought Jon up short and sent a spike of fear through him. " Valyria itself is…blocking us? "

" In a sense, " Master Nox nodded. " I am now more convinced than ever that what happened to cause the Doom was some sort of powerful ritual gone wrong. I can only speculate on the exact details of the ritual, but to be sure it was a dark, very dark ritual. One that covered the very land itself in a blanket of the dark side and turned it into this desolate wasteland where only the strongest can survive. "

Biting his lip, Jon fought to keep himself calm. " But you can see through the darkness, right, Master? You're the most powerful man alive in manners of the Force. "

His Master didn't answer immediately, which did nothing to calm the swell of fear within Jon's gut. " My vision is also impaired, acolyte. Normally, yes, I would be able to break through the shroud that is blocking us. But as I am now, I cannot. "

Now it was all Jon could do to keep his fear in check. If his Master, the strongest and most powerful man alive, couldn't fight back against whatever was shrouding this, then what hope did they have? " Then…what –? "

" This land is far more than tainted than I had originally anticipated, " his Master cut him off. " Already it is looking to twist and corrupt the minds of those with us. And it is taking a good deal of my strength to hold the darkness at bay. And while I am doing so, I'm counting on you to be my eyes, both physically and through the Force. "

The fear within him was now reaching heights he never knew possible. " I – I don't –"

" If you don't, then we will all perish within these lands, Jon, " Nox said, using his name and surprising Jon greatly as he turned to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. " You're strong, Jon. Strong as any I have met or trained. Do not doubt yourself. To doubt is to invite failure. And if you fail, then we will all die. Set your nerves to steel, Jon. Use your fear to strengthen your resolve to live. Do not try. Just do. You always wanted to prove that you were more than just a Snow. More than just a stain on your father's honor. Well, this is your chance to do just that. Prove all those who thought you were worthless wrong. Here and now. "

The fear that was almost overtaking him but a moment ago evaporated faster than a pool of water in Dorne. His Master rarely gave out compliments. But now, he…he just said that he trusted Jon to be his eyes for him. And Jon…Jon would not fail. And with that decision, it was almost as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes and from the Living Force around him. He still couldn't see far past the wrecked ship they were on. But he could see and sense everything that was on the ship with them. Including the strange presence that had just started dropping down from the rotten mast to land behind Prince Oberyn's daughter, Obara.

" Obara! Get down! "

What happened next occurred over the span off only a few seconds, but for Jon they felt like an eternity. He watched as a figure in black dropped from the sky and landed behind Obara. He could see the fear in Obara's eyes as she turned, her hands grasping for the spear that was not by her side. He could see Oberyn shouting for her. He could see his own hand rising slowly as the figure in black raised a blade high in the air, ready to cut Obara down. And then the figure was gone. Flung backwards and into the back-cabin wall of the wrecked ship with enough momentum to carry him clear through the rotten wood and into the room beyond.

For a moment, no one moved or said anything. Then all seven hells broke loose as one of the sailors yelled out 'Stoneman'. With that one word, everyone on the wrecked ship were suddenly scrambling for whatever weapons they could find while spinning around in tight circles trying to see if there were any more attackers looking to ambush them.

" Enough! "

Nox's one-word command was said with such a commanding force that everyone stopped in place as if he was holding them with the Force. Without a word, Lord Nox held out his hand towards the hole that'd been created in cabin wall. As the body that'd been flung through the wall came back out onto the deck, everyone took several steps back and kept their swords, spears or clubs at the ready to kill whatever it was.

" This isn't time to sate your curiosity, sorcerer, " Prince Oberyn nearly hissed, having moved himself between his daughter and her would be attacker, his spear held tightly in his hands ready to end the threat. " Stonemen have lost their minds to greyscale. We need to kill it and dump the body over the railing and get—"

" That is no Stoneman. "

Staying close to Lord Nox, Jon watched in fascination as his Master used the Force to pull the man's helmet off. The man beneath the helmet couldn't have been much older than his Lord father, or even Master Nox, but that was where the similarities ended. He man's cheeks were hollow like the smallfolk near the end of the winter years, and his skin was almost the color of ash from dirt and only the gods knew what else. His, what Jon could only assume was golden, hair was covered in mud and the long locks were tangled into numerous knots.

While most everyone was looking at the man in fascination and confusion, there was one who was not. " Oh, the gods truly have a sense of humor, don't they? " Prince Oberyn growled, his sudden anger so strong that it nearly brought Jon up short.

" You recognize this man, Oberyn? "

The Prince of Dorne nodded, lowering his spear and spat, " Yes. This is none other than Gerion Lannister, the younger brother of Tywin-fucking-Lannister. "

" A Lannister? " Small Jon Umber bellowed. " What in the fucking hells is a gods damned Lannister doing all the way out here in? "

" Probably the same thing we are, 'Small' Jon, " Asha shot back.

The Umber heir scowled at Asha. The trip had done little to nothing to mending the relationship between the Greyjoy and the Umber. " I know that, raider. I meant: why is he out here? Shouldn't he be back in the Westerlands shitting gold with his cunt brother? "

" Gerion Lannister sailed out from Lannisport three years ago in hopes of making it too Valyria and finding the Lannister's ancestral sword, Brightroar. He has not been heard from since. " Lord Nox answered, kneeling next to the unconscious Lord and holding his hand above his face. " And, in all this time…he has somehow managed to keep his mind from succumbing to the pull of the dark side…at least mostly. Interesting. "

While Lord Nox was examining the man, something caught Jon's eye. Keeping wide of the unconscious Lannister and his Master, Jon went over to the hole in the ship and peered inside. Lying just inside the hole was a sword. A hand and a half sword that seemed in remarkable condition. But what truly caught his eye was the red-rippling pattern running down the length of the blade. A pattern he'd only seen on two other blades. Ice, and Red Rain. 'Valyrian steel, ' he thought, grabbing the hilt and pulling the sword out from the wreckage.

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