Chapter 13 5 страница

" I see, " Stannis replied, turning to once again look out over the island while thinking over the offer. " The fact that you are training Lord Stark's children gives credence to your claims. And if what I saw in Stark's bastard boy in the yard is any indication, then you truly are a man of your word. However, my daughter is not yet seven name-days. She is still too young to foster. "

This time, Nox didn't bother to hide his scoff. " A bull shit excuse and not the real one as for why you don't want your daughter to come with me right now. "

True to his family name, fury coursed through Stannis as he spun around and faced Nox. " You presume to know what I am—?! "

" I don't presume, I know, " Nox countered, not backing down. He'd faced far angrier and far more powerful than the Lord of a small island to even feel the slightest twitch of fear. " You suppress your emotions well enough to keep your face passive in order to fool those around you. But to one like me, you might as well be screaming what you're feeling at the top of your lungs. You don't want your daughter to come with me right now because of some horse shit about her not being old enough. No. Simply put, you don't want your daughter to come with me because you love her, and you're scared. For fuck's sake, you just nearly watched her suffer a terrible death at the hands of greyscale. Is it really such a crime to admit to yourself that you love that little girl and you're afraid to let her go right now after she's just been healed? "

Walking forward until they were but an arm's length apart, Nox kept his eyes, figuratively of course, trained on Stannis. " I've seen what happens to those who deny their emotions and rely only on a sense of 'duty' to guide them. They become little more than mindless drones masquerading as people. You love your daughter. There is no shame in admitting that. Instead of denying it, use it. Use your emotions to fuel your purpose and make you stronger. Make yourself better than others think you are. "

An uneasy silence settled in between the two as Nox stood his ground before Stannis, neither willing to be the first to break away. In the end though, Stannis was the one to crack first as he sighed and turned around, unable or unwilling to keep facing Nox. " Is there a time when my daughter will no longer be able to learn how to use these powers of yours? "

" The younger one can begin training the better as it allows their mind to be properly melded to the use of their abilities, " Nox commented. " But if you wish to hold onto your little girl a little while longer, then I would say she has to begin formal training within the next few years before she reaches the age of ten. Until then, I can give her some exercises to help her begin learning how to control her powers. "

" And if she doesn't begin your formal training until after her tenth name-day? "

Nox shrugged. " Then her powers will go down one of two paths. Either they will begin to atrophy until they are next to nonexistent or she begins experimenting without proper guidance and potentially harm either herself or those around her. "

The answer seemed to appease Stannis. " So, what you are saying is that I have to decide whether or not I want my daughter to receive training from you within the next three years. What does this training entail? The bastard proved himself a fine blade, perhaps one of the finest I have ever seen despite his age. Yet my daughter is no man. And she has responsibilities to uphold as a future lady of House Baratheon. "

Nox wanted to bang his head against the wall. This shit was so much easier in the Empire, and even the Republic. Once a Force sensitive was taken in for training, their past lives were supposed to be of no consequence. Not that that was always true. But it was the way it was supposed to be. " Think of her training as in terms of an education given to even the highest-ranking families in this land and the education given to the Maesters of the Citadel. And then elevate said education several times over and you will have but a glimpse of what I intend to teach your daughter. She will be trained in martial prowess. It is a part of what makes us who we are. But it need not be the field she specializes in, like my Apprentice Jon. And frankly, Lord Baratheon, it is not just your choice to make here. This is your daughter's life you are talking about. If you don't feel the need to give her the choice about her future, then perhaps you don't actually love your daughter as much as I thought you did. "

The fury within Stannis raged once more as the man fought to keep a lid on his family's temper. 'Oh, I can't wait to get Shireen up North and begin her training. Her Family's words are 'Ours is the Fury'. What better slogan for a future acolyte of the Sith can there be but that? '

" Very well, sorcerer, " Stannis said harshly, all friendly tone gone from his voice. " I shall…consult my daughter about training under you in the future. "

" Splendid. " Now he just needed to plant the idea in the girl's head to want to be trained. Which shouldn't be that difficult of a task. After all, children were always very easily swayed by the arcane. " Then, with your permission, our ship will stay docked in the harbor for the night so that Talisa and I can monitor your daughter's progress throughout the night. And in the morning, I shall test your daughter's aptitude for the Force, and should she prove herself to a certain point, I will give her a few exercises to do before she comes North. Then we will leave as soon as I am satisfied. We have been away from the North for far too long. And many amongst my crew are anxious to return to their homes. "

" Very well, " Stannis replied, going over to his desk and writing down a quick note before handing it to him. " Give this to the first servant you come across and they will grant you and your foreign healer any room near my daughter's so you may stand vigil throughout the night. However, come morning, I will be present when my daughter awakes and when you put her through this test of yours. Now leave me. I have much to think about. "

Taking the note, Nox gave the stern man the barest of nods before turning and leaving him alone. 'Well, that was interesting. Responding to a disturbance in the Force and finding another potential acolyte on Arya's level…Hmm…I must be doing something right for the Force to favor me so. '

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