Chapter 23 5 страница

Still clearly confused, Dickon stepped up and grabbed the wheel and began turning it as fast as he could. The log immediately began to spin quickly and the blade that he'd set against it began cutting effortlessly into the wood, sheering off the outer layer but not going any deeper than where Sam had originally set it. With Dickon still turning the wheel, Sam slowly began to move the blade down the log, sheering off the bark quickly and nearly effortlessly.

" Okay, " Dickon mumbled as he stopped turning the wheel. " That's…interesting. And we did remove the bark faster than a woodworker could. And if you can set that blade like you did to cut deeper, it looked like you could make a lot of good arrow shafts and spear shafts quickly with this thing. "

Sam could tell that his brother was just humoring him. 'He doesn't understand the full implication of just what this device can do. But that's alright. I've spent weeks helping to make it, and I'm still just now starting to come to the full realization of what this lathe can do. Especially if we can get it to work with shaping steel in this manner. '

" Arrows and spears are just the beginning of what this thing can do, Dickon, " Sam finally said with a smile, resting his hand on the lathe. " Lord Nox has a lot of plans for the future. And this thing will help craft what is needed to make his plans come to fruition. "

" Huh, well…I'm sure that you and father will be able to figure out what you can do with this…thing when you return to Horn Hill. "

Again, Sam felt his stomach plummet. " That's something else I need to talk to you about, Dickon, " he said slowly, as he tried to figure out the best way to say what it was that he needed to say. " I'm not going to be returning to Horn Hill. "

" What? " Dickon asked, blinking rapidly. " What do you mean? Of course you'll be returning home. Unless… They aren't forcing you to stay here, are they? No, don't answer that. Just, umm, I don't know. Just nod and when I get back to the Reach, I'll talk to father and we'll figure something out to keep you safe. "

" Don't, Dickon, " Sam said desperately, trying to keep his brother from making a huge misunderstanding. " The Starks and Lord Nox are not forcing me to stay here, that is my choice. And quite frankly brother…it is them who are keeping me safe. "

His poor brother just looked more and more confused with each word spoken. " What in the Seven hells are you saying, Sam? Is there…? Has someone threatened you? I mean, I know we have enemies back home, but father can take care of anyone who tries to cross our House. "

" And what if the one I need protecting from is father? " Sam demanded a bit more forcibly than he'd intended and his brother's eyes went wide in shock. 'Well, now it's out there. Might as well say everything. ' Taking a breath, he pressed on in a more controlled manner. " Dickon, I don't regret leaving home for a single moment. But the day I left was not by choice. I've always been a disappointment to father, and don't try and say different brother. I'm fat and craven. And father told me very pointedly that he would not allow one such as I to tarnish his legacy. So, he gave me three choices. One: come to the North, seek out the Sorcerer, earn his approval, and unlock the secrets to his magic. Two: join the Night's Watch. Or three…the two of us would go hunting together and there would be an…accident during our trip. Either choice, father would get the heir that he wanted. "

" I – I can't believe that father would do that, Sam, " Dickon stammered. " He…He was probably just trying to – to motivate you. Yes, that must be it. And it worked. He – He wouldn't have harmed you. You're his son, his heir. "

Shaking his head, Sam put a hand on his brother's shoulder. " I'm sorry, brother, but he wasn't trying to push me. He was completely serious. Aye, I am his son and his heir, but I am not what he wanted in either of those things. That's you, Dickon. "

Dickon blinked again. " What? "

" I intend to write a letter that I am abdicating my position as heir of House Tarly and Horn Hill and I intend to have Lord Stark and Lady Olenna, now that she's here, bear witness to my writing of the letter, " he said, making his brother's eyes go wide. " I'll never be the heir that father wants. And I don't want to die or end my days at the Watch. This is where I want to be, brother. And, besides, you'll definitely be a better Lord than I could ever be. "

Before his brother could respond, they both heard a loud commotion coming from the nearby open window that Sam knew looked over the sparring yard. " Come on, brother, " Sam said joyfully, trying to lighten the mood. " You'll never be able to see my fat arse spar like the sorcerer. But judging from the cheering, it sounds like if we hurry, we might just be able to catch the end of Lord Nox's spar against whichever unfortunate soul thought they could prove a challenge to him! "

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