In 296 AC, King's Landing, a smithy on the Street of Steel.
In the barn filled with furnaces, Gendry, using tongs, picked up a heated fine steel breastplate and immersed it in cold water, producing a sizzling sound, before hanging it to dry.
This was a task Tobho had given him, to forge a breastplate for a client in King's Landing.
Gendry thought this young master probably wasn't particularly wealthy, as it was made of fine steel, not the currently popular lacquered or glazed finishes, let alone the most expensive method of infusing color into the steel. It seemed he might be a minor noble or a bastard from a noble family.
Gendry looked at the breastplate with satisfaction; it was perfect, uniformly crafted. Besides the helmet, he had completed most of the armor.
This was the life of twelve-year-old Gendry; the Iron Hammer and fire were his daily companions. Given his sturdy build and strength, this work was actually relatively easy for him.
Recently, Gendry discovered that besides his inherent resilience, he had also awakened a new talent, also from the bloodline of the storm god. ["Storm's rage": When in a state of severe injury or rage, he will unleash more furious and powerful attacks.]
Gendry's favorite weapon was a warhammer he had forged himself. Although a longsword was more aesthetically pleasing, the warhammer was the most lethal. A blunt weapon had a wider, more devastating impact, and its power was unmatched unless it encountered valyrian steel.
"Being immersed in blacksmithing isn't necessarily a bad thing; it also reduces others' attention on me." As long as Gendry lived this way, content with an ordinary life, others would gradually lose interest in him. After all, it was natural for a bastard born in a Brothel to be content with a blacksmith's life. Even those around him in the smithy considered Gendry to be an unremarkable Boy Blacksmith, let alone The Spider's minions. Tobho had also become somewhat complacent; a smithy Child, at most, warranted a few extra questions, but there had been no problems.
At the smithy, older apprentices would occasionally coax Gendry to go to Flea Bottom to watch dog fights, cockfights, or children with sharpened teeth battling each other. Gendry went once or twice but then stopped; it was too bloody and expensive. As for the low-class Brothel in Flea Bottom, the foreman strictly forbade all apprentices from entering.
Gendry generally didn't spend money. Among the apprentices, he worked hard and well, and by not squandering his earnings, he saved the most. Gendry was already considering leaving King's Landing. Next year, a Tourney would be held for Prince Joffrey's twelfth nameday, showcasing the unity of House Lannister and House Baratheon. But the festivities were for others; they had little to do with him. King's Landing was like a powder keg, and it was best to stay far away.
"Should I stay in Westeros, choose another city, or go Across the Narrow Sea?" Gendry was considering two paths. Compared to the King's well-known noble bastard, Edric Storm, he was more secretive and freer.
Although The Spider used him as a pawn, he didn't value him much. After all, there was a more legitimate and noble noble bastard at Storm's End, so he was just a minor piece. The Spider's main schemes still revolved around the Targaryen remnants in his hands, whether overt or covert.
"Traveling far and wide! True Dragon's Blood, the blood of the Rhoyne River, my opportunity will be on the continent of Essos." Gendry had already planned his escape route: first, to secretly flee to Essos.
Just as Gendry finished his work, Master Tobho Mott entered the barn with a silver helmet. For a helmet to have a beautiful design, the key was the seahorse motifs adorning both sides, with sea-green gems as the seahorse's eyes. This was quite difficult and had been completed by Tobho himself.
"Someone from House Velaryon?" Gendry recognized the design, representing House Velaryon of Driftmark. Although in the past the Lords of Driftmark had held the honor of 'Lord of the Tides,' House Velaryon was now in decline, merely a second or third-tier of Lords, beholden to Stannis of Dragonstone. However, the Velaryons still possessed the remnants of an old noble family, making it hard to say if their allegiance was sincere.
"Excellent work, Boy!" Tobho praised him. "Your skill is becoming more refined; you were born for this trade."
"A plain set of armor is worth five gold dragons, but a set of armor from Tobho's smithy is ten gold dragons!"
Those around looked on with envy at Tobho's praise, but physique was innate, something Gendry and they could not envy.
"Everyone get back to work! Spend less time on chasing girls, drinking, and gambling! Gendry, wait a moment!"
Gendry looked at Tobho in surprise.
In the courtyard, they met their client, a man dressed in sea-green robes and a silver cloak, looking around. This was the emblem of House Velaryon.
"Lord Aurane, this is the armor you requested!" Tobho showed Aurane the set of armor: superior plate armor, gorget, greaves, and a full helmet.
Aurane Waters was lean, with silver-gold hair and grey-green eyes. He was the bastard brother of Lord Monford Velaryon, Lord of the Tides and Earl of Driftmark. In terms of appearance, he also had some features of ancient Valyria. No wonder he would later be mistaken by the Queen Mother for a replacement for Prince Rhaegar.
"A lifelike seahorse helmet; children will want to touch it when they see it!" Aurane was very pleased, meticulously examining his armor.
"I'm glad you like it!" Tobho said proudly. "Honestly, armor can be found from a country blacksmith, but what I make is a work of art."
Aurane Waters looked as if he had seen a ghost, catching sight of Gendry standing behind Tobho, feeling somewhat dazed.
"This is my apprentice; he's very diligent in his work!" Gendry's hair was thick and coarse, as black as ink.
"Where are your parents, Child!" Aurane looked at Gendry, thought for a moment, and asked in a low voice.
"Gone! My Lord!" Gendry grinned.
"Let's go, Lord Aurane, this Child is an unlucky Boy. There are many such children in King's Landing." Tobho chuckled with Aurane, feeling he had been a bit careless.
"Unlucky, it seems I'm the same." Aurane took out two gold dragons from his purse. "The first is because you are as unlucky as I am, and the other is my tip for you, Child."
Gendry thought for a moment and didn't take the gold dragon. "My Lord, I am an apprentice; the foreman pays me."
"Why are you just standing there! Take it, it's a gift from Lord Aurane. This Child is as stubborn as an ox; I can't do anything about it, please don't mind!"
"Thank you!" Gendry took the two gold dragons.
"Alright, my Attendants are still waiting for me outside. After I get this set of armor, I should return to Driftmark! Compared to King's Landing, I still prefer the sea breeze of Driftmark." The bastard of House Velaryon glanced at Gendry, then left.
Gendry put away the two gold dragons. It seemed he couldn't remain low-key. But even if Aurane discovered him, it was unlikely he would say anything; he was too far from power to risk himself.
As for the two gold dragons, they were now incredibly valuable. A gift from one bastard to another.