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Yoren stared at the shattered stone, his thoughts racing.
Should he agree?
Or should he agree?
Or… should he agree?
"Lommy," he said at last, his voice tight. "Open the cage. Let him out."
The decision was inevitable.
Yoren drew his sword and stood nearby, keeping a wary eye on the other two prisoners. The noseless man and the one with filed teeth had retreated deep into the corner of the cage, too terrified to move.
Jimmy's display of strength had broken whatever courage they had left.
Jaqen H'ghar stepped out slowly.
He bowed his head.
"This one thanks you."
Jimmy nodded faintly.
"I have questions."
"As you wish."
…
They moved to a quiet corner.
The roasted lamb had already been brought out. Jimmy gestured toward the seat across from him.
"Sit. Eat."
Jaqen inclined his head politely.
"This one thanks you for your generosity."
Jimmy watched him eat with calm, deliberate elegance.
After a moment, he spoke.
"The House of Black and White has its eyes on the little wolf, doesn't it?"
Jaqen paused.
"This one would remind you," he said carefully, "that you once interfered. You took someone who had already been claimed by the Many-Faced God. Such actions should not be—"
Jimmy cut him off.
"It was nothing more than an avatar."
His voice was quiet, but carried weight.
"Don't mistake this invitation for kindness."
His eyes sharpened.
"Tell me."
"Do you intend to turn her into something like you?"
"Or do you have other plans?"
Jaqen fell silent for a long time.
Then he spoke.
"Before answering, this one wishes to ask something."
His gaze met Jimmy's.
"Does someone believe in the gods?"
Jimmy shrugged.
"Sure."
His tone was casual.
"I believe in Gatling Bodhisattva."
He smirked faintly.
"Thirty-six thousand revolutions per breath. Infinite mercy. Universal salvation."
Jaqen regarded him quietly.
"This one senses no sincerity in such faith."
He paused.
"But this one understands enough."
He continued.
"The little wolf you speak of is not an avatar."
His voice remained calm.
"She is chosen."
"A future priestess of the House of Black and White."
"She will remain herself."
"Only… protected by our god."
Jimmy nodded, rising to his feet.
"Then take her soon."
His voice turned colder.
"This place is about to descend into chaos."
He stretched, his joints cracking audibly.
"I intend to enjoy it."
He glanced back once.
"There are people who wish to see you."
His lips curved faintly.
"I'll send you to them."
For a brief moment, an overwhelming aura of killing intent radiated from him.
Even Jaqen H'ghar was surprised.
…
"It was right here!"
Lommy gestured wildly at the shattered stone.
"I saw it myself! He punched it, and it exploded! Gendry was there too. Tell them!"
Gendry barely listened.
He was busy arguing with Arya.
"I'm telling you," Arya said stubbornly, "this is a brothel."
"You don't even know what that means," Gendry replied.
"Yes, I do. It's an inn with lots of girls."
Gendry blinked.
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
He had no response.
Her logic was flawless.
Lommy stormed inside, frustrated.
"That knight paid for everyone's food. If you don't hurry, there won't be any left."
That was enough.
Forget the stone.
Forget the rumors.
Food mattered more.
…
Yoren approached Jimmy, carrying a mug of ale.
"My lord," he said respectfully. "Thank you for your generosity."
He hesitated.
"May I know your name? The Night's Watch would remember your kindness."
Jimmy didn't even look at him.
"There's no need."
He stood.
"You'll learn it eventually."
He turned toward Jaqen.
"You."
His voice was indifferent.
"Finish your meal and return to your cage."
Jimmy walked toward the stairs.
"I'm going to sleep."
Yoren froze.
He had thought he could pry something loose. A hint of identity. A trace of origin. A careless word he could use to piece together the truth behind this mysterious noble.
Instead, Jimmy had shut him down with a single sentence.
Cold. Final.
Jimmy had already learned what he needed.
Yoren was nothing more than a passing stranger.
Not worth further attention.
Jimmy returned to his room and gave Horus a quiet command. The hawk would keep watch on Jaqen H'ghar.
Whatever Jaqen truly was, Jimmy would not let his guard down.
If he made a move…
Jimmy would erase him.
…
Before long, the Night's Watch recruits filled the inn completely.
Hot Pie, ecstatic beyond words, even took over the kitchen himself, declaring the inn's pies inferior and insisting on making them properly.
Even the two dangerous prisoners, the noseless man and the one with sharpened teeth, received roasted meat and fresh bread.
Under Gendry's watchful presence, they behaved.
Gendry had made himself clear.
"If either of you scratches me while I'm feeding you," he warned calmly, "I'll dump a bucket of filth into your cage."
That was enough.
They complied without protest.
…
The group had begun to form its own fragile hierarchy.
Arya, armed and capable, was both respected and avoided. No one dared provoke her.
Hot Pie spent most of his time boasting to Lommy, recounting exaggerated tales of knights, battles, and death.
Before Gendry spoke, Hot Pie had been the most dominant voice among them.
But Gendry was different.
He spoke rarely.
Yet when he did, his words carried weight.
His voice became the final authority.
Now, Lommy leaned back, patting his full stomach in satisfaction.
It was the finest meal he had ever eaten.
He turned toward Hot Pie, eager to challenge him again.
"You didn't see it," Lommy said. "That noble punched a stone and shattered it into pieces."
He gestured dramatically.
"With your size, he could punch straight through you."
Hot Pie scoffed.
"That's impossible. I've seen knights fight before."
"That's called fighting," Lommy said dismissively. "Not war."
"They were wearing armor," Hot Pie insisted.
Arya watched them with quiet amusement.
They had no idea what war really was.
They had grown up in King's Landing.
Their version of war was little more than tavern brawls and street fights.
To them, chaos in Flea Bottom was the closest thing to battle.
Hot Pie crossed his arms stubbornly.
"If you're wearing armor, it's war."
Lommy snorted.
"You're just a baker's apprentice. What would you know?"
Arya smirked.
"Gendry's an apprentice too. Ask him."
All eyes turned toward him.
Gendry met their gazes calmly.
Hot Pie hesitated.
"…Armor means war," he repeated weakly.
Gendry asked one simple question.
"Who told you that?"
"A knight," Hot Pie replied quickly.
Gendry tilted his head slightly.
"How do you know he was a knight?"
Hot Pie blinked.
"Because… he wore armor."
Gendry's response was immediate.
"Anyone can wear armor."
He paused.
"Even a fool."
Hot Pie froze.
"…How would you know?"
Gendry answered without hesitation.
"Because I helped make it."
Silence fell.
Arya grinned quietly, pleased with herself.
Her trap had worked perfectly.
Above them, at the top of the stairs, Jimmy watched everything unfold.
He said nothing.
He simply observed.
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