Chapter 51: Jon's Gold and Friendship
The Stepstones, Cutthroat Isle, Main Island
Jared Lockner was one of the most trusted envoys of the Archon of Tyrosh, Adolf Moses, and had once persuaded many unruly enemies on his behalf.
Without exception, all those enemies eventually became powerful assets under Adolf Moses's control.
Jared Lockner had long heard of the mysterious place known as Cutthroat Isle. Along the way, while marveling at the island's rapid construction, he also quietly noted several areas that deserved closer attention.
For example, the man currently leading them toward the fortress—this knight was clad in full armor and carried himself with the temperament and manner of speech of a knight sworn to the Seven.
Yet when Jared Lockner looked more closely, he felt a strange sense of incongruity, as though the man before him was not a seasoned knight, but a novice who had only recently begun his path.
After exchanging a few words, Jared Lockner became even more certain. This knight, not yet twenty years old, was indeed a rookie. However, the way he moved in armor and rested his hand naturally on his sword proved that he had received proper knightly training.
"Strange… very strange. The master of this place can grant a mere novice the full bearing of a knight. I must investigate this no matter what. If the Archon were to gain such an ability, he would fear no one."
Piecing together the information he had gathered, Jared Lockner reached a conclusion that surprised even himself.
At the same time, he made a decision: he would uncover every secret behind this so-called dragon and this rookie knight, and offer them all to his master.
After passing through the main gate on the first level, Jared Lockner and his party proceeded toward the great hall on the second floor.
Pirates usually favored displaying swords and blades to show off their might, but Jon was different—he preferred trees and greenery.
Most nobles in this world favored carpets and tapestries, especially certain houses of Westeros that embroidered their family's great deeds into elaborate hangings to boast of their lineage.
This was the first time Jared Lockner had seen such furnishings in a fortress, and he could not help but look around with curiosity.
"So this Bastard of the North has such peculiar tastes. I cannot treat him like an ordinary man, or I will surely suffer for it."
This was the first time Jared Lockner had encountered someone like Jon, and his curiosity grew stronger by the moment.
Normally, bastards or second sons who suddenly rose to power would gradually fall into decadence. Of course, there were exceptions, but they were few.
Jared Lockner had traveled far and wide for many years and had seen all kinds of people. Facing Jon—who seemed almost indifferent to wealth—he felt matters would not be simple.
Jared Lockner firmly believed that as long as one was human, one would have desires. The difference lay only in how those desires manifested. Power, greed, and lust took different forms depending on a person's values.
Take his current master, the Archon of Tyrosh, for example. Adolf Moses preferred control and authority.
But he did not hoard power entirely for himself. Instead, he distributed it among loyal subordinates, allowing them to grow stronger. In doing so, his own influence expanded even further.
Although Jared Lockner had not yet spoken directly with Jon, he could already tell—from the development of Cutthroat Isle and the fortress's interior—that Jon's ambitions were far greater than most.
Thus, with a cautious heart, Jared Lockner arrived in the second-floor hall of the Pirate Fortress.
Jon had little interest in naming things. To this day, Cutthroat Isle had never been renamed. The Pirate Fortress and the Dock Market still bore those crude names, and even the Chainbreakers had grown accustomed to them.
"Respected Lord Jon, I am an envoy of the Archon of Tyrosh, Lord Adolf Moses. My name is Jared Lockner—you may call me Jared. It is an honor to visit your city and your fortress. This place will surely grow greater with time."
After bowing, Jared Lockner spoke warmly, his expression friendly.
At the same time, he discreetly observed Jon.
Today, Jon wore a white silk shirt, loose leather trousers, and leather boots, making him look like a young lord from a great house.
Unused to growing a beard, Jon kept his face clean-shaven, though having to rely on a razor every few days was an inconvenience compared to the electric shavers of his previous life.
Jon also disliked long hair. After arriving in the Stepstones, he had cut his brown hair short.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jared. I also wish your Archon a pleasant mood each day."
Seated upon his chair of authority, Jon returned the greeting naturally, giving him an air of calm elegance.
"However, I must ask—since I do not recall knowing your Archon, why have you come here?"
After gesturing for Frodo to bring a chair, Jon posed the question. Courtesy was deserved when shown.
"Your great name has already spread throughout the Stepstones," Jared Lockner replied promptly after sitting. "Our Archon admires powerful men and wishes to make a friend of you."
He then signaled to his attendants, who brought forward several chests.
"This is a small token of Lord Adolf Moses's regard. Our Archon sincerely wishes to form a friendship with you. I have also brought a letter written in his own hand, detailing what he seeks—and what he is prepared to offer."
With that, Jared Lockner stood again and produced a sealed letter.
After Frodo accepted it and passed it to Jon, Jon examined the sigil carefully.
The Archon's seal depicted a sea eagle clutching a shield. The shield was quartered, bearing a longsword, a naked woman, shackles, and a ship.
Breaking the seal, Jon found lines of vigorous cursive written in the Common Tongue.
Jon had not expected this. He had assumed the Archon would write in High Valyrian, as Valyrian was the official language of the Free Cities.
Though descended from Valyrian, each Free City's tongue had long diverged into its own dialect.
In the letter, Adolf Moses spoke plainly.
Because Tyrosh and Lys were locked in fierce conflict over the Disputed Lands, Tyrosh urgently needed a force capable of influencing Lys.
Lys supported Salladhor Saan, and Tyrosh wished to elevate someone capable of opposing him.
The Stepstones had been a haven for pirates since ancient times. Though briefly unified in the past, those periods rested upon the rule of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters.
Now that the Triarchy was gone, Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys all wished to prevent the Stepstones from being unified again.
As the importance of the Disputed Lands increased, Tyrosh and Lys—both island city-states—found themselves constrained by limited land and food supplies.
Adolf Moses promised that if Jon unified the Stepstones, Tyrosh would recognize him as King of the Stepstones and enter a formal alliance.
Jared Lockner had brought a great deal of gold, meant to help Jon recruit men and purchase horses to defeat Salladhor Saan, who had already established a foothold in the Stepstones.
"I acknowledge your Archon's goodwill, and I find his proposal interesting," Jon said calmly. "However, I would like to know—what is your Archon's stance on slavery?"
"Uh…"
Jared Lockner froze.
Though Tyrosh's intelligence reports mentioned that the Chainbreakers opposed slavery, he had not expected such a direct question.
"You may answer plainly," Jon added. "I am merely curious."
"The slave trade is the foundation of Tyrosh," Jared Lockner finally said. "We need slaves."
"I see," Jon replied. "Very well. I wish us a pleasant cooperation. Frodo, see our guest out."
With Jon's seemingly casual words, Jared Lockner departed the hall—his heart heavy with unease.
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