Magnus cried at the sight of blood coming off his father's leg. He tried to stop the bleeding with his little hands, pressing the wound. As his own hands became bloody, he panicked and looked up at the towering figure.
No longer whimpering, just crying silent tears. Fear of punishment turned into worry, pain of seeing his father hurt. But further, revealing how much more intelligent Magnus was for his age, he took off his little shirt and tried to press it on the wound.
"This is what happens when you strike a blade, Magnus." Wylis finally spoke, unable to hold back any longer. It wasn't easy seeing his son act so helpless and scared. But he held back as much as he could, but no more. He sat down on a knee, still towering.
Normally, one would avoid cuts and wounds in that era, as infections could kill. But he already had the remedy for wounds and infections, so this lesson was more important.
Wylis took his son's little hands in one hand and caressed his hair with the other, his thumb wiping away the tears from the chubby face. "A sword is not a toy. And Violence is not a source of joy. You draw steel only for an enemy, to guard the innocent, your rights, and your lands. I've never harmed those who did no wrong. Tell me, have you ever seen me raise my blade against your aunt Ashara, or Elia, or Rhaella?"
Magnus shook his head.
"Aye. Because there is no reason for me to turn my blade on them. Magnus, what you did to Aegon and Rhaenys might have taken their lives. You would have lost them for good. Tell me, do you not love them?"
"I love them, Dad! I love them lots!"
"Then why did you do it?"
"I want to… be like you. Viserys gets to train and—"
"Viserys is ten, and you are but four. Magnus, when you are older, I'll teach you all I know. But not yet. You aren't ready, and you will bring harm to those around you. Today it was Aegon. What if next time it is Arthria, or little Daenerys? Remember, they're your family, and if you one day find yourself raising a sword before them, it must be to protect them, not to hurt them."
Sniff!
Magnus nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Good. Now swear to me you'll never repeat this. You are strong, and you are my son, so be patient. I'll teach you all you must know. One day, you will be the greatest warrior in the world. But before that, you must be a good child. Obey your mother, show kindness, show love, and always be truthful."
"I-I will, Dad. I promise."
"Good, now let's go find Aegon and Rhaenys. You'll apologize to them."
"But your leg—"
"It'll heal soon. Don't worry." Wylis tied Magnus' shirt around his leg since it was already bloody. Then, he held his son in his arms and walked out of the armory. "Make sure you do something to make your brother and sister happy. You scared them today."
"I'll never scare them again. Ever!"
"Good."
From the armory, after washing Magnus' hands, Wylis took him to Elia's bedchamber, where Rhaenys and Aegon were present. Lyanna had already arrived inside there, her eyes filled with worry, staring at her son dangling in Wylis' arm on his side like a sack of grain.
Wylis walked over to the canopied bed where Rhaenys was lying under the quilt. Aegon was sitting beside her, while Elia was standing nearby. He didn't know how hurt Rhaenys was, so seeing her like that worried him a lot. His hold on his son strengthened.
"Magnus has something to say," Wylis said and placed the boy on the bed.
"I'm sorry!" Magnus erupted instantly, eyes bawling. Without realising, he jumped right at Rhaenys and hugged her. "I hurt you… I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to. I promise. I… Baldie!"
Magnus then jumped on Aegon, the boy was a year older but the same size as Magnus.
"I'll never, never fight again. Never, really!"
Huh? What do you mean 'never'?
Wylis frowned, but said nothing. He watched the three kids settle their little matter, and he soon learned of Rhaenys' injury. She had sprained her ankle because Magnus was so heavy, and he'd jumped on her to snatch back the sword.
Wylis quickly checked her leg and made sure nothing was broken. Then, he sent a servant to Qyburn to bring some ointment for such injuries. Finally, he tied a strip of cloth to keep the area warm.
Before long, Magnus and Aegon started playing again, this time using only toys. The rule dictated that the small toys, unless specific gifts, belonged to all children. That way, no child felt left out without presents. Besides, Wylis always made them an equal number of toys.
He alone stood beside Rhaenys' pillow and passed his fingers through her brown hair. The girl giggled at his touch, enjoying the attention.
"You did well stopping them, Rhaenys."
"That means I get a reward?" Rhaenys cheekily grinned.
Wylis agreed right away. "What do you want?"
"A pony!"
"Fat little horses?" Wylis said, stroking his beard. "Well, I've no mind to refuse that. I'll even set Caliburn to train it proper. But hear me, Rhaenys. You'll start swinging practice swords and loosing arrows with me from this day on. I'll not have any child of mine unable to defend themselves."
"Really?!"
Somehow, Rhaenys was more excited to get to learn swords than the pony.
"I love you, papa!"
Oh, I'm melting.
Wylis failed to hide that big, proud, fatherly grin from his face, no matter how much he tried. He heard Lyanna and Elia giggle behind him and took a sigh of relief. He didn't want any friction between them because of the kids.
Finally, he turned to look at Elia as she stared back at him. For a few days now, he'd been feeling a strange tension in her whenever she was near him. She seemed lost in thought and too stiff, as if scared of saying or doing the wrong thing.
"My ladies. I'll return to my work."
"What happened to your leg, my lord?" Elia asked.
Wylis shrugged as he walked away. "Just a little folly."
####
King's Landing,
Chataya didn't have lovers, nor customers. She had left that life behind years ago. Yet, she never thought she'd find herself longing for a man. A very specific, tall man.
It had been over a year since Lord Kaiser's last visit to King's Landing. But still, it warmed her heart that she was in Lord Kaiser's thoughts. Her little establishment had grown in size because of the small loan Lord Kaiser gave her.
And now, her establishment received the ice at a highly discounted price, something she used to her advantage by luring more customers. Men and women visited her establishment not only for the pleasure of the bodies but also for the pleasure of the tongue.
A completely dedicated kitchen had to be set up for it, however. But it was an investment she happily made. Complete with an ice storage, they had quick ways to make iced refreshments to drink. Ice cream, however, remained a luxury that she had to purchase from House Kaiser's main shops in the city. Still, they came at a bargain for her.
Chataya was shocked when the first delivery arrived that time. No one knew of this new, strange trade of bringing ice down south, let alone all the food and drinks that came with it. She had received a handwritten letter first.
In it, Lord Kaiser asked her to make use of this luxury and expand her influence in the city and her business. She was confused at first, not very knowledgeable about making use of ice, as she was a Summer Islander.
But soon enough, she understood the sway it had. In the hot summer, it was a godsend. And in bedchambers, some men loved playing with little ice cubes. Some loved to rub them on women's bodies to get them to squeal. Some men loved to have it done on them.
Still, she hoped to meet Lord Kaiser soon.
Perhaps I should write to him.
Ting!
Once again, the bell of the door rang. She didn't stand at the reception; it was beneath her. But that day, she was there as this guest was special. The man was old and never asked for women or men in his chamber.
Rather, he would always ask for some cold refreshments and a place to sit. She always indulged him, taking him to her own living chamber and sitting with him to keep him company. It was enlightening to talk to him, as she would get to learn about the realm.
"Welcome, my lord."
"Oh, just Jon. That's who I am here. Now, I heard Wylis has created a nice ice-cream flavor?"
Yes, that was the Lord Hand, Jon Arryn's vice. Ice cream. And since she had them at the cheapest, her establishment was his favorite place to eat.
Not that she hated this.
Thank you for yet another gift, Wylis.
Being close to the Lord Hand was very helpful.
####
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Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Solo Dacey Mormont & Wylis X Elia NSFW art, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
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