Chapter 65: Truth
The Narrow Sea rolled restless under a piss-poor sky, grey waves slapping ships hull like old grudges. Artos braced at the prow, cloak stiff with salt crust, staring west where Westeros crouched vague on the swell. Rick cut the murk overhead, screeching now and then—free bird mocking the caged wolf. Below, his Brutes griped through seasick guts, Waymar muttering over lost Braavosi coin, artos's Men scowling like a they have lost thier entertainment which was coming very close to them. North hauled him back—Rogar's news crawling him from inside, Greatjon's raven festering in his head—but feelings tangled worse than nets. I Loved the North bone-deep, weirwoods and wind-howls, but return soured like bad mead. Guilt came first: pissed off for the abandoning kin, left Ned holding Winterfell solo, I have missed Benjen siring brats , Robb and Jon grown enough to grip sticks or swords. Regret gnawed, aye—but Essos? Fuck, Braavos canals, Seraphine's laugh, Valyrian steel humming at hip. Brave leap or coward run? Nobody knew till Stranger called. Paths blind, men trudged 'em bleeding, called it life. Nobody knows what a right or what a wrong decision is until the very end.
Artos sighed heavy, breath clouding knife-edge air.
Seraphine ghosted up beside, furs swallowing her frame—his cloak, too big, wind tugging dark strands free. "So what chews you serious, Hal? Face like you're shitting thorns."
"Nothing really," he grunted.
She grinned teeth-bared, Essosi bold cutting Braavosi silk.
"Oh really now? Making that face like you're holding your shit a week."
Artos barked laugh, raw gust-lost. "Foul talk for a lady, I say."
"Well what can I do, I am in the company of the foulest mercenaries in the realm?" she shot back, eyes dancing.
"Who you calling foul, my lady? We're the politest bastards breathing in the realm," Artos said, sarcasm thick.
"Yeah sure, I believe you, Hal," she snorted.
He laughed proper then, wind tearing it. After some thought he made a decision
"Well, one thing I was thinking—tell you more about myself."
"Really? Most private prick in the Essos opens up about himself. Miracle do happens," Seraphine japed.
"Oh, I just don't want you shocked when we hit North," Artos said.
"Shocked?" Her brow arched fine.
"Aye, well back North... I'm kind of important. Well so don't be shocked and It will be embarassing really."
Seraphine tilted head. "Oh really? I am guessing here A rebellion hero. You told me bits about your history."
"Aye, somewhat right, but not only that. Um I am a Noble in the North. You are right about war i leaded the Troops in the war and was Commander of the portion of the troops."
Shock hit true—eyes wide, breath caught. "Uhm, really? I Thought you are lucky,simple but smart man and honest man." Some truth she believes in and some in sarcasm
"I am honest, my lady." He grinned crooked. "You really think one simple fuck who is lucky gets this rich, this quick? Really?"
"I mean, mercenaries—"
"Man with nothing turns filthy rich? These are Street dramas for Bravosi smallfolk, fooling 'em while magisters fuck their arses. Don't tell me you swallow that shit." Artos said laughing
"No but—" Seraphine fumbled, thrown.
"Well, think for a second even mercenaries who get paid like me would they afford hundreds of thousand gold on daggers? I Need to be filthy rich and connected to piss knows who to arrange that sum casually. Money from trade, not just wars. Wars pay good, but not hundreds of thousands saved in three-four years to blow in a whimsy. That's noble and Merchants vaults. I started on a pedestal and i broke that pedestal with brute force . There's difference between some commoner and me even without my family power."
Seraphine nodded slow, piecing. "I get it. Kind of obvious. It is a fault of Oblivious me. I never really think about regarding you too much in that way."
"Aye, so back topic I am a noble, so don't get shock in my status in North-side."
"Alright, I will try not to get shocked," she smiled.
"Why you grinning like that?" Artos eyed wary.
"Well, you're honest man so i will do the same with you. Makes convincing Father easier for us."
Artos reeled—bold jump, her Essosi fire flaring. "Well... don't know what say, but pleasure, my lady."
"Also one thing more: name's Artos. Real one."
"Artos, huh. Fake name also , can't say I am totally shocked at this point. It's a Nice name Exotic even. Why change?"
"Tribute to one I owe. It's a Common North name where I grew—blends, so it beomes easy to hide . So that's why I chose that name"
Seraphine leaned rail, Rick stooping to perch her arm, nuzzling traitorous. Wind howled, Westeros swelling iron teeth on horizon. Talk hung raw—truth spilled like blood from vein. Artos felt lighter, guilt's knot loosening. North loomed: Rogar's ghost, Greatjon's bear-roar, Ned's judge-grey stare. Missed kin sharp now—Benjen's new brood, Sansa's first steps, Robb's boy-laughs, Jon's stories .
Essos gave gold, steel, Seraphine peeling scars gentle. Regret? Aye. But path chosen, no turning mid-stride.
"You are a noble then why you become a Mercenaries and Hid that under the ame Hal?"
"Aye. Complications. Family spat. I had some disagreement with my brother I bit back. Fled east. Essos are home to opportunities."
Seraphine digested, gaze steady. "And now? past pulls you home. Mending?"
"Don't know." Artos hawked salt. "Guilt .Fear. Unpredictable. But Essos doesn't seem boring... Freedom. Coin. You laughing over wine, Rick simping feet. Gods laugh at me at my circumstances." Artos said and moves to his chamber where he lays and rest for the night.
Seraphine Valen still curious about Artos past but she knows Artos would not tell anymore about him. He is wierd like that and She knows . That's why she is going to someone who could.
Seraphine goes to the man who is always following Artos like a shadow" Waymar. Are you free to talk right now. I was hoping if we could have a conversation."
Waymar suprised that Lady Valen has come to talk to him at this moment. He has observed Lady Valen for a long time and he had seen Lady Valen regularly in this journey past days. He knows how how deliberate the woman was." Aye , My lady. It would be my pleasure."
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