Chapter 69: Ser Simon's Ambition (Part 1)
Seeing Daeron Grafton suddenly disappear into the reeds, the knight from House Fossoway, commanding the Wilder cavalry, immediately dispatched six men to pursue him.
He then personally led the remaining troops in an assault on the rear of the Whitewalls ghost caravan, instantly placing the bandits under attack from both sides.
With their leader, Ser Daeron, nowhere to be seen, the bandits, save for a few veteran men around Ser Shalit, quickly began to flee into the reeds.
Daeron Grafton followed Roll through the reeds, quickly outpacing the disoriented pursuers.
Roll, familiar with Wilder's deployment of troops in the reeds, guided Daeron around the abandoned fishing village and onto a riverbank east of it.
A fishing boat sat on the riverbank, and Roll led Daeron aboard before heading north.
Of course, Ian couldn't personally rescue Ser Daeron. He was working with Wilder and the others as a sort of advisor, and therefore had been staying in the safest position in the abandoned fishing village.
If he suddenly disappeared, it would inevitably raise numerous questions.
In contrast, Roll, whom Ian had already positioned on the outskirts of the reeds, became the most suitable person to rescue Ser Daeron.
He simply had to have Roll restrain Ser Daeron while he found an opportunity to meet him as soon as possible.
"You're safe, Ser Daeron," Roll said to the terrified Ser Daeron after the fishing boat had drifted a few dozen yards from shore.
"Thank you, ser," Ser Daeron gasped and hurriedly expressed his gratitude. He didn't address Roll as "Ser," as he was only wearing simple brigandine.
This was Ian's arrangement, so that even if Wilder's men saw Roll from a distance, they wouldn't associate him with "Old Dog," the squire who always wore light green full plate beside Ser Lucien.
"Ser, you saved my life. You're a warrior. I should knight you."
"You should thank my master. He saved you," Roll bluntly rejected Daeron's offer.
"Well then, where is your master, Ser Simon?" Daeron asked. "I have many questions for him to answer!"
Although he had been rescued by Ser Simon's man, Simon, who should have been fully aware of Wilder and his men's actions, bore primary responsibility for their current predicament.
Daeron felt it necessary to understand how the Darry bastard had bungled things so badly.
"Ser Simon? The traitor? He betrayed us. He led Wilder and his men to attack the fishing village prematurely and got Ser Aris killed."
"What did you say? Aris is dead?!" Daeron was shocked and took a step back, nearly falling into the water. He staggered several times until Roll reached out to steady him.
"And didn't you say you were Ser Simon's man? Why are you saying Simon betrayed us?" Daeron asked suspiciously.
"My master is Ser Ian Rivers, another brother of Ser Aris," Roll explained.
"I've never heard Aris mention such a brother!" Daeron's eyes grew even more wary.
"Ser Ian wasn't born to Ser Aris and Ser Simon's mother. It wasn't until six months ago that Ser Raymund introduced Ser Ian to Ser Aris and his family, but Ser Aris and Ser Simon have been reluctant to acknowledge this brother."
"Aris is a proud man. If he's unwilling to acknowledge Ian Rivers, then that only proves his bastard brother is worthless." Daeron snorted, but then realized his words weren't quite appropriate. He'd just been saved, and now he'd turned around and called his rescuer's master worthless. It was somewhat unseemly.
He wanted to apologize, but his pride as a high lord prevented him from uttering that word to a lowly servant. Fortunately, Roll didn't let him dwell on it for long.
"Of course, that was only at the beginning. As they spent time together, Ser Aris gradually changed his attitude toward Ser Ian." This was Roll's improvisation. Ian had the confidence to entrust such an important task to Roll because he was truly clever.
"Then why didn't Aris tell me about this brother?"
"I don't know, ser," Roll shook his head. "Perhaps you should discuss these matters with my master in person."
"Where is your master? Is he waiting for us on the north bank?"
"No, he's hiding from Ser Simon's men. I don't know where he is now, but once he evades Simon's hunters, he'll naturally come to the north bank to find us."
"Why is Ser Simon hunting him? And why did Ser Simon betray us?"
"It's a long tale. Ser Aris revealed your plan to my master and Ser Simon not long ago."
"Aris swore not to tell anyone." Daeron interrupted Roll.
"Oh, I don't know about that. Anyway, he did reveal it. After all, they are Ser Aris's brothers, aren't they?"
Daeron nodded reluctantly, accepting this explanation.
"Ser Simon expressed strong opposition to the plan at the time. He was terrified of the possible consequences of this affair."
"That does sound like Simon. He's always been a coward. This is why I made Aris swear not to tell anyone beforehand. He still trusted his brother too much. Then what?"
"Then Ser Aris successfully persuaded Simon to agree to continue supporting your plan, but no one expected that Ser Simon would turn around and betray Ser Aris, choosing to inform Wilder and the others.
My master speculated that Ser Simon did this to gain favor with the Iron Throne. After all, as long as Ser Simon personally testified that Ser Raymund Darry personally led the rebellion, his father and brother would be executed for treason.
And then, as a loyal supporter of House Baratheon who would sacrifice his own kin for justice, King Robert would certainly grant him the Darry name and let him inherit Darry."
"Bastard!" Ser Daeron cursed on the spot.
"This naturally makes my master a thorn in Ser Simon's side. So he asked me to rescue you for another important reason: he needs your help."
"But I've already lost my cavalry. I don't know how else I can help him?" Daeron's words faltered. Though he'd repeatedly expressed his gratitude and acknowledged his life-debt, when Roll asked him for help, his first reaction was to refuse.
(End of Chapter)
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