Crossing the Maesters Bridge in Oldtown and then the King's Bridge, Bronn watched the majestic Hightower cast a shadow on the carriage he was traveling in. It was a behemoth, a miracle of mankind. The proof that the ancestors had surpassed what they were now.
The gigantic tower stood atop Battle Isle, a labyrinthine square fortress made of black stones. It looked gloomy. But atop it was the main tower, beautiful, with white or sandy stones adorned, countless balconies, countless windows, and at the very peak was the beacon that guided the ships.
"By the Seven, that is a fine piece of work," Bronn muttered, having accepted his kidnapping by now. "Tallest thing in the Seven Kingdoms."
"Casterly Rock is taller," said Baelor Hightower. "Yet that is but a mountain of stone. The Hightower is a true work of men, taller even than the Wall. And no, the Wall cannot be seen from its crown."
Bronn nodded, staring out of the window as they passed through a high gate and entered the black stone castle at the base of the tower. He understood why the past Hightower surrendered to Aegon now. Truly, the only threat to the castle was the Dragons. Nothing else could topple it otherwise.
And a mere septon will conquer it soon. He thought and looked at Leyton Hightower. And they'll smile, pray, and thank me as I take it.
Although his plan to enter Hightower's inner circle was initially different. He wanted to enter with respect and majesty. But his current situation wasn't bad either. They were clearly taking him to heal someone.
Soon enough, a middle-aged man, dressed in fine, full armor, opened the carriage door and saluted Leyton Hightower.
"My Lord, the maids have been isolated. You may visit your apartments."
Leyton Hightower got out of the carriage first. Then Bronn was nudged to move by Baelor. Soon enough, Bronn was made to walk between the father and son.
Seven shits! It's a fortress armed for war!
Bronn eyed the surroundings and found too many armed men. They looked regal, wearing shiny armors, capes, standing in their places as guards, some on horseback. The terraces were also manned.
"This way, Septon."
Soon enough, Leyton guided him into the castle's center, where a high-ceilinged hall awaited. It was airy, grand, and empty. The floor was tiled with dark stones. The hall was like a junction, as seven different hallways connected to it from seven sides. Clearly, Faith's influence on the House Hightower was high.
Oh? They've got one too.
He followed them into a box-like structure. It was a winch elevator, the same one that he'd seen inside the Citadel. But this one was far more beautiful and elegant, made of wood but polished to perfection, with carved designs, and the floor was glossy. Its walls were half solid, and the upper half had evenly spaced, boxed holes for air.
The ride was smooth, but long. It took forever to go up that wooden shaft.
Eventually, the elevator halted at the top floor. They opened the wooden half door and stepped out into the small hall. The place was different, more opulent. The floor was made of white marble, and the walls were painted, decorated with paintings, various armors, swords, or other items. Torches were evenly spaced. Guards were standing.
"Follow me."
Leyton Hightower moved. They went up a flight of stairs, one floor, then two. The small windows on the walls revealed how high they were. It was fear-inducing, stomach-churning. Everything looked so small.
However, they finally entered the last round hall. It had a Seven-Pointed Star on the floor, and only two doors, both opposite to one another on that circular wall.
"That's the apartments of the Lord of Hightower," Baelor told him, pointing at one of the doors. "And that is…"
"It was once my library, my solar, my hall of treasures," Lord Leyton said as he moved toward the door. "Blades, books, and wonders all about. Now my eldest daughter isolates in it… My precious Malora."
Bronn stared at the grand, carved door, a single panel, but it was large. He'd heard rumors about Malora Hightower from the Hedge Knight he'd partnered with. The woman, likely thirty, had locked herself for years at the top of the tower. It wasn't known why, but the rumors said she sought magic and spells of the old there. The folks in Oldtown called her the Mad Maid.
"Septon Bronn, you claimed that you can heal the wounds of the mind. That is why I have brought you here. Malora is my beloved daughter, my first daughter, the light of my early days. I held her on my knee, watched her laugh in these halls. Now they call her the Mad Maid, a cruel jest. I care not for her curiosity in the occult, for I, too, have sought such things, yet I would have her live. Walk with me once more, break bread with her brothers, bring laughter back to my table."
Leyton Hightower finally put a key into the hole and pushed open the door. Right away, a heavy scent of old books and wood blew towards them.
It was silent inside, but not dark, as the large hall had glass windows on the edges and glass-covered ventilation shafts on the ceiling. One could see the blazing beacon much higher, and it was likely to illuminate the hall even at night.
The hall was divided. One section was a library, floor to ceiling, big, long bookshelves lined there, each filled to the brim with books. Another part held all sorts of artifacts, ancient armors, and strange things. Finally, the third section had a grand table, a majestic chair, clearly the Lord's main table. But there were a few more tables around it, ordinary with common wooden chairs.
At one of those tables, a woman's figure was visible. She was hunched forward, her face almost entirely plastered in the open book; many more books surrounded her. She seemed unaware of anyone there, just mumbling to herself.
That's the Mad Maid?
Bronn eyed the woman. She seemed rather curvy, but not fat. She was dressed in a dark blue gown with white highlights, a white scarf on her neck, and a pointy hat on her head. Her dirty-blonde hair was a visible mess. But her face wasn't visible.
Baelor casually walked into the hall, as if he'd done it too many times. He went to the table and grabbed the books randomly thrown around. Then he stacked them in the bookshelves. It was clearly not his first time.
She's still being taken care of. Bronn thought, slightly envious and more annoyed, seeing them act so kind to a lunatic. Of course, bloodline decided one's treatment by nobility in the world.
"She won't react to any of us." Lord Leyton said and moved beside Malora's chair. "She hears nothing, reacts to nothing, speaks of nothing. She only eats when she finishes reading."
Bronn walked to the other side of the chair and took a better look. Her face was pale, sickly pale, but as always, her noble upbringing made her skin impeccable. She wasn't that beautiful, however, but still good-looking. Her eyes were slightly sunken, grey, her nose sharp, high cheekbones, lips were very thin and dry. Her fingers each held rings, each with a different design.
Fine tits.
In that gown, most of her skin wasn't visible, and her scarf covered her neck, but he saw the voluminous swells on her chest.
"What would you have me do, my Lord?" Bronn finally asked them. "Best speak plain. The Seven do not fancy riddles, and I am their ears here."
"Of course." Lord Leyton exclaimed, not an ounce of doubt about Bronn left. He'd seen Bronn heal open wounds and his back pain. "Heal her mind now, Septon. Bring her back to me, back to the light. I'll heap gold at your feet, titles if you wish, anything. Only make her whole once more."
Seven cunts! I could use some gold.
But Bronn just smiled and rested his hand on Malora's shoulder. She didn't react. "I'm but a servant of the Seven, my Lord. The Mother and the Maiden give their blessing, not for me to chase coin or titles. It's to spread the word of the Gods and the warmth of their love. It's for me to carry their word and their care. Once my part is done, all offerings are accepted, a grain of sand or a penny."
Lord Leyton stared at Bronn with deep reverence, his big eyes marked with worship.
Then, Bronn looked down at the woman. He honestly didn't know where to start with her. She wasn't even reacting. He tried to shake her body, even covered the book so she couldn't read. She would just frown and smack his hand away.
Hmm… Maybe a sharp, bloody shock might just stir her up.
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