Eagle of the Valley of Ice and Fire

Chapter 196 The High Sparrow and the Knight

Dense mist floats on the surface of Shenyan Lake, and the sun lies in it as if enjoying itself. The scorching orange sunlight on its body has faded away, as if it has merged with the mist.

Militao woke up from his sleep in the tent set up on the shore for the seventh time. He stood alone by the lake and admired the scenery rarely seen elsewhere. He didn't make any sound and was quietly immersed in the silence.

The blade of his long sword was exposed, lying horizontally under a bush of grass. The morning dew dripped along the grass blades and dripped on the surface of the long sword, "tick-tick-tick."

Looking at the scene in front of him, Militan thought of the kitchen helper in Darry City who swore to be his squire and become a knight. He remembered that the young man's hometown was from the Tower Bridge area of ​​Harrenhal.

The blurry sunlight gradually moved up. When the sun emerged from the mist, the village behind him would become completely busy, and there would be the sound of pounding clothes and mixing porridge everywhere.

Suddenly, Militan felt a touch of warmth on his right shoulder. He turned around hastily and saw that Sir Theodore approached him at some point and put his palm on his right shoulder.

"The High Sparrow you have longed for is back," Theodore said. "Bless the Seven Gods. I hope he can help you resolve your confusion."

Militan noticed that the rainbow cloak that Sir Theodore was wearing was brand new and even retained the smell of dye.

He nodded slightly and walked in the direction directed by Theodore.

When he opened the wooden door, he saw the believer dragging the dye vat towards the outside of the house. There was a slight sound of liquid sloshing at the bottom of the vat. Militan glanced briefly and saw that there was still some colored dye liquid inside.

Militan silently walked around the believers and walked towards the innermost part.

The messy gray hair caught the eye first, followed by the pair of thick calloused feet. The High Sparrow squatted on the ground devoutly, quietly staring at the seven-sided sculpture carved on the clay slab in front of him. idol.

A simple and monotonous piece of clothing was worn on his body and tied tightly around his waist. Militang looked carefully and found that it was a white woolen coat. Apparently this single coat had been rinsed too many times, and the High Sparrow had worn it out over the years. The grime from the missionary trek had become integrated with the outer garments.

Militan lowered his head, "Jade was entangled in a spider web," his guilt suddenly grew in front of the High Sparrow, and he lowered his head angrily, "I didn't take him seriously."

The High Sparrow turned around, with a look of disbelief on his face, "Little Jade who stole my sesame cakes?" The whites of his eyes were mostly cloudy, and in Militang's eyes there seemed to be an accusation hidden in them.

"I am." Militan couldn't hear his own voice, as if he was in a silent black hole, sinking and falling, waiting for the judgment of falling to the ground and being shattered into pieces.

The High Sparrow closed his eyes dejectedly, "Poor child," he crossed his hands and stroked his chest, as if repenting, "I will pray for him, and hope that my sins can be alleviated." Then he faced the clay statue again, bowing his head. language.

Militan moved closer to the High Sparrow and said, "Spider wants me to send you a message. I hope you can meet with him in King's Landing as soon as possible to discuss."

The High Sparrow shook his head silently, "His hands are full of blood, the blood of innocents and civilians."

"The spider has discovered our traces. If you don't agree," Militan raised his voice slightly, but quickly stopped. He looked around, approached the High Sparrow again, and whispered: "We need to leave the Riverlands as soon as possible, Ah. The Vale Cavalry of Tis Arryn are all here, and if it is discovered that the nobles of the Green Fork have been recruited by Sparrow, our efforts will most likely be wiped out in the blink of an eye."

Varys's little birds are everywhere. Now that he has discovered the traces of the sparrow, there is no guarantee that he does not know the sparrow's plan in the riverlands.

Seeing that the High Sparrow did not respond, Militan spoke again: "Jade sent someone away for Spider. The eunuch's time is running out. He took the initiative to leave a clue. This is sincerity."

The High Sparrow put down his clasped hands in prayer and placed them on his knees. He turned to look at Militan, "The spider has more than two legs, and he will prepare an escape route for himself at any time." He sighed softly, "But in the end, with We are all mortals, and we cannot escape death, even if we run to the end of the world."

He put his hand on Militan's forehead, "I can't imagine it without you, Ser Militan Darry." The High Sparrow turned to look at the round window on the side, where several civilian children were playing and playing outside. "We sparrows may not be able to find their way home."

Militan's eyes were pious and firm, "My soul was redeemed by the Seven Gods. This is my duty, the duty of a knight." He tapped his lips and forehead with his hands, smiling at the High Sparrow. The High Sparrow nodded slightly, "Send Sir Theodore in. I need to discuss things with him."

Militan knew that he wanted to explain some current affairs. He stood up and walked out of the door slowly.

After a while, Sir Theodore walked into the room and sat next to the High Sparrow. His rainbow-colored cloak was very eye-catching.

"Theodore is too ostentatious," the High Sparrow reluctantly persuaded. "The armed forces of the cult are not legal. We have not received the support of the king. You are only willing to abide by the doctrine and come to protect civilians affected by the war. They are not soldiers. Son of the Knight"

"Knights who abide by the doctrine and apply holy oil are all warriors blessed by the Seven Gods. They can all be knights who are the sons of warriors. It's just that some are still deceived and some are not sober." Theodore looked calm and was not worried about the High Sparrow. Moved by the words.

"You are the most troublesome," the High Sparrow said with some reproach. "Brother Walter took it upon himself to lead his followers into the Eagle's Nest alone." A look of remorse appeared on his face again. "It seems that his life is in danger now, alas."

A hint of anger suddenly flashed across Theodore's brows, "If the believers hadn't walked in groups, I'm afraid the Valley People would have found our shelter soon. In short, the Riverlands have become better than before. It’s even more dangerous. No one knows whether Attis Arryn will notice us. Don’t forget that there are all kinds of pagans surrounding him. It’s still unknown how the red-robed woman will encourage the Duke!" He held his hand. The hand holding the crystal sword hilt worked harder, and a circle of white appeared on the palm.

"I believe that the soul of Duke Attis is pure and will not be moved by heretics," the High Sparrow said pitifully. "I only hope that he can abandon the mistakes he has made and take the initiative to atone for his sins."

The High Sparrow stood up slowly, and Theodore stretched out his hand to caress him.

"The pagans are indeed hateful, but the more important person is the king," said the High Sparrow. "We still have to go to King's Landing. That is our goal. There is the blessed land of the Seven Gods. Only in King's Landing can the ungodly become Pious.”

Theodore nodded silently. Only by becoming an archbishop and being recognized by the Iron Throne can he truly exert influence.

"What about the monks and knights we left in the villages in the Riverlands?" Theodore asked hesitantly. He came here from Dorne and had been operating in the Riverlands for too long.

"Sparrows are harmless creatures, too small and weak for other beasts," the High Sparrow taught softly. "If they just leave the forest to fly in singles and pairs, sooner or later they will become food for others. They cannot leave the forest. Nor can we lose our unity.”

Theodore sighed slightly, "Sir Militan Darry's management in King's Landing is also very good, but this group of knights is missing."

"That's enough," the High Sparrow smiled slightly, "I will go to King's Landing with Sir Militan first. You stay here and wait for the time to come before heading to King's Landing."

Theodore frowned, "I thought we had to get rid of the woman in red robe first."

"Sparrows are powerful only when they gather together," the High Sparrow said to Theodore, with a helpless look on his face, "but you also saw how our Duke treated the sparrows who gathered together, which is dangerous."

Theodore stood silently, his face tense.

"But the Knights of the Green Fork are not willing to leave," Theodore began. "I promised them."

"On the basis of success," the High Sparrow interrupted Theodore, "I hope you can understand." He looked at Theodore's tense face, knowing in his heart that this might not be able to convince the knight in front of him.

The believers and monks who follow him tend to obey him because of the trust and admiration they have gained over the years. However, Sir Theodore has obviously always had his own opinions on the creed of the Seven Gods, and he can also restrain the knights who support the Sparrow. After all, most of them are frustrated. When he was in despair, he was persuaded by Theodore, who had been rooted in the riverlands for several years, and did not obey him.

Theodore stared at the High Sparrow in silence and nodded stiffly.

The High Sparrow knew that his words might not be believed, so he shook his head slightly, "May the Seven Gods grant you wisdom, and don't let down those who trust you." He pushed open the wooden door and walked out.

(End of this chapter)