Skyrim System In Westeros

The next day, Barristan Selmy approached Wright.

"During our training, did you hold back against me?"

"I held back a little, yes. I didn't use any magic, either," Wright admitted honestly.

"Your strength seems sufficient now. It's time for you to begin training in horseback combat and jousting."

In the months that followed, Barristan began teaching Wright riding skills and lance techniques. Jaime joined their foot combat training sessions, which gradually expanded to include various weapons: warhammers, spears, bows, and arrows. Wright also employed the techniques he had learned in Dorne, such as using whips, throwing knives, and daggers. The three often trained until they were drenched in sweat, each pushing the others to improve their martial skills.

Ser Boros and Ser Meryn, still humiliated from earlier defeats, avoided the training sessions. The other Kingsguard members, each with their unique temperaments, opted not to join either.

During one such break, Wright observed Jaime as he drank from a water flask.

One of his objectives in coming to King's Landing was to obtain Jaime's blood and confirm whether Joffrey was truly Robert's son. Simply accusing Joffrey of being illegitimate without evidence would accomplish nothing; no one would believe him. Hair color alone wasn't definitive proof and could easily backfire, branding him as a slanderer.

He had once managed to collect Jaime's blood during a sparring match in which Jaime was injured. However, much to his disappointment, Jaime and Robert had the same blood type. His theory disproven, Wright would need to devise another plan.

Despite this, Wright and Jaime had developed a good rapport, and Jaime had grown even more skilled than in the original timeline. Whether this was good or bad remained uncertain.

Jaime noticed Wright staring at him.

"At this point, I doubt anyone in the realm could stand against you. If Ser Arthur Dayne were still alive, he might give you a proper fight. And you're only eleven."

"The Sword of the Morning was indeed formidable," Barristan interjected after a sip of water. "With his ancestral sword, Dawn, in hand, even I couldn't best him."

Wright wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel.

"I saw Ser Arthur once when I was younger at Storm's End. Back then, I was too small to do more than watch him spar with others. His skill was extraordinary, but it must have been frustrating for him to always let Prince Rhaegar win when they sparred."

Hearing this, Jaime's admiration for Wright deepened, as it aligned with his own high regard for Arthur Dayne. Both Jaime and Barristan, having personally witnessed Rhaegar and Arthur's prowess, chuckled at the memory of Arthur deliberately losing to the prince.

The mention of the Targaryens, however, left the two knights in an awkward silence, given the delicate nature of their history.

"It doesn't matter," Wright said, breaking the tension. "They're all part of history now, confined to stories and books. There's nothing to tiptoe around."

He added, "Besides, I'm not the only one to achieve remarkable feats at a young age. Over a hundred years ago, someone became a knight at just twelve due to their valor in battle."

Jaime and Barristan exchanged curious glances, unable to recall any such figure. They urged Wright to elaborate.

"This piece of history dates back over a century," Wright began, "to the Blackfyre Rebellion, when the bastard branch of House Targaryen rose against the crown. Much of this history was deliberately erased from later chronicles. However, I've read original accounts in the Citadel and cross-referenced them. There was indeed such a person—Daemon Blackfyre."

"I remember reading about Valyrian steel swords when I was younger, back home. In the section about the Blackfyre sword, Daemon Blackfyre was briefly mentioned—just one line. It said he took the sword to Essos, but nothing about his deeds or life," Jaime remarked.

Wright continued discussing Daemon Blackfyre, recounting how he was knighted at the age of twelve due to his bravery and skill. Wielding the ancestral sword Blackfyre, he was called a warrior reborn and became an idol for young men training in martial arts throughout the realm. However, his rebellion led to his death on the battlefield, struck down by a volley of arrows loosed by his half-brother, Brynden Rivers, the Bloodraven. The rebellion sparked decades of chaos, leaving Jaime and Barristan sighing at the tragedy.

Wright told the tale to subtly remind Jaime of the dangers bastards posed to royal succession. Whether Jaime understood the message remained unclear.

\---

One day in 289 AC, Wright was practicing horseback riding in the training yard when the horns of the Red Keep sounded—a signal summoning the king's court for an urgent council.

Such summons were rare. Routine matters were handled by the small council alone. A summons for all nobles and officials in King's Landing signaled something truly significant.

In the Great Hall, King Robert awaited on the Iron Throne, with the key members of his small council already present. Courtiers, nobles, and officials filtered in, taking their places according to rank and station. As Lord of Antlers, Wright had the privilege of attending and stood quietly in his designated spot.

Once the room was nearly full, Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, stepped forward with a letter in hand. He read it aloud in a grave tone:

"Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands has declared independence from the Seven Kingdoms. He has crowned himself King of the Iron Islands and proclaimed his rule to the realm."

The hall erupted in a cacophony of disbelief and outrage.

"Silence!" Jon Arryn bellowed.

"Your Grace, this is an act of treason! We must immediately muster our forces and march against this rebellion," Jon declared.

The gathered lords and officials began voicing their opinions, deliberating strategy. Given the naval nature of the rebellion, it was decided that the royal fleet under Stannis Baratheon, the fleet of Lannisport, and the ships of House Hightower and the Arbor would form the main naval force. The armies of the Westerlands and the Reach would focus on coastal defense. Meanwhile, the North and the Riverlands, despite their limited ships, would join as the landing force accompanying the fleets.

As plans solidified, Wright seized an opportune moment to step forward and address the Hand.

"Lord Hand, may I ask how house Greyjoy will be dealt with once we've won this war? They are guilty of treason."

The room fell silent, surprised by Wright's unexpected intervention. For over a year, he had been known to remain aloof and disengaged during council meetings. Even Robert looked intrigued.

Jon replied firmly, "According to the laws of the realm, treason is punishable by death."

Robert, however, seemed less resolute. He had a habit of forgiving his enemies after battles, inviting them to share a drink and swear fealty. But this time was different—the Greyjoys were pirates, not lords of castles and lands. They lived by raiding, plundering, and pillaging. They couldn't simply be reformed with promises of loyalty.

Wright continued, looking directly at Robert.

"The Greyjoys have led this rebellion under their house's words: 'We Do Not Sow'. This motto reflects an outdated philosophy—a refusal to cultivate and sustain their own lands, relying instead on endless raiding. Such ideals bring nothing but ruin to coastal cities. A pirate king is no longer fit to rule the Iron Islands."

Nobles along the western coasts of the continent began to voice their agreement, their lands often plagued by Ironborn raiders. The Riverlands, in particular, which had once fallen under Ironborn dominion, expressed their outrage.

Wright continued, "We must respect the customs of the Ironborn. Their current king was chosen through a kingsmoot. After our victory, we should align with their traditions and hold another kingsmoot to end the era of pirate rule."

Turning to Stannis, Wright asked, "Master of Ships, would you say the Ironborn are excellent sailors?"

"They are," Stannis replied curtly.

"It is also the King's duty to ensure the prosperity of his subjects. The Ironborn would serve well as sailors in the royal fleet," Wright concluded, stepping back into the crowd. His purpose had been achieved.

The small council deliberated the matter with Robert, eventually deciding that Balon Greyjoy and his key commanders would be executed. Major participants in the rebellion would be sent to the Night's Watch.

---

Over the next three weeks, armies from across Westeros began to mobilize and converge on the western coasts. Stannis led the royal fleet to the Arbor, where it joined with the fleets of the Reach.

Meanwhile, Robert received a letter from Tywin Lannister: the port of Lannisport had been attacked by the Ironborn, and their fleet had been nearly destroyed. Furious over the assault on his in-laws lands, Robert decided to lead the campaign personally. He marched westward with the Kingsguard, 1,500 Gold Cloaks, and 4,000 Crownlands soldiers. Along the way, more noble banners joined his host.

Wright and Renly accompanied the army. The Stormlands were too distant to muster their full strength quickly, so Renly brought 500 Stormland cavalry under the command of Ser Selwyn Tarth. Their task was to move swiftly along the coast, intercepting Ironborn raiding parties or those attempting to retreat inland. Renly's main duty, however, was to stay close to Robert and ensure his safety.

Renly, now wealthy from his investments, had commissioned a custom suit of armor and rode ahead to show it off to Wright.

"Mages should wear heavy armor, because their magic power will eventually run out." Wright warned Renly, and Renly looked at Wright in his casual clothes.

"Then why aren't you wearing armor?"

"My magic reserves are ten times greater than yours."

Renly, rendered speechless, could only glare at him.

Pointing to the sword strapped to Wright's saddle, Renly asked, "Where did you get that longsword? You never used to carry a weapon."

"I had it made by a smith in King's Landing. It's crafted with the same materials and techniques as the Kingsguard's swords, just a bit shorter."

Noticing Renly's nervousness about his first battle, Wright reminded him of their past training. "Remember when we practiced ice magic at Storm's End, out at sea?"

Renly nodded. "Of course. If we fell overboard, we were to quickly shed our armor and freeze the water into an ice sheet to rest on."

"Good. Don't forget it," Wright said.

Wright then noticed a boy trailing their column—Loras Tyrell, not yet ten name day. Like other squires, Loras was assigned to rearward support duties, but as Renly's squire, he would stay close to his knight on the battlefield. Wright warned him, "You're not wearing armor, and your clothes are too conspicuous. Watch out for arrows. Once aboard, find yourself a shield."

"Thank you, I'll be careful," Loras replied, his fine garments hinting at his family's wealth. Though he technically worked as a squire, his status meant most of the labor fell to others under his command.