Chapter 111: 111- Celebrations everywhere.
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There was no update today, but I'm happy. I just bought with my own money the clothes I'll wear on December 24th and 31st, For those who don't know, my mother is Colombian, and there is a deep-rooted culture of wearing new clothes in December. As for the 31st, it's my birthday. It may not seem like a big deal, but for someone like me, who is barely 16 years old and can already help out around the house, even with internet or electricity bills. It's a joy. And I know I couldn't do this without your support. And I thank you for that.
~~~Third Person, 277 A.C~~~
~~~Tournament grounds, Westerland~~~
Two days after Azrael's long-awaited arrival in Westerland, the tournament was in preparations to begin, around Casterly Rock stood over five thousand tents, of men from all the kingdoms, even the Lord of Bear Island, Jeor Mormont, The lord of one of the northernmost lands in Westeros, came down south to attend the wedding of Tywin Lannister, a man many believed would never remarry.
While many had decided to attend in the spirit of gaining more contacts, information, and favors with the most powerful people in Westeros, the vast majority only came for the gold that would be given to the winners of the tournament, for while they had not been there when Azrael unveiled the exorbitant reward, the idea had already come to light, and many were looking to get more gold than they would spend in their lifetimes.
So far, no Xandarians would participate in the tournament, much to the chagrin of many who wanted to see the Essosi mastery of weapons. But the moment passed when the tournament finally began.
The first to be organized was the archery, which was won by a man from the Summer Isles, who was in the service of House Martell, the man was black and stout, more than two meters tall, and with his bow of gold heart, he managed to get the incredible sum of thirteen thousand gold coins, since in addition to the prize that the Xandarian crown offered, Tywin also gave a prize.
But that act alone managed to encourage the people's hearts, since many more, despite having spent the day registering for the tournament, wanted to do so after seeing the substantial prize.
Amid the celebrations, House Lannister continued to offer wine and food, and provide for the needs of their guests, with the gold dropping with each passing minute, but Tywin didn't care.
Otherwise, the atmosphere could be felt very cheerful and convivial, even if there had been several small clashes between the Xandarians and the Westerosi, partly due to many curious men wishing to get a closer look at the Wyverns and Endoxes, who had never left the center of the Dothraki camp.
This caused many Dothraki, who themselves came from a rough and pragmatic culture, to become annoyed with the failed attempts of those men who sought to sneak into the camp. Luckily, nothing serious had happened so far, but who knew what might happen, as the Dothraki's patience for dealing with the Westerosi was growing short.
And today, the gambling game organized by Azrael with the help of Lady Janna would take place. The event was organized in a huge meadow, which had 'magically' grown, with the help of bone dust, the Xandarian organizers had made fresh grass grow in the former sandy wasteland.
On top of that, a coliseum-like structure had been erected, only this one only had a huge oval fence, capable of holding over ten thousand people, the royal podium was situated on the larger left side of the fence, with two rectangular platforms at each north and south end of the fence.
The nobles were already arriving at the site, dressed in their most expensive garments, with luxury showing everywhere you looked, and the Xandarians, being the organizers, could not have done anything that was not above expectations, with the wooden butts that held the platform where Azrael and the others would sit lined with chains made of gold or silver, even the chairs for the royal family and Azrael and Valka were made of gold.
In the place, there were two betting places, one for the common people standing behind the fence that prevented them from entering the arena, as well as one on the platform for the nobles to bet. The event consisted of wyvern fighting.
But it was not a pitched fight to the death or anything like that, but ten riders would compete along with their mounts, and each fight would be between two, for this, each would get on one of the two platforms located north and south of the oval fence, and once a bell rang, they would rise to a low height and strung out in a fight to knock the opponent to the ground.
Around the fence, there were posts at a height of ten meters high, which held a net made of spider silk, which covered the whole fighting oval like a net at ten meters high.
The web was covered with a blood-red dye, and if one of the two wyverns touched it, the dye would show it, and so the one who touched it and consequently knocked it down would lose.
All the lords had taken their seats, with the herald announcing their names once they arrived, the lords of Storm's End were chatting animatedly with the lords of the Vale, Doran was talking low with his brother Oberyn, and Lord Rickard was conversing with a Tywin with an ever-serious expression.
As for Aerys and his family, they were having a spirited chat with Azrael and Valka.
"Distinguished lords present, kings and people of all Westeros!" Soon enough, the herald began to read a document that was handed to him, going on to explain the event that would take place and the stakes, filling the atmosphere with anticipation and festivities. "Without further ado, let us begin, and may luck favor you!"
Before long, several roars were heard from the sky, and moments later ten huge figures descended from the somewhat cloudy sky and landed on a part of the fence where the spiders' silken web did not cover it. With two of the riders leading their mounts to the starting platform.
All the riders wore full body armor, to safeguard the riders' integrity, and strong chains attached them to the saddles. Getting good mobility without fear of falling off the beasts' backs.
"DIN DON!" The bell rang, and the betting period having closed, both riders controlled their beasts and rose again. Both guided their wyverns to circle each other and analyze each other. Looking for an opportunity to throw their opponent against the net to win.
Once they had devised their tactics, they both pulled on their leashes and cracked their whips, and the two beasts launched into combat. Javon, Scar's rider, guided his mount to get close enough and then lunged backward.
And the ever-obedient beast followed the given orders. Once the two were close enough, Scar lunged downward, and being in the air with his chest to the sky, he managed to swoop past and grab his opponent's tail with his claws.
In the Xandarian army, riders along with their mounts were taught how to evade arrows, scorpion bolts, and the most important things of physics shown by Azrael himself to make the efficiency of flight much better.
So they were perfect machines for fighting in the air, so Zarce, Julius' wyvern, and Javon's opponent. When he felt his tail being gripped tightly, he didn't hesitate for a second and folded his wings and body, bringing his jaws close to Scar's paws.
Scar let go of Zarce's tail in time to avoid being bitten, but Zarce was not about to pass up the opportunity, and flapping wildly, he caught Scar in mid-air, crashing into him and starting a tooth-and-claw fight.
The nobles and little people alike were shocked in equal parts, not quite understanding the level of excitement coursing through their veins. The fact is, they had never in their lives seen such an event. Many thought of the Dance of Dragons that took place over a hundred years ago with the Targaryen dragons, wondering if this was what those legendary battles told in the books were like, but with more blood and fire involved.
"And the winner is Javon and his mount Scar, congratulations to those who bet on them!" shouted the herald once the combat was over, with Zarce on the ground with several wounds on his legs and wings, along with red spots on his body due to the spider web attached to his body, indicating his defeat.
The two riders were immediately treated, as well as their wyverns by their caretakers, healing their wounds with potions, while a new web was set, and thus, the second battle between the other competitors could take place.
As the fervor and joy of the winners in the betting could be heard in the crowd, happy to have won more gold, and elated by the festivities.