Sword and Magic and Taxi

The lobby of the Bent Knees Hotel is very long, but the ventilation is very good, so it doesn't feel stuffy. It was not yet dinner time when Zhao Mai walked into the house, and there were only a few farmers taking a rest, holding cups of ale and chatting in low voices. They raised their heads and looked at Zhao Mai, looking up and down: there was no metal armor or sword, no family crest, only a big cloak and a dark leather breastplate. They were either mercenaries or solo killers. Or a robber.

Dinner time will be here soon, you should warm up by the fire first. Martha started chewing tobacco again, her cheeks bulging, and she stretched out the muscles on her face. Unfortunately, there is no room, so if you want to change clothes, you can only go to the kitchen or storage room.

You don't need a room, I won't spend the night here. Zhao Mai stretched hard, and the muscles massaged by the force of nature made a crunching sound, which surprised Martha Hyde. She no longer dared to treat Zhao Mai as an ordinary businessman or servant, but classified him as a somewhat dangerous role.

By the way, dogs are not allowed to come in. There is no rain under the eaves outside the door, so they cannot get wet. Martha quickly explained: This is the rule here, even the noble master will abide by it.

As you wish, the host. Zhao Mai raised his finger and pointed. He went over to lie down obediently, put his head on his folded front paws, and stared at the rain outside in a daze. When the duck comes later, I'll let you pick first. Zhao Mai said to it and closed the door of the hotel.

The people inside observed him, and he observed the place. The rectangular hall uses an entire wall of space to stack large wooden wine barrels, and the other wall is a stove. The waiter was wiping the table, and took a break from work to go to the stove to look at the barbecued meat skewers, flipping them or applying some oil on them as needed. From the stairs came the sounds of chatter and laughter, and the characteristic thud of boots on the wooden boards. Zhao Mai took two quick steps and grabbed a seat near the stove. He took off his cloak and put it aside. The heat came over him, and the wet clothes on his body exuded white steam, making him seem to be forming clouds.

After a while, the benches were filled and it was time for dinner. Villagers, farmers, and fishermen on the Three Forks River (actually the Red Fork, Blue Fork, and Green Fork rivers) sit side by side with tourists from different backgrounds, and there are not many barriers between them. There seemed to be no nobles present, so no one needed to be particular. Comfort was the most important thing.

Of course, not all of the people present were workers. Many of them were carrying swords, and a few were even equipped with full-body chain armor. Three swordsmen wearing red horse badges were also huddled around the stove, seemingly enjoying the heat here. They glanced up at Zhao Mai and noticed the rising mist on his wet clothes, so they just snorted and did not drive him away. If they do this, they will come across as domineering and unreasonable in the eyes of others, which is not a good thing.

The iron boots pressed against the wooden stairs, making a thumping sound. A group of people wearing blue steel ring armor and silver-gray cloaks on their shoulders walked down. Finally there is a coat of arms that Zhao Mai recognizes! The twin towers representing House Frey of the Twins are on their shoulders. The Frey of the Twin Towers belongs to the Big Fish banner of the Tully family, but its lord Walder Frey is dissatisfied with the Tully family, but has long been friends with the Lannister family god of the Lion Banner.

After the duck in the reserve grain was roasted, it exuded an alluring aroma. Zhao Mai brought the reserve grain to him as agreed, leaving only one duck leg for himself. The proprietress Martha prepared for him a plate of fried fish fillets with refried beans, two pieces of broccoli as a garnish, and an apple. When he came back, the seat by the stove was gone. The guy with the red horse badge spread his arms and occupied the place that originally belonged to Zhao Mai.

So he found a seat at another table and sat with a few guys who looked like caravan guards. These people took the initiative to clear the table and make room for him.

Traveling in the rain? Young people get sick so easily. A mercenary wearing a faded blue cloak and a mustache said to him: I recommend you drink some of the strong liquor here, brewed from barley. It’s quite energetic and best for removing dampness.”

Ah, thank you. Zhao Mai thought for a while and shouted to Martha: Madam boss, give each of us a share of the spirits brewed from barley!

The mustached mercenary gave him a thumbs up: Good boy, you will always have good luck. My name is Bronn, and I would like to serve you.

So you are Bronn? An agile, clever and very realistic Freelancer. Zhao Mai remained calm and turned to look carefully at the guys around him. At this moment, an old man with a white beard and a round belly helped a woman down from the second floor and sat on a seat near the window. The woman's eyes were full of sadness, and she was quietly lost in thought as she looked at the gradually stopping rain outside.

The old man with the white beard was very alert and stared at Zhao Mai, a silent warning emanating from his eyes. Zhao Mai sighed lightly. Because he was familiar with the information in the original work and calculated the time, he already had a guess about the identities of these two people. The sad woman was Catelyn Stark, the wife of Ned Stark, Lord of the North, and the eldest daughter of the Lord of Riverrun. Her marriage to Ned was a political marriage, but after the marriage the couple had a very harmonious relationship and had three sons and two daughters. Now her two daughters followed their father to King's Landing, and her second son was pushed from a tower and seriously injured. He had been unconscious before, but he finally woke up recently, but he couldn't remember who pushed him down. If these were just life's setbacks, the assassination of her comatose son was more than she could bear. Like a frightened she-wolf, desperate to protect her cubs, the current Caitlin Stark is full of anger and sorrow, and may erupt like a volcano at any time.

This matter has nothing to do with me. Zhao Mai thought for a while. His purpose was to go north across the Great Wall and go deep into the wilderness to learn from the Three-Eyed Crow. The right and wrong between nobles is very interesting from the perspective of onlookers, but it is completely different when mixed into it, and it often turns into a bitter and boring torment.

In just a few moments, a major event affecting the situation of the entire country will happen in this inn: the matron of the Stark family, Lord of the North, arrests the second son of the Lannister family, the guardian of the West, resulting in the two The family changed from secret fighting to open fighting. The sword was unsheathed, the crossbow was cocked, and there was no room for turning things around.

Zhao Mai was about to get up and go see his dog and avoid the storm. At this moment, a handsome young man suddenly sat down opposite him, playing a wooden harp in his hand. Good Samaritan, the Seven Gods bless you. He raised his eyebrows at Zhao Mai, his eyes crackling with electricity. An empty wine glass somehow rolled out of his sleeve and stood quietly on the table: Can I sing a song for your enthusiasm and generosity?

This is the bard from before. His words attracted the attention of many people. If he walked out at this time, it would be very abrupt. Zhao Mai looked at it and saw that the dinner in front of him was almost untouched and he didn't drink any wine. He obviously couldn't explain why he left at this time. The white-bearded Sir Rodrik has noticed him. He is a cautious and alert person, and Zhao Mai can't imagine how he will react.

The buttocks that had just been raised were twisted at an angle, and they sat down firmly again. Bless you too, good singer. Would you like to have dinner with me? Zhao Mai could only say this.