Lord Selwyn acted swiftly.
That very evening, he finalized discussions with Lord Leyton Hightower.
The marriage agreement between Galladon and Helena was settled. When Galladon turned fourteen, a formal betrothal ceremony would be held.
Galladon had no objections.
He did not cling to notions of "free love." His father had chosen a noble, powerful, and beautiful girl for him. There was little to complain about.
Renly's Nameday
The next day was Renly's nameday feast.
Prominent nobles from across Westeros gathered. Under his father's guidance, Galladon became acquainted with many figures who would one day shape the realm.
During the banquet, he spoke pleasantly with Helena while Brienne stood nearby. He observed Helena carefully—her speech, posture, temperament.
She lacked the arrogance common among highborn ladies. She was approachable, thoughtful, more interested in plants and books than idle entertainments.
Likely influenced by Oldtown's scholarly atmosphere.
Galladon was satisfied.
Helena, too, seemed quietly pleased. There were occasional blushes when their eyes met.
Even Lynesse grew attached to him. When the families parted, the little girl cried and clung to him tightly.
Though she might one day become trouble, she was innocent for now.
With House Hightower as allies, Galladon's toothbrush and toothpaste business would flourish across the Reach, the Westerlands, and even parts of Dorne.
Oldtown's trade network was ancient and powerful.
Returning home, Galladon resolved to invent more profitable goods and cooperate further with the Hightowers.
Together, their influence would be untouchable.
Tragedy in the Stormlands
Four years passed swiftly.
Much had changed.
The greatest blow to the Stormlands was the death of Lord Steffon Baratheon and his wife.
King Aerys had commanded Steffon to sail to Essos to find a Valyrian bride for Prince Rhaegar—silver-haired, purple-eyed, of pure blood.
Steffon agreed.
He found no suitable bride.
On the return voyage, his ship wrecked in Shipbreaker Bay—within sight of Storm's End.
All aboard perished.
The bodies were recovered days later—swollen and ruined by the sea.
Robert, grieving and furious, cursed King Aerys openly.
Jon Arryn guided him through inheriting his title.
Though persuaded to restrain himself, Robert's hatred for House Targaryen took root.
He blamed Aerys.
He blamed Rhaegar.
Galladon understood.
Parental death and humiliation would stack like fuel awaiting flame.
King Aerys grew increasingly erratic.
Executions multiplied.
Suspicion deepened.
Rhaegar married Elia Martell and moved to Dragonstone, distancing himself from the king.
But even then, Aerys refused to embrace his grandchildren.
Tension between father and son became public.
Across the Seven Kingdoms, unrest simmered.
Yet Tarth remained peaceful.
Back on Tarth, Galladon focused solely on improvement.
The toothbrush business prospered.
Lord Selwyn invested heavily in his son's growth.
Through foreign contacts in Tyrosh, Pentos, Lys—and later Slaver's Bay—criminals and condemned prisoners were discreetly acquired.
Galladon judged and executed them in secret.
Over four years, he beheaded roughly seventy or eighty local criminals and nearly two hundred from Essos.
The result:
Extraordinary growth.
Now fourteen, Galladon trained alone.
Ser Goodwin had declared him "graduated." There was little left to teach.
In the sacred woods, Galladon performed push-ups with a thirty-kilogram wooden stake across his back.
"318… 319…"
Sweat streamed down his bare torso.
At nearly 1.8 meters tall, his physique was lean yet powerfully defined. Muscles not bulky—but perfectly proportioned and explosive.
"350!"
He finally finished and dropped onto the grass, breathing steadily.
His features had fully matured.
Long blonde hair, slightly damp. Clear blue eyes. Straight nose. Fair skin.
Composed. Striking.
He summoned his panel.
Status Panel
Galladon Tarth
Title: None
Strength: 18.73
Agility: 18.11
Spirit: 19.14
Magic: 0
Skills:
Swordsmanship: 62%
Archery: 69%
Horsemanship: 48%
Common Tongue: 69%
Swimming: 72%
High Valyrian: 60%
Legendary Bloodlines:
Duskstar Bloodline (9%)
Targaryen Bloodline (1%)
Storm King Bloodline (1%)
Legendary Weapon:
Just Maid (Gold, max quality)
Legendary Pet: None
Judgment Points: 10
His strength had risen again by 0.01.
Normal men averaged around 10 in strength and agility. A well-trained knight might reach 13–15.
Galladon exceeded 18 in both.
His spirit—nearly double that of ordinary men—granted sharper perception and faster reaction.
Combined with swordsmanship at 62%, he already surpassed most knights in the Seven Kingdoms.
In a fair duel, he might still struggle against legends like Barristan Selmy or Arthur Dayne.
But in life-or-death combat?
With the indestructible Just Maid—
He would win.
He also noticed something new.
The Duskstar Bloodline had naturally advanced from 8% to 9%.
Perhaps his own innate talent was not lacking after all.
At fourteen, he was nearly 1.8 meters tall. By sixteen, he might reach 1.9.
The bloodline clearly enhanced physique.
Other effects remained to be discovered.
Just then—
"Brother! Father and Maester Amos are calling you!"
Brienne's cheerful voice echoed from beyond the trees.
Galladon rose, towel in hand.
The storm gathering across Westeros had not yet broken.
But when it did—
He would be ready.
(End of Chapter 19)
A/N:
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