From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

The debate in the council chamber was settled with a single sentence from Earl Meggie.

The retainers around the oak table all nodded, and no one raised any further objections.

Scholar Rodley bowed first and said respectfully:

"Your Excellency is very thoughtful. I will immediately send men to survey the area outside the city and select a place that is near a tributary of the White Blade River, flat in terrain, and easy to defend."

"We will be able to set up the temporary market fence and some simple wooden and stone tools within three days."

"Um."

Earl MacGregor tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, his gaze sweeping over Sir Keller, and gave the order:

"Keller, keep a close eye on that trading area outside the city during this time."

"If you see any suspicious strangers, ignore them for now. But if you confirm they are from the Bolton family, expel them immediately. If they dare to resist, arrest and interrogate them."

Sir Keller suddenly stood up and said:

"Yes, sir!"

Count Mitchell pondered for a moment, then looked at Raymond and said:

"First, select some trustworthy free knights, choosing those who are clean-handed and agile."

"Finally, let Keller test them. Only those free knights who pass the skills test and have never broken their oaths can stay!"

"Yes, Your Excellency," Raymond replied with a bow.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Iron Axe Tavern.

Don Quixote raised his glass to Raymond and laughed:

"Thank you, sir."

Raymond sized up Don Quixote for a moment, then asked in confusion:

"You seem quite confident that His Excellency the Earl will continue to open trading zones?"

Don Quixote smiled earnestly:

"I believe in your abilities, Lord Raymond."

"Oh?"

"I've heard that it was you, Lord Raymond, who first suggested opening the trading area outside the city."

"That's right, I did suggest that to the Earl back then. Where did you hear that from?"

"Miss Elise told me."

"That must have been Mrs. Vera who told her," Raymond nodded, then added:

"But why do you so want to become the guardian of the trading market?"

"Lord Raymond, you should know some things about me, right?"

"Yes," Raymond admitted.

Don Quixote, half-truthful and half-lie, slowly said:

"I traveled with Knight Valentine for many years, and those days were not easy."

"I still really want to settle down. If I could be employed by the lord in my hometown, that would be my dream."

"And if possible, I would also like to become a sworn knight of the Seven family."

Raymond looked Don Quixote up and down again, then suddenly smiled:

You're still young, and there's still a lot of potential.

Don Quixote toasted Raymond again, and said with a smile:

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Raymond."

Raymond also raised his glass, took a sip of his drink, and then stood up and said:

"Go to the city gate guards in three days. Sir Keller will test your abilities."

"Yes," Don Quixote replied.

Shortly after Raymond left, Elise slowly approached the path:

"Are you about to leave, Don Quixote Knight?"

Don Quixote laughed:

"Miss Elise, you've settled into life at the Iron Axe Tavern. It's time for me to leave."

A look of reluctance flashed in Elise's eyes.

Don Quixote was different from the other knights she knew; many of his ideas were even bolder than hers.

For her, Don Quixote was someone she could talk to more and someone who could understand her thoughts.

Don Quixote then said:

"Besides, I'm just outside the city. I'll come back to Iron Axe Tavern to have a drink with you when I have some free time."

Elise nodded and said softly:

"Perhaps Iron Axe Tavern will soon move out of the city as well."

Don Quixote: "Have you made up your mind?"

"My elder brother said that if the temporary market outside the city goes well, then it's very likely that the Earl will close this trading area inside the city," Elise said helplessly.

"By then, unless we decide to stop running the Iron Axe Tavern, we'll have to move to a fixed trading market outside the city."

Don Quixote laughed:

"I still really hope that Iron Axe Tavern can continue to operate."

"Me too," Elise said with a smile.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Three days later, at the city gate guard post.

Don Quixote, now clad in new chainmail, said to a soldier:

"Hello, I am Don Quixote, here to see Sir Keller."

He sold his old equipment cheaply to the blacksmith in Seven City, and at the same time bought a new set of chainmail.

He could barely afford a set of plate armor, but that would be too ostentatious.

A set of plate armor of average quality costs about 4 gold dragons, which is not something that ordinary people can afford.

Don Quixote has had a few lucky streaks in terms of random quest rewards over the past few months.

I got 2 gold dragons in one go, and 1 gold dragon in another.

In addition to other silver deer of varying numbers.

His current cash assets total 3 gold dragons, 427 silver deer, and some copper coins.

Since the blood apples were no longer effective for Don Quixote, he didn't indulge in them and saved them all.

There were seven blood apples in total.

Don Quixote planned to use these blood apples to train his followers.

Don Quixote wants to persuade the Seven family to open a trading market outside the city.

Besides wanting to switch to a more challenging task, I also plan to start with the trade market.

They gathered merchants, vagrants, and even some down-on-their-luck knights from various places, quietly developing their own power.

Don Quixote was lost in thought.

The soldier was also sizing up Don Quixote, noticing his distinctive demeanor compared to most mercenary knights, as well as his brand-new full set of chainmail.

A hint of surprise and envy flickered across the soldier's face as he glanced at the list in his hand and quickly said:

"Come with me."

The two rode out of Seven City.

Not long after.

The two arrived at a shallow beach about a mile outside Seven City.

A temporary trading market has been set up.

A large open space was enclosed by a sturdy oak fence, in which some stone tables and wooden benches were placed, and several thatched sheds were built to provide shelter from the rain.

Eight Seven City soldiers stood guard at the gate, their eyes leisurely watching those coming and going.

The news that the Seven family planned to set up a temporary trading market outside the city had been learned by many locals and a few outsiders.

At this moment, some bored people were curiously peering out from the fence entrance.

The soldier greeted one of the lead soldiers guarding the gate:

"Captain Xavier, this is a Free Knight seeking employment."

The leading soldier, Xavier, nodded, glanced at Don Quixote a few times, and then waved to the soldiers on the side, signaling them to let him pass.

The two crossed the open space in the center of the market and arrived at a makeshift training ground.

The training ground was unusually muddy and messy, with several oak posts stuck in the edges.

Sir Keller was leaning against a pillar, glancing around the training ground with little interest.

In addition, several knights in chainmail stood in a circle, their sharp eyes sweeping over each free knight who came to take the test.

At that moment, a duel had just ended in the training ground. A free knight had his weapon knocked away by a sword, and then was kicked into the muddy, dirty ground.

Sir Keller chuckled and waved for the soldiers to take the man away.

"He can't even hold a sword hilt properly, yet he dares to come to the Seven family to freeload."

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)