From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

As night fell, campfires were lit all over the makeshift settlement.

A huge, obese man with a bald head like a newborn baby's bottom, a walrus-like beard, and an extremely large body sat upright in a massive armchair.

His gaze was steady as he listened quietly to his subordinates' reports on the operation to eliminate the looters around White Harbor.

The obese man is Willis Mandel.

The eldest son of Wiman Mandalay and the legal heir of the Mandalay family.

Although his excessive weight made it almost impossible for him to ride a horse and fight normally, he was one of the few knights in the North to be knighted.

Also a devout follower of the Seven Gods, he is quiet and adheres strictly to etiquette.

"...

"Lord Willis, a total of sixty-five raiders were killed and thirty-seven were captured in this operation!"

"..."

The knight's subordinate, who was wearing a thick blue-green wool overcoat, paused for a moment, and then said:

"Among them, the Blood Hand Mercenary Group performed the best, killing twenty-three raiders and capturing seventeen others!"

"Secondly, Sir Donovan killed four raiders..."

The clerk standing nearby kept writing notes with his quill pen.

The parchment gradually filled with names, numbers, and battle records.

The light from the nearby campfire shone on the parchment and also on Willis's fat face.

The reports from the knight's men disappeared.

Willis thought for a moment, then said calmly:

"Announce the outstanding performance of the mercenary groups and hired knights to everyone in the camp."

"It was also announced that all the hired knights and freelance mercenaries who had achieved results would receive their wages one by one; they must be getting impatient."

After a pause, Willis continued:

"After you finish making the announcement, you need to have Sir Donovan, the leader of the Bloodhand Mercenary Group, come to me."

"Yes, Lord Willis!" the knight's subordinate replied immediately.

The knight then strode around and walked to an open space not far away.

He glanced around at the eight or nine campfires and the hired knights and free mercenaries gathered around them.

After a short while, enough attention was focused on him.

He then spoke in a voice as loud as a bell:

"In the name of Sir Willis Mandalay, rightful heir of the Mandalay family!"

"I hereby announce to you the results of our campaign to wipe out the raiders along the White Blade River!"

"The swords in your hands have protected White Harbor and safeguarded the civilians of the North. Lord Willis bears witness in the name of the old and new gods!"

"The clerk has recorded the achievements of each and every one of you, without missing a single one!"

"The Bloodhand Mercenary Group has the best record! They killed twenty-three raiders and captured seventeen!"

The crowd cheered loudly.

The Bloodhand Mercenary Group erupted in deafening cheers around their campfire.

The other mercenaries around also turned their heads to look.

They might whistle or raise a wine bag in greeting.

Those who live on the edge of a knife will always have awe for truly capable warriors.

The cheers of the knights subsided slightly, and they continued:

"Secondly, Sir Donovan has killed four raiders!"

Beside the campfire on the east side of the camp.

Sir Donovan, clad in plate armor, nodded slightly, raised his longsword, and gestured to those around him.

The knights around him raised their swords in response, the clanging of metal creating a continuous sound.

Then, the knight read out the names of all the hired knights and free mercenaries who had distinguished themselves in battle.

From killing a young mercenary who is a raider to leading a team to raid a raider.

Every name was pronounced clearly, without any omissions.

Each time a name was called, cheers and shouts would erupt around the corresponding campfire, the firelight illuminating excited faces.

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.

Don Quixote straightened his clothes, and amidst the lively swirling clouds, walked to the campfire where Willis was, bowed, and said:

"Lord Willis!"

After saying that, he looked at the tall, burly knight with broad shoulders and a thick back to one side and laughed:

"Sir Donald!"

Sir Donovan also replied:

"Sir Don Quixote!"

Willis sized up Don Quixote for a moment before calmly saying:

"Sir Don Quixote, Sir Donovan, my father is preparing to organize a large-scale jousting tournament in a while to promote chivalry!"

"I would like to invite both of you gentlemen to participate."

Don Quixote, having anticipated this, immediately bowed and said:

"Thank you, Lord Willis, for giving me the opportunity to win glory before the gods, both old and new, and before men."

"I promise to arrive at the appointed time with my weapons, warhorse, and servants, in response to the lord's summons."

"And will strictly abide by all the rules and regulations set forth by the Lord for this conference!"

"And I will uphold my knightly oath in this tournament!"

Upon hearing this, Sir Donovan hurriedly added:

"Thank you, Lord Willis, for bestowing upon me this honor!"

"I, Sir Donovan, will answer the Lord's call."

"I will participate in this tournament to prove my knighthood."

Sir Donovan paused, then, realizing that this wasn't enough to express his excitement, continued:

I fear no hardship!

"My chivalry will be proven in the arena!"

"I will never back down from any challenge that comes my way!"

Willis smiled slightly, as if he had thought of something.

He turned his rather large head to look at Don Quixote and added:

"Sir Don Quixote, I commend your Bloodhand Mercenary Group for your outstanding performance."

"I plan to invite two more knights from your Bloodhand Mercenary Group to participate in the upcoming martial arts tournament!"

"You can decide on the specific candidate."

After a moment of stunned silence, Don Quixote quickly recovered and immediately said:

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Willis. I will carefully select someone with true chivalry and live up to your expectations!"

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.

"Lord Willis has granted our Bloodhand Mercenary Group three spots to participate in the upcoming martial arts tournament."

Back at the campfire, Don Quixote glanced around at the Bloodhand mercenaries and chuckled softly:

"I am one of the candidates, and the other two have not yet been decided. Does anyone want to participate?"

After a moment of silence, six people quickly spoke:

"Sir, I want to participate!"

Don Quixote scanned the area again, his gaze suddenly stopping on Zakari.

Zachary's brows furrowed, his lips moved, and his gaze darted around.

He looked hesitant and conflicted.

Don Quixote smiled slowly:

Is anyone else here?

"Zakari, don't you have any thoughts on this?"

"Don't you usually love listening to and telling stories of knights and jousting?"

"Don't you want to be the main character in those stories?"

Before Zachary could respond, someone burst into laughter:

"My lord, the knightly tournament is a venue prepared for knights. Zachary is not a knight, so I'm afraid he won't be able to participate at all."

……

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