From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

The salty sea breeze carries a faint fishy smell, like the scent of a mermaid, full of the ocean's essence.

A very faint layer of silvery white gradually emerged from the gray-blue horizon of Biting Bay.

The main city of White Harbor in the distance was still shrouded in a semi-transparent morning mist.

But the outskirts of Baigang were already unusually lively.

It's different from the usual lively atmosphere.

It was more of a celebration and revelry of honor.

It was still dark.

Idle or impatient spectators have already flocked to this wide waterfront area.

They gathered at the martial arts tournament venue, all vying for a prime spot to watch the highly anticipated competition.

Several days earlier, this wide waterfront area had been divided into a tournament area, a noble camp area, a commoner spectator area, a horse training area, and a temporary market area specifically designated for merchants.

It is large enough to accommodate hundreds of knights and thousands of spectators from all around White Harbor.

Almost everyone in White Harbor knows that a grand knightly tournament is about to begin!

Anyone who can walk and move would love to come and watch or participate in the competition.

Nobles arrived one after another with their retinues of varying lengths, adding a touch of splendor and bustle to the scene.

At the head of each procession, someone held aloft a flag bearing the corresponding family crest, and the accompanying personnel wore respectable clothing embroidered with the colors of the family crest, highlighting their distinguished status.

There were also quite a few wealthy ladies in the group.

She was a dignified and elegant noblewoman with bright black eyes, full, rosy lips, and thick, curly black hair that fell to her neck.

Her face was as pale and soft as congealed milk.

She seemed untouched by worldly affairs, exuding a natural elegance and allure befitting a noblewoman.

Her eyes darted around curiously, revealing an expectation she was ashamed to admit.

There was also a noblewoman wearing a light purple velvet wool dress, covered by a black velvet cloak.

And a woman dressed in simple black clothes.

She revealed her full, rounded, overly exposed shoulders and chest.

She also has fair arms and slender shoulders.

A string of milky white pearls hung around her charming neck.

The fire raging within her soul needs no words.

These ladies, each with their own unique posture, all possessed an explosive vitality and fatal allure beneath their exquisite attire.

They came here just to catch a glimpse of the knights' heroic bearing and charisma.

At this moment, the entire waterfront and surrounding countryside were already crowded with people.

They came from all corners of White Harbor, just to watch this grand martial arts tournament.

The roads were so crowded with vehicles and pedestrians that it was almost impossible to move an inch on the main road.

People were everywhere, and laughter filled the air.

The scheduled start time for the martial arts tournament is still far off.

However, the various established roads and unpaved paths leading to the stadium were already crowded with countless people.

People of all ages and genders eagerly pushed forward, all vying for a good viewing spot.

Looking down from above, listening carefully from high to low:

The cries of the people!

The neighing of warhorses!

The sound of armor clashing!

The sound of horns, the cries of vendors, laughter and banter!

It had already become a scene of bustling noise and chaos.

The performers also formed a circle.

An actor was walking on stilts, striding through the crowd like a giant worm, followed by a large group of barefoot children screaming.

One juggler even wielded three longswords and three axes simultaneously.

This attracted a group of children who crowded at the front, their eyes wide with amazement. After watching, they pestered their parents for coins as a reward.

A short, old bear clumsily danced to the direction of a flute and drum.

A man in a black wool cloak was plucking a tune on a worn-out wooden lute, softly singing to himself.

It was a touching love song.

Apart from this singer.

There were also many street singers sitting on the grass.

Their fingertips plucked the strings of the lute, and they sang heroic songs of knights at the top of their lungs.

Even when her singing was drowned out by the surrounding noise, she still sang with all her might.

When the song reached its climax, the people around him roared along.

Ancient songs from the North, mingled with cheers and laughter, became the most vibrant background sound of this grand event.

Merchants from free trade cities also joined in the festivities.

Many stalls displayed:

Ries's perfume.

Mill's exquisite lens and black and white lace.

The gilded silver painted armor of Tyrossi.

Spices and silks of Pentos.

Braavos glassware.

Feathered capes of the islands in midsummer.

There are also painted wooden spinning tops for children to play with.

A dazzling array of goods filled the stalls on both sides of the temporary market.

During the performances by singers and jugglers, people enjoyed grilled herring with thin onions, fried cod, freshly baked hot pancakes, and candied fruit.

Not only here, but the port is also bustling with activity at this moment.

Many merchant ships were moored side by side in the anchorage, with sailors and merchants from afar standing on the deck.

Merchants from Braavos played exotic bone flutes, whalers from Iban drank heartily from large wine sacks, and sailors from Rees sang and clapped along, their voices echoing the cheers from the shore.

Not long after.

Groups of knights, riding tall horses, surged in from all directions.

The equipment was exquisite and luxurious, all custom-made for this martial arts tournament:

Shiny helmets, feathered helmets, horse coats, oak shields, and a variety of chainmail or plate armor, along with ornate embroidered coats of arms.

It fully showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans and skilled women.

Everything made the grandeur of this martial arts tournament fully apparent.

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.

A sturdy wooden fence and barriers were erected around the designated area for the martial arts tournament.

The long, parallel spear-fighting track is located in the center of the martial arts tournament.

The tracks were separated by tall wooden barriers to prevent warhorses from colliding.

Each track has enclosed preparation areas at both ends for riders to prepare, change lances and horses before the race.

On one side of the martial arts arena, tiered viewing platforms were erected for nobles and ladies to sit on.

The viewing platform is significantly higher than the race track.

It was a duel in which nobles and ladies could see the whole scene clearly without any obstruction.

It also prevents you from being splashed by flying wood chips and dust during the fight.

The Newcastle guards, dressed in blue-green cloaks, were stationed around the viewing platform.

They stood like statues, their tridents gleaming coldly in the morning light, strictly forbidding civilians and unauthorized personnel from entering.

Some simple stands were also set up around the paddock for the public to stand and watch the game.

There were also many guardsmen wearing chainmail and carrying spears, who maintained order among the crowds and handled trivial matters such as fights, theft, and gambling disputes.

At that very moment, three long, resonant bronze horn sounds suddenly echoed across the riverside.

The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

The messenger announced loudly:

The Baigang Martial Arts Tournament has officially begun!

……

PS: (Please vote with monthly tickets and read on!)