Chapter 8
Regulus stood at the battlements of the castle, Lord Barristan standing behind him as he looked down at the frozen river.
“That was an impressive display.” Regulus turned to find a man in golden armor standing behind him.
“Lord Tywin,” said Barristan as Regulus looked at the older man. He stood tall with broad shoulders and golden whiskers. His head was shaved bald, and he wore bright golden armor.
“Ser Barristan,” greeted Lord Tywin with a nod before turning to Regulus. “I’m afraid we haven’t been formally introduced. I am Lord Tywin Lannister.” He said it as if it was supposed to mean something, and Regulus gave him a blank stare.
“Regulus Black,” he said, holding out his hand. Tywin looked at the hand suspiciously; most men tended to bow in deference to the Lord of the West.
“You must forgive him, my lord,” said Barristan, breaking the awkward silence. “Lord Regulus is not of these lands and doesn’t know our customs.”
“Indeed,” said Tywin, shaking Regulus's hand with a tight grip. Regulus smirked, amused at the foolish noble. “And where exactly do you hail from?”
“Far away,” replied Regulus coldly.
“I’ve heard tales of sorcerers before,” said Tywin. “Perhaps from the Shadowlands, Sothoros, or Asshai—perhaps even further?”
“England,” said Regulus. “Think of the furthest place from here, and you’d still be too close.”
“So, an exiled lord?”
“Something like that,” replied Regulus with a shrug. “I am too far from my home and don’t see myself returning anytime soon.”
“Then you must visit Casterly Rock,” said Tywin. “The ancient keep of House Lannister; we have mines of gold and precious jewels. You must come and feast your eyes on the Golden Gallery.”
“The Golden Gallery?”
“It is a room made of solid gold within Casterly Rock,” explained Barristan, and Regulus frowned. Such a display might have impressed anyone else, yet Regulus found it garish and ostentatious. “Casterly Rock’s mines have produced more gold than any other in the Seven Kingdoms.”
“I admire your skills,” said Tywin. “If you are in need of employment, know you are always welcome at Casterly Rock. I could make you a rich man.”
Ah, so that was what he wanted. The man thought he could buy Regulus and use his powers for his own.
“Thank you for the offer, Lord Tywin, but I have no need for gold.”
Lord Tywin raised a golden eyebrow, his emerald eyes shining as he studied Regulus, as if sizing him up.
“Everyone has a price, Ser. Be it gold or perhaps a bride? Perhaps a castle to call your own?”
Regulus said nothing as he reached into his pocket. Lord Tywin eyed him warily, and Barristan looked between them as if ready to intervene. Regulus pulled out a gold galleon from his pocket and held it in the palm of his hand.
Tywin looked down at the coin, unimpressed.
“This is all I need.”
“A single gold coin?” Was the boy trying to make a fool of him?
“Would you like to see some magic, my lord?” asked Regulus, and the man’s jaw tightened.
“Lord Regulus, I remind you that Lord Tywin is Warden of the West. He is a great lord—”
“No harm will come to him,” promised Regulus as he flipped the coin in the air. “Gemino!”
Tywin watched as the coin hit the cold stone floor. Upon impact, the single coin became two, then four, then eight!
“By the gods!” whispered Barristan Selmy as the coins kept multiplying more and more. Soon dozens became hundreds, then thousands. Lord Tywin watched in awe as a small pile of gold began to form in front of him, and the sorcerer stared back at him coldly.
“Once you have seen as much gold as I have, it begins to lose its luster,” said the sorcerer. Tywin grit his teeth as the coins kept multiplying.
So, the sorcerer had more tricks up his sleeve. What more could he do? What were the limits of his powers? He longed to know.
Regulus looked up as a man Kingsguard armor walked towards him. For a second, the man stopped in his tracks upon seeing the growing pile of gold coins on the floor.
“My lord, the king has requested your presence.” Regulus nodded in acknowledgment. With a snap of his fingers, the pile of coins vanished, and he knelt down to pick up the single original gold coin.
“If you’ll excuse me, the king requests my presence.” He gave Tywin a curt nod before turning and following Lewin away.