NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27 Crossroads Inn
It wasn't until late at night that Ian and others arrived at their destination.
The Crossroads Inn is located at the intersection of the north-south King's Avenue and the east-west River Avenue and Valley Avenue. It is a three-story building with a white stone chimney.
There is a thatched cowshed and a bell tower on the north side of the inn, and the entire building is surrounded by damaged white stone walls.
The south wing was built on pilings on a patch of weeds that was once a tributary of the Green Fork River. At that time, half of the inn building was on the water, but later the river changed its course and the place became what it is today. .
The Crossroads Inn has a profound historical heritage. It is said that it was built during the reign of Jaehaerys I, the fourth monarch of the Targaryen Dynasty, King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne. , so the inn was renamed "Double Crown Inn" to show this glory.
Later, as the owner of the inn changed, it was renamed "Zhongming Inn" because of the construction of a new bell tower.
Later, Sir Jon Hyde got the inn, and he personally cast a new sign for the inn - a black iron dragon with three heads, because it jingled every time the wind blew, so the inn became famous again. The name was changed to 'Xianglong Inn'.
The name Xianglong Inn was used until the period of the Blackfire Rebellion, before it was abandoned because the signboard was torn down.
The Blackfyre Rebellion [Note 1] that occurred in 195 AC was another civil war within the Targaryen family for the Iron Throne after the "Dance of the Dragons".
At that time, because the 11th king of the Targaryen dynasty, King Aegon IV, legalized all his illegitimate children before his death, his large number of noble illegitimate children obtained the right to inherit.
In addition, the idle Aegon IV had always suspected that his wife and brother were still in love because the queen he married was the one who kidnapped his brother. In order to humiliate them, he even claimed that his eldest son would be the heir in his early years. Daeron Targaryen is the illegitimate son of his wife and brother (who the hell are you insulting?).
This led to the death of Aegon IV. A large number of nobles who were dissatisfied with the status quo took advantage of the situation to question the legitimacy of his successor Daeron II, and supported Daemon Blackfyre, the eldest of Aegon IV's illegitimate children, to become king.
Of course, this Daemon Blackfyre is indeed awesome. Not only is he handsome, but his combat prowess is also top-notch. Those who have seen him fight call him a ‘warrior descended to earth’ [Note 2].
When Daemon was 12 years old, he defeated all his opponents in a melee. Aegon IV recognized him as his son on the spot and made him a knight (the youngest knight in the history of the Seven Kingdoms), and made him a knight. The family sword of the Targaryen family, the Valyrian steel sword used by Aegon I the Conqueror [Note 3], was given to him by the 'Blackfire'. From then on, Daemon took the 'Blackfire' as his own. Surname.
After Daemon Blackfyre launched the rebellion, he reversed the Targaryen flag with a red dragon on a black background and chose a black dragon on a red background as his family emblem.
Therefore, the black dragon sign of this inn was quickly angered by the local lord Earl Darry, who was a loyal supporter of Daeron II. Earl Darry angrily cut down the black dragon sign of the inn, chopped it into pieces, and threw it into the river. inside.
Daemon Blackfyre was later shot dead by Brynden Rivers' Crowtooth Guards during the Battle of the Redgrass Field, and the first Blackfyre Rebellion he initiated failed.
After that, the descendants of the Hyde family never changed the signboard, and it became an unknown inn from then on.
People later called it the 'Riverside Inn' or 'Crossroads Inn' based on its location.
In the original books of Ice and Fire, the Crossroads Inn is a very important and iconic location, and many stories take place here.
Therefore, in Ian's initial speculation, there was a high probability that this would become the alliance meeting point agreed upon by the players.
As the inn approached, Ian's heart began to gradually rise.
Although he knew that his current disguise was perfect to the point of no improvement, and the power in his hands was enough to hang up and beat any player who had just started.
But he was nervous.
Since it was getting too late, the innkeeper and the waiters may have already rested, so Ian and the others had already arrived at the door but no waiter came to open the door and lead the horse.
Ian and the others could only knock on the door and wait for a response from inside.
About five minutes later, when Rohr knocked on the door for the third time, a woman's lazy voice came from the inn. Judging from the tone of her voice, she was obviously unhappy that someone was staying at this time.
The sound gradually became louder, and Ian heard the cursed whispers of the visitor.
Of course, it's not humiliating abuse, but just some simple gossip and complaints.
The person who opened the door was a fat, middle-aged woman. From her bad appearance, Ian guessed that this was Martha Hyde, the proprietress of the inn.
The moment she saw Ian and the three of them, Martha's complaints stopped abruptly. She never thought in her wildest dreams that it would be three damn knights who came to stay so late.
The Hyde family used to have knights. The ancestor who first got this inn, Jon Hyde, was a knight. However, as the last knight of the Hyde family was killed in the 'Second Blackfire Rebellion', Apart from their surnames, they are now no different from civilians.
"I'm sorry, sirs." Martha was frightened by what she just said. Just when she didn't know how to explain, Ian spoke to end her dilemma.
"Prepare a large, empty room for us, as well as the richest wine and food you have here." Ian ordered directly, as if he had not heard Martha's previous complaints.
"Okay, sirs, please wait a moment." Martha was relieved and agreed quickly, and then motioned to the maid who had just come out belatedly to take Ian and others to their room.
Although Martha was a little confused as to why these knights did not want a single room with a bed, but instead asked for a large mixed room that can accommodate more than ten or twenty straw mats in one room, which is generally provided for the lower class people.
But she also knew that this was not the question she should ask. After he ordered the maid, he hurriedly asked the helper to get up and prepare to go to the kitchen to start the stove.
Under the leadership of the maid, Ian and others came to their room. At this moment, the entire inn was almost extinguished, and there was no one in the hall. If Ian wanted to judge whether other players had come here, he would have to wait until at least tomorrow.
Ian bought two oil lamps from the maid at his own expense. After hanging them in the room, the whole room lit up.
Although this room is called the Great Room, it is actually not big at all.
Twelve straw mats neatly arranged in two rows occupy more than 90% of the room, leaving only a narrow gap in the middle that can accommodate one person to pass through, which serves as an aisle.
Notes: 1. This refers to the first Blackfire Rebellion initiated by Daemon Blackfyre. Since then, a total of five Blackfire Rebellions initiated by Daemon’s descendants have occurred (counting the Battle of the Nine Copper King).
2. The warrior is one of the seven gods in Westeros religion, symbolizing strength and victory. His image is an adult man holding a sword.
3. Valyrian steel is a kind of steel infused with fire magic. It is light in texture and extremely sharp. It was forged by the ancient Valyrian people.