The Citadel

[loremaster]

Edrick stands in the Seneschal's court, asking to see an archmaester. Preferably one with a few Valyrian links in his chain.

[Ellinda]

Archmaester Gordick appears, a tall thin man with a supercillious air.

"Yes, you requested my presence?"

[loremaster]

He grinned, his black heart hoping he was finally in the presense of the sort of man he had been seeking.

"I hope I did... I know little of the Citadel's innerworkings, though my wife is a Hightower and probably pays your fees. Prince Edrick Baratheon, former master of ships and explorer extraordinaire... may we go somewhere more private?"

[Ellinda]

Gordrick stares at Edrick for a moment and then nods. "Follow me," he says as he leads him out of the reception chamber.

[loremaster]

A red-faced Edrick storms out of the Citadel, screaming for his bloody horse and nearly assaulting a young acolyte in his path. Ten minutes later, he has fled Oldtown, his sellswords riding at his back...

[Ellinda]

Gordrick pens a note to his old friend Grandmaester Nehman and sends it by a swift raven.

[Maester Maurin]

Acolyte Maurin wants to speak with Archmaester Godrick.

[Ellinda]

"Yes, Acolyte, how can I help you? Acolytes do not usually come to see me," said Gordick, sounding rather bored.

[Maester Maurin]

Golden-haired boy clears his throat, doing the best to hide his anxiety.

"Indeed, but I understand that Acolytes usually don`t deal with matters that brought me here.....matters that involve higher mysteries. I got a letter from my brother, Marten Lannister, claiming that his wife was slain by dark powers."

[Ellinda]

A slight frown crossed the Grandmaester's face. "It could just be an old wive's tale, such reports are often unreliable, but tell me more of the circumstances," he said.

[Maester Maurin]

Maurin describes the circumstances and how his father saw only the shadow doing the killing. Shadow that apparently had no problem bypassing the mundane protections.

"My father is wordly man, and claims that he heard stories of such terrible shadow magic during his journeys in the East. I have read of similar things in the Citadel library, but I believe that some tomes are not in public access. Most Maesters laugh at such things, but you wear the valyrian link, Archmaester."- He adds with respectful nod.

[Ellinda]

Gordick's frown became deep. "Shadow magic is something that has not been practiced in Westeros. It has been until now a foreign practice." He stared at the crystal on a pedestal for a few moments and then came to a decision.

"I agree to take you as student for your valyrian link. Your major task will be to investigate foreign magics, of course including shadow magic. I'll write you a letter that you should give to Maester Totson, the third librarian. He'll let you in the closed section of the stacks. Look for books on international magic in general but keep your eyes out for shadow magic, a vile set of practices. Never take out a shadow magic book by itself, however, and tell nobody else about your suspicions. Report to me after you've made your first trip to the library and we will set a course of study then."

With that, Gordick scribbled a note for the librarian and waved his hand in dismissal. He then send a follow up raven to his King's Landing colleague, Nehman. Things were not right with the world if women were being killed by shadow magic.

[Deleted]

On a sunny morning, Lewyn Snow rode into Oldtown with his servant, his eyes taking in the fabled city of the maesters with excitement. They had last slept along the Honeywine, in a glade so sweet and lovely that it was hard to imagine that any part of the country could be at war. And Hightower loomed high above them, the tallest structure in the Seven Kingdoms. It had grown larger as Lewyn rode to the city.

Oldtown was built of stone, and with such grace and beauty that Lewyn felt his cheeks flush with excitement just from seeing it. It reminded him of Pentos, although it was a very different style, but what struck him was the civilization of this place. This was a graceful and cultured city, not like robust Duskendale or brash, busy King's Landing. Oldtown was...old, and rich in learning.

They passed magnificent palaces, gracious manses and wealthy guildhalls as they rode through the main streets, Lewyn noting every crooked alley and twisting lane. The city was bustling with vendors and other sorts. Lewyn's servant asked for directions to the Citadel, and soon they found themselves riding into the Seneschal's Court of the Citadel. Lewyn's handsome chestnut bore him swiftly into the courtyard, drawing admiring glances as it pivoted and tossed its head. Lewyn's servant came in after him.

Lewyn was not quite sure what to do, but he looked at the acolytes, returning their stares with interest, and watched for any maesters.

[The Stranger]

at an enormous desk, whose legs seem to be twice the size of an average boy, a small gnomish looking man with a long grey beard looks down at Lewyn through spectacles, one of blue glass, and one of red glass.

"Yes? What is it?"

[Deleted]

Lewyn dismounted and handed the reins of his chestnut to his servant. He approached the desk with a smile, letting down his hood. He was a pale little boy, with a slight frame, the delicate hands of a bard, and large, clever eyes. He also had a confidence that eight-year old boys who had been raised in wealth tend to adopt.

"I am Lewyn Snow, and have come to become an acolyte of the Citadel. This letter is from my guardian, Lady Aranya Royce of Duskendale, saying that I have her consent and that I am to be trained in the Citadel. If you will have me," he added, in his own words.