THUS SPAKE THE ASTROLABE OF DESTINY

I am Bezedash and welcome once more into my GoT WiC world.

Spring had fully arrived. Its first warmth brought a welcome softness, gradually erasing the harshness of winter. The landscape was adorned in various shades of green, and nature blossomed in a burst of diverse colors.

In the middle of the night, asleep beside my dear LadySam, i, Bezedash, the knight-minstrel of all the numbered lands of GoT Wic, found myself once again tossing and turning in a restless sleep. Words slipped sporadically from my lips:

 "Astr... Astrolabe... Destiny... LadySam..." my wife might have heard, had she not been sleeping soundly.

Golden flashes appeared before me, followed by the outlines of vast golden circles, and the image of the Astrolabe of Destiny pressed into my dream.

The mystical artifact, said to alter destinies, had appeared in King's Landing. It only revealed itself when the stars aligned perfectly, and LadySam and i had traveled there, drawn by the whispers of bards singing about the legendary powers of the Astrolabe. In the heart of King's Landing, in a large hall i had not yet known, the Astrolabe glowed with a strange light, its radiance pulsing to the rhythm of something ancient.

There i stood, a man forged in iron and song, my lute strapped to my back, countless battles behind me. But i knew this time would be different. LadySam stood beside me, calm, unwavering, her presence a source of comfort. She had always known how to anchor me when the storm’s wind swept me away.

Mestre Luwin, wise and venerable, stepped forward. His low voice resonated in the air.

 "Bezedash," he said, "the Astrolabe of Destiny was forged in the flames of a bygone age. Many have sought its gifts... but few have received true treasures. What it grants may seem a blessing. But beware: it also reveals desires that may cost you dearly in Black Diamonds."

He paused, allowing his words to seep into my mind.

 "Remember the rules and know that destiny does not favor the timid." 

These words struck something deep within me. This was not a quest for glory, no... it was a trial. A way to prove my worth, even if only to myself. LadySam seemed to understand. Her gaze upon me vibrated with silent intensity. She took my hand and whispered:

 "The path you choose is also mine. From now on, choose the rewards you wish to receive." 

These words, simple yet powerful, resonated deeply. I made my choice. 

Before us, five rewards aligned on a 25-square chessboard, pulsing with a mystical energy. Each seemed to call out to me, offering a choice. Perhaps an unimaginable treasure... or prizes of more modest value. I knew this was not a game. Some of these rewards could shape a more promising future. Every star prayer cast could open the door to unexpected wonders... or things that seemed simpler.

Mestre Luwin turned to me.

 "Understand, Ser Bezedash, this is a trial of temptation and courage. You have 199 prayer stars. First, complete the 3 quests required to reach 200. Then you may begin. The closer you get to the ultimate reward, the higher the price will be. Are you ready to face what the Astrolabe holds for you?"

I did not answer but hurried to complete the requested quests. 

Finally, i closed my hand around the three extra prayer stars i had earned. They pulsed between my fingers as though alive. 

One last glance at LadySam, then i whispered:

 "Destiny favors those who risk everything."

And i made my first prayer before the Astrolabe.

The artifact hummed. The squares on the chessboard danced at a dizzying speed, then the light froze on one square.

15 speedups of 24 hours. Simple, modest. It wasn’t the rarest reward, but it was a step. A progress. The squares then dimmed.

199 stars remained again. The air thickened with the tension it caused. LadySam tightened her grip on my arm.

"You've already gained much," she said, urgency in her voice. "Don’t let desire blind you; it could cost you dearly."

I nodded.

 "Cost me dearly... but also bring me much!"

I was once again missing 1 prayer star to reach the 200 required for a prayer. The quests were already completed, so if I wanted to continue, i would have to draw from the royal treasury and pay 10 Black Diamonds per star.

I turned to LadySam.

 "I sought this to progress. But i won’t let it ruin me… not this time at least. But who knows, maybe next time, if i manage to gather enough Black Diamonds with my strolls before the Astrolabe appears again."

Mestre Luwin slowly nodded.

 "The Astrolabe tests us all," he said. "True strength lies not in power... but in discernment."

Through the window of our room, a howl was heard. I woke up with a start, jostling LadySam.

 "My Lord husband, go back to sleep, it’s just a nocturnal animal..."

 "Indeed, but not just any animal. This one is mystical. It’s the symbol of a prophecy!", i replied.

"And I prophesize that we will go back to sleep... and please dream on!", she said.

Dream on... Dream on... Dream on...

But suddenly, just before midnight, the alarm sounded throughout the kingdom of K299.

 "An invader in the kingdom!! Alert, alert! The merit hunter Dreamon is wreaking havoc in our ranks!!" shouted the herald from the top of the walls.

And indeed, it was a massacre.

Thus, the Duke of the MFs, Black, found himself imprisoned in Dreamon’s dungeons. I no longer had the heart to watch my comrades' castles plundered.

So, i made a bold decision. As i often did.

I removed my protection bubble to play the goat… hoping to lure the predator. Dreamon took the bait. He attacked me. Once again, a Lord too tempted ended up in my dungeons. I released him within the hour. I resisted the temptation to pursue him.

But this game was tiring me. My mind was boiling.

How many times had i replayed this scenario? Alone, or almost, on k299, fending off invaders. As if this kingdom had been assigned to me for life.

What had become of this kingdom? Was it cursed? Like Sleeping Beauty? Frozen in a stupor? Its inhabitants gone, waiting for an unlikely awakening?

I lost myself in my thoughts.

Then LadySam’s hand on mine brought me back to reality. Once the turmoil had settled, she took my arm, inviting me for a midnight walk. The cool air caressed my skin, soothing my mind.

I felt lighter. Stronger.

Not because i had won a great reward… but because i had refused to lose myself in its pursuit.

The trial had receded… but the question remained: and now?

A voice then echoed in my mind (well, through the magical discord, rather):

 "Come to me." 

I recognized it immediately: that of my old friend THE WICH, from kingdom numbered 276. 

Within the hour, my decision was made. I jumped.

I found myself on k276, getting closer to Vangark, Wich, Shini, and Riddler... my old companions in war and strategy... to face new challenges.

As for LadySam, she had taken a different path. She went toward k13, to be with her lifelong friend, ch1r1sh. To, as well, grow under a new light. To step back. To rediscover herself.

These choices, these separations... strangely resembled the Astrolabe of Destiny. Like it, they demanded decisions. They offered rewards… but also sacrifices.

We were not fleeing the past. We were trying to understand it. To move forward with greater clarity.

Every action, every decision was a prayer star cast into the darkness.

And now… all that was left was to see where it would fall.

I then took my lute and began to sing :

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Thus spake the Astrolabe of Destiny,

A test of courage, a trial to see,

In every choice, a price to pay,

But through the cost, we find our way.

Destiny calls, but we hold the key,

It's not in power, but what we choose to be,

For in each step, though paths may part,

We shape our fate with an unyielding heart.

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I will see you soon for some more thrilling adventures.

Thank you for reading

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