Game of Thrones: Oath of Iron and Fire-Chapter 42: A Dance of Spears and Hammers

On the drill grounds of Powdergrass Manor, both the Red Viper and Gendry were lightly armored, clad in leather jerkins and wielding blunted weapons.

The Red Viper bore the sigil of the Dornish spear piercing the sun, while Gendry's emblem depicted a pack of wolves in full gallop.

The Red Viper's daily routine at Powdergrass Manor involved observing the structure of the Free Army and the Wolfpack, studying how this small kingdom functioned.

"Watch out! Commander!" The Red Viper's spear truly moved like a venomous snake, lunging and evading in quick succession. It danced around Gendry, flickering like a snake's forked tongue.

The Red Viper's feints and fierce attacks were seamlessly combined, a deadly blend of speed and strength. Though it seemed aimed at the upper body, the spear would suddenly twist, targeting Gendry's groin and shield. The Red Viper circled, jabbed, and then quickly retreated.

The Red Viper took pride in his speed and cunning, but his opponent was no pushover. Gendry's warhammer was as swift as lightning, and each strike was perfectly measured in power.

"Dark hair, blue eyes, tall, and strong!" The Red Viper took note of Gendry's jet-black short hair and deep blue eyes, observing how his ferocity grew with each clash.

There was something oddly familiar about this scene. But the Red Viper didn't dwell on it. After all, even among the common folk, there had been monsters like the Mountain and skilled fighters like Tall Dunk, though the chances were much slimmer than among the nobility.

"A fierce young man, and unexpectedly challenging. This fighting style... it somewhat resembles that of the Northmen and the Stormlanders." The best warriors from the Stormlands and the North were known for their wild and ferocious combat.

Gendry's fighting style fit right into that category. But considering the origins of the Wolfpack, he might also be a Northman.

"Truly living up to the reputation!" Gendry thought to himself. The Red Viper, the greatest warrior of Dorne, was no illusion. Gendry had previously fought with spears and morningstars, but in terms of spear mastery and combat experience, the Red Viper clearly had the upper hand.

The Red Viper's spear lunged left and right, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. Even though it was blunted, the force of the impact still caused considerable pain. But Gendry's blood seemed to ignite, surging like a storm.

The Red Viper's spear kept jabbing at the oak shield until it pierced through. But before he could pull it out, Gendry's warhammer came crashing down. The Red Viper quickly retreated, narrowly avoiding the blow.

The Red Viper himself didn't escape unscathed; the young man seemed to harbor a tremendous force within his frame, and the impact of the weapons caused a shudder and pain.

Like a nimble cat, the Red Viper spun around and charged at his opponent. The spear in his hand seemed to come alive. In a way, the mace did have a certain sense of range limitation, while the spear was far more vicious and deadly.

The Red Viper's spear thrust towards Gendry's heart, but Gendry dodged, even though it caused him great pain. With a roar, Gendry barely avoided the spear shaft. Enduring the agony, he swung his hammer at the Red Viper.

"If you can endure the pain and choose to attack, I must raise my estimation of you even higher!" The Red Viper watched Gendry's movements, quickly retrieving his spear and then pointing a white spear at Gendry.

Using the spear shaft to block Gendry's advance, he prevented the heavy hammer from landing. The Red Viper continued to retreat, but with the spear shaft, he could aim at Gendry's throat. Yet he chose not to attack, leaving a sense of suspense in the air.

"I yield! Prince!" Gendry said. On the surface, it seemed like a draw, but the Red Viper had many tricks up his sleeve—black magic and poisons. Skilled in these arts, the Red Viper posed a greater danger in combat than an ordinary knight.

"You haven't lost, lad! Your courage and strength are truly remarkable. What you lack is more combat experience. After all, I've lived many more years than you!" The Red Viper smiled. "The spear is, after all, the most agile and deadly weapon."

The onlookers burst into applause—Steel Fist, the Longspear, and the Unsullied. After all, this was a battle between the commander of the Wolfpack and the greatest knight of the age.

"How long have you been training, Commander?" the Red Viper asked.

"A few years, I suppose," Gendry replied. In truth, it hadn't been many years, as most of his early life had been spent as a blacksmith. But his natural strength made him a formidable fighter.

"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!" the Red Viper couldn't help but praise. "Your talent is indeed rare." He also wondered to himself, such formidable skills—if Gendry were from a noble house, he would have already made a name for himself. Why come to the Narrow Sea to seek a living? Perhaps there was only one possibility left: he was a commoner from Westeros, with no chance of rising above his station.

The Red Viper sized up Gendry's build and thought, "A bit shorter and leaner than I expected, but his strength is definitely powerful. This lad's strength far exceeds his frame. But because the Powdergrass King is a bit smaller in stature, his speed has actually caught up. Given time, he might surpass both me and the Mountain."

"Your skills are truly impressive, Commander. It's been a long time since I've had such an exhilarating fight! If you don't mind, I'd like to have a few more bouts with you."

"It would be my honor, Prince."

"It seems we might actually have the potential for cooperation after all!"

"Then let's toast to our budding friendship!"

The Red Viper and Gendry walked across the low hills of Powdergrass Manor. After the powdergrass had been harvested, new crops had already been planted, creating a lush and verdant landscape.

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"Walking alongside the young Commander, I can't help but confront the reality of my own aging," Oberyn sighed.

"Prince, you are still in the prime of your life. Why say such things?"

"Commander, there's no need to comfort me. I already have gray hairs. The worst part isn't growing old, but that my wish remains unfulfilled."

Gendry naturally knew the Red Viper's wish: to kill the Mountain and those who had orchestrated his sister's death. But the task was incredibly difficult, especially with the Lannisters' power at its peak.

"People are always bound by their desires," Gendry said.

"When I was young, I loved to travel. The happiest time was when my mother, her man, my sister Elia, and I visited Casterly Rock. Because my sister was frail and rarely traveled, everything was new and exciting to her. I was a monster in my youth, mocking my sister's suitors. I should have cut out my own sharp tongue!" Oberyn lamented. "After my sister's death, I came to despise my younger self."

"I've waited year after year, with no end in sight. I can only feel the approach of old age, especially when I see a young and talented man like you," Oberyn praised Gendry.

"If the old and new gods above watch over us, may they protect you in achieving your wish, Prince."

"Hahaha, I stopped believing in the Seven a long time ago. I only believe in myself. If the Seven truly exist, then I should have been the eldest, avenging my sister, not Doran."

"By the way, Commander, don't you want to talk about the past?" Oberyn asked.

"That's all ancient history. I had no father. I was once a blacksmith until I joined the Wolfpack and was trained by their instructors."

"It seems even heroes can rise from the lowest rungs. But it's not without precedent, like Tall Dunk from the previous reign."

"But all that is in the past. I just want to focus on the present and make my wish come true!" Oberyn mused. "What I need might just be a variable. Doran has told me many times that the variable lies in the future, but I've waited for so long, and it never seems to come."

"It seems you are that variable now!" Oberyn looked at Gendry with a piercing gaze.