The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Jaqen had collapsed twice before.

The first time was when his whole family was killed and he had nowhere to turn. It was raining heavily then, and he huddled under a large tree to take shelter. Thunder rumbled, the rain poured down, and the water that had flooded over his feet kept rising.

The second time was during training in the House of Black and White, when he was placed in a snake pit. Jaqen was afraid of snakes, so the Faceless Men threw him into the pit.

After Jaqen became a Faceless Man, he was fortunate enough to experience his third collapse. — Polliver Clegane, Knight.

He couldn't sleep, but Polliver was already sound asleep.

His snores were right next to Jaqen's ear, and he was holding him in an ambiguous position.

Jaqen knew more than a hundred ways to kill Polliver, even murder, though it would cost him the name and face of Jaqen H'ghar.

But Arya hadn't given him that name.

Faceless Men don't take anyone's life for no reason, because the God of Death doesn't take anyone's life for no reason. Anything that seems accidental has its own inherent inevitability.

Polliver was bald.

The light from the window fell on his bald head, emitting a faint glow.

This guy was obsessed with human organs, Jaqen thought it must be a disease.

Polliver's hot breath was on his neck, tickling him, but Jaqen didn't try to get rid of it.

Because he had already made many attempts, and Polliver would only get closer to him.

Of course, he could get up, but he knew it was best not to. Polliver was more sensitive than Jaqen realized. This guy was a natural-born warrior, and any unusual move would immediately wake him up, as if another version of him was always awake.

Obsessive people are always geniuses in some way.

The only thing that gave Jaqen a little comfort was that Polliver was a reasonable person!

He liked Jaqen's half-red, half-white hair, liked Jaqen's eyes, nose, and mouth, ears and face, and a pair of skillful hands, but he always pleaded softly and didn't show any tendency to use violence.

Of course, Jaqen would have preferred him to use violence.

Other soldiers would be terrified if Polliver took a fancy to one of their 'exquisite' organs. Polliver's staring eyes would immediately make the soldiers seek help from their superiors. But Jaqen felt more helpless.

Polliver was actually a very reasonable person. He hoped to persuade Jaqen to voluntarily donate some part of his body. Who would happily donate an eyeball to Polliver?

It was neurotic.

Of course, Polliver also knew that his request was a bit unreasonable. In the end, he begged for Jaqen's hair. He said that hair wasn't a head, and a head couldn't grow back if it was cut off, but hair could.

Jaqen might love his unique hairstyle. In fact, his red and white hair wasn't dyed, it was real. He could fool Ellyn, but he couldn't fool a human organ genius like Polliver.

Because Polliver was a knight and his last name was Clegane, Jaqen was somewhat apprehensive.

No matter how excessive Polliver's words and actions were, Jaqen always behaved like a true nobleman, polite and elegant, rejecting without losing his friendliness.

This gave Polliver the illusion that he could get what he wanted with just a little more effort. Polliver followed Jaqen patiently. He was taller and stronger than Jaqen, just as stupid as Ellyn. If Jaqen really drew his sword, Ellyn and Polliver would already be dead.

In the sword fight on the city wall, Jaqen didn't show his true swordsmanship. He only needed one stab, and Ellyn would be dead.

The speed was too fast, Ellyn couldn't react at all.

A fatal blow!

It was just that Jaqen, who believed in the Many-Faced God and the God of Death, couldn't draw his sword and thrust.

Jaqen slept with his eyes open until dawn.

Polliver's long arms and legs entangled him in an ambiguous position, which anyone else would find unbearable and frightening, and would have reported it to their superiors and driven Polliver away. But the mentally collapsed Jaqen remained calm and unperturbed. Even if he was helpless, he was still peaceful and smiled elegantly.

Because Polliver couldn't threaten Jaqen's life, Jaqen's feelings were completely different from those of other soldiers. He didn't have any fear, he just felt terrible, so he didn't even think about asking his superiors for help. If Polliver harassed a soldier, the superior would come forward, and a word from the Mountain would solve the problem perfectly.

*

Morning, after early training.

Restaurant.

Jaqen sat at the long table that could accommodate two hundred people facing each other, relaxed and at ease, showing no sign of his sleepless night or the fatigue from his early morning training.

Polliver had to leave Jaqen because he was a cavalry officer and had early morning training. This made Jaqen breathe a sigh of relief in his heart, although his expression showed no change on the surface.

The seats around Jaqen were empty.

He had been transferred to Ellyn's guard team early in the morning. To kill Ellyn, he had to create opportunities to approach him at any time.

He was the first member of the Mountain's guard to arrive at the restaurant.

A recruit!

Arya came to him like a cat, lingering for a moment: "I want to cancel Ellyn's name."

"Once a name is given, it cannot be canceled."

"Why could Joffrey's name be canceled?"

"That's different, this is a contract that has already been agreed upon by both parties. Once the contract is set, it cannot be reversed."

Jaqen didn't need to turn his head to know that Arya was staring at him fiercely.

His expression remained unchanged, still calmly drinking bacon soup and nibbling on fragrant bread.

"Okay, I'll give you a second person's name now."

Jaqen nodded.

*

Sadly, Jaqen also wanted to complete Arya's three names as soon as possible and then go to Oldtown in the south. He had crossed the Narrow Sea with his own mission.

By mistake, Jaqen won money in the underground arena of Flea Bottom in King's Landing, which caused a dispute and he was caught and imprisoned in the Red Keep; then he was put in chains and handcuffs and put on a prison wagon heading north to become a recruit for the Night's Watch; later he encountered Gold Cloaks chasing a noble lady, the boy behind him, Hodor. In a critical situation, he owed Hodor three lives.

According to the rules of the Faceless Men, the God of Death cannot be deceived, and life debts must be repaid, so he had to stay.

In fact, on the first day of being escorted from King's Landing on the prison wagon heading north, Jaqen saw that the little boy Arya was a little girl, and had learned the top swordsmanship of the Braavosi swordsmen, 'Water Dance', with agile skills and a considerable foundation.

Jaqen's swordsmanship was similar to 'Water Dance', but sharper, faster, and more agile, and without any complicated sword moves. Jaqen practiced assassin swordsmanship, with only two swords, the first was thrust, and the second was defense. There were no chops, slashes, or spin slashes in the attack sword moves, and there were no hard parries or blocks in the defense. In short, any complicated sword moves and two-handed sword moves suitable for battle formation charges were absent in assassin swordsmanship.

*

Arya softly said a person's name.

Jaqen's back suddenly stiffened!

He turned his head to catch Arya's gaze, but Arya had already walked away.

Laughter, footsteps, curses, and noise came, and infantry and cavalry poured into the restaurant through many large doors.

Jaqen reached out and picked up the large bowl, drank the bacon soup in one gulp, which contained many fresh carrot particles mixed with mutton particles, very delicious.

He still had the last mouthful of soup in his mouth, but he had already stood up, grabbed a golden bread with his right hand, and hurried to chase after Arya.

He needed Arya to take back the name he had just given.

A life-and-death contract is when the employer gives the Faceless Man a name, and the Faceless Man signs a contract with the God of Death. Once the employer and the Faceless Man confirm it, it cannot be reversed.

Arya gave the second name, although Jaqen did not agree, so it would not form a contract between the Faceless Man and the God of Death, but it must be taken back by Arya herself.

The employer confirms the name, the Faceless Man confirms the name, and confirms it to the employer again. After obtaining the employer's confirmation again, the life-and-death contract is completed. The Faceless Man confirms the name to the employer, which is not a contract between the employer and the Faceless Man, but a contract agreement between the Faceless Man and the God of Death. Once confirmed, the Faceless Man can no longer choose to cancel it.

*

Behind the restaurant, in the woods, Jaqen handed the bread in his hand to Arya.

"Someone needs some girl to take back the name just now. Someone also knows that some girl is actually the Prime Minister's daughter." Jaqen looked at Arya calmly. He pointed out the truth that Arya was a girl, and pointed out Arya's identity, to remind the girl that he knew her secret from the beginning, but all the way from King's Landing, no matter how many times the Gold Cloaks and Red Priests asked, he did not betray Arya.

Arya took the bread. She was indeed hungry. She devoured the bread, and was not too surprised by Jaqen's words that he had seen through her secret. Her good friend the Mountain had already told her some small secrets, including some information about this remarkable Jaqen.

The Mountain told Arya that Jaqen was learning 'Assassin Swordsmanship', which was more powerful than Water Dance.

"I can take back that name, but at the same time I must also take back Ellyn's name."

"Ellyn's name cannot be taken back."

"Then the name just now cannot be taken back either."

Jaqen's calm and composed face finally changed.

"What a vicious little girl, a little devil."

"Girls aren't dwarves."

"Give me two other people's names." Jaqen was no longer calm.

Although he had not reached an agreement with the God of Death, the employer must take back the name. If the employer insists on not taking it back, the problem will become very serious.

"You promise me, let me take back Ellyn's name, and I will take back the name just now. Then, you still owe me three names."

A struggle flashed in the depths of Jaqen's eyes: "Some girl, I don't have time anymore."

"If you don't take back Ellyn's name, I will definitely not take back the name just now."

"…………"

The eyes of both sides met, both very firm.

"Okay, I agree to you, take back Ellyn's name."

Jaqen compromised.

Arya noticed a trace of pain flashed in Jaqen's eyes, but her heart was as hard as iron, without sympathy.

"I also agree to you, take back the name just now."

Although Jaqen still looked calm and breezy, Arya could still see that his stiff body and mind were really relaxed.

The name Arya had just said was: Jaqen H'ghar.

This name met all the requirements that Jaqen wanted: no super long distance in terms of region, no strict guards, and the owner of this name was not some king, governor, empress dowager, or duke.

It's just that this name is Jaqen H'ghar himself.

Even if Jaqen killed Ellyn and himself, he still failed to complete the contract with the God of Death, and he still owed Arya a name.

"Some girl, please give me three people's names again." Jaqen recovered his peace and said lightly, with a smile on his face. Since he became an assassin, this was the first time he had been defeated by a little girl.

He had just destroyed the first contract with his own hands, and taken back Ellyn's name. This face and this name would have to disappear forever - the death ritual - to escape the guilt of destroying the contract.

A Faceless Man's death ritual is a very heavy failure. The unfinished mission he shoulders also has to be terminated because of this. He has to return to the House of Black and White where he was trained to report his duties, and accept the severe punishment of the Faceless Monks. After completing a series of very harsh and complicated rituals, the House of Black and White will decide according to the omen of the Many-Faced God - whether he can continue to come out to complete the interrupted mission.

But before that, he had to complete the contract with the God of Death first: three names!

"Some girl, please give me three other names." Jaqen said.

He was really the unluckiest assassin in the history of the House of Black and White. Meeting Arya, he was destined to be defeated every time.

"I won't give you three people's names, because I don't have a name now," Arya said.

Jaqen suddenly had the urge to laugh, although he was calm and unhurried.

He crossed the Narrow Sea, a top assassin, and had basically not been smooth since landing on the continent of Westeros.

"Some girl must give me three people's names, I don't have much time left." Jaqen's tone was pleading, which was rare.

He took back Ellyn's name, so he had to die - this face and this name must completely disappear, and this face will be permanently preserved on the face wall of the House of Black and White.

"I don't have a name now. When I have a name, I will definitely come and tell you immediately," Arya said.

She turned and ran out of the woods.

"Hey!" Jaqen called out, "Some girl doesn't give me a name, then our agreement is canceled, please some girl confirm."

"I won't cancel it, you owe me three names. The gods have all heard our agreement."

Arya stopped, turned her head, and she saw Jaqen's face was full of gloom. This was the first time she had seen the calm and unhurried handsome Jaqen lose his color.

"You are really a... very, very vicious child... then okay!" Jaqen took out an iron coin from his pocket, and he threw the iron coin to Arya, and Arya reached out to catch it.

"The God of Death is the creditor, and when the time comes, someone must die." A strange wry smile appeared on Jaqen H'ghar's lips.

"Die? I have already taken back the name, you don't need to die now," Arya was not a bad kid. It's just that she had to save Ellyn. Ellyn was a loyal minister, he saved her father.

"Someone was forced to death by a vicious little girl, and someone's mission is... also forced to be interrupted. Someone must die, the time has come." Jaqen ran his hand down his face, from forehead to chin, and changes occurred wherever it passed: his face became fuller, his eyes closer together, his nose hooked, and an unprecedented scar appeared on his right cheek. He shook his head, and his long, straight, half-red and half-white hair disappeared, turning into a neat head of black curly hair.

Arya's mouth widened: "Who are you?" Her voice was full of shock and immense envy. "How did you change? Is it difficult?"

Someone grinned, revealing a shiny gold tooth. Arya noticed that even his teeth had changed.

"As simple as changing a name, once you know how."

"Teach me, I want to learn." Arya felt an uncontrollable, intense desire.

"If you want to learn, come with me."

"Where to?"

"A very, very far place, very, very far, across the Narrow Sea."

"No, you come with me. Let's go to Winterfell together."

"No. Vicious child, I have lost the qualification to complete my mission. My time is short, and I must hurry back to report for duty."

"But you still owe me three names."

"Keep this precious coin safe. When you want to say a name to me, come and find me."

Arya bit it. It was hard, it was iron: "Can it buy a horse?"

"No."

"Then what good is it?"

"If one day you need to find me, show this coin to any Braavosi and say to them—Valar Morghulis."

Thanks to [Big Elbow Fragrant] for the reward support, thank you, handshake!