Fishing At Casterly Rock Episode 3

That night I have a dream. I dream that I am crowned ruler of Casterly Rock. The guardians all bow down to me and give me a crown made of golden fish scales. They name me god of the guardians. I am their master and they are my servants to make with as I please. Upon waking up the next morning, I feel a sense of guilt washing over me for having such a dream. Is that not what the guardian at Casterly Rock warned me against? Pushing the troubling thoughts to the back of my mind, I begin the usual route to my fishing spot. For some reason, my Piscifun Crossbody bag feels unusually heavy…

I settle down next to the bank covered with soft moss, making it my home for the day. I have much fish to catch and even more people to feed. My Piscifun Carbon casting rod glistens in the morning sun, making it look as if the sun only shines its rays on my rod; giving it a god-like look. God like…

“Brad, your mind is an open book to me. What you think goes straight through my veins. What you feel makes my bones shudder with pain as well. I am however wary of what goes on inside your mind as it is not what the guardians of Casterly Rock want your mind to be filled with. I warned you of the power that comes with guardian status.”

Feeling like a kid caught in the act of being naughty, I spin around to see the guardian standing at the edge of the bank, his scaly skin like diamonds in the sun. “It was just a dream, just a subconscious meddle of the mind,” I try to come up with a valid explanation.

“They all say that, and yet they all follow the same path. Make sure you are not one of them, Brad. You are special and our last hope.”

“Yes, I understand. I will rid myself of these ludicrous thoughts and notions and concentrate on the task at hand. Making Casterly Rock the salvation for those in need and guarding it from any harm that might come lurking.”

“Good. I would like to inform you that you will be summoned to a council meeting tomorrow as you arrive here for your fishing venture. Do not be late and do not bring your negative thoughts with you. Leave them be where they do not bother you or any of us.”

Just as he appeared, he disappeared again into the water, making the trout in the lake surface for just one moment, making it much easier to catch them. Not long after my encounter with the guardian, the sun sets its rays on the mountain, ready for another night of darkness. As I pack up my fishing tackle, satisfied with the days catch, I open my crossbody bag and reach out to get my Piscifun fishing pliers. My hand glides across something cold and wet inside the bag. I glance down into the bag and am appalled at what I see. What stares back at me makes my breath catch in my throat. Eyes, or what used to be eyes, drawn back in their sockets, glassy with no life at all. My head lies in the bag, the look of fear still visible. As if the wind could feel my fear, a whisper sings softly in my ear.

“This will be you if you dare disobey.”

Now I know. Do not let the status cloud your mind. You will regret it. Shaking, I glance back at the bag to see my lifeless eyes. Nothing; the bag is empty. I gather up my trout and head back to the village. Tomorrow at the council meeting I will talk to the guardians about this. They had to have something to do with what I had just seen.