White Harbor 294 AC.
Wyman.
It didn't take him long to like Ser Richard, the man was funny when he wished to be, the stories he told, both of Rhaegar and Lyanna and the ones of his own life after the rebellion, were fascinating to him. But it was the knowledge that this was the man his king had entrusted to ferret out the secrets and information the realm kept hidden, that Wyman found endeared the man most to him.
It also reinforced his faith in the king himself, in knowing that Jon, despite his youth, played the game like a much older man, he deferred when needed though he always remained in charge of the decisions. When they began to speak on Ned Stark and Winterfell though things took a slight turn and Richard seemed reticent to open up too much on them.
"There are things I cannot tell you Wyman, not because I do not trust you, Jon has made it clear you have his trust and so you have mine own, but because I have not spoken to my king on them and I needs must speak to him first."
"Tell me what you can Richard." Wyman said and the man nodded.
"The attack on Jon in the Riverlands I know now it was Edmure Tully who sent the men, I believe and given with what I found out in King's Landing, that belief is closer to knowing, that Catelyn Tully is behind this and the one they're planning now."
Wyman looked at him in shock, was he actually saying that Ned's wife ordered an attack on Jon, that she was at this moment planning another one.
"We must stop them." he said and Richard smiled.
"All is in place Wyman, the man they hired for the task is one of mine own, Jon is well aware as is Ser Arthur, the king is protected."
"Lady Catelyn?"
"As I said Wyman, some things I've yet to discuss with Jon."
He looked the man and tried to figure out what it is he would do in the situation, how would he handle it, that the woman was trying to have a child killed disgusted him, that her hatred ran that deep was something he couldn't comprehend. He knew how she felt, that much was made abundantly clear to him, but that she would actually do this, a woman raised in the light of the seven, he found that he suddenly hoped the stranger would give her no mercy.
"What of Ned?" he asked.
"What?"
"Ned, are you to tell him?"
"No, it's not my place Wyman, as I said I need to speak to Jon, he alone will decide what to do about the Tully's, as for his uncle, well on that I don't relish the decisions he may have to make."
"Nor do I." Wyman said with a sigh.
"His brother, what's he like?" Richard asked.
"Robb, he's a good lad, the visit Jon made to Winterfell, the difference it made, by the seven it's remarkable." Wyman said with a chuckle.
"How so?"
"The lad was too southern, too dismissive of the North, too close to the squid, you hear much about Jon's visit home?".
"Just parts of it, nothing too in-depth."
He told him then of the spars, of putting Robb and Theon in their places, of the wolves and the speech Jon made during Old Nan's funeral, how each of them from there got closer and closer to each other.
"By the time we split from them to come back here the lad was a different sort, he's quick, smart, has a touch of rashness in him which is a good thing, but, and I love Ned Stark despite it all, but they really didn't prepare those children for what's to come."
"He's uneducated?" Richard said surprised.
"Only where it matters, oh don't worry, he's learning now, by the time he goes back, he'll be the best damn lord I can make him." Wyman said determinedly and Richard smiled.
"Think he'd be up for a spar?"
"I think he'd love it, Richard, the boy's been a different sort since he went to Braavos, had a run-in with the First Sword while he was there."
"Forel?"
"Aye, you know the man?" he said a smirk on his face at the fact that Richard knew of Essos too.
"I've heard of him, a good swordsman."
"That he is."
"I'll go back and speak to my people, the place you set us up in, we can use that to deliver our own communication back and forth, to the king too Wyman."
"You think your network quicker than my ships." he said laughing.
"Your ships have to go all the way around Wyman, trust me, mine works far quicker."
He called for Wendel and Wylis after Richard left, found out that Robb was still with Wynafred and smiled at that, they'd been practically inseparable since he came back from Essos. Once his boy's sat down he told them some of what Richard had told them, mainly about the network and the man himself, as he didn't trust them to keep their feelings in check should they learn of Lady Catelyn.
"What did you make of him father?"
"I think Jon has made the wisest choice of all, that man is a man I'd much rather have on my side than against me."
"Are you going to allow him to expand all through the North?" Wylis asked concernedly.
"Aye, our own information only goes so far, if he's able to do here what he has in the south then there won't be anything that happens in the North that won't be known."
"Is it not dangerous father, to allow the south that much knowledge of us?" Wylis asked and he smiled at his boy, proud to see the Northman shining through.
"It's not the south, it's Jon and he is my king, besides, we are on the inside on this, should our own position be under any threat then it's far better to know early."
"He will share?" Wendell asked.
"He will if Jon tells him to."
The next morning after breaking his fast he watched as Ser Richard and Robb faced each other, seeing Grey Wind lick the man's hand only making it even clearer where his loyalties lay. Robb did well, he had improved and a couple of moves caught even Ser Richard by surprise, he then spent some time showing Robb some of his own moves, and Wyman was pleased by the smile on his squire's face.
It was just less than a moon later when Richard came to say his goodbyes, the network was set, though it would take time for it to spread fully, time for them to travel the length and breadth of the North. He went with him down to the docks to say his own goodbyes to the man, the Lannister Pinnacle ship which had arrived to deliver more stocks for the Night's Watch being Richard's way back to the King.
"Lord Wyman I thank you for your hospitality and help."
"Think nothing of it, Richard, I bid you good fortune."
"And I you, I look forward to working with you in the future."
He watched as the ship sailed off, finding very quickly that he missed the man, his company, his conversation and talk of what the king would do, all filing him with a sense of purpose. He had tied his house's fortunes to Jon Snow for many a year now and it had benefited him and the North greatly, he looked forward to seeing what being tied to Jaehaerys Targaryen would bring.
Pentos 294 AC.
Tyrion.
The vision was troubling, to see those things, to almost be able to feel them, to hear his voice telling him to be a dragon. Had it not been for the fact they had found Loamara exactly where the vision showed him, then he'd have thought they'd drugged the wine, even with that he still wasn't sure they had not. He knew of shade of the evening and what it supposedly did to those who drank it, but after speaking to Oberyn he knew he'd not been given that.
He had tried the first night to wipe the feelings from his head with drink, but had found the dreams that came to be just as disturbing as the visions had, so the second he had stayed sober and found once again he dreamt of dragons. Between that and how Loamara would look at him curiously every so often, he had been glad when Oberyn asked him to accompany him to visit Illyrio's Manse.
Now sitting in the hot sun with not a piece of shade near, he wished he had made Oberyn clarify that it was the hill overlooking the Manse and not the Manse itself they were going to. Though the prince's smile upon seeing the truth of the Magister's mummery laid bare, did please Tyrion somewhat.
"Yes this is more like it, now Illyrio, show us that which you wished us not to see." Oberyn said and offered him some grapes which he took.
"Some wine Tyrion?" Ellaria asked and Tyrion couldn't help but chuckle, only Oberyn Martell could turn a spying mission into a picnic.
"What do you notice Tyrion?" Oberyn said and he looked down on the Manse.
He could see the large statue in the center of the property in front of a marble pool, and the property itself put Casterly Rock to shame in terms of its decorations. How much wealth Illyrio possessed was hard to ascertain but Tyrion would put him on a par with their own before Castamere at the least. But it was the guards he looked at, they guarded in formation, standard patterns, except for in two specific places.
The first he assumed was Illyrio's own rooms and where the Magister himself moved most given the number of guards, the second though seemed far away from him, almost a separate part of the property in some way.
"There, that section, he is guarding something or someone in there."
"He is, very good we'll make a warrior of you yet." Oberyn said and had it come from any other man he'd have taken it as a slight.
"Please ensure my opponents are not too large my prince." he said and Oberyn laughed.
"I think you'd quickly find it's not the size of the man in the fight Tyrion, but the size of the fight in the man. You, my friend I've no doubt possess the fight of a much larger man." Oberyn patted him on the shoulder as Ellaria refilled his glass.
"What are we to do father?" Obara asked.
"I'll go in tonight, alone." Oberyn said and continued before Ellaria or Obara could argue "Have any of you snuck into a guarded place? Gone where men were trained to keep you out? I shall go and should I not be able to enter, I'll not try." Oberyn said and both women nodded.
"I shall come too my prince." Daemon said.
"No you shall wait here, watch this place until I return at the Hour of the Bat, tell me what you see, tonight when I enter, you will watch my back, but from here Daemon."
"As you command my prince."
They made their way back to the tavern, Loamara had stayed under guard and Tyrion had given him Caelotte's Journals to read, perhaps he would find something he did not, or at least be able to clarify some things.
Later that night Oberyn bid them goodnight and he, like both Obara and Ellaria, nervously awaited his return. They ate though had no appetite, drank though they were not thirsty, they did their best to have fun, to enjoy the night, in the end, Obara left to spar with some guards and he was left alone with Ellaria.
"You like her, Arianne." Ellaria said catching him by surprise, they'd not spoken of the princess to him once, that she brought it up now showed to Tyrion her own worry on Oberyn's safety.
"I do, but it is what it is, that she gave me a look was more than I expected." he said and she looked at him oddly.
"Why do you think so low of yourself? You are a Lannister, the son of a great house, you are intelligent, witty, even charming when you wish to be."
"I am a dwarf." he said resignedly.
"You think that matters to a woman, you think we care about such things?"
"It has been my experience, my lady, that yes you do." he took a swallow of his wine and smiled sadly.
"Then you my friend have been surrounded by the wrong women, you have much to offer a lady Tyrion, and not just your name, don't forget it." she said as she leaned forward, kissed him on the forehead, and bid him goodnight.
He smiled when she was gone, she may not be telling him a complete lie, but even if she was, he appreciated her for it, glad of her friendship and the princes. He wondered about his father, wherever he was now, what would he think of it, the shame of his house now being friends with the Red Viper. For he knew Oberyn thought him a friend and if not for everything else then for that alone he would be thankful to Jon Snow, friends had been in short supply for most of his life.
He eventually went to his own room and fell asleep reading, he was woken up abruptly the next morning by Ser Daemon. Staggering out of bed he dressed quickly looking at the man who though he seemed urgent, didn't seem panicked or worried, once he was finished he was brought to Oberyn's room. He smiled seeing the prince safe and well when he entered, though he noticed they were already packed and ready to go.
"What happened?"
"We must leave Tyrion, now, your ship it will sail despite its business not being completed?" Oberyn asked and he nodded.
"Aye if I order it."
"Good, Daemon, go to the ship, give them Tyrion's orders, we shall meet you there."
"Oberyn what happened?".
"I saw Viserys, they have him under guard, drugged I think, but he is as Loamara said, he is his father's son, the boy woke and screamed out and I had to leave far more quickly and noisily then I would have wished."
"They saw you?" he asked worriedly.
"They saw someone, but it won't be too hard to figure out it was me, we must go, I do not know what this Magister's plan is, but I doubt we are safe here now."
He gathered his things hurriedly, the horses ready to take them, jumping into the carriage he was surprised that Oberyn rode with his men, but then he would be needed if things went badly. They reached the ship without issue though and were at sea within the hour, he was pleased to find out that the ship was actually ready to sail its business having been completed and it had delayed just to wait for them.
As he looked at Pentos in the distance he wondered what game the Magister was playing, with Viserys in his possession surely that was the perfect way to bring Dorne in, at least it was if his plan was as he said. He couldn't figure it out and it preyed on his mind all night, Obeyrn's too, though later on when he slept, it wasn't a Magister or Pentos he dreamt of, but of dragons, of flying through the sky.
Highgarden 294 AC.
Sansa.
She loved it here, waking up to the sun shining down, breaking her fast with Margaery, with Olenna and Willas, with Margaery's cousins and with Leonette when she came to visit. She loved walking in the garden with Willas, listening to him explain things, to tell her of the plants and flowers, of breeding his hounds and hawks, of trying to train pigeons or hawks to carry messages.
She loved her lessons, which at first were so far beyond her that she was embarrassed, almost ashamed to go to them, especially upon learning how far ahead Margaery was and that she had already taken these when she was much younger than her. But soon she had begun to enjoy them, and then to love them, to find her mind being challenged, to learn things she had never thought to learn.
The times she spent with Margaery, with Olenna, were in some ways lessons too, both seemed so much more knowledgeable about the world than she, both so eager to share. So she had listened and learned, and found she began to notice little things she had not thought of before. Seeing things she had been blind to or unaware of, of how courtesy and protocol wasn't a sign of how good someone was, but just how they had been thought to behave.
"Sansa."
"Sansa."
"uh, oh what." she said and then looked at Margaery who was smirking at her.
"Dreaming is for night time Sansa." she said and Sansa giggled.
"Sorry, I was miles away."
"Come, grandmother wishes to see you." Margaery said and Sansa nodded getting up from her table and putting away the drawing she had started to do.
She walked with Margaery gossiping and giggling all the way, Margaery telling her of Megga's latest crush or Elinor's latest adventure. When she told her of the new fostering though Sansa felt herself even more excited, Mira was a girl of the north, just like her, though she didn't really know the Forrester's that well. She did look forward to having another northern girl here though, someone who would know more of the things she spoke of.
Margaery loved to hear her speak of the North, of the Wolfswood and the summer snows, of the glass gardens and the heated springs in Winterfell. For Sansa, it kept up the memory of home, which though she missed it she had found that she wasn't sad about missing it. But Sansa learned quickly that while Margaery asked about the North, it was truly Jon she wished to speak on, and quickly those conversations would turn to her brother.
"Sansa, sit down my chid, you too Margaery, I have some news for you both."
"Thank you Lady Olenna." she curtsied before taking her seat, many times both Margaery and Olenna had told her not to, but she couldn't help herself, the older woman still made her nervous.
"I've received a raven that we're to have a visitor soon Sansa, your mother is coming to Highgarden and should be here within the moon."
"Mother, why?" she said smiling as she thought of how her mother may feel about Highgarden and seeing how much she'd already learned.
Olenna sat quietly for a moment and Sansa wondered if the woman didn't know or if it was she knew something bad and was preparing to tell her, as she had when she had broken the news of her grandfather's passing.
"I believe she wishes to bring you news on your future Sansa." Olenna said cryptically.
"Does she mean to ask me to leave, are you not happy with me?" Sansa said worriedly.
"Leave, she'd have to drag you kicking and screaming from our hands Sansa, we love having you here, do we not Margaery."
"We do, you know we do Sans." Margaery said and grabbed her hand making her smile.
"Then, what is it about my future she means to speak to me about?." she asked confusedly.
She sat quietly in the garden later that day, Willas was having trouble with his leg so hadn't been able to go for their walk, though he had refused her offer to stay inside with him, saying the day was far too nice for her to spend it with him indoors. She had disagreed, but in the end, he was right it was beautiful today, so she and Fang had gone for their walk alone.
Well, as alone as she ever was, her guards were close by as always, she sat there looking at Fang as she chased after a butterfly, jumping up and coming close but never quite catching the beautiful little thing. Marriage to a prince, to a future king, she would be queen, it was something out of a story, and yet she found it didn't fill her with the joy it should. It didn't fill her with excitement, not once had she thought of the prince how she did of Willas, or how Margaery did of Jon.
A few nights after the feast for Margaery's nameday, she had walked into Margaery's room unannounced. She had found her laying on her bed, holding a silver object in her hand which she had tied to hide. Feeling mischievous, she had done her best to get the object to see what it was, and in the end she had managed to grab it and found it to be a drawing of Jon and Margaery dancing together.
" Give it back Sansa." Margaery said angrily.
" Marge I'm sorry, I didn't know." she said handing the drawing back.
" It's mine Sansa, it's private." Margaery said still a little put out.
" It's beautiful Marge, you two look good together." she said and saw the smile appear on her friend's face almost immediately.
She would see that smile on Margaery's face from time to time, usually when Jon was mentioned in some way and she knew then, just as she had at the feast itself, that Margaery liked her brother, and he her. She had found sometimes that smile on her own face, after walking with Willas, sometimes as they ate dinner and he'd say something.
As she thought of a prince she had never met, of a marriage sometime in the future, she tried to bring that smile to her face, tried to feel how she should. But the talks she had with Margery about Prince Joffrey, the talks she had with Willas when they had explained the prince's nature to her, kept coming back to her. She and Robb had not been close, he had teased her, allowed Theon to do the same, but he had never struck her, what kind of a brother would?.
"I had not thought to find you alone Sansa." Willas said and she smiled as he took the seat beside her.
"My walking companion was unavailable, remember." she said and he laughed softly.
"Had I known you'd have walked alone, I'd have suffered through my pain." he said and she felt embarrassed for teasing him.
"Your leg, I'm sorry."
"It feels better, now what shall we talk about today?".
As she slept that night she found herself back in the strange dreams she'd been having once again.
She crept by the kennels, the hounds used to her now, past the hawks and pigeons, who flapped their wings, though made no noise. Soon she was running through the gardens, running out into the fields, she could smell them, moving in front of her, so she slowed down, crept along tighter to the ground, moving closer and closer. The rabbit didn't see her as she leapt, her teeth in its neck before it had a chance to move, she felt the blood in her mouth as she enjoyed her meal.
Waking up the next morning Sansa almost retched at the taste in her mouth, grabbing the water from the table she drank it down quickly, spitting the first two mouthfuls out to clean out her mouth. As she drank down the third, the taste finally beginning to go away, she looked down to Fang who was looking at her. Leaning down she patted the wolf's head and as she looked at her, she saw the blood pooled around the wolf's mouth.
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jaime.
He found himself happy to be sparring once again, both with Jon and with Arthur too, he had been embarrassed to approach his former brother, embarrassed to even look at the man. But Arthur had waved it off, told him there was no need to apologize, even though he still did so. With Jon it was different, the apology was heartfelt and yet Jon felt the need to apologize to him even more.
" I wish I could have kept it to myself, that I could just bury it deep never to be spoken of."
" I know Jon, but you were right, Genna showed me that, one day this truth would have come out, better it be on our terms than someone else's."
" How do you feel Jaime?"
" Bad, but getting better, he's my brother Jon, he'll always be my brother." he said and Jon nodded.
" Family." Jon said.
" Aye family."
That was it, simple and direct and to the point, he told Jon off for hiding it from him, for keeping it to himself for so long and Jon explained his reasons. He knew he'd been spending more time with Dacey, she needed him, and he had thought Jon didn't as much, though now he knew that would never be true. Despite all those around him, despite the family he had built for himself, Jaime was still who he looked to and in that he knew he would need to do better.
"How long until the babe?" Jon asked as he moved forward, the sword flashing in front of Jaime's eyes.
"Soon, less than a moon if Jardene is right."
"You like the man?"
"I don't know, I trust him though, for now at least." he said as he aimed two strikes at Jon's left, followed by a quick one to his right.
They sparred for almost an hour and he was glad for Genna making him do this, no matter how busy he may be, or how wrapped up in things he may get, this had to be done. Be it daily, every second day, or even if it were to be just once a week, from now on he'd make sure nothing, not Jon secluding himself, nor him doing the same, stopped them sparring.
"You're getting better." he said when he finally won the spar.
"You're getting worse." Jon said and both of them laughed.
He walked over and poured the water for them both, seeing Jon motion to Arthur to come close, looking to his brother he nodded when Jaime offered him a drink and all three of them sat down on the small wall.
"We received some news from Richard while things were going on." Jon said and he looked to see his face more serious than ever "He found out the truth behind the attack in the Riverlands."
"The Tully's?" he said seeing Jon's face drop.
"It seems my aunt wishes me dead." Jon said a small laugh covering up what he really felt.
"I'm sorry Jon."
"There's more Jaime." Arthur said.
They told him then of the assassin, of how his aunt, her brother, and Petyr Baelish had hired a man to kill him, how they had conspired to kill his king, his ward, his squire, his son. He jumped to his feet, his fury clear, were it not for Jon's hand reaching out to touch him, he didn't know what he would do, but feeling it, he grabbed him and hugged him tightly.
"I'll fucking kill them all." he said holding Jon close.
He saw Arthur nod to him and felt Jon hug him back, before he stepped away, smiling at him.
"Not yet." Jon said and he looked at him incredulously "I'm a wolf too Jaime, not just a dragon, and wolves stalk their prey before striking, and so will we."
He told him then of his plan, of how the assassin was one of Richard's men, how he had come to them, and between Jon, Arthur and he came up with the idea. He wanted to tell him, no, to just go after the Tully's, after Catelyn, to grab Baelish with his own hands and strangle the life out of him.
"She is my aunt and cursed is the kinslayer, I'll not become one, I'll not be like him." Jon said and he didn't know who it was he meant "Bloodraven." Jon said a moment later and both he and Arthur looked at each other.
"Then what are we to do about them?". he asked
"Edmure is a fool, but a useful one, he in the Riverlands, they'll never rally behind him, we can use that, we can swing them to our side, that leaves Robert with just the Stormlands and the Vale."
He saw Arthur smile as Jon spoke and he too smirked a little, as he listened to a wolf, stalking his prey.
That night he told Dacey as they lay in bed, his hand resting on her stomach, holding her close. Had it not been for her, he may have gone mad given the revelation that Jon gave him, may have lost it completely. She had made him see the truth, see it even more clearly than he had thought possible, Tyrion was and always would be his brother, no matter who his father was. Both of them were monsters anyway and it was up to him and Tyrion to be better than they were.
"I will be a good father, I swear it." he said softly, his hand stroking her stomach as she slept.
Highgarden 294 AC.
Cat.
Seeing it in front of her she couldn't help but be impressed, it was a beautiful keep, the fields around it full of life and color, this was where her daughter should be, she could see that now. Though in the end, this would be only temporary, her sweet Sansa would rise even higher than the roses of the Reach. As the carriage drew closer she found herself happy to be here, happy to have made it so quickly, even though the journey was tiresome.
"My lady, we're here." she heard her guard say a few moments later.
Stepping out of the carriage she was pleased to see the Tyrell's had lined up to meet her, pleased to see courtesy respected. Looking over them she saw Sansa and her daughter smiled at her which she returned, she had grown it seemed to her, taller, even more, ladylike and it made her proud to see that she looked very much at place among the ladies of the South. She had worried a little on that, that even with the education she had given her, the North would shine through and her daughter would be shamed because of it.
"Lady Stark, welcome to Highgarden" Lord Tyrell said and she curtsied as he introduced her to the rest of his family.
"My wife, Lady Alerie."
"My lady."
"My son and heir, Willas." she smiled as he kissed her hand, a handsome man, though she frowned a little seeing the cane.
"My daughter and our golden rose, Margaery." she looked at the girl, gods she would be a beautiful woman one day, a perfect wife for the heir of the north, she resolved to speak to Margaery on Robb and hoped that Sansa had done the same.
"Lady Stark a pleasure." Margaery said her curtsy perfect, her smile blinding, yes a perfect wife.
"Lady Margaery it's so good to meet you finally." she said smiling back at her.
"My mother, Lady Olenna." Mace said and she moved to the infamous queen of thorns though all she saw was a small old lady."
"Lady Olenna."
"Lady Stark." Olenna said back, no smile, no warmth, just a simple greeting.
"Mother." she heard Sansa say and she moved forward to hug her daughter.
"Sansa, my dear sweet Sansa, it's so good to see you."
She heard it then, the growl, the movement from the left, looking over her shoulder she saw the grey wolf, saw it looking at her, it's teeth bared, it's eyes boring deep into her own, she shuddered for a moment until Lord Mace spoke.
"Lady Stark, I'm sure you wish to refresh yourself after such a long journey, Sansa will show you to your rooms and Willas will see to your men."
"I thank you, Lord Tyrell."
She was surprised both by how silent Sansa was when she walked her to her rooms and how quickly she left her alone once they got there, but then thinking on it she knew her daughter probably knew even better than she how tiring traveling could be. The room she was given was magnificent, the Tyrell's showing her tremendous respect, whether it was because of her status, or Sansa, or both she couldn't tell.
She enjoyed a warm bath, changed her clothing and asked the girl to take her to where her daughter's room was. Instead, she was told that Sansa had gone to her lessons and so she asked to be taken there. She stood outside the door as Sansa answered question after question, feeling her pride in her little girl rise each time, Sansa had always been her cleverest child, something she was showing off admirably now.
"Mother?" Sansa said when she walked from the room, finding her sitting on a window seat looking out at the gardens below.
"Sansa, I had thought you'd skip your lessons for the day."
"I had thought you, tired mother, besides I enjoy them."
"Would you show me around Sweetling?"
"Of course mother."
Sansa brought her to each of the rooms, the Great Hall, the Grand Ballroom, Cat marveled at the decorations, the sheer lavishness of them, even the Red Keep couldn't' come close to matching them. When they reached the double doors Sansa led her out to the gardens and Cat's breath was taken away by their sheer beauty.
"Willas and I go walking down there every day." Sansa said a soft smile on her face as she pointed out a path.
"You are friendly with Lord Willas?" she asked and Sansa frowned before answering.
"I am friendly with all the Tyrell's mother, but especially with Willas and Margaery."
"She's very pretty, have they decided upon a match for her yet?" Cat asked.
"No, unlike some they would prefer to wait."
"Sansa?"
"I know why you've come mother, you wish me to marry Prince Joffrey."
Cat was stunned, she had been so careful, the king had sworn he'd not announce it until she had spoken to Ned, but yet her daughter already knew, how?.
"How did you know?" she asked the question leaving her lips almost as soon as she had thought it.
"Lady Olenna spoke to me of it."
Olenna, how had lady Olenna known of this, had Robert sent word to everyone? She would need to speak to the queen of thorns to find out.
"It's not confirmed yet my love, I need to speak to your father, but you will be queen Sansa, queen of the Seven Kingdoms, and prince Joffrey is such a sweet and kind boy and so handsome too." she said and Sansa snorted.
"Sweet and kind, have you spent any time with the prince mother?".
"I met him while in Kings Landing."
"And did you see him with his sister, with his brother, did you see how he treats them?"
"I.."
"No you did not, he's mean and cruel mother, he treats them terribly, hits them, no I'll not marry him, you cannot make me." Sansa said and ran from her leaving her there alone.
She didn't understand, what had just happened? Why had her daughter behaved this way? This was most strange, she needed to think, she needed to figure this out. Finding a seat she sat down and was trying to run it through her head when she heard the tapping of a cane on the ground, she looked up to see Lord Willas walk her way, his limp taking him twice the time it should to get to her.
"Lady Stark."
"Lord Willas." she said a plastered smile on her face.
"May I join you, my lady?". he asked and she nodded allowing him to sit beside her "My lady if I may be so bold, what happened between you and Lady Sansa?"
"What? nothing happened, even had something occurred, I don't think it's of your concern."
"We're all very fond of Lady Sansa here my lady, to see her so upset, forgive me but it's not something we're used to."
"My daughter seemed to have gotten the wrong idea of my visit, she was upset by something she had heard before I arrived, something I find most puzzling."
"Prince Joffrey." he said shaking his head.
"What of the prince?"
"I know you've come with the offer of a betrothal from the king, I would in all good conscience ask you to deny it, prince Joffrey is not a suitable husband for your daughter."
She saw it then, saw what it was they were up to, they'd marry her daughter to a cripple so they could place their golden rose on the throne, no, she'd not have it, but this was a difficult situation and she'd need to handle it well.
"I shall take what you say under advisement Lord Willas." she said standing up and walking away.
Yes, she would need to navigate these waters a little more carefully, for it seemed the roses wished to take which was her daughters by right. She'd need to speak to Sansa alone, need to speak to her away from them, where she could show her the games these people played.
Highgarden.
294 AC.
Olenna.
Dinner was a stilted affair, Lady Catelyn and Sansa were barely talking to each other, Willas looked at both with very different looks. Margaery seemed wrapped up in making Sansa feel better and more than once she caught the trout looking at her and Mace with a glower on her face. Oh the lady tried to keep her courtesies as best she could, but one needed a far better grip on one's emotions if you were to play the game of thrones.
Whatever had been said between Cat and Sansa had caused this, and all that she had managed to gather from Willas was that the betrothal had been brought up already. This surprised her until she thought of it some more, of course, Sansa had done it, she had brought it up, where her mother would have eased her in, Sansa had gone straight to the point.
"How did you find the travel Lady Stark?" she heard Alerie ask.
"It was good my lady, tiring, but traveling through the Reach and along the Rose Road was more comfortable than I'd expected.
"Did you enjoy your stay in the capital my lady?" Mace asked and Olenna listened more closely.
"I did my lord, seeing my sister and her husband again and dining with the king were highlights for me." Cat said smugly and Olenna saw the small smile on her face.
"We were most sorry to hear of your father's passing my lady." Mace said.
"It was a hard time, I hope Sansa wasn't too hurt by it." Cat said concernedly and Alerie answered.
"She did take it quite badly, but Margaery and Willas both did their best to be there for her."
"I'm most grateful my lady."
She tuned her out after that, it seemed to be just simple small talk tonight, she wondered how long it would stay that way though.
The next morning she broke her fast with Margaery in her private dining area, she wished to speak to her to find out just exactly what had gone on with Sansa and her mother. It didn't take long for the full story to out, it seemed Sansa had just came right out with it as she had suspected, she admired the girls backbone, though her naivety was still there which she wasn't happy about.
"So she knows how Sansa feels?"
"I believe so grandmother."
"I think I should speak to her today, talk to her about Willas."
"What about Willas?" Margaery asked.
"About a match between he and Sansa."
"Grandmother, you can't."
"Why not?"
"Should you do so Lady Stark would think we're trying to stop the… oh you want her to think that." Margaery said a smile on her face.
"Let her believe we are who she thinks we are, we'll see where it takes us."
She arranged a lunch for Lady Stark and herself, did so at precisely the right time so they'd see Sansa and Willas on their walk. Sitting there she smiled when the woman arrived, made small talk until she heard the cane in the distance and then waited. Pretending to look away for a moment she looked back to see the frown on the woman's face, to see an almost scowl appear, before as she turned back to face her the smile was back.
"They make an interesting sight do they not?" she said as they passed by their eye line.
"Lord Willas is most gracious to accompany her so."
"They've become quite close, something which I'd like to discuss with you."
"Discuss?"
"The Future Lady Catelyn, the future, perhaps House Tyrell and House Stark could be joined in the future?."
"Sansa and Willas?" Cat said her voice rising a pitch.
"The heir of Highgarden and the daughter of the warden of the north, a good match don't you think?."
"What of Margaery and Robb my lady would that not be a better match?" Cat said and Olenna shook her head sighing.
"I'm afraid my rose would wilt in the North Lady Catelyn, she belongs in the sun, rising high."
"As does Sansa, I'm afraid I must refuse Lady Olenna, my daughter is to marry Prince Joffrey." Cat said smugly.
"Really, I feel sorry for the girl, she does not deserve such a fate." she said shaking her head, trying to see if she could generate concern in the other woman's features, but it was that same smug look which she saw.
"My daughter is to be queen my lady, I'm sure if your granddaughter was to have the chance to be so, you'd welcome her fate."
Oh, but I do, and she will, but not to the mad stag that boy will turn out to be she thought to herself, but just smiled at the trout and let her believe she'd won this round.
They continued to eat for a little longer, Olenna waiting until she got the signal from the servant, she was glad of it, finding spending time in the woman's company to be tiresome indeed.
"Have you heard of the latest invention to come out of Casterly Rock, Lady Stark? Apparently young Jon has managed to make it possible to deliver Ice, can you imagine what that would be like on a day such as this." Cat looked at her with a look of such disgust, such hatred that it too her back for a moment.
"I'm surprised you put much stock in what tricks a bastard comes up with Lady Olenna."
"Oh Margaery, Sansa, I hadn't expected you to join us." Olenna said as Cat turned to see Margaery glaring at her and Sansa standing there her face full of anger.
"Sansa, sweetling." Cat said her shock clear.
Olenna watched on as both Sansa and Margaery stormed off, Margaery only leaving because Sansa did, Cat looked to her and them, before quickly jumping up and chasing after them. Leaning forward she took her knife and cut a piece of the soft cheese, enjoying the taste of it as she put it in her mouth, before slowly taking a sip of her tea and smiling.
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jon.
He slept nervously that night, finding himself worried on the morning to come, that it was to be a mummery, a show didn't bother him, nor was he concerned about something going wrong. More it was the reactions, reactions when the news spread, the worry and concern of such a thing, the way he'd make those around him feel. But it was also the thoughts of the news as it spread, the thoughts of those he cared about hearing it wrong and he hoped the news of the truth would reach them before the lie.
He had arranged with Bronn what to do, had practiced it with him, Walder, Jors and Arthur, Ghost he knew he could trust to do what was needed. But sending the news out, letting Margaery know, or Sansa, telling Robb or his uncle, getting the news to them of it being a mummery, before the news reached them of the attack, that was worrying to him.
"I don't think you should do this." Rhaenix said and he reached down to stroke her neck.
"I'll be safe sister, I need them to see it, to believe it."
"But what if it goes wrong, what if you get hurt?" she asked.
"I won't, I'd not risk it, not for a mummery."
"Why not just have him captured, have it sent around that he was caught?" he smiled at her when she asked him that.
"If they see the show, if they hear of it, they'll think he tried it, but know I can't be gotten to, it'll change their minds, make them consider their moves more carefully."
"How is that good?"
"It gives us time, moves us closer, look at you, you're growing, you're almost ready to fly for longer as it is."
"I want to fly Jae, but it's too dangerous."
"For now sister, for now."
"How can he sleep so easily?" Rhaenix said annoyedly and he looked to Lygaron who was snoozing in his part of the room.
"I'm not his rider." he said a soft smile on his face as he hugged her feeling her purr against him before he got into bed to sleep.
Breaking his fast the next morning he felt sure of one more thing, it was time she knew, the little girl beside him she needed to know the truth, Brienne, Satin, perhaps too in time, but Joy, she needed to know. This would give him the chance to tell her, the chance to make it clear why it needed to be a secret, he just hoped she took it well.
"Jon we go riding today Apples is lonely?" she asked and he shook his head.
"I can't, why don't you go with Cregan and Satin, Brienne too and then you and I can go tomorrow."
"Promise?" she asked and he leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Promise." he said and she smirked.
Once he'd broken his fast, they had some sparring though his heart and mind weren't fully in it, then he nodded to Loras and both he and his friend made their way to the lift, leaving the others to go for their ride with Joy. Jaime stopped him before he left, he'd tried to talk him out of this twice already, but he had made up his mind, this was how it needed to be done.
He found Ghost, Arthur, Jors, and Walder all waiting, mounting up they rode to Lannisport. Officially he was there to send out the first shipment of Ice to Oldtown, it was their test run, their first real move into the market. This was a gift to House Hightower, the portable Ice Wagon no real match for the Ice Houses they had already built in Casterly Rock and were building in Lannisport itself.
"Loras you know what to do?" Arthur said and Loras nodded reluctantly, yet another person who'd tried to get him to call this off.
"Aye, I know."
"Once it's done, you ride to the Rock as quickly as you can, both of you, I'll ride slowly behind with Walder and the Cart." Arthur said looking to Jors and Loras.
Arriving at Lannisport, he made his way to the docks taking a look at the Lion's Mane as it sat by the dockside. Walking on deck he went to the Ice Room, looking inside to see the ice was still in perfect condition, Loras and Arthur looking on proudly while Walder laughed.
"Ice in the South, I swear had it not seen it for myself I'd not believe it." Walder said as they left.
They had used trial and error on the shipments, the first had arrived and they had found they lost some, the room just not done right, after fixing it though, they soon saw the results, perfect, it was like being at the wall itself to see it stacked so. With the ice sorted they walked from the ship and headed to the tavern, lunch and then the play would begin.
He noticed Bronn out of the corner of his eye and smiled at the man who rolled his eyes before smiling back. He had enjoyed Bronn's company the few times he'd been with him, had found him to be, while rude and coarse, a man full of interesting tales. What he had enjoyed even more though was sparring against the man, the way he fought completely unlike any he'd come up against.
Arthur or Jaime could beat the man, he had no doubt of that, but for others, they'd struggle and he himself had taken a couple of bruises when he faced him.
" You'll end up dead if you fight like that boy."
" I'm faster than you."
" Your speed only gets you so far." the dirt hit him in the face and he found himself tripped up and hitting the ground hard a sword quickly at his neck.
" You don't fight fair." he said angrily getting to his feet.
" You fought fair, if this was a real fight, it would be me walking away, not you, remember that boy, only the man who walks away is the winner."
He did and the next time they sparred, he was far more ready for the dirty tricks, though he still fell to another. In time though he knew he'd only be better for this, only more prepared, Bronn was right, the only winner of a fight was the one who walked away. As they reached the center of Lannisport he reached out to Ghost, the wolf stalking Bronn just like he was supposed to.
Jon moved away from his guards walking over to the group of children and handing them out some coppers, laughing with them when the asked where Ghost was. Looking up to Arthur and Walder he nodded, Loras and Jors moved into position, he said his goodbyes to the children and walked away, giving Bronn the nod and waiting for the man to make his move.
Lannisport 294 AC.
Bronn.
There was something about the boy, something he couldn't quite figure out, sure he was smart, clever, damn talented with a blade in his hand. The facts of what he had done for the Lannister's, of how he was appreciated by them were clear to see. For a bastard, Jon Snow walked around Casterly Rock like he was the heir, like he was the trueborn son of Jaime Lannister and not the by blow of Ned Stark.
Drinking in Lannisport he found people spoke of the boy a lot, the changes he and Lord Jaime, Lord Kevan and Lord Tyrion had brought to their lives. The mines, the ships he built, the white wolf, all of it combing to make Jon Snow far more liked and respected than any bastard he had ever known.
That the boy would spend time with children when he came, that he'd always have a few coppers for them, or how he had bought this man a drink, or this one a meal, Bronn couldn't get a handle on the boy and it irked him, just as his guard's did. The tall one was as big as a fucking house, if anyone said giants didn't exist, they should look at that fucker he thought.
As for the other two, the smaller man he reckoned he could take, the Dornishman he had no chance with, he had sparred with him once and he'd never in his life been so soundly beaten. He knew the man was sending him a message, hurt the boy and I'll end you, it was loud and clear and Bronn knew it to be true. But it wasn't any of them that scared him as much as the fucking wolf did, nothing should move that quietly, nothing.
"Are you staying the day as well?" Parla asked and he looked down at the little dark-haired woman, slim but busty, soon he could feel himself almost ready to go again.
"No love, I'll be gone for a few days, here." he threw her a couple of extra silver stags, always good to pay a girl well he had found, extra effort was so rewarding, that and with it not being his coin only made it better.
"Will I see you then?" she asked grabbing the coin.
"Aye."
He threw some water on his face, dressed in the horrible clothes he'd been wearing for the last few days, caught a brief glimpse of his hair in the mirror hating the redness of it and left the room.
" You need to stick out, people need to see you, remember you, here pay the girls well." Jon said throwing him a pouch of coins.
" You paying for my entertainment, I thought you didn't approve?" he said laughing.
" I don't, but you're not going to listen to anything I say on this, so you may as well pay the girls properly."
" What if I don't, what if I kept this little extra for myself."
He felt the wolf's breath on his neck and almost crapped himself again, how the fuck did it sneak up on him every single time, he glared at the smiling boy. He had no intention of keeping the coin, still, he had to admire the balls on the lad, not many got away with threatening him, then again, not many had a giant fucking Direwolf to do their bidding.
So he had dyed his hair red, bought these ridiculous colored clothes and spent his coin in the town, people would know he was there for a few days, they'd remember that if nothing else. Now he looked to Jon, looked as the guards took their position and got ready to act his part in the play. When Jon gave him the nod, he ran, shouting the closer he got, the knife drawn, the blade shiny, it's glimmer clear for everyone to see.
"Die you fucker." he shouted loudly, and soon among the screams, among the shouts, he saw the people look to him, to Jon.
Ser Daeron moved first and he pushed him into the giant, Jors was next and he tripped him as he came forward. The boy tried to draw his sword as did Jon, but he was on him already, the knife raised ready to plunge into his chest, the screams in the background growing louder. As he looked at Jon, as he looked into his eyes he saw them clearly, the color was gone from them, they were completely white and then he felt it not a moment later.
The force the wolf hit him was incredible, it pushed him at least ten feet and he hit the ground hard, within seconds Ghost was on him, his teeth bared, he was snarling, his jaws open and his eyes staring at his as he moved forward. He pissed himself, he actually pissed himself, his knife lay on the ground useless, his arms were pinned to the ground, as were his legs.
For the briefest moment he thought this was the end, they had double-crossed him, decided sending the message of a dead assassin, was better than a live one. Then the wolf bit into the pouch on his shoulder, the blood spurted and once again for a moment he thought he had actually bitten him. Thankfully though it was only the pouch of blood he'd placed there, and so he began the second act of his mummery.
"Aaarrggggghh." he screamed as people began to kick him, the wolf looking confused for a moment before it snarled at them sending them away.
Within moments he was dragged from the ground, Jors smiling at him as he drew back the punch. hard, but not too hard, he closed his eyes and feigned unconsciousness. Felt himself lifted easily onto the shoulders of the giant and then being carried through the streets. Voices calling for his head, for him to be hanged, gelded, worse, but onward Walder moved and soon he was thrown into a cart, the giant's axe placed at his neck as they began to move.
"Well did it work?" he said when the giant lifted his axe off him.
"Ask him." Walder said and Bronn looked to see Jon smiling at him.
"Good job, Bronn, shame about your britches." Jon said and laughed and he couldn't help laughing too.
"Funny fucker aren't ya."