Chapter 18: The Blackfish's Scrutiny and a Bandit King's Demise
The arrival of Ser Brynden Tully's raven sent a tremor of controlled urgency through the newly assembled hierarchy of Nazarick-in-Greywater. The Blackfish. Not some easily impressed minor lord or an overwhelmed young knight. This was a man renowned for his sharp intellect, martial prowess, and unwavering pragmatism. He would not be easily fooled by grand pronouncements or superficial displays.
Ainz convened an immediate council in his magically expanded chamber. Albedo, Sebas, Aura, Mare, and Entoma gathered, the atmosphere thick with strategic contemplation.
"Ser Brynden Tully's personal visit is… a significant development," Ainz began, his Elian Hollow persona tinged with an appropriate gravity. "He is not coming to offer felicitations. He is coming to assess, to scrutinize. We must present a united, coherent, and ultimately unthreatening yet undeniably useful front."
Albedo, as 'Lady Alva,' sniffed delicately. "Unthreatening, Ainz-sama? But surely a display of our true power would ensure House Tully's immediate and eternal subservience?"
"And also, Albedo," Ainz countered, his voice dry, "ensure that every other Great House, the Iron Throne itself, and possibly every wandering hedge wizard with a paranoid streak, descends upon this insignificant keep with overwhelming force. We are strong, yes, but we are not yet ready to fight an entire world. Discretion remains our shield."
The Great Concealment Plan, as Ainz mentally dubbed it, was rapidly formulated. Aura and Mare, along with their magnificent but undeniably fantastical mounts, were the most glaring problem.
"Aura, Mare," Ainz instructed. "You will take Sky-Screecher and Moss-Heart deep into Greywater's northern woods. Mare, use your abilities to create a hidden grove, something that even a skilled tracker would overlook. Aura, you will remain with them. Officially, you are both 'indisposed, undertaking a vital spiritual retreat deep within the ancient woods sacred to your mountain clan, seeking communion with nature spirits for an extended period.' This will explain your absence without arousing undue suspicion of you being deliberately hidden."
Aura pouted. "Aww, Ainz-sama! But I wanted to see the famous Blackfish! And show him how well Sky-Screecher can retrieve things!"
Mare, predictably, looked relieved at the prospect of avoiding such a high-pressure social encounter. "W-we understand, Lord Ainz. We will ensure they are well hidden."
"Entoma," Ainz continued, turning to the Pleiad, "you will remain entirely unseen. A whisper in the walls. Your insects will be my eyes and ears, but your physical presence must be a ghost. Understood?"
Entoma nodded silently, her multifaceted eyes gleaming with understanding.
Albedo, as Lady Alva, would maintain her persona as the powerful, enigmatic sorceress from a distant, ancient lineage, an ally of House Hollow. Her task was to impress, perhaps even intimidate subtly, but without overt threats or displays of world-breaking power. Sebas, as Master Tian, would continue his role as the wise, elderly advisor, a calming, grounding influence. Ainz himself, as Lord Elian, would be the gifted young lord, respectful of Tully authority but firm in his commitment to his people and his newfound (or rediscovered) abilities.
Ser Desmond Grell was to be carefully managed. He would be present, as Tully's liaison, but briefed on the "official" narrative and instructed to defer to Lord Elian in all matters concerning Greywater's… unique assets and alliances. The poor knight already looked as though he was one bizarre event away from a complete nervous collapse.
The following days were a flurry of meticulous preparation. Greywater Keep was scrubbed from top to bottom. The small garrison – Hal, Timms, and the Oakhaven men – were drilled by Sebas until they moved with a precision that would have done credit to a far larger and more prestigious household. Tom the steward and Maester Hannis were coached by Sebas on how to answer potential questions from the Blackfish, focusing on Lord Elian's diligence, wisdom, and the recent, fortunate rediscovery of "ancient Hollow family defensive arts and beneficial alliances." Albedo's magical enhancements to the keep's structure were to be presented as examples of these "ancient arts."
Aura and Mare departed for the northern woods, Sky-Screecher a magnificent silhouette against the dawn sky, Moss-Heart a shambling, leafy behemoth disappearing into the trees. Ainz felt their absence, but it was a necessary precaution.
In the rugged foothills bordering the Vale, several days' ride north of Greywater Keep…
Demiurge's intricate plan to "gift" Ainz the downfall of Bandit King Karse was unfolding with chilling precision. His primary agent in this operation was not a denizen of Nazarick, but a brutally efficient human mercenary captain named Vorlag, a man whose loyalty Demiurge had secured through a combination of irresistible promises and terrifying demonstrations of power. Vorlag, leading a handpicked cadre of assassins and saboteurs – some human, some… other, less identifiable figures Demiurge had acquired – had already begun to unravel Karse's organization from within.
Key supply caravans destined for Karse's hidden fortress were ambushed and destroyed, their guards vanishing without a trace. Trusted lieutenants within Karse's inner circle began to die under mysterious circumstances – a slit throat in a locked room, a sudden, inexplicable illness, a "hunting accident." Rumors of betrayal, of curses, of a hidden enemy striking from the shadows, spread like poison through the bandit ranks. Karse, a man whose rule was built on fear and brute strength, found his authority crumbling, his men growing mutinous and paranoid. The stage was being set for a swift, decisive, and utterly bewildering collapse.
Within the fortnight, as promised, Ser Brynden "Blackfish" Tully arrived. He came with no fanfare, accompanied only by a dozen grim-faced, veteran men-at-arms, their Tully tabards faded from long service. His keen, assessing gaze swept over Greywater Keep as he approached. Ainz, from the battlements, noted the subtle surprise in the Blackfish's eyes as he took in the remarkably well-maintained walls, the new, formidable gatehouse (courtesy of Albedo's nocturnal "masons"), and the disciplined alertness of the sentries.
"Lord Elian Hollow," Ainz announced himself, descending to the courtyard to greet his guest, flanked by "Lady Alva" and "Master Tian." Ser Desmond Grell hovered nervously a few steps behind. "Welcome to Greywater Keep, Ser Brynden. We are honored by your visit."
The Blackfish dismounted, his movements economical and precise. "Lord Hollow," he returned, his voice a gravelly baritone. He nodded curtly to Albedo and Sebas. "Lady Alva. Master Tian. Your reputations, it seems, are beginning to precede you." His eyes, like chips of winter ice, missed nothing.
The inspection began immediately. Ser Brynden was thorough. He examined the walls, tapping stones, noting the quality of the repairs and the subtle, almost invisible runes Albedo had inscribed. "Remarkably sturdy for such an old keep, Lord Hollow," he commented, his tone neutral. "Your family's ancient defensive arts are potent indeed." He observed the small garrison as Sebas put them through their paces, his expression unreadable as Hal, Timms, and the Oakhaven men displayed a level of discipline and coordination far exceeding what he might have expected. He even tasted the water from the well and inspected the surprisingly well-organized stores.
Later, in the main hall, the Blackfish began his true interrogation. He questioned Ainz relentlessly, his inquiries sharp and direct. He revisited the tale of the Blackmorass guardian, the source of House Hollow's "rediscovered knowledge," the nature of Elian's alliance with "Lady Alva," and his ultimate ambitions for his house.
Ainz, as Elian, answered with carefully measured responses. He spoke of his duty to his people, his desire to restore House Hollow to a position of respect and utility in service to House Tully. He attributed his own nascent powers to "a blessing, or perhaps a burden, of his lineage, awakened by dire need." He emphasized his youth and his reliance on the wisdom of Master Tian and the powerful, ancient alliance represented by Lady Alva.
The Blackfish then turned his attention to Albedo. "Lady Alva," he said, his gaze unwavering. "Your house is not known in the Riverlands, nor indeed in any of the Seven Kingdoms that I am aware of. From whence do you hail, and what binds such a… formidable personage… to the fortunes of a minor house like Hollow?"
Albedo, playing her role with regal, enigmatic grace, smiled faintly. "The annals of Westeros are long, Ser Brynden, but they do not contain all histories. My lineage is ancient, our alliances sealed by oaths that transcend generations and borders. Lord Elian's reawakened heritage called to ours, and we answered. Our purpose here is to support a loyal vassal of House Tully in restoring balance and security to these troubled lands." She subtly hinted at immense power and resources, carefully avoiding any specifics that could be disproven. Her pronouncements were designed to be both impressive and unverifiable.
Ser Brynden then questioned Master Tian about Elian's upbringing, his studies, and the administration of the keep. Sebas, the epitome of humble wisdom and quiet competence, answered with serene, deferential honesty, painting a picture of a young lord thrust into responsibility, guided by ancient family lore and his own innate diligence.
A formal, if modest, dinner was held that evening. The food, thanks to Mare's subtle influence on the kitchen garden and Albedo's "suggestions" to the cook, was surprisingly palatable. The atmosphere, however, remained thick with unspoken questions and careful scrutiny. Ainz felt as though he were engaged in a high-stakes chess match, each word, each gesture, a calculated move.
It was midway through this tense meal, as Maester Hannis was nervously recounting a local legend about the founding of Greywater Keep, that the interruption occurred. The doors to the hall burst open, and a frantic, mud-splattered man, his clothes torn, stumbled in, gasping for breath. He was a Tully scout, Ainz recognized from his insignia, one who must have ridden his horse to exhaustion.
"Ser Brynden! My lord!" he cried, his eyes wide with a mixture of terror and disbelief. He collapsed before the Blackfish, forcing out his message. "Word from the north, ser! From the foothills! It's… it's Bandit King Karse!"
The Blackfish was instantly alert. "What of him, man? Speak plainly!"
"He's dead, ser!" the scout gasped. "Karse is dead! His fortress… a ruin! His lieutenants… all slain! His army… scattered, butchered, or fled! They say… they say it happened overnight! Like a storm of vengeance fell upon them! No one knows who… or what… Some whisper of shadow warriors, of dark magic… others say the gods themselves struck him down! The entire region is in chaos, but… Karse is finished! His reign of terror is over!"
A profound silence descended upon the hall. Ser Desmond Grell choked on his wine. Maester Hannis looked faint. Tom's jaw hung open.
Ainz and his Nazarick contingent maintained expressions of appropriate surprise and concern, though internally, Ainz connected the dots. Demiurge. This had his subordinate's fingerprints all over it – swift, brutal, efficient, and deliberately mysterious. A "gift," indeed. Timed perfectly to coincide with the Blackfish's visit.
Ser Brynden Tully sat ramrod straight, his weathered face a mask of stunned disbelief, quickly followed by an expression of intense, narrowed scrutiny. His gaze, like a physical weight, moved from the frantic scout, then slowly, deliberately, to Ainz (as Elian Hollow), then to the enigmatic 'Lady Alva,' and finally to the serene 'Master Tian.'
A major problem for House Tully, a festering wound in the northern Riverlands that had defied their efforts for months, had just been… inexplicably, violently, and completely resolved. At the precise moment he was visiting Greywater Keep, the seat of a minor lord who had suddenly manifested extraordinary power and acquired formidable, equally mysterious allies.
The Blackfish said nothing for a long moment, the silence stretching taut. The implications were enormous. Was this a demonstration of power from House Hollow? A warning? A statement of capability? Or was it, as the scout babbled, truly some divine intervention or the work of unknown vigilantes?
He finally broke the silence, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Fortuitous events," he said, his eyes still locked on Ainz. "It seems the gods – or perhaps, other, more terrestrial forces – occasionally see fit to intervene directly in the affairs of men." He paused, then added, his gaze unyielding, "Such interventions, Lord Hollow, often have… unforeseen consequences."
The air in the hall was electric. The Blackfish's suspicion was palpable, a cold weight that pressed down on them all. He clearly did not believe in coincidences of this magnitude. He suspected their involvement, Ainz was certain of it. The question was, what would he do with that suspicion? And how would Ainz navigate this new, even more dangerous turn in their already precarious game? The downfall of King Karse, intended as a gift, might have just made Greywater Keep the most scrutinized, and potentially the most threatened, holdfast in all the Riverlands.