(Lord Osric Stark, Heir to Winterfell POV)
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Highgarden didn't feel real. It was just too pretty. Like a reflection in a mirror waiting for the hammer to shatter its illusion. He didn't like it. He preferred Winterfell, hell he preferred Moat Cailin. He was getting antsy, being in Highgarden. But he wasn't spending all his time with Margaery. He had spoken with Randyll Tarly, Paxter Redwyne, Matthis Rowan, and Orton Merryweather. Which got him an introduction to Dickon Tarly, Desmera Redwyne, and Taena of Myr.
Lord Paxter Redwyne was obviously looking to get in on the soon-to-be-booming trade coming out of Winterfell. Considering how things would go with House Lannister, having the Reach handle Southwestern distribution seemed like a good idea. As far as Westeros was concerned, the Arbor could support Bear Island and Sea Dragon Point in distributing weapons and armor to the western side. Ideally, the eastern side would trickle out of White Harbor, supported by Gulltown, Driftmark or Dragonstone, and Sunspear. If things went well, he just might be able to get Seagard and Harlaw involved.
''Thought I'd find you here.'' Osric smiled slightly at Waymar's arrival. Waymar was in many ways his best friend. Able to read his moods, kept his secrets, stood by him through everything thus far, having done all this for longer than anybody else in their group.
''We'll be leaving soon. I miss Winterfell. I miss Robb, mother, and all the rest of them.'' Says Osric, looking out across the fields of flowers.
''Just us?'' Waymar asked.
''No, part of the arrangement is that she'll join us at Winterfell. Which means at least a month of travel, maybe longer. We'll take the Ocean Road and River Road. Making Stops at Old Oak, Crakehall, Lannisport, Casterly Rock, and The Golden Tooth. After that we hit Hornvale, Stony Sept, High Heart, and Riverrun. I'll introduce Margaery to my Grandfather and uncles. We can also pass on Riversteel, River's Edge, and Swiftcurrent to my Grandfather. We will then also be escorting a combined shipment of Truesilver, Rhydonium, Ultrachrome, Neuranium, Elementium, Dark Iron Ore, Durasteel, and Volatile Promethium from Stone Hedge and Raventree Hall. Uncle Brynden will ride with us as far as the Neck. After that, House Reed gets us as far as the Moat.'' Says Osric.
''And from there, White Harbor and Winterfell.'' Says Waymar.
''Indeed. We'll begin rebuilding Moat Cailin. When it's finished, it's yours, Waymar. You will be Lord of the Causeway. Flint's Finger, Cape Kraken, Blazewater Bay, The Neck, and Barrowton will answer to you.'' Said Osric as he turned to face his friend.
''Lady Barbrey won't accept that.'' Says Waymar.
''Perhaps, but she won't have a choice. The old ways of titles don't work anymore. Too simple. Moat Cailin, White Harbor, The Rills, Stony Shore, Sea Dragon Point, Wolfswood, Bear Island, Northern Mountains, Last Hearth, Karhold, The Dreadfort, Hornwood, and the Gift will be Duchies. As the Seat of the Kingdom of the North of Antiquity, Winterfell will be a Grand Duchy. Calling every noble with a title a Lord is inefficient.'' He explained.
Honestly, the way the Feudal system of Westeros worked was way too simple. At least he could change the North's way of doing things. Though admittedly, the Northern Mountain Clan's might be harder.
Waymar swallowed whatever he was going to say, and handed him a parchment.
''A Raven came in the night. It's in the usual code.''
''If Robb's using this, it has to be important.'' Osric said as he began decoding it. ''This can't be right.'' He looked at the letter with confusion.
''What's the matter?'' Asks Waymar.
''My grandfather is dead. In his sleep. Find me Lord Mace and Lady Olenna.'' He said.
Waymar knows he's not saying everything, but doesn't voice it. Instead nodding and leaving.
''It's too soon. Why is this happening now?'' He asks as he grips the balcony tightly.
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He sat in Lord Mace's solar, with the Lord of Highgarden, his heir, his mother, his wife, his spare, and his daughter.
''My brother sent word. My grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully, is dead. Died in his sleep.'' Says Osric, and Margaery touches his arm. He flashes her a smile. ''The King, Lord's Renly and Stannis, and my Father are already on their way to Riverrun. My Brother's will be remaining at Winterfell to ensure my mother doesn't fall apart. Bran has yet to awaken and my mother refuses to leave while he hasn't yet awakened. We'll be leaving tomorrow to join the funeral.'' He explained.
Lady Olenna looked pensive. ''And with him, I am the last of the oldest.'' He was not sure what that meant but he didn't comment.
''House Tyrell will come as well. If the King himself is coming to pay his respects. Then so too shall House Tyrell.'' Mace said and Osric already knew why. He wanted to be seen and he wanted to see if he could try and find enough cracks in the relationship between Sansa and Joffrey to decide whether or not it was worth breaking the match between him and Margaery in order to make a play for the Crown Cunt. Mace thought himself clever, but he might be able to just leave Riverrun married with the right word in the King's ear.
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(POV Shift: Lady Olenna Tyrell, Queen of Thorns)
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She wasn't sure what the Stark Boy was doing. She'd gotten her hands on the letter before it reached him. It was completely illegible except for the boy's name. Some kind of code.
She had no doubt he was telling the truth about the death of Hoster Tully, because a) what sort of a person would lie about their own grandfather's death? And b) it was something easily confirmed. And c) Lying about such a thing would cause more problems than rewards.
But she was content to watch and wait for the time being. Until she knew more. In the end all she had was time.
Hmph, Growing Strong.
Bah! More like Growing Old and senile! Best every one thought so at least, made everyone who thought they could undermine House Tyrell underestimate her and her House.
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(Author's Note:)
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Shorter chapter because I took a small break writing other stuff. Anyways, I almost didn't kill Hoster Early, but I figured with what's coming next its as good a time as any. Plus its a big enough divergence from what Osric ''knows'' that he'll be left scrambling and unsure how to proceed. Anyways, I'll see you guys at next chapter.
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