Riverrun 294 AC.
The Blackfish.
Standing watching while his nephew missed the first arrow was annoying, when he missed the second it was embarrassing, by the third it was downright shameful. He stepped forward, grabbed the bow and lit the arrow, then without looking the Blackfish fired hitting the boat which carried his brother's body. He turned and walked away leaving the new lord of Riverrun to stew in his shame, that's if the boy even felt any.
Finding the Maester, his niece and nephew, standing over the body of his brother had been a shock, seeing the lack of grief on his nephew's face a worry, at least his niece had shown her own, which relieved him some. He had known his brother was ill, had heard enough about it for his coughing when he arrived not to be a surprise, but that he had died not long after they had spoken about the future, was both a shock and suspicious to him. That his nephew was showing so little sadness at the passing of his father, was something which sent his mind into areas he'd rather not delve into.
"I'm sorry for your loss old friend." Jonos said walking up to him.
"I thank you Jonos, come I find myself in dire need of a drink." he said.
Both men walked into the hall, he and Jonos took a seat beside Lord Jason Mallister, Lord Raymun Darry and Lady Shella Whent. Thankfully the Freys had deemed it important to sit closer to the high table and while he caught his niece and nephew looking at him over the course of the night, he found he cared not. Instead he drank and spoke of memories of his brother with people who actually respected him, people who had known Hoster to be a good man, despite his faults.
"So what's next for you Brynden, will you be coming back to help run the Riverlands?" Lord Jason asked.
"No, I'll be heading back to the Vale as soon as I can." he answered and saw each of the four at the table look to each other, worried looks on their faces.
"Spit it out Jason." he said looking to the Mallister lord.
"Your nephew is not suited to be Lord, Brynden, certainly not Lord Paramount." Jason said and he caught the others agreeing with him.
"Shella?" he said asking his kin.
"Jason has the truth of it Brynden, the boy is far too impetuous, far too concerned with how he looks, that affair in Kings Landing is proof enough of that. No matter that others tried to talk him out of it, he carried on, a lord that won't accept counsel is a poor one and I fear for us under his stewardship."
"He is the lord of Riverrun by all rights of gods and men, Lord Paramount too, speaking out against him won't do any good." he said shaking his head.
"No, but it needs to be said, this thing with the young lad, Snow, it worries me Brynden, it worries me greatly." Jonos said.
"You think he'd try to do something to the lad?" he asked though he knew the answer.
"He already did here and in Kings Landing." Raymun said his voice angry.
"The boy was attacked by bandits here and Kings Landing was just a drunken affair."
"Not the next morning it wasn't, he was sober in the hall when he tried to take the lad's hand, as for the attack here, they were no more bandits than I'm a Frey." Raymun said.
"You're speaking on your liege Raymun." he said angrily.
"Aye, but none of it's lies Brynden, you know this, otherwise you'd have punched me in the face by now."
"I still might." he said and Shella and Jonos chuckled.
"Stay a bit Brynden, at least see what his plans are, should any of us ask he'd likely not tell us, but you're his uncle, he'd not keep them from you." Lord Jason said.
"And what would you have me do, as I said he's the lord, I have no power here."
"It's naught to do with power old friend, I'm telling you this because of how far back we go, but should he call my banners, he may not get them." Jonos said.
"You'd refuse the call?" he asked stunned.
"Aye and I'm not the only one, oh don't get me wrong for a just cause I'll rally, but I fear that we may be forced into something which is far from just."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing, listening to the others as they spoke, it seemed as if at least four of his nephew's most important bannermen seemed disinclined to accept him as their liege. Over the course of the night it got far worse, his nephew insulted both Lord Jason's son Patrek and Raymun Darry so much so that they left, Lord Jason following after his son. All because they dared to go to the wedding of Jaime Lannister, he also caught the Frey's whispering amongst themselves on more than one occasion.
Cat, on the other hand was a gracious host, she moved and worked the room expertly, and while she didn't negate all his nephew's damage, she did stop it from going much further. By the end of the night, though it was clear, he would have no choice but to stay on for far longer than he had hoped. Laying down in his bed that night he dreamt of his brother, calling him, trying to tell him something, he tossed and turned in the night trying to get some rest, but his sleep was fitful, to say the least.
The next morning he broke his fast alone, his nephew had slept on and Cat had gotten up early to go over the household, to see if there were any need for more or less servants and to make sure stocks and supplies were up to date. He found himself walking the corridors, ending up standing outside his nephew's room, thinking back to the morning he'd been called, the morning they found his brother's body.
One week earlier.
He stood looking at Cat as she sobbed hysterically, at Edmure as he stood there a blank expression on his face. Vyman knelt over Hoster's body and he found himself wondering why? Why had his brother come here? Why go to Edmure's room in the middle of the night? The conversations he had with his brother were fresh in his mind and this, for this to happen now, it just rang false. When the Maester stepped up though he made it clear it was not unexpected, that the illness was far worse than his brother had let on.
" I tried to have him rest more, to take things easy, but he refused to listen."
" Had he done so would it made a difference?" he asked.
" Some Ser Brynden, but the nature of the illness, the shortness of breath, it could have caught him anytime." Vyman replied.
" Why was he here?" he asked looking to Edmure.
" He wished to speak to me of something, but before he could, the coughing began, I tried to help, I tried." Edmure said and Brynden nodded looking back to his brother.
Now.
As he stood there looking down on the ground, he wondered on certain things, his nephew had moved immediately the Lord's rooms and at the time he had thought nothing of it. Thinking he'd rather be anywhere than in these rooms after seeing this, but now he wasn't sure. Was there more to it? Was he worried there was something in Hoster's rooms? Something he didn't wish found?.
"I know but he's mine own son, what am I supposed to do?"
Brynden found himself going back over and over the last conversation he had with his brother, trying to think on every sentence, every word, trying to see if he'd forgotten something if he'd missed something. Had his brother intended to do something about Edmure? Had he gone to his room to do or say something? And if he had, what did that mean? Was he actually contemplating what he thought he was? Was he really thinking his nephew a kinslayer?.
"Uncle there you are, Edmure is looking for us both." Cat said drawing him from his thoughts.
"Oh, sorry I was miles away." he said shaking his head.
"I know, it's hard, just thinking of him, knowing he's not here anymore." she said wiping her eyes "Come we better not keep the Lord waiting." she said with half a smile.
Entering into his brother's, no nephew's solar, he fought the thoughts that were in his head, luckily Edmure was about to give him other things to focus on.
"Can you believe Darry and Mallister last night, how dare they treat their lord with such disrespect."
"Edmure." Cat said chidingly.
"No Cat, they were out of order, who do they think they are." Edmure said his face in a sneer.
"You were the disrespectful one and should you not change then you'll have no bannermen to call upon." he said and Edmure glared at him while Cat looked perturbed before she spoke.
"What do you mean uncle?".
"This Jon Snow stuff, it needs to stop and stop now, your bannermen are discussing it and I'm going to say this once more to be clear, I'll not be a party to it, so should you wish to keep them and me in your corner, it ends now." he said looking at Edmure who grew red in the face and at Cat who nodded and then reached out to touch Edmure's arm.
"Very well." Edmure said and Brynden breathed a sigh of relief.
"Aye, very well." Cat said.
"Now uncle as for why I asked to see you, I need your help actually."
"You have it, just name it." he said relieved that Jon Snow seemed to be forgotten about.
"I need to travel to Kings Landing to swear to the King and Cat has asked to come with me, while I could leave Utherydes as Castellan, I think family would present a better appearance." Edmure said.
"Aye, it wouldn't do otherwise, fine I'll stay until you come back." he said and Edmure and Cat smiled at him.
"Then we'll leave on the morrow, it's a long way and I'd see us back as soon as we can."
The Lady Joanna 294 AC.
Tyrion.
He had sent Satin, some guards and letters to Jaime and Jon in Casterly Rock, originally he had simply planned to travel back himself. But Oberyn had convinced him and in the end, he had agreed to join him on the trip to Pentos, though whether it was for the same reasons or whether he just wished to see Essos he couldn't tell. Now though they were getting ready to stop off in Dorne, he would soon get to meet Prince Doran and see first hand how he reacted to the news of Jon's true identity.
They had passed Salt Shore and Lemonwood and would soon be docking in Sunspear, he would get to meet Doran's children before traveling on to the Water Gardens and meeting the prince himself. Oberyn seemed very eager to see his brother again, very eager to see Caleotte and Myles, though if Tyrion were to guess it was for very different reasons.
"We are almost there my friend, I am looking forward to showing you the delights of my homeland." Oberyn said with a smirk.
"I thought this was purely a business trip." he japed.
"All work and no play makes Oberyn a very dull boy Tyrion, I'd have thought our times in Oldtown would have shown you that." Ellaria said kissing Oberyn on the lips.
"Aye, that it did, I'm not stopping off in Lys though." he said a little more seriously.
"You lions, you're no fun at all." Oberyn said laughing as they saw the docks of Sunspear come into view.
Standing there waiting for them was a large contingent, though he was surprised to see no royals, apparently they were expecting a Lannister, not a Martell, he looked forward to their surprise at both. His guards carried only a small trunk with his changes of clothing, even his books would be left onboard while he traveled to meet Doran.
When the guards did see Prince Oberyn he laughed as one quickly ran back through the city towards the keep, immediately the carriages were called for and he, Oberyn and Ellaria were escorted to the seat of House Martell. The Old Palace was incredible to look at he thought as they neared it, rising almost out of the sand itself, its Spear Tower rising high in the sky.
"Welcome home my prince." Tyrion heard a voice say and looked to see Ser Daemon and Prince Oberyn's daughters walking towards the carriage when it stopped.
"Ser Daemon, everything is well?"
"It is my prince, it seems our own gift was added to one previously given, Ser Amory Lorch suffered exactly as we were told." Ser Daemon said looking to Tyrion and nodding.
"My nephew did the work himself, I look forward to seeing the results, is it here?"
"It is, both he and the Mountain have been given pride of place, I'm sure you'll enjoy what our prince did with them." Ser Manfrey said as he led the rest of the party toward them.
"Lord Tyrion may I present my nephew Prince Quentyn and my niece the heiress of Dorne, Princess Arianne." Oberyn said as a small frog faced boy and a girl who was anything but, made their way towards him.
"Why is there a Lannister here?" Quentyn said a look of disgust on his face.
"Lord Tyrion is a guest of our uncle and will be treated with the same respect and welcome he gave our family in Lannisport, Quentyn, is that understood?" Princess Arianne said smiling at him.
The boy just huffed, not that he paid too much attention to him, instead he found himself looking at a woman who took his breath away, a woman who surprisingly wasn't much taller than he was. Arianne was quite simply a beauty, she was buxom and curvaceous and used it to her advantage, her dress both revealing and not. When she caught him looking he expected to see some disgust, but was surprised to find none if anything it made her flirt even more.
"Now shall we head inside, I'm sure our guest would enjoy a drink, Lord Tyrion if you'd accompany me." she said holding out her arm for him to take.
The difference in height was both a blessing and not for him, more used to having to escort far taller women to feasts and balls, he always felt foolish as they had to bend down to allow him to take their arm. With Arianne though she didn't need to bend at all. As he turned to speak to her, he found his eye level was directly in line with her chest, where he soon found out that her nipples were large and dark brown and not at all covered as she moved.
"Enjoying the view my lord?" she said flirtatiously as she smiled while showing him the golden dome of the Tower of the Sun.
"It's an unexpected delight Princess, I find myself longing to explore it more thoroughly." he said looking directly at her before pointing to the colored glass windows.
"Not many people get to explore it directly, why should you be any different?" she asked raising an eyebrow and smirking at him.
"Not many would appreciate it as much as I, nor take the time to fully enjoy it, to relish it, to fully immersive themselves in it." he said and she smiled as they reached their destination.
Up ahead was the Throne Room and ahead of them a dais, two seats were placed on it, both identical to the eye and he watched as Arianne walked and sat on one, her dress revealing a lot of her leg as she did so.
"Uncle please sit beside me, you'll enjoy the view that much better." Arianne said playfully and Oberyn took the seat beside her.
Tyrion looked on as she pointed in the distance and then Oberyn laughed loudly, forcing him to turn and look. Hanging above the door was the Mountain's head and beside it, Lorch's and another he didn't recognize. In the Mountain and Lorch's' open mouths were what could only be their manhood's, it was an imposing and funny sight.
He joined in with the rest of them laughing as drinks were brought, the Dornish wine a welcome respite after the Arbour gold he'd been drinking the last couple of moons. After a few glasses though he wished to change before the meal that night and was surprised when Arianne herself, accompanied him to his room. They were standing outside and he was just about to enter when she looked at him, her tongue licking her lip to make it wet.
"I was wondering if you really are the littlest lion?" she said suddenly her hand reaching out and touching his groin "Apparently not, this is good to know, perhaps if you're a good lion, I'll hear you roar." she said walking away from him.
He looked at her, the fullness of her arse as impressive a sight as the chest he'd been staring at as she touched him. Turning to walk into his room, his stiffness making his breeches feel tighter, he sighed, it could never be you fool he thought as he closed the door behind him.
Highgarden 294 AC.
Olenna .
Making preparations for Margaery's nameday celebration was interrupted twice, firstly by the letter from Jon Arryn and then by the visit of Baelor Hightower. The first she had been expecting and it was potentially a problem, the second was only a surprise because of the letter Baelor carried. Sitting in her solar she waited for Willas who was spending more time with Sansa Stark.
At first he had done so because she had asked him to, then because he wished to see more of the Direwolf, lately though it was because he actually enjoyed spending time with the girl. She was far too young for a match at the moment, but simply having the two be friendly and comfortable around each other was a start, and for that Olenna was incredibly grateful once again for Margaery.
Her granddaughter had already taken Sansa under her wing, and given what she had found out about the girl in her very first lessons, she needed to, as to call the girl naïve would be to do her a disservice Olenna thought. She was simply uneducated in the finer points of politics, something she had been glad Margaery had pointed out to her. With her help and with Willas's willingness to offer his own insights, there was already a marked difference in the girl.
"Grandmother, I'm sorry I'm late." Willas said as he entered the room.
"It's no issue, sit, we have much we must discuss."
As he sat she handed him the letter from Jon Arryn, watching his expression as he read it, had she a looking glass nearby when she herself read it, she'd have no doubt had the same expression as he wore now. Willas looked worried, annoyed and on the verge of laughing all at the same time, the sheer desperation in Jon Arryn's letter along with the vague threats all combining to in the end make him laugh.
"Is this for real?" he asked and she nodded.
"It is."
"So we're to what? Keep giving them coin in the hope he can get us a betrothal he can't promise and should we not we'll find ourselves out of favor."
"That's the essence of it yes." she replied.
"Should they get us the betrothal?" Willas asked.
"Then we would have to accept and support them."
"You'd let Margaery wed the prince?"
"Margaery will wed the king, Willas. The true one, not the false stag. But what I find most interesting is that he still can't promise it, that even with the withdrawal of the funds he can't promise the betrothal, it makes what Jaime Lannister told me now seem even that much more true."
"Which was?"
"That the king wishes a Stark for his son."
"Sansa?" Willas asked.
"Aye."
"Is that why you wish us together grandmother?" Willas asked shaking his head.
"I wish you together because in the future she will be the best possible match for you, given the North's rise and given who the king will be, it would strengthen us even more." she said and Willas nodded looking at her.
"Would Lord Stark not consider the match with Joffrey?"
"Another time he'd welcome it no doubt, but from what the king says, his uncle is behind him fully, he'd hardly marry his daughter to Joffrey if that's the case. Even if he would, I doubt he'll get the chance."
"You think the king will move before they could wed?"
"It'll be years before she's flowered Willas, I doubt the king's dragons can be hidden forever, once they've grown, once they're big enough there is no other choice, we must move."
"What if they look for the betrothal with the Starks anyway?"
"Betrothals can be broken." she said smiling remembering her own.
"Your uncle brought another even more interesting letter, this one from Tyrion Lannister." she said and handed it to him.
As he read it she pondered her own moves against the crown, stopping funding was one thing, should she go further, raise prices perhaps, or cut supplies. Would the king wish her to do either? She wasn't sure, one thing she'd learned early on about Jon was he, like her granddaughter, didn't like to see people suffer, especially the smallfolk and it would be them, rather than the crown who would.
No, for now, she'd leave it at this and begin to see to more training for her men, they needed to be prepared, Garlan perhaps would be best.
"Lomys is not involved." Willas said and she looked at him seeing the relief in his face.
"No, but did you see the names who are?"
"It's almost all the great houses, ourselves, the Tullys and Starks seemed to have gotten away with it, why?"
"I don't know, but if I were to hazard a guess I'd say it was a mistake on their part, or perhaps they weren't able to interfere with the appointments. We know Stark's former Maester was involved, perhaps our own and Tully's were too, but this doesn't change too much either."
"It means we don't have to worry about Lomys killing us all at least." Willas said with a chuckle.
"How goes it with the hawks?"
"It's coming, I can get them to fly and come back from greater distances, I've been reading up on Essos and apparently pigeons can be used too."
"Would they not be too easy to pick off?" she asked.
"Perhaps, I may ask Garlan to take some to the Fossoways when next he travels, a couple of pigeons and one of the hawks, have him release them a day apart and see which if any arrive back and how quickly they do so." he said and she smiled, glad to see him on top of things.
"Are things set for tonight?"
"Yes grandmother, Margaery will have a really good nameday celebration." he said exasperatedly.
Once he left she went to her bedroom and lay down, finding herself in need of a small rest, she wasn't tired, more her head hurt from examining all the possible outcomes of future events. What the crown would or more importantly could do to them weighed on her mind, could they strip them of their wardenship? Perhaps, would they? She doubted it.
They like the Lannister's held the ace card, both in terms of their gold and the knowledge of who Jon really was, but should the crown move early, should they go against them, would they too not have to move earlier? Was Jon ready? If it came to it he would need to be, should they be stripped, then to keep the Reach he'd need to announce himself and move quickly.
While Olenna wasn't a military mind, she wasn't completely oblivious to it, The Reach, The West, and the North, Dorne and the loyalist's houses. All of them together far exceeded what Robert and Jon Arryn could call on, but a boy-king is harder to support than a grown one.
When she woke a couple of hours later she was surprised she'd fallen asleep at all, usually, when her mind was full she found she could not, was it confidence that allowed her to do so, or simply tiredness? She found it made no difference, she was refreshed and so she changed and made her way to ensure the final preparations for Margaery's feast were taken care of.
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jaime.
He dodged and moved to the side, Jon's blade coming close to catching him by surprise, then he parried another strike and moved forward. Arthur stood watching, his eyes on both of them, but mainly on Jon as he moved quicker and quicker. They had resumed their morning spars once Jon's injured shoulder had healed and for the first few it had been a frustrating experience.
His movements, his speed, his power, all of it were down and at first, both he and Arthur had worried the injury was more serious than it had seemed. But as with all things Jon, he found out that if his mind wasn't right, then his swordplay wasn't, something which both he and Arthur had discussed.
"I thought I was supposed to be the broody one." Jon said moving close to him and spinning as he aimed at his shoulder.
"You usually are, I was just giving it a go to see if it fits, turns out it doesn't." he said aiming two strikes in quick succession at him.
Eventually, he caught the blade and disarmed him, it was taking longer and longer to do it, the morning sessions having the desired effects, both to improve his work and clear his head. Jon walked over and grabbed the water jug filling out two mugs, one for each of them, and bringing them over, he waited until Arthur came and sat down beside them, the time for talking now upon them.
"Are you two ever gonna spar?" Jon said with a chuckle looking at them both.
"Aye, maybe after we eat" Arthur said and Jaime looked at his former brother to see a soft smile on his face.
"Not in private." Jon said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I think it would be good for everyone to see it, I'm sure Dacey would love to cheer you on my lord, as for your Arthur no doubt Ashara and Cregan would wish to see you and Jaime cross blades?".
"I'm sure they would, but just us Jon, no crowds." Arthur said and Jon nodded.
"I've been talking to Melisandre about the glass candles." Jon said and Jaime shuddered, he didn't like how close they were becoming.
"What did she say?" Arthur asked.
"It seems they allow for many things, some I've seen myself and one which I'm trying to get to grips with."
"You've been using them?" Jaime asked.
"Trying to, they're hard to control. I'm not strong enough to fully do so, but I've seen the past, Margaery saw the future and I can somewhat control seeing now."
"Seeing now?" Arthur asked.
Jon told them of the visions he had, of seeing things which could only be occurring in the present, of different places at the same time and how it got away from him. If what he was saying was true and he had no doubt of it, then should he be able to control it, they'd have the best spy network ever imagined.
They wouldn't need to do anything more than just look into the glass candles and see events as they occurred around the realm. He was thinking of the potential of this when he realized that both Jon and Arthur were still speaking.
"That's impossible, isn't it?" Arthur said his voice full of doubt.
"Anymore impossible then seeing the past or future, anymore impossible than seeing the present? Arthur in my room right now are two of the most impossible things the world has known, I think it's entirely possible." Jon said.
"What is?" he asked clearly having missed it.
"Jon says with the glass candles we could communicate with each other, that we could have one and he could have another and we could actually speak to each other no matter the distance apart." Arthur said and now he found himself agreeing with him.
"That can't be done, surely?"
"Melisandre says it can, I've tried and it's there I know it is, Rhaenix agrees and even Lygaron says it's true."
"You can speak to him?" he asked knowing this had been bothering him for some time.
"More and more, ever since he told me of them, he blocks me sometimes and our connection is nothing like the one with Rhaenix, I know for sure now he's for someone else, not me."
"Your aunt or uncle?" Arthur said.
"I don't think so, certainly not Viserys, not after what you told me of him."
"Daenerys then?" Jaime said.
"I don't know, it doesn't seem so, I saw her with her own dragons, three of them, none looked like Lygaron, they were different ones."
Jaime didn't know if he should be worried or not, Arthur had told them both that Viserys was far too much like his father. That he had watched them both, protected them from afar and once he saw Viserys he couldn't go to him, not even for Rhaegar. He had felt guilty about Daenerys, but his path was not theirs, he knew that now, he was where he was supposed to be.
But another Targaryen with dragons could lead to another dance, they would need to discuss this more, to decide if they should reach out, have the hound bring her back. Castamere, Clegane's own keep, there were many places she could stay and be protected in, she needed to know of Jon though, she needed to know the truth.
"He's doing it again." Jon japed and Arthur laughed.
"Daenerys?" he said and Jon's brow furrowed.
"Is on her path." Jon said and his voice left no room for further discussion, for now at least.
"Come let's break our fast, the others should be up soon." Arthur said and they walked off.
While Jon and Arthur walked to the hall, he headed back to his rooms, Dacey should be waking now and she was starting to get uncomfortable in the mornings once again. He made it just in time, she was searching for the pail he kept close just in case, grabbing it, he held her hair as she threw up and then poured her a mug of water.
"I hate you." Dacey said.
"I love you." he replied and she shook her head drinking her water "You feel up to eating?" he asked and she nodded.
He waited until she got dressed and then together they walked to break their fast, entering the hall to see it fuller than he expected. He took his seat beside his aunt and uncle, Gerion having decided to stay on for a bit. As Dacey ate the honeyed porridge, he looked at Jon who was speaking to his cousin and Loras, Brienne, Sarella and Joy sitting beside him looking on with interest.
"Arthur and I are sparring in a bit." he said softly as Dacey ate her second plate of porridge.
"Now I really hate you." she said frowning at him.
"You'll soon be able to smack me over the head with your mace once again." he said smiling which she returned.
"Don't think I've not imagined it."
"I've no doubt you have." he chuckled getting another frown from her.
Once they'd finished eating he looked to Arthur who nodded and so they walked to the sparring area, it was a far larger crowd than he hoped for. His uncle and aunt had come along as had Ashara and Joy, while Jon had brought all his friends, he half expected to see Rhaenix and Lygaron too. Thankfully, although in another way disappointedly, he'd not be facing Dawn, the sword far too noticeable, instead it would be longswords only.
"Ser Daeron." he said holding and then tapping his sword on the ground.
"Ser Jaime." Arthur said a small smile on his face.
The swords crashed together and they began to move, Arthur as quick and nimble as ever, though for Jaime he seemed slower, though perhaps that was more that he was used to facing Jon. What Jon may have had on Arthur in terms of speed, he was far behind in everything else, as Jaime was finding he himself was too. Power-wise they were evenly matched, but technique-wise, Arthur was still the very best he'd ever seen.
His strikes, his movements, how the blade came at you, all of it forced him back and back, his own parries and strikes seemingly ineffective. Barristan, Arthur, Jaime, he knew they were all far above anyone else in terms of swordsmanship. He and Barristan were of the same level, with maybe he having the edge, but Arthur, was above them both and he relished it.
The end came after to what Jaime had felt mere moments, but given the sweat he could feel, the heavy breathing that Arthur was doing, perhaps it had been longer than he had thought. Arthur moved in and after parrying his own strike, the blade moved so powerfully that had Arthur not stopped the blow when he did, then Jaime would have lost his head.
"I yield Ser Daeron." Jaime said with a grin as he looked at the blade which was inches below his neck.
He heard the clapping and turned to look up, seeing Jon and the others all looking on with varying looks of awe on their faces. As he moved to walk to Dacey who's own look was a cross between shocked and relieved, though Arthur stopped him to whisper in his ear.
"You've improved, I got lucky." Arthur said and Jaime shook his head.
"I barely kept up."
"As did I, I took this round, perhaps when next we spar you'll take the next."
Jaime didn't know if Arthur was just letting him down gently or not, all he heard really was next time they sparred, knowing that he and his brother would spar more was enough for now. He walked up to Dacey who kissed him and then helped her back to their rooms, she usually rested after breaking her fast and she was already yawning when he got there.
He received the note sitting in his solar later that day, the ship would be ready for inspection on the morrow. The Lion Cub, the newest pinnacle ship and the first to be fitted out with the rooms to transport the ice from the North was about to sail on its maiden voyage. Without Creylen, Jon had taken charge of the building of the rooms, he'd drawn what he needed and given full and clear instructions, and then checked up occasionally to see it done.
Now finally they were ready, the Ice House they'd built on the grounds of Casterly Rock would be the first of it's kind. A simple structure built into the ground and lined with the same materials as the rooms on the ships, they'd need to build Ice Wagons to transport the ice itself too. But should it work how Jon suggested, they'd be soon delivering it all over Westeros and Essos, bringing in even more coin.
"My lord, there's a lad who arrived at the main gates who says he's been sent here by Lord Tyrion." Arlan said as he walked into the room.
"A lad?"
"A young lad about Jon's age, he arrived with some of our guards, I've had them escort him to the floor below just to be safe."
"Have him brought up here, check him for weapons just in case."
"Already done my lord, he's clean, carried a small knife with him but handed it up before we even searched him."
"Well done." he said with a nod and Arlan left to go fetch the lad.
A few moments later the lad was brought into the room, he was as Arlan said about Jon's age, though it seemed unlike Jon and Loras this lad hadn't done any sparring or training whatsoever. In his hand, the boy held two letters which he handed to him, before he read them though he asked the boy who he was and how he knew his brother.
"My name is Satin my lord, Satin Flowers. I helped your brother while in Oldtown, ran messages for him and showed him around, he asked if I'd like to be his page or squire" Satin said his face red.
"My brother didn't return with you though?" he asked suspiciously.
"No my lord, he, Prince Oberyn and Lady Ellaria left on one of the other ships and told me and the guards to wait for the next one and to come here and deliver those to you." Satin pointed to the letters.
Jaime opened the first one eager to find out where his brother was.
Dearest brother,
Oberyn and I have found out much and made contact with Marwyn, my other letter will explain that in far more detail. On speaking to the Maester we've found that Loamara is in Pentos and is someone we'd wish to speak to, Marwyn thinks he'd be a great asset for Jon too. So Oberyn and I have decided to travel to Pentos ourselves and find the man and bring him back, it's far easier to do so from here than to travel back to Lannisport first.
Satin is a good lad Jaime, find a place for him until I return, I intend to take him into my service so treat him well, he deserves it. Oberyn will ensure I am safe and I shall return once I've found Loamara, it should not take long.
Tyrion.
He looked at the boy before opening the second letter.
Jaime.
Marwyn is on our side, he confirmed some names for us, Luwin as Jon said is one of the ones we can trust, as are Vyman in Riverrun, Myles in Sunspear and Lomys in Highgarden. I've sent Olenna a letter confirming her own Maester is to be trusted to an extent.
It's the ones who are not which gives me pause, Pycelle, Caleotte, Cressen, Coleman and Arden are all confirmed to be in on things, as are Theobold and Walgrave. The fact that four of these represent the great houses and that Creylen would have made it five, shows just how deep this runs.
Were it not for timing and death, then both Winterfell and Highgarden would no doubt have their own Maesters be part of things too. To that end Marwyn has promised to do everything he can to send us a Maester we can trust, should a man named Jardene arrive to take up the post, then Marwyn has been successful. Should anyone else arrive, then treat them as if they are the same as Creylen.
Marwyn will continue to dig into things and until then we can take all necessary precautions.
Tyrion.
Jaime placed the letters on the table and looked to the boy once again.
"It seems my brother thinks highly of you Satin, we'll find a place for you here should you wish it?"
"I do my lord, thank you." Satin said a large smile on his face and Jaime decided to show the lad around, rather than have Arlan or one of the servants do so.
"Come with me then, I'll introduce you to everyone."
"My lord?"
"My own squires and ward are here too, all are around your own age, I'm sure they'll make you feel welcome."
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Melisandre.
Seeing a dragon in the flesh was one thing, seeing one being born quite another, but that was just one of the many things she'd seen the prince do since she'd arrived here. When he'd shown her the glass candles, shown her them lighting she'd almost dropped to her knees in reverence, she had seen the greatest sorcerers in Asshai try and fail to do so.
Yet her prince could light them as if it was nothing, watching the flames appear on the top of the candles just by the prince's will alone, just by him wishing it so. If there were ever more proof than the dragons needed to show he was R'hllors chosen, then this was it. When he had handed her the first candle the things she'd seen, the blue eyes, the ice, the wall crumbling down, the army of dead men, all things she'd seen before but fleetingly.
But in the prince's presence she saw them for far longer, saw them as they marched, saw them as the darkness fell, before once again she saw the light and the flames as the prince brought the dawn. That he would listen to her counsel, take her advice, made her feel worthy of serving him, her and her guards willing to lay down their lives for his should he ask it of them.
" Why would I do such a thing, life, Melisandre is a gift from the gods is it not, surely then only the gods have the right to ask such a thing?"
" You are my god's chosen my prince, his will upon this world, what you command, comes from R'hllor himself, should you ask it of me it shall be done."
" Then know I shall never ask it, nor ever accept it, if I am his chosen then this is my choice."
Benerro, Moqorro, Kinvara, she had prayed with, worshipped with and listened to them all, she knew the high priest and priestess didn't care for the lives of those that were beneath them. Priests had been sent on missions that could only lead to their deaths, based upon the will of R'hllor before, or was it the will of his priests? The more she thought of it, the more time she spent with the prince, the more she questioned it.
" Thoros told me that offering a sacrifice to the fire is seen as R'hllor's will, is this true?"
" It is my prince."
" Does that not seem strange to you?"
" It increases the power my prince, it brings us closer to R'hllor."
" I know of blood magic Melisandre, the power of blood, mine own, my families. I've read your book, there is power in blood, in Kings' Blood, in Dragon's Blood."
" Indeed my prince, your own I've no doubt is the most powerful of all."
" Then should we need power we can use it then, there is no need for other blood to be spilled."
" As you command my prince."
" I'll not have people burned my lady, if I am his chosen, this is my choice."
She watched the prince as he sparred, after his injury he had taken time to recover, he had seemed ordinary to her and for a time she had found this most disconcerting. He was the Prince that was Promised, destined to defeat the great other and bring the dawn, yet he lost to two boys and a girl easily. But soon she learned that all was not as it seemed, be it his injury or other matters, something wasn't quite right with the prince.
Once it was right again she saw it, he moved faster than he should, he almost seemed to be able to glide through the air, the sword in his hands an extension of them, as it found it's target again and again. Her two guards both trained in the techniques that only the fiery hand knew found him a fascinating subject to watch, said he moved as they did, though how they knew not.
" He is his chosen." she would say and they would nod in agreement.
When they asked could he spar with them the prince had agreed and then she saw it even more clearly, the moves he did, the spins, the turns, her guards moved the same way. But Jon was quicker than they, almost as if he was tapping into even more power than they were, even deeper into the source of their power. While the guards beat him, they did so simply because of their advantages in strength and experience, both men saying they'd lose soon enough.
"My prince perhaps you should travel to Volantis, study some at the temple, learn the ways of the Fiery Hand, the ways of some of the magic of our order?"
"One day I may do that my lady, but not today, here I have much I must do before I can even begin to think of travel, but one day. "
"Perhaps when the dragons are large enough?".
" Perhaps."
" Do you dream of Valyria my prince?"
"My dreams are of many things, I've seen Valyria, seen it in the past and the present, I have no wish to go there, but…"
"But?".
"We don't always get what we wish for my lady. Sometimes the choice is made for us, sometimes we must follow the path we've been set on. My sister wishes to see the land of our forefathers and in this, I have no choice, we are one my lady, where she goes, I go."
" Then ask it and I shall follow my prince."
" No my lady, your place is here, this is my choice." he said and she smiled.
Crownlands 294 AC.
Cat.
Helping Edmure settle in as Lord was more stressful than she had thought it should be, her brother seemingly wanting to settle old grudges and slights, even before he'd been officially named as Lord Paramount. It had taken every ounce of her persuasion skills to keep him in check and she feared he would do something stupid, once she left to return North.
Not that she'd be doing so for quite some time yet, handling her father's arrangements had been hard, organizing things so he got the right send-off, was even more difficult than she'd imagined. But she had pulled it off and he was sent to the gods in a manner befitting him, she'd been so concerned with appearances that she'd not yet properly had time to grieve. Now given what she was planning, she found the time had long past, so focused was she on the future.
"We're passing Rosby my lord, we should be arriving at Kings Landing by the early evening." she heard one of the guards say to Edmure.
Good, she was looking forward to seeing Petyr again, to seeing Lysa and Jon Arryn, though she was annoyed at her sister too. She had hoped she'd come to see their father off, knowing she was in Kings Landing and had not come had bothered her, only the fact of her babe allowing for her to forgive her sister the slight. She was glad her uncle had agreed to act as castellan, he was sorely needed, though why he seemed so fond of the bastard was beyond her.
" We should act as if we don't care Edmure, at least around Brynden, let him believe all is forgotten about."
" He'll never accept it, perhaps I can argue it a little."
" Aye, that sounds good, in the end though, we tell him we've no plans for the bastard."
" What if he finds out Cat?"
" By then it'll be too late, besides he is our family, he'll remember that in the end."
Despite what she had said she was starting to believe her uncle wouldn't accept it, that when Jon Snow was dead he'd know it was them, while he'd never speak up about it, she knew he'd do as he said she would. But the loss of an uncle was a small price to pay for her family's security, for their welfare and future it was one she'd pay gladly. She drifted off briefly before they reached the gates, though it was the smell that woke her.
"I meant to warn you of that, sorry." Edmure said as they entered and rode to the Red Keep.
"Does it always smell this bad? She asked and her brother nodded.
Arriving at the Red Keep she was pleased to see Jon Arryn, Lysa and Petyr lined up to meet them, seeing Lysa carrying her babe in her arms, she found herself more able to forgive her for not coming to the funeral. The babe looked so small, so sickly, she worried for him immediately, though Lysa seemed far happier than when she'd seen her last.
Jon Arryn looked as if he'd aged far more than the ten and one years since she'd seen him last, as for Petyr he looked handsome and prosperous and she felt happy for her friend. Once the introductions were made, they were escorted into the keep itself, they'd be staying in the Maidenvault which she was more than happy about.
"Cat you look beautiful as always." Petyr said his smile beaming as he looked at her.
"Thank you Petyr, it's good to see you again."
"You too, perhaps we can speak later once you've settled?" he said his voice barely a whisper.
"His grace wishes for you both to join him and the queen for dinner Catelyn, if you feel up to it after your travels that is?" Jon Arryn said and she smiled and nodded.
"Of course my lord, I'd be honored."
After leaving her things in her room, bathing and changing with the help of the group of servants that they had supplied her with, she walked to the private dinner quarters to eat with the king and queen. Edmure walked nervously beside her, once inside she was happy to see Lysa and Jon Arryn would be joining them and they sat awaiting the king and queen to arrive.
"Cat, you look even more beautiful than I remember" Robert said as he and the queen arrived, Cat and the others immediately rising to their feet.
"Your grace." she replied a soft smile on her face.
"Lady Catelyn." Cersei said as she looked at her.
"My queen," she said with a curtsy.
A few moments later she was sitting down and after the king had grown bored with speaking to Edmure of hunting, he turned to her.
"A pity Ned's not with you Cat, I'd have enjoyed seeing my oldest friend again." Robert said his voice both accusing and slightly sad.
"Had he known I planned to come visit then I've no doubt he would have come too your grace, but unfortunately my father's passing was a surprise neither of us expected."
"Of course, I'm sorry for your loss, both of you, a great man your father, he will be missed."
"He will your grace." she said her voice low.
"We'll do the ceremony tomorrow your grace, naming Lord Edmure as Lord Paramount and the swearing of fealty." Jon Arryn said and the king nodded.
"Now Cat tell me of your family, how are they doing, your boy, the one you named for me, how is he?"
Cat told him then of Robb and Arya, of Bran and Sansa and when she spoke of her daughter the king perked up, eager for more information on Sansa. Going so far at one point as to asking if it was true she took after her in looks and personality, something she was proud to confirm.
"I have a son the same age Cat, Joffrey, you'll no doubt meet him while you're here." Robert said before Jon Arryn and then Cersei interrupted.
"Your Grace perhaps now is not the time." Jon Arryn said confusing her.
"Yes Robert, perhaps we should speak to Lady Catelyn on this another time."
"Another time, she's right here now and who better than to carry the news back to Ned than his own wife." Robert said.
"Your Grace?" she asked.
"Many years ago I wished Ned and I to be tied in bonds of marrige, he was the brother I chose Cat, he still is, the damn Dragonspawn stole that chance away from me, stole her from me."
"Robert." Cersei said her voice rising but the king ignored her and continued speaking.
"But I have a son, you have a daughter, fate is giving me a second chance, so what say you Cat?".
"Your Grace?" she asked pretending to be confused, she could see Edmure looking at her with a smile which was almost as big as the one she was hiding behind her apparent confusion.
"I wish a betrothal Cat, between Joffrey and Sansa, I would have your daughter as my goodaughter, as the next queen of the seven kingdoms."
Every inch of her, every fiber in her wished to shout yes at the top of her lungs, but she knew she'd need to speak to Ned, or at least pretend to, so she schooled her features and answered.
"Your Grace, if it were up to me I'd accept in a heartbeat, but I must discuss it with Ned, though I've no doubt of his answer as I'm sure you do not. So I shall say yes, but ask it not to be announced until I speak to my husband."
"Of course Cat, I'd expect nothing less, you've no idea how happy this makes me" Robert said his smile larger than her own.
"Me too your grace." she looked as he filled his wine glass and handed her one too while waiting while everyone else filled their own and raised them.
"To Joffrey and Sansa." Robert said loudly and exuberantly.
"Joffrey and Sansa." she said just as loud, as did Edmure, and in her excitement she didn't notice how both Cersei and Jon Arryn were less loud in their own cheers.
As she undressed later that night she heard a knock on the door and answered to see Petyr standing there, she quickly covered herself and looked at him angrily.
"Petyr I was readying myself for bed."
"I'm sorry Cat, forgive the intrusion."
"Can't it wait until the morrow?"
"No, I came as soon as I heard the news."
"Oh." she said turning and pouring them both some wine.
"You don't sound happy Cat?"
"I am, I am, just tired."
"Do you think your husband will accept it?"
"The betrothal, of course it's his best friend's son, Sansa would be queen, there is no match better." she said.
"The heir of Highgarden?" he said and she frowned.
"A cripple over a prince, I think not Petyr, my daughter is worth far more than that."
"Indeed she is Cat, but her fostering there, perhaps that's why your husband sent her there?"
"It wasn't Ned." she mumbled.
"What?" he asked not hearing her.
"It wasn't Ned, it was the bastard Petyr, Jon Snow he's trying to take Winterfell from Robb, he sent her there, it was his idea."
"Cat I didn't know."
"You have to help me Petyr, you must, I need you to help me." she said her voice full of pleading.
"Ask of me anything Cat, if it's in my power I'll do it, you only need ask."
She could have kissed him right then and there, finally someone who understood what a danger the bastard was, someone who knew how she felt, someone who cared for her.
"I want him dead Petyr, I want to send someone to kill him, will you help."
"Of course I will." Petyr said a smile on her face and she felt the relief immediately.