When I stepped onto the dock, I was the only person on it. There were no Myrish running around trying to sell me carpets, or Myrish glass, or spices like I expected. The only living things on the dock were the dogs and cats running around trying to find food.
"Halt! … business … Myr!"
I looked up to where a Myrish city guard was yelling at me in Low Valyrian. I had started to try to learn the language, but Ashara had only known so much of the Myrish dialect. I knew enough to figure out just what the guard wanted though.
"Me and my people seek refuge in Myr." I told the guard in High Valyrian, as close to the Low Valyrian dialect that I could get. I could only hope that he would understand me.
He cocked his head at me, and I knew what he must be thinking. 'What in the fuck is this Westerosi talking about?'
I sighed and reached to my waist before pulling off a reasonable size coin purse for him to see. I jingled it a little bit and gestured to the ships behind me docking. The guard's eyes locked on to the coin purse and he smiled. He raised a hand and barked something in Low Valyrian that I didn't understand. I could only assume it meant 'wait here'.
I should have done that from the start. Myr is a city of merchants after all.
"Presenting! Magister Harar Ennos!"
I looked away from the docks, where my people were unloading from their ships and turned my attention to where I heard the voice. It hadn't been that long, maybe thirty minutes since the guard left. It took me a moment to realize that the reason I understood the introduction of the Magister was because it was spoken in the Common Tongue, or westerosi.
The Magister was a fat man, as most of them were, and had robes of silk that were dyed the most hideous purple I had ever seen. The hair on his head being dyed a light green didn't help his image at all. It was hard for me to hide my distaste for the human that was walking down the steps of the dock towards me.
I already knew the fate that would befall the man in front of me shortly, so I tried to mentally prepare myself to play into his hands for a little while.
"Master Harar, my name is Petyr Baelish. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." I said, introducing myself and trying to flatter him at the same time.
I began walking up the docks towards him as I spoke. A guard stepped between me and the magister. Ben stepped in front of me, mirroring the guard with a hand on his hilt. Ben's head cocked to the side, as if daring the man to draw his weapon.
"That's enough." The magister said. His voice was high pitched, and his teeth were yellow.
My disgust for the man rose, as my respect for him fell. He had never known war, nor hardship. The two men behind him had swords on their waists, a spear in one hand, a shield in the other, and a collar around their neck branding them slaves and Unsullied. I knew that with a wave of his hands they would attack and die within a moment's notice for him.
Myr was smart enough for the city guards to be free men though, as I did not see a collar around his neck. My hand reached out to Ben's shoulder, and I beckoned him to move aside for me. He did so without complaint, but his eyes rarely left the guard.
"I know of you Lord Baelish. What can Myr do for you?" The Magister asked as the guard stepped aside to let me face the man in charge.
"We seek refuge. I have around 100 souls that need shelter and food." I said, getting straight to the point. "I can pay, of course." I added, to make it clear that I was no beggar.
At the last line, the Magister's eyes lit up slightly, but his face stayed neutral. "Unfortunately, the city is rather full right now. You cannot see it, but there is a Dothraki horde camped at the front gates. Farmers and merchants from the Disputed Lands fill the streets and taverns inside the city. I'm afraid it's just not possible for us to accept you." The Magister delivered the news and turned around without allowing me to reply to him or offer him any more money.
I wouldn't go down that easily though. He was expecting me to offer him some outrageous sum for my people. I would not pay him monetarily, but I was prepared to earn my keep. And he had given me the perfect opportunity.
"If you know of me, then you also know of my prowess. Allow me to dispose of this Dothraki horde for you. In exchange, my people will find the refuge we seek." I told him in a no nonsense tone.
This caused the man to stop and turn around towards me. "You have 100 men, what do you expect to do against 3,000 Dothraki riders, hmmm?"
I frowned at the Magister. "The Golden Company will not deal with this problem for you?" I asked.
The reason I was even at Myr, instead of the other cities was for the Golden Company. They were crucial to my plans. I had used my greensight to see them heading for Myr, from Lys. In fact, I had even taken the time to make sure they held the current contract before we set sail.
The Magister did not answer for a while. He chose to just stand there and look at me, without emotion on his face. His body language didn't scream anger, if anything it showed intrigue. He was wondering how I knew of that information.
"The Golden Company has been …delayed by another sellsword company. Otherwise the upstart Khal wouldn't dare approach Myr." The Magister answered without giving away too much information.
I nodded and decided not to push the information. If it was 10,000 Dothraki, I could see the Golden Company pausing to face them. But 3,000? That would be an easy victory for the famous infantrymen of the Golden Company.
"I will deal with the Dothraki for you, you and your fellow Magisters will not have to shower them with any gifts and my people will find refuge in the city. Do we have a deal?" I asked, offering terms for the Magister in front of me.
He turned around once again. "Follow me." He commanded with a wave of his hand.
I nodded to Ben, and he followed.
It was a long walk through the city so the Magister had called for horses to escort us. We had ridden at a faster pace than I expected through a crowded city, but the way the crowd parted for us made me think it was a normal occurrence. The Magister's ruled the city, and the people knew it.
I had whispered to Ben for him to call Anogar to him. Weirña was already on her way from where she was traveling over the landscape around Myr trying to acquaint herself with her new home. She had already found and eaten a wild goat, something she had never had before and now loved.
Before we could even reach the walls that protected Myr and its citizens from the Dothraki, she was circling the city high enough in the air that nobody could see her. Unfortunately there were no clouds in the sky, so she had to fly much higher not to be spotted.
When we finally did approach the walls, I could see men on top of the ramparts already. All of them were Magisters, if their clothing was anything to go by. I was surprised at just how many there were. There were over 20 of them for sure. It kind of made sense to me why Myr was such a rich and prosperous city then. It wasn't necessarily a democracy, but with the amount of Magisters making decisions, the politics alone and different interests probably made for a decent government. Sure there was bound to be corruption, but there were also glimpses of brilliancy in the economy because of this.
If only they weren't slavers, I might have entertained the idea of keeping them.
Master Harar hopped off of his horse, and we followed his lead. Without speaking, he led Ben and I to a door attached to the stone wall that surrounded the city. We entered and I did not expect to see what was inside of the cities wall.
Unsullied stood inside the walls unmoving. Every one of them had tanned skin and wore the exact armor that was depicted in the shows. A spear clenched in one hand, a shield in the other, and a sword on their waist. They did not react to my presence, their eyes did not follow me or Ben or Harar, they just kept looking forward.
Their eyes are so…dead.
Ben let his disgust show more than I did, and I looked at him with a shake of my head. He knew most of my plans for the city, and he knew what would happen to these men.
We followed Harar through the walls, and finally we reached a staircase which we ascended quickly. Soon we saw daylight again as we walked onto the tops of the walls of Myr. They were high, and they were strong, I could tell. The stone was solid and the mortar that held it together was strong.
Why haven't the Magisters begun to train their own army to defend such a grand city? I turned away from Harar and looked down into the city. Houses and communities were split with well maintained roads that led into and out of the city. Gardens sprung up every once in a while, giving the city even more beauty.
Towers, many of them, rose from the middle of the city, behind another wall that separated the ruling class from the peasants. I knew there were mances that housed most of the Magister's behind that wall.
I turned away from the city, and looked out to the vast barren plains of the Disputed Lands. About four hundred yards away, a small little town of tents and men sat. Even from my position, I could see the bustle of activity. I couldn't make out details, but I imagined that some were fighting, some were fucking, and some were racing on horses. They were in a perfect position for destruction.
"Who is this Master Harar?" A random man, who wore extravagant clothing and gold around his neck, asked. His red hair reminded me of the scales on Anogar, although they were a shade or two too light.
"Lord Petyr Baelish has arrived, and has offered a proposal to our newest …nuisance." Harar said as he walked over to the other Magisters and took his place beside them.
A man stepped out of the line of Magisters. He was tall and broad, just like the sword on his waist. He was not small and skinny, nor was he fat and overweight. He walked with a confidence born of wielding a sword for a living and surviving to tell the tale. Unlike the other Magisters, he wore a plate over his torso, with greaves and gauntlets to protect him. I did not see a helmet near him, nor did he hold one. His hair was not dyed, but stayed his natural color of black, and was tied up behind his head. His beard was well trimmed.
I did not expect to find a warrior of this caliber in a city of merchants.
"And what is this proposal, Ser Baelish?" The man asked with a grin on his face. He had not called me a 'Lord' and he knew it was disrespectful. He was actively acknowledging the fact that they all knew of my 'betrayal'.
I reached out and grabbed Ben, because I knew he was about to react to the man. I was right, Ben had already taken a step towards him when I touched his shoulder. Although it was disrespectful and everyone knew it, he was also correct in his assessment. I was no longer a Lord, due to my betrayal, so I reverted to my knighthood, if I could even keep that.
But I would not allow a slight, without giving one in return. "I will do what you cannot. I will destroy the Khalasar, and in return my people and I will be welcomed into the city." I told the man, and I made sure that I looked directly at him during my first sentence.
He laughed, and looked around to his fellow Magisters. Some joined him in laughing at me, and others did not. I made sure to memorize exactly who went along with him and who didn't. "Allow me to kill this man, and collect the bounty from the Usurper." He said to them as he touched the sword on his waist.
"A perfect idea." I said, taking the initiative. "Instead of getting rid of the Khalasar, I will duel you for your position amongst the Magisters, and then I will rid the Khalasaar for no fee, but instead out of my newfound instinct to protect this city."
There was a moment of silence then, as everyone processed my words. I could see the wheels turning in their heads. I didn't expect them to go for the idea, but I would use the opportunity to posture for a moment.
"Remember my name. I am Petyr Baelish, the man that handed Robert Baratheon a kingdom. The conqueror of Gulltown, and King's Landing. Martially I am more capable than this man. Economically, I am more capable than this man. I grew the population of my fathers lands by 10 fold, all while turning a profit. There were no ships that owed loyalty to my lands, look out to the port and you may count them yourselves. These are only small accomplishments, compared to what I will showcase in the future." I told them, and looked every single one of them in the eyes. When I was describing my martial talent, the Magisters looked uninterested. It was only when I got to the economic aspect of my merit, did their eyes light up.
"I accept." The man in front of me answered.
"You cannot accept that proposal, Gerald." A man with long blonde hair, a gut that was barely forming, and immaculate robes of white and red, said. "As you do not have an official position on the council." He said smoothly and confidently before turning to me and starting to walk towards me. "Gerald is the leader of the City Watch, and reports directly to the council but he is not a Magister."
I didn't even have to think about it. One of the most crucial steps to start a coup is to have control over the local military. "My offer still stands. A duel for his position, and then I will rid this beautiful landscape of the filth upon it." I spoke up before anyone could continue to deny me a position of authority in the city.
The man stopped walking towards me for a moment, obviously taking the time to ponder the offer. Then he turned back to his fellow Magisters, in an unasked question. One after another, they all began to nod their heads giving their consent to the duel. Not everyone nodded, but upwards of 90 percent of them did.
The silver haired man nodded towards me and then turned back towards Gerald and nodded. The man smiled as he drew his great sword. I mimicked him and drew my own, although when I did it, people's eyes were drawn to Heartsbane and its beauty.
"That sword will do more in my hands than you ever have, boy." Gerald taunted, and in that moment I decided that he would die, instead of just being brutalized. He slowly walked towards me with his sword pointed at me.
"If you managed to accomplish half of what I have in a lifetime, your name would never be forgotten." I returned, just as he began the fight.
For a moment, I couldn't believe that his attack was so sloppy and planned. He stabbed towards me, lunging with his feet as he did it and shifting all his weight to his front leg.
I sidestepped and stabbed towards his knee that all of his weight was on. He was going into another attack that must have been a part of his opening combo, he was even shifting weight to his other leg while his arms brought his sword up in an overhead slash.
Unfortunately for him, Heartsbane tore through his knee before his weight could shift.
"Ahhh!" Gerald cried out as I spun and swung my sword towards his neck with as much force as I could muster.
I had to give him credit because he raised his sword to block mine when he fell to his other knee. Unfortunately for him, his castle forged steel just couldn't compare to Heartsbane and the force I put behind it.
I cut through his sword, and through his neck, beheading the man.
I turned to the other magisters before his head ever hit the ground. I felt a hand touch my wrist, and looked to see that Ben was reaching for Heartsbane. I frowned as I looked as to why. His eyes were on the blood that coated the sword, he did not want me to ruin my scabbard. I let him take the sword from me.
"Is Anogar here?" I asked, taking my opportunity to speak with him privately for a moment.
Ben nodded to me. "Good, on my signal. You know I can't help but be a bit dramatic." I said with a shrug and a grin. Ben rolled his eyes as he walked away with Heartsbane to wipe it off.
"Now, unfortunately, that isn't the most unpleasant business of the day." I called out to the Magisters behind me.
I walked up to the middle of the Magisters and then turned to where the Khalasar was gathered on the fields beneath me. I walked straight up to the wall and raised a hand into the air. I held it there for dramatic effect, and then without warning I let it drop.
"RRRRRAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
A speck of white dipped beneath the clouds directly above the camped Khalasar. And then another speck of red dipped beneath the clouds. Another roar sounded out from our dragons. It was a loud roar that we could hear perfectly fine, but it did not rattle our bones as it would when they were right beside us.
Fire shot from their mouths, as they made their first run on the Khalasar.
I heard their screams from atop that wall.
Robert Baratheon POV**
"…it was dragons Your Grace, I swear it."
That caused me to pause. Dragons? Was this man touched in the head? Or did he think I was a fool to believe anything against my old friend. Petyr was many things, a fool being the most obvious, but he was no dragon tamer. He wasn't even a Targaryen, there would be no way he could control them.
Hell I have more Targaryen in me than Petyr does. I thought, causing rage to build up inside me. It made me sick to think about that. Lyanna lay in the dirt, raped by Rhaegar, and what do I have?
An idiot who thinks he can lie to me and receive a thousand gold dragons.
"A dragon, you say? Do you have any proof?" Jon Arryn asked in a dull tone of voice. He always used that voice when he didn't believe what he was hearing.
I heard that tone every time I snuck down to the brothel from the Eyrie. Oh how that woman had pleased me. Perhaps I should call for her to come to King's Landing and teach my lioness, my wife, how to do the same. She hadn't looked at me the same since the ceremony.
"Only my word, and the word of 20 other men that braved the journey from the Vale, my Lord Hand."
That piqued my interest, 20 other men?
"You claim to have 20 other men with the same story?" I asked, standing up from my throne. The damned thing was cutting into my back.
"Yes Your Grace." The man answered.
I turned to the guard at the entrance, and raised my hand. "Are they outside?" I asked the guard. He should know, his comrades were constantly asking those waiting what they were here for.
"Yes, Your Grace." The idiot fucking guard said.
"Well bring them in then! 20 men with the same fucking story and you thought I should hear about it 20 different times?!" I bellowed at the guard.
He'll be monitoring flea bottom by the end of the day. I thought as I saw Jon Arryn whisper to Ser Barristan.
I thought the man in front of me was a storyteller, a liar like all the rest. But 20 men entered the throne room, just as he said they would. Now would they say the same thing as him?
"Tell the truth, this man claims that a dragon is the reason for Lord Eon's failure and death." I said to them, and paused waiting for the bastards to speak up.
"No Your Grace, it was not one dragon but two that laid waste to the men."
I stormed into the small council room.
Lord Redwyne was finally here and his first meeting would be a great one to get him acclimated properly.
"I want him killed, it has gone on too long. He has betrayed me at every turn, and I want him and his family killed. Ben Rivers as well."
"Do we know where he is?" Lord Paxter Redwyne asked. At least he had the stones to speak up in his first meeting. Perhaps I would like him.
"If he is not already at Myr, he is a day, perhaps two away from docking. He will seek refuge there." Varys answered. Why did he sound so damned pathetic all the time? He made me want to put a sword in his hand and send him on a battlefield, maybe that would make a man out of the eunuch.
"How many contacts do you have there, Varys?" Jon asked.
"Many, many contacts Lord Hand, but my most efficient is the commander of the city guard. His fee is much less than that of a Magister." Varys answered smoothly.
He's trying his best to become valuable to me. To prove that his not a supporter of the Targaryens.
"What of the dragons?" Tywin asked, in his normal bland way of talking. He was probably still upset that I hadn't named him Hand.
"They will scatter to the winds, once the traitor is dead." Lord Redwyne answered Tywin, almost as if he was an expert.
I have allowed another snake into my den. I realized as I took note of the man in front of me.
Tywin did not take that answer at face value, and his response awakened something within me.
"And if they don't..?"