I spent the next week after defeating the Arryns at the Battle of Ironoak clearing up the Vale, the last of the Mountain Clans were hunted down, the 4 rebelling castles were put to siege, and on the 6th day of my stay in the Eyrie, the ancestral keep of House Corbray, Hearths Home. Fell.
The other 3 smaller castles surrendered quickly after, they were sieged by our men, the brackens. And I felt like starving them out instead.
While the remaining 5000 Freys, House Vance and House Mallister took Hearths Home, a honour.
Sadly though, 4000 Freys were killed, leaving just 1000 Freys, and Ser Emmon Frey.
Additionally, per our deal. House Corbray´s Ancestral Valyrian Steel Longsword, Lady Forlorn was given to me, Lord of House Bracken.
And I had planned to rename it, to Brackenhart, and I plan to replace it's handle with a horse symbol at the end, similar to Longclaw, and a different guard, but that was essentially it.
And luckily for me, one of the best Blacksmiths to exists, was in Kings Landing right now, so I saw no problem in contacting him.
Not only that, I had found out Jaime had recently escaped.
My original plan was to free him, and take Ice as my reward, but instead I decided to let it be melted down, and replaced by the 2 Valyrian Steel Sword, just to manipulate Sansa into hating the Lannisters even more.
And if push came to show, all I had to do was smelt them down again and remake Ice, though I would likely have to add some more Valyrian Steel, perhaps a dagger.
Either way, It took us another week of travelling to reach Kings Landing, though I spent enough time relaxing.
I wanted to act, march on the Freys right here and now, but I knew that I had prioritise. The Freys weren't moving anytime soon, so I was in no haste to deal with them.
My army would remain in the Vale for another 2 weeks, to ensure the Vale Lords complied fully and thoroughly.
And the vassals whom rebelled? They were let off, though they would pay heavy amounts of tax, and they would be directly under us for now, it was no bother.
However, my eyes turned back up, towards the Great City of Kings Landing.
My escort included 200 of my elite guards, they had suffered a few casualties in the war, but they were quickly replenished.
All 200 of my guards still used swords and shields for now, I would replace it with Halberds soon, after all, they are much better against opponents with armour.
Oh, and according to the architects, builders and locals on Seagard. It had indeed been determined that it was possible to create a river, which would enter the Western Sea, the work would take 2 years originally, but after sending the 15 000 war prisoners whom didn´t belong to any house, it was lowered to a year.
Additionally, House Mallister had agreed to my terms, which was essentially that they couldn't demand tax from travellers, that right would be uniquely only for House Bracken.
This was due to the fact it would be easier for us to direct the river away from Seagard, it would cost less and be faster, but I wanted to bind the Mallisters to me, with a good show of faith, and this was the perfect opportunity.
But the Mallisters had already began the creation of a large city, for merchants to visit to sell and buy their goods, after all. If anyone wanted to go through it, they would be tempted to visit Seagard if it became a true city.
And they could tax stalls and stuff on their land, just not passing through.
Additionally to that, I told the Mallisters that their upper limit in terms of naval crafts was put higher, and House Bracken would even invest in the building of their fleet, after all. The Greyjoys were a problem.
However, after that. I finally entered Kings Landing, whereas a team of City Watchmen stood, awaiting us.
And they directed us through the city with a simple nod, after all. The Lord Commander served me, and halfway there. The man himself appeared.
"My Lord." Jack said as he approached me on horse, and my guards let him through easily.
"Lord Commander." I said, before we both burst out laughing.
"How is it going, Jack?" I asked him, as we rode next to each other.
"The City Watch has been upped to 2500 men on order of the King. All I had to do was swear my eternal loyalty to him, and him only. And he put the size up, and almost doubles our budget." He said, and I couldn't help but let a proud smile appear on my face.
"Good job." I simply said, and he nodded.
"What about Sansa?" I asked, to get a more in debt explanation.
"She's been getting more and more comfy, Tommen is currently 8, and they cannot begin the child-birthing till he reaches the age of 10, so she's living without the stress of that on her back, additionally. She and Margaery have grown rather accustomed to each other, and they spend a lot of time together." He said and I smiled, but that's not what I wanted, and Jack knew it.
"Additionally, she's bought out 5 Taverns and 7 Brothels, though she never visits them at all, instead. Her first handmaiden, Alysanne Rivers, our agent. Manages all her businesses for them, and she believes herself to be in full control, but most of them are loyal to us." Jack said and I smiled.
Sure it was risky to infiltrate Sansa's business this way, If she discovered. Or more likely, Littlefinger did, I´d find myself in some trouble, but I didn´t fully trust her enough to let her manage a information network alone, when it was so easy to control it.
But I put that into the back of my head, as I rode with Jack towards the Red Keep, and as we were about to enter, I spoke to him.
"Jack?" I asked.
"Aye."
"I want you to place our most elite and loyal troops in the Red Keep from now on, it's about to turn even worse." I said, and Jack nodded seriously.
"Lastly, I wanted to tell you. Your loyalty has been noticed, and I promise you rewards soon enough, you've served me well." I said, and Jack smiled back.
And with that, we separated. He headed back to the City Watch's Barracks, while I headed towards the Red Keep.
However, as I went through the gate leading to the Red Keep, still on my horse. I caught the grand awaiting party infront of the halls to the Great Keep.
Cersei Lannister, with her sworn protector. Jaime Lannister.
Sansa Stark, alongside her fiancé Prince Tommen Baratheon, and her 2 sworn guards. Uyn and Jonnel.
Lastly, Lady Margaery Tyrell, alongside her father, Lord Mace Tyrell, and Leanna Tyrell, the true mastermind behind House Tyrell.
And alongside those, stood a lot of minor nobles and Household Guards.
A Grand Meeting indeed.
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