-Chapter 85-
-18th day of the 6th moon of the year 299 AC-
"I heard you might have had some trouble with the king's spies," said a man with a clearly Pentoshi accent.
"You heard wrong," said an old man dressed as a septon.
The man with the Pentoshi accent said in a threatening manner, "I hope for your sake you're right because if what I've heard is actually true and it reaches the ears of the boy king, we can all say goodbye to our heads."
"I can assure you that everything you've heard is nothing but rumors," said the old man, who was none other than the High Sparrow, in a calm and indifferent tone that testified to his confidence.
The Pentoshi calmed down and said, "Very well, but my master is worried about the growth of the dragons, so..."
The High Sparrow interrupted the man, saying in the same calm tone, "Demons, they are nothing more than instruments of destruction created by the Valyrian pagans and heretics in order to enslave the whole world, so I would like you to use the appropriate term in the future," he said.
The man said nothing at first but after seeing the new Sons of the Warrior take a more threatening air and tighten their grips on their clubs, the man said, "My master is worried about the growth of the demons and wants us to accelerate our plans, the spy network of the Spider took time to be fully digested by the new Master of Spies of the crown, but it seems that now this man named Bryan is as well-informed as the Spider himself."
"Hmm, I can see why that's a problem," said the High Sparrow, still unflappable.
"My master has already initiated the first phase of the plan to dethrone the dragons; you must be ready to act at any moment while spreading your beliefs as widely as possible through the Reach so we can count on a crowd of fighters," he said before standing up and leaving.
---
-20th day of the 6th moon of the year 299 AC-
-POV MC-
I aimed at a huge white stag and with a smooth motion released the string of my bow, my arrow flew straight into the heart of the stag which collapsed to the ground as if its strings had been cut.
"You are really a very good archer, even better than me," said Jalabhar impressed.
"Not as good as you, I just have special abilities that allow me to shoot from such a distance."
He smiled, shaking his head, and said, "I know when I'm beaten, Your Majesty, and you are truly and by far better than me."
I smiled and then said in a teasing tone, "This won't affect our friendship, will it?"
"Not in the slightest, Your Majesty, even if..."
"Even if what?" I said.
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have," he said, apologizing profusely.
I raised my hand and said in a tone both friendly and authoritative, "Stop beating around the bush and just tell me what's weighing on your mind, aren't we friends?"
"You're right, I shouldn't have hidden this from you, but it's about my life before coming to Westeros."
"When you were a Prince?" I asked.
"Yes, I was challenged by another prince in a duel, our duels are similar to Westerosi battles but are duels of only 100 warriors, and I lost this duel, losing forced me to go into exile, earlier I was just thinking that if I had had a warrior like you, I never would have lost that duel."
I feigned a flattered smile and then said, "You're completely right, and if you ever agree, we should go back to your country so I can visit."
He smiled, and he was about to tell me all about the wonders of his country when suddenly Bryan arrived at a gallop and told me, "I have urgent news."
Without having to ask him, Jalabhar bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I imagine we will have to continue this fascinating conversation another time."
I kept smiling despite a strong desire to slap Bryan because I had lost a whole week hunting to gain Jalabhar's trust so he would talk to me about his country, which I knew sorely lacked iron, steel, and gold but was rich in everything else.
"You just ruined a week's effort for him to decide to try to profit from our new friendship so that I help him regain his princely rank," I said, blowing out in irritation.
"I think what I have to tell you is much more important."
"I'm listening," I said, signaling my men to go retrieve the stag I had shot.
"There are several observations I've made but have not reported to you because I did not see the need to worry us."
"You're starting off on the wrong foot, so spit it out quickly," I said, becoming more serious.
"Bolton has recruited 500 mercenaries from Braavos to ensure the protection of a new silver mine as well as the protection of some trading ships he has acquired."
I frowned because Bolton had really been a thorn in my side these last few months; I was constantly receiving complaints from the Lords of the North who all asked me to take back the authority I had granted Roose Bolton, but I did not see what trouble it could cause me as many lords resorted to mercenary use to not waste their soldiers.
I signaled Bryan to continue while I stored my equipment on the saddle of my horse, and he said, "Recently Theon Greyjoy chose to leave the capital to return to the North, but a few days ago the spies I sent to follow him have all lost his trace."
I frowned and said, "These are troubling facts, but I do not see the thread that connects all these events."
"With further investigations, I discovered that the mercenaries in question are all members of the Golden Company."
"The Golden Company?!" I repeated, surprised, turning towards him.
He nodded, and then I said, "How could Roose Bolton afford the services of 500 mercenaries from the Golden Company, and why does he need them now?"
"That's not all I found; it seems that none of the members going into Bolton's mines return and with each trip new mercenaries arrive from Braavos," said Bryan.
"How many trips have his ships managed to make?" I asked, understanding that it was simply a scheme to bring the company over in full without raising suspicion.
"I do not know the exact number of mercenaries in the service of Roose Bolton, but what I do know for sure is that the total number has exceeded a dozen," said Bryan.
"Damn," I exclaimed.
"That's not all," he said.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Here is the thread that connects them," he said, handing me a message apparently written by my uncle.
---
Your Majesty,
I regret to inform you that the ironborn have decided to attack the southern coasts of the Kingdom.
Bear Island has fallen into the hands of the ironborn.
I humbly request your help as well as that of the First Legion stationed at the Wall.
Lord Eddard Stark, Duke of Winter and Guardian of the North-West
---
"Aegon, that bastard is behind this," I said, clenching my jaw in frustration.
"Why?" asked Bryan, frowning.
"To destabilize my reign, of course, that dog has never accepted my authority and thinks he would do better in my place, so he instills this thought in everyone's minds by creating these kinds of shitty situations," I said, furious.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
I took a deep breath to calm myself and suppress any intention of severing his head from his shoulders and then said, "I can't kill him yet; I have to be sure of something before I liquidate him..."
"Tell me what I can do?" asked Bryan.
I frowned and then after a few moments of reflection said, "I want you to keep our entire spy network on alert; that's all I expect from you."
I jumped on my horse and then, as I was about to leave, Bryan grabbed the reins of my horse, which tensed all my guards; as for me, I just looked at him, waiting for him to explain, "Sorry Aegon, I know I've disappointed you, it won't happen again."
I nodded and then gave a spur so that my horse took off towards the Red Keep at full speed; I had a lot to do.