Solomon. Winterfell.
Suddenly Ned, Sir Rodrik, and Lady Stark burst into my room, nearly knocking the door off its hinges. And their expressions were... interesting: Ned's was irritable, Sir Rodrik's was cheerful, and Lady Stark's was perplexed.
- What's the matter, Ned? - I asked, looking around at my guests, "Have I done something to displease you?
- Oh, it's all right," he started, and then pointed his finger at me and shrieked, "Except for the fact that you're the bloody king!
Hmm? What's he talking about... Oh, that's right... Solomon ruled the country....
- W-what?! K- King?! - Lady Stark staggered back, surprised beyond belief. - What do you mean, Ned?!
- If I may, my lady," Sir Rodrik intervened with a cheerful smile on his face. - Lord Solomon, King Solomon to be exact, ruled the country he mentioned at one of the soirees, Israel.
Lady Stark's eyes widened and her mouth took on an oval shape. Her gaze darted between Ned and me, as if asking if what he was saying was true. But after a few seconds, she took a deep breath and calmed down, regaining her stately appearance. Her voice was still trembling, though.
- Then why didn't you mention it, Your Majesty? - She asked cautiously.
- Yes, Your Majesty, why? - Ned added, uncharacteristically sarcastic.
- Have I forgotten? - I replied, rubbing my chin and thinking. - Besides, there is no need for all these formalities. I suggest we forget this fact, as I don't think it's important.
And these were my sincere thoughts. After all, Israel, as well as the Earth as a whole, is in another dimension and has become unreachable. Sort of....
- Not important?! Do you have any idea what will happen if this information gets out?! - Ned shouted with burning eyes.
- You don't have to worry about that. I'm not king anymore, and Israel is ruled by others chosen by the people, and my name is just an echo of the past that has become a myth," I said in a soothing tone. - Besides, if war breaks out and you are forced to fight, I will help you.
He was silent for a moment, pondering my words. Sir Rodrik and Lady Stark waited in silence for his conclusions.
- Take my king's words to heart, Lord Stark," said Kinvara, who had been silent until then. - If my king sides with you, even the combined armies of the Seven Kingdoms will be unable to do anything.
- And you? - Lady Stark asked, glancing at Kinvara.
- Kinvara, My Lady. A humble servant of my king," she introduced herself with pride in her voice and bowed.
The next moment Ned came out of his musings, apparently noticing something.
- You said "myth," didn't you? What did you mean? - He asked with a puzzled look on his face. - And why is this woman calling you "my king"?
I sighed, foreshadowing a long conversation, and waved my hand, producing several chairs.
- Have a seat. Explanation will take time.
-0-
A short while later.
The room fell into silence. First I waited for about a minute, and then I created a table between us with glasses of wine on it, and, taking one of them, took a sip. And the silence went on for about ten minutes.
Ned, Sir Rodrik, and Lady Stark were staring at me in silence, their eyes not even blinking. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed that the only one in the room who was amused was Kinvara, She puffed up her chest proudly and looked at them as if they were fools who couldn't see the obvious, to which I raised an eyebrow.
- So, you are somewhat... immortal, right? And you're also one of the heroes of antiquity, right? - Ned asked, looking at me with lifeless eyes and not moving like a robot.
I nodded briefly.
Well, I couldn't blame him for having those thoughts. This world is not under Akasha's jurisdiction, which means the concept of the Root and Throne of Heroes is foreign to every local inhabitant. To them, Heroic souls are akin to gods themselves. Especially with the level of power they possess.
Take Gilgamesh, for example. Given the level of this world, both magic and development, just one use of his Noble Phantasm would be enough for him. And he's not even a Grand Servant like King Hassan or Solomon, which is me.
And immortality... Possessing the Touch of Heaven makes its owner immortal, as he gains the ability to manipulate the soul itself, something even the gods from my original world are incapable of.
- That's... hard to accept," Ned muttered, clutching his head. - I just don't know what I'm supposed to be thinking right now... The very thought of it all just doesn't settle in my head....
Sir Rodrik stood beside him and patted him on the shoulder in a comforting gesture, and Lady Stark... she still hadn't come to her senses.
- Will you allow me to speak, Lord Stark? - Kinvara asked, to which she received an approving nod. - If you are worried about possible rumors, the red priestesses and priests are at your service.
- What do you mean, Lady Kinvara? - Lady Stark asked, coming to her senses.
- She proposes to control the flow of information," I said. - Rumors can be controlled if you have the right people. If you distribute them among the major cities, which are the centers of information and rumors, as well as all the traders and travelers, it is possible to control the flow of information throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
- It's just as my King said. Plus, we have impressive persuasion skills. Crowds will listen to what we say, and we will speak sincerely, which will add credibility to our words. And light hypnosis will only make it easier, as most of the population does not have strong mental defenses. And all that is necessary is to send red priests and priestesses to the cities.
- As I recall, the Red Faith is not well-liked in Westeros, and there are very few people who follow it," Ned said in an analytical tone.
- That's true," Kinvara nodded and continued. - But I didn't say I'd limit myself to them. We will send every man of our faith who can speak and persuade from all over Essos. And since it won't be their job to spread the Red Faith, it won't be hard to get into Westeros without arousing suspicion.
- But... It's dishonorable..." Ned muttered.
I sighed.
As said before, he is too fair and honest. Ned realizes that there has always been and will always be manipulation and intrigue, but he doesn't realize that other lords won't be as fair and honest as he is. The North's biggest flaw is the lack of spies and control of information in the land. Which means no one knows who is lurking in the shadows and watching.
- Listen, Ned. You yourself realize that the others are not like you. They'll use every bit of information to gain an advantage. And the fact that you don't have your own network of informants is a very big disadvantage. But I don't blame you, as the North has always been different from the South. The first people, whose ancestors are from the North, valued valor and honor. But... I'm sorry to say this, but both valor and honor don't keep you alive when you're stabbed in the back. They only work when you're strong enough to ignore lies and betrayal. And you don't have that strength, Ned.
I took a sip of wine to wet my throat and continued.
- The only reason you've managed to last this long is the distance between the North and the South. The lords of the South are boiling in their own cauldron and don't think much of you, since they know you're... 'you'. They don't expect you to cheat or anything like that, simply because it's not in your character. And that's your biggest advantage.
- Advantage? - He asked.
- Since espionage and intrigue are not what's expected of you, they won't test you. Suppose you send a hundred men to set up a spy network, and they all go at the same time. The Southerners will know about it, of course, since they have their people here at Winterfell, but will they pay attention to it? No. There will be a check, but only a primary one, that is, without any in-depth analysis," I finished and turned to Lady Stark. - Besides, my lady, you probably remember how you were abruptly taken to your room or somewhere else when some stranger came in and wanted to talk to your father, and the subject changed, right?
- Come to think of it..." she hesitated and tilted her head to the side. - It did happen...
Ned looked at her, then at me, considering his wife's answer and my words. Then he sighed defeatedly.
- I... understand... Then what should I do? I don't know about all this....
Good. He learns and he learns. And Ned finally realized that by doing what he was doing, he was one foot in the grave, just like in my vision. All we have to do is teach him to be stealthy and cautious. And perhaps he will become the most prominent Lord of the North in its history, if he listens to my advice and keeps his urges for honor under control.
- It's easier than you think, Lord Stark," Kinvara said again. - To see the whole picture and know what's going on in the North, you need only take control of three types of establishments: markets, brothels, and taverns. They are where everyone spends their time, both those loyal to you and those not so loyal. That's where all the information flows, and that's where you can share it without arousing suspicion.
- Lady Kinvara is right, my lord," Sir Rodrik interjected. - There are a lot of people in these places all the time. Lord Solomon is right, too, even if I'm not as enthusiastic about it as you are. Better to be prepared and know what's going on than to rely on other lords being as honest as you are.
Ned was silent. Silent for a long time.
Understandable. He's going through an identity crisis. My words challenged his ideals and made him see their flaws. And Ned didn't see them, even though they were right in front of his nose.
However, distance wasn't the only reason why he lasted so long without much trouble. The second reason, and perhaps the most important, is the fact that the King of Westeros is his close friend. But what happens when Robert Baratheon dies? The dogs will be down on him. And when Ned dies, on his children.
Which I can't allow. Not after the time I've spent with them.
- Kinvara, R'Glor sees what you see right? - I asked her while Ned was still not finished.
- Yes, my king.
I created seven small earrings with an inlaid ruby in each and gave them to Kinvara.
- I want information network strongholds set up in King's Landing, Oldtown, Lannisport, Chayach City, White Harbor, and Braavos. Have R'Glor select suitable people to fill the leadership positions of each of them in those cities. And when the names of these people are known, name them and throw one earring for each into the fire. That way they can retrieve them through the same fire on their side. And keep one for yourself.
- What do they do?
- A means of communication. You press a ruby, then say the name to which the other stone is attached, and a link is established between them, through which they can talk regardless of distance. Rubies will only work on the people they are attached to. Changes can be made by me or by R'Glor himself.
- I understand," she nodded and tucked the earrings into the pocket of her robes. - As soon as the Lord of Light chooses the people, I will send them out at once.
I nodded.
As far as I know, they followers of the Red Faith cannot communicate with each other through fire, only with R'Glor himself. And this method of communication will come in handy. Even in this age, information is the most important resource, and whoever controls it essentially owns the world.
And I'm sure R'Glor will do as I say. I have no idea how, but I KNOW he will.
I have a hunch, though. After thinking about it for a bit, I realized that R'Glor looks more like a demon of the seventy-two Pillars than a Beast. And it was likely that my Power as Solomon had made him my familiar to some extent, as it did with the demons.
- I've made up my mind," Ned said in a tired tone, but his eyes burned with determination. - I'll do it. But I'll need support.
- You'll get it.
- All right," he nodded and stood up. - I need to visit the crypt... get used to the idea, so to speak.
At those words, he left the room, followed by Sir Rodrik. Lady Stark was about to leave when I called out to her.
- Lady Stark, think about what I said to Ned, and don't trust those who are too friendly with you.
- What do you mean, Lord Solomon? - She asked incomprehensively.
- Such behavior is only characteristic of those who want to gain some advantage from you. It is human nature.
- What are you implying?
- The possible danger to your family. Remember, you're the Lady of Winterfell, and any information you carelessly share could play tricks on you.
- I don't know what you mean, but thank you for the warning," she said and left the room.
I sighed and rubbed my temples.
- She's too narrow-minded for Lady Winterfell," Kinvara said.
- She's a typical southerner. She was raised just to marry. And unfortunately, Catelyn Stark doesn't realize the gravity of her position. She's second in the chain of command to Ned, and the most important part of her duties eludes her," I said, and the table, chairs, and glasses disappeared. - 'And so you will have to take care of it.
- My king?
- I want you to show her what opportunities are in her hands, by hints or direct text, it doesn't matter.
- Why me, my king?
- I will be leaving Winterfell in six months," I stood up and walked to the window in the room. - I need to check out a possible candidate for Azor Ahai.
- I'm not coming with you? - Kinvara's body trembled at the suddenness of the news.
- No. At least not at first. And you'll be needed here. Ned doesn't know the first thing about shady business, and Catelyn needs to learn. I'll come back for you when the time is right.
- I understand, my king," she bowed. - I will not fail you.
I nodded and looked outside where Jon was sparring with Robb on wooden swords.
So far, so good. Jon's role in the fate of this world is unknown, and I need to study the dragon girl. And then I'll make plans for what I learn.
Anyway, what story to tell them this time?
I think Siegfried will do....
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