Kinvara. Winterfell.
The royal family, along with Lord Stark and his daughters, and their wolves, of course, slowly left the castle grounds while Lady Stark and I watched them stare at one of the walls. Robb, accompanied by Bran and Rickon, went to the Weirwood to make time for the Old Gods and also to relax a bit. Maester Luwin and Sir Rodrik were putting things in order after the king's visit, and life in the castle was slowly returning to normal.
Things were going relatively well. The Starks were able to come out of this Arya and Prince incident victorious and gain some benefit for themselves. However, it was still unclear exactly how the events in King's Landing would play out.
I frowned my eyebrows slightly.
Of the Baratheon small council, only two can cause trouble: the Master of Coin and the Master of Whispers, Petyr Baelish and Varys, respectively. While the motives of the former can be foreseen and acted upon, the latter is more difficult.
According to the information Petyr once had feelings for Lady Stark and still does. That means he will try to influence either Lord Stark himself or his daughters. He may hold a grudge against Lord Stark, but it's not certain yet. Besides, before my king and I arrived, Lady Stark corresponded with him quite often.
Varys is more complicated. There's literally nothing to be said about him, only that he was made a eunuch by some half-breed sorcerer. He may despise magic, but that would have no effect on the Stark family for obvious reasons. In theory.
Also, there's no telling when my king will come for me or head to King's Landing. According to the High Priestess of Braavos, he still hasn't visited the temple of the Lord of Light, but he has come to the doors of the Black and White House. My king's interest is understandable, for the Many Faced God is very versatile and also commands Death.
I wonder how soon I will be able to accompany him again?
I shifted my gaze toward Lady Stark, still looking off into the distance.
- Lady Stark," I began, to which she turned her attention to me, "What do you wish to speak to me about?
- Was it noticeable? - Tilting her head, she asked.
- Otherwise you would have gone after Robb. You do value family, after all," I smiled. "So, what's on your mind?
- I received a letter the other day. From Petyr.
Hmm? Interesting.
- What did he write?
Lady Stark silently pulled the letter out of her dress pocket and handed it to me. I unfolded it and read it.
The beginning of the letter was ordinary and boring: typical greetings and questions about my well-being. It was followed by a paragraph on the changing contents of Lady Stark's letters. As I understand it, this is when my king and I began to bring up the subject of her official duties and discretion. But the last part of the letter, which was the bulk of it, was set aside for....
- "Do not listen to them. They only want to destroy our friendship and poison your mind. You remember how good we were together, right? Me, you and Lisa, ever since we were kids. Don't let the words of two strangers drag down what we've been through. Please text me if something like this happens again. And I'll do my best to dispel your doubts and punish the instigators," huh? - I grinned - Interesting choice of words, isn't it?
- What do you think of that, Lady Kinvara? - Lady Stark asked without changing her expression.
- Do you want a straight answer or should I soften it a bit?
- Straightforward, please.
- Pure manipulation, Lady Stark. From the very beginning of the paragraph to the very end. But you realized that yourself, didn't you? I take it almost all the letters were written in this fashion? - I asked, to which I received a short nod. Interesting, interesting. But what do you want to hear from me? And why such confidence in my person?
- Not in you, Lady Kinvara, but in Solomon, because my son is alive now thanks to him. He's also the reason my children have grown up faster. And as a mother, I don't want that, but I understand the need, given current events," she said in a calm tone, "I'd like to know what I should do about Petyr. Wouldn't Ned and the children be in danger of being exposed?
- Hmm..." I mumbled thoughtfully, "I suppose you should hide your knowledge. For now. I suggest we wait for news from Lord Stark when he's settled in Red Castle and knows what's going on inside. We may be able to capitalize on your position.
- I think so, too," she nodded, "In that case-
Suddenly the earring in my ear glowed a soft scarlet light, and I pressed the ruby, apologizing to Lady Stark.
- I'm listening. - I said and prepared to hear a status report. However...
- Good afternoon, Kinvara. I hope I am not intruding?
- My King! You have remembered me! - I exclaimed happily, ignoring the presence of prying eyes - What can I do for you?! Are you going to take me away?!
Finally, after all this time, I heard my king's voice again. Out of nowhere, strength rushed through my body, and any signs of fatigue or malaise were instantly gone, giving way to enthusiasm and desire. A gigantic flame of emotion burned brightly in my heart, making it impossible to contain it even for a moment.
Seeing my condition, Lady Stark shook her head and left.
- Give him my best wishes, Lady Kinvara. - she said goodbye, leaving me alone.
- Calm down, Kinvara, how could I forget about you, - my king said in a soft voice - I will come for you, but later. For now, tell me how things are going in Winterfell.
I was a little upset that I wouldn't be able to accompany my king, but I recovered quickly. After all, it is necessary to fulfill his wish, even as minor as this one.
- Of course! First of all...
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Solomon. Braavos.
- Thank you for the information, Kinvara. You have been of great help.
- It is not necessary. I am truly glad to have been of use to you, my king,' she said, 'I look forward to your coming to fetch me.
So, rather interesting.
The Crown Prince of the realm is showing signs of a typical tyrant, which means he won't live long and will be a figure in someone else's hands. Sansa becomes shrewd and starts thinking strategically and acting on the information she gets and analyzing what she sees. Robb won the duel using my gift, the King took both Ned and his daughters to King's Landing, and Lady Stark finally became more careful and cautious.
Jon's act of leaving Winterfell for the North was no surprise either. Because of my influence, I don't know good or bad, his purpose in life changed. Previously, he only wanted to prove his worth and make Ned and the entire Stark family proud of him, but now Jon wants to... see the world, I guess.
Magical training has become his second wind as well as his interest. And the white walkers seen by the Night's Watch deserter spurred Jon to move in that direction. Beyond the Wall. For in this way he satisfies two of his interests at once.
Durandal will protect him from adversity, so there's no point in worrying too much about his life, and his wolf will support him.
Speaking of which. It's funny that it's the white wolf that follows John. The color white symbolizes purity and purity, which is in keeping with the character of Ned's bastard. However, this color also symbolizes coldness and loneliness, which, perhaps, will somehow manifest itself in the future. The lines of the prophecy quoted by Kinvara immediately come to mind, and hopefully the sacrifice part can be avoided.
Shiro also told me of news regarding the second contender for the role of Azor Ahai. Daenerys has made the decision to marry a Dothraki Khal in hopes of obtaining his great Khalasar. A purely political decision, I'd say. She simply has no other source of an army, and she knows nothing about the power of the Servants. At least not yet.
But Shiro also mentioned that the beginning of her marriage was hopeful, as her newly minted husband wasn't an outright savage. They might even work something out, who knows.
There was some information that even made me laugh a little.
Semiramis is very fervently expressing her displeasure at my leaving and 'dumping all the work on her and Shiro', and it's really funny. Maybe we should give them a vacation? In a year or two, so they can relax and decide if they want a full rebirth in this world. Shiro is a bad liar, and did he really think I wouldn't realize that?
But it's time to get back to Kinvara.
- Sure. I think it'll happen pretty soon, since I plan to do it before I head to King's Landing.
- Understood.
- Then see you later, Kinvara.
- See you later, my king.
And at those words, the ruby in the earring faded, whereupon I removed it from my ear and handed it to the woman in front of me.
Her name was Lina, and her appearance was conventionally attractive. Long dark red hair tied in a braid over her right shoulder. And bright turquoise eyes that had a childish mischievousness in them, even though they looked about thirty years old. The clothes she wore consisted of a full scarlet-colored dress and a belt with a small pouch attached.
She and I were in a spacious stone hall, in which stood a large brazier with a brightly burning flame in it. There was a stone heart carved into the wall near the ceiling, with fire blazing in it and shadows of darker material around it.
The hall itself was rectangular in shape, and the path from the front doors to the brazier was accompanied by columns reaching all the way to the ceiling. Banners bearing the symbol of R'Glor were also present, hanging from the columns and walls, which shone in the sun with a golden light.
- "My king, eh? You really are dear to the High Priestess of Kinvara, aren't you? - The woman chuckled, accepting the earring.
- 'I suppose I am. Is there a problem? - I asked with a tilt of my head.
- No, not at all. I find it amusing because the usual demeanor of the High Priestess of Kinvara is cold, calculating, and a little haughty, but with you she is like a young girl in love. It's fun to watch," she said with a wry laugh. "What else can I do for you, Lord Solomon? You didn't come here just for that, did you?
- That's true, Lina. I recently had a conversation with the eldest son of the current Sea Lord.
- Oh? Velano, isn't it? He's a nice boy. Attentive and helpful, and most importantly, intelligent. One of our priests speaks well of him as well," she nodded, "May I ask what the conversation was about?
"The boy?" I wonder what kind of history happened between them if that's what she calls him? Embarrassing, I suppose, and perhaps intimate.
- He's interested in Tarmo Fregar's affairs regarding his younger brother. Do you know anything about that?
- Hmmm..." she mumbled thoughtfully, acting like a young schoolgirl and tapping her chin with her index finger, "Tarmo is a rather secretive type of person who likes to work in public. His interactions with our temple are minimal, aside from his words about respecting all existing beliefs, but that's about it.
I see. Both Lina and Velano say the same thing about him, so there's no point in doubting their words. However, how exactly did Velano's younger brother change so quickly? Considering his brother's words, there were two possibilities - either there was a mage in Tarmo's entourage who specialized in hypnosis, or a Mystic Code that could have a similar effect had fallen into his hands.
- Was he not wearing something unusual, or did he have someone suspicious with him? The Red Priests have magical senses and would probably have noticed something like that.
- I can't say about the object, as we can't detect such a thing. Tarmo himself could have hidden it," Lina shook her head, "But his entourage? It's hard to say for sure. He has a bodyguard with him at all times, who has been working for him for five years or more. A mercenary with a stern face and tanned skin who came from Sunspear. The rest of Tarmo's entourage ranges from magisters and Keepers of the Keys to the occasional merchant or wealthy family.
- Nothing, then?
- Unfortunately," she nodded and was silent for a few seconds, then continued, "However, I can give you the opportunity to see him in person and get to know him for yourself.
- Hmm. Interesting.
- Tarmo is holding a banquet in a couple of days to thank those who support him, as well as to demonstrate the weight of his candidacy and its pros. Everyone who has even a modicum of power in this city is invited. You may attend the banquet on behalf of the Red Faith, but given your conversation with the boy, you may go with him as well. It's up to you.
I wondered.
If I go on behalf of the Red Faith, my stance towards Tarmo in the eyes of all present is neutrality, and my purpose is to probe the ground. This will allow me to act freely and independently of the others.
On the other hand, if my visit there is in Velano's company, I will gain a deliberately biased position towards myself. Braavos is a bustling city, and there are eyes and ears at every turn. That means that someone knows about Velano's endeavors. And that "someone" will definitely be at the banquet.
Plus, I'll get some unwanted attention. Velano is the eldest son of the current Sea Lord, and when he brings someone unknown, and lets them so close to him, it will arouse the interest of everyone who sees us. And so...
- I will attend the banquet on behalf of the Red Faith.
- As you wish, Lord Solomon. Be at the temple in two days at noon, and we'll head to the banquet from there.
- We? I raised an eyebrow.
- Of course. I can't leave "my king" unaccompanied, can I? - Lina said with a teasing smile.
I let out a small chuckle, and then wondered.
It seems that something intriguing awaits me in two days. Definitely.
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