Crownlands King's Landing-
-Red Fort-
The Red Fortress was possibly one of the best built castles in all of Westeros. Using Valyrias techniques without their magic as well as the best knowledge of the masters, the castle was built to be strong. He was the vigilant guard of what was the capital of the kingdom in the form of King's Landing. However, there were several defects. It seems that the builder was inept since he was unable to place an adequate drainage system making the smell of the city such that scented candles were needed throughout the castle. It was one of those damn expenses that were always present and possibly one of the biggest complaints of the Targaryen dynasty.
In a rather normal office there was a young man of no more than twenty years old. This was Rhaegar targaryen. He was the prince and heir of the seven kingdoms and lord of Rocadragon. He was a very intelligent young man acclaimed by the people as one of the greatest dragon lords. However, Rhaegar had long learned that when you play in politics you had to have several faces.
One is the one you showed and he did that showing a face of a person who cared about the people and their people. I show intelligence but also modesty. I clearly show to be a great warrior but without pride. It was the smart thing to do to confuse the masses of what he really was that was not pretty at all.
Rhaegar was a politician. A skilful one. His mother, Queen Rhaella, had educated him. He had taken care of his education to make sure he was not myopic or blind. He was a rather intelligent young man who had realised many flaws. One of them was the weakness of the Targaryen dynasty that was the fruit of neither more nor less than the loss of the dragons. Without the dragons he was aware of the weakness of his kingdom because he knew that the other lords did not fear them as they used to. Of course they could use the Wildfire and end a fortress but they still needed to produce it and transport it which was not easy at all.
The smart thing would have been to tie the big houses to the crown one by one. But there were flaws with these plans, one of them being the obsession of some members of the family with keeping the bloodlines pure, which he found idiotic if he had to say it.
In addition to that were the policies of each of the kings that had marked the dynasty. Although Rhaegar was aware that there were ways to govern, he was far from being idiotic enough to believe that he could do it in more. At least at the beginning of his reign his father showed intelligence by having two very powerful allies on his side: Baratheon and Lannister. His father had been close friends with his cousin Steffon Baratheon and also with Tywin Lannister.
Unfortunately, his father had shown his incompetence or at least his lack of quality of government in his actions. His father was very ambitious, which some could translate as a gigantic problem.
This problem came from promises and empty words. The kingdom had considered many of his father's so-called plans as the actions of an idiot and then they began to trust more directly in his hand: Tywin Lannister.
It was obvious at least in Rhaegar's eyes that that would end up biting all of them in the worst way because if there was something that Rhaegar knew is that even as a young and still stable his father showed features of an incredibly great touch of jealousy.
Naturally, his father was enraged by that factor and charge, making Tywin Lannister's life miserable. It didn't help that he had all that mentality that he was the king and he was above.
If it weren't for his mother being the intelligent woman he was, it wouldn't be surprising that Joanna Lannister and Melania Martell would have been raped by him. Rhaegar made a grimace being aware of the problems that could have brought to the Targaryen house, raping the wife of the lord of the West and the future princess of Dorne?
It would have been a two-fronted war or worse Melania would have killed him with poison without anyone being able to do anything. No. His mother proved to be incredibly intelligent and acted properly if she had to.
But now the kingdom was facing a brutal crisis. His father was talking about marrying him and had sent his uncle to Essos in search of a wife from Valyria. Rhaegar made a grimace knowing that the chances of that happening were very low. Unlike the Targaryen dynasty, the Valyrians of the rest of the world seemed to have learned a valuable lesson of what to do and what not to do.
In addition to that, none of them would send one of their daughters after what happened with the Rogare family. People quickly learned how things worked and it didn't matter what anyone said about it but the case and the end point is that the Targaryen house was alone in that sense which was already bad enough.
Her father had rejected the marriage with Cersei Lannister. Don't be wrong, I was happy about it. I found the girl a manipulative idiot with airs who thought she could deceive a person with a high level of thinking when she was so transparent that she was boring.
However, the way his father had rejected Tywin had put against the man what if you add to the death of his wife and dwarf birth he knew that now the targaryen house had a formidable enemy in the form of Tywin lannister. The question was not how but when Tywin would take revenge on the Targaryen house since the man would not be one of those to tolerate such actions.
And now they had an even bigger problem than he ever thought. The North. The most forgotten kingdom by everyone. The kingdom that everyone thought was garbage. Two weeks ago the heir Stark came to what was the capital to swear in as Lord Stark.
Of course, at first everyone was about to ignore him until he appeared. He wore black boots of a superior quality as if made of the skin of an animal. The pants were actually the same colour. A high quality silk shirt with a leather jacket as he calls it that was kept tied by a single button made of gold of what could say an emblem of Lobo Huargo of valyrian steel in black tone with a diamond and the. Not to mention the great Ice Sword on his back.
Rhaegar didn't have much thought about the Stark house. For him, the Stark house was just one more pawn. Since the foundation of the great kingdom, the Stark house was what some targaryen had mentioned the family's attack dog. Very funny. Very funny. That's what he thought until he saw him.
The man in front of him was not a dog. It was a Huargo wolf. A predator among predators. And when people saw him they were surprised. So as it is natural Rhaegar I look for information about this hariric Stark. On the one hand, I look at what he had of his spy master Lord Varys and much more. And he was making an unflattering image if he had to say it.
His mother entered his room. Queen Rhaella had seen better days. His health was not the best if he himself had to say it. Between how her father treated her and well being a targaryen, things were not pleasant for her.
The loss of so many children had not sat well with him either. And yet his mind was possibly the most advanced mind of the seven kingdoms if he had to say it.
There was nothing and no one more intelligent than his mother if he had to say it. His mother entered what was the room calmly and began to read one of the reports. This was a report from the teachers she had obtained talking about how Hariric Stark had been in the citadel and left to consider them short-sighted fools.
His mother laughed at how Lord Stark explained his opinion of what the teachers were. I couldn't blame her in the least. The teachers were not his favourite people if he had to say it. However, he had read the report. At first I had thought that it was insignificant at best but my mother was very interested in reading the notes about hariric Stark. Apparently she was building her character. When I finished reading about him, he just gave him a cold look that he knew quite well.
''Tell me son, what has the Stark house done now to exactly gain the attention of the crown prince? I doubt very much that it is because of the fact that he dressed in a way much superior to any gentleman and I also doubt that it is because of how he looked at everyone that day. Rhaella had seen how hariric Stark looked at all the nobles and lords of the kingdom that day. The cold and ruthless look.
''When he came to court he was waiting for a senseless man who would look at each nobleman of the south with a look of arrogance and thinking that he was above us in some way. Instead, what saw us was someone who was studying us and found us in any case beyond disappointing. I don't know who he is but hariric Stark is a complete threat''. Rhaegar's opinion was that hariric Stark was not an idiot of any kind.
"The North has never been a threat. Since the destruction of Foso Cailin by our allies and also their inability to acquire what is food without buying it in the south are an easy way to be finished. So unless you tell me that this young Stark has somehow managed to solve that problem, I don't see the military threat.'' Rhaella could be a woman but she knew a lot about the art of war. She was well educated.
"For years, the river lands have seen a decrease in taxes. They still offer and sell their good quality food to both the West and the Valley. But its main buyer was neither more nor less than the Northern Lands. It was they and nothing but them who bought. And the Tullys took advantage of it by exploiting them... that's over according to the reports I've been reading.' The information I was reading should have been learned before.
"Really? It seems then that the young Lord Stark must have discovered food that can grow in the cold north. How interesting. I find it hard to believe that those whining fish haven't tried to complain more often that they should buy them food and more of those things''. Rhaella knew the Tully. If there was an annoying family, that was them. They were not only arrogant as if they thought they were on top of the world.
''They have launched complaints. Every year there are at least fifteen complaints about it. But since the North has not been paying taxes for what it is to pay for the food trade, the lord of the coin did not find it so strange. The man is a faithful assistant to Tywin and I have the feeling that Tywin is somehow plotting something against the river lands.'' The Lannister was possibly plotting to put a lot of pressure on the river lands to force them to lower the prices of their food.
"Fascinating to know. And I guess there is more headache because the north has somehow managed to rebuild the Moash. If so, the North will have protection against land armies but will still lack defences in the western part unless it has somehow built a fleet. But the North lacks shipyards as well as the methods to build ships as it lacks the master ships in question''. Rhaella found all this good if she had to say it. However, if the north became strong enough, they could fight for their independence in some way, which would be bad.
"The pit has been rebuilt but in a very different way. According to an observer from Varys who has the moat in the area, there are now two small cities called the northern gates. Each connected by a large bridge that is located on what they call a channel that allows the connection of West and East that have obviously exploded by the need for certain parts to move from one side to the other''. Rhaegar growled. The Twin Wolves were two moderate-sized cities with an interesting architecture of what I had heard were basically a fortress both to the north and to the south that was impossible to conquer.
"Really? Go the fact that the Stark house has been able to do it. The expense was monumental after all. Not only because of the purchase of materials but also of labour. I also find it hard to believe that the construction work of this so-called canal has been cheap in the least. Has the Stark house hidden profits or something from the crown?''. If that were the case, they could demand compensation from the Stark house. What better way to remove the pit than in such a way actually?
"No. The Stark house fulfils the tax demands according to the demands of the conquest. It turns out that they must pay according to what is basically the trade jobs. And even with that they have been paying a higher amount so I asked Varys to tell me what could have happened. The discoveries are not pleasant at all.'' He hated not knowing. How was the Targaryen house supposed to be able to be ready for what it is to govern if they did not know all the resources of their vassals?
"Really? What has the North managed to offer that has been making money in a way that is so good?''. Rhaella was curious. He had always wondered why the North that had a monstrous chain of mountains both in Stark territory and in the territory of the mountain clans had not found anything of value. To his surprise he could see that I was wrong.
"That's what I asked myself. Varys Came Back. The North has been selling a number of high-quality products directly to Braavos. Not only food but alcoholic beverages, spices and silk. That from braavos it is sold to the rest of Essos or at least the free cities. It goes without saying that the North has taken out a ton of gold. He has to pay a tax to Baavos but it is much lower than they initially thought.'' Rhaegar could almost imagine the look of indignation of the members of the Iron Bank as well as the sealord for the loss of money.
"I find it hard to believe that the North has made such a convenient deal with Braavos but at the same time it is something that has been adding. These new drinks must be very popular and those and that's just the free cities. Why don't you think son that they have actually been selling the product to the South?" It was a meaningless question. She already knew the answer to it. She knew that the north would not sell to the south in any of the ways as long as the south could try to exploit it.
"Braavos had no choice but to accept although I would not be surprised if in a matter of time they made a deal with the intention of returning the blow to the north. It's not that it matters. They have used that gold to rebuild the moash. And if the amounts they are paying in taxes are true, it is possible that they have built more. Without the need to buy food it will also mean more gold. Right now I can say that the potential of the North is completely unknown to us and not in the best way of all''. This was bad in Rhaegar's mind.
"And Varys hasn't been able to know about it? It has the largest espionage network of the seven kingdoms. If you have to believe his words, he also has agents in those. That should mean that he has the means to find out about things. This is bad because if they have been able to hide such a movement from our head of the espionage division, it can be dangerous that they have hidden the most. Rhaela growled violently at the idea that they could have overlooked something like that.
"No. Varys hasn't discovered anything. There's nothing I could find out. That means another unpleasant news. The North has in a few words a powerful intelligence division force. They have been using their own sources to neutralise ours so that means that they possibly have a more or less decent idea of any plan we have in mind and therefore we must also monitor any step against the North''. Rhaegar saw the weakness of his situation. They had always had to play carefully with the other houses, especially Lannister and Tyrell. But now a new house had appeared: the Starks.
"The good news is that if this has been made known in some way, there are chances that the other big houses have found out as well. We are not alone in this dealing with the North. Possibly we can count on Lannister and the others to launch their own forms of attack against the North that is a way in which their weaknesses can be probed''. Rhaella saw it as what it was. Tywin would not allow a potential threat to his legacy. Olenna did not tolerate a new player that could weaken the Dominion. And well, the less you say about Arryn and his strong contempt (although hidden of course) for the followers of what the ancient gods were the better.
"It's a mother's possibility. However, I'm afraid that since we don't know anything, we have no idea. If anything is known, the three sisters are full of looters, pirates, thieves and more scum. If the valley tries to use them to launch an attack on the commercial interests of the north, this will mean in a few words that the North will act accordingly. It's something we can maybe get into.'' Rhaegar's thought was to promote the spark a little. But a look from his mother told him it was a bad idea.
"Let things be a son. If there is something to be very good, it is that at the end of the day people fight for the slightest and Arryn will not tolerate any attack…
Westernlands. Roca Casterly-
If there was a way to describe the Rock it was like a Great Castle. The castle of Roca Casterly was built on a large mountain. He wasn't at the top but at his entrance. Casterly Rock was also the entry point to the famous gold mines of the Lannister house. The great mountain that was there was basically the main source of wealth of that family along with lannisport that served as the only port of entry of elements to what was its wonderful kingdom. It was the place from which Tywin Lannister looked them all down and it was a well-known fact by everyone not to fuck with the fearsome golden lion of the rock in any way.
Tywin was a man in excellent physical shape. He wasn't a man with big muscles but he had a well-trained body. What had to be emphasised about this man, however, was his presence. There was a time and time when this man was warm with one person: his wife. But her death had cooled his heart in the worst way and he had come to the conclusion that life was transitory and that what mattered was not his life but to settle the future so that the Lannister house prospers in the future.
Tywin looked at the reports and growled. He had long known that it was his place to put his house in its place. The incompetence as well as stupidity of his father to win the love of his vassals had actually cost him a lot. No vassal was already afraid of lions and it was said out there that they were planning a small rebellion. That was what he thought. Since he was a child he had used every moment to plan and plot what it was basically to make sure that the Lannister house did not fall into pain because of his father's incompetence.
When he went to the Nine Penique wars, everyone thought he was another idiot child. Showing a cruel and brutal look, Tywin took the lords of the West through the war in such a way that he gained a reputation among the army of the West. When the war ended, all those who had gone to war returned home and dissuaded their families from helping in any war. That the young lion would take the power and destroy them.
Only two idiot houses had refused to accept it. He hated that day. Some might question it but the day the reyne and terbeck houses fell was the worst day possible. Did people really think he wanted to be remembered for killing children? Send a bad message. Reputation in a world like yours was everything and a bad reputation damages business.
He knew that the moment he did what he did, many saw the Lannister house in a bad way. They feared them, it's true, but he knew perfectly well that unless he had a strong legacy, his house was destined for death. So obviously he had concerns that he knew they had to be attended to as best they could so that they wouldn't burst in his face.
Being named hand of the king despite all the good things he seemed to be only brought him headaches. Tywin would not deny that being a hand was good. He was the second most powerful man of the seven kingdoms. But he didn't want to leave the West without its careful form. Fortunately, Kevin was loyal to him and knew how to do the job well. He was still deciding how to reward his brother in any case but the final case is that his brother had kept the West afloat and had kept the order of what the kingdom was and had made it flourish. Also as the kevan was far from being an idiot of all things and quickly began to look for the people of his family.
One thing that both brothers were clear about is that they would not tolerate a member of the family not being useful. So they started with their work. I quickly try to put the family in order. His younger brothers Tyget and Gerion quickly reciprocated. Name Tygett as the chief and commander of the military forces of the Western lands as well as the one in charge of dealing with any internal threats in the kingdom. That action earned a lot of renown for his brother who, despite knowing that he hated him for how well he had lived his life, had kept his word and quickly gained renown not only for his way of solving problems but also for his dedication to what it was to enforce the law in the West.
Gerion was different. Of his brothers he was the most... unique. He was much less serious than the three and he was a man very involved in the role of being the joy of the family. One day he found out that the reason for this was that Gerion felt that with so many serious people he needed what was a little joy in the family. Tywin and the rest laid eyes on it but Tywin recognised Gerion's work not only in the reconstruction of the Western fleet but also in being able to understand and study what the iron men's attacks were that meant being able to see them coming from a great distance.
The rest of his family was quickly forced into what it was like to comply with their law. If one proved to be inept and useless, he went to the teachers, period. He wouldn't have a waste of any kind in his house. They couldn't afford it. The Lanister house had to be more powerful than ever, it was something he was clear about. That's why he was happy with how things had been resolved in the end, at least that's what it seemed until a few weeks ago when he saw Hariric Stark coming and took the surprise of his life and not in the most pleasant way.
Two weeks ago Lord Stark brought his heir to swear to the king that he would be the new Lord Stark. This could have surprised some people but it was also a unique event because some would possibly have expected a young man easy to manipulate (they should have known that if he was dangerous others could be the same) and when he arrived it was over.
Hariric Stark was the typical northerner. Large in size. Pure muscle that showed how fit he was. He wasn't afraid of being there (at first he thought he was an idiot) and that surprised him. Hariric Stark dressed quite well. He wore with leather what was not silk as many gentlemen wore but the quality of this leather quickly became clear. Also the emblem of the Stark house in the form of a Valyrio steel pendant with a diamond on it.
Hariric Stark showed his intelligence that day by captivating the king (although he knew it was only temporary) and showed more brains than many nobles. When Lord Tyrell insulted him drunk hariric only told him that the only thing the flowers could say was how they could be collected and if one killed it was with poison. This action that more than one looked amused at the fool and idiot. Not only had I called him useless at best. But I also report that he knew that the best methods to do damage were with poisons. The Dominion was the supposed birth of chivalry. It was a brutal insult and he knew that when the word spread it would only do more damage to the renown Tyrell.
However, Tywin knew that having only the piece would mean one thing: gold. So he began to do research and discovered that the Stark house had a flourishing business in Essos selling not only completely new alcoholic beverages but also silk and spices. This gave a brutal blow. How had he not found out about it? As the king's hand, he should have known that the North was paying bigger taxes. But I didn't find out in any way what was bad. So he had travelled to Roca Casterluy to reunite with his family and discuss future matters actually which was very important.
"Brother, it's weird to see you out of court these days, has something happened?" Kevan approached his brother. Kevan was clear about several points. When his brother knew that something was wrong, he had to change it as quickly as possible.
"Adfore all, I want to congratulate the three of you. Gerion, you have rebuilt the Lannister fleet in an incredible way. I feel that you have done an excellent job. Tygett, I have to say that it's impressive. The Western justice and law system is very good. You have done a magnificent job. And you Kevin has managed the kingdom well. Good job to the three of you''. It might seem strange but Tywin knew how to recognise his brothers' work as something good.
"Your recognition is more than satisfying brother but we are aware that there are many more things than some people think. However, the fact that you have said this means in a few words that you have encountered a serious problem or at least you have seen a possible discomfort in the Lannister house''. Tygett spoke in his calm and confident voice.
"Yes. I have found a problematic event that can have more than unpleasant effects for the Western Lands. Several weeks ago the position of Lord Stark has been occupied by Hariric Stark, the firstborn son of Rickard Stark and at the same time possibly a very potential threat to our home. Tywin knew how to recognise threats with sight. He knew how to see a person as a danger and the young Stark was a complete danger at least in his mind.
"Excuse me, brother, but do you find a Stark dangerous? The Starks prefer to stay in what is basically their north and all that shit. They like to do things their way and simply not have problems of any kind with the rest of the seven kingdoms. So forgive me if I find it strange that the North as you are explaining is a threat of some kind''. Gerion couldn't see his brother's problem. You have to make no mistake, he could respect the potential threat and everything, but it was still hard for him to believe what his brother was saying.
No. I'm not wrong. The North is a potential threat. Normally I would have agreed. Except because when Lord Stark came to see his majesty he came with a set of leather clothes of better quality than I have seen and what is most important animal. A valyrian steel pendant with the emblem of his house and a diamond on it. As well as the reformed sword ice of what I can say and a silk shirt with silver touches on it. This Stark dressed better than we expect from the lords of the North''. The North rarely wore clothes of this type, however Lord Stark was doing it.
"Just the pendant should already be expensive. I should have found Valyrian steel somehow and sent it to reforge what is not cheap. Also from your description of the sword, the grip and the guard are different. The handle is made of dragon bone with a valyrian steel ring and the wolf's head of the same metal as well as the guard. That's money.' Kevan quickly reasoned things as what they were.
"If what you say is true, the North has to have a new source of income. There are two options. The first is that the North has somehow found valuable resources in their lands and the Stark house has claimed them. The other option is that they have increased their trade but in the case of this second you would have found out since according to the laws of Aegon the North must only pay according to his commercial work''. Tygett frowned. This was potentially dangerous.
"Or maybe the two options. Perhaps the Stark house has found multiple resources that are possible to exploit in their different territories and at the same time they have begun to increase trade between the North and other parts in some way. Although Gerion liked to be able to say that the Stark house had more possibilities of the first that the second could see the potential that both options were viable.
"I don't know about the first possibility but before I came I managed to learn that the north has been selling products of multiple types for all free cities. Each product is valuable in itself: more diverse drinks such as its red wine, silk, spices and other drinks. The North is creating a wider market than they are taking control of safely.'' Tywin saw his brothers put on a look of unbelief.
"If the North has really seen its trade increase, why the hell haven't you found out? Like Mr. Hand of the seven kingdoms, you would have found out about any tax increase in any aspect.'' Kevan couldn't believe it. This was not typical of his brother in the least. He knew his brother well enough to know that he was always pending.
"I don't know, the only thing I know is that the North has somehow seen an increase in profits. But that's far from the only thing. The north has stopped buying food from the river lands, which is another considerable increase in what is basically money, not only for the lack of having to deal with the twins in the slightest but also for having to pay the prices of Tully''. Tywin wouldn't admit it but he was actually impressed by it.
"We are blind. This is not good for any future operation. We need eyes in the North. People who are willing to spy on the Starks and their movements for us. It is a more than risky move but it will come with its benefit if someone with half a brain actually stops to think about it''. Tygett, of course, as the main chief of the military command, knew that acting without the knowledge of his adversary would be the worst possible idea they could have in their hands.
"The North has these three so-called alliances. On the one hand, there is the Winter alliance led by the Starks. Then there is the red alliance led by the Boltons. Finally there are the neutrals led by the Karstark. I think I can honestly say that if we can somehow manipulate the reds we have a safe spy in the North''. Tywin knew that although the north was united against external threats they would still be vulnerable surely if one of their lords became very ambitious.
"I don't see you so sure that you are able to deal with that. If I had to guess according to what you are describing of that Stark, he is actually a person with rather a mind that knows who his enemies are before moving. You should already know that the so-called Boltons are a threat to your future and you will be waiting for a move on your part.'' Gerion had seen it as the daylight of dawn was seen in the night. It was too easy to prevent from his point of view.
''I have no doubt. We need to get a better idea of this Lord Stark. We need to know as much as possible about him. That's why Gerion will go. As the most relaxed of the family could honestly say that it is possible although not so high that it will not be taken so seriously by the lords of the north as a threat''. Although I knew there was the possibility of the opposite.
"Brother, are you sure you want to send one of our family to Hariric Stark's wedding? It will look like we're already trying to get into their business. He could see us as a direct threat to him and look for ways to deal with us or at least make our life difficult.'' Kevan knew that when his brother had something in mind it was difficult to get him out of his thoughts.
"I have full faith that Gerion is more than capable. I would like you to take Cersei and Jaime. I want you to see and get an idea. Also, if possible, take Cerenna. That girl is very smart. It will probably open a door for us with the North. Being able to coax a gentleman from the north would be a very well-sought advantage for us.'' Tywin saw things as they were. Cerenna was a brilliant and intelligent girl but also a potential threat because she knew she was ambitious.
"As you know, brother. But I think it would be better to take Myrielle. Cerenna is very cunning and could decide to get married just to fuck with us in some way. And before you say it's a good idea because you get rid of it, I still believe that a family as good as her should deserve something better''. Sighing, Gerion came out. I would have to make plans.
Tywin got comfortable and enjoyed the wine. I had to admit that the wine was much better than that of the lands of the Dominion or also the Dorniense wine. I could see the north makes money just with this. If his plans could go well, he had to move to make his own what is of the Stark house and become more powerful. They could be sitting on a mountain of gold but Tywin was far from being so arrogant as to think he was eternal. Silently he cursed that Hariric Stark was not born as his heir and that he would have come out much better than what his own children had come out, which was sincerely a pain.
-The Domain. Highgarden-
Olenna Tyrell was described as the bitch of bitches and she didn't give a shit what they said about her. Frankly, he cared less than shit that people said he had a naughty language. That they told him that he was vulgar. For what reason? Because it didn't matter. What mattered was that she was powerful, period.
However, this power came with decisions on his part that although he did not sincerely regret seeing the results, he had to question himself if the Tyrell man's head was full of air because they did not seem to have a shred of brain. She looks at her stupid husband who killed himself on horseback falling off a fucking cliff and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back in his mind.
I love your husband. He could be a bit of an idiot but together they were a powerful couple who put their territory under control. It didn't help the fuck that the Tyrell house had certain problems. To begin with, there were those who felt that they had climbed to the position of gentlemen for the fact of being butlers. Hey, she didn't blame people. They took advantage of an advantage which was good and if she herself had to say it one should not play fair. But dirty and on top of that taking advantage of all the opportunities he has in his hand to go out in victory, did anyone have a problem? It wasn't their fault and fuck them.
Contrary to what many thought, the Tyrell house was not the strongest in the entire Dominion. Oh if they generated great but insignificant income compared to the income of houses like Redwyne which was their main wine producer which was of course very good. As well as the hightower house that is from which most of the products of the Dominion came out for other parts of the seven kingdoms except their food caravans that went to King's Landing and of course to the Lands of the Storm. However, this did not mean that they were weak, only that they were slightly surpassed. Fortunately she decided to marry the Tyrell house and was more than determined to take advantage.
Olenna was clear that if the Tyrell house wanted to have the advantage over the others in the lands of the Dominion, it needed to have military supremacy. That's why she married giving an important alliance and floats to the Tyrell house and then married her idiot of a son with the daughter of Hightower who was also very powerful. I build alliances with several gentlemen of great and broad military strength and there you have it. For the first time in the last hundred years the control of the domain was complete of the Tyrell house and except for the idiots of the Florent no other house dared to raise its head.
However, as a friend of his once said, no plan survives contact with the enemy. It doesn't matter how good the plan is. In this case the defect of his plan was a silly and useless son who thought that being a lord meant that he was above the others and that therefore he did not have to answer to anyone.
The Tyrell house was shit if these were its members. Fortunately, the young Willas who was his grandson had a lot of potential. A good mind and a cruelty that was hidden behind a facade of kindness and being pleasant. Clearly her grandson was much better than her son if she had to say it.
Like any sensible person, he knew that the reputation of a house is how others would see it. In those days the most feared house was the Lannisters. The cruelty and brutality when dealing with threats to the house made them suitable in many ways to deal with people.
The Lannister house had a lot of power on its side. Power that she could have exploited in some way. However, the Lannisters preferred many things. I was also aware that getting along badly with a house of people who had zero problems with breaking you was a very bad idea. So in his mind the best way to deal with them was to leave them. When Tywin dies, Willas is possibly ready for them or at least that's what he thought.
Unfortunately, like anything, the winds changed. Now it turned out that the north was flourishing in an unparallelled way. She was very interested in the north because she knew that they had mountains that made the west look small and yet they never exploited them for their benefit, which was silly. As if that wasn't bad enough there were all her supposed weaknesses but that had changed and in a way that she could never have imagined in any way since the current Lord Stark had made the north flourish.
Unfortunately, his son screwed up again and said inappropriate words about it. Quoting Lord Stark as little more than a worthless dog. Lord Stark only commented that flowers thrive on shit and that when they can kill it is because of the poison of their thorns. He had basically insulted the house Tyrell quoting the words of the house itself.
To grow strong you need nutrients. To kill from a scratch you needed strong and powerful poison. She wanted to insult Lord Stark but knew better than to do it. Although a part told him to eliminate something, he also told him that it was foolish to move before having complete control of the situation.
With her was Leyton Hightower. The man was intelligent. Cunning. Cruel. Ruthless. There was no better way to talk about a politician. Thanks to him and his alliance, the Dominion was very peaceful.
When she had found out about the new lord, she had asked to know everything possible about him. Imagine his surprise when he finds out that said new lord spent some time in Oldtown. And she never knew. He never found out shit that young Stark was there and he never found out that young Stark had a not a bad opinion but of the next level of the masters who were one of the greatest sources of espionage in the Tyrell house.
Hence the third person present who was Gormon, an important master of the citadel known for his strong alliance with the Tyrell house. The man didn't look at all pleased with the current situation, could he blame him? If she had to guess, she would say that the teachers had tried to make the northerners the weakest. The North was not only a kingdom almost impossible to conquer but in addition to that it was the only kingdom that still defended the faith of the ancient gods. The teachers disdained this faith and considered those who followed it little more than uneducated and stupid. But she knew how to see one thing: fear. There was fear in the teachers in the North.
The situation was very bad. I had tasted the quality of the Norteño wine. Pure curiosity born of their interest in seeing what they had done. His surprise came when the Norteños had not only made a wine far superior to the rejo but of an impeccable quality. His spies had informed him that because of Lord Stark's marriage to Ashara Dayne they intended to put workers to help improve the production of Dorniense wine. If that were done, the possibilities of selling Redweyne wine would plummet, not to mention that he had learned of many more drinks produced by northerners.
He could also see the anger in Gomon's eyes. Something told her that she was not alone in anger against the Starks in any way. I honestly felt that if that were the case, I could count on an important ally. There was only one problem. If the citadel ended up doing something that drew too much attention from the Starks on them, it would be colossal damage to the houses of the Dominion since they were their main defenders.
"Things have gotten very bad. My idiot of a son has insulted a lord. A lord who if the reports are true has in his possession the ability to financially ruin the entire domain with a single blow''. The anger in Olenna's voice was so clear that some would have trembled with fear.
"A marriage alliance would be the best option. While it is true that Lord Hariric is getting married, his brothers remain without marriage. There is also talk of a brutal fight between Lord Hariric and Lord Robert Baratheon since apparently Hariric considers the storm idiot less than horse shit. Gomon had the first-line information delivered neither more nor less than by the master of the nest himself.
I. We can take advantage and marry a girl from our houses with either Ned Stark or Benjen Stark. Both are as I have been not so capable and at the same time if any disaster happened to Lord Stark the next one would take care of the north''. Leyton mocked just to receive a hard look from the older woman.
"Please. Knowing this boy, he possibly knows that Doran Martell himself must already be plotting that once it is confirmed that he has several children he will try to kill him. You must already have your guard up and be ready for any threat. This is the same young man who has clearly turned a kingdom of pure shit into possibly the most powerful kingdom of all''. It didn't matter what it looked like nor did it matter how the matter in question was considered is that the Stark house was now led by a more than competent young man who was neither blind nor short-sighted.
"The boy is certainly intelligent. When he was here a while ago, he was clear that he could not trust the people of the south. He also has a way of thinking far superior to that of most of the lords of this kingdom. If I have to say it, the boy will be a serious problem.'' Gormon had only met young Stark in passing. The boy was clearly more intelligent and capable than anyone could tell.
"And the boy possibly doesn't have in the best sense to the order of teachers, isn't it? Tell me Gormon, how much did you try to limit the boy? How much did you try to make him believe that he was below you? And most importantly, how many times did you try to kill him just to fail in the process?''. Olenna knew the master's command well enough to know that when they saw a potential threat they had treated her in some way.
"So the position of the teachers can be harmed because the current Lord Stark has bad memories of his time with them coming to the conclusion more than logical that they are not only untrustworthy but that in addition to that they can try to kill him from behind. Fantastic. Curiosity, why didn't you try to kill him even more when he was in the North?''. Leyton growled when he saw the plans fail in the worst possible way.
"Oh, Leyton gets much worse. Hariric Stark will undoubtedly be an adversary not in the big game itself. If I have to admit it myself, I may not even care about it. No. Hariric Stark will play the game of eliminating all those who are a threat to his family. He doesn't care about the big game. He doesn't care what the balance of power is. He only cares about seeing his businesses flourish and his family last no more and no less.'' Olenna could almost say that he would respect Lord Stark for that.
''So it's a greater reason to move to deal with the young man. I don't intend to allow that boy to dare to think that he can somehow move against us. Because I'm sure that when the time comes he will move to settle those he thinks are a threat to the Stark house.'' Gormon frankly knew that that included the teachers in the worst possible way.
"Really, Gormon? The boy won't move and will say that he wants to kill teachers. No. I don't know what he will do but I know that he won't move until he feels that it's possible that it's a fixed victory and his. It's not that I can blame him. It's the most logical thing to do if I have to say it. However, I will not deny that a part of me expects Lord Stark to decide to leave it alone.'' It was not said that she wanted the North to get involved in the affairs of the domain.
"That may be easier said than done. The fact is that many of the businesses in the North could be considered as invasive of ours. They could begin to what it is to harm the economy of the Dominion which is very bad news and our vassals will demand that we do something olenna your best that anyone knows about it''. Because the moment the products of the North begin to be sold everywhere it was very possible that people stopped buying what are elements of the Domain.
"You're not wrong about it Leyton. In fact, you're absolutely right if I have to be frank. But I think or at least I think that the Stark house has not moved for the moment for some reason. Maybe if someone suddenly started attacking their caravans of sending elements if they reach the south then they would realise the loss that would be''. The best plan is the one that works by destroying your enemies with the economic loss.
"I think it's rather stupid. All we have to do is eliminate the current Lord Stark and after that support Ned Stark. As I understand it, he is being raised by Jon Arryn. It's a good puppet to be used if you have to stop and think about it in reality.'' Gomon growled. I was sure that the plan would succeed. You kill the current Lord Stark and then Ned took charge and then as the boy was Jon Arryn's good puppet it would be manipulable and easy to use.
"Not counting that we are talking about a boy who is obviously smarter than possibly most gentlemen and who has a clear head about his men tell me do you really think that the boy let his brother be sent to the south without a guarantee and way to make sure that he was properly raised and was able to think for himself? Lord Stark is or at least in my opinion what we have learned much more intelligent than the vast majority of idiots who populate the kingdom''. Olenna laughed annoyed. Did Gomon really think that Stark would let his brother become a Southern puppet? That was a very silly joke.
''To say the other thing. Hariric Stark didn't give me the impression of someone who lets the stories go up to people's heads. In fact, if I had to guess, I would say that it is very possible that Hariric has actually educated his brother since he was a child to know certain things and that the honour that is so defended by the valley is one of the biggest mistakes of fools there is. When the boy treated his subordinate's problem, he showed a streak of cruelty and brutality without limits.
Gomon complained about it but he knew that what his allies said was no less true. Hell, if he had to say it, they were just telling more truths than he would like to hear. The young Lord Stark was a smart boy. He possibly saw education in the South as an attempt to plant a spy or the worst of things to try to make the North more vulnerable and weak. I wouldn't tolerate it. This was bad. If the North continued to grow, how could the order push for changes that were so necessary there?
''I will personally go to the North. It's the best. I think a wedding of such high status as the wedding of Lord Hariric Stark would be the best and I would like to try to solve the problems between the Stark house and the Tyrel house caused by my son's idiot. A small group of gentlemen would be the best. Leyton trusted that you would choose wisely who would represent you in the North at that wedding.'' Olenna had no intention of allowing the North to become an enemy. Maybe a marriage agreement between ned Stark and a southern girl was a good idea.
''It won't be a problem Olenna. I have in mind a suitable son for it. However, I would like to point out that Lord Stark may not be in the best mood. Not if it is true that Robert Baratheon will attend the wedding of all things''. Leyton made a grimace. Of all the future lords, the Baratheon boy was possibly the most idiotic.
''Then it's better to choose a person who is politically intelligent enough to make sure he doesn't accidentally piss off Lord Stark. I just hope that that idiot with more muscle than brain doesn't think in any way that it's a good idea to annoy Lord Stark with some idiotic and meaningless idea. It was the best at least in my opinion''. Olenna complained. Things wouldn't be easy. Not with the stupid one there. He could do some idiocy like trying to get into Lord Stark's sister's pants while he was there.
What she didn't see was Gormon's gaze. The master decided that he could have found the ideal ally to harm the north in some way. If he somehow met with Lord Baratheon and planned well, he was sure that he would be able to hurt them. What Gormon would have no idea is the repercussions of his actions.
After all, Robert Baratheon was not the smartest person in the world and it would be easy to see a hand on his back. It wasn't that hard to see. However, that was for another time. Preparations had to be made. The North must have fallen by all means due to the threat it was to the whole world if you would think about it.
Lands of the Rivers. Riverrun-
Jon Arryn was a man with blonde hair and light blue eyes. Known by everyone as a man of honour and pride, everyone thought of him as a man who would never do an action that would cause damage to his pride and much less to his honour. However, something that people forgot is that Jon was Andalo. In short, he was a strong defender of the faith of the seven and, more importantly, a bitter enemy of the faith of the ancient gods.
Jon sneered in the head. A long time ago he had been able to make a profile of the king. King Aerys was a man who at the end of the day was a simple man who wanted to leave his mark on the history of Westeros. It was so easy to predict if he had to say it. So it was not difficult to maneuver it for what he calls the cleaning operation or also conversion of the north. For too long the North had been a kingdom of power of the first men.
He had spoken to the king commenting on the lack of union of the north to the seven kingdoms. It's not that it was impossible to see. The North, unlike the other seven kingdoms, was not united by what was power and strength but because its king and leader thought that its people were worth more than the pride of being called king. So as it is natural, it made it look like the North did not have the best impression of the crown.
The king at that time had a certain political mentality and much more brains than he could say he had now. It was easy to convince him that showing the benefits of what it was like to be a follower of faith would bring. And then I ordered Eddard Stark to become a pupil of the Arryn house. It's not that it mattered that it would be a brutal insult to the Stark house after all the Arryn house already had a pupil. It didn't matter that the Stark house wouldn't trust that heir. What mattered was to have an easy-to-mould dispensable pawn in your hands. That was Jon Arryn's plan, a plan... that had failed in the worst way imaginable.
Rickard Stark showed that although he was certainly not a politician, he was not an idiot. According to Rickard, he could educate his son as a lord, there was no doubt about that. But at the end of the day his son Ned was still a Stark and needed the education of a family member. So he sent his sister-in-law branda to continue his son's education. Any argument would have failed because it would have been seen as an attempt at possible line theft.
When Branda Stark arrived with her nephew, a Defence team thought they could eliminate her. The poison failed and the attempts to kill her with attacks of wild assailants failed as well. The Northern Guards demonstrated efficient military discipline. Even a failed assassination attempt. It wasn't the best time of his life and I tried to think of ways to avoid what this was.
But the Stark house continued to keep Branda in his home and the young Ned was educated although in the south it could be said without any doubt that he had the education of a pure and fucking Northerner. The boy didn't have so much faith in the so-called way of being honourable which was very bad and on top of that he had a lot of backbone.
Ned demonstrated an unprecedented brain and intelligence. I had an impressive tactical and military genius easily reaching easy conclusions of how to solve things. Ned's Stark education was of great use. Some southern knights tried to show him to be a man (under his word) and made fun of them citing that he preferred to follow his own forms.
Some took it badly but no one could doubt that Ned Stark had his pride and honour. Because he proved it with his actions. Ned Stark was a good northern man who was obviously what he had not wanted but he still had his plans in this regard that he had faith that they would work since he had obtained the word of the king.
Citing how good it would be for the Stark house to be more united to the other kingdoms without putting them in the royal family, he managed to make a marriage contract between Robert and Lyanna Stark. However, although he practically forced Stark's house (what he didn't know had turned his house into a target of his anger) he could see the flaws of his plan.
Robert had had a bastard daughter named Mya Stone. I didn't know it had been from the girl but if there was something I knew it was that this was more than bad because if the Starks found out about it the marriage would not be done. There were many insults that could be tolerated but that before the marriage he had bastard children was a big no.
Jon was also nervous. The North had discovered the valuable resources of those in their possession. I knew these resources a long time ago. What kind of idiot doesn't know about the gold in his mountains? Of the silver? Of the iron? That was stupid.
But as if it were more, the North had begun to offer, according to its spies, elements that were earning money. A lot of money. Although they only sold through Braavos to the rest of Essos, he knew that it was only a matter of time before the north focussed on the south either in the west or east. He had heard about the North Channel and had sent agents to see it. I had never seen such constructions if he had to say it. And that was bad.
Now he was here with his greatest ally: the Tullys. The Tullys were aware of how they were seen by the other houses of the seven kingdoms. Considered only a large house due to the support of the dragons. They needed the support of a large and strong house to stay in power and in this way become a powerful house by right.
Hence, he wanted to create a marriage alliance between the North and the Tullys. There was only one fucking problem and that is that Hariric Stark had decided to marry Ashara Dayne which was more than bad news if he had to say it. Ashara Dayne was a real danger on her own since she was not an idiotic and senseless girl.
Ashara Dayne was one of those young women who were educated. In Dorne any daughter who is going to marry outside was educated to manipulate and manage those who are in short their husbands and raise their children in a way that was beneficial for their homes of origin. Ashara could have been that. But at the same time hariric would not have decided to marry her if it was a possible weakness. Also such an intelligent woman could help her husband not only with the management of the kingdom (which in the mind of an Andalusian was unthinkable) but also to educate her son of all things which would be more than bad in reality at least for him.
At that moment the office door opened and host Tully entered through it. The so-called lord of the trout. A man known by all for being an impeccable politician. No one knew but he was the true power of the Tully house. However, with the changes that had begun, I had no doubt that the Tully house had to be starting to have serious problems.
It was more and more bad news at least in Jon's mind since he knew that if the Rio was divided he would lose much of his power. He saw him coming and took out a bottle of wine that was from the Rejo. However, I knew that that was about to begin to change seeing that the North would soon be selling its products to the South.
"You know Jon, things have changed radically. The matter is at least in my mind that when we spoke we agreed that my daughter would end up becoming the lady of the north and with that the resources of the north would be available to the Rios. Why is that no longer possible?''. Hoster had found out about Hariric Stark's marriage to Ashara Dayne and was not happy.
"I don't have the power for that. I have already spent many of my resources on my actions. Getting into business by practically demanding to educate ned has earned me a painful spotlight and any other gentleman with two fingers in front would have seen it as clearly getting into matters of a kingdom. As well as basically forcing the marriage of lyanna Stark and Robert. It's not the best thing that could happen.'' Now he regretted the last thing more than anything else. He should have used it to marry Hariric to the fish girl but at that moment he thought it was better to get a hostage.
"He is marrying a Dorniense girl. We will never have the resources of the North in our hands. She's not an easy idiot girl to manipulate. I've heard about Ashara Dayne Jon. Known by all as possibly a thorn as bad as the queen. It's not the best possible combination.'' Hoster was obviously furious. Of course he could try to kill him and her too but he knew that if he bit him in the back again he would be dead.
"All things can be changed. Ned can marry your daughter. If something ends up happening to Hariric Stark, it's no one's fault but the man himself. With that he will be eliminated as a threat and your blood will end up dominating the North. Isn't that good enough in your mind, my friend?''. Jon could see Hoster's manipulative mind plotting and planning.
"That's a big yes. And that will only be possible if you manage to eliminate Hariric Stark and Ashara Dayne, not to say prevent them from having children. And as I understand it, the current Lord Stark is not a brainless idiot. It's not all muscles and little brain. Look how he has rebuilt the North.'' He was worried. It didn't help that Lord Stark had sent him a single letter. If he didn't counter the actions of the Freys, he would kill even the last of them.
"Everyone has their Hoster weak points. Not everyone can be under surveillance 24 hours a day, even less every day. One day the North will be weak. And then it will be possible to hit. In addition to that, there is also the factor that we can take advantage of the Boltons. I'm sure they could perfectly open a gap.'' Although Lord Bolton thought he was intelligent, he was an idiot unable to realise how much he could be manipulated in this regard.
"It's possible, but how can we make marriage between Ned and my daughter Catlyn possible? Lord Stark doesn't have to agree. Despite the fact that the young ned is more than capable of choosing a wedding of any kind, it's hard for me to see him somehow agreeing to it''. Ned Stark was not a genius like his brother but he was also intelligent and knew that he would not give in any way in what is to get married if it was without a good reason.
"It's a possibility. It is always a possibility my dear friend and I have no doubt that the young Ned could oppose at first but I am sure that with a little tact it would be easier to be moved in the direction of marrying your daughter. What worries me is how to sell marriage as a necessity''. A wedding for the north was a very serious matter. Tatar to tell Lord Stark that he had to get married as well as it would not end well for them.
The two lores thought they had everything settled... the only thing they didn't know is that they weren't so ahead.