King´s Landing-
-Red Keep -
Jon Arryn had counted the situation. The Northern War was over. This war had been named by the masters as the Hour of the Wolf. It sent a chill all over his body to know that the North of all things had dared to even think about doing such a thing.
The mere and unique idea that the North dared to launch an attack against the other kingdoms gave him a bad feeling and made him realise even more of an absolute truth and that is that above all they had to control the North by all means.
All the houses had suffered through the Northern power. It didn't matter how it could be seen nor did it matter how many ways it could be considered the harsh reality is that all of them had lords who had decided to fight for the targaryen house or in the case of Tywin he himself was pointing to his personal agenda.
In the case of the Tyrell house it was much worse. Not only had they lost a third of their lords but many heirs and more had been captured. The army of the north had, however, shown absolute cruelty: without survivors. There was nothing that he had followed alive except the gentlemen and that is because he deduced that they were useful in some way.
No matter how many ways it could be seen nor did it matter how it could be reasoned the North had a strong and powerful army that had been able to crush the armies of the south with ridiculous ease. It didn't bring a comfortable feeling. And now they were facing the greatest crisis since Robert, although he had been crowned king, no lord from the north had come.
He had sent a letter to the North and the answer had been anything but ideal: We just swore to kneel before Targaryen. There are no more targaryen. The mere idea that the north became independent of the seven kingdoms. That the North was again a personal realm. That didn't attract him and he wanted to avoid it.
They had to ensure that the North continued to be part of the seven kingdoms and the truth if he had to be honest... he didn't know how. I was far from being an idiot but I knew better than anyone that the truth is that the North no longer had debts with the southerners.
With this broken would also mean in a few words a serious loss of taxes by the seven kingdoms. The North would be without the need to attend to the South in everything and what is more important they would lose each and every one of the North's resources. He had written a letter to Ned begging him to move against his brother talking about loyalty to Robert. His answer had been that he was not going to turn against his own brother.
Things hadn't gone according to plan. Not at all. This was not what was expected for anything in the world and now I was waiting to know what to do. Of course he could always tell the North that it would be a declaration of war but hariric Stark would laugh at him.
The fleets of the seven kingdoms were at their worst except for the Lannister house and the Greyjoy house and seeing that the North crushed a large fleet with great ease, there was no doubt that they would be able to tear apart the fleets that were launched so that completely eliminated a naval attack with the intention of starting a conquest of the North.
By land? It was impossible. The North Channel separated the north from the south. The city built there was well defended and formed being able without any doubt to repel any attack. It didn't matter how it could be seen nor how much it could be planned.
What mattered is that the Stark house had total certainty that an invasion would fail and although they could still gather numbers there was the fact that the North would be able to destroy them as during this war. This plan didn't bring him a smile of satisfaction. No. What brought him was a feeling of pain for how bad things had gone.
So I got to where everyone was meeting. At this time there were not many people but quickly Tywin Lannister arrived and with him his daughter also arrived who was wearing a dress that was basically made to attract attention. Hoster was also there. The man wouldn't be happy to hear this. If the Stark house refused to be part of the seven kingdoms then any plan he had for his blood would be useless.
The other one who arrived was Varys who looked paler than normal. Almost as if I had seen a ghost of all things. The last to arrive was Robert who looked very anxious possibly waiting for the news that he was going to marry Lyanna. That gave him a bad feeling.
"It was about time we were doing something. Well, Jon. I have already been crowned king and everything now comes the important thing. Why in the seven hells was there no northerner in the coronation? The letter about this would be sent to you, right? Why the hell wasn't hariric Stark there to swear loyalty to me?'' Robert wasn't going to admit it but if there was a being that scared him, it was Hariric Stark.
"I'm afraid there's a complication with it about it." And with that I present the letter to everyone. The disbelief was in the eyes of each of those present. They couldn't believe it. Independence. The north is independent of the south. The mere idea was a bad joke for all of them. Most had plans that revolved around the North and more than one of them thought of ways to benefit at the expense of the Stark house.
"This cannot be allowed by anything in the world. Measures must be taken to prevent the Stark house from becoming independent. Maybe even remove the lord of the Stark house if he is so against staying united to the seven kingdoms''. Cersei normally wouldn't have given a shit about the North. He didn't care as a kingdom. And in his mind he felt that if the North became independent better than better. But that wasn't good. She didn't want the North to leave because if there was something she knew it is that with the North gone it would mean that the South would have to spend more resources on other things.
"This can't happen. The North must reconsider it. The separation of the kingdom would do us more harm than good. The North should at least accept that being part of the seven kingdoms is something that must be maintained. Without them, the recovery after the events of this war will become harder to recover.'' What Hoster wanted to say is that then they could not take money from the North.
"Lord Arryn. I'm curious to know one thing. Tell me. What does Eddard Stark think about continuing with his brother's idea? Do you agree with the idea of allowing your brother to separate the north of the remaining kingdoms? If not, we could try to help Eddard Stark get rid of his brother''. Tywin always knew that the North had wanted the independence of the seven kingdoms. They had wanted to be free from southern influence. But he never thought in his entire life that the North would be willing to separate.
"By the sacred gods if anyone deserves to be lord of the North that is Ned. We are going to send him a message letting him know of our support to return the North to the herd. If that asshole of Hariric Stark thinks he's capable of escaping, I'll be personally introducing him to my hammer so he knows that he doesn't fuck with me''. Robert was furious.
"It Won't happen. Ned supports and supports his brother. He has cited each and every one of the faults of the targaryen house to the Stark house. The kidnapping of Lyanna Stark has been just the last straw in what is the opinion of the Stark house. So much of a mistake. But what's worse is that what was a matter between two houses several houses have tried to exploit it in the worst possible way.'' Jon sighed.
"Are you saying that Hariric Stark is blaming every house for what took place? Why would he actually do such a thing? That is to say, if it's okay, his loba sister was kidnapped and everything, but he recovered her, isn't it?''. Hoster couldn't understand anything.
His sister passed away. Hariric Stark has lost his sister. And he qualifies all the houses that sent fighters to face and arrest him as responsible. The Tyrell house. The Arryn house by not stopping our flag bearers of Puerto Gabiota. The houses of the Storm. The houses of the West led by Tygettannister. And Dorne's houses. Everyone is responsible in the eyes of hariric Stark and that paints us very bad gentlemen''. You could practically see the tension in Jon.
The news that Lyanna Stark had died hit them all. Tywin was grateful. Now he wouldn't have to get rid of the woman himself and he could leave everything in the hands of his daughter to end up married. No. But he and everyone else realised something. For partially allying with the Lannister house hariric Stark pointed them at all of them. And he had hostages.
Robert received it as a blow to the stomach. Lyanna Dead. Her Lyanna was dead. How could this have happened? In his mind he already had plans. Well thought out plans of how he would marry her. How she would be his queen and rule by his side. Then the image of Lyanna changed to the image of someone else: Rhaegar Targaryen. The fucking dragons were responsible for this shit. It had been them and nothing but them who were responsible for the death of the woman he loved. The fury grew without stopping in the.
"The Stark house is furious. First Rickard Stark is imprisoned and tried. If it weren't for the fact that they did it, it would have ended up burned alive. Then there were the attacks of the different houses of each of the kingdoms. The Stark house took it as an attempt to use them to hurt them. And finally there is the point that his sister has died. Hariric Stark is far from being pleased at the moment''. Far away was short.
"Then we have to negotiate with them. Make them see that there are things that can be gained with them being part of the seven kingdoms. It could be difficult but we should be able to know more or less ways to convince them if we are able to have a conversation with them in a civilised way'' Tywin was sure that if they were able to sell things in the right way then they would be able to convince the Stark house that it was for their own good.
''You say it as if it were an easy matter. However, Lord Varys has something else to point out. Please, Lord Varys, let everyone present know the same thing I have learned. Something that completely changes any type of relationship with the North''. Jon hadn't been able to believe it but his own spies had confirmed it.
''Of course Lord Arryn. What Lord Arryn means is that there has been a new unexpected event. I don't know how it's possible but it has been confirmed that Lord Hariric Stark... has magic''. The very idea scared him.
The room was silent. But there was one that stood out from all: Pycelle. The man was shaking. For centuries the citadel had made sure by all means to affirm that magic was indeed non-existent. That magic was only a legend that abandoned them after the death of the dragons. However, all that changed radically when a new player possessed magic.
A person who was supposedly capable of such a thing. The mere idea caused the master to shudder and he didn't know why but he had the feeling that things could get much worse. Each of those present looked at Varys as if he couldn't believe it until Robert himself burst into laughter as if he was amused.
"Is that what really has you so worried Varys? Magic is a tale of legends. There is no more magic. Not with the fucking dead dragons. There is nothing with power in this world anymore.'' Robert mocked the very idea of magic.
"I'm afraid Robert, it's true. The soldiers of the north have talked about it. The magic is real. Hariric Stark used it to face the threat that was Prince Rhaegar. I use magic to stop Rhaegar and be able to kill him definitively despite becoming whatever he did. Hariric Stark is not a joke just for this detail in question''. The only idea. Magic. The magic should have been extinguished. Efforts were made to see the magic eliminated. And yet hariric Stark possessed magic. And if he owned it, his children too.
"If it is true that he has magic, what is this power he possesses? What makes him so powerful as to say that he is able to face us and even more importantly stop us in case of need?''. The idea that magic was real was not a good omen in Tywin Lannister's mind.
"I don't know exactly how to explain it. Only that he possessed a great power. A coloured energy appeared from his sword. It wasn't fire. It was something like light. And then he used it to kill the entity in which he had become Prince Rhaegar. With such power on its side, it is impossible for the North to somehow negotiate from a position of power with the''. No. It wouldn't be. Not with hariric Stark basically telling everyone now that he had the power to kill monsters.
"So we learn from his magic, is it just him? As long as there is only one of him, it's not so much of a problem. Just possessing that power is just a temporary threat to all of us. Sooner or later he will end up like all the users of magic hated by his own people''. Pycelle only said what he thought. The little they knew about magic came from tomos they had that had stolen from the different houses.
"I wouldn't take it for granted so quickly in any way, great master. Hariric Stark is nobody. It is possible... that I have discovered more magic users. That would possibly explain many things about how the North has advanced so much. Although if they are like the Valyrians they will need sacrifices. We need to learn more from them''. Hoster was now confused. Magic. Such power in his hands would make him even more powerful.
"It's true. Teacher Pycelle, we need the citadel to inform us of all the things they know about magic. Even the smallest drop. We need to learn what the citadel knows about magic to be able to fight it in case of need.'' Tywin was already thinking about it. If they were able to capitalise on this they could benefit a lot.
''Of course Lord Tywin. The citadel will feel more than interested in ensuring that magic is studied. If it is true that magic has once again returned to this world, it is our duty as learned men to learn from it.'' Pycelle, however, had other plans in mind. Killing Hariric Stark and his children had become a priority.
"Well then I declare this meeting over. Let's all plan how to meet that Stark. I refuse to allow my kingdom to separate. As for the remaining targaryen I will put my brother in that. That he shows his martial value and brings me the heads of all of them''. Robert had no reason to publicise hariric Stark at this point.
-Bed of Fleas. The tavern of the Derrapado-
Flea bed was the area of the city for the poor and with nothing. Many thought that what came out of here had no value although it was shown that they were wrong since the legendary Being Duncan the High came from here. To say that it was surprising that possibly one of the most renowned knights came from such an unpleasant area was an understatement.
But that wasn't important. Because of being a place of poverty here, people barely came, which is the reason why Varys was also here. The thing is that Varys had more things to say at this time than just mentioning what the meeting was
The meeting. The independence of the North. That wasn't in the big plan. The big plan revolved around having the seven kingdoms acquired for their cause: the black Dragons. The plan was simple. They had tried by all means to take control of the seven kingdoms using war. But it was shown that that didn't work and the male bloodline of the Darkfires was destroyed by that.
Therefore, his ally and himself came up with a completely different plan. A plan that could be very successful: to weaken the seven kingdoms. Of course I was still not happy with how things had been because although certainly weakened I did not have a single house to be so fucking strong.
When he was sent here it was for three things. The first was to make sure that the king completely lost his reputation and anoint a champion because of that. The champion who would come out of all this would be neither more nor less than a man who would embody the best of the gentlemen. And there was the prince. An example of cavalry and gallantry.
But no. The plan after that was to marry him to the woman of fuegoscuro and thus the bloodline would be guaranteed in the line of the throne. What he didn't count on was the incredible unpredictability of the king who apparently thought that marrying his son with someone from Dorne was a better idea and so it backfired.
He had spent the last few years trying to put things against Elia Martel. Preventing him from having children. Making sure that Elia of all things was getting sicker and weaker, then making sure that the prince would have to secure a new bride. But then the prince did the incredibly idiotic thing: kidnapped Lyanna Stark.
You didn't need to be a genius to know what he did with her and shuddered. I raped her. Possibly repeatedly. So yes. Hariric Stark was furious. I had actually thought about taking advantage of that to be able to weaken the North. The result was that all the treacherous houses in the north were purged definitively while Lord Stark came out of the war stronger than ever.
Vays shuddered at the thought of how bad his plans had gone. Of course I had the theory that…
''I'm surprised that a single house has been able to tear down so many houses by itself. He talks about overwhelming strength. I thought that the North did not have one of the largest armies. How were they then able to fight in this war and end all their enemies, my friend?'' Illyrio didn't look worried. Although the North could be stronger in many ways, he knew that everyone had their weaknesses and it was only a matter of finding and exploiting them.
"'From what I could see and hear the north has an army of seventy thousand men. An army the size of the Lannister army. And what is more important is a professional army. It is not commanded by arrogant gentlemen but by men and women who have learned the art of war. It's no joke, my friend. It's not a game for them.'' That was another point. So large, well-trained army meant that the north had professional soldiers.
''I see. A fearsome army then but an army like that must be expensive to maintain. I wonder how Lord Stark is keeping it going. Anyway, maybe we should look for an alliance with Lord Stark. If it's like any other gentleman, I'm sure he'll be eager to be stronger and more powerful in terms of power.'' Illyrio just nodded to himself.
"It wouldn't cost me to see Lord Stark spending resources to keep his army in reality. No. There is a more important detail. Hariric Stark has true magic. It is capable of exercising power and that makes it a real threat to the plans we have.'' Varys' look should be enough to make it very clear that things were in that sense. Illyrio, on the other hand, looked thoughtful.
''Magic eh. The truth is that such power could also be his undoing. I am sure that there will be those interested in looking for a form of that power. The Iron Bank will grow nervous because of that power. The same can be said of the lords of each city. And let's not talk about the red priests and of course the witches of Qarth. He may have done us a favour by letting himself be seen''. I could see every interested group. The iron bench would like to make sure that this power was not used against him. All of them would want his share.
"If he has magic, it's just a matter of his own children having magic. And if so, that makes them threats as big as him. We can't put a descendant of yours in the crown if you don't have enough power to subdue the northerners.'' Varys, of course, knew what he was talking about. Why bow to someone weaker than himself? Why kneel before someone who shouldn't even think about rising up against him?
"Well, a king needs a queen, doesn't Hariric Stark have a daughter? We will simply take the pleasure of taking said young woman so that we can make her the queen. I'm sure Hariric Stark would agree with anything if he's like a common nobleman as long as we can make the deception see as something true''. Illyrio didn't see it as a big problem.
"For that we have to find Elia Martell and his daughter and silence them. The best thing would be if they were silenced at the hands of someone. I had the idea that it would be Tywin. That man wouldn't avoid doing that to send a message and he's pretty brutal when he wants to. But Elia and his daughter escaped from the capital''. Varys felt very annoyed by the idea that one of his plans was messed up in some way.
"Finding the princess will be a priority. To tell the truth, having them die at the hands of Tywin and blaming the north in the process would be a good idea. And then marry the daughter to my son making it look like a unification. Yes. That's the best plan that can happen. And yet, and despite everything, you're still not convinced, my friend. Why are you afraid? I'm sure things can't be that bad.'' Illyrio saw no problem with his plan.
"The possibilities of things working without more are a rather big problem in reality and I have serious doubts that things will work like that without more. Not with the way things are with the Stark house. But there is an even bigger problem... Hariric Stark has declared the independence of the north of the seven kingdoms. That in case is already a problem''. The North was the most difficult kingdom to conquer. How did you conquer a kingdom that was basically impregnable?
"The independence of the North. That was something I really didn't count on. If I have to be honest, I thought the North would be demanding repairs. But at no time was it in my mind that they would be leaving the seven kingdoms, where did they get this ideal of all things?" Illyrio would not deny it was a smart move.
"Of course it wasn't a possibility of that happening. What am I supposed to do? The north doesn't need anything from the south. The only way or possibility of convincing him would be to let Lord Stark know that he has to gain something from all this. That keeping the North in the seven kingdoms is convenient for him''. And he doubted it. I doubted it in more ways than one.
"Then we just have to conquer them. We will look for allies that they can do to bring down the north from within. I am sure that hariric Stark will not be able to compete with all the lords who could be bought with time and care.'' In Illyrio's mind he felt that that was the key. The purchase. If the lords of the north felt that they should stay in the seven kingdoms there was much more chance that they would fulfil it.
''I'll see what can be done in this case. But I don't promise anything about it. Hariric Stark has the North in his hands. It is his kingdom and he is managing it in the most effective way possible. I don't think he's going to let anyone take away his kingdom in any way.'' His concern is whether there would be someone alive who could be useful to him in the North.
"Good. I'd better go and start our plans. We need several things. Sow disorder between the kingdoms. I will look for allies for my son. One day he will be sitting on that throne and will govern. And in the meantime we will look for a way to get our hands on Belladonna Stark''. That was the whole plan. A massive plan that would take years. But he was patient.
-The Domain-
-Highgarden-
Olenna Tyrell was far from happy. I was far from having a good day. Damn it. He Cursed. The war had gone wrong. No. It was bad to fall short. The war had been a complete disaster. His broken army. Half of their troops were not even able to leave their domain since one major accident after another occurred.
As if that wasn't bad enough, things had become complicated beyond any doubt when the whole North crushed its army and took heirs and lords hostages. How could this have happened, damn it? How could the most backward kingdom of the hand of the gods defeat them all damn it?
And as if it wasn't bad enough, everyone was on the nerve. The Dominion navy that belonged to his family was sunk. It would take time and resources to recover that army.
As if that wasn't enough, each lord and heir caught was a maneuver that they could use to make the kingdom of the North get away with it. This was horrible and I had no better way to describe it.
I was starting to hate that damn brat who thought he was so fucking special and what's worse I thought I could somehow do shit with them. But of course the possibility of doing something was out of the question.
Hire killers? It was a good plan. A magnificent idea. Except for the fact that she feared that the murderers would decide that it was more worth selling the name of the one who had hired them to be able to kill them later in the process.
Which could end badly for her. Then the Stark house would kill every last of the hostages and they would fall on them like a storm. Seeing that they had their own navy, they could attack their coast and then finish them off.
But things were out of control. For the so-called queen of thorns, things were not going well at all. And as if that wasn't bad enough now they had a new fucking king who had no reason to be comfortable with all of them. Far from that because they had supported the targaryen house and it was said that Robert was obsessed with Lyanna Stark a mile away.
Damn it. Just damn the fact that things went wrong. And now she had before her the remains of the different nobles of the lands of the dominion and an archmaster of the citadel to be able to talk about the damn things. Things had simply become complicated.
"It's okay, let's stop screaming shit and start talking about the shitty situation we're all in right now to know that the Stark house has won this damn war and crushed with an army lower in number to the combined armies of several kingdoms. Damn this has come out like the worst horse shit''. Olenna turned to see the different nobles present among whom Paxter and Leyton himself stood out.
"We weren't prepared. We were not at all prepared for what hit us hard. The northern military navy not only had faster ships than ours, but they could shoot from further away and ended up sinking our army before we had time to do anything.'' It was the most humiliating defeat of the navy of all time if the paxter himself had to say it.
"This damn thing has hit us right in the face. We should have assumed that if the North has managed to improve its living conditions and much more there were many if not too many chances that the North has been able to recover its military conditions. That an army in lower number has crushed so literally…
Archiamestre How many chances are there that this war has negatively affected and forced a retreat in some way to the North to force them to be in more diplomatic talks?''. Olenna was actually hoping that the archmaster had good words for all of them.
"None. If the valley had intercepted Lord Stark's retreat and they could have forced him somehow maybe. But with Lord Stark and these winter legions safe after the Twin Wolves, the chances that the North will be somehow subdued are low at best with non-existent in some ways.'' The archmaster was more than unhappy to say this.
"So the North has all the damn stones and we're trapped. Well, the good news is that in no way will the North be with possible allies. With Dorne having betrayed them the way they did it complicates their relationship although it gets much worse for them since they have their esteemed prince Oberyn. And on top of that, the potential hostages of each house that they have captured''. Olenna was sure that with the North not having any relationship with the lords of other houses things were good.
"There are more things to discuss. Faith is scandalised and demands that we take action in the matter to put the North in its place. They define it as our duty and obligation before all things and although I would like to point out that I do not fully agree with it I have to be the one who says that in reality faith can do us a lot of harm''. Leyton offered at that time his opinion of how things could go wrong.
"Tell them to let us deal with this matter in our own way. First of all, we have to deal with the problem of recovering members who have been taken hostage. I just hope that the North does not demand an enormous price for the return of all of them. That's enough for today, although if someone has something else to point out, it's better to say it now because if I find out that it was a possible thing and it wasn't said, now I'm going to get pissed off in a big way.'' Ollena looked at everyone present with a look of death.
"Just one thing. One thing that must be the biggest lie of the seven kingdoms. It is stated by various sources that hariric Stark faced a fire monster that had previously been the prince. He defeated him in combat... using magic''. Of course the information had not reached the citadel first hand but the rumours spread.
''And Archmaestre... How is it that these rumours have not been confirmed? How is it that these rumours, no matter how crazy and crazy they are, have not been confirmed in any way?''. Olenna shuddered, could it be true? Could Hariric Stark possess magic?
''It's not possible Olenna. Magic has been completely extinct from this world. There is no more magic. So forgive me for considering it as a damn bad joke. I'm sure it's just the ravings of those damn cowards who fled their duty to their prince''. The archmaster mocked. The citadel had ensured by all means to eradicate the magic of this era.
"Useless and idiot fool, hasn't it occurred to you to think that it is through magic that hariric Stark has been able to revolutionise the world of the North? How else do you think he has been able to make all these advances that we are not able to replicate in any way eh brainless idiot? Damn asshole''. Olenna was not in a good mood. How could the southern lords be such fucking idiots?
''Lady Olenna, is it possible, however, to be wrong? What's not true? What maybe we are exaggerating about all things?''. A brave man (and incredibly idiot if you stop to consider it) decided to offer his personal opinion believing as the archmaster himself did that what was being said was meaningless shit that they should not pay attention to him.
"I don't know if Hariric Stark has magic. Possibly I don't have. Or possibly have. I don't know and I sincerely pray that it won't be like that because the last time we heard of someone with magic, we were conquered by ten thousand men and three dragons. So I don't even want to imagine another person with that power, am I clear? However, the simple fact of discarding something for the simple reason that in your eyes it seems ridiculous seems to me the biggest mistake of all time. How many want to make that unprecedented mistake, eh?''. Olenna looked at each of the men gathered.
"If Hariric has magic... would that mean that his children would also do it? If so, we can potentially be facing a new dynasty. We should move before they do anything that could be too dangerous for dominance then my lady''. The archmaster shuddered. Magic. Damn magic. Once again active. No. They couldn't allow it.
"Look, you're an idiot. There are more serious things in that aspect, such as... appropriating that power. If we are able to learn how his magic has awakened and obtain his own power, we could have his own energy and use it against him. How has he awakened it? Why? Those are the questions that should be asked archmaestre. What an idiotic trying to just go and kill him''. Olenna mocked the archmaster. How could the man be so short-sighted?
The respective gentlemen had to agree. If the magic was real and Lord Stark had awakened it in some way then the best thing would be to be able to replicate it themselves to have said power in their own hands. Of course there was the question How did hariric Stark awaken the magic? How did he make it possible for this power to be in his hands?
''Well with that clarified this meeting is dismissed. Let me know when talks are going to start with the North to recover the gentlemen. I'll be there to recover my son's stupid jerk. Although I will not deny that he cannot be blamed for all things, I still have to admit that it was a painful mistake that he has made in this case and that puts us in a really difficult situation''. With their words said one by one, the gentlemen left Olenna alone. I had his plans. Your ideas.
Magic. If it was real, it was a power that could not be left alone in the hands of the North. No. And although she knew that the citadel and faith would be against it, the truth is that she herself believed that this power was better in the hands of men than to leave them alone for the use of anyone.
The North. Winterfell-
-Palace of Justice-
Hariric wanted to growl. I really wanted to growl. For some reason all the lords of the North had gotten into the head that they wanted to be there to see the end of the Boltons and their allies. It was not necessary to be a genius to know that his plan was to see if they could see a way to appropriate their lands, something in which he flatly denied.
These lands would be managed by personnel loyal to him. And although I knew that the lords were not traitors if in many cases they were given to grudges. He knew his heirs and trusted them more than the lords.
In the time when more and more gentlemen had been arriving, some expected to know more about their magic. Of course he knew that hiding his magic was impossible. The very idiots had let it be known that the magic was real. How long would it take for faith to be on his neck demanding his death for whatever reason? Pfff as if he didn't give a shit about the opinion of such a corrupt and bad faith.
So he had declared the independence of the North. Without confirming it with any gentleman or anything, were they upset? No. Except for the concern that was in their minds, the fact is that some thought that the opportunity had been delayed in more ways than one.
That everyone wanted the North to be independent so they could do their things. Of course he was no stranger to the that possibly some would think stupidly and that is why he intended to begin to exchange the different lords of the North for their heirs.
Dealing with the south reminded him that Baratheon's idiot had hoped that he would marry his sister. He could remember Jon Arryn's letter in which he was sent that they were eagerly waiting to complete the marriage between Robert and Lyanna. He had to make a real effort not to go to the capital and unleash a good amount of valyrian fire.
He had stolen enough from him to know how to produce the element and honestly in his mind there was nothing he wanted more than to do it. Fortunately for all of them, his mother and father as well as his wife had reassured him. The bird's simple audacity to think that after all he would only fulfil his requests.
It didn't help that the first thing his sister had done as soon as she was here was going to cry to Tykren who, although he was already one hundred percent the man was just out of his recovery. Dark magic always leaves scars and it was difficult to cure it. But once it was done, he was the first to receive Lyanna.
After telling him that she was with a child, he had become angry. Not with her. No. But with Rhaegar and he had no greater desire than to destroy the bastard's head in the worst possible way but unfortunately for the said member of the royal family he was dead at his hands.
He would take care of Jon. I had made it clear. Lyanna was going to fake her death so that everyone would think that things got complicated with her and much more. He didn't care what people thought or what people wanted. The only thing that mattered to him was that his sister would be safe and protected and the boy would grow up with him and Ashara. They would never hide his royal family from him and he had made it very clear that if he reached the age of thirteen he proved his worth, he would be named Stark and would grant him a title and much more.
The boy was his nephew after all. That had earned him the appreciation of both his wife and his sister and mother who were obviously happy about their decision to protect the child.
That's how things were and he didn't care. His sister had been buried and everyone effectively believed that Lyanna Stark had died. The north was in indignation and that only made it easier to claim independence since they were tired of being part of a kingdom that trampled on them.
It got much worse when the word of Lyanna's letter of demand spread and much more the letter of demanding her presence to swear. It didn't matter what the gentlemen wanted. It didn't matter what they could think. Everything went completely to hell when such coldness was seen and much more in the southerners. When he only said that he had declared the foundation of the kingdom of Asgard (it was better than the kingdom of the North) many were happy.
His wife was actually... furious. She had to stay away from Oberyn because she promised that if she put her hands on top of her she would break it like a twig. She wasn't the only one. Elia was far from being happy quoting how they had destroyed an alliance with their actions and how in addition to that they had anmymyed a single kingdom with which they had such a strong relationship and that they could all benefit each other.
Ashara was pissed off at how low Doran had fallen. She knew that Doran could be an intriguer in more ways than one. A man who could plan and even devise tactics for what it was to get from others what he wanted. Don't be wrong, she didn't see it as a bad thing. Everyone had that way of thinking if you stop to think about it.
But he jeopardised an alliance that was very, very beneficial for both of them. And basically I throw it on the floor. So in Ashara's mind it was an act of pure idiocy. There is no need to add that whether he liked it or not Doran was an assistant in Lyanna's rape so that put him on the list of shit.
Ashara had been very tempted to let Doran know what the shit she was in. In how fucked up she was if she had to say it. But he didn't. In the end he decided that it would be best to leave it alone until it was time. She would make sure that Doran Martell would never even think about it again.
If Hariric had to be honest, seeing his wife so pissed off was enough to remind him that just as she was a beautiful woman with a great mind and a great use of her abilities, she was also Black and when you offended her you were beyond fucked.
Elia wasn't better. Discovering that her brother had left her to die for the capital as a lesser evil in case of need had pissed her off a lot. It turns out that Doran had planned that in case the North won Elia would serve well as a hostage. Apparently Doran had discarded Elia as a useful piece from the moment the teachers said that he could no longer have children without being in danger.
The last way he saw it was as a kind of sacrificial piece to unite all of Dorne behind a single flag to ensure the reign of the Doran family whenever they had an enemy. And the fact that they would have their sister as Rehen only assured that the North would be a piece that would be weaker than normal.
Elia had always known that his brother Doran was a very treacherous piece and that he could be incredibly dangerous but it is one thing to know that your brother is in such a way and another very different is that your brother is a cruel son of a bitch who would sacrifice his brothers for power. Even Tywin wasn't like that and that should say a lot.
Hariric sighs before focussing. Next to him was his wife and to his left was his father since his mother was with Cregan and Belladonna. His two parents were anxious to see this conclude since the judgement of the north for all those who had offended him was something that should be remembered.
"Get Lord Bolton as well as Lord Ryswell and his nephews. It's time to end this fucking parody. Lord Hornwood may have died in the war but his punishment will be communicated anyway''. It had been a shame since his plan was to judge and execute the three lords and their male descendants yes or yes no matter what no one said. The women would be sent to the order of the priestesses of Gaia. A new order formed to pay tribute to mother earth.
As Hariric ordered, he quickly took Lord Bolton. The good Roose Bolton looked worse than shit. He was brutally beaten and didn't look in good condition. The Ryswells don't know better either and their nephews looked even worse. They had resisted the capture so no joke had been taken when capturing them in fact there were only two nephews of Lord Ryswell of the four present.
The man looked at Lord Stark with daggers but he just gave him a cold look like the oldest of winters. His wife next to him was not happy either since this pair of monsters had plotted to kill their children.
''Tch so the great lord Stark gets off his so-called winter throne to see us. What an honour. Let's do this quickly. We asked for the black''. Roose was far from happy. The plan was so good. What they never counted on was the large and highly trained army of the North. No matter how it could be seen, it could not have planned for a professional army.
"Oh yes. The option of going to the wall to atone for his past actions. Yes. It's a good offer. Gods could be the best. It would save me a big effort. There's only one problem with that. You see the time when the wall was entrusted to a bunch of thugs without more and people who are trash just for the safe of having people is over. So you see Lord Bolton. The time when you could escape and plan how to fuck me from the wall is completely over''. Hariric spoke with a tone of purpose.
As is natural, Roose's face changed. Radically. He had gone from having confidence to something much worse: fear. Roose had not expected in any way to be told that the way to save her pathetic and insignificant life had completely gone to shit. By his side, Lord Ryswell didn't look good at all either and his nephews looked even worse at that time. As is natural, everyone present seemed an exaggeration. The gentlemen didn't understand it. They didn't accept it.
"Lord Stark, this is exaggerated. That is to say, my lord, when someone commits a great crime, he is always given the option of being part of the wall. The wall is an honourable way out''. Jorah couldn't believe what she was hearing at that moment.
"And tell me Lord Mormont, are you the one who says that I should trust this man? In an oath breaker? Because we must remember that this man and his allies swore to serve my family. They swore it. And yet they didn't just turn against my family. They helped kidnapping my sister. They allied themselves with the faith of the red god. And they conspired with the prince of the seven kingdoms to launch a coup that would take me and my family out of power to steal from the whole north. I don't just betray myself... but each one of you''. Hariric could see at that moment that the looks of each of the gentlemen
"This is not a joke or a game. This man and his allies are oath breakers. They are not loyal to anything but themselves and they would betray us without hesitation. They have already shown that they are capable of doing it once and they have done it by fucking with all of us. If I leave him alive on the wall, what the fuck is he telling me that he won't make a deal with the savages to give them all the go-away?'' The words of hariric entered each of the lords.
"You're weak Stark... You don't deserve the position of winter lord. You are nothing more than a simple man who does not deserve the position you are in. Everything you've built will break. It doesn't matter if you kill me here. I'm sure that with time more people will turn against you''. Roose couldn't resist saying his last message in this case to be true he was pissed off.
''And that is why Lord Bolton that I have the sad duty to inform you that because of your betrayal all the Lands will now belong to the Stark house. Betrayal is not only paid with life. No, gentlemen. The betrayal will be paid for by losing everything. If a single member betrays the entire North with his actions then the North will act in retaliation for such actions''. Hariric could see all the gentlemen wanting to get up to complain.
"If someone thinks this is exaggerated, they can talk. If someone thinks that what I'm doing is wrong, they can talk. But make no mistake, gentlemen of the north. The time when betrayal was forgiven is over. If a house leader is considered a traitor and the rest of the house does not do what they have to do with those people, I will make sure that the justice of the north is final. The sentence is as follows''. Hariric could see more than one man complain.
''For the crime of treason against the North you are considered guilty. The punishment for betrayal is death. For the crime of allying with a southerner and being responsible for the kidnapping, rape and death of my sister, the punishment is not only death. It is the total loss of land. Not a single member, if there is one that is alive, will be able to claim. Those lands will be part of the Stark house until he finds a worthy person who deserves them. The death penalty will be applied after the end of this trial. Guard to take them all to their prisons.'' No. Hariric Stark was not compassionate.
All the gentlemen watched with a look as Bolton and his allies came out. The message was clear. Lord Stark didn't. The winter king absolutely ruled. His will was absolute and if anyone thought he could fuck him they were fucked beyond any doubt. This also obviously caused the idea of betraying the winter king to go completely to hell. The fear that his family would be left with nothing. No one wanted such a thing. Many gentlemen agreed at that moment with a few words from their children: hariric Stark is a great friend but a fearsome enemy.
''The next case. The royal guard. All of them are responsible for several crimes. Help the prince in the kidnapping of Lyanna Stark, help in her rape. That along with the prince's support in making war in the north. All of them will be judged. Let them show up now so they can start having a judgement''. Hariric could see more than one man now calmer.
Like one, everyone entered except Jaime Lannister who had stayed in the capital. Each of the royal guards looked worse than wear and tear. Hariric had not believed in spending resources on them. Neither in being kind nor friendly. No. He firmly believed that they were neither more nor less than garbage that he collaborated with the kidnapping of his sister and in fact they helped in what it was like to make her miserable life during the last year.
So no. There was no compassion for all of them so when he saw them enter they were all sitting in chairs. Without armour. Without anything. They were people who were at that moment in the worst moment of their lives.
"Today we all meet to discuss what your royal guard destiny is. Tell me now, what reason do I have to forgive your miserable lives? You who collaborated with a madman who kidnapped my sister and abused her, which led to her death. Give me a reason to show you even a drop of compassion''. It's not like I was going to have it.
The royal guard looked at each other. Everyone was there gathered. Each and every one of them was obviously tired. Hariric had been torturing them by not letting them have a pleasant dream and their wounds had not been treated, a little unpleasant? Fuck, he didn't give a shit if people thought he had been exaggerated with them. All that mattered to him was that these people understood that what they had done was wrong.
''For us you are not King Stark. There is only one king and that is the house of the dragons. Neither more nor less. You're not the winter king. What you are is a traitor by rebelling against the crown. The prince may have kidnapped your sister. He may have raped her. But no one denied that what he did was for a good reason. Every kingdom needs an heir''. Gerold wasn't afraid.
"Who said nothing to kill? Ah be Gerold. What a silly idea. Killing a person... it's easy. Before he had executed the traitorous lords of the North because their death would mean something but if he killed you, what message would it be? The message would not be the right one. No. We have to do something simpler and simpler so the punishments must be more exemplary to make sure that everyone knows the mistake of thinking like that''. Hariric could see everyone's mind running at a thousand kilometres per hour, anything worse than death?
''All of you are going to be interrogated under veritaserum. The truth serum created by the University of Isengard. Under that serum all its secrets will be known. And it will be known if they regret something. If they repent, they will be judged according to that. But if they don't regret it then the punishment will be such that it will be talked about in every corner. People will remember him for the rest of their lives.'' I could see more than one man shudder.
And the interrogation arrived. To say that there was silence in the room was an understatement. Knowing that the lord commander of the Royal Guard did not regret anything was an understatement. The man thought that the queen, although she could be tortured every day, at least she was queen and did not feel empathy for her because she still had a position of power. As for her sister, she thought it was the duty of a woman from a strong and powerful house to give the prince an heir. Seeing that the Stark house was the strongest at that moment, he felt that it was the best thing that could be done for them and that he should take it as an honour.
Ser Lewyn and Ser Oswell were different Ser Lewyn... he was the queen's secret lover which was a surprise. The man had tried to defend her as much as possible but it didn't turn out as expected. In reality, the man was the king's main suspect that his wife cheated on him, which was not good. Being Oswell on the other hand simply thought that his duty was to serve the crown to be its extension of power no more and no less.
Curiously, being Lwyn did not agree with Lyanna's kidnapping. As Melania's brother he was very similar and was a believer that the stronger the alliances the better. And although Lewyn had a disdain for the North, he came from a family that considered women better, so in his mind the idea of a young woman being kidnapped and raped was not the best.
Unfortunately, there was little he could do in that regard to stop him completely since things were going bad for him. He could not atone himself with the two targaryen since Rhaegar had made it clear to him that at the slightest offence he would leave and then Elia would be completely defenceless.
Ser Barristan was a complete believer in the knight's code. What did that mean? Being a barristan along with being Lewyn had tried numerous times to protect the queen and made it clear that when she needed help he helped her. And he was completely against this and had actually been the confidant who let the north know exactly where Lyanna was in the hope that they would be able to get to her safe and sound.
He didn't care about dying. Not when he felt that he had destroyed his pride as a gentleman in so many ways. But Hariric curiously saw him with good eyes and had more ideas for the man in more way than one so he could be considered forgiven.
The most complicated of all the royal guards and possibly the one that was causing in the minds of many the most problems was neither more nor less than Arthur himself. The man was loyal to his family and the royal guard. He was a firm subordinate of being Gerold. However, I make it clear that the prince I swear to follow changed radically with the times stating that a mixture of madness and other ideas were nesting in his mind
Did he regret everything that had happened on his guard? He regretted a lot. But he recognised one thing and that is that he believed that through the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna things would soften for a potential war between the north and the seven kingdoms believing that Lord Stark like any normal lord would be happy with his sister attracting the attention of the prince. I never counted on the prince's reaction or true intentions.
''This...is hell. Being Gerold... you are nothing more than a conspirator and rape assistant. Killing you would be creating a hero. A legend. That's why I won't do it. I will not kill you. No. What I will do is extend to the seven kingdoms how you support rape as you see it as some normal event and how you would support the treatment of any woman in such a way. Let them do whatever they want with you in the south''. If I killed him, he would become a martyr.
"Being Lewyn and being Barristan. Both are innocent and they are only guilty of not being able to do more for people and I will discuss with both of you their future at another time''. Hariric could say that there were many people waiting to know what else would happen to them but he didn't give a shit.
"Being Oswell you are the same as being Gerold. Just another man who seems to think that the rape is perfectly fine and that therefore my sister's treatment was perfectly fine. So you will suffer the same fate as being Gerold. I wish him luck because with total sincerity he will need it''. He saw Oswell looking at him badly obviously thinking that he could get something but at the same time there was a despair in his eyes.
''...My husband should be the one who sentenced this brother. But for his love for me he has let me be the one who decides. Don't take it as a sign of weakness. I can't allow it in any way. No. What I'm going to make clear now, brother, is that you're not free, far from it. You are guilty of a crime and you will pay for it.'' Ashara could feel the looks of all the gentlemen.
Hereby and because of your my brother having been responsible for this kidnapping, conspiring in the rape of Lyanna Stark and partially responsible for a war between the north and the crown the North completely breaks his alliance with Dorne. For the crime of doing this to your own family you will be sentenced to work in the mines for a minimum of ten years. And the ancestral sword Dawn will only be returned to the Dayne house if certain requirements are met... get this scum out of my sight''. It hurt. Oh God, it hurt a lot.
Since that day, no one would ever doubt Ashara Dayne again.