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***
Qyburn.
The not quite old former maester of the Citadel was quite saddened. Though those words didn't quite fit what he felt after what had happened in the People's Palace had affected him and many of the Empire's subjects.
The treacherous attack, betrayal, and violation of the unshakable traditions of hospitality by half of Westeros' guests had struck a chord with everyone.
It had been four days since the massacre at the wedding, already nicknamed the Red Wedding in the capital. Many loyal subjects had died then. The Red Priests and the Mord-Sith had tried to bring back to life everyone they could. But only Lady Alice and Princess Daenerys were brought back to life, but the latter is hard to call the former, she has become... different.
Even life-wise Qyburn didn't know how to describe her. In addition to these two, they managed to bring crown prince Richard back to life, but they couldn't give him his eye back. Even he with his magic couldn't do it. But that was not what was important right now. It was that Darken Rahl, their suzerain and the most important figure in the empire was now in a serious condition. How he had even managed to survive such wounds... Quibern now respected his emperor even more. As long as he didn't regain consciousness, so now the capital and the country are basically ruled by the members of the Small Council. Though Ocris Vaiserion only manages a few moments from his bed, for he was badly scarred after the massacre. Miriam organised order in the capital, suppressed the forces of all the conspirators and traitors, and took all the Westerosi prisoners.
Though not all of them took part in the plot against His Majesty. For example, the Greyjoys, Lannisters, Iron Throne and Dragonstone were not involved and neither were their soldiers. But the main participants were Manfrey Martell, several of the Kingsguard, a number of young lords and honourable men of Dorne and one of the dragonriders, Daario Naharis, who died in the battle with the Red Spear, though sadly the latter also died in that duel.
A great help on that unfortunate day were the dragons, who returned from a walk and burnt all the secret teams and squads that were in the city and near the palace. Not all the strings of this network of treachery have yet been untangled, and every hour Mord-Sith are adding new names to their list and extracting new useful information.
Some of the noble lords of the Free Cities have also been involved. Quentin Durstain, Drogo Khaling and Jon Snow are now the target of their wrath, the latter in light of recent events actively searching for traitors.
Also Rhys decided to declassify his origins and he did it, probably half-intentionally when all the Westerosi were captured and in front of them he called him Aegon. And then two days later he officially told him Aegon's secret at Oberyn Martell's interrogation. Qyburn was there and watched the apathetic face of Oberyn, who was not involved in the conspiracy, but felt guilty, even such news, which had distressed everyone else who had not been privy to it until recently, could not make him come out of it. So he was left alone for now.
They are waiting for Darken Rahl's permission to execute him. After all, he would surely want to get involved, or come up with some other horrible fate for the traitors.
"Well, Dorne's in deep shit," Quibern thought as he watched Rhys sit on Darken's throne and act as Hand.At least Rhys and Miriam are very sensible and didn't try to act eccentrically."
So far, all those accused of treason and treachery have been imprisoned in the dungeon. The rest of the guests from Westeros are under house arrest.
Even equally amusing and incomprehensible to Qyburn is the involvement of individuals from the North, the Riverlands, the Vale and the Vastness in all of this. Men such as Lord Wayne, Ser Wendell Manderly, Ser Olaf Kew and other knights and bannermen of these lands had willingly, without the knowledge of their suzerains, taken part in this.
He had spoken to Olayna Tyrell and her son, they were unaware of what was going on and were really worried sick about their own skins right now. Lord Royce was also unaware that Lysa Arryn had decided to give THAT order to her vassals and was in cahoots with the previously respected Lords of Dorne.
All of the Seven Kingdoms have already gone into detail about this incident. Rhys had insisted on it for some reason, but that was not what mattered now. What everyone cared about was the condition of their Lord Rahl.
At the moment, the Throne Room presented the same sort of victim as the Tyrells. Catelyn Stark was being listened to by the small council of Aegon Targaryen (aka Jon Snow), Rhys Firestorm, Ocrys Vaysserion (who was able to attend this "interrogation" despite his wounds), Miriam Scarlet, himself (Qyburn, if anything), and Marvin the Mage, who after the recent events decided to stay in Panisheart.
- You know, Lady Caitlin," the "bastard" spat out the words, "I expected you to be mean, but not like this. And they're pretty stupid.
- Jon... Aegon..." Tully struggled to say the words. - I may not know much about intrigue, but I'm not a complete fool. I wouldn't break the law of hospitality when I have so few people for such a thing. And why would I turn against my loved ones, you, Aegon, and your whole empire? It's ridiculous!
- But Wendell Manderly, who was responsible for your safety and the representative of the House Stark bannerman, has joined the conspirators. - It suggests, if not a lack of involvement on your part, then certainly a negligence of duty as head of the mission your son sent. And what kind of suzerain is a suzerain who, with his sanity and heirs and the power behind him, cannot restrain his vassal from such... impulses?
- I have nothing to answer Lord Rhys," Caitlin shrugged. - Your words are fair, and I understand, but I assure you again, we had nothing to do with this terrible act, which was supported by Ser Wendell, his squire and a couple of knights under his command. Besides, you can see that I, Lady Mormont, her daughter and most of the Northmen tried to stop it, but then we were attacked by your Mord-Sith. They wouldn't listen to us.
- There was no time to talk then. - There was a massacre in which we tried to fight off the treacherous warriors who had attacked the lives of our Emperor and Crown Prince.
There was silence for a while, which was broken by a Mord-Sith in red robes. It was Nyssa, the first Mord-Sith, and Master Rahl's favourite. She had also been at Darken and Daenerys' wedding, surviving with the few Mord-Sith that were in the People's Palace, and then taking part in repelling the attack and reviving the important people.
- My sisters have already interrogated most of the detainees. A measly ten remain and soon we will know the full story, Lord Rhys.
- How many important witnesses have died? - Aegon-Jon asked.
- Many. Unfortunately, we will not know exactly who helped to smuggle in assassins disguised as common servants of the Northmen, valley folk, Dornish and Spartans. They carried one small crossbow each. Rare and expensive ones at that. For they were prefabricated. You could even hide them under your clothes, so they carried them to the feast. But it's likely that this was Daario Naharis. Alas, we cannot resurrect him.
- And the red servants? - Rhys added.
- They also threw up their hands. And the body was beyond repair. The wildfire that Master Rahl had perfected had done a good job on it. The body was miraculously preserved only because Daario had chopped off his left arm and leg, and used potions made by the Emperor himself for the rest of the body. It's not clear how he had access to those potions, though.
- We'll have to double-check all the nearest candidates for the Dragon Lords for the possibility of betrayal," Miriam added. - Miriam added. - We lost two dragonriders.
- We didn't lose any dragons. - Firestorm waved away. - The new dragonlords will be appointed by Darken Rahl himself. That is a secondary matter. Let's get back to matters that need more attention. And we seem to have forgotten that we're keeping Lady Catelyn here for nothing, don't we? I think we can call it a day.
- But..." Aegon was about to object, but changed his mind under Reese's gaze. - ...all right, that's fine.
- You are free to go, Lady Catelyn. I hope you had nothing to do with this terrible event.
- I am, I assure you.
After Tully left, Qyburn took his leave as well, he had many things to do, including preparing tinctures for the emperor. But as he left, he noticed that Miriam gave a hand signal to Oakris, Rhys, and Aegon, and then they rose silently and followed her.
***
Their journey took them through long corridors and staircases that eventually ended in Darken Rahl's chambers. Only Belvas-Silach stood at his door. Boros was now in Lys on some important assignment. None of the four questioned Boros' loyalty. After all, if Darken wanted something from this giant who had been mistakenly born into a family of humans, he would carry out any order without question or hesitation.
Belvas let them inside and a picture appeared before them that would have surprised many unaware people.
Darken Rahl sat at the head of the bed, embracing the half-naked Ladies Melisandre and Kinvara, beside him sat a disgruntled Lady Alice with a bandaged throat, and on her lap an even less pleased Crown Prince Richard with a patch over his right eye. Against the wall stood two Mord-Sith. One Alishara, well known to them, and the other dressed in a dress more befitting a prostitute. Not many people knew of this Mord-Sith, only those present, yes and also Nissa as the one who had helped train her for Master Ral. To the world, this woman was Manfrey Martell's mistress and mother of his bastard daughter, and to Rahl, a loyal aide in the camp of Dorne.
- You're all here at last.
- Nyssa is missing. - Rhys smiled at him and sat down on the windowsill. - Have all your intended goals been realised?
- Yes and no. - Darken answered evasively. - Most of them, but I couldn't get Stanis's men involved in them, I couldn't put a spell on them. Lady Mellisandra's presence among them was a hindrance. She has a powerful energy, and the artefact is very strong.
- I apologise, Your Majesty. - The red-haired woman apologised.
That made Alice cringe. Rhys had noticed, along with Ocris, that she was clearly jealous of Darken's feelings for this woman. Though that one was just another woman in his bed. Nothing more, nothing less.
- No big deal. Those who have conspired are enough to unleash my plans.
- What of Lady Alice and Prince Richard's wounds? - Miriam asked.
- Well, some here thought they could do their own thing and fell into my trap willy-nilly. So now they are paying for that stupidity so that they will not be allowed to disrupt my plans in the future. All right, you're already a mum, but you're Richard! I expected more from you. - he accusingly threw at his son.
- I'm just a...
- A boy! - shouted Darken. - I can only have one male heir with a magical gift. You have questioned the empire's succession. I told you to stay out of the way, but you still stuck your nose into Daenerys at an unnecessary moment. It seems your removal from me was too disruptive to your young and naive mind.
- What's going on with Dany, by the way? - Aegon asked, trying to save the prince from his father's wrath.
- Worried about your aunt? - Darken asked in a slightly softer tone and rose from the bed. At the same moment the "scars" disappeared like a haze to the eyes of everyone present, - It seems that the fright and mild mental illness has affected her mind more. She is certainly suggestible to me, but distrustful and silent to others. That's even better. Or are you that worried about her?
- No," Aegon shook his head, "I've grown fond of her, but I knew her fate in your plans from the start. She will be of little use to us.
- Very well, my dear apprentice. - Darken smiled and looked at his son, "Learn, my son.
- Snort!
- Let us return to our sheep. - Okris entered the conversation, watching Darken walk round the room with a satisfied look on his face. - What of Westeros? Have you set a date for the invasion?
- It will happen as soon as Dany's dragons are a little older.
- How specific?
- Four months, maybe six months. In that time, I'll have Eddard Stark on the run, and we'll have Arya by then.
- What about Sansa? - Aegon asked.
- What about Sansa? She'll be in Joffrey's hands. The little sadist is quite amusing in his preferences and motivations. Let him break her. And I'll take her and rehabilitate her.
- To Mord-Sith? - Oakris was surprised.
- No, no. - Darken waved his hand. - She'll be just another person, someone I'll need in the North in the future. Or I will find a place for her somewhere else. In fact, Stark girls can be used in many ways. You're only interested in Lord Eddard's life, aren't you, Aegon?
- That is correct. - He saved my life, and I will repay him and save the Starks from the corrupting influence of the late Arryn's "chivalry" and the Tully contagion," Aegon nodded glumly. - He grimaced at the mention of Lady Catelyn. - The Starks are wolves, not blind puppies. It's time this house was restored to its former glory. At the very least, even if it fails to raise Rickon to be a worthy son of my uncle, my uncle is still relatively young and may remarry.
- Heh-heh-heh. You always made a funny face when you remembered her. - Ral remarked and sat down on the edge of the bed. - Soon the real clashes between the sides of the Seven Kingdoms would begin. Lady Melisandre and the other guests from there will have to go back. The performance is not yet over. But it must end.
- What shall I tell my ward? What do you wish him to say in court for your interests?
- I'm preparing his speech. By the way, I must say, you've done a very good job of subduing the "adamant" Martell.
- As you can see, it took a little over a month of time. - The white-clothed Mord-Sith retracted her smile and fiddled slightly. - ''That's understandable, due to the fact that he's your blood Master Rahl.
- Never mind Mika. It doesn't matter anymore. Now, I think it's time to set up the last saved pieces and make your move. In the meantime, take care of your child. I'll need it in the future. - After standing in silence at the window for a moment, he turned to the others and gave one order. - Aegon and Rhys, I trust you can fly your dragons to a remote location and bring me a few rare ingredients?
Darken Rahl.
The Red Wedding has taken place!
Now my hands are free and new variations of moves in Westeros have been revealed to me.
I'll have to hurry things up and move more forces from east to west, but I'd have to do that without the "attempt" anyway. Manfrey has managed to convince the unreliable part of Dorne that I am a danger to them and bring only death and chaos. I also "lost loyal men" on my side. It was the former opposition and aristocrats of the Free Cities that were the last obstacle in my path to absolute power and influence over those cities. Now the young heirs of noble houses and the successors of dead officials in leadership positions against me will not weave intrigues, but will focus on Westeros. In due time I will bring this heresy of democracy to a definitive conclusion.....
It's a pity I had to get rid of Lady Mellaria, she was a good woman, but alas she had become afraid of me lately because of her worries about motherhood, and when she got in touch with Daario Naharis, she started scheming with him against me. They wanted to put my son on the throne and rule the entire empire through him. Mellaria also wanted to make her daughter the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and when the time came, she wanted to marry her off to Richard and, having consolidated her success, to rule in the future on behalf of her grandchildren... Foolish woman, she knew my methods and abilities and still got caught. It's sad, and it's a real loss to me. But I'll have to do without her.
Melisandre, Ser Davos and my mother left Panizharth a week after the wedding, as did most of the guests. The only people left were the Dornish, the Northmen, the River Lords, the Vale, and the survivors of the Red Wedding. I let the Tyrells go.
At noon, in the blazing sun, Manfrey Martell's sentence was read out. He was given the last word.
I sat under balachin surrounded by heavy guards and bandaged with several bandages. As Rhys informed me afterwards, I faked soreness, fatigue and resentment very well. And listened to it all carefully:
- I've been given the last word? Ha! Great! I'm going to say everything I didn't get to say in court. I did it, I broke the laws of hospitality and betrayed my "nephew". Well, the hell with that. I tried to save all the Dornish from that tyrant! But none of my kin listened to me and now I have to die for you... It's ridiculous, because this upstart is going to conquer Westeros and unless we unite we won't be able to fight back. Remember, all kingdoms must arm themselves against Darken Rahl. He's a menace, he's evil!
- What a rousing speech, Lord Manfrey. - I am the one who began to help you avenge Elia Martell, who came to you with gifts and peace, and you accuse me of treachery and lust for power? Nonsense! Well, if that's the way you like to think of it, so be it. There is no point in this conversation. Boros, chop off his head and let it go to the furnace, since he can't use it for its intended purpose.
A few moments later the sentence was carried out. Most of the prisoners on trial were frightened, but did not beg for mercy. I wouldn't execute them here anyway. They will be my hostages. They will play a part in my conquest of Westeros in the future. But not now.The people in the Great Square outside the People's Palace chanted that I was too kind to let Boros only cut off Manfrey's head. And then they began to curse the heads of the prisoners. I stopped them with a gesture and they obeyed.
- Noble men of Dorne, the Vale and the Vale. - I wiped all emotion from my face this time. - You will not die today. But you will probably never go home again. I'll decide your fate after I'm cured. Today, I will be judging another person who, with the same blood in her veins as me, dared to poison the Empress, intending to poison me as well. Moreover, this woman was able to... kill the child that my Empress and your Mother were carrying.....
At these words of mine, which were undoubtedly false, the crowd was ready to kill Nymeria with their bare hands. The only thing that saved her so far was that she couldn't be seen.
After waiting for the crowd to quiet down a bit, I ordered her to be led to the scaffold. She was wearing a translucent, revealing dress that was quite dirty from her time in the dungeon of the People's Palace, her hair greasy with sweat, and her face haggard with light abrasions. Apparently the guards, or Mord-Sith, had gone a little overboard with her stay there. Her hands were chained to her belt, from which ran two lines of chains, one to the collar around her neck, the other to her legs. She could barely move, not because of the pain, but because of the chains.
With one light stroke of the spear shaft against her back, she was forced to kneel before me.
Oberyn, Elaria, Obara and Tiena, and Sarella who stood beside them and her lover Sam Tarly, looked on in tears, they could do nothing. They were clean before me, but against Nymeria was all the evidence. There was no way to protect her. They were forced to watch this unable to leave her here like this.
- Nymeria Sand, you were not my mother's sister, but my father's. And yet you betrayed me, poisoned my consort, and surely wanted to poison me as well. What's more, if I'm used to threats to my own life, then threats to the lives of my loved ones... I'm becoming furious. Worse, you killed my unborn child. Martells! The Martells who scream about how they brutally murdered Princess Elia's young children now have one in their camp... one who disgraces the clan with her mere existence. You're not the only one. Even the legitimate Manfrey Martell was far from perfect. Before I pass judgement on you, you have the last word.
- Master Rahl... I realise that I can no longer count on you as a judge, but may I ask just one thing? - and raised her eyes to me. - My mother is your subject. Her name is Gloria Krazios, a pure-blooded Valyrian who lives in Volantis. She's not involved in anything. Please don't hurt her, at least.
- Lady Krazios is already dead. I had nothing to do with her death. Manfrey's subordinates did. She was one of my staunchest supporters, though few knew it. It's a shame she's dead. But on the other hand, she won't have to see what will happen now.
After saying that, Nyssa approached us.
- Die with honour! - said my Mord-Sith, and put an eigil to her temple.
- Nymeria screamed in pain. A few languid seconds of her screaming and bloody tears began to flow from her eyes, and then from her ears and mouth as well.
Then she collapsed exhaustedly and fell dead to the floor. I stood over her body and noted with the corner of my eye that my sisters had cried and Oberyn had aged ten years in a minute.
- Nyssa.
She understood me without words, silently bent down, and granted her the Breath of Life.
- Huh. - Nymeria inhaled deeply, opening her bloodshot eyes. - Ha... ha...
- Welcome back to the world of the living Nymeria. Unpleasant sensation? It's normal with such mutilation of your body and mind.
- I... I don't... I don't... I don't understand... how kha-kha... No! Why?
- Why did I give you a second chance? - I raised an eyebrow 'in surprise'. - You're my blood. Those were the exact words Sarella stood on yesterday when she begged me to let you live. I couldn't just let the death of my child go unpunished, even by someone who didn't know about the plot. So you have come through this and can now live with honour and serve the House of Rahl. I hope you will make a wonderful bodyguard for me. After all, you're good with poisons and daggers. You are now Nymeria Sandsnake, my vassal and bodyguard. Will you accept this fate?
The crowd fell silent in surprise.
- Why do you trust me with such an honour? After all...
- Because for a true Dornean, as for a Northerner, honour is not an empty place. And after studying you, I realised I would find in you a loyal supporter. Unshackle her.
A moment later, she was on her feet, unsteady, but standing.
- So what's your answer Nymeria?
She dropped to one knee and whispered, her voice failing her:
- Master Rahl leads us. Master Rahl guides us. Master Rahl protects us. In the radiance of your glory is our strength. In thy mercy is our salvation. In thy wisdom is our humility. Our whole life is a service to you. Our whole life belongs to you.
She was followed by my subjects.
I had received what I needed, and now, complaining of fatigue, I retired to my chamber, whence, after half an hour's preparation, I went to another place.
Few people knew of it, only the most loyal of my people.
The lowest level of the palace complex, a hall with a ceiling three metres high, with a radius of twenty metres and dotted with magical signs and pentagrams, and the runes took up a large part of the magical design.
In the centre were two stone tubs that bubbled with stinging blood. It was bubbling with the blood that had been poured there. This had been going on for weeks now. I've been here every day and added one important ingredient each day.
Today, there was one last one left - two dragon eggs. They wouldn't hatch, but here their magical energy came in handy for this much elaborate ritual I had been preparing for several years now.
Placing one in each blood bath, I began to wait. No spell was needed, words were superfluous here. Magic would do everything for me...
After two hours of active reaction to the new ingredient, the blood began to calm down and cool. And after another couple of minutes, two female figures burst out of the baths with a scream and cried from the pain of shock.
I didn't disturb them, just watched sitting on a comfortable chair, sipping wine and monitoring the changes in their bodies with my magical vision. The process of their revitalisation was still in progress... A little more time and they scrambled in different directions and looked at me warily.
- Aunt Elia, Lady Lianna, welcome back to the world of the living. - I smiled good-naturedly at them.