Dragons and Thrones: Final War – The Dragon Queen Rises
Chapter 6 of my crossover story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Jaime
To say things were tense in King's Landing would be an understatement. Especially for Jaime Lannister, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He faced a difficult time, however, he still had some success, it was trying to maintain and capitalize on that success that was proving most difficult now.
'I just hope my letter arrives in Dorne in time...I don't care if they hold her trial and deal with her or send her here for it...just so long as she faces justice.' He reflected. 'It is the matter of Tyrion's trial that I care about.'
The she he had been thinking of was the Magical Advisor, Vivienne De Fer. His brother Tyrion had been framed by Vivienne; with more than willing help from their sister Cersei, with killing the former High Septon.
However Jaime had unearthed evidence that showed Vivienne was the actual killer. Vivienne was currently in Dorne, spying on Princess Myrcella, looking for any chance to end Myrcella's upcoming marriage into the Martell family, simply for Cersei's own selfish reasons.
Jaime shook his head at that. 'Of course being familiar with the more brutal game Orlesians play with politics, Vivienne thought she was untouchable and decided to ensure Cersei got what she wanted, just to increase her own power. Well that stops here and now.'
He had uncovered the evidence, revealed it to both the Small Council and the Royal Court and sent word to Dorne, he just prayed that this would spell the end of that woman, before she did any more damage.
He wasn't alone in the room as he mused on this however, Brienne was with him too.
"Jaime, what...what should we do now?" She queried. "Everything we've found, it..."
He nodded. "I know. We have all the evidence, we also have the witnesses that can prove Tyrion's innocence. But Cersei just won't leave well enough alone. We have to protect them."
Brienne nodded. "From what I recall, not just them."
"Yes, there are others too; who can raise reasonable doubt in Her Grace's trial." Jamie confirmed.
He was referring to Queen Margaery Tyrell; wide of his 'nephew' King Tommen. She was currently imprisoned by the Faith on false charges of adultery and treason, the latter coming from something as simple and obvious as a piece of Red Lyrium, the main weapon of their real enemy Corypheus, being found in her room.
'Anyone could have placed it there; but Cersei takes it for truth...maybe she placed it there, or had someone do it.' He reflected bitterly.
In the end, Jaime had to leave, he had an appointment to keep. But Brienne reassured him, she would take charge of the protection details. So it was, Jaime was able to go to his upcoming meeting with the High Sparrow, with a clear mind.
Entering the Sept he found the old man waiting for him. Jaime suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. He was getting tired of the High Sparrow's overbearing, high and mighty attitude. The man seemed to take issue with everything, when he was failing to do his duties properly. Then there were the rumours he had been hearing, rumours which made things even more troubling.
"So, you finally decided to show up." The old man greeted him.
Jaime shook his head. "I had duties to attend to, High Holiness, I know that may seem a foreign concept to you."
Visibly bristling the High Sparrow shot back. "I am well aware of my duties..."
"Then I suggest you start carrying them out." Jaime replied; cutting off the old man before he could reply. "All of them."
Shaking his head, the High Sparrow seemed to decide to get to the point.
"I am well aware of your...game, Jaime Lannister." He remarked, his tone darkening. "You would be wise to stop interfering in matters that do not concern you. It will cause you nothing but trouble."
Aware of what he was talking about, Jaime replied. "Oh, but Her Grace's trial does concern me, especially when it is founded on such...flimsy evidence."
The High Sparrow glared; looking around ready to start yelling; but Jaime didn't care.
He came here, expecting a reasonable discourse, but apparently not.
"Since you have offered me a kind warning, I offer you the same. You shouldn't be interfering in matters that don't concern you." He explained calmly. "I've heard of the way your treat people; especially those who follow different religions. So, just because they disagree with you..."
The High Sparrow spat. "They follow false gods, ours is the true faith and..."
"Anyone can claim their religion is the true faith. The truth is, there is no proof, and persecuting those who do not follow your faith...only spells disaster for it, not more converts." Jaime shot back. "You should be careful, did you think I would not hear of this. I cannot leave the castle without people swarming to me with their tales, their pleas...Do not forget that I am still the Hero of King's Landing and Basalit-an."
Jaime saw how the man paused at that; he hated having to bring those titles up, but if it gave him an edge in this argument, he would use them.
Both titles he had earned during the Qunari attack on the city at the very end of the previous year, after he had slain the Arishok in single combat. This gave him an advantage in winning the people's hearts.
Shaking his head, the High Sparrow calmly and cryptically replied. "No matter what foolishness you believe, Jaime Lannister, the Faith will prevail."
With that the High Sparrow turned and stalked out, ready to begin his 'preaching'.
Jaime shook his head, another fruitless conversation, he was going to have to do something and soon.
"Cousin."
He turned to see Lancel standing there.
Startled Jaime spoke. "I thought you were going to the front lines again…?"
Lancel nodded. "I am, but before I go, I need to talk to you, about His Holiness...And show you something."
Confused and a little worried, Jaime nodded and followed Lancel as they began making their way down to the ancient cells beneath the Grand Sept.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Lancel shook his head. "I will explain all soon. You were right about His Holiness. I looked and I saw, I recalled your words, he's engaging in such, unethical policies under a veil of religious fervour."
Jaime rolled his eyes. "I prefer the term fanaticism."
"It's not just Her Grace being kept in these dungeons, but any Qunari converts he manages to get his hands on too." Lancel explained sadly. "Worse than that...you are absolutely positive, that was His Holiness you were speaking to?"
That stopped Jaime cold.
"What do you mean?"
"You are certain it was him?" Lancel asked again.
Nodding Jaime replied. "Of course."
Lancel then, wordlessly, opened a nearby cell, far out of the way of anyone's attention. He then stepped inside, motioning for Jaime to follow. Doing so, Jaime froze at what he saw inside.
Inside the cell was a corpse, it had clearly been there for some time, decaying, especially going by the smell. Despite the decay however, there was no denying who it was.
"This is...His Holiness?"
Lancel nodded. "You see it too, yet we just saw him, up above, you even spoke to him."
Jaime examined the body gingerly and grimaced. "This is no mere disguise; something...terrible is going on here."
"What are you thinking?"
"This is quite a Demon from the Fade...from Thedas." Jaime replied. "I know of a Templar in the city, named Keran...I'll talk to him about it, he might be able to shed some light on what is happening."
Lancel nodded and then spoke again. "That's not all; there's something else, something...that has a more human source."
With that he gestured for Jaime to follow and he did so, reaching the sepulchre, beneath the Sept.
"Gods, this is all…?" Jaime gasped upon seeing what was stored in here.
Lancel nodded. "I think we both know who is behind this?"
Jaime nodded. "Yes, most certainly. This goes too far. I'll have someone take care of this right away Lancel, don't worry...I know just what to do with this."
Nodding Lancel and Jaime left, both of them aware that things just got more complicated.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
Well, the plot thickens, issues with the High Sparrow may be more complicated than they appear, and, well, it should be obvious what Jaime and Lancel have just found at the end there :)