Dragons and Thrones: Rising Tensions – Healing the Breach
Chapter 49 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.
Varric
Varric sighed as he parted ways with Cullen; things had just taken a sudden and surprising turn.
'Typical huh? I get here by ship, only to find I now need to leave to another part of this land...again by ship.' He thought to himself. 'Hmmm, I've heard a lot about these Ironborn...So, now I need to think about how to approach them?'
He pondered for a while as he made his way back to where his ship was docked, the people manning it waiting for him.
"Where to now, Master Tethras?" One of them asked.
He shook his head. "We need to head to the Iron Islands, over there...But it's not going to be easy; there's trouble there that we'll need to resolve. But we also need to figure out how to approach them."
As the crew began preparing the boat for departure, Varric paced the deck, continuing to ponder; trying to think up a way to approach the Iron Islanders, especially if this Venatori agent Macrinus was truly there and trying to corrupt those in charge.
He sighed. 'No doubt he intends to use them to attack the other places here, to cause more chaos and war. I can't let that happen, there's already enough, already too much.'
Unable to think he made his way below deck; his gaze fell upon the hold and he stopped, suddenly remembering what he had brought with him, should the need ever arise. He grinned, he now had the perfect means to approach the Iron Islanders.
Varric stood on the deck, grinning as his ship came in to dock; they had already attracted attention; a good number of people were standing nearby, watching the ship warily.
'Well, quite a welcome.' He noted as finally they were docked.
He disembarked, drawing even more surprise from the crowd.
"Hold there!" One of the men, heavily armed Varric noted, demanded. "What's your business here...Dwarf?"
Varric nodded. "That's right; as for my business, I'm here to discuss...trade, with the people who rule here."
There were mutters at that and some glares. Varric kept his cool however, he knew what he was doing, better to bait in small doses than reveal his whole hand.
"We have no need for your trade, Dwarf, we don't trade. We take what we want and I hardly doubt we need whatever you are offering, you foreigners from those other lands give us nothing worthwhile, what need have we of fancy clothes or worthless foods and such, we can get plenty of our own and none of that woman's drink, wine, either."
Varric smirked; he was already off to a good start, he had verified exactly what he had heard about the Iron Islanders, now for the next step.
He smiled and set out his next bit of bait.
"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm not bringing anything like that." He said nonchalantly. "I'm brought...weapons to trade. Specifically with those who rule here."
That brought a ripple through the crowd; more whispers, this time curious expressions on their faces.
Finally another spoke. "Weapons are more interesting, but, trade, we do not trade or anything like that. We have our own price, the Iron price, we..."
Varric waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, I heard. Well, good luck then, getting this weapon, try to take it and there won't be any of you left. That's why I left it on the ship...Wouldn't want you and your...Island to disappear."
He grinned when he saw the shock and worry cross their faces, as well as more whispers.
"Now, like I said; I will talk about trading with you for these...but, only with those who rule here." He reiterated.
Finally, another man, older than the rest stepped forwards. "This new weapon sounds...dangerous, but...Interesting. We're willing to talk, come, this way."
Varric smiled and agreed and followed the man up, aware of the attention he continued to draw.
He continued to carefully think, although truthfully he was making up his plan as he went along, he soon found himself in a tower room, lit by a fireplace. Only three other people were in the room. One was a middle-aged man with greying hair that Varric guessed was the infamous Balon Greyjoy.
With him was a young woman, she was currently the only one facing him and raised an eyebrow at his presence. The third figure was a man with dark hair and eyes, as well as a matching beard, clad in dark clothing with hooded robes, the hood coming to a point as was typical in the style of Tevinter.
Varric observed him carefully. 'That's him, the Venatori agent, Macrinus, it must be him.'
Finally the older man turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "Who is this?"
The man escorting Varric spoke quickly. "A Dwarf from Thedas, my Lord, he..."
Varric stepped forwards, bowing slightly. "Varric Tethras, Lord…?"
"Balon Greyjoy, this is my daughter, Asha." The man replied, gesturing to the young woman.
"A pleasure." Varric said before continuing. "My Lord, I am here to offer you a deal on some...special weapons. These aren't weapons you'll find just anywhere and trust, your best option is to...curb your usual instincts when it comes to 'taking things' unless you want to incur very, very heavy losses."
Macrinus glared; clearly Varric's simple plan was already upsetting him.
'But why would we...unless he has plans involving Lyrium. No, surely not…?' He wondered.
He'd have to be careful, it was currently going to be just his word against Macrinus.
He knew he'd need some sort of proof, to show that Macrinus is up to something.
"What are these weapons you speak of?" Balon queried, sitting down, observing Varric with narrowed eyes.
Macrinus stepped forwards. "My Lord, I hardly think..."
Balon glared at him. "Silence Macrinus; we will hear what he has to say."
So Varric began to explain his plans; he had brought with him shipments of Lyrium, he explained the weapons he had in mind with the Lyrium, as well as warning Balon of its dangers and such. Balon then interrupted him and revealed to Varric that Macrinus was indeed up to something, without realizing it.
"I am already aware of Lyrium, Master Tethras, and it's dangers...Especially since I've also been hearing rumours of another type of Lyrium, far more dangerous." He remarked. "How do I know that you are not trying to trick me with that more dangerous type of Lyrium...Red Lyrium?"
Varric tensed, suddenly Macrinus' game became clear. He was trying to deceive Balon, while likely planning to put the Red Lyrium to use himself, to corrupt Balon and make his plan work.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
