Chapter 55: Ploys and Plots

Standing at the bank of the Weeping Water river, the Dreadfort's high walls and triangular merlons looked like stone teeth ready to devour all who crashed against them. There had been a time when he thought of it as a home, back when his mother would read to him, her silent smile the only thing that warmed the grim keep.

Since Bethany passed nothing of the Dreadfort felt like a home to Domeric, not after seeing Barrowton, the Redfort, Winterfell and even King's Landing. Growing up he had always assumed the coldness that engulfed the Dreadfort was due to it's place in the North, but thought now it had more to do with its lord. Winterfell had felt alive and warm even with Winter approaching, yet riding through its gates he found the Dreadfort as inhospitable as ever.

Walda seemed to enjoy it, though he had noticed on their ride she seemed almost reverent to his father. He imagined it was simply because he had chosen her to wed. Roose could have chosen any but clearly chose Walda because she was the largest of the Frey girls available, meaning he would get the most coin for her.

No doubt she knew this, and yet still smiled as if his father had saved her. It reminded him of how Sam had reacted whenever they were kind to him after his arrival. How awful must the Freys be for a woman to beam as she at in a hall with rows of skeletal human hands jutting from the walls to grasp torches.

"How did you like your time in King's Landing?" Walda asked after he told her how he intended to return after his time squiring for Lord Horton Redfort only to end up heading south as a favor to Lord Stark.

"It was different from any other place I've been," he taking a drink. "Not just the warmth but the people. There's some from every realm in the Seven Kingdoms as well as across the sea."

"And you were close to Lord Stark's bastard?" she asked biting into a tart.

"I was sent to act as his companion." Domeric maintained an even expression as he reached for his mug. "I befriend him and two other southron boys."

With a teasing smile Walda asked, "Any girls?"

Domeric shook his head. "None that mattered."

"What of Sansa Stark?" Roose's question surprised both Domeric and Walda, though only Walda's confusion was clear on her face as they looked to him. "She came to see you off."

Domeric shrugged. "I helped them escape Lannister guards and return north."

"Why?" asked Roose, his tone casual but eyes drilling into Domeric, waiting to read the truth should he lie.

"I was asked to guard them not only by Lord Stark but Jon as well. I'd promised they would be safe in my care, so I fulfilled it and brought them north to their mother."

Roose seemed to find that acceptable, so nodded and looked to his plate. "Then perhaps she'll be glad should we offer to marry her to you."

"What?" asked Domeric.

"It will tie the Starks to us," Roose said holding a skewered piece of meat, "with her bound to you none will be able to question us."

Though confused by his reason Domeric kept quiet knowing he would learn more in time than he would pressing his father for information.

The information came days later as he entered his father's solar and found him sat in chair reading through a small pile of letters, throwing those he finished into the hearth. The sight stole Domeric's momentum, slowing to a stop as he watched his father move to the next letter and begin to read it as Roose asked, "Yes?"

"I came to tell you Steelshanks Walton has arrived."

"He can wait," Roose said with a wave of his hand.

"What are all these?" Domeric asked, walking around the desk to stand before his father, looking at the pile of rolled letters. He saw one had a gauntlet symbol pressed into the wax sealing it.

Roose looked to his son for a moment, watching him eye the pile curiously before his pale gaze rose to Roose and he arched his brow. The Lord of the Dreadfort rose to his feet with a slight smile, tossing another letter into the fire. "Word has spread quickly of the wildlings on the Wall."

"So why do they write to you instead of Robb or Lord Stark?" Domeric asked innocently.

"What would they say? They've already allowed an army of savage men to cross the Wall and live among us."

"Why write to you?" asked Domeric though he suspected he knew.

"Because I've a means to do what none before me could," Roose said meeting his son's gaze, "tear control of the North from House Stark and bring us peace again."

Domeric furrowed his brow, looking dubious as he asked, "How?"

"House Stark is unfocused. They prolong a war they began. They let people suffer under raiders and wildlings while sending our men south. So I sent the Lannisters an offer that serves us both."

"What can we offer them that they would want?" he asked, intentionally including himself with his father, which seemed to relieve some tension in Roose.

"The Starks."

Domeric chuckled. "And how will we do that? They have an army at their command."

"A broken army stretched across two realms."

Domeric crossed his arms and thought it over. "Does that mean the Lannisters will ride north to aide us?"

"Only after they know we've attacked."

"And how will we…" He looked to the letters. "Who else has sided with us? Why would any houses side with us over the Starks?"

Roose seemed almost impressed as he glanced at the pile of letters. "Robett Glover had a family in Deepwood Motte who were missing when he and Galbart went to claim it. Because of Catelyn Stark's war his family was taken along with dozens of others slain by the raiders, not to mention the wives and daughters they raped and ruined.

"I spoke with Rickard Karstark whose son Harrion is still imprisoned after the battle at Duskendale. While the Starks waste their time sending armies to the Wall only to have the wildlings cross anyway, his son suffers in the jaws of lions. He was thankful when I told him I had a means to see his son returned to him the moment the Lannister forces ride north."

Roose flipped over a letter as he concluded, "I've sent men to other houses who all share Karstark's concerns the wildling mass will turn their attention to their lands."

"Even still without the Lannisters I fear we would fail," Domeric said shaking his head. "We might succeed in an attack, but we would be open to retaliation and lose in a war with the Starks before the Lannisters make it through the Riverlands."

"We have allies in the Riverlands," said Roose.

"The Freys?" Domeric shook his head. "The Tullys could still muster enough allies to slow the Lannisters."

Roose picked up another letter, holding the parchment out for Domeric. "We've another ally who could grant the Lannisters passage to the North."

For a moment he wondered if perhaps his father expected the northern lords to work with the Iron Islands, but taking the letter all he needed was to see the seal before he understood. "The Vale. They've decided to join the war."

"And all they ask for their allegiance is we spare the Stark women, which works out for us as once you're wed to Sansa we'll rob the North of another reason to refuse our rule. Our blood will forever be bound to theirs so none can challenge those who follow us."

That changed everything for Domeric. He realized then that his father could win. If he had the support of the Lannisters in the aftermath then all they needed to do was make sure their first attack wiped out anyone important. Even if the Iron Islanders didn't attack again losing the Freys would be a blow in the Riverlands, especially if they lost some of the houses wed to Freys. Stretching the Starks between the Freys and the Northern houses that turned on them would leave them to be eviscerated by the Lannisters and knights of the Vale.

Domeric's face darkened, his lips curving into a smile as he looked to his father. "We can win."

Roose practically smirked, turning to pick up another letter which he handed to Domeric. "And Robb Stark has already told us when we should attack."

Taking the parchment, Domeric chuckled as he read it. "A wedding."

XOXOXOXOXOXO

When Jon's group boarded the ship it was Edric who gave up his chambers beside Jon's to Rosamund so they could brush off the extra guards as being to protect the ship's owner. The Sand Snakes were placed in Podrick's room opposite Thoros while the squires moved into their lords' rooms.

The first day was spent playing into the act of Rosamund being Myrcella, but when the sun set and they returned to their rooms Jon and Tyrion knocked on Rosamund's door and she quickly let them inside while Edric and Podrick relieved the guards. The blonde girl took the chance to hug both men before stepping back with a smile. "Sorry."

"No need," Jon assured. "How are you?"

"Well," she said pressing a hand over the bandage she'd applied to the side of her face. "I've been caring for it as the maesters said."

"No pain? The salt in the air isn't making it worse?"

Rosamund shook her head. "No, I've made sure to keep it covered as much as I could."

"Could you tell us exactly what happened, Rosamund?" Tyrion asked moving to take a seat at the small table in the corner. "How did this all take place?"

"How far back should I begin?" Rosamund asked following Tyrions example and taking a seat across him while Jon stood beside the table.

"When did you switch with Myrcella?" asked Tyrion.

"Right before I left with Ser Arys and Arianne's party, but Myrcella had planned her escape with Sam before that."

"Did they say why?" asked Jon.

Both lords stayed silent as Rosamund told them of Myrcella and Sam's concerns about Dorne before Ser Arys came to Myrcella with Arianne's plan, which she twisted to facilitate her own escape. Tyrion's hand clenched to a fist as she finished and he scoffed. "So this all happened because that idiot wanted to play queenmaker."

Jon ignored his own frustration to ask, "What happened when you rode to Greenblood?"

"Prince Doran's men were waiting for us. Ser Arys, he-he charged them, and the guard captain, Areo Hotah, he cut him down. That was when Gerold Dayne drew his sword and attacked before fleeing."

"Did he say anything?" Jon asked.

"I-I don't know, I don't remember much," she admitted, sheepishly looking to the table, "it was all so much I was overwhelmed and barely paying attention to him when it happened."

"You've no reason to blame yourself or be ashamed," Jon assured, reaching out to squeeze her arm. "I know it may seem impossible, but you can find pride in this. Though it's left its mark you've survived all this and have proof no one can deny. How many lords have such scars? How many knights?"

Rosamund sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, My Lord."

"Jon," he said with a smile.

Tyrion looked on proudly as the girl quickly nodded. "I assume you returned to Sunspear then?" He asked, pulling their attention to him. "Obviously you didn't tell them the truth."

"I couldn't," said Rosamund. "If they knew I wasn't Myrcella they surely would have killed me to silence me. Being Myrcella was all I had keeping me alive."

"You may have to continue being her for some time," Tyrion said with a sympathetic frown.

"I can manage," Rosamund assured, sitting up a bit straighter. "It's been months since they last saw us and even then we fooled everyone."

"Then we'll leave you to rest," Tyrion said sliding off his chair.

Jon seemed to hesitate before he said, "I still have some questions." Looking to Tyrion he said, "You go ahead. I won't be too long."

Tyrion chuckled, not begrudging Jon his curiosity, so left without a word. Once they were alone Jon moved to take Tyrion's seat. With a smirk Rosamund asked, "Are you going to ask about Myrcella?"

Jon snickered. "Some, but I also want to know about the Martells themselves. Clearly I opened relations between us poorly so I'd like to have a better idea of what they're like."

"Of course."

"Let's start with the three joining our voyage."

"I don't know much of them to be honest," she answered regretfully.

"They weren't in Arianne's party?" When she shook her head Jon felt some relief. "Then Arianne."

"She seemed nice most of the time, but Myrcella thought she treated her like a fool," said Rosamund. "More than once Myrcella said she felt they saw her as a glass doll to play with."

"Beyond that?"

Rosamund shrugged. "It's hard to say. She was smart but fun. Some said she was wanton, but I only knew she had laid with Ser Arys because Myrcella told me he admitted it to her. She was flirtatious at times, but it seemed all in Dorne were."

"And Prince Doran?"

"He was always kind to us, but I only spoke with him a time or two."

Nodding, Jon asked, "What about prince Quentyn? Was he truly not there?"

"We'd never met him. He was gone since before out arrival."

"Which leaves Trystane," said Jon.

"He was kind and thoughtful," Rosamund said with sympathetic smile. "He likes cyvasse but never got upset when Myrcella or I beat him, which was more often than not."

"How did he treat Myrcella?" He then added with a laugh, "Or you."

"Kindly," she said before her smile faded.

"What?" Jon felt his stomach flip as he asked, "Did he do something to you or her?"

Seeing embers of anger in Jon, Rosamund quickly shook her head. "No, no! Nothing like that. It's just… sometimes he would sneak a kiss."

Letting out a breath, Jon nodded. "Ah."

Snickering, Rosamund mused, "I actually kissed him before Myrcella."

His stomach suddenly in a knot again, Jon nodded despite wishing he'd never bothered to ask while simultaneously wanting to know every detail. It was frustrating, so Jon ignored it to say, "At least he treated you well."

Rosamund could see he was trying to hide his displeasure and felt a bit bad for him after he'd been nothing but kind to her. "She missed you." When he looked to her she saw a smile briefly touch his lips. "She never told anyone else, not even Sam, but she thought of you often. Even after hearing you'd killed Stannis she smiled nearly two whole days because you had become a lord. When we heard you defeated the Mountain she was elated. I think her greatest joy in Dorne was when ravens came with news of you."

Though clearly enjoying learning all this, Jon found his smile fading as he said, "I should have written her more."

"She understood," Rosamund assured. "Everything happened so quickly, and with your place in court being so unsteady… she thought it best since it might make everything easier."

"I thought the same," Jon admitted with a laugh. "Whenever I thought to write her I would tell myself she was busy being courted. It seemed better to let her enjoy her new life away from King's Landing then try to keep her bound to it for my sake." With a sigh he rose from his seat. "Thank you for sharing all this. I'll let you rest. If you need anything at all ask. Not just while you're aboard this ship."

Rosamund watched him start to leave, taking a moment to make herself ask, "Do you think it'll be different?"

Stopping to turn to her Jon asked, "Will what be different?"

"You and Myrcella. You're a lord now with your own keep, not to mention your ties to the North. Will she have to go back there… or are you-" She sighed, then asked simply, "Will things be different?"

Jon frowned and shook his head. "I won't let them send you back there if you don't want to go. If anything Myrcella Baratheon will be 'kidnapped' by vagabonds and taken somewhere safe."

Rosamund giggled, relieved by his assurances, "And if she returns?"

"I'll help you get wherever you need to go to feel safe," he said with a shrug. "I'll send you to the North if that's where you'd feel most protected."

Jon left her room and returned to his own to rest and think, which seemed to hinder his rest. He tried to consider how to handle everything, how to keep Rosamund and Myrcella safe, but Westeros felt like a mess. It was part of the reason he wanted to focus on his aunt first. If he returned to Westeros with four dragons and the threat of a Dothraki horde across the narrow sea waiting to be unleashed on them there was a chance he could avoid half the destruction that would come from him marching south with Bloodwing and the armies of the North behind him.

There was also the other Lannisters to consider beyond Myrcella, Tommen and Rosamund. As much as he hated Cersei she was still Myrcella's mother. Not long ago he'd dreamt of killing her but as he thought on it he wanted to find another way. He could have her stripped of any power and sent to live the rest of her life in Casterly Rock if not someplace far from anyone she could manipulate. If he did she would be cut off from making things worse as she did in King's Landing but would also still be alive for Myrcella and Tommen.

Yet people would still want her death. He would still want her death if he didn't think it might upset Myrcella and deprive her of something Jon wished he could have, even if she was cruel. He would fool himself to think he could break Cersei and make her change if there was a chance she could be a decent mother.

Jaime was the more complex one for Jon as he had his own relationship with Jaime to consider. He had been a friend and mentor at times, even an inspirational figure, but had also hurt his younger brother and attacked his uncle. He was Myrcella's father and a kingsguard but was also Cersei's lover and had fought in her war with the Starks.

Over the following days he did his best to go about things normally. Once they rounded the Broken Arm Jon's ships made their way to Ghost Hill where Nymella Toland hosted him and his party for a day. As they sat in their halls feasting Tyrion found great joy in Jon's sheepish smiles whenever Nymella's eldest daughter Valena flirted with him, making no effort to hide her interest in him.

If things had been different Jon might have accepted the offer to escort her to her room. Valena was a tall girl with a fierce beauty he admired as much as the bright red hair tumbling about her shoulders. Jon would be lucky to bed her, to have her wash away the memories of his time with Jynessa, but he couldn't. He found himself glancing to Rosamund apologetically as she seemed to pout whenever she noticed Valena brush his hand or offer him a taste of her meal straight off her fork.

When Jon left his chambers the next morning to prepare for their return to the ships he sent Edric off while he took the chance to walk the chalk white walls of Ghost Hill on his own. Rounding a tower his gaze shifted from the blue Sea of Dorne to the Sand Snakes stood on the ramparts quietly conversing with one another. Just as he was about to turn Nymeria noticed him, causing the others to stop and look at him, all but forcing him to approach.

"Good morning, ladies," Jon said with a bow of his head.

"My lord," Tyene and Nymeria said while Obara eyed him.

"Will we be stopping at Greenstone next?" Obara asked sarcastically.

"The Stepstones more like," Jon answered.

"So it's true then," Nymeria said crossing her arms. "You mean to take them and crown yourself king of the Narrow Sea."

"You delay our arrival for lunacy," Obara said shaking her head. "Three ships won't win you the Stepstones."

"No, I don't imagine it will," Jon said with a smile.

"Then why waste our time?"

Jon's smile lingered before he asked, "Were you three involved in Arianne's plot with Myrcella?"

The Sand Snakes tensed. Jon noticed Nymeria's hands tug at her skirt, surely preparing to raise it and draw the daggers stashed beneath it. Tyene's hands moved toward her hip where she no doubt had a vial of some poison prepared while Obara simply clenched her hands and glared at him. Their tension broke slightly when he chuckled.

"I know you weren't involved."

"And how would you know that?" asked Obara.

"Because Myrcella doesn't know you." His answer surprised them. "She did know the clever, flirtatious Arianne quite well however. So I suppose the question is… should I be insulted she made no attempt at me, or was she mute during our meeting because it was her failed ploy which cost Myrcella her ear?"

"What would it matter?" asked Nymeria as the Sand Snakes eyed him curiously.

"Because I want to believe House Martell aren't just desert Lannisters," Jon said to the sisters' surprise. "I want to believe the Martells would know better than to blame children for the crimes of their parents, or have they forgotten the namesake of the ship we sail?"

The mention of Rhaenys seemed to deflate the girls' anger. As they looked to one another it was Tyene who asked, "Why do you care about House Martell?"

For a moment Jon was tempted to tell them the truth, even some small piece of it, but couldn't trust them with that yet. Not when he saw their distrust of him so clearly. The few moments he thought he saw one start to crack another would speak or glance at them and he would see them shut down. He knew he would never convince them to trust them, not while they were together, so simply smiled at Tyene's question and gave the sisters a nod before he walked past them.

Though he hoped his words had planted seeds of trust in them, Jon suspected only their father could foster that trust. Jon would need to earn it and the easiest way would be through Oberyn. While he'd decided he wouldn't go out of his way to ignore them, he also wouldn't strain to ingratiate with them either. There was only one he thought he could edge toward his side, but he knew the others would be impossible.

Tyene seemed simple only to a fool, and Nymeria was difficult for him to place beyond her curt, courtly manner, but he could earn some trust with Obara during their journey. She was clearly stubborn but she was also a warrior.

It took him until he had completely circling the ramparts to craft his plan. He was about to return to the guest quarters when he saw Podrick practically leading a groggy Tyrion in the same direction. Walking up to the short lord's side Jon said as loud as he could, "Long night?"

Tyrion leapt and spun to Jon, clutching his chest. "Gods. Are you mad?"

"More curious," Jon said with a smirk.

"It's my last day on solid ground for weeks before I'll be surrounded only by men, my niece and three women who are like to kill me. Is it so wrong for me to take time to enjoy myself?"

"Not at all, but I've need of you."

Tyrion sobered and nodded. "What is it?"

Jon pulled his coin purse from his belt and handed it to Tyrion. "I need you to buy blunt swords before we depart. Check with the blacksmith and master-at-arms. Hells, take broom sticks if you have to. Anything close enough for men to train with."

"You plan on training the crew?" Tyrion asked pocketing the purse.

"I plan on charming a snake," Jon said grinning as he made his way to the keep.

Tyrion came aboard while Podrick pulled a cart filled with blunted steel and wooden swords which Jon kept in his chambers for the first night. A day after they left Ghost Hill Jon had Thoros take the cart on deck while Edric had the captain gather every available crewman. Once he was alone in his quarters, Jon locked Dark Sister in a large chest with the coin they brought.

It took minutes for the deck to fill with confused crewmen, including the Sand Snakes who stood not far from where Rosamund sat with Podrick and Tyrion. There was a low murmur of questions that went quiet when they heard the jingling of their lord approaching and those on deck turned to watch Jon Snow step onto the deck having donned his armor. He had tied a crimson sash around his waist with his ringing brooch through the knot and sword belt over it holding one of his White Fang swords.

The crew looked to one another in confusion as Jon came to a stop and raised his visor. "In time our destination will be the Stepstones, but over the next few days we will be sailing past them, which means there is a chance pirates will attempt to board us," Jon said as loud as he could without killing his throat. "Every day we are at sea I will come to deck and train with any who want to learn or keep their skills as sharp as their blades! I will not accept any of my men dying to a fucking pirate!"

That earned a cheer from most of the men, including a chuckling Thoros. Jon had those who wanted to learn split off into groups and spar with one another using the blunt swords Tyrion bought. Occasionally Jon would step in to show someone a technique but it wasn't until he'd spent time with each group that he stepped to the side and asked Thoros to spar with him.

His reputation was enough that it didn't take long for the crew to stop so they could watch the man who slew the Mountain. After taking one of the blunted swords himself, Jon pulled his buckler from over his sheathed sword and tapped it to signal he was ready. Thoros spun his sword before charging with a roar. Jon swiftly stepped to the side, jingling as he let his sword dig into the red priest's side before yanking it forward in a vicious slash. He jingled again as he spun on his heel, pressing the tip of his sword against the back of Thoros' neck and giving an almost mocking slash across the air beside it to cement his victory.

Beneath his visor Jon's gaze fell on Obara, her brow knit as she watched Jon step back for another round. Eventually Thoros moved on and another took his place. Some would land strikes on him, but Jon landed more than he got. After each match he would look to Obara, seeing the Sand Snake's interest clear on her face.

It was two days before he helped the man he bested back to his feet and found Obara stood before him holding a wooden staff with bundle at the end mimicking the balance of a spear. Beneath his visor Jon wore a victorious smile while asking, "Lady Obara, would you like to join us?"

Raising her round shield of steel and copper Obara spun her spear, aiming it's round end at Jon. His sword had barely left the buckler to signal their start when she dashed forward, thrusting at him. He laughed as he kept his sword tip against the buckler, raising it to deflect the strike as he stepped forward, letting it thrust pas his shoulder as his sword ran along the haft of her spear to slice at her wrist before turning to aim the tip at her throat.

With a growl and barely half a step backward she yanked the spear back, thrusting at him again, but Jon deftly dodged each thrust, twice using his buckler to knock the blunt spearhead aside. Eventually she dashed to her right then turned and leapt, twisting the spear to thrust down at Jon. He stepped aside thrusting his buckler into her shield to press it against her chest as his sword slashed at her exposed wrist.

"You would do well to wear proper armor in a real fight, my lady," Jon said as he stepped back.

"I prefer to keep my speed," she said swinging her spear at him, which he avoided by leaping back.

"Yet here I am easily dodging you in my armor," Jon noted, letting her swing and thrust at him. "You're swift but even in armor I outpace you. You're strong but you don't use it well outside of wielding a shield and spear. You've the strength to keep your speed in at least a decent armor should you try. I'll even buy it for you if you would promise to wear it when facing true steel."

Obara scoffed. "What? You tired of girls and decided to try your prick against a woman?"

Jon felt a flicker of annoyance he swiftly quenched by slashing at her, which she easily deflected. She had pulled her spear close and thrust it forward, swinging it as he dodged to slam the haft into his side. Before he could grab it she had yanked it back to her hand and thrust at him again, but this time he dropped to his knees, leaving her wide eyes as he thrust his buckler into the deck to force himself back up under it, his sword slipping past her shield to slash across the length of her torso.

Back on his feet he turned to her saying, "If you can best me more often then not before we arrive at King's Landing I'll tell you why I was really in Sunspear without your uncle knowing. If I win you use the armor I buy you."

She looked to him in confusion but then nodded in silent agreement before backing away to begin a new round. Each morning she was there to spar with him, sometimes waiting to be the last he faced so he would be drained but still he pushed through to gain at least two strikes for each she landed on him. Within a sennight Nymeria joined them, using a pair of blunted daggers to face him while Tyene watched alongside Rosamund and Tyrion.

They passed Cape Wrath with only a single incident where they saw a ship on the horizon without its sail raised, no doubt a pirate waiting to find its prey. Though part of him wished it had come for them to test their steel he wouldn't provoke them with Rosamund on board.

Jon made sure to keep up his duties training Edric and Podrick. At night Jon often sat on the deck, letting the cool air rush over him as it did in his dragon dreams.

After what felt like months of uneasy sleep Jon found he woke feeling well rested the night he dreamt of laying beside a tree with his head in Myrcella's lap as she gently ran her fingers through his hair, at times scratching his scalp and jaw. He would be hard pressed to think of something that felt better than he had before she fell asleep beside him and he eventually woke to the swaying sea. They were certainly more enjoyable than his dreams of stalking through the woods and eating hares. It felt less like he was losing himself and more soothing.

It was the third week when they finally sailed past Dragonstone, Jon looking to the grim island keep as they entered the Blackwater Bay.

Standing on deck Jon looked to King's Landing as emerald flames and screams flashed in his mind which he quickly shook away. Tyrion wore a frown as he came to stand beside him, looking through the railing to the growing city.

"Even knowing it unlikely I could avoid my siblings forever I'd at least hoped I would go longer before returning."

"Sorry," Jon said as Tyrion chuckled and shook his head.

"It's best for her," Tyrion said waving a hand dismissively. "I can deal with Cersei and Jaime. The question is what will you do?" Seeing Jon's questioning look, Tyrion said, "Oberyn is jailed for a crime we all but know him innocent of. We return a false daughter to a madwoman. For all I know you intend to tell her the truth of what happened in Dorne and demand to kill Oberyn yourself in exchange for the hand of the mummer's lion we return to her, or you may well step in as his champion and tell the Queen mother Myrcella roams the wild with a wolf and a fat squire."

Jon chuckled. "I'm not so anarchic… am I?"

"I jest, my lord," said Tyrion. His smile faded as he returned his gaze to King's Landing. "Where do you think Myrcella is?"

Looking to the Kingswood Jon answered, "I'm sure she's safe."


AN:

I'm sure some will have problems with the Karstarks and Glovers turning, but I think there's enough reason in their anger over their family situations, fear of wildlings, frustrations with the war and the prospect of raising their status in the north once the Boltons take over, especially knowing he has the Vale and Lannisters on his side. Plus it furthers some plots and sets up others.

Part of the inspiration for Jon getting the bells is Gan Ning, a chinese military general who was originally a pirate. I'm a Dynasty Warriors fan and while Gan Ning was never one of my favs I thought it an interesting aspect I could use.

Apparently the scene breaks I use on have been deleted for the past few chapter so I used the old one here.

Next Chapter: Jaime grows frustrated with Cersei's seemingly erratic behavior and his duties to Tommen before Jon's ships arrive. Jon quickly makes his influence felt before supper with the Lannisters, a meeting talk with the Sand Snakes and a sparring match.