The Keeper
Chapter 46 – Soul Keeper
Brienne continued to stare at Moqorro, confused and discomforted by his words. How could she, an ordinary knight, hold the balance between life and death? That power belonged to kings and military commanders, not to sworn swords, even if that sword was the Gods' warrior. Griff and Jaime commanded men and armies, were able to change the fates of thousands with their orders. The only power she possessed was the ability to wield a sword, use it to protect and defend those she loved. How could that strength change the balance of the world?
Her disturbing thoughts were interrupted by knocking. She looked past Moqorro to see a guard open the door to a young man, little more than a boy. The servant bowed deeply but remained in the hall, unable to keep from raising his head to sneak frightened peeks at the dragons.
"Forgive me, your Grace." The boy bowed again, his voice high and nervous. "My Lords, my Ladies."
He remained in the deep bow as everyone, including the dragons, stared at him. The boy began to shake visibly. The guards behind him grimaced and shifted away, their hands behind their backs. Brienne hugged Serdun close to her. The green dragon, stoic as usual, tolerated her cuddling with its normal aplomb. Podrick put his hand on Gallan's back, keeping hold on the dragon seated closest to the door.
"Do you have a message for us?" Griff half-rose to pull Catren and Ardayn closer to him, disturbing the parchments on the table in the process.
The crinkling papers made the boy jerk nervously. He shifted his attention away from Gallan to Catren and Ardayn. He nodded but didn't speak, still bent in a deep bow. Bronn, still irritated from his previous exchange with Moqorro, glared at the frightened, shivering servant. He pointed Fortune at the hapless child.
"Well?" the knight demanded. "Are you going to tell us or should we just guess? Maybe you'd like to put on a little play for us?"
The boy straightened quickly, color flushing his face. The dragons, unlike Bronn, were calm and watched the servant with only polite interest. The servant looked from the angry knight to the relaxed dragons, as if not knowing which threat was greater.
"Bronn!" Tyrion hissed.
Bronn put his sword down at his side, which seemed to calm the young servant. Moqorro, closest to the door, nodded, which also seemed to help the frightened boy. He took a deep breath and gathered himself, but still remained outside the chamber door.
"Speak, child," Tanda said, her voice strong and bracing. "As you see, the dragons are well-mannered. They won't hurt you. We'll manage Ser Bronn, if necessary."
"I can't be managed." Bronn glared at the Lady of Stokeworth. "I'm a knight."
"You're a fool, Ser Bronn, if you think knighthood frees a man from the restraints of society." Tanda met his glare with her own direct, narrowed gaze. "Especially when that man wants the acceptance of society. Odd, you didn't strike me as stupid when we met before."
Bronn's eyes widened at Tanda's cool retort. The knight sat up in his seat and cleared his throat. Tanda smiled coolly while Tyrion, seated next to her, massaged his forehead as if it pained him. Griff, seated at the head of the table, watched them impassively, as if taking measure of Lady of Stokeworth. He looked back at the young servant.
"What news do you bring?" Griff asked the boy.
"Two armies have arrived, your Grace." The young servant spoke in a rush, as if eager to say what needed to be said.
"Two?" Griff repeated with a frown.
"Two?" Tyrion also frowned but it was directed at Griff. "Meaning you were expecting an army but not two?"
Griff ignored the Hand to focus on the servant. The boy had managed to control his shivers now that he'd seen the dragons – and Bronn – remain controlled and calm.
"What are their banners?" Jaime demanded.
"One thousand men arrived by land. The carry the banner of a roaring golden lion on a field of crimson," the boy reported.
"The rest of the Westerlands forces," Jaime murmured. "from the further castles and keeps. I'll take command of them."
"What is the banner of the other army?" Tyrion asked.
"Three ships have docked in Blackwater Bay," the boy answered. "They raised banners of solid gold."
Tyrion looked at Griff, his eyes narrowed. "The Golden Company has arrived."
"No, just some of my men," Griff corrected. "Most of the Golden Company is still in Essos."
"We just survived our first battle with the Army of the Dead and your concern is still on taking over Westeros?" Jaime demanded. "We need men to fight the dead, not focus on putting a crown on your head."
Griff's indigo eyes darkened until they were nearly black. The air around him crackled with fury but his expression remained calm. The dragons stiffened, sensing their father's anger, but they displayed the same control he did. They turned their heads to look from Griff to Jaime then back again, quiet but alert.
"My men are trying to identify all the damage done by Cersei and your sons' disastrous reigns," Griff explained with icy calm. "Their selfish and stupid decisions have crippled the Riverlands and the Reach, alienated the North and the Vale, bankrupted the kingdom and put all of Westeros on the brink of starvation. Your sister and your sons, and even you, chose to host banquets and wage wars while innocent people died for your hubris. Someone has to address this mess since the Lannisters cannot."
Jaime's face flushed and his mouth dropped open. He took a deep breath and looked over at his brother. Tyrion's face also flushed and he looked down at the table. Griff continued to study the brothers, his expression controlled and rigid. Tanda, seated beside Tyrion, turned back to the young servant.
"Is that all, child?" she asked. "Do you have more to report?"
"No, my Lady." The boy bowed again and took a small step back, clearly eager to get away from the dangerous dragons – all six of them.
Tanda nodded. "You are dismissed."
The boy nodded again and turned so fast his boots squeaked on the polished marble. The guard quickly shut the door, equally eager to put distance between himself and the dragons. Bronn, seated next to Jaime, looked over at the Lord Commander and sighed.
Brienne also looked at Jaime. Sadness welled up inside her at seeing his miserable expression. She knew he was hurting but couldn't sympathize with him. Jaime might be sorry for his actions, now that he saw how destructive they'd been, but it didn't change what happened. He had done Cersei's bidding, had stood by while his sons mismanaged their rule and allowed innocents to suffer because he didn't want to stand against his family.
Actions had consequences. The lions had brutalized Westeros until someone stood against them. Once challenged, House Lannister had fallen, destroyed by their own actions, with no allies to stand with them. Jon and Sansa had rebuilt House Stark and reclaimed Winterfell because they had the loyalty of their vassal houses and bannermen. Those men had stood, fought and died with the wolves. No one had stood with the lions after Cersei, as Queen Regent and then Queen, had dismissed and diminished them and their houses by surrounding herself with weak, incompetent advisors and sycophants.ouHouseh
"If your men are out identifying the damage, then why are there three warships here?" Tyrion asked.
Though the words were accusatory, his tone was not. The Hand spoke quietly, as aware as Jaime that he and his family had been party to the suffering of thousands of innocent people. Tyrion, like Jaime, regretted his part in bringing suffering, but was equally unable to repair the damage. The people of the Bay of Dragons were still fighting daily for their survival, now that Daenerys and her dragons had left them to become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
"To give their reports on several important projects," Griff explained. "Unlike you and your queen, I've not been sitting idle, expecting the wounds of war to heal themselves. The people need help to recover from being mauled by the lions and their agents."
As if on cue, a knock sounded on the chamber door. Everyone turned as the door opened. Varys, dressed in his customary robes, stood in the doorway. As he often did, the Spider had his hands pressed together under his sleeves and wore his usual expression of bland politeness. He walked into the chamber, out of the shadows of the hallway and into the brilliant sunshine pouring in from the windows. Tyrion, Jaime, Bronn, Brienne and Podrick all gasped as they stared at him.
The former Master of Whispers had always had a shiny, smooth head, bald of even the slightest wisps of hair. Now his head was covered in a thick layer of silver-blond stubble. Varys had a head of very short, Targaryen silver-blond hair.
"What the…?" Tyrion was so flabbergasted he couldn't even compose the rest of his sentence.
Jaime looked from Varys to Griff then back to Varys. He seemed as lost for words as his brother. Everyone else continued to stare at the Spider. Griff, Tanda, Ned, Balon and Moqorro didn't share the sense of shock so they only stared at the Spider with confusion. The dragons all looked at Varys then sniffed the air. They sensed the shock in the room but didn't understand what had caused it. It was Podrick who finally spoke up.
"Lord Varys, you're a dragon, too?" he gasped.
"Huh." Bronn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You know, it wasn't all that long ago that I'd never seen a Wight or a dragon and that little blonde girl was the last Targaryen." He shrugged. "Now, we've got Targaryens and dragons behind every door and we're all about to freeze our balls off fighting those damned Wights." He paused. "Well, those of us who have balls."
It was a testament to how shocked Tyrion and Jaime were that they didn't glare at Bronn. Griff narrowed his eyes at the knight but Bronn only shrugged. Varys's lips tightened slightly in what might have been the beginnings of a smile. He nodded at the young squire then bowed to Griff.
"No, I'm not a Targaryen," Varys answered. "I was born a slave in Lys. I believe my roots have their origins in Valyria but there is no way to prove it." His gaze shifted to Tyrion and the faint hint of smile faded, his features hardening. "One man believed I had royal blood. He regrets it now."
Tyrion's eyes widened. "The sorcerer."
Tanda looked from Varys to Tyrion. "What sorcerer? Is there a sorcerer working with the Night King?"
Tyrion closed his eyes and shook his head, as if to clear it. "Never mind. It's a story from Lord Varys's past. It's not relevant here." He paused. "Is it?"
"No, it isn't," Varys stated in a flat, cold tone.
"Lord Varys, join us." Griff gestured to the chair beside Bronn's. "What is your report?"
Varys obediently sat down but hesitated before speaking. He looked at Griff, then Tyrion with obvious concern.
"What?" Tyrion demanded. "Why do you hesitate?"
Instead of answering, Varys shifted his gaze to Griff. The former Master of Whispers raised his brow, as if in question. Griff nodded, understanding the Spider's unspoken question.
"Lord Varys, what you've learned, what my men have done, is for the good of the kingdom," Griff said quietly. "These outcomes will determine our strategy to fight the Army of the Dead and cannot be hidden. Speak freely."
"Yes, your Grace." Varys nodded. "I'm pleased to report your men have successfully taken control of Storm's End, Rosby and Highgarden. The new lords have met with representatives of their vassal houses and all have pledged themselves to House Targaryen."
"Good," Griff nodded. "I was confident of their loyalty. Now, what about their conditions?"
"The Stormlands, like the Crownlands, have suffered very little damage," Varys reported. "Even more, strong leaders, such as Lord Gulian Swann and Lord Selwyn Tarth, ensured their people are safe and their homes protected."
The dragons squawked at hearing Selwyn's name. They looked around for Brienne's father. The five cried out when they didn't see him. Griff and Podrick leaned forward to calm them. The dragons had bonded easily with their grandfather, considering him an extension of their mother. Brienne hugged Serdun who, despite its aloof nature, was as upset at not seeing Selwyn as the others.
She understood their disappointment but couldn't help but sit up straighter at the mention of her father as a strong leader. She exchanged glances with Balon, who also sat up, pride shining in his dark eyes. They were both children of honorable men, raised to emulate their fathers' beliefs in service and responsibility. Selwyn and Gulian were living examples of their teachings.
"I expected as much," Griff agreed. "Has Commander Strickland taken control of the Reach? We cannot allow the region to fall into anarchy."
"Lord Strickland has strong command of his forces and the bannermen," Varys assured. "He sent representatives to Cider Hall, Honeyhold and Oldtown. As we speak, five thousand men march along the Roseroad."
"The waterways and the main road are clear?" Griff prompted.
Griff pulled the map of the southlands closer to study it. Gently, he pushed Catren and Ardayn away. The dragons shifted back, familiar with this habit. It reminded Brienne of the nights when, unable to sleep, Griff would pass the hours poring over maps. She'd seen him make notes of the houses that had fallen in the War of the Five Kings, to anticipate the changing fates of the people and regions fighting for survival. Now she understood why he'd spent so much time and effort to learn about the plight of the people. Griff understood what Daenerys, Cersei, Tommen, Joffrey and even Jon didn't. He knew he had to satisfy the people's needs in order to save the kingdom.
"Mostly, but there are still isolated pockets of bandits." Varys admitted. "Lord Strickland's men have been putting them down with little resistance. Disorganized looters stand no chance against the disciplined forces of the Golden Company and the Dornish. All of the houses in the Reach have pledged to House Targaryen." Varys paused them smiled his faint smile again. "Your quick actions saved the Reach from suffering the same fate as the Riverlands, your Grace."
Griff grimaced. "Sadly, I wasn't quick enough to save the people in the Riverlands from disaster. What of them, Lord Varys? How do they fare?"
Brienne blinked at she looked at Griff. She knew he'd sent his men into the southlands, to take the castles promised to them by contract to the Golden Company and to make pathways for the Dornish to enter undetected. Doing so had given him control of three of the most powerful regions and the Crownlands. Had Griff also sent men into the lawless Riverlands? Even if he was able to help the region recover, the castles were vassals of the fallen House Frey or loyal to House Tully, the home of Lady Catelyn's family. They wouldn't give him their loyalty.
"The condition there is dire, your Grace." Varys's faint smile faded again. "Jon Snow's march to Harrenhall has raised the hopes of some but caused panic in others."
"It's to be expected." Griff ran his finger along the route of the Kingsroad on the map. "The key to the Riverlands's recovery is strong leadership and even stronger men. How is Edmure Tully?"
"Still recovering from his captivity but he's taken command of Riverrun. He –" Varys stopped speaking when Jaime slammed his hand on the tabletop.
"Edmure Tully was being held by Frey and Lannister men," Jaime pointed out. "Who freed him and where are my men?"
"The Frey men, I believe, are part of the problem in the southern Riverlands." Griff answered. "The Lannister men have returned to Casterly Rock on the orders of their new Lady."
"Who?" Jaime and Tyrion asked, almost in unison.
The brothers looked at each other, as if expected the other to know what was happening. Griff ignored them to continue to focus on the map. Varys glanced at Tyrion before continuing with his report.
"Correct, your Grace," Varys confirmed. "After the Frey sons and bannermen were killed at the Twins and the new Lady of Casterly Rock ordered her men to free Lord Edmure, the Frey men knew it was only a matter of time before they were removed from Riverrun."
"So, they decided to slink into the night and attack from the shadows," Griff concluded. "Thus, ensuring we'll hunt them down if they continue their attacks."
"New Lady of Casterly Rock?" Tyrion repeated. "Who is she? What right do you have to decide who rules the Rock?"
"It wasn't a hard decision," Griff said, his tone mild. "It was the process of elimination – your process of elimination."
"What?" Tyrion jerked in his chair. "What do you mean?"
"A region is only as strong as the lord or lady who manages it," Griff explained. "That person is responsible for the defense, the care and the morale of its people. Bannermen and vassal houses must have some respect for their leaders."
"I'm Lord of Casterly Rock," Tyrion argued. "Even you said so, when you appointed me to your council."
"No, I didn't," Griff denied. "I said you were 'Lord Tyrion Lannister, of Casterly Rock.' I didn't say you were the Lord of Casterly Rock, simply that you have the title of lord and you're from Casterly Rock."
"I am Lord of Casterly Rock," Tyrion protested. "Queen Daenerys assured me of it."
Griff raised his eyebrows. "How do you plan to rule the Rock while also serving as Lord Hand here in King's Landing?"
"I'll assign an agent," Tyrion snapped.
"Who?" Griff asked. "Not your father. You killed him, thus are branded a kinslayer to the people of the Westerlands. Will they respect to a man who has committed such a heinous act and against his own father?"
Tyrion jerked back and shuddered visibly. Everyone looked at the Hand then looked away. Griff was right. Kinslaying was a grave sin, a disloyalty that many couldn't tolerate. That it had been done by Tyrion, the son Tywin had despised since birth but still tolerated, made the crime even worse. Tyrion had also been convicted of murdering Joffrey, making him a kingslayer, as well. No one would loyally serve him. Tyrion flushed and looked at Jaime.
"Not your brother, either," Griff continued. "He's already the Kingslayer and now known as the man who bedded his sister, cuckolded his king and forced the kingdom to endure the tyrannical rule of his weak-willed bastards and insane lover. Not to mention he's also a kinslayer for killing your cousin. Which houses will respect such a lord?"
Everyone looked at Jaime but said nothing. Jaime met Tyrion's gaze briefly before lowering his eyes. Tyrion opened his mouth to reply but Griff spoke before he could.
"Perhaps your Uncle Kevan or cousin Lancel can act as your agent? They both had honorable reputations and didn't attempt to slay their own blood." Griff's indigo eyes narrowed. "Ahh, but they're dead, too, thanks to your kinslayer sister. So, Lord Hand, who will you trust to enforce your rule at Casterly Rock?"
"Queen Daenerys will enforce my rule," Tyrion insisted, but his voice had lost confidence.
"By sending men to torture and kill your bannermen?" Griff suggested. "Or send her dragons to burn them in their homes? Do you wish to rule with fear and violence? That's how your father managed the Rock. Do you want to be like your father, Lord Tyrion?"
Tyrion's face paled and his eyes widened until they dominated his face. He looked to Jaime then at the other members of the counsel. The Hand lowered his head, almost hanging it in shame. Jaime, who looked as miserable as his brother, suddenly sat up straight in his chair.
"Aunt Genna," Jaime's eyes opened almost as wide as his brother's had. "Aunt Genna is the new Lady of Casterly Rock, isn't she?"
"As I said, it was a process of elimination," Griff said dryly. "The new leader of House Lannister is the only member of your family you haven't eliminated, at least, not yet. Genna Lannister Frey is well-liked, shrew, intelligent and, with the death of most of House Frey and House Lannister, in a position to be of great strategic importance."
"Emmon Frey, Lady Genna's husband, is now the head of House Frey and Lord of the Twins," Brienne noted. "Why did he agree to release Edmure Tully? He wanted Lord Tully dead."
"Posh," Tanda snorted. "I know Genna Frey. Emmon does what she tells him to do. She's the female version of Kevan; strong, smart and direct."
"I hope so, Lady Tanda." Griff murmured. He turned to Brienne. "Put yourself in Lady Genna's place. She knows most of House Frey's male line has been decimated after they murdered the previous King in the North and his kin. The new King in the North is the bastard son of the same family; is marching north with two armies, dragons and wildfire; destroyed the last of House Bolton with his bare hands; and will probably burn the Twins to ashes for what House Frey did to his kin and their bannermen. Lady Genna's children are all male Freys. What would you do?"
Brienne gasped softly. The Freys had broken guest rights, another egregious sin in Westeros. They'd turned against House Stark and had, along with the Boltons, allied with House Lannister. The Boltons had been wiped out of existence for their crimes. Ramsey Bolton had been beaten to a bloody pulp by Jon Snow before being put to death by Sansa Stark. Most of the Frey men were dead. Genna's sons carried the name of traitors while the King in the North, the same man who had fought to reclaim Winterfell, marched through the Riverlands with two powerful armies and dragons at his back.
Brienne's eyes widened. "I'd do whatever I could ensure my family's survival."
"You sent an agent to offer Aunt Genna ladyship of Casterly Rock in exchange for protection and loyalty to you," Tyrion concluded.
"Loyalty to House Targaryen," Griff correct. "Lady Genna pledged herself to the same house you did. I won't allow you and my aunt to make the same mistakes you made in Slaver's Bay. Your queen destroyed the foundation of people's lives without building a framework to replace it, killed thousands without thinking of the consequences, made enemies where she should have made alliances and allowed herself to be swayed by short-sighted advisors intent on their own agendas. Westeros needs strong leaders the people can respect and follow. If not, all of the Seven Kingdoms will become a wasteland, even without the threat of the Army of the Dead."
Griff looked around the table. Tanda and Ned nodded in agreement to Griff's assessment while Tyrion and Jaime were grim-faced, their mouths pressed into flat lines. Bronn frowned at Varys, apparently more disturbed by Varys's new appearance than any concerns about Westeros. Balon and Moqorro wore nearly matching noncommittal expressions, simply observing the exchange.
Jaime finally broke the silence. "So, Edmure Tully is again the Lord of Riverrun, the Lannister troops returned to Aunt Genna at Casterly Rock and the Frey loyalists are now bandits hiding in the Whispering Woods."
"Perhaps not for long. Jon Snow has offered amnesty," Varys reported. "He's agreed to accept any men, regardless of affiliation, if they'll fight against the Army of the Dead."
"Hmmm," Griff blinked, gazing at nothing.
Brienne knew that look. Her king was thinking, seeing patterns and possibilities in his mind, sorting and resorting information into multiple possible outcomes. He knew Jon Snow, who had a reputation for building alliances with his enemies and the strong Stark sense of honor, would not hold grudges. Griff had manipulated Genna Lannister Frey with a combination of fear and vanity, appealing to her desire to protect her family and the glory of becoming Lady of one of the richest castles in Westeros. While Genna had pledged herself to House Targaryen, it was Griff who'd put her in her new position of power as Lady Paramount of the Westerlands.
"Many men will accept the amnesty, preferring to fight with purpose rather than to hide in the bushes," Griff concluded. "Lord Varys, how did Edmure Tully pledge?"
"He pledged to the White Wolf, as you expected he would," Varys confirmed. "He accepts Robb Stark's bastard brother as his king."
"Good." Griff smiled. "What about the Blackfish?"
Jaime sighed. "Brynden Tully died at Riverrun when I took the castle back for House Frey. He wouldn't surrender, even after his men laid down their arms."
Brienne frowned and exchanged sad glances with Podrick. Brynden had refused Sansa's request to take his men north to fight for Winterfell. Even so, he'd made sure Brienne and Podrick had left Riverrun safely before rejoining the fight for his home. He'd been an honorable man to his last breath. Brienne looked up to see Griff stare at Jaime, a furrow between his brows, his expression caught between pity and disbelief. It was as if Griff was unable to understand Jaime's conclusion. Griff's steady regard made Jaime's eyes widened.
"My men fought him, they saw his body," Jaime insisted. "They wouldn't lie. My men are loyal to me, even if their Lords are not."
"Did your men get a good look at the Blackfish?" Griff asked. "What proof did they present that they'd found the body of Brynden Tully?"
Griff's expression tightened and the pity morphed into impatience. Jaime stared at Griff for a long moment, the confusion darkening his wildfire green eyes shifting to realization. Beside him, Bronn shook his head.
"That's what happens when your focus is on watching the moonlight reflect off the river as the boat floats out of sight." Bronn waved his hand to illustrate. "Maybe the Blackfish's body was the one you should have checked out that night."
Everyone stared at Bronn in bewildered confusion, except Podrick. Brienne's squire flushed and shook his head at the knight. Griff studied Podrick with narrowed eyes before his gaze went to Bronn, then back to Jaime next to him. Jaime was still focused on Bryden and ignored Bronn. Chagrin came into his wildfire green eyes.
"The Blackfish isn't dead, is he?" Jaime sighed again and closed his eyes. "Edmure released him before he ordered his men to surrender Riverrun, didn't he?"
"Can you blame a man for not trusting his enemy?" Ned asked quietly. "Did you trust Lady Ser Brienne when Catelyn Stark first sent you with her to exchange for her daughters?"
"Would you, as Edmure, trust the Kingslayer, the man without honor, to keep his word and spare the men at Riverrun?" Griff added.
Brienne frowned, ready to defend Jaime. He's sworn an oath to Lady Catelyn to never take up arms against her family again. Jaime had ended the siege at Riverrun peacefully, as he'd sworn to do. She opened her mouth but Griff put up his hand.
"Brienne, did you trust Ser Jaime when you were first assigned to escort him to King's Landing? Did you believe him to have any sense of honor when you met him?" he asked.
Brienne paused, accepting the truth of Griff's words. Jaime had worn his Kingslayer reputation like a cape, throwing it over himself as protection from the icy disgust and judgement of those who didn't truly know him. Edmure couldn't be blamed for trying to protect his people from the men who'd held him prisoner and murdered his sister's family.
"Lord Varys, was the Blackfish successful in his campaign?" Griff asked.
"He was, your Grace," Varys confirmed. "Brynden's men have taken the Twins. The women and children of House Frey are their captives, but are well. They haven't been harmed, according to my little birds."
Griff nodded, his mouth curling up in a smug smile. "Did he pledge, Lord Varys?"
"Again, it is as you expected, your Grace. Brynden pledged himself to the White Wolf," Varys confirmed.
As you expected. Brienne stared at her king. Griff had known Brynden Tully would go north to the take the castles of the traitorous Freys. The Twins were guarded by the Frey's few remaining loyal men, with the drawbridges raised and the doors barred. Why would Brynden want the keep of the men who had murdered his niece and her family, including his king? Brynden's home was Riverrun, more than two days south of the Twins.
She'd seen how few men he had when she'd been to Riverrun. He couldn't seize the Twins with so few fighters. Where had Brynden gotten enough men, weapons and supplies to capture one of the most formidable strongholds in the Riverlands? Had Griff anticipated this outcome because he'd sent his men to help Brynden take the Twins? To what purpose?
"Good," Griff didn't bother to hide his satisfaction. His gaze shifted to Brienne. "What about his closest allies, House Blackwood and House Mallister?"
A shudder passed through Brienne at the mention of her mother's house. Griff's gaze bore into her, his indigo eyes giving nothing away. Her eyes widened as she realized Griff knew more about her mother's family than she thought he did, more than she knew. Something about House Mallister made it important to Griff. A memory came back to her, of strolling through Tarth with her father.
"Father, when did the silver eagles first appear in Tarth? Was it during my life?" she asked.
Selwyn thought. "Yes, it was. I remember you were in your mother's arms, not yet walking, when she called me to see them." Haunting sadness pulled at the corners of his mouth. "She was so excited. She said the eagles had come to meet you because House Mallister was as much her children's blood as House Tarth."
What was so important about House Mallister that Griff had specifically asked about a small vassal house? Was it simply because it was her mother's family, the home of the silver eagles who had hidden a secret dragon?
"They have also pledged to Jon Snow, the King in the North," Varys said.
"The leaders of the Reach, the Stormlands, the Westerlands and the Crownlands all owe their positions to you," Tyrion summarized. "While the Riverlands and the North have chosen to follow Jon Snow. Remember, the King in the North will kneel to Queen Daenerys when she and her dragons defeat the Army of the Dead."
Griff's smile didn't waver. Tyrion's words didn't bother him. Griff believed he had greater leverage over Jon than Daenerys did. Brienne shivered as she remembered their conversation in the godswood, when Griff had first explained his plans to conquer Westeros.
Griff smiled his slow, satisfied smile. "I also have the North."
Brienne jerked back in shock at his statement. "No, you don't. Jon Snow is the King in the North. Daenerys pressured him to bend the knee to her but he refused. He said he would only accept her as his queen if she defeated the Night King."
Griff nodded. "She hasn't defeated the Night King, has she? Until she does, or if she only does it with help, then Jon Snow's loyalty remains with you."
"Me?" Brienne's eyes opened wide. "Jon Snow is a king. He doesn't owe me loyalty."
"But he gave it, just the same," Griff insisted. "If my sources are correct, his exact words to your father were 'My family is deeply indebted to your daughter. Rest assured, should she ever require it, House Stark stands at her back'. Whether he intended it or not, the King in the North has publicly, and often, pledged his loyalty and his house to you. You are mine, thus, his pledge is also mine. You, Brienne, have given me the North."
Griff's advantages; his understanding of history, knowledge of human nature, and sense of duty and discipline had neutralized Daenerys's strengths: her armies, her advisors and her dragons. Griff was able to do so because she, Brienne, had given him many of those advantages. She had told him about her guidance from the Gods, had entrusted him with the dragons and had earned the loyalty of House Stark.
That wasn't all. Griff was a smart tactician who approached situations from multiple angles. He wouldn't rely on just Jon's vow of loyalty to Brienne. No, Griff had made strategic decisions that benefited Jon directly. By freeing Edmure to take back Riverrun and assisting Brynden in seizing the Twins, he'd raised House Tully while simultaneously stripping the Lannisters and the Freys of all power in the Riverlands.
Daenerys planned a future as Queen of Westeros with Jon at her side. She expected her feminine wiles and her dragons would be enough to entice Jon. Griff didn't have a woman's power but he had a far better understanding of men, their motivations and their weaknesses. Jon wouldn't bend the knee to Daenerys. Her armies and dragons weren't enough to defeat the Army of the Dead. It would take all of Westeros fighting together to defeat the threat of the Night King.
Griff understood Jon considered honor and loyalty as the greatest traits. He also knew Jon loved his half-Tully siblings above all things. Part of Jon's motivation for fighting for Winterfell was knowing Sansa would never be safe until Ramsey Bolton was dead. Restoring the Tullys, and even increasing their power with control of the Twins, protected House Stark, thus protected the people Jon loved most.
One day, Griff would go against Daenerys for the rulership of the Seven Kingdoms. Jon Snow was King in the North and held the loyalty of the Riverlands and, possibly, the Vale. When it came time to choose, Griff was trying to ensure Jon would choose him. It was likely Jon would favor the king whose knight had protected his siblings, who'd restored their uncle and great-uncle positions and honor, and who controlled the future of the Lannisters and the Freys. Griff was Brienne's king and she was the knight Jon has already sworn to protect. Griff was taking steps to make Jon's decision even easier.
Now Brienne understood her king's plan. The future of Westeros wouldn't be determined by a war of Targaryen against Targaryen. Griff was a strategic thinker, having spent his whole life preparing to serve the Seven Kingdoms. Daenerys only knew how to conquer and rule, not how to restore and serve. No, the future of Westeros would not be a dance of the dragons.
It would be a battle for the soul of the White Wolf.
Author's Notes: I know this is a 'talky' chapter but it's full of important clues. Much of what you learned here will echo though the coming chapters. Do you understand Griff's game plan to take the Seven Kingdoms?
My beta has been having personal issues so this chapter has not been proof-read. Please let me know if I need to make corrections. Is anyone interested in being a beta reader for me?
Plea from Paly: I have no artistic or photoshop talent. Can someone assist me in creating Griff's personal sigil? It's the sigil of House Martell with the three-headed dragon symbol shrunk down to fit inside the sun. I also need the sun rotated so the spear is held in the dragon's claw. Please let me know in the comments if you can assist me. I will, of course, credit you for your wonderful assistance.