Chapter 2: New Rome

Titus I

Steward Titus had a lot to plan today. King Robert was on the way and he will be bringing Cersei Lannister, he hated her. If there weren't one person he wouldn't punch more, it would be that fuck. If it wasn't for her Joffery would be considerably more mature. He also received news that the Stark family came upon some Direwolves, 6 for each Stark. It's a little bit of coincidence for Jon Snow to get the runt and Titus suspected the Old Gods had a hand in this.

He looks at himself up and down in the mirror. He modified it to be similar to the plate armour of the Westeros Knights but kept a few roman features like the blue scarf and helmet. The gauntlets had their knuckles slightly spiked in case he lost his weapon. He also wore a metal mask that went up to just below his eyes, with hardened glass for the eye slits, it wasn't strong enough to protect against good stabs but it was better than nothing.

He put on a blue cloak with grey trimmings and went out of his room. He passes by his soldiers. He takes a quick glance at them, looking at their equipment that he chose as a standard centuries ago.

They wore brigandine armour (Look up Shadiversity's brigandine video) which had its cheap plates of a black colour because of being dipped in acid to prevent rusting. Their helmets were similar to his, only with no grey feathers. Their weapons were a shorter Gladius for close-quarters and a short spear for formation fighting. They were also armed with a large midnight-blue kite shield for combat, trained to take advantage of their shield as well as their armour to be as aggressive as necessary. He had replaced the scutum once proper leg amour was introduced and he wanted his soldiers to use the kite shield on a horse as well.

He still stuck to 2 full Legions of 5000 men each, manpower was scarce in The North so he had to make do with what he got. Their organization, however, did not have such problems and he drilled them endlessly to become an effective fighting force. Force multiplication was key and he took any advantages he can get. He garrison's one Legion while the other is used offensively in war, he rotates them every 2 years.

One of the said advantages was the use of incendiary bottles properly called fire bottles thrown from horsemen and soldiers behind the 1st rank. It was very cost-effective and quite useful, took some time to implement it into the tight formations of his Legions. Maybe he should have small mobile siege equipment in the rear throwing clay pots instead?

Another advantage was using light horsemen as skirmishers and as logistical weapons. With their mobility and the use of the fire bottles combined, they were an army's nightmare to meet in an ambush. They were drawn from hunters who hunted with javelins and small bows from the isolated towns and villages around The North. They were adept at forging and living on the land even in sparse ones like The North. No supply line shall be safe from them.

Finally, he taken away his frontline infantry's pilums and instead delegated to the archers for ranged support. With longbows made of good yew to fire and wooden stakes to secure flanks, their support will be greatly appreciated by the troops.

He heads down to the stone curtain walls of Moat Cailin, with a dozen of guards per 100 yards on the much longer wooden wall that bordered the swamps. The 3 towers standing tall in the background with his square coat of arms flapping in the wind. He also was on good terms with the Houses of the Riverlands and especially good terms with House Reed and its current head, Howland Reed.

The walls of the Moat were reinforced with a dirt rampart that was dug from the front of the walls to provide a 10 foot deep and 12-foot wide trench with sharpened stakes and a solid rampart behind. The western section was built along the river to Saltspear in case of an Ironborn attack. The eastern section was lightly maned as it's not usually attacked. The eastern section had a small dock for ships from White Harbour with goods like food and weapon being then carried by wooden wagons with simple wooden wheels on primitive railways made of stone. I call them Wagonways (wiki/Wagonway).

He saw Robert's host heading towards him. He yells "Open the gates!" and heads down to his horse, he told a 26-year old Kentan to hold down the fort. He joins with the host alongside two of his black centurions, who were both wearing black three-quarter armour (wiki/Munition_armour) and helmets with grey feathers.

A few days later...

Arriving in Winterfell, I saw the Stark family waiting for Robert. I got off my horse and went to wait with them, giving a courtesy nod to the family. He sees Ayra run up with a helmet on, which was promptly taken away much to her dismay. Heh, kids. She looks around and asks "Where's the imp?" to Sansa's annoyance.

First to come were Joffrey with The Hound and the Kingsguard. The Hound was a sad fellow, in my opinion, maybe I can make a healing balm in my workshop for those burns. Then came in the carriage of Cersei Lannister, a woman I would punch with no question asked. Then came her kids, who I wished had a different mother, hell even a whore would make a better one.

I noticed that Sansa had hearts in her eyes when she looked at Joffery, oh for fuck's sake, out of all the people it had to be fucking Joffery Lannister. Robb noticed as well and I mouthed to him "Bad" and he grimaces with me.

Then Robert, a great warrior and one shitty king, came on his horse. He had gained a lot of weight since I last saw him, so much he can't even get off his bloody horse without help. He strode towards us and stopped in front of Ned. He gestures him to get up and he does, along with everyone else.

"You got fat." a moment of silence before I tilt my head close to Ned's and with him, obviously glanced and Robert's belly. All 3 of us burst out laughing, I was giggling like a madman.

"So, how are you, Titus? Still, guarding the Swamps?" He jokes but he knows, the Riverlands were a dangerous place for an army.

"Yep, still smells like shit."

"Hah!"

He talks with Ned about going down to the crypts along with Me. Cersei objects to this but Robert dismisses her. We enter and Ned and Robert talked about their adoptive father, Jon Aryn. It saddened Titus when he died, a good man with a sharp mind was a hard one to find.

When down in the crypts, we come across Lyanna Stark's statue and tomb. We all stand in silence before Robert spoke. He names Ned Hand of the King and takes him off guard. Ned kneels and says he is not worthy of the honour. Robert replies that he is not honouring him, he's trying to get him to rule the Kingdoms while he drinks and fucks to an early grave.

I chuckled before being addressed as well. "Lord Titus, I name you Master of Industry and Trade. Your counsel will be much needed." Master of Industry? I never heard of such a title, unless...

I sighed. "Is it because of something related to the kingdom's economy?" I always wondered how he paid for all those tourneys and such.

Robert was quiet, a clear answer to Titus that worried him deep into his core. "I accept this title." I look to Ned to see his answer. "Lord Stark?"

"I need some time." Of course, the Hand of the King was a heavy burden, many factors need to be weighed in.

Robert smiled and added in a sweetener, a marriage between House Baratheon and House Stark.

My heart stopped when I realised what this meant. "Please tell me Joffery isn't a candidate."

Robert looked at me with pity and curiosity. "And who do you suppose we chose instead."

"Arya and Tommen. They would make a great pair despite their opposite personalities. Plus Joffery wouldn't see that many name days if he was King." This will definitely piss him off.

Robert's face was serious. "If you weren't a trusted friend I would have thought you a madman. Very well, I will make the arrangements. The upside is that Cersei will not corrupt him as she did with Joffery, the poor lad." He sees me in shock. "What? I learned to quite perceptive under your tutoring, now everyone I see is a bloody nightmare."

"Welcome to the club." We exited the crypts.

I got ready for the feast, by making sure that Jon Snow joined in. I argued with Cat for hours until she relented, but on the condition that I made him invisible. It pains me to do so but I agreed. I took a simple cloak from the tailors and went to find Jon. I found him with Tyrion Lannister talking about being bastards to their families. After Tyrion left I walked towards the Stark boy.

I gave him the cloak, with his house sigil sewn into the shoulders, and we both headed inside. I saw many houses here, the few here that bother to talk to me would be the Mormonts, the Umbers and the Glovers. Most don't like to talk to me, can't blame them since many consider me, eccentric. Mostly that I wash my hands before I eat.

I spotted Benjen and Ned talking. The two only Starks that survived the war. Lyanna was a wild one, I remembered when I found her using my sword to fight a dummy, I was impressed so I taught her how to fight. She improved quite considerably, to the point where I think that even the likes of Barristan Selmy and Duncan the Tall would find a challenge in her, as well as an equal at some point.

I was distraught along with Ned when she died in front of us, after giving birth to a baby boy. Ned promised her that he will protect him and I followed, it would be my greatest duty yet. But sometimes I think, would Robert spare him if he knew of the promise? A question I would not like to ask.

Jon and I sat and feasted. I asked what did he named his albino Direwolf, Ghost was its name. The canine was described as stealthy and quite silent compared to its siblings. It's as if the Driewolf was a gift from the Old Gods themselves, but I won't say it now.

I spot Catelyn and Cersei talking, judging by their faces they hate each other already. Thank Gods. Then I noticed Joffrey and Sansa, smiling at each other. Shit.

Sansa gets hit by some food from Ayra, who was then promptly taken by Robb to her chambers. Jon and I laughed, what a night.

Back with Titus...

I went to bed early as I was to accompany Ned and Robert the next morning. I was expecting to see my dead family again but this time, it was different. Instead of my family in my old roman home, I was in a Weirwood forest. The faces of the trees were crying blood and I heard the crying of women. I explored the forest to find two women, one with long dark hair and haunting purple eyes and one with brown hair and great eyes. He recognized them as Ashara Dayne and Lyanna Stark, why were they here? They were sitting on two tree stumps.

I walked towards them saw that they held two small babes. I recognized one as Edric Dayne and Jon Snow, with light shining from Edric's eyes and smoke from Jon's. I hear another woman crying, but it was soft as if she was dying. Suddenly another woman spread next to him, a woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She was Joanna Lannister and she was laying on a birthing bed. Her entire lower body was covered in blood, yet she wore a smile. In her hands was Tyrion Lannister, and next to them was an excited young Jamie Lannister. But there was no Cersei for some reason, which was good I guess. Tyrion was held by his older brother, both laughing. But that soon need as Joanna died, right in front of her sons. Jamie did not understand and tried to review her, Tyrion felt her life go away and cried.

I frowned, out of all the Lannisters, Joanna was probably the only one I liked. I closed her eyes and prayed for her soul.

When I turned around, Ashara and Lyanna disappeared. In their place was Azor Ahai and Brandon Stark.

I paled, if those two were here then that means something really bad is going to happen. "Why was I shown this?"

Azor spoke first. "The 3 are very important, protect them with your life. Two are of our lineage, but the third is just as crucial."

Brandon spoke second. "The Old Gods sense that the Night King, your traitor, is planning to invade at Westeros's weakest. There will be many enemies, but a man of your age can tell who. "I nodded, it's a blessing and a curse."

Then we hear sex noises for some reason. We all look at each other in confusion. Then the scenery changed around us and now we are outside Winterfell's broken tower. I could see Bran climbing and stop in front of the window, Summer was below whining in panic. Then suddenly he was pushed out of the window by an unseen assailant. I ran and tried to catch the boy but he just went through my hands as if they weren't there.

I woke up naked, as I really didn't have any other clothes I brought with me. I hastily wore my armour and ran out at a speed that caught everyone off-guard. Ned saw him barreling past him and knew something was wrong. They came across Bran's unconscious body in front of the tower, with Summer at his side.

"Bran?" Ned was astonished, what happened?

"Get the Maester. NOW!" He runs to get him while I made sure Bran was still alive. Judging by his legs, he won't walk. I look up at the tower, judging by the position of the sun the assailant was probably gone by now.

Bran was still alive, which was good but he was in a coma, which is bad. I left Catelyn alone with the boy, who wailed when she found out of his condition. A great mother, but can overreact very badly. This is why I believe telling her of Jon's true heritage was very much a bad idea.

I came across Joffery, The Hound and Tyrion talking. I was amused when Joffery was slapped, so satisfying. I left as there was nothing intriguing for me here.

I found the rest of the Lannister family eating breakfast. I eavesdropped from afar and judging on how they talked, Jaime and Cersei had something to do with Bran. Tyrion on the other hand had no intentions of harming the child. Also, I noticed Myrcella might be interested in Bran as she smiled when she heard he lived, another potential marriage. 'Least his cock still worked.

I then came upon Jon Snow and the blacksmith, Mikken. Jamie went up and sarcastically praised the Night's Watch. I would defend the Watch but it's degraded to the point where it's complete shit, sorry Jon. He went to Arya, with what appears to be a rapier, a great weapon for quick trusts. I went to prepare my horse for the travels ahead.

My horse, a chestnut brown Palfrey, was my latest horse this decade. Raised her from when she was but a foal and she has been loyal and brave ever since. I called her Dusky, because it sounds nice. She was currently eating some hay.

I whistled for her and she obediently came to me, with a little bit of hay in her mouth. I patted her and put the saddle on her. She was quite small for her size, but can still do her job as well.

I remembered something important before I left. A message from the Eyrie from Catelyn's sister, warning her about the Lannisters. I have been trusted this information as I was the ancient guardian of the Starks, because that is my job. I sent one of my Black Centurians accompanying me to protect Tyrion, a man named Hathor who Jon Aryn sent to be trained as his trusted bodyguard while he runs his realm. He was picked for both his loyalty and diligence to Jon Aryn and he couldn't have anyone else by his side. He was also an ex-Mountian Clansman of the Vale, knowing all the secret routes throughout early in his childhood.

I had to admit that the Vale had too many hidden paths for even me to record, so I relied on the Hill Tribes to guide me instead.

I ride with the main party as we head to King's Landing. Jon Snow and Tyrion head north to the wall. Ned promised Jon to talk about his mother when he comes back, if something bad were to happen, I would have to help him keep that promise.

After several days of walking, we stopped at a nearby inn along Kingsroad. I went to water my horse at the nearby river, where I noticed Arya and Tommen talking.

"My lady, why must you be so insistent on being the knight?" He was kneeling on the ground with a cat in his arms.

"Because I can!" She answered in annoyance. She was practising with a wooden sword on a tree

I came down and led my horse to the river to drink then walked to them. "What are you two talking about?"

Arya stabbed her sword into the ground. "I was telling Tommen how girls can also be good fighters and not just obedient wives and shameful whores."

Tommen blushed like a rose in blood. "I wasn't saying you can't but I also never said whores!"

Arya gave a sly smile. "You were thinking of it."

Tommen had no words as he blushed harder much to Arya's enjoyment. I softly chuckled, kids. Arya continues beating the tree up with her sparing sword, I noticed she isn't using jabs.

"Hey Arya, you should try stabbing, it helps to go through the gaps of full-plate." She tries it out and managed to strike the sword into the tree quite deep, as in she got it stuck. Arya tried her best to pull it out. I went up to help her when I saw Tommen also coming to her aid.

"I can do this on my own!" I think she was trying her best not to push him but I just couldn't care because of how freaking adorable they are.

"I can help." He shyly helps to grab it and both pull uncoordinated. She seems to blush as he gently put his hand on hers.

"Oh for god' sake, just pull at the same time!" I needed to check on Joffery soon, who knows that kind of shit he's causing. Oh, wait here he comes, with Sansa.

"Hmph, it's obvious women can't be soldiers." The cunt walked towards her and smirks. "When will they learn?"

I pulled the sword out and handed it to Arya. I'm about to do something I'm probably going to regret. "If you want to prove your point, then why not a dual? First to draw blood wins."

Joffery scoffs. "Why should I?"

"If you do not, then you are a coward." I had a small smile on my face when I saw Joffery get angry at such a small slight.

"A coward!? Fine, I'll show you old man!" He draws his sword as I sat back, knowing full well that his hubris and hot-headedness would be his undoing. But then again, so it could be for Arya.

"If I see either of you trying to actually kill each other, I will punch you in the teeth and tell your parents." I cross my arms as the fight began, Sansa walks up to me with an upset face.

"Uncle, you're surely not letting Arya hurt my prince?" Sigh, that poor girl.

"Relax, I know enough about medicine that he won't die from a small cut. He'll be fine." I will only wish harm on the boy when he is old enough.

The fight begins simply with Arya giving quick uncoordinated jabs that catch Joffery off-guard before he swings his blade widely like a madman. Both of their footings was off and they kept insulting each other. Just two inexperienced children fighting each other, I'm regretting this already.

I hear the sounds of paws rapidly running across the ground, I forgot about Nymeria. I watch in vain as Nymeria pounces on Joffery and bit his hand, Sansa was wailing about as she scolds Arya. Arya manages to get the wolf off before being smacked by Sansa, I had to get in between them as they got into a catfight.

Then I noticed a Lannister guard that just arrived, then left in a hurry. Oh shit.

I was now in front of both families with a mildly injured Joffery, a rabid Cersei, a stressed Ned, an upset Sansa, an annoyed Arya, a shy Tommen and a disappointed Robert.

"So, let me get this straight: MY SON WAS BEATEN BY A GIRL!?" He slammed down on his armrest, cracking the wood.

I nodded respectfully. "Indeed milord." Not what I was expecting at first but okay.

Cersei was red in anger. "You dare hurt my son you insolent girl!" I move in front of Arya and stared into Cersei's eyes, she backs down once she saw my small bit of fury.

Still, however, she demanded: "The girl must be punished! Kill the dog." She smiled wickedly, thinking that the King will accept.

King Robert did not, instead of replying with one word, "No."

Cersei smile cracked. "No? You mean to let this girl go unpunished?"

"There will be a punishment." He got up from his seat and look down at Joffery. "Joffery, you started this damm mess, it'd be right if you apologize."

Ceresi pleaded. "But my dear, she hurt my child."

"And yet he started it, if anything the boy deserved it." Robert continued to stare at his son who was still silent. "Fine then, no supper for you."

Joffery looks down in shame, then says something. "I'm sorry."

I was sceptical but it was good enough for Robert as he nods to his son in small approval. "Alright, someone get Joffery a Maester then we head to King's landing. The rest of you leave."

We all left except me. "What do you want?" He was very tired so I have to tread carefully.

"Keep an eye on Cersei." The man needs to be careful too, for his wife is one low cunning, enough to do something stupid.

He sighs then leaves. Leaving me alone with my own thoughts.

A few days later...

We finally arrived at King's Landing and I got to say, it still fucking stinks. I hop off my horse and saw a greater head towards me and Stark.

"Lord Stark, Lord Ironarm, Grand Maester Pycelle has called a small, the honour of both your presences is required."

Now that I am here, I need some associates.

Somewhere across the Narrow Sea...

In the busy streets of Bravos, no business was more profitable than the whore houses. The most experienced was the Red Parlour, run by a semi-retired Red Priestess of Azor Ahai as a brothel with a church theme to it. It had confessional booths for a more 'intimate privacy and many 'priests' dressed in scantily red robes, a room that was no different from a chapel with many pews for 'group activity.

Today, the Red Madam was in a good mood and decided to join her workers. She made men finish in minutes and made woman genuinely moan in ecstasy. Her youthful brown hair and green eyes were mesmerizing to those that gaze at them, and soon would find themselves lost in them as well. Her soft tanned skin naked to the whole world, daring anyone to look and belittled her much to her delight.

She was currently servicing a man with her hole while the other hole was being serviced by a woman.

A servant girl enters to gives her news that a representative of the Iron Bank is here to meet with her. "Excellent, you may take the day off Oliva." She gets off her two lovers, who are actually her workers, and dons a simple cloak.

She heads down a flight of stairs, carefully avoiding the many fucking bodies. Some white liquid dripped on her from the ceiling, she really needs to fix that crack. She swallows the liquid and heads to her soundproof office.

She meets with a petite man with a freckled face and orange hair. "Lady Maron, I hear you are interested in a loan? What is it, money, ships, grain or something else?"

She spoke as if seducing, it was a habit. "Ships. I seek to expand my enterprise to Westeros, the slave cities are quite revolting." As a slave herself, she absolutely hated it.

The Bravos man smiled. "I agree, how many do you wish to take?"

"I require 3 ships, one for the workers, another for the fermented crab and one for carrying the furniture." She had already paid for a building where she had chosen, ships were temporary. "How long will be this lease?"

"A year, more if this is a profitable deal." The man knew that this woman was a reliable client and a very shrewd one at that. "I hear Westeros has a new position, Master of Industry and Trade. He is the man to meet if you wish to prosper." The Faceless and the Iron Bank hold a strong connection so information across the known world was fed to them in exchange for funding, it was a mutual alliance.

"I shall take that advice." The two concluded business, then the man paid for her services, he wasn't going to miss out on the chance to fuck the Red Madam himself. She gladly accepts but instead offers it free, to celebrate their agreement.

Meanwhile In Dorne...

Aegon Targaryen, or Maester Griff Sand as he is to call himself now, was currently studying how to combat the many poisons of Dorne. While his cousins, the Sand Snakes, like to poison their enemies, he would take great lengths to persevere their allies. He, unlike everyone else in the family, is not eager for revenge as tempting as it may be.

He had been taught by his uncle Oberyn Martell not to seek out revenge for his own well being, instead, he stent him to Oldtown to train as a Maester to serve Dorne. He already knew the many poisons of the world, now he was trying to find ways to cure them. He is pretending to be Oberyn's bastard child.

His older sister Rhaenys Targaryen, now called Meryla Sand, was pretending one of Oberyn Martell's bastard daughters. She was considered a beauty and many men try and court her but are surprisingly stopped by Oberyn Martell himself, a behaviour most unusual once you know of his libido and relaxed attitude around his other daughters.

The future for both of them is uncertain, for better or worse.

End of Chapter