With Lady Lysa being in charge of the Eyrie, Jasper felt more comfortable disappearing regularly to work on the canal. While the tax on Seagard was something he was looking forward to, his only real focus was the land Vale would gain when things were completed. He knew it would be small, only a few towns and villages, but his main interest was Saltpans. It had an existing port, albeit a small one, and was located right at the mouth of the Trident. This meant that any ship from Lannisport or Pyke would have to pass that port if it was going to the capital. Ships from the Reach would likely favor this route as well, seeing as the Stepstones were riddled with pirates and their relationship with Dorne was tense at best. Between these passing sailors and the town's close proximity to the Riverlands, he expected trade would rise dramatically. Goods from the Reach and Westerlands would likely start to filter into Vale proper as well, and the tax at Seagard was merely a bonus in comparison. He had already decided that the ten thousand dragons that he was paying the "mages" would find its way into Saltpans, so that they could expand their port and markets to better match the rise in travelers.
Unfortunately, The Martells had been watching him a lot more closely, and he was pressed to come up with constant explanations for his absences during the day. Mya was running interference, but it was obvious both girls were curious about whatever project he was involved in. When he was finally able to stop working on the canal, after two months of random excuses, he thought he had earned himself a reprieve. But news was quick to follow, and soon, all over the castle people were talking about how the Old Gods had aided Vale in their quest to expand the Blue Fork. He knew it just added to their suspicions, and he was struggling to appear normal to the girls.
It wasn't long before the canal was completed, and true to his word, Lord Tully ceded control of the land to Vale and started a tax on any passage through the Trident. Apparently, Jasper's use of magically binding contracts was gaining renown, and Lord Tully had no wish to breach one. With House Cox being the only House in the affected area, Jasper agreed to give them control of all the territory that was gained in exchange for their fealty to Vale. They were only a knightly house, so this was a major increase for their holdings and prestige. They accepted his offer without complaint, and even signed a magical contract to prove their loyalty.
o-O-o
With Jon's increasing paranoia and Jasper's recent success in the Riverlands, Jon felt it was time for Jasper to start looking for a wife. His personal suggestions were Ysilla Royce, Alys Redfort, Jeyne Mallister, Elinor Vance, or Mara Manderly- They were all daughters of influential houses, comely, and around his age. Apparently, he had been receiving betrothal offers since the war's end, but his father had been refusing them outright until he got older. Jon strongly suggested avoiding any offers from the Westerlands or the Reach, and even hinted his support should Jasper look to Dorne for a bride. For the moment at least, he was leaving the decision up to Jasper. Gods, why couldn't he just leave well enough alone? I'm bloody four and ten, this is way too soon to even be thinking about a marriage!
He had no idea how to go about this, but he knew he should at least appear interested, lest his father get impatient and set up a betrothal agreement on his own. He couldn't help but grimace at the thought. He hadn't even courted a girl yet, and the most he'd done was some light flirting with Lady Obara. How could he be expected to just marry someone, and over bloody politics, no less?! He knew he needed advice, but there was no way he was bringing this to Ser Lynderly or Mya.
Who can I trust with something like this? It should definitely be a girl, but someone willing to be discrete and honest… He grabbed the letters and started running towards the Maiden's Tower, taking the steps two at a time. Filled halls parted for him and he was sure tongues would be wagging by the end of the day. Soon, he found himself in front of an expensive set of oak doors and he was knocking before he could change his mind.
Obara, clad in her usual assortment of boots and riding leathers, opened the door and simply raised her brow when she saw him there.
He looked at her, pleading. "I need your help, I beg of you, my lady. You have always been honest with me, and I have no idea how to handle this. Gods, I'm so lost, it's just-"
She cut off his stammering with a kiss to the cheek, lingering for a moment before whispering in his ear. "Relax my dear, I'm sure we can sort out whatever has you so troubled. It must be serious, if you came running to me. Just take a breath and try to order your thoughts." She kissed him again before stepping back and flashing him a sultry smirk. "Now come on, step inside and tell me all about it."
The conversation that followed was full of lots of blushing and shameless flirting, but Obara did end up giving him sound advice. He had his father send all the betrothal offers to the Eyrie, to show that he took this seriously. Then he started on a tour of Vale, visiting as many nobles and smallfolk as he could. To Jasper, this gave him a chance to see how his changes were influencing Vale, as well as meet all his potential suitors. He didn't have to pursue anyone either, merely show his father that he was making an effort. The tour only lasted for four months though, as Lady Lysa was due to give birth around that time, and he had to return to the castle.
The maester's predictions proved accurate, as just days after Jasper's arrival, Lysa gave birth to Robert Arryn. While it was a lengthy and painful process, there were thankfully no complications during the birth, and the babe was in good health. A few discrete healing and monitoring charms ensured both Lysa and her child stayed that way, and soon all of Vale was rejoicing at the news.
i {o,o}
i /) ')
i -"-"-
AN: I put in a lot of time going through all the past chapters, editing them and fixing anything I had missed in the past. I added quite a bit to the first chapter (although the plot is unaffected) and minor changes were made throughout. Take a peek and let me know what you think!
Notes. For those that know one 'verse, but not the other:
[1] For those that were confused, this baby is not the same person as Lysa's "Sweet Robin" from the books. As stated previously, Lysa originally suffered numerous miscarriages before giving birth to that child. This is one of those other children, but having survived due to changes that occurred in the timeline.
