Chapter 9
Gliding along the seas quietly, a man slept in his bunk. This was true of hundreds of different men across the world, of course. The difference here was that the man's dreams were different. Altered. In a way they had not been since his childhood, since he had spread his wings and found scales and leather rather than feathers. The bird spoke to him again, whispering sweet promises. Whether they were true or not, the man seized on them. When godhood is placed in your hands, you do not hesitate, after all.
Euron Greyjoy slipped into the night, headed far north to a destiny that should never have been his. The disappearance came with relief for some and disappointment for others - paramount among the former was his brother. Having a younger brother who was clever and charming would always be a threat to his sons, after all.
Perhaps he should have been more worried about why, exactly, his younger brother would give that opportunity up willingly. But then, Balon Greyjoy had never been the smartest of men, and right now his focus - and ire - was on the Farwynds and their little expedition west. Any opportunities it might open up would draw men away from the rebellion Balon planned.
News from the greenlanders seemed promising on that front.
…
Things were progressing fairly well, in my estimation. The bards all along the roads spreading the new and catchy song I had commissioned would help add a boost to my regime's popularity among the smallfolk which, in addition to the infrastructure projects I was paying for, had reduced the unpopularity of some of my new labor saving devices. I had spent weeks writing down ideas I remembered that could feasibly be built with technology from today. Seed drills, water powered looms, a few chemical combinations I remembered. Gunpowder was fairly easy if not the exact ratios - saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, I was fairly certain. I also vaguely remembered articles about roman cement having seawater in addition to limestone and volcanic ash. That would be a bit tougher, since Westeros seemed weirdly lacking in active volcanoes except for the Dragonmont. Maybe George just didn't focus on that, though.
But ultimately the truth was that most of my knowledge had been surface deep, earned through skimming wikipedia articles instead of doing work in classes. I certainly couldn't tell you schematics for much beyond that - I wasn't even certain what the crops in crop rotation were. Clovers, maybe? Beets? I could experiment, sure, but it would take time. Right now I wanted to capitalize on the early popularity of my regime to establish firmer institutional strength.
One thing I did remember a bit better was several essays I had read about how a lord could economically develop the regions of Westeros. I didn't remember all of it - there was definitely a lot of canals, since the technology was pretty simple and mostly required a lot of manual labor (handy, that, since I was putting a fair few laborers out of jobs elsewise.)
The biggest one was creating a Mander to Blackwater canal. Which made sense - you have a city of about half a million that needs constant feeding and the breadbasket region either has to travel by land or around the continent, both of which cost quite a bit. Charging tolls on that alone would earn a sizeable chunk of income, frankly. In fact, speaking of tolls, I got thinking about how I could conquer the stepstones and charge reasonable but consistent tolls to traffic there to bring in extra income. It would take a lot of effort on both counts, but those tolls could go to something else I was thinking about.
I needed a bank. The Iron Bank was nice and all and a solid source of funds, but if I took over banking on this side of the Narrow Sea, I could make my dynasty's grasp on the land vastly more secure while also greatly increasing my income. After all, I could invest my spare tax income into the bank, then put out loans for different purposes - loans to lords to invest in their own lands, sure, but also loans to the common folk so they could purchase land, allowing for a massive expansion in the amount of agriculture being done, especially in the North with its sparse populations. Plus I could then use the terms of the loans to spread my new machines and ideas (once I got them working) across the farms, increasing the productivity much more rapidly. I even thought about accepting extra food for repayment so that I could build up granaries and storehouses across the country for the Long Winter that would come sooner or later.
All in all, I found myself excited by the prospects ahead. Once my work on the roads finished, I could turn my attention to those other projects. So over those weeks I set more artisans to work crafting these various ideas until I had working prototypes.
Speaking of prototypes, the first printing press had been finished and was fairly handy. It managed to copy the Seven Pointed Star much faster than a scribe could, and once I got around to making paper a cheap alternative, books could proliferate across the continent.
That would go hand in hand with another idea I had. My own failures on remembering schematics had reminded me that I simply could not proliferate an industrial revolution on my own. I could set the gears in motion, and help guide new inventions into popularity, but my own efforts would eventually stall. That was why I needed to start building a much larger base of educated people. In fact, I even had the people I needed to set things in motion. Recently handfuls of half-maesters, full maesters, acolytes, and some novices from the Citadel had been arriving. They all told roughly the same story - of feeling stifled, more like servants than anything, and that they wanted to work for my regime. I might've put them into the University, but that was still a ways off. But I could do something else, instead.
Not every educated person needed to be skilled in eight hundred different subjects, in my estimation. You could have men skilled in healing, in communications, smithing, a hundred other subjects without needing them all. So what I proposed to them was that I would pay them a hefty salary for the next few years to spread into the cities and larger towns and open link schools. These schools would offer free education to anyone willing to put their services to use in the kingdom, training them in one of the various links and how to read. This would give me a double whammy of both a literate base to spread the newly printed books to as well as more educated people capable of doing the specialized jobs we needed. These were both crucial to my hopes for a scientific revolution - being able to write down ideas and pass them around as well as having more people to pass them to would allow for a more inventive populace.
I was making my way towards the Treasury in order to set aside funds for this very endeavour when I spotted one of the lieutenants of my Guard returning from Maegor's Holdfast. This was strange mostly because he was on leave and Maegor's Holdfast only held a few notables - including Tywin, for that matter. He had been hanging around, opting to wait until the coronation was over.
My attention shifted rapidly when I passed Lyanna in the halls. Our sparring had gone well lately, and she offered me a sly smirk. "I look forward to tonight, your grace," She said, "When I finally beat you," she added triumphantly. She was still riding high off a near victory last night, it seemed. With her shortness making it difficult to do traditional swordfighting, she had to rely on agility and increasingly unorthodox tactics in order to win. Last night was the first time she got close, managing two hits with some very dirty tricks before I got the third hit on her and defeated her. And then she was gone, passing onwards, leaving behind a flash of grey eyes and a hint of flowery perfume for my mind to run over repeatedly.
I soon found myself at the doors of the Treasury. Entering, I found a handful of clerks jotting down notes. I had approved an expansion in staff for all of the councilors in order to manage the projects I had better. "Lord Damon," I called, knowing he would likely be working through the ledgers left behind by the last man to occupy the office. He poked his head out after a moment.
"Aye, your grace?" he asked, beckoning for me to join him in the office where the low chatter would not disturb our conversation (and, frankly, where the seating was much more comfortable.) I joined him within, sitting in the comfortable chair as he poured a glass of wine and offered me some. I accepted a bit, out of politeness. The Reachmen knew their wine, at least. The stuff wasn't bad. After a bit he finally broke the silence. "So, you wished to see me and I assume it's not a courtesy call?"
"You're right, Lord Damon, it's not. I've come to speak with you about a project I want funded, you see. How goes your work in ordering the treasury, by the way?" I wondered, beckoning towards the ledger he had clearly been working on before.
"Well enough. Even with the expenses on, ah, wildfire, as well as the loss of revenues and the costs of maintaining an army, Aerys still left a fair amount behind. Two million dragons, all told. Even with the amount set aside for the army for the next five years and the costs of expanding the roads, we're only down four or five hundred thousand - I can give you an exact amount when the work on the roads is done." I nodded my head. Jesus, Robert, how the hell did you manage to suck all of that up without much of anything to show for it? And six million more than that, for that matter.
Shaking my head internally, I explained the details of my plan to Damon. He saw some of the wisdom in it - less travel to get educated meant more people could become educated, and the more educated people there were, the more services could be done for those surrounding them. Healthier peasants, better communication, it would all weave the kingdom more tightly together.
Of much more interest to him, however, was the banking and printing presses, which had a more immediate profitability, and as the treasurer he would have some influence over the bank's internal funds at least until it had enough money coming in from loans to stand on its own two legs. No doubt he would suggest several Marbrand cousins and Hills for positions - and assuming they were fairly competent, I would accept. If I had the ability to pry away lords from Tywin's iron grip, I would take it. God knew that the gold from his mines could be put to good use minting new currency to put into circulation.
The meeting successful and the funds put aside, I went on with my day. Hearing petitions was the most frustrating - I had to be careful to both line up well with prior precedent while still trying to be just. It was a careful balancing act. I would definitely need to set up courts within my own lands to handle petitions of this sort to cut down on the smaller claims. And with them already established in my own land, I could slowly gobble up other lands until all of Westeros had some basis of a court system, even if it was only for lesser claims and petitioning. Wresting the right of pits and gallows away would be a much longer process, one that would have to come after I had built up my other strengths.
Watching the soldiers drill was probably the best part of the day. Under Stannis and Aron Santagar's watchful eyes, the men had flourished, becoming a steely core I could use to hold an army together. With the revenue from the Crownlander castles and my various other projects, I would definitely invest in expanding them. For now, though, I was content to watch as the crossbowmen practiced their marksmanship, already showing great progress in the few months they had been training.
It surprised me a bit when the same lieutenant I had seen exiting Maegor's Holdfast approached me, then. He seemed a bit fidgety, and requested a meeting somewhere less open. I graciously agreed, finding a spare room in the Red Keep, my ever watchful white shadows trailing along behind us.
Once we were in a secure and private room, I sat down and beckoned for him to join me across the way. He did, and I waited for him to collect his thoughts and speak. After a moment, the lieutenant began a most peculiar tale. "Yer Grace," He finally said. "You told us when we were first commissioned, you said, if anyone tried to bribe us, come and tell you and you would pay us more." He paused, combing his fingers through his greying beard. "Lord Tywin, he offered me a hefty sum just to tell him about the goings on in the guard and who else might be willing to take pay from him." The man paused. "I might have done it, too, what with Bethany sick and the girls needing dowries, but I know that one can't be trusted. I remember when things were better. Under the last Aegon, I mean. And he took that away. Whatever he's planning, it can't be good for us folk," He finished, shrugging.
"I appreciate you telling me this," I said after waiting a long moment in case he had anything else to say. "Lord Tywin does not appreciate the value of men like you, and that is his own failing. Now," I said, leaning forward. "How much did he offer you? I'll pay it and more besides to see to it Bethany gets treated and your girls have a good dowry."
"Five hundred dragons, your grace. He showed me the sack full and everything." I nearly choked on my own tongue. Five hundred? That was twenty times his yearly salary. After a moment of shock, I nodded my head, retrieving an ink pot and quill as well as some parchment before I paused. God damn, did having a Westerman as my treasurer seem like a bad idea now. But removing him right now might make Tywin suspicious and therefore shake up his plots. No, better to get a sense of what he was plotting so I could take it down wholly and completely. I finished writing the note, signing it and stamping it with my signet ring.
"There. You know the royal suite? Take that to the clerk in the room next to it. He'll give you six hundred dragons straight from my own purse, good solid gold. And Daryn?" I asked, as he paused in taking the note.
"Aye, your grace?" He wondered thoughtfully.
"I want you to do two things for me. Tell the other lieutenants and sergeants about this, and make sure your family is well taken care of." Because whatever Tywin was plotting, it would not be simple or easy. Better to face death knowing your family is cared for, at least.
He took that as the leave it was meant to be, and I slipped out of the room, pausing to consult my kingsguard. Today it was Ser Oswell and Ser Brynden. I considered both of them. "Sers, I must say I've had some difficulty figuring out just who should fill your ranks. Have you any recommendations?" I considered throwing a tourney. In fact, as I thought about it, I also considered the idea of knightly orders. I could establish them in some of the kingdoms in order to strengthen my grasp, after all. One in the Riverlands could police the roads in my name and fight banditry, while another in the Reach could appeal to their peacockery, chivalry, and general flamboyance, creating a constant struggle to stay in my favour and therefore be allowed into the gallant order with its fine feasts, hunting, hawking, and balls.
Yes, I was quite liking the idea of that. I also listened keenly to their suggestions, although most of them were from the Riverlands since that was the region they had the most contact with outside the Crownlands. Still, I took the suggestions in mind, resolving to send ravens to those lords and see about filling the ranks of the Kingsguard.
After that came another sparring session with Lyanna. I looked forward to these - just being able to exert myself in a duel without being judged constantly for martial prowess by my lords was much appreciated, let alone the good company. I took up my place opposite her, offering a crooked smile as she adopted a flamboyant opening stance. Then it began. She usually took the offensive, in order to set me on my back foot and also to finish the fight quickly before her endurance ran out, though that was becoming less and less of a problem as she recovered from her stint in the Tower of Joy and her pregnancy.
My distraction cost me, as a sudden whipping attack came from my right, her feint - which I normally would have caught - allowing her an opening. I managed to block it, just barely, but then my focus was back on things and I was soon driving her back. She tried to sweep out and catch my legs, but this time I was prepared for it, catching her overextended arm and pulling until she landed on her stomach. Three quick taps to the collarbone later, I had won.
"You're getting better." I said with a wry grin.
She spat out a tuft of grass. "Doesn't feel like it," she grumbled, standing and rubbing her collarbone with a grimace.
"No, I'm fairly certain of it. Before you couldn't hold a sword. Now you can fight… barely." She scowled, trying to poke me in the gut with the sword. "Rude," I said with a frown, dodging it fairly easily. "Ned wrote. Catelyn is nearly recovered, so he'll be riding down with her in a few days." Lyanna perked up at that.
"Oh, good. Is he bringing your namesake with him? Perhaps I can finally compare the two of you and see which is the better behaved." She said.
"No, he's going north along with, er…" I paused, realizing I had stepped onto a minefield.
"Brandon," She said after a moment. "Brandon. You can say his name, you know. He's not dead. I have you to thank for that, I suppose, even if it hurt quite viciously." She shrugged. "Best not to dwell on it too much," She said, more to herself than to me. I nodded at that, making my way to the hollow log, putting my practice sword away in favor of the gift I had just received yesterday. I removed it from its hiding place, the sheath cool in my grip as I offered it to her. It took her a moment to reach out and touch it, her fingers running along the length of the sheath before gripping the hilt.
"It's not like any I've seen," she admitted, her fingers protected by a basket hilt wrought in gold and silver. When she drew it forth, the silvery steel shone in the moonlight, thin but deadly sharp. It was as close to a rapier as I could get.
"I had it made based off the thinner blades of the Braavosi bravos." I explained. She gave it a few practice swings, the thin blade audibly parting the air. "I admit I am not skilled in their way of fighting. I think I'll hire one of them to train you in it."
"That would be nice," She admitted. "But I would also miss these little duels of ours."
"We can take up other activities, my lady. Hawking, riding…" She nodded at that.
Before I could say more Ser Brynden made his way towards us. "A messenger from Prince Stannis, Your Grace. He wishes to speak urgently."
I begged my leave of her before moving quickly with Ser Brynden. We soon arrived at Stannis' office, and I was barely in my seat before he began speaking, pacing like a caged tiger as he was. "You missed dinner," He said. I nodded. "The Lannister girl. She was flirting with me. That happens often enough, women wanting to see if they can wriggle their way into the royal family. But when her attempts failed she kept pushing, getting deeper and deeper in her cups. She wouldn't stop touching me, running her fingers on my arms, trying to place her… breasts on me. But then she said something very peculiar." Stannis explained. I nodded my head, beckoning for him to continue.
"She told me I would look much better with a crown on my brow. And then she seemed embarrassed and withdrew, and soon she left entirely. I don't like it. And you already know about Daryn, of course. It's all suspicious. I don't trust the Lannisters, even less than any other schemers." He paused, considering things. "I don't like it, Robert. I think they're trying some plot or another to replace you. It's my duty to snuff these things."
I nodded my head but put up a placating hand. "I agree completely, but this evidence simply is not enough to take down the Lannisters. An offhand comment while drunk and a bribe to a guard is simply not enough. We need something concrete. I will have to ask something great of you, Stannis. You need to go along with this plot. I think from the details I have learned so far they may attempt to place you on the throne. If you can acquire more details, pretend to be interested in Cersei and the throne, then we can learn everything we need to about this plot to destroy it utterly and completely." I explained. "It is a great deal to ask of you. If you do not wish to go through with it, I will find another way. But this is a great opportunity to take down one of the worst schemers of them all, to drain the corruption of the Lannisters and their lackeys from the realm."
After a long moment of gritting his teeth and pacing, Stannis acquiesced.
And the counterplot began to form.