Chapter 35

Sundas, the 3rd of Sun's Height, Year 202 of the 4th Era

Daenerys felt adrift after being dismissed by Jarl Law-Giver. Maven's ploy with Maul had completely altered the political battlefield. Maven had then seized her advantage and run with it. Daenerys knew the war between her and the Black-Briars wasn't over. Maven was the type to hold grudges, and Daenerys had committed herself already. She wanted to strike back soon and decisively. That the jarl's medicine was skooma provided by Maven should be enough, but all she had was the word of Mercer Frey. Maven would likely slither away from a mere accusation. Either Harrald or Saerlund Law-Giver could probably get her proof, but it might be best to wait until after the feast. She would be riding the wave of popularity from being named Thane of the Rift then. She would likely be invited back to the family quarters for conversation and more drinking after the feast. That would probably be the best time to act, but Maven would also be present. Regardless, that was hours away. First, she had to deal with the jarl's steward, Anuriel.

"Lady Targaryen, I need to know how many you intend to bring to the feast tonight." Her tone was apologetic and tactful instead of demanding. "You are the guest of honor, but you have seen the size of our table. We can sit thirty comfortably which is normally more than enough, but you have a large entourage. We can't possibly accommodate them all."

Daenerys nodded in understanding. Jarl Balgruuf's hall could sit at least sixty. Ulfric Stormcloak's hall was even larger, it could probably seat a hundred. Thirty seats were probably more than enough for Riften most of the time. "My party would include myself, Jon Battle-Born, Vignar Grey-Mane, Olfina Grey-Mane, Torvar the Companion, Sofija Ēlī Vokēdrie, Faralda Mistress of Destruction at the College of Winterhold, and Mjoll the Lioness. My housecarl, Lydia, will attend as well, but she'll be standing behind me."

"Of course," agreed Anuriel. "So, seven then. We can accommodate you. I was expecting much more."

Daenerys shrugged. "I'm not counting the Snow-Shods or Aringoth Golden-Glow as part of my entourage." As it should be. They were landed nobles of the Rift. A place at the jarl's table was their due.

"Yes, yes. I already planned for them to attend, and Jarl Law-Giver has extended Mjoll the Lioness a standing invitation to attend whenever she pleases, so she would be welcome anyway."

Asgeir Snow-Shod spoke up. "The Snow-Shods will also be making an announcement at this feast, and there has not been an opportunity to inform Jarl Law-Giver yet. Please inform her that my father is stepping down as leader of Clan Snow-Shod. Going forward I will lead us."

Daenerys kept her face impassive. No doubt Maven would know about this shortly. She would have preferred to keep the Black-Briars in the dark for a little longer, but she couldn't blame Asgeir. They were vassals to the Law-Givers and as such owed the jarl an explanation before making a public announcement.

For a steward and a politician, Anuriel did not conceal her surprise very well. "That is very unexpected. I trust that Vulwulf is well?"

"He is," agreed Asgeir Snow-Shod. "In fact, I believe he is happier than he has been in months. He and my mother have decided to join the Dragonguard."

"Ah, that explains your alliance with the Dragonguard to assault the Thieves' Guild. I'll be sure to let Jarl Law-Giver know. Please arrive before the feast. I'm sure the jarl would like a few words together with the Snow-Shods in private."

"We will present ourselves as soon as we arrive, but my mother and I have been tramping through the sewers. We need time to bathe and have our armor cleaned before we're presentable at the jarl's table."

"Yes, please." She wrinkled her nose and waved a hand, but she did it with a laugh and a smile. "I'm sure Jarl Law-Giver will appreciate that. I know I will." She turned to Daenerys. "And is there anything else you need, Lady Targaryen?"

"I need lots of hot bathwater brought to my suite. I don't suppose you know if the dresses that I ordered from Gold & Needle for myself and Sofija Ēlī Vokēdrie have arrived yet?"

"Yes, a delivery from Gold & Needle arrived earlier. It should be in your room. I am aware of your predilection to long hot baths, Lady Targaryen. I had the servants start boiling water when you arrived." Anuriel was a bit smug about it. "Your bath should be ready and waiting for you by now. If there is nothing else, I'll see you at the feast."

"Thank you, that will be all."

Once Anuriel had departed Asgeir Snow-Shod spoke up. "If you don't mind, Lady Targaryen, my mother and I should be going. We need to retrieve our men, catch my father up, and get ready for the feast."

Daenerys paused for a moment to consider. It was tempting to put everything aside until after she had a hot bath, but she still had no plan about how to expose the jarl's skooma addition. The Snow-Shods might be able to help her obtain the proof she needed. "Come with me to my suites first. There is something that I recently learned that you must know."

"Very well," agreed Asgeir.

"It won't be long. I'm looking forward to that hot bath that Anuriel promised." When they arrived at her assigned suite, Daenerys found the door unlocked and the rooms empty. The few belongings that had been left behind were untouched, but her handmaiden Raina was nowhere to be seen. She had given Raina specific orders not to open the door, not to leave the room, not even just to empty the chamber pot, but Raina was gone. Daenerys checked the door. It was undamaged, but it only had a lock, not a crossbar. Anyone with a key could have easily opened it. She briefly considered the possibility that Raina had disobeyed her, and left the room on her own power, but it didn't fit. Not because she was lame in one foot. She could still hobble about. However, the red-headed teenager was a horrible seamstress, and still learning how to be a good handmaiden, but she was fiercely loyal. She also wasn't stupid. Raina knew that she had been told to stay inside for her own safety. There was no way she had wandered off.

No, someone had taken Raina. Almost certainly, it had been done on the orders of Maven Black-Briar. This was her fault. She had left Raina alone so she could take every fighting man she had to assault the Thieves' Guild. Maybe she had underestimated the risk because guest right was practically sacred in Westeros, and almost as revered in Essos. However, that was a poor excuse, and excuses wouldn't bring Raina back. Her handmaiden was paying the price because she had left her unprotected.

"Barbas! Raina is missing. Can you find her?"

{I'll try,} barked Barbas. He went over and took a whiff of some folded-up blankets and then began circling the room, sometimes sniffing along the floor, sometimes raising his head, and smelling the air.

"Someday," muttered Burly Orryn. "I have got to hear the story about that dog."

Daenerys watched Barbas as she remembered Raina. She survived an ordeal that would break most women, but instead of being meek, she was fiercely defiant. She had chosen to stay with the Dragonguard and was determined to become a good handmaiden. She remembered Raina's pride at the awful black and red livery dress that she had created for herself. Daenerys had politely lied to her and told her that it still needed a little more work. Raina probably knew a lot of her secrets. While Raina left the tent during small council meetings, as the Dragonborn's handmaiden she was always close at hand. The thought of Maven Black-Briar learning that she made deals with Nocturnal and Clavicus Vile should have worried her. Maven could do a lot of damage with that knowledge. However, it was the thought of Raina being tortured for her loyalty that kept playing through her mind. Raina was stubborn and loyal. She wouldn't break easily. She was probably being tortured right now, the same way that Karliah had tortured Mercer Frey.

Twice Barbas walked out to the corridor only to turn back in. {She didn't go out the door, and her scent is all over the room. There is nothing to track.}

"A secret passage then?"

{Most likely,} agreed Barbas.

"Check the hallways then. If the hidden door opens to an adjacent room, then she might have been moved through the hallways."

{Someone scrubbed the hallways, but I'll try.}

"I take it this Raina is an important person," whispered Mjoll the Lioness from behind her back.

"She was just the Dragonborn's handmaiden," replied Olfina Grey-Mane in an equally low whisper. "Raina was no one special, but Lady Targaryen is like that. She cares about her people. All of them."

Daenerys only heard the conversation because of her werewolf senses and chose to remain silent. She had always cared for her own people. There was nothing particularly impressive about caring for your own. In a way she was a hypocrite. She encouraged Karliah to torture Mercer Frey after all. Raina had been a guest and was owed protection. That did make things different, but did that really make her right and Maven wrong? Yes. No. It didn't matter. Maven had taken one of hers.

{Barbas came running back. I couldn't smell her. I did promise to protect your Dragonguard, but I have limits.}

Daenerys reached down and scratched Barbas. "You did what you could."

She continued scratching Barbas while she considered her options. Have Barbas search? Wait until she had Maven over the barrel? Try to get more proof? She couldn't see any of those ending with Raina back, but she had to try. An anger burned into her belly and firmed into a decision. She needed to stop playing Maven's game and force Maven to play hers. She took Barbas' head in her hands and looked deep into his brown eyes. "Barbas, I want you to find her. Search Mistveil Keep. Search the streets. She didn't just vanish. She's somewhere in Riften."

{I'll look for her, but it's a big city. barked Barbas.}

She rose. "Jon and Olfina, I need you to go with him. Let him lead, but if anyone objects say he's your dog and cover for him. If he finds Raina and you can grab her, go for it, but this is primarily a scouting mission."

Jon looked at Barbas. "He's in charge? How far can we trust him considering what he is?"

"We have a deal. I trust him." Perhaps she trusted him too much, but Barbas had never let her down. He was probably her best hope for getting Raina back. "I want her found."

"We're on it," declared Olfina. She grabbed Jon by the arm and looked to Barbas. "So… lead the way."

Barbas barked and took off down the hallway. Jon and Olfina followed him.

Daenerys was tempted to wish them luck, but she wasn't counting on luck. "Everyone else, follow me into my suite. Now." Daenerys stepped inside and into the middle of the sitting room.

She considered who she had with her. There were quite a mixed group: two Companions, Vignar Grey-Mane and Torvar, Aringoth Golden-Glow, Nura and Asgeir Snow-Shod, Mjoll the Lioness, Burly Orryn and her two housecarls Sofija and Lydia. "Do any of you believe that Maven Black-Briar was truly innocent?"

Several of them said, "No." A few just snorted their disbelief. Only Asgeir and Mjoll looked at all doubtful.

"I have trouble believing she is innocent," said Mjoll. "However, the matter has been settled by trial by combat."

"Oh yes, it's settled," agreed Vignar sarcastically. "And Maul is dead, so he can't very well complain."

"True," agreed Daenerys. "However, despite what Maven implied, it didn't prove her innocence. The combat just proved that Maul was guilty. Furthermore, I have recently learned that Maven is guilty of even worse than conspiring with the Thieves' Guild. How many of you know that Jarl Law-Giver has been ill?"

"I knew," said Nura Snow-Shod. "I've cured her before, but whatever her illness it's resistant to being cured."

Burly Orryn made a growling noise. "Let me guess where this is going. It's resistant because Maven Black-Briar has been poisoning our jarl!"

"Keep it down, Burly, but you're right. It's poison, of a sort. Maven has addicted the jarl to skooma and is supplying it to her disguised as her 'medicine'."

"You can't be serious." "Skeever Scat!" "That bitch!"

"Skooma, I should have known," said Nura Snow-Shod. "She had the signs."

Daenerys focused on Nura. "What signs?"

"Loss of appetite. Mood swings, sometimes excited and full of energy, at other times lethargic. Dilated pupils. Inability to focus. Problems with digestion." She shook her head ruefully. "The eyes, pupils as wide as nighttime even in daylight. Skooma isn't the only thing that causes that, but…" She shook her head. "Not to mention the resistance to healing. If you catch a skooma addict early, healing can work, but once the habit is established, they always go crawling back for more no matter how often you heal them."

"Lady Targaryen, if you knew this, why didn't you bring it up in front of the jarl?" asked Asgeir.

"Because, I don't have proof." The word of Nura Snow-Shod would help, but it still wasn't proof. "You all saw how Maven slipped away from the fall of the Thieves' Guild. She didn't even get mud on her skirts. I was going to wait until I had been made Thane of the Rift and try to get proof, but they took Raina. I am done playing Maven's game. My new plan is to go to the jarl's private suite. She and her sons will be getting ready for the feast tonight. Maven and others may also be present, but we confront them all right there. We don't give Maven time to come up with another plan or slither away."

"Bold. I like it," said Mjoll.

Most of the others agreed with her, but Aringoth questioned, "And what if they won't admit us?"

"My handmaiden has been kidnapped. That's a breach of hospitality. I won't let them deny me."

Nura Snow-Shod dipped her head. "You're the Dragonborn. If you're certain this is the right thing, then all of us are with you."

There was a chorus of support and agreement.

"Thank you, thank you all, but you won't all be coming. Lydia and Burly Orryn, I need you two to go and get the Dragonguard. Tell Marcus to assemble them at the foot of the stairs to Mistveil Keep and be ready to attack."

"Fuck me," said Burly Orryn. "you're going to war over a maid?" He shook his head in disbelief.

"I'm not going to war." At least hopefully not. "I want the Dragonguard there to send a message and in case everything goes to Oblivion." She looked to Lydia. "Make sure Marcus knows that."

Lydia thumped her chest. "I hear and obey, my thane." She stood up and walked to the door.

Burly Orryn shook his head and followed Lydia. As he walked away, he could still be heard talking to Lydia. "I think your boss is mad, but gods what a woman!"

Daenerys shook her head at Burly's inability to be subtle. She glanced at the seven people she still had with her. "I am not going to war with Riften," she repeated. At least, not yet. "That was just a backup plan." It wasn't even a good back-up plan. The Dragonguard might be able to take Mistveil Keep. Much of the Riften Guards were deployed along the walls and scattered around Riften. A frontal assault could take the keep before reinforcements arrived, but too many things could go wrong. Even if everything went right, the fallout would hurt her politically. "It's also a warning. I will not stand aside and do nothing when one of my own is taken. A leader that won't fight for her people is not a leader worth following."

There was another chorus of agreement from everyone to that sentiment.

"Let's go. It's time for me to have a talk with Jarl Law-Giver and her family."

.oOo.

While her plan was rough there was more to it than just talking. In any fortress most of the guards were aimed outward to repel invaders. Competent leaders posted men inside as well at choke points, but when a fortress was also the seat of government where people lived and worked, all sorts of people wandered about. Daenerys only had to pass two guard stations to reach the jarl.

The first guard station was simply two men guarding the door. One of them stepped aside immediately when she asked politely. The other tried to follow procedure, send a messenger, and wait for her to be allowed entrance. Daenerys threatened to have him transferred to the Dragonguard where she would use him as dragon bait. He quickly stepped aside and let them pass.

That gave them access to the private hallways and rooms set aside for the jarl, her family, and servants. They passed a couple of maids and a boy rushing about, but the servants just pressed themselves up against the wall to let them pass. The jarl's actual suite of rooms was easy to find. It was the one with two more guards standing outside it.

One was tall, blond, young, and huge. The other man was brown of hair with a bit of grey. He had a broken nose and watched their approach with a suspicious gaze. Both of them moved their hands to their weapons. Clearly these two men were of much better quality than the others that she had blustered her way past.

The older man called out in a stern voice. "Halt. Lady Targaryen, we were not told to expect you."

"Because this was not planned. I need to speak to Jarl Law-Giver immediately."

The guards glanced at each other. The blond guard nodded. "I can convey a message, but I do not know if she will see you. Why do you need to speak with the jarl?"

"Because I and my party were accepted as guests in Mistveil Keep, but one of my servants was taken from my rooms. I want to know how this happened and what the jarl is going to do about it."

"Lady Targaryen," asked the older one politely. "Are you certain? Perhaps he just went for a walk while you were gone?"

"She," said Daenerys. "Is lame. She didn't go for a walk. Of that, I'm certain."

The guard dipped his head. "I'm sorry, Lady Targaryen. That does make it unlikely that she is just exploring the keep. Have you informed the Captain of the Guard yet?"

Daenerys scoffed at the idea. "Hemming Black-Briar? He is one of my chief suspects. The man has gone out of his way to antagonize me time and again. I wouldn't trust him if he said winter was cold."

"I see. Very well, I'll have Kjen convey your message, but the jarl is getting ready for the feast. You may have to wait a little while."

Daenerys gave him a nod. "Understandable. I would be willing to speak with either of her sons if that helps. Or perhaps Lady Black-Briar."

"Lady Black-Briar is in her own chambers getting ready for the feast, but Kjen can convey your message to the jarl and her sons."

The tall blonde nodded. "Aye." He opened the door just far enough for himself and slipped through.

Daenerys watched him leave with a feeling of anticipation. If she could get to the jarl and her sons without Maven Black-Briar around to influence things, this might turn out even better than she hoped.

The older man side-stepped to stand in the center of the doorway. "Lady Targaryen, even if Jarl Law-Giver does agree to see you, I cannot admit your entire party."

"I understand." She did. The guards were responsible for protecting Jarl Law-Giver from assassins. Restricting her party was rather pointless since she could Shout, but he was just doing his duty. "Would I be allowed to bring Nura Snow-Shod, Vignar Grey-Mane, and my housecarl with me?"

"Just Lady Snow-Shod and Vignar Grey-Mane, my lady."

Daenerys was about to agree when the door opened.

Kjen emerged. "Jarl Law-Giver is in her chambers, but Harrald and Saerlund Law-Giver have both consented to speak with you."

"Thank you." Daenerys gave them both an approving nod and walked on in.

The next chamber was sitting room for family and guests. The room was obviously designed for impressing guests. The furniture was expensive and ornate. An elaborately woven rug covered most of the floor. The unlit fireplace was made of marble rather than the rough stone of the rest of the keep. There was also a throne, not as elaborate as in the dining hall, but it was larger, more ornate, and had more cushions than the other chairs, so it was obviously meant for the jarl. Yet, the room also showed a woman's touch. The ornate chairs were all cushioned for comfort. There was a distinct lack of the stuffed animal heads that were so commonly used by Nords for decorating. Instead, live plants growing in pots were scattered around the edges of the room. The chairs were paired up around small tables allowing guests to have cozy conversations, or to all face the throne.

Currently, the throne was empty, but there were three men present. The Jarl's housecarl, Unmid Snow-Shod, stood guard over a door directly behind the throne. He stood as still as a statue, but Daenerys had no doubt that he would explode into action if someone tried to force the door to the jarl's bedroom. The other two men were Harrald and Saerlund Law-Giver. The two brothers stood flanking the throne with Harrald to the right of the throne and Saerlund to the Ieft. This was the first time she saw Harrald and Saerlund together. While their personalities were quite different, they were clearly brothers. Their kinship was obvious by the shape of their chin, their overall build, and especially their eyes. They had the same eyes, but not their mothers. It occurred to Daenerys that she didn't even know the name of Laila Law-Giver's husband or how he died. It wouldn't surprise her to learn that Maven Black-Briar was somehow responsible, but they were old enough he might simply have died in the Great War. Harrald was still wearing his armor, but he had never left the guildhall of the Thieves' Guild or waded through the sewers. He probably didn't need to change for the feast. Saerlund was wearing a different outfit from when she met him in the library, but it was just a variation on the current fashion in different colors and embroidery. Despite the heat he was wearing a bearskin mantel with it.

Daenerys advanced to stand in the middle of the room facing the brothers and the empty throne. Vignar moved to her right and Nura to her left. "Harrald, Saerlund, thank you for agreeing to talk to me."

"Kjen said that it was urgent," said Harrald. "One of your followers is missing?"

"Raina, my handmaiden," agreed Daenerys. "She was kidnapped from my assigned suite while we were under Law-Giver hospitality. She did not wander off. First, because she is lame. Second, because I ordered her to stay in my suites for her own safety."

"You distrusted her safety?" asked Harrald.

"Was I wrong?" demanded Daenerys.

"Lady Targaryen." Saerlund spoke her name calmly. "I understand you are upset and rightfully so. If you will give us a description, we will set our guards to searching for us. Would that suffice?"

"No," replied Daenerys. "Because my primary suspect is Maven Black-Briar and her son is in charge of the Riften Guard." She held up a hand to stop Harrald before he could talk. "I have proof that Maven has committed treason against your family."

From where she was standing Daenerys could see Unmid Snow-Shod's hand jerk upward as if he was going to draw that big two-handed sword off his back, but he deliberately lowered his hand. His eyes focused on her, and he was clearly absorbing every word.

"Treason?" asked Harrald as he threw his hands up in the air. "You were wrong about Maven. That was proved earlier. Maul was the one who was working with the Thieves' Guild behind Aunt Maven's back. He probably forged that letter about the Dark Brotherhood."

Daenerys looked at Saerlund. "Do you believe Maven is innocent?"

Saerlund gave a barely perceptible shrug. "She's far from innocent, but she produced plenty of evidence that Maul was guilty. It's a pity that he's dead, but it is also very convenient for Maven, don't you think? That happens a lot to Maven's enemies."

Harrald shook his finger. "See, if Saerlund believes it, then it must be wrong."

"I think you do your brother a disservice, Harrald Law-Giver. He sees deeper than you do. It's no wonder he is bitter when his insights are ignored. You were wrong about the Thieves' Guild. Would it hurt you to listen to what I have to say instead of dismissing me in advance?"

"I suppose not." Harrald reluctantly agreed as if it hurt him to be reasonable.

Saerlund sighed. "As much as it pains me to agree with my brother's skepticism, I'll need proof as well. While 'Aunt' Maven is underhanded and does take advantage of her close relationship to my mother, she supports our family. She is also a close personal friend of Mother's. I already told you that Maven found the medicine that cured her."

"The medicine isn't a cure." Daenerys spoke slowly, but with force. "It's poison. Skooma to be specific."

"Skooma?" Harrald laughed. "My mother is not a skooma addict."

Saerlund froze as Harrald laughed, but after a moment his face flushed with anger, and he clenched his fists. "Skooma! Of course, how could I be so blind! She took it right in front of us the whole time. The way she would shudder after a dose. I thought it was relief from the pain. I'm going to kill Maven. I'm going to wring Auntie Maven's scrawny neck."

"Saerlund, you don't really believe her," asked Harrald. "Our mother a skooma addict? That's not possible. We would know. Wouldn't we?"

"Obviously, we didn't. We were young when her 'illness' struck. We didn't question. Oblivion, I feel so stupid."

Nura Snow-Shod took a half-step forward. "You weren't stupid. You were deceived. I'm a trained healer. I've healed skooma addicts before. I should have realized. The signs are all there. Weight loss. Loss of appetite. Lack of concern about her appearance. Sunken eyes. Mood swings. Shirking responsibilities. Dilated pupils. Even the trouble with her bowels." She shook her head. "And I couldn't cure her. That should have told me everything. If you catch a skooma addict early, you can cure them, but once they're on it long enough they'll always crave it and go back to it."

Unmid stepped forward until he stood just behind the throne and the two brothers. "Mother, are you certain? If this is true, it means I failed my duty to the jarl."

"It fits the signs. I just didn't put the pieces together. I'm so used to skooma addicts being homeless wrecks living on the streets that come crawling to me for healing. If you want to be certain, we can check her 'medicine'. I know what skooma looks like."

"I'm not sure I believe this," said Harrald. "But, I suppose there is no harm in checking mother's medicine."

Unmid nodded. "I agree. Not that I don't believe you, Mother, but we must check her medicine, but if it is skooma… Maven Black-Briar will taste my blade." He strode to the door and knocked. "Jarl Law-Giver, your sons and I need to speak to you."

No answer came.

Unmid knocked again. "Jarl Law-Giver?"

Still no answer. Daenerys looked to the Law-Giver brothers. From the frowns on their faces, they also knew something was wrong.

Unmid pulled upon a necklace and lifted it up over his head. There were three keys on the necklace. He grabbed one and knocked again. "Jarl Law-Giver? I'm coming in." He opened the door

Jarl Law-Giver lay upon the bed with her throat cut open and blood everywhere. A handmaiden or other servant in Law-Giver livery lay dead upon the floor. Her throat was also cut open. From the smell of fresh blood they had died recently.

Unmid and the Law-Giver brothers rushed inside. Saerlund grabbed his mother's corpse and held onto her, tears dripping from his eyes as Harrald and Unmid yelled at each other about how this could have happened.

Daenerys followed in their wake trying to understand. If Maven was responsible, and she had no other suspect, why had she done this? This wasn't her style at all. There was no subtlety. Maybe it was desperation, but how had Maven even known? Then she noticed that there was a third corpse in the room.

Raina lay on the floor. She was still wearing the red on black livery dress that she had inexpertly made. Her eyes were open and glazed over. She would never see anything again. A jeweled dagger was sticking out of her chest, thrust up under the ribcage. Daenerys had a brief remembrance. That was exactly the same way Jon Snow had killed her.