Fireking500 - I had not thought of that. Will keep that in mind if I ever do something like this again.
JAIMOL - Thanks, I think?
- Appreciate the vote of confidence.
Focus of the future - It is indeed something.
When deciding on something of incalculable importance, such as deciding the next Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, it was not a decision to be reached quickly. Undue haste might indicate a rash decision, or that one side lacked confidence in their cause and the level of support they held.
Besides, it was a chance for the variously lords of the realm to network with those they wouldn't otherwise get a chance to talk too. Westeros was a large place, after all, and travelling its many highways and byways, or even by water was a long, arduous and potentially lethal experience. And besides, how often was it that they got to dine of the Iron Thrones money?
I was keeping off the reigns for the most part, and had considered imposing limits, but had ultimately decided against it. The increase in customers was aiding the local economy to a certain extent, even if it was only the taverns and brothels.
The fact that my grandfather wasn't outright approaching people to bribe them was noted by Varys in one of the few conversations I'd had with him during the deliberations. According to Tywin bribery was only necessary when the result was in doubt, which had me confident. If his reading of the political room was that things were swinging in my favour, who was I to argue?
It was all I could do to look confident and self-assured without appearing too smug or cocksure, if for no other reason than I didn't want to lose any votes to hubris or the like. Still, it was hard to keep it from going in that direction when every other lord was trying to kiss my ass or suck up to me in some way or another.
With so many Lords of various stripes in town along with their associated entourages, the city was little more than controlled chaos at the moment. The City Guard, as ineffectual as it was, was doing little to curb the chaos save for lining their own pockets with more coin to look the other way or to beat up this Lord or that functionary at the behest of someone else. Then proceed to pin it on a random member of the smallfolk.
It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, really. As a favour to Tyrion when he'd first arrived I'd appointed his faithful Sellsword Bronn appointed as Commander of the City Watch. Having given Jonos Slynt a small Lordship out in the boonies as payment for his assistance in dealing, I'd sent the man on his way with my well wishes. Knowing full well the man was probably going to be shanked by someone on the way out the door.
Regardless, while the City Watch as an institution was wholly corrupt and equally as ineffectual, I had no doubt a sellsword would fit right in. But it also meant that, in one of the rare instances where he was away from Tyrion's presence, I was able to secure a small… service out of him.
"Wine?" I asked as we took a seat in one of the lesser offices in the Red Keep I'd Shanghaied for this meeting.
"Please."
"I'll get right to the point," I started as I poured a cup of wine for the each of us. Sandor stood in the corner, unreadable as ever. But he was always good a keeping his own counsel around me. Which was fair. "I would like to hire you to kill someone for me."
That raised an eyebrow from Bronn and a glance from Clegane. "And pray tell what would the high and mighty King of all this 'n' that need for someone to be killed? Don't you have executioners and the like for that?" Bronn questioned as he accepted the cup and drank.
I laughed. "I do. But this particular death is one I'd rather keep unofficial if you catch my drift. One that can't be traced back to me, regardless of who wins this pissing contest I've put on between myself and Stannis."
A look of small understanding crossed his face and nodded. "And just who is it that's gotten your goat, your Grace? And just how much are you willing to keep it off the books?"
"Petyr Baelish and 500 dragons," I answered simply. It was a lot of money, sure, but it was a job I wanted done and I wanted it done right. And Bronn was one of the few people I could count on to get it done. Normally, this kind of task would've fallen to Gregor, but he stuck out far too much and could easily be traced back to me.
Bronn had just the right amount of low cunning and connections to get it done and make it not look like a hit. A low whistle escaped Bronn's lips at both the name and the amount.
"A man could almost retire on that amount of money."
"They could," I agreed. "But I get the feeling that my uncle has far loftier promises to fulfil, and I figure this will help tide you over until he pays up." There was a pause and a nod from Bronn. I already had an idea of what had been promised from the show, but I wasn't about to broadcast that to a man who'd probably shank me for knowing too much. "And besides, I'm also buying your silence on the matter. You aren't to tell anyone. Not even Tyrion," I continued.
He nodded. "Sounds fair. I'm going to need certain… assurances that you're actually going to pay, however. Just 'cause you're promising big isn't going to make me less stupid."
I chuckled. "Fair enough." A hand reached into one of the drawers and pulled out a purse before tossing it to Bronn. "That's 200 up front. I've got the rest for you when it's done. I don't care how you do it. Just make sure it can't be traced back to me."
Bronn smiled, weighing the purse in his hand. "Consider it done. We'll talk again soon…"
And with that he was gone, wishing a jaunty tune as he left. Once he was out of ear shot, Clegane spoke up. "You actually expect that cunt to do it? What's to stop him from running back to Tyrion to dob you in? Or to Baelish in exchange for more money?"
"Nothing I suppose," I figured with a shrug. "But I did give him a stupid amount of money. And besides, Baelish has a reputation for being a manipulative prick who's promises aren't worth squat. While Tyrion would like tell him to get on with it as tell someone else."
And with that I stood. "Regardless, Baelish is a piece that needs to be removed from the board, and Bronn is just the man to do it."
It didn't take more than two days for the job to be done. With his brothels being overworked, they were taking up more of Baelish's time. So, during a return to the Red Keep from one of his houses of ill-repute, the Master of Coin was put upon by a number of roughens. They refused to believe such a fine dandy was out alone on such a fine night and killed him, or so was the official report of the Commander of the City Watch to what remained of the Small Council the next morn. It would seem that we were down a Master of Ships, a Master of Laws, and now a Master of Coin.
Unwilling to have such a barebones Small Council, I appointed a functionary, Hogarth Lastlyke, to act as Master of Coin until the Great Council was resolved. Mostly so that there was someone to sign off on all the expenses that wasn't me. And to keep on top of the books.
At the front of the room, I found myself standing with my uncle Tyrion, while only a few steps away Lord Stannis stood with his loyal vassal Ser Davos Seaworth, as we all took in the sight of the teeming crowd made up of all the noble Houses of Westeros as they cast their votes for the next King. Both sides had allies amongst those in attendance and a fair idea of which way the winds were blowing.
When Renly stopped an equal distance between both Joffrey and Stannis, his face initially unreadable for a moment before he turned to smile at me. "Good morning, nephew," he greeted warmly before turning to his older brother, "Stannis," recognising his brother with as little courtesy as he could muster.
Stannis's reaction seemed to please Renly, and I had to hide a small grin myself. "We should go hunting in the Kingswood again soon," he suggested in a louder voice than was needed for it to carry. "Your father, Robert, would expect his younger brothers to do their best to assist in raising your correctly, teaching you how to be a man, and support you as he would have done if he were still here."
In one of the many rumours that were about after the Council, there were those who said that anyone nearby could hear the sound of Stannis's teeth grinding at that comment.
"Ah, well. Duty calls," he declared, "I must go cast my Great Council vote. I'm sure that the other Lords of the Stormlands are only waiting for me to go first out of politeness. By your leave, your Grace." He waited for permission, not looking towards Stannis for even a moment.
"Of course, Unc… Lord Renly," I replied gesturing for him to carry on.
If only the phrase 'sick burn' was popular here, I was sure that it would be in overuse right now. As it was there were simply murmurings.
Seaworth and Stannis started talking to each other, and I made a pointed effort not to listen in. If they wanted to do some last minute plotting and scheming that was their business and I wasn't about to butt in. But Stannis looked to be getting progressively angrier with Seaworth as the conversation went on, and I couldn't help but wonder if the Onion Knight would soon be in need of a job elsewhere…
I was quickly distracted by the Lannister servant approaching Tyrion, however, who quickly began whispering in his ear for a few moments before running off towards where the still-serving members of the Small Council were seated. "My Lords," announced Tyrion to both myself and Stannis. "A raven has just arrived from Prince Doran Martell in Sunspear who has apparently ordered his brother and the Dornish Houses to withdraw from the Great Council without casting their votes, effectively declaring their abstention."
"Do we know why?" Asked Stannis as this was certainly a surprise to the both of us.
"We do not, Lord Stannis," offered Tyrion. "And since they look as surprised as we do, my guess is the reason is known only to Doran Martell."
"Will this invalidate the vote any, Lord Tyrion?" Queried Seaworth with great concern. The way that the Martell's would vote was a great mystery, and the subject of much business by the bookies who were were taking odds on who was voting for whom and why. One of the more popular theories was that they were going to side with Stannis, if only to thumb their noses as Tywin Lannister, but that appeared not to be the case any longer. If it were true at all.
"It shouldn't, Ser Davos," Tyrion informed him, "But it's still very strange. Though, no one has ever accused the Dornish of going with the flow regarding the rest of the Seven Kingdoms."
Personally, I just hope it didn't fuck me as I watched and waited…