Chapter 10-Contestation
Petyr Baelish didn't believe in deities. He never did. Why should he believe in them? Did anyone even consider the idea that they didn't exist? Even if they did, what had the Old Gods, the Seven, or any other deity done for him in his life? Nothing! Everything Petyr Baelish did, whether for good or ill (mostly the latter), he had done it himself, or he had orchestrated to happen through his many contacts. Petyr came from nothing. His family as a whole came from nothing. Each Baelish before him had to improve their life based on what the previous Baelish had done before them. For a time, House Baelish wasn't even a House. Just a few members of a poor or smallfolk family struggling to eat drink, and even breathe to see the next day. Then one Baelish decided to become a Sell Sword. The one Baelish after that worked his way up to make his family a Minor House for the Vale and eventually get Petyr as a ward for House Tully.
And from there, Petyr used all his intellect, cunning, and skill he possessed to become one of the most influential people in all of the Seven Kingdoms. He became the Master of Coin for King Robert Baratheon. He had a seat on the Small Council. He owned brothels and had more money then most High Lords throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The amount of gold that Petyr acquired over the years serving as Master of Coin had given him almost as much wealth as the great Tywin Lannister himself! He had achieved what no one else in his family had ever done. He had risen up from a lowly frail child with just his little sack of poor quality clothing and become one of the most influential men in the Seven Kingdoms. Achieved with gold, blackmail, and having a spy network second only to the Seven damned Spider.
Yet in this strange dark place filled with dark skies and white sand as far as the eye could see with a few boulders, or rocks lying around, it matter little. Petyr knew all of the gold, blackmail, and information he obtained on people through the many whores working in his brothels...it counted for nothing here.
"Enjoying yourself?" asked Naruto while appearing 10 feet away from the stunned man born on the edge of the Vale.
"Why don't you come closer so I can express my gratitude more physically," called out Petyr with the dagger still in hand.
"I'll pass, but thanks anyway Lord Baelish" replied Naruto before he used his Rinnegan to yank the dagger out of the man's hands, sat on a nearby rock, and looked at Petyr with a lazy look on his face.
"So what happens now? Is this the part where I fall to my knees in despair and cry my eyes out? Where I beg for my life and swear in the name of the Seven that I will repent my wicked ways if freed? That I will take the Black and serve on the Wall?" asked Petyr with a sneer on his face.
"No. I could care less about your reaction to this place or what you do while here. I say to each their own," replied Naruto calmly while Petyr narrowed his eyes at him.
"Is this where you are from? Where all the Gods and their disciples are born or taught?" asked Petyr with Naruto laughing at him.
"Not in the slightest. This is a dimension only I can access. My world. It is where I go at times to find solitude and seek to be at peace. Away from all the problems of the Seven Kingdoms. You would be surprised what the dark abyss of this place can do for one's own mental perspective," answered Naruto lazily while Petyr looked around and saw nothing but emptiness.
"All I see is a waste of potential," remarked Petyr with Naruto shrugging.
"As I said earlier, to each their own," commented Naruto while Petyr glared at him.
"Why did you bring me here?" asked Petyr after a few second of bitter silence.
"Why to talk of course! Uninterrupted talk. No interference. No soldiers. No servants. No friends or foes to stand between us having a conversation. An honest conversation," said Naruto with Petyr scoffing.
"Thanks, but I prefer to have conversations with normal people," replied Petyr and this time it was Naruto's turn to scoff.
"And by normal people, you mean backstabbers, schemers, and those who seek to kill their rivals at the first sign of weakness? Fellow snakes in the grass?" questioned Naruto with Petyr glaring at him.
"You have no right to judge me," replied Petyr with Naruto cocking his head to the right.
"Actually I can and I will. Mainly because I sent you here and unless you want to stay here in this world of mine, you will speak to be truthfully. If you lie, I will see to it you live out the rest of your miserable life here, and die a slow painful death," replied Naruto with Petyr giving him a "I don't believe you" look.
"Something tells me that such a death is my future whether I'm truthful or not," countered Petyr with Naruto shrugging.
"Possibly. But it really depends if you are being honest and if your overall answers upset me," said Naruto with Petyr not looking amused.
"Ask your questions then," replied Petyr with Naruto nodding.
"All right. I guess question number one would be...why?" questioned Naruto.
"What?" asked Petyr with Naruto sighing.
"Not what you dumb shit. Why?! As in why did you do this? Why scheme and plot to pit the Lion against the Wolf? Why betray Catelyn Stark by betraying Ned? Why did you do everything that you up to this point? Why destroy the Seven Kingdoms knowing it would cause countless lives to suffer or be lost?" asked Naruto with Petyr walking away from him.
"I don't have to justify myself to the likes of you," replied Petyr while walking away.
Only to find a chain had wrapped around his neck, lifted him off the ground, and then slammed his body down into it. This happened two more times before the chain released his throat and Naruto was standing over him.
"Oh I think you do. You have a lot to answer for Petyr Baelish. You have to answer for the crimes I do know you committed and the crimes that even I don't know about. Now answer my damn questions or I'll make you tell me through force. And if you thought my Raikiri to Gregor Clegane at the tourney was bad, you haven't seen anything yet," said Naruto in a cold tone while Petyr slowly got off the ground.
"You wouldn't understand why I do things. How could you? You, who has all this power in their possession. You, who could easily take the Iron Throne, and rule over the Seven Kingdoms. Yet you don't! You have everything! You don't know what its like to have absolutely nothing! You don't know what it like to have the woman you love be married to a man who doesn't even love her and have his children!" exclaimed Petyr with Naruto not looking amused since he did know what it was like to have nothing.
To come from nothing, but fight for something, bleed for something, and even kill for something. For an ideal. For principles forged through pain and understanding. Naruto once had nothing like Petyr Baelish, but unlike the now former Master of Coin, he chose to walk a path that didn't revolve around backstabbing, or betraying every single person around him to advance his powerbase.
"So you hated Ned Stark for marrying the woman of your dreams? Okay, I can see that. People have betrayed for less. But did you ever consider Catelyn's feelings? She didn't love Ned at first, but they grew to love each other with enough time and patience," said Naruto with Petyr scowling at him.
"I loved her! Then and now! She didn't need to forcibly love anyone else!" stated Petyr while angrier by the second and having no idea he was being influenced by a Genjutsu designed to make someone tell the truth with control over their temper declining at the same time.
"That doesn't explain why you tried to have House Lannister and House Stark fight each other. Or why you chose to make others around you suffer? Why? Why did you put the Crown in so much debt? Why did you gear up every House for war and to choose a side? Why make all of the Seven Kingdoms suffer?" questioned Naruto with Petyr scowling further.
"Because it wasn't enough that I crushed House Stark without them realizing it. I have to crush everyone around me to ensure no one could seek revenge should my involvement ever come to light. House Lannister is the wealthiest of all the major Houses. I knew they were the best choice to created the conflict and war I needed to destroy everyone in my path," replied Petyr with Naruto frowning at him from behind his mask.
"And everyone else who suffered and died? The Crown being in debt? Jon Arryn's death at the hands of the Lannister?" asked Naruto with Petyr scoffing.
"A means to an end. I had nothing but the clothing on my back while others around me had everything they ever wanted. But what I wanted...I wanted the world! I wanted the world and I wanted everyone in it to bow to me. I wanted to be the King. One with the strength to rule and keep all the High Lords in line after weakening them. So I schemed. I schemed since the day I lost to Brandon Stark for my beloved Catelyn Tully's hand in marriage. That if I could not best the High Lords and the King who sit on the Iron Throne in a sword fight, I would best them with my mind, and my wits by sharpening them to the point where they were deadlier then any blade forged by a blacksmith," said Petyr with Naruto narrowing his three eyes.
"So you weakened the Kingdom during King Robert's rule to the point where open war with multiple Houses would break out and plunge the realm into chaos. All for what? For the woman you supposedly love? Because of your ambition to rule over it or be as close to said position as possible?" questioned Naruto with Petyr nodding.
"Yes to both. With House Stark in shambles, I knew I could convince my beloved Cat to leave an ungrateful dying House for me. It wouldn't be too hard to do once I arranged to have all her children killed. I am the only one capable of giving her pleasure. Only I can give her the children worthy of being called hers! Not some wolves in the frozen North where barbarians reside!" exclaimed Petyr now ready to go on a full on rant thanks to the Genjutsu placed on him making things easier to confess his plans to Naruto.
"And damn the consequences and the people who get caught in your net with the wolf or lion you ensnare fighting it out," added Naruto with Petyr nodding.
"Of course! Don't you see? The world is just one big game board! I am one of the players and I will crush all those that stand in my way of winning. I want the people of the world to grovel at my feet. From smallfolk to High Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and beyond. Just as I had to grovel and my family had to grovel since before the name Baelish was even muttered by the first of my bloodline! I will burn everything that stands in my path to the ground and become King of the ashes if it means I am better then everyone else. No one will stop me from achieving my life long goals! No one!" exclaimed Petyr with Naruto smirking at him.
"Except me. Or did you forget that you are trapped here so long as I wish it," countered Naruto with Petyr sneering at him.
"You think my plans for this world die with me? If anything, you will make them worse with your interference. And I have agents in place to carry out every plan, even if my life is extinguished. You can't stop the war I set into motion from happening. The wolves, the lions, and anyone else loyal to either party will join in the fighting. I will finally have my revenge on the world by seeing it burn and the people in it suffer like my family before me suffered!" exclaimed Petyr while Naruto laughed.
"You think I care about stopping your war? I don't. I honestly don't. Hell, I let Cersei, and her children escape during the fighting following the events in the throne room. I have my own plans for them too. Nothing as nefarious as your machinations, but still bad for those who deserve it. As for the war itself, I do what I can to keep such a thing from ever becoming something so horrible that there is no way to recover from it in the end. That's your problem Lord Baelish. You want everything and everyone to suffer, die, or both. I do not. You wish to cause a war that will unbalance the world as whole with a chance of cultures, civilization, the people living in these times see places fall. I seek to ensure that the war you set into motion doesn't have such an effect on the world as a whole. And to do that, I will ensure this war hurts only those who deserve it. Starting with you," replied Naruto with Petyr not looking the least bit afraid.
"I'm already dead thanks to you. I won't deny it. But there is little even you can do to stop the war I have orchestrated. It cannot be stalled or altered. The future war I successfully forged through my treachery by playing all sides in the game will claim everyone in the Seven Kingdoms. No one can get away from it," countered Petyr with just looking at him with amusement.
"Yes. Like Lady Lysa Arryn of the Vale. And her son Robin," commented Naruto while Petyr didn't even blink.
"You make it sound like I should care," remarked Petyr calmly.
"I would think you should...considering your son Robin is a dimwit," answered Naruto with Petyr going tense for one brief second, but it was enough for the Sage.
"Robin is not my son. He is the late Jon Arryn's son," replied Petyr with Naruto letting out a chuckle.
"Come now Petyr we both know better. I wouldn't say he was yours unless I knew with absolutely certainty Robin was your kid. Don't insult my intelligence and yours by trying to deny it. My powers allow me to see everything when it comes to the human body. That includes who is the Father of who and in your case, you are the Father of Robin Arryn. Or should it be Robin Snow since legally under the laws of Gods and Men...he's a bastard. A rather...dimwitted bastard at that. But when you have a crazy woman for a Mother like Lysa Arryn, who hated her marriage to Jon, poisoned him thanks to your assistance...its not really all that surprising," commented Naruto with amusement and mockery in his voice.
"You can't prove it. All you have are your words and powers. No one truly believes what anyone with the ability to use magic says. And short of a confession either from myself or Lady Lysa regarding Robin's real Father, you have no evidence to dispute the boy is Jon Arryn's son," replied Petyr with a slight smile on his face.
"You make it sound like I care whether or not I have physical evidence. I don't need it. Besides, you helped give me alternative proof outside the physical form. I can provide proof in the form of your past history with House Tully. Your treachery aimed at House Stark for Ned marrying Catelyn and you using Lysa to do whatever it is you asked of her. How both of you were in King's Landing with Lysa being the wife of the Hand and you being the Master of Coin. How Jon was always busy with his duties, but you made time for her at a moments notice. I can easily point out Jon was a devote man who served King Robert faithfully, yet had no real time for intimacy with his wife, and let's face it, he was an old man. You however, are a young man, who had needs of course, and knew that in order to get Lysa to do whatever you wanted, you had to...perform certain acts to keep her loyal," offered Naruto with Petyr still smiling.
"Still conjecture and theories. None of which you can prove. All the same, do you really wish to make an enemy of the Vale. We both know the Lords and Knights of the Vale will follow Lysa Arryn to whatever end. Their oaths demand it. Even if you could find some way to prove she was unfaithful to Jon and sired my bastard child that is Robin, the army of the Vale will fight for her if given the command. And my death will give her a reason to give such a command," replied Petyr calmly.
"And let me guess, upon your death by whoever kills you, namely me being the case, the pawn thy name is Lysa Arryn, will command the army of the Vale to march forth to kill the person or side that killed you. Right?" deduced Naruto with Petyr smiling at him.
"Now you understand. Killing me will only open a flood gate of pain and suffering. It is in everyone's best interest that I stay alive. I'm worth more alive then dead to you at this point. Only I can call of Lysa Arryn. Only I have the contacts and means to communicate with them to stop my plans from being set into motion. Without me...you will fail to stop the pain, suffering, and death of everyone in the Seven Kingdoms when this war reaches it zenith," replied Petyr with a confidence smirk on his face.
"You would think that, but...no. You're not. I know your type Lord Baelish. I've met your type before long ago. Many times long ago actually. You are a person who when they get caught, trapped by the people, who are ultimately stronger then you at the moment, and have the upper hand, tries to convince them to spare your life. You offer up anything and everything the other side may want or desire, but does not have in their possession. You promise to give it to them in exchange for your freedom. Even giving something else as a sign of good faith. Only when the time comes to deliver on your promise, you make sure to neglect to mention something that turns the tables on your captors, and prevent them from retaliating. You make yourself out to have the upper hand and have them all at your mercy. Some would even offer to be your service. Depending on your mood and how your former captors treated you, the idea of having them under your thumb is considered, and ultimately you say yes or no to the offer. Knowing you Lord Baelish, from what I have seen, you would say no unless those offering their services have the skills you want, need, or a combination of both in a sense. Stop me if I'm wrong," said Naruto while he saw Petyr's smirk leave him.
"You're wrong," replied Petyr with Naruto laughing again.
"Hardly. I couldn't be more right. Nice try though in getting me to shut up. Now, as to dealing with the Lords, and Knights of the Vale...I don't think they will follow a woman, who killed her husband. A woman, who was the Lord they swore their loyalty to just because she was married to him. Especially, if her son is not Jon's, and I could prove it without a shadow of a doubt to everyone in the Vale. You really think they will fight for her? The woman is mad. They all see it. They just don't do anything about it because Jon was her husband. A woman, who is suppose to be playing the grieving widow with Jon's only son. That is the image you have had her portray. I can shatter the image and paint a picture of infidelity and siring a dimwitted bastard with the Father being an enemy of the Crown. No Lord or Knight worth his honor will fight for her when I paint that pretty little picture of the real Lysa Arryn. And the best part of it is, I don't have to really do anything when it comes to proving it. All I have to do is say a few things, provoke her temper, her love for you, and of course her hatred for just about everybody else to get the woman to admit to her crimes," explained Naruto casually with Petyr scowling since the man knew how Lysa was easy to manipulate and how devoted she was to the former Master of Coin.
It would be child's play to get Lysa to confess her crimes with the right person provoking the woman to do it.
"I didn't take you for the gloating type," commented Petyr with Naruto shrugging.
"Normally I'm not the gloating type. But for you, who has always gloated when his little schemes have come to fruition at the expense of others, I think its only fair for you to know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of it," replied Naruto before he pulled out a simple tanto from his sleeve.
"Even if you do stop my grand plan from being truly complete in its overall design, the people around the Lords and Knights fighting in the war to come will still be consumed by it. You will accomplish little in your actions. It is impossible to stop," remarked Petyr with Naruto chuckle while approaching the former Master of Coin.
"Funny you should say that Lord Baelish. For you see...I was known from a young age of doing the impossible when everyone said it was impossible. When everyone said it can't be done, I found a way to make be done, and did it. I shoved their disbeliefs right down their throat and made them choke on it. Now its your turn...in the form of my blade," said Naruto before shoving the tanto through Petyr's chest and the heart while the man looked at him defiantly in the eyes.
"You will...still...lose!" whispered Petyr before Naruto pulled out the weapon and saw Lord Baelish fall down dead.
"Even if what you say is indeed true Lord Baelish, you won't be among those alive to see it," replied Naruto before he burned the body and left via Kamui.
(Winterfell)
Robb was looking at the letter sent to him via raven that was handed to him by Maester Luwin with a scowl on his face worthy of being a Stark. The message in question was from his Father about what happened in King's Landing regarding the Lannisters and their forces trying to take the throne for their own purposes. How the evidence regarding Cersei being unfaithful to Robert with her own brother and having three bastard children born of incest had come to light. Petyr Baelish betraying him and getting the City Watch on his side before the Sage interfered before the trap could kill the Stark men there.
All in all, what the Lannisters did through all of this made his blood boil.
"So what Bran saw in the tower was indeed true. Cersei Lannister was in fact having an incestuous affair with her brother. And had three children as a result of it. Disgusting," said Luwin while shaking his head.
"Those bastards! They tried to kill my brother twice! And went after my Father while he was doing his duty to the King! This cannot go unpunished. Call the banners," said Robb to Maester Luwin.
"All of them my Lord?" asked Luwin in shock.
"They've all sworn oaths to my Father, have they not? Now let's see what those words are worth," replied Robb with Luwin nodding.
"My Lord, not to step out of turn here, but is it wise to take this path? Your Father is in King's Landing with the Sage and is acting as Regent there. If we do this, it might cause other Houses loyal to the Lannisters to march against not only us, but your Father, and those siding with us as well," said Luwin with Robb's scowl increasing.
"If I do nothing, the Lannisters will see it as a sign of weakness, or possible stupidity on our part. Tywin Lannister is a cold man, who will see this as a slight against his family, and will march an army to King's Landing to take the Iron Throne by force. He will use his wealth and power to gather a strong enough army to attack King's Landing, even with the Sage there to help my Father defend it. My Father will need an army outside of King's Landing to fight the Lannisters and keep them taking what does not belong to them," said Robb with Luwin nodding.
"There is also the matter of Riverrun being attacked by the Lannisters and attacking those protected by House Tully," added Jon knowing they needed to help House Tully repel the attacking force launched by the Lannisters at Riverrun.
"You afraid?" asked Theon curiously while Robb looked at his hands and saw them now shaking.
Though for what reason whether fear or desire to spill blood was unknown.
"I must be," commented Robb before forming a fist and willing his hands to stop.
"Good," replied Theon while seeing Robb look at him.
"Why is that good?" asked Robb in confusion.
"Because it means you're not stupid," answered Theon with a grin now on his face.
All the while, dozens of ravens flew from their cages to all the regions of the North to the Lords residing in them, and what was being asked of them to do.
(King's Landing-Red Keep-Small Council Room)
"It is done?" asked Ned to Naruto when he entered the room with Varys sitting in his seat calmly as if this was an everyday thing.
"Dead and turned to ash in the wind. He told me everything. The how, the why, the who, and every other word under the Sun in order to justify his actions. Which were all a load of horse shit. I take it Pycelle is either dead or imprisoned since I don't see him here with us," said Naruto while Ned nodded.
"He's dead. The man fled to his office and drank some poison before my men could get to him. A coward's way out in order to escape judgment for his crimes in all of this betrayal to Robert's rule," remarked Ned bitterly.
"Only the judgment of men Lord Regent. The judgment of the Gods is another matter in its entirety," offered Varys to soothe the angry Stark near him.
"There is still the issue regarding the remaining Baratheon brothers Renly and Stannis," said Naruto with Varys nodding.
"Yes. A shame Renly fled. No doubt he would have pushed for being King by now," said Varys while Ned scowled at him.
"Renly is not the next in line to the throne. Stannis is by the rule of succession," replied Ned since Stannis was the older of the two brothers.
"That's assuming we are going to follow the rules behind the line of the succession," said Naruto with Ned looking at him.
"Why not? If this is about the Red Woman he's meeting at Dragonstone, I can call upon him to have her leave Westeros before she can influence his mind," offered Ned while both Naruto and Vary were shaking their heads.
"You assume she's just going to leave Westeros simply because Stannis commands her to go back to Essos. Ned, the woman is here to convert people to the Lord of Light and kill whoever refuses to embrace him. Even if Stannis got her on a ship to head back home, the woman could easily use her powers to overpower the crew, and steer the ship to a new location to start all over," replied Naruto with Varys nodding.
"I'm afraid he's right Lord Stark. From what my little birds have told me as of late, the Red Woman from Essos has already converted Stannis's wife to the religion, and gained quite a few followers in the process. While Stannis himself is not known for embracing any form of religion, this one may appeal to his tastes, given his bitterness over how his life has not been so fruitful as his brothers. Out all of them, Stannis is the one who has been the coldest, and empty inside when it comes to having compassion," added Varys with Ned grimacing.
"Again, you assume this issue will be following the line of succession in terms of a King having no Heir and who will succeed him in terms of his siblings," remarked Naruto with Ned frowning.
"Robert had no Heirs. No legitimate ones at any rate," said Ned sadly since the man did have children.
Just none he could claim to be his officially.
"Gendry is his son. Without question. You look at him and instantly see a young Robert Baratheon," remarked Naruto with Ned shaking his head.
"The boy is a bastard. Probably the first of them all given his age. There is no way I can have him legitimized simply for the purpose of making him King. The boy has none of the necessary education required to rule the Iron Throne," countered Ned with Naruto just shrugging his shoulders.
"I'll teach him. I'll help him become worthy," offered Naruto with both Ned and Varys looking shocked by this.
"Are you sure Great Sage? With the issue surrounding the Lannisters possibly escalating into an all out war throughout the Seven Kingdoms, your time with the boy might not be as much as you would have led yourself to believe," said Varys while Naruto smirked.
"I will make time for him. One way or another. Besides, even if the boy isn't good King material, you can at the very least legitimize Gendry to become the proper Head of House Baratheon when I'm done teaching him," countered Naruto with Ned sighing.
"All right. You raise a good point. But what about the others. Rumor has it, Robert sired 20 bastards, and that's if you include Gendry," said Ned with Naruto shrugging a bit.
"One step at a time Ned. Let's get Gendry up to speed in terms of being a Baratheon and then deal with the others potential Baratheon children that Robert had," offered Naruto with Ned and Varys agreeing.
"I will have my little birds keep an eye on them for good measure. We don't want any of them to run off or meet with a cruel fate they no doubt would have received if Joffrey had become King," said Varys with Ned nodding since he didn't want to suddenly have any of Robert's bastards suddenly disappearing or dying on his watch as Regent.
"Stannis will no doubt push to become the new King. Though whether he brings the Red Woman with him is another matter," remarked Ned while thinking things over in his head about Stannis.
"And his rule would be a cold one Ned. The man is strict and in some ways cruel. Cold as they come. How can the Seven Kingdoms thrive when the man doesn't have any feelings towards the people one way or another. He's a good commander. I'll give him that much, but not all military men are King material. Stannis would not just be giving orders to the Knights and Lords around him, but smallfolk too when they come to him with problems. The man has very little feeling and patience in his heart for other people Ned. A King must be fair yet firm, but never too much of the other. Always balanced. Too fair and he gets soft with people seeing to take advantage of him. Too firm and you got a tyrant who squeezes hard with an iron fisted grip on the people, which creates a rebellion against the Crown," countered Naruto with Ned sighing.
"Its a shame really. Renly and Stannis are complete opposite of each other. Two halves of the greater whole one could say. One is too nice and other one is too strict. Adding to the fact Renly himself prefers certain...preferences that are frowned upon by the High Septon makes his candidacy for being King difficult. Provided we are NOT following the rules of succession regarding siblings," added Varys with Naruto nodding in agreement.
"We're not following those rules. At least not yet. Before Ned even considers naming one of Robert's brothers King, he should look at the bastards first, and consider his options with them," said Naruto with Varys nodding in agreement though he clearly wasn't as enthusiastic as Naruto about naming a bastard of Robert Baratheon Heir to the throne if not of House Baratheon.
"Both Renly and Stannis will not approve of such a move by the Lord Regent. Nor will many within the Seven Kingdoms for that matter," warned Varys with Naruto clearly not giving a damn.
"Renly should have stayed and fought the Lannisters with the army he and Ser Loras had with them here in King's Landing. Stannis is mixed up with the Red Woman and its only a matter of time before she converts him to her religion if she can give the man the Iron Throne. Neither is worthy of being King. So focus on other possible candidates, which can either be a few of Robert's bastards or possibly those from another House that once sat on the throne," Naruto shot back with Ned catching on to what he was suggesting when it came to the other House.
"You mean Daenerys Targaryen," surmised Ned with Naruto nodding.
"Would that really be so bad? She is in line to the Iron Throne given who her Father was despite his madness. From what Varys and I learned, there is no madness in her either, let's not forget the issue regarding her brother, who was becoming mad being recently killed," replied Naruto with Ned thinking his options over.
"He's not wrong Lord Stark. From what my little birds have told me on young Daenerys Targaryen, she is not like her Father in terms of possessing the madness like he did. Only her brother seemed to have it and apparently enough for the two of them. With Robert and Viserys both dead, the only real choices to name ruler of the Seven Kingdoms would either be Renly, Stannis, Gendry Waters, who we know is the young bastard of Robert, and young Daenerys Targaryen herself. Since neither of the Baratheon brothers are truly suitable for the throne given their actions and Gendry is illegitimate, Daenerys is the only one left. Sadly, she is in Essos with a Dothraki Horde under her husband's command. It could be years, if not decades before such an army comes over to Westeros, and by then my Lords...we will be too old to fight them," added Varys with Ned thinking things over in his head.
"I will hold off on naming a successor to Robert rule until the issue with the Lannisters is officially resolved. In the mean time, Naruto will go take custody of Gendry Waters, and begin his education immediately. Do not tell him why you are doing this. Only that he has a chance to become a legitimate member of an important House and must pass the tests given to him. How you test Gendry I leave in your hands Naruto," commanded Ned with Naruto nodding.
"What about the people? They've been asking questions. What do you want to tell them?" asked Naruto knowing the support of the smallfolk was crucial at this point.
"The truth. If we don't tell them the truth now, the Lannisters will find some way to turn things around in their favor using the smallfolk. The loyalty of the people within King's Landing is crucial if we are to hold the capital from future invasion," answered Ned with Varys nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. We can't defend the people within the walls of this city if they turn on us when Tywin Lannister or Renly or Stannis choose to come here with an army of their own to take the Iron Throne," added Varys while making sure his little birds were already on it with telling the important people what happened so they would spread the news down all the way to as low as Flea Bottom.
(With Tyrion and Bronn)
Tyrion, Bronn, and the hill tribesmen of the Vale were heading toward where the former of the group knew where his Father, Tywin Lannister was located with his army. When the least loved among his own family within House Lannister left Lady Lysa and all of the Lords and Knights of the Vale behind, he along with Bronn were ambushed by the hill tribesmen. They had lost quite a few of their brothers when attacking Catelyn Stark's group on the way here and were hoping to collect some form of compensation for their losses. It was only through Tyrion's quick thinking and the promise of getting weapons, gold, and anything else they desired within reason from his Father upon being brought to him alive stayed their hands. Unlike the tribesmen of the North, the one along the Vale were not on good terms with the Lords here, and were going increasingly aggressive in their desire to stick it to the well armored cunts. Seeing an opportunity, the proclaimed "imp of House Lannister" offered them a chance to get the weapons they require to fight the Knights of the Vale from his Father, Tywin of House Lannister.
Naturally, the tribesmen didn't believe him at first, but the motto of how a Lannister pays their debts made them give Tyrion the benefit of the doubt. He was also fortunate that he had Bronn there and was willing to support what his new employer said about making sure these incredibly large men and one woman with them got what they wanted for their people.
The threat of them ripping off his cock and feeding it to a goat if he betrayed them just gave Tyrion another powerful incentive to ensure these tribesmen got their weapons.
"All right then. Time to meet my Father," commented Tyrion while glancing slightly at Bronn before looking back at the massive size of the hill tribesmen around him.
And silently prayed to all the Gods that his Father would give them what they asked for in returning him here unharmed. Otherwise, his cock was going to be put in a rather very unpleasant situation with a possibly dull blade and a goat experienced in the ways of cock eating.
"Tyrion," said Kevan Lannister from his position at the war table where he along with his brother Tywin were discussing strategy against the massive Northern army that they both knew was coming their way.
"Uncle! Father," replied Tyrion while giving his uncle Kevan a much warmer smile since the man never did hate him for being a dwarf.
If anything, Kevan secretly respected Tyrion more then any Lannister should. Namely for the shorter man's intellect and seeing things that others normally miss. It was actually a shame in Kevan's eyes and mind that Tyrion was physically deformed as he was in terms of being a dwarf. Had the issue of his nephew not being like this and Tywin's wife dying while bringing him into the world, Tyrion would have no doubt been made Tywin's heir after Jaime went to the Kingsguard.
"The rumor of your demise was unfounded it seems," remarked Tywin while seeing his youngest son alive, healthy, and apparently with a large group of...friends.
"Sorry to disappoint you...again," commented Tyrion since he always knew his Father was hoping someone would do what the Head of House Lannister could not do himself.
"And who are these...companions of yours?" questioned Tywin while sizing up the men behind Tyrion and clearly saw three of them were hill tribesmen while the fourth was a Sell Sword.
"This is Shagga, son of Dolf. Chieftain of the Storm Crows. Beside him is Timett, son of Timett. Ruler of the Burned Men. This fair maiden is Chella, daughter of Cheyk. Leader of the Black Ears. And here we have Bronn. Son of...," said Tyrion, but didn't know who Bronn's Father was so he couldn't be properly introduced to the two older Lannisters in the room.
"You wouldn't know him," commented Bronn while Kevan chuckled.
Leave it to his nephew to acquire some interesting characters along the way back to their House.
"Everyone, may I present to you my dear Father, Tywin son of Tytos of House Lannister. Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West. Thank you for going to war for me," said Tyrion before sitting down and reaching for some wine.
Only for Tywin to take it away from him with a scowl on the old lion's face.
"You left us no choice. The honor of our House was at stake. Your brother would have never submitted to capture so meekly," replied Tywin coldly while Tyrion frowned.
"We have had our differences Jaime and I. He's braver and I'm better looking. Besides, I agreed to go with Catelyn Stark and the Sage when I was surrounded on all sides with swords pointed at me from bannermen loyal to House Tully. In fact, the Sage uncovered a possible conspiracy against our House, and against me for the crime of trying to murder the second youngest of the Stark boys. Even Lady Lysa Arryn of the Vale accused me of murdering her husband. If not for the Sage fighting for me in a Trial by Combat, I might not be here. I was just fortunate both he and Bronn wanted to fight for me when they did since Jon Arryn's wife had no intention of ever sending a raven for Jaime to fight me as my champion," Tyrion shot back with Tywin frowning at that news while glad the Sage had sided with his dwarf for a son.
If there was one thing you could say about the Sage, it was he was fair when disputes were called in, and always got the facts straight before taking a side.
"Not that Jaime would have been able to come to your aid now. He's been too busy in his quest to cover himself in glory," comment Tywin before showing Tyrion the latest from a long line of messages sent from Riverrun.
"Jaime's smashed the Riverlords of the Golden Tooth. And now successfully lays siege to Riverrun. Catelyn Stark's homeland no less. It was meant to punish her for taking you as a hostage," said Kevan while Tyrion read the information in front of him.
"I see. And Stark's Lord Eddard?" questioned Tyrion.
"He was injured in a skirmish with your brother and his men some time ago. Now he sits on the Iron Throne ruling over all under the title of Regent! The Wolf has used his time as Hand to get close to the Stag and finally made a play for the Seven Kingdoms. The balls on the Starks," answered Tywin angrily since he got a message via raven sent to him by Stannis from Dragonstone that went throughout the Seven Kingdoms about the "parental truth" behind who the Father of his three Grandchildren were thank to Ned Stark.
"Regent? That would mean the King is dead," commented Tyrion with both Tywin and Kevan nodding.
"Robert Baratheon is dead. No King sits on the Iron Throne. From what your sister told me via a raven after fleeing King's Landing, Lord Stark convinced Robert during his last moments dying that neither of the King's children were his own. As such, Robert's last words deny both of my Grandsons claims to the throne while a Stark sits there under the disguised title under the pretense of keeping it warm for the one he deems worthy of it. The nerve of him," said Tywin with Tyrion wincing since he knew the truth was indeed the truth, but dared not say it in front of the angry lion.
Not with so many other people here not of their House to hear it.
"Given Ned Stark is acting as Regent and not King like many would assume, all of the smallfolk in King's Landing will most likely believe any story his side creates. For now, I think the Iron Throne is lost to us," replied Tyrion with Tywin nodding.
"Not for long. As I said earlier, your sister fled to Lannisport with Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen to rally an army capable of attacking King's Landing. The Capital is weak right now after what happened in the fighting there. A large enough force on her side should be able to take it from the City Watch and Kingsguard who remain in King's Landing. It will almost be too easy for her to take it back from Ned Stark," said Tywin while Tyrion did not have his Father's confidence in this.
"Not as easy as you might think. Not with the Sage himself in the Capital. I've seen some of his power when I was in the Vale. The man seemed to turn into a spirit when the one Knight representing Lysa Arryn as her champion at my trial thrust his sword into him. I take it you have heard of the moon door? That's where the Knight of the Vale went when he did that and fell to his death," replied Tyrion before telling more about the combat skills he saw Naruto perform with Bronn nodding to back up his claims.
"Its true. I'm a good fighter Lord Tywin, but compared to the Sage...I might as well be a fucking infant wielding a twig," added Bronn with Tywin grimacing since he had hoped to avoid provoking the Sage to fighting against them.
"We have other matters to attend to outside of a masked Sage. Lord Stark's son Robb has called his bannermen. He's moving South with a strong host. No doubt to free Riverrun from Jaime," said Kevan while Tywin didn't look too worried about Robb Stark.
"Bah! He's a Green boy. One hard taste of battle and he'll run back to Winterfell with his tail between his legs," said Tywin confidently since he knew full well that Robb Stark had no real experience in war.
His Father on the other hand was another matter.
"While we are on the subject of...war, I made some promises to my friends here. And a Lannister always pays his debts. We shall require 3,000 helms and shields. Plus swords, pikes and of course...," said Tyrion, but was interrupted when a squire came into the tent and quickly kneeled before Tywin Lannister.
"If it pleases you my Lord. Ser Adam gives me a report that the North men have crossed the Neck," said the squire while ignoring the others in the room.
"So the wolf pup rushes into the lion's jaws. So be it. Kevan, command the assembly. Its high time we remind these wolves why the lion is the true King among all the animals the world has to offer," ordered Tywin with Kevan nodding and immediately leaving to carry out the command.
"Father, about my friends here. Perhaps we can work out an arrangement for them that would benefit everyone?" offered Tyrion with Tywin looking at the hills tribesmen and the Sell Sword with a calculating look to see if they could in fact be put to some use.
"Yes. Perhaps we can work something out between us," said Tywin while he began to negotiate with the barbaric yet cautious men in the room, who despite lacking in certain areas of thinking, were direct in what they wanted, and wouldn't change their minds on the matter.
The deal itself was simple. Weapons and helmets of all kinds for the hill tribesmen of the Vale so they could launch their own assault on the Lords ruling there. In return for the generous donation by House Lannister to them, the hills tribesman would fight for House Lannister in this war with the Starks.
The only condition Tywin's new allies had that Tyrion silently disliked was he personally joined in the fighting in the battle that was to come.
'No doubt Father's way of getting rid of me without being called a kinslayer. One of those Seven damned loopholes,' thought Tyrion while seeing his Father's smirk and the secret hope his youngest son would be slain by the Northern army.
(King's Landing-A Few Weeks Later)
Gendry Waters was sweating heavily. The person in front of him was not. The person in front of him was spinning a bo-staff and motioned him to keep going with his own. How could he keep fighting? Why should he? It was impossible to win! He was training under the infamous Demon Sage himself. All of the smallfolk knew about this masked man. The slayer of thousands during the Rebellions. A user of ancient magic and the one to kill Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane with lightning formed in the palm of his right hand of all things.
Though why that was the case, Gendry had no idea. No one would tell him. Not even the Sage. The only thing Gendry did know was the new Regent of King's Landing wished it and that this would give him a chance to become more then a designated bastard of Flea Bottom.
When Gendry wasn't learning how to fight in the different ways of combat, Naruto was giving him instructions in the ways of the mind, and the way of politics. Gendry was a shy boy when it came to speaking to others, unlike his blusterous Father. But that was to be expected given how Gendry was raised. As a bastard, by general rule of law, he was to be seen as lower then pig shit, and no one would care if someone just ran up to the boy to kill him in a back alley somewhere. Wherever Gendry went, he was frowned at like some foul thing they wanted to remove, but couldn't because he was of value to someone, and they would raise enough of a fuss that it wasn't worth ending the boy's life.
But now...now things were different. Gendry was smart enough to know he was being trained for something important. Someone high within King's Landing, namely Lord Regent Eddard Stark himself thought Gendry was worth more then most believed. The fact the Demon Sage was training him so harshly was further proof something of great importance was happening.
"Get up Gendry. You need to get up and fight," commanded Naruto while spinning the bo-staff again.
"I can't. I can't win," said Gendry with Naruto frowning.
"Its not about winning. It about getting stronger. Using muscles and flexing them in ways you didn't know were possible. After this, we rest, drink, eat, and then proceed with the lessons on how to manage your House," replied Naruto with Gendry glaring at him.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why was I chosen? For what purpose was I chosen for this training of yours? I'm a bastard! What good am I to you?" asked Gendry with Naruto sighing knowing this was going to come up and it wasn't the first time either.
"Do you really want to know?" asked Naruto with Gendry nodding.
"Yes. I want to know. I wish to know. You want me to train with you? Learn from you? I want to know why. I want to know what it is about me that is so special?" asked Gendry with Naruto nodding before walked over to him and helped the boy up.
"I suppose its only fair I tell you. Considering how I've been beating the shit out of your body since this started and cramming years worth of knowledge into your head within a span of a few weeks," replied Naruto before motioning the boy to follow him to a nearby bench.
"Why am I so important to you and the Lord Regent?" asked Gendry with Naruto staring at the blue sky and watching the clouds there.
"You know about Robert Baratheon, correct?" asked Naruto with Gendry nodding.
"Of course I do. Everyone knows about him and what he did to be King," replied Gendry with Naruto letting out a chuckle.
"Not everyone knows. I'm sure you've heard the stories of King Robert's love for whores and wenches. Or the fact he had several bastard children in the process?" asked Naruto with Gendry's face now become red.
"Y-Yes I have heard the stories," answered Gendry almost meekly since he had seen his fair share of pretty women walking around.
"In truth Gendry, you are one of those bastards. You are the King Robert's son," replied Naruto with Gendry looking shocked by this news.
"I-I am?" asked Gendry in shock with Naruto nodding.
"You are the spitting image of him when he was younger. The hair and eye color. Even his muscled body though yours is more refined from the time spent with the blacksmith. You lack the fighting coordination he did during his youth, but that's not your fault. It is more because no one has taught you how to fight until I came along so your body has to learn quicker then usual because its practically fully developed. Your mind is also at the stage in life where its fully developed so learning new things will be both difficult and easy depending on the subject matter," answered Naruto while Gendry was stunned by this.
"Am I...Am I being groomed to be King?" asked Gendry with Naruto not answering for a second.
"Yes and no. You are going to be tested. I am here to help train you both physically and mentally for the task of proving your worth in terms of legitimizing you as Robert's son," said Naruto with Gendry frowning in confusion.
"But if I become his son, doesn't that mean by law, I become his Heir, and King of the Seven Kingdoms?" asked Gendry with Naruto nodding.
"In theory, yes. But the actual right to name you Robert's son and future King lies within the hands of the current Lord Regent Eddard Stark. Just because he legitimized you as Robert's son does not mean you will be the King. Many of the High Lords throughout the Seven Kingdoms would gladly go to war to prevent such a thing from happening if they find you lacking. At best, you could become ruler of House Baratheon, and simply marry a girl to have a son who one day could be King. Again, this is all in theory, but at the very least you can have your son become a contender to be King if said son does marry into the ruling family's princess turned future Queen for a daughter," replied Naruto with the now shocked Gendry looking down at the ground.
"I see. Did you know my...Father before he became King?" asked Gendry with Naruto giving a small shrug.
"More or less. Lord Stark knew him since they were kids and wards of Jon Arryn of the Vale. Any questions relating to Robert should be answered by him. I only met the man during both of the Rebellions prior to recent events leading up to his death. The man had changed over the years. He was so strong when going to war against the Targaryens and even against the Greyjoys, but the years of drinking, and whoring destroyed himself in its entirety. All because the woman he loved was dead," replied Naruto sadly while letting out a sigh.
"It sounds like my Father was driven to madness of some kind," commented Gendry with Naruto nodding.
"Sadly, he was drive to madness. There are many forms of madness in the world Gendry though few actually realize it. Robert's own madness was one of misery over losing the woman he loved to Rheagar Targaryen. Robert tried to cope with it by drinking, hunting, and whoring with the last part being with women who looked vaguely like Lyanna Stark. The wine Robert drank blurred his vision to the point where he couldn't tell if it was her or not when he was with a woman," said Naruto with Gendry looking sad.
"So my Mother was a blurred version of the woman my Father loved," surmised Gendry and looked at Naruto, who nodded.
"Yes. I won't lie to you Gendry. Robert had no love for his children and didn't care to try even until his death. Right now, you have a small army of bastard brothers and sisters all throughout King's Landing. Some just a few years younger then you and some are mere babies. If I were you dear boy, I would focus on becoming a legitimate Baratheon, if only to rule over your Father's House. Once you do, it is within your power as Head of your House to legitimize as many Baratheons as you want," added Naruto with Gendry now looking surprised by this.
"I could do that?" asked Gendry with Naruto nodding.
"You will have to get it officially approved by the current Regent or future King of the Seven Kingdoms depending on who becomes the latter when this issue arises. BUT in truth, you ultimately have the final say since it is your House when legitimized," said Naruto with Gendry thinking things over in his head.
"Do I have the choice to not become King?" asked Gendry with Naruto nodding.
"It is your right once legitimized though I would suggest a damn good reason to say no if and when Ned Stark does decide to proclaim you the new King of Westeros," answered Naruto with Gendry sighing.
"I don't think I would make good King material. Even with your help and training. The Iron Throne needs someone who can handle the duties of being a King, yet not let the overwhelming power behind sitting on the throne turn you mad. My own Father couldn't handle it from what I have learned of him. And the Mad King is said to have wanted to burn people alive for fun while he laughed. I don't wish to become like either of them if I did become a Baratheon. I would just rather rule over my own House and go from there," replied Gendry with Naruto smiling and nodding.
"I know you do. And personally, I don't blame you for feeling this way. But you deserve to at least have the opportunity to become a King. At the very least, we can get you to be the Head of your Father's House. In addition, you can get your other half brothers and sisters legitimized later on so you won't be ruling a near empty House," said Naruto with Gendry smiling since he did like the idea of having a large family to call his own.
"How many bastards did my Father have exactly?" asked Gendry curiously.
"Including you? About 20 bastards. You I believe are the oldest of them," answered Naruto with Gendry looking wide eyed at this news.
"I have a lot of siblings," remarked Gendry with Naruto laughing for a second.
"That you do. Each one living a different life as one of the poor or unfortunate because of their station," replied Naruto with Gendry looking down and his hands becoming fists.
"I don't want them to suffer that life. None of us deserve it. Our Father was the King. He might not have been a good King or Father, but he was ours damn it!" exclaimed Gendry angrily now while Naruto put a hand on his shoulders.
"I understand Gendry. Which is why their plight is the best kind of motivation to train hard both physically and mentally in what I'm teaching you. With you legitimized, you have the power to legitimize the others in the name of your House when the time comes," offered Naruto with Gendry now having a fire in his eyes and the boy shot up ready for another hour long training session.
"Let's go. I won't fail my siblings. My Father may have failed us, but I won't!" declared Gendry with Naruto nodding in approval.
"Good. Because now that I've lit the fire under your ass, I intend to turn up the heat a bit from here on out. I suggest you brace yourself," said Naruto before he rushed the boy and started to really hit Gendry hard with his bo-staff.
(With the Northern Army)
Robb Stark was in a bit of a bind. Not literally, but rather in terms politically regarding his bannermen, and what they wanted to do regarding the issue of who they would follow as King on the Iron Throne. Right now, Ned Stark was ruling as Regent until the proper Heir of his choosing was ready for the horrible chair. Renly and Stannis both felt they were ready to take it for themselves since they were Robert's siblings. With the late King denouncing all three of his children not being his children in his last written words, as a byproduct of incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister, made them contenders for the throne.
But not everyone was for one just as they weren't for the other. Stannis was the older of the two remaining Baratheons. A commander and seasoned warrior who fought beside his troops in battle with respect from his men for not being one those High Lords who stays behind the troops in a fight. The problem lay with the Red Woman, who had begun preaching her religion from Essos surrounding the "Lord of Light", and said religion had a habit of burning all "heretics" alive no matter who they were.
Even the Sage himself had no love for this religion and made it known in the messages Ned sent via ravens throughout the Seven Kingdoms that the Lord of Slight religion brought nothing but trouble.
At the same time, Renly Baratheon wanted the Iron Throne because he knew Stannis was unfit for it given the older man's cold personality made him look more like a tyrant. Renly was adored by the people around him due to his charm, swagger, and pretty smile when he went about talking to the masses. He had the charisma one needed to bond with the people around him and considered himself a champion of the people, even if he had no real accomplishments to back it up. Renly didn't fight in either of the Rebellions since he was too young and thus never knew what it was like to thrust a sword into a man's guts before ripping them out with a hard yank backwards.
The real weakness behind Renly's claim to the Iron Throne was ironically his birth and being the youngest of all three Baratheon brothers. As such, the only legal way for him to claim it in the eyes of Gods and Men, were if Stannis were to die next without an male Heir to call his own. The only Heir that Stannis had was his daughter Shireen Baratheon, who had been hit with Greyscale, and while cured had been left horribly scarred on the one side of her face. Add to the simple fact that Renly secretly enjoyed being with a male lover which was frowned upon by the Seven and High Septon, made things trickier.
Which is why Robb was in a bind since there was arguing for both men and stating their point of reason behind their choice.
"The course is clear. Join with Renly and move South to join our forces with his own to crush the Lannisters," said one of the Bannermen among the group in the war tent.
"Renly is not the King!" Robb nearly shouted in anger and impatience.
"You cannot mean to hold onto your Father as Regent my Lord Stark. He only suppose to hold the Iron Throne until an Heir is ready. Renly is ready and has a much larger force now that he has married Margery Tyrell of the Reach. By right of blood, he is in line for the throne," said the Bannerman from before while Robb glared at him.
"That doesn't make him King. He's also Robert's youngest brother. If my little brother Bran can't be Lord of Winterfell before me, then Renly can't be King before Stannis. Or are you forgetting Stannis also has the right by blood?" remarked Robb with the man he was arguing with conceding his point.
"Do you mean to declare us for Stannis my Lord? asked another bannerman while the rest continued to argue.
My Lords! Here is why I say to these two Baratheons. Renly Baratheon means nothing to me. Nor Stannis neither. Why should they rule over what is mine from some flowery seat in the South?! Why shouldn't we rule over ourselves? Lord Eddard Stark is now Regent and a fellow man of the North. He understand us and I have no doubt Ned would rule well as Regent until a new King takes over. But I say until that day, we can come up with some form of treaty for our one true King! The King in the North!" declared Lord Umber before taking out his sword and kneeling in front of a shocked Robb.
"I will have peace on those terms. They can keep their red castle and their iron chair too. The King in the North!" declared another bannerman before taking a knee followed by the others in the tent.
"Am I your brother? Now and always?" asked Theon with Robb nodding.
"Now and always," answered Robb with Theon now kneeling in front of Robb.
"My sword is yours. In victory and defeat. From this days until my last day," said Theon with pride in his voice.
"The King in the North! The King in the North! The King in the North!" exclaimed the bannermen around Robb while the man himself looked at his Mother.
She was neither upset nor amused. More like worried. Ned had enough hardship now in keeping King's Landing in place until a King could be declared there. If the North did break off, the other territories in the West, South, and East around King's Landing might do the same.
Hopefully, it wouldn't truly come to that.
(Lannister Main Camp-Sometime Later)
Tywin was not amused. Not in the slightest. From the most recent loss in a battle against the Stark army. Their two forces clashed and the wolf surprisingly came out on top. Of course the Lannister side made them earn it, but the casualty list showed they didn't get the enemy to bleed as much as they wanted. For every one Northerner who fell on the battlefield, five Lannisters died with them. Those who weren't killed were captured and kept alive for questioning depending on their rank.
It appeared that Robb Stark was more like his Father when it came to fighting in a war then Tywin initially thought.
"They have my son," said Tywin grimly knowing his eldest child was hated by just about every Lannister sans himself in the Seven Kingdoms from Knights to High Lords.
"The Stark boy seems less green then we first hoped. Undefeated in every engagement thus far. Very impressive if not for the fact we are on the receiving end of this fucking," commented Tyrion while Tywin's scowl became murderous, yet not at his youngest for stating the truth.
"I heard his dire wolf killed a dozen men and least as many horses," said a Western Lord nervously.
"Is it true about Stannis and Renly?" asked another Lord in the tent.
"Yes. Both Baratheon brothers have taken up against us. After the Demon Sage revealed what Queen Cersei...supposedly did to put Joffrey on the Iron Throne by killing Robert, they instantly called for their banners. Stannis in Dragonstone and Renly at Storm's End. As things are now, Jaime is captured in the North with Robb Stark, and his army we gave him is scattered from the battle leading to the man's capture. Its a catastrophe. Our best option right now is to perhaps...sew for peace," offered Kevan while Tyrion threw his cup into the ground where it smashed for all to see.
"There is your peace! We saw to that when our forces not only attacked Ned Stark when he was Hand of the King, but when Cersei tried to make Joffrey King when Robert died while the dead man's written words stated otherwise. Add to the fact the Demon Sage of all people is actually supporting the late King's decision makes everyone from smallfolk to High Lords outside of the Western Lands believe we are in the wrong. You will have a better chance at drinking from that broken cup on the ground, then getting either Robb Stark, or the Demon Sage to consider peace talks with us. Many Houses have hated the Lannister name. It has been hated from all over Westeros. The North, South, and East of King's Landing. In Dorne. Possibly some people in Braavos. Most, if not all of them have just never had a reason to come after us like this in such a manner until now. And its not like they have a reason to stop fighting at this point. They are winning, in case you didn't notice," explained Tyrion while seeing Tywin nodding in agreement.
The battle the hill tribesmen wanted Tyrion to join in as part of the deal had nearly killed the dwarfish man. But in the end, Tyrion survived it and gained some new experiences and adventurous tales to his life. If anything, it made the man more serious, and his time with his Father at these War Council meetings only made Tywin's son smarter.
"Tyrion is right. The side that is winning doesn't stop until the losing side is dead or was wishing they were dead. What we should do as first order of business before such a thing happens is ransom for Ser Jaime. Securing Lord Tywin's Heir to Casterly Rock should be done immediately before the North decides to slowly feed pieces of him to Robb Stark's dire wolf," said one of the Western Lords near Kevan Lannister.
"No truces! We can't afford to look weak!" protested another Western Lord.
"We should march on them at once and crush them! First, we must gather our forces at Casterly Rock to...," said a Western Lord, but was silenced by Tywin slamming his fist onto the table in the giant tent.
"They have my son!" yelled Tywin while glaring at the idiots he had for commanders and seeing them shut up.
'Short of Jaime escaping or the Stark's letting him go, which won't happen anytime soon, I don't see my big brother coming back here willingly. Least of all in one piece,' thought Tyrion sadly.
"Get out! All of you. Not you Tyrion!" commanded Tywin before everyone, but Tyrion remained with confusion on his face.
"I take it you have some special assignment for me," surmised Tyrion since he knew his Father didn't keep him around for his witty jokes and crude humor.
"I do. You were right about what you said earlier regarding the Starks and the Demon Sage. We are fortunate the three eyed man has decided to play the role of advisor to Ned Stark in King's Landing then the warrior and slayer of entire armies he was during the Rebellions. Still, if push comes to shove, he may still get involved in a more...violent fashion. Something we must avoid being on the receiving end of at all costs," said Tywin while Tyrion poured them both some wine.
"Yes. I saw some of his skill in the Vale when he fought for me as my Champion. He made it quite clear his skills could best any Knight of the Vale or an Knight for that matter throughout the Seven Kingdoms," said Tyrion with Tywin nodding.
"The Sage could best everyone in a battle. Ser Barristan himself personally learned from him when he was a young lad. Its how an old man like him can still best a group of men three times his junior. It was one of the reasons I was originally happy to see Jaime squire under such an experienced warrior," explained Tywin while Tyrion nodded since he had heard the stories growing up.
"An opponent, friend, and ally in some shape or other that one should not underestimate in the slightest," concluded Tyrion with Tywin nodding with his face becoming cold once again.
"Something your idiot sister had done time and time again when she should have learned to leave well enough alone. After Cersei fled from King's Landing for Lannisport, she had had Joffrey, and herself acting like they are ruling over it. From what my spies there have told me, both of them are doing a bad job of it, and the people now hate your sister along with Joffrey for his supposedly random acts of cruelty. The only reason the people do not rebel against them is because the army in Lannisport is large enough for the most part to keep the fear of retaliation from being overpowered by their anger at them. Which is why I need you straight to Lannisport immediately. When Cersei unleashes her army, the people might see it as a chance to rebel against her, and they might succeed unless you go their to rule in my stead," said Tywin with Tyrion looking at him like he just said the Mad King wasn't so bad when ruling.
"Me? Rule over Lannisport as its Lord?" asked Tyrion just so he made sure his ears were still working.
"Yes. You will rule over Lannisport in my name while I deal with this dilemma regarding the Starks and Baratheons. At the same time, I need you to send ravens to King's Landing and to the Sage. You need to plan and work out some idea on how to broker peace should our losses become too great for us that negotiations become our best hope for survival," commanded Tywin with Tyrion nodded in agreement.
"Cersei and Joffrey won't like the idea of me there, much less ruling over them. Cersei has always hated me for...obvious reasons. And Joffrey...well he doesn't need a reason to hate me. I get the impression the boy would hate me even if I was a normal size man like you or Jaime," said Tyrion with Tywin scowling.
"Regardless, you are my son. In the past, you have long since desired to be made my Heir ever since Jaime became part of the damn Kingsguard. Now is your chance to show me what you can do as a Lord ruling over his subjects in the same manner that other High Lords do. Think of this time ruling over Lannisport as a tryout for the possibility of being named my Heir. At the very least it will give you a shadowy hint of what might be in your future if you do a good job keeping order there to balance the disorder already springing up without me around to stop it," replied Tywin while Tyrion nodded.
"Not to curse myself by asking this question, but...why are you doing this? Giving me the authority to rule Lannisport? It is no secret of your...dislike of me," questioned Tyrion with Tywin looking grim.
"Because you are my son. And you are the only one capable of finding a way to gaining peace should this war continue to go bad for us. You can also use your time bringing your sister and your nephew to heel regarding their extensive abuse of authority I never gave them. Already, my spies tell me of Joffrey torturing innocent people, and his Mother of all women in the world responsible for his development is actually allowing it to happen. If the smallfolk of the Westernlands do decide to turn against us because of the cruelty done to them by Cersei and Joffrey, we will not be able to continue this war, our heads will be on a pike sooner, and I'm pretty sure you would rather not die in such a manner," answered Tywin with Tyrion nodding.
"Agreed. So...when do I depart for Lannisport?" asked Tyrion knowing he had no time to lose if it meant saving his future ruling over the West from being destroyed.
"Tomorrow. And take your Sell Sword with you. He has a sharp eye and will be able to guard your back against anyone Cersei or Joffrey manage to convince its better to serve them over you," answered Tywin knowing his sister and nephew well enough to know they will do such a thing.
"Well...I think its time to see if I'm as smart and clever as I make myself out to be when around others," commented Tyrion before leaving the war tent.
(A/N: YAY! Another good update. Sorry this took so long to post. I have been busy as of late. Don't worry. Naruto will be more involved. I have to set the stage for it though or else won't come out right. Until next time...PEACE!)