Chapter 15-The Trial Part 1
Two weeks went by slowly. Almost painfully slow. Word reached everyone about the now declared ceasefire between all warring parties. During that time, no one side had attacked the other. Yet despite that, everyone was still on edge. House Starks, House Lannister, House Baratheons, and House Tyrell were all on edge. Even the Brotherhood without Banners was surprisingly silent, as they wished to see peace return to the Seven Kingdoms, and any attack by them could further provoke more fighting that would harm the smallfolk.
Still, some thought they should attack now while the other side was standing down, but others in each camp pointed out how the Great Sage himself had dictated the terms, and wished them carried out. Many on all sides knew of Naruto's power. Had either witnessed it or heard about it from stories long past from previous battles with some tales being a bit more exaggerated then others. Still, Naruto's title as Sage was enough to keep the scheming parties within all the camps at bay since no one wanted to insight the wrath of the three eyed masked man.
Not that it mattered to one Cersei of House Lannister. Or her son Joffrey. The moment the ceasefire happened and made known throughout the Seven Kingdoms, Tywin had felt the best option here was to move his forces back to Lannisport. Reports during this time of two week ceasefire leading to the peace talks made the move acceptable since Holster Tully had past away within the third day of it being in effect. Robb Stark had called all of his men back as well to pay respect to his Grandfather on his Mother's side of the family.
While the funeral was happening at Riverrun for Holster Tully, one Tywin Lannister had decided to make good on his end of things, and held a meeting with his family about the situation regarding the war.
Naturally, he was met with resistance from certain family members.
(Lannisport-Small Council Room)
"You can't be serious Father? Making peace with the Starks? The Baratheons? And the Tyrells? This ceasefire is the perfect chance to crush them!" protested Cersei angrily at her Father agreeing to the ceasefire and the peace talks in two weeks time.
"We should send our armies out and kill them all! I just wish we had the Mountain to maim, rape, and kill our enemies," added Joffrey while Tywin scowled at him.
Ever since Tywin had returned to Lannisport with his army behind him, Cersei along with Joffrey had been under the impression that he would simply remove Tyrion from his position, and they would have everything back to normal. Back to putting his youngest son down, spoiling Cersei with gold, and power while using it to spoil Joffrey. They were dead wrong of course much to their shock and horror. If anything, Tywin told Tyrion just how proud he was with his performance as Lord of Lannisport in his stead, and how he played it smart to have Myrcella sent to Dorne in an arranged marriage to Prince Doran's only son when the war was looking its darkest for House Lannister. By sending Myrcella to Dorne, it helped ensure at least one member of House Lannister lived on. Granted his Granddaughter was a bastard child born of incest, but like Tommen he saw none of the darkness in her like he now did with Joffrey. There was something wicked in that boy's eyes that could easily be compared to the Mad King with his desire to hurt others.
Tywin was soon reminded of the letter the Sage sent him during the march to Lannisport about Cersei and Joffrey.
This is why incest based children should not happen Tywin. Chances are, they will go crazy. You were just fortunate to have two out of three of them stay sane. The Targaryens practiced this act on more then one occasion and look where it got them? Half of their children went mad. You know Viserys Targaryen? He went mad like his Father and could not keep his temper under control either. The end result was his death. If you don't reign in Joffrey, he will cause the downfall of your House in the years to come, and Cersei will let him do it. She has a madness in her as well.
The only difference is this madness was born from the pain of loss over the death of her Mother, your wife, and the intense hatred for Tyrion she has in the belief it was his fault. It wasn't. Many children have been known to cause complications in the birth process and not all of them are physically like Tyrion. Sadly, Cersei wouldn't care, and would simply deny it even if the truth was staring her right in the face. The woman believes all things not from House Lannister must either be destroyed or claimed by your House to be used as SHE sees fit. Your daughter is fueled by greed and lust for whatever it is her heart desires in life, your daughter has channeled her insanity into following her up to this point.
The fact her husband Robert Baratheon was unfaithful for most if not ALL of their entire marriage and siring 20 bastard children didn't help much either.
However, her own ambition for being the Queen and staying the Queen of Westeros are in perfect alignment with her insanity so Cersei is able to hide it from most. Including you. She can't stand the idea of being replaced as Queen and all the perks that come with it. The overall wealth, the ability to command others to do things they don't want to do, and of course the power the title provides is what Cersei covets. She will do just about anything and everything in her power to keep such things under her direct control. Hence why she tries to manipulate Joffrey into doing whatever she wants, but sometimes it doesn't work, and has to scramble some plot or ploy to counter his actions. Never once does she try to make an attempt at stopping him from doing what he wants and has only weakened his actions discreetly while playing the loving Mother to him so he doesn't lash out at her, and lose control over his mind.
Make no mistake about it Lord Tywin, your daughter Cersei is not sound of the mind, and neither is Joffrey. If allowed to run about unchecked, they will cause the downfall of your House from which it will NEVER return from. Do not take chances with them. Do not show them a hint of mercy or remorse when having them restrained for the trip to King's Landing. Tommen is a good lad and I sense he will do great things with a proper teacher to guide him. Myrcella is also a good child. None of the wickedness of her Mother is in that one either. You got lucky with those two so treasure them despite how they were born and love them anyway. I know this is going to be hard on you, but this is for the good of the realm, and for your House with Tyrion being the one to help save it.
If you truly want peace and a chance for House Lannister to rise and be redeemed for its past sins, do what is asked of you here Lord Tywin.
-The Sage
That letter had been painful to read, but the words were no less truthful.
"Enough! I will not hear advice from a bastard born of incest. You are only here to ensure my end of the deal for the peace talks and the trial awaiting the two of you happens," said Tywin while Cersei and Joffrey looked shocked by this.
"Trial? Me? Joffrey You are putting us both on trial?" asked Cersei while Tyrion was a bit surprised.
"No. I am not putting you or Joffrey on trial and you should thank the Gods for that. MY version of a trial would be to put you and your bastard son to the sword right now for being what you are in my eyes. The actual trial itself will be held in King's Landing. In front of everyone. Myself, the Tyrells, Starks, and even House Martell to name a few will be there. You along with Jaime and Joffrey will be judged for your past crimes against the people, the Crown under the late King Robert's rule, but also House Lannister for the incest with Jaime," replied Tywin with Cersei glaring at him.
"Crimes? What crimes? The crime of loving my family? My children? My son who was suppose to be the future King? My House? My brother Jaime?!" questioned Cersei with Tywin not looking amused by her protest.
"Your definition of loving your family and your brother Jaime are considered offensive to me and just about everyone else in this room," said Kevan Lannister now while keeping his anger barely in check at this woman for using his son Lancel for her schemes.
"Not to ask a stupid question, but what is to become of young Tommen? Surely he is not going to be punished the crimes of his parents siring him?" asked Tyrion since he didn't care if the poor boy's parentage was a sin in the eyes of the Gods so long as his nephew was a good person.
"No. Tommen will be staying here in Lannisport for the time being and will still keep the Lannister name until told otherwise. Kevan will watch over him for the time being and be in charge of the army while we ride for King's Landing. This stain on our House must be dealt with immediately. Jaime will be brought to King's Landing with Robb Stark's own group," replied Tywin while Cersei looked livid and so did Joffrey.
'Well at least he will be saved from being destroyed in all of this,' thought Tyrion happily since his youngest nephew didn't deserve to be hated for this.
"Take Cersei and Joffrey away. Keep them confined to their rooms before we depart for King's Landing with our escort," commanded Tywin with his men restraining Cersei and Joffrey before they were taken out of the Small Council Room.
"Do you really think we can acquire the necessary peace with our enemies?" asked Kevan worriedly since he did wish to see his son again.
"Depending on the situation and demands made during the talks, I think we can. Though I think the only one capable of talking to them properly is Tyrion," replied Tywin with his youngest son looking at him in shock.
"Me? Negotiating? I know the Sage wants me there for the peace talks and maybe for the trial, but I hardly think participation during the former will be required on my part. Are you sure I am the...man you want for this assignment?" protested Tyrion while Tywin just looked at him for a second and then sighed.
"Tyrion, I know my overall treatment of you as my son over the years has not been what one would consider to be...pleasant," started Tywin while looking like he was about to eat something an animal had just shit on.
'That's putting it mildly,' thought Tyrion, but kept his tongue in check.
"At first, I hated you for what your birth caused in terms of your Mother's death. I even admit to wanting to kill you myself for the believed stain created against the woman I loved following your birth. But I stayed my hand each time the thought came up because I knew it was wrong and you, for all of your physical deformity, are my son. You are a Lannister," said Tywin with Tyrion not sure if he should feel insulted or pleased by his Father's words.
'Probably both. He tends to do that with people,' thought Tyrion while seeing his Father let out yet another tiring sigh.
"As time progressed, I believed you were a failure for a Lannister, and of my own blood no less only made my feelings toward your existence worsen. I saw you spend your days drinking, whoring, and occasionally reading books in the library. In short, I thought you were a waste of a life the Gods saw fit to bring into the world," said Tywin with Tyrion frowning now.
'If he is trying to apologize for years of neglect on his end, the least Father could do was put my past actions in a slightly better light. Though I doubt I will get that much,' thought Tyrion while Kevan sent an apologetic look towards him.
"It is only recently I have come to see my belief in you being a failure was a mistake on my part. I failed to see you had an inquisitive and intellectual mind that when put to good use in a position of power, flourished where others would flounder. While your own vices are questionable in terms of drinking and whoring, there are those who have worse tastes. Not only that, but these vices have indeed been reduced considerably. No doubt when I gave you control of Lannisport during the war. In the time you were here, the people in the city went from mutinous to supportive of House Lannister. The Sage himself told me how highly he thinks of you and that I reflect on your strengths as a Lannister. Strengths I have been blinded from seeing on account of my hatred for you growing up," continued Tywin with Tyrion being a bit surprised by the praise from his Father, but by the Sage himself.
"He's not wrong Tyrion. You have shown remarkable management skills in governing the people of this city. When it was just Cersei and Joffrey ruling, the people were practically ready to revolt. You showed all the traits of a Lannister in terms of how to rule the lands around us," replied Kevan with Tyrion smiling at him.
"Which is why I want you to lead the negotiations on behalf of House Lannister. Seeing me at the table when the peace talks come will only make things difficult. But you on the other hand are a man who knows how people think after having one simple conversation with them. For these talks to bring peace and survival of our House, it needs someone who won't provoke anger at those across the table," explained Tywin while seeing his son smile further.
"I would be honored to do this. I want peace with our enemies and the survival of our House. I know many on the opposition will most likely want terms in which we are bled dry in various aspects, but I will do what I can to ensure if we do give concessions, they are fair, and do not bring any shame to House Lannister," replied Tyrion with Tywin and Kevan smiling now.
"Good. Perhaps, when this is all over, we can discuss your future as the Lord of Casterly Rock, and being the future Warden of the West," offered Tywin with Tyrion nodding and happy to hear that.
"I look forward to having that conversation," replied Tyrion while holding a goblet filled with wine and held it up to toast his Father for the decision.
(Riverrun-At the Moment)
Currently, Robb Stark was sitting at a table with several of his Commanders, his Mother, his Uncle Edmure Tully, and Great Uncle Blackfish following the funeral of one Holster Tully. Catelyn had been filled with sorrow knowing her Father had died and during a time of war no less. It also made her brother Edmure Tully the new Lord of Riverrun, though it was clear the man had an arrogance about him, and made their Uncle want to smack him around for it.
"Some time right before the ceasefire began, several of my lieutenants with their forces were able to kill several Lannister men, and took the stone mill the army was stationed around. It may have some bearing...," commented Edmure while his Uncle known by many as "the Blackfish" didn't look amused.
"Why don't you shut up about the damned mill? And don't call him nephew! He is your King!" said Blackfish at his nephew with a glare to match his tone.
"Robb knows I meant no disrespect Uncle...," began Edmure, but his Uncle once again had no patience for him.
"You're lucky I'm not your King. I wouldn't wave your blunders around like a victory flag!" exclaimed the Blackfish while Edmure grimaced slightly.
"My blunder as you call it Uncle allowed us to capture the Lannister Pig of a man Amory Lorch before he could get a chance to scurry back to Lannisport or Casterly Rock with his piggy tail between his legs. King Robb understands that were not going to win this war if he's the only one winning battles. Besides, there is plenty of glory to go around in a war like this," commented Edmure while Robb glared at him.
"This is not about glory! This is about justice and bring it down upon those who would try to flee from its grasp! You were suppose to wait for further instructions or wait until Amory Lorch came to you. It was only blind luck and catching him by surprise that you even succeeded in capturing the man," Robb nearly shouted at his Uncle, who looked a bit uncomfortable, and the Blackfish looked like he was ready to punch the new Lord of Riverrun in the face.
"I seized an opportunity and it paid off in the end," countered Edmure while Robb sighed angrily.
"I wanted him to come to us. Not the other way around. If we drew him deeper to our side, we would have had a better advantage, and fewer of our men would be dead right now. Instead, you charged in without orders, lost more men then we should, and all I have to show for it outside of our prisoner is a stone mill," replied Robb with Edmure looked a bit insulted, but it was clear those around him saw their King's point.
"We also took hostages. Willem Lannister and Martyn Lannister," added Edmure while Robb scoffed at the mention of these so called hostages.
"Willem Lannister and Martyn Lannister are 14 years old," remarked Robb knowing the boys were squires at best and hardly worth the effort of being considered valuable.
"Martyn is 15 years old I believe. Both boys are squires. Nothing more," added Blackfish while glancing at his nephew with a "you are such an idiot" look on his face.
"We have had Jaime Lannister for months now under careful watchful eyes and Tywin Lannister didn't move for peace during that time. Did you really think he would sue for peace sooner because we now have his Father's brother's Great Grandsons?" questioned Robb with Edmure now starting to see things from his perspective.
"No," replied Edmure quietly.
"How many men did you lose in the attack?" asked Robb while dreading the answer.
"208 men. But for every man we lost the Lannister...," answered Edmure, but was soon silenced by Robb's fist smashing against the table.
"Those 208 men could be alive now instead of rotting in the ground!" exclaimed Robb furiously while Edmure looked guilty over it.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know," replied Edmure while Robb's face was still holding a scowl.
"You would have. Right here at the gathering. If you had been patient!" stated Robb with Edmure looking away from the younger man's angry face.
"We seem to be running out of patience here. Especially now with the impending peace talks at King's Landing you are meant to attend. Its making everyone go on edge. You spend so much time fighting that when its time to actually stop, you almost forget how to put down your sword," remarked Blackfish sadly.
"A problem we need to fix," added Robb with a sigh before a ripple in the air around them was felt and Naruto appeared in a nearby chair.
"I couldn't agree more Robb," replied Naruto while his sudden appearance shocked both Edmure and the Blackfish for a second.
"Great Sage, what are you doing here?" asked Catelyn while seeing the masked man sit down in a nearby chair.
"To pay my respects to the late Holster Tully. I would have been with the crowd, but I didn't want my presence to distract from why everyone was here for the funeral. I liked Holster. He was a good man. Good men are hard to come by during these dark times," answered Naruto with a sigh since that was the problem with being a long living person.
Everyone you know tends to die one way or another.
"Thank you for coming. I'm sure my Father would have appreciated you attending his funeral," replied Catelyn while Naruto nodded.
"I also came here because of the two boys you recently captured and mentioned just now. I plan to return them to their family in Lannisport," added Naruto while the group in front of him looked shocked.
"What? Why? We can use them during the negotiations with Jaime. Gain some additional gold or wealth from House Lannister for their safe return," offered Edmure while Naruto glared at him.
"You are an idiot. The two boys and their worth during the negotiations will be little to nothing. You will spend more resources taking care of them now over any financial return later during the peace talks. Besides, they are basically young children forced to fight in a war that should not have been started in the first place. And its not like you need them anyway. Not with Jaime Lannister as your prisoner," replied Naruto with Edmure reluctantly conceding as much.
"But Jaime Lannister is to be put on trial for his various crimes in King's Landing. Won't his value decrease knowing what awaits him there?" asked Catelyn with Naruto shaking his head no.
"Hardly. Tywin will no doubt want Jaime's crimes to be pushed aside and have his son live to serve at the Wall. The man will lose out in having his eldest son be his Heir, but this allows him to live all the same," replied Naruto knowing that was the best option that Tywin and Jaime were going to get.
"Not if Jaime calls for Trial by Combat. Depending on who he faces, the man might just win his freedom," replied Robb with Naruto shaking his head.
"Unlikely. Even if it does come down to Trial by Combat, Jaime will have to face me, and we all know how that will turn out," replied Naruto with the group looking surprised by this.
"Does Tywin know this?" asked Catelyn while wondering if Tywin ever considered this possible outcome for his son.
"Maybe. Even if he doesn't, I'm sure its an outcome he has considered. The man isn't an idiot Catelyn. He knows Jaime well enough to realize what his son will do should the opening for such a move present itself. Which is why I'm going to let the two talk things out before the Trial even starts, if there is one with him. I think we can all agree, its high time this Lannister not only pays his debts, but also faces his sins," answered Naruto while knowing this was a long time coming between Father and son in House Lannister.
"Its going to be a grand affair. I'm not sure even Tywin can take the shame brought upon his House," remarked Blackfish with Naruto looking at him.
"The shame brought to House Lannister that you speak of Blackfish was one of his twin children's own making. Quite literally when you consider how Joffrey turned out. Once this is resolved, I'm hoping the coming peace will give all the Houses a chance to heal properly," replied Naruto with Robb and Catelyn looking uneasy.
"We may have one more minor problem to deal with after the peace talks," replied Robb before sighing.
"What minor problem?" asked Naruto with a frown.
"Walder Frey," answered Catelyn with Blackfish scowling at the name.
"He's a fucking cunt," grumbled Blackfish to himself though everyone heard him.
"Uncle!" exclaimed Catelyn.
"What?! The man is a fucking old cunt. His only great accomplishment to date has been siring more bastards then Robert Baratheon. Even now, the only remaining muscles in his body still working are his mouth, his brain, and his cock. Don't tell me you didn't see how the man acted with the women at the Twins and not be disgusted?" challenged Blackfish with Catelyn frowning, but did not dispute his words.
"What is the issue with Walder Frey?" asked Naruto with Robb sighing and explaining how he broke the promise, the one his Mother made for him, of marrying one of Walder Frey's daughter, and married the female healer who was also a foreigner.
"I know as a King, I should honor my promises, but this woman Talisa...I felt the moment I met her there was something about her, and what I feel in my heart...I am not a shamed I married her," said Robb with conviction in his voice.
"All the same, you have made an enemy of Walder Frey. He is not someone who will just take this offence against him lightly," warned Catelyn since she knew many Lords would take become angry by what Robb did in Walder Frey's place.
"I'm not about to apologize for being in love or marrying the woman I love! The deal was made through you. I never agreed to the marriage. At the very least, you should have come back to the army to talk to me about the offer, and whether or not to accept," said Robb with Catelyn grimacing.
"He's not wrong Catelyn. When making deals involving others, namely your son in this case, the mentioned person should be consulted, and talked to before such a deal is truly made agreeable," said Naruto with Catelyn looking down in a way that told them she was sorry.
"It can't be helped now. It won't be long before Walder Frey sends his eldest sons here to discuss how Robb can make amends for this wound toward House Frey," said Catelyn with Naruto frowning now further and didn't like this development one bit and for good reason.
Walder Frey was a perverted piece of slime. Some crude abomination of a man created by taking the worst parts of Orochimaru's and Jiraiya's vices before putting them all in a blender. The end result was Walder Frey. He had Orochimaru's ambitiousness in seeking out every advantage in any situation mixed with Jiraiya's perverted tendencies though at a level beyond even the old Super Pervert. Naruto also knew that like Orochimaru, the man currently ruling House Frey did not take offenses aimed against him lightly. Orochimaru had believed in crushing his opponents slowly, painfully, and patiently if his years upon years of waiting for his old sensei and Hokage to become too old to win in a fight with him was any indication.
In fact, Naruto surmised the entirety of House Frey was filled with snakes all waiting for the oldest of them to eventually die so the next one could sit in the chair running things. They were about two scheming generations away from resorting to kinslaying, if they did not secretly do it already in some manner, and backstab anyone to get what they want.
It just meant he would have to deal with this instead of Robb. The man had a good head on his shoulders like his Father, but neither had the means to sniff out a trap, or betrayal when someone saw the benefits of it.
"I will deal with Walder Frey. The man respects only one thing. Power. Power and those who have it and can give him more then anyone else. Walder will also see Robb's act of breaking his oath as an opportunity to gain favor with the Lannisters should he feel it is in his best interest to switch sides. Especially, if they can offer him more then Robb can in terms of paying for their services," said Naruto with Catelyn looking at him in shock.
"You are not suggesting that Walder Frey would break his oaths to House Tully and the Starks?" questioned Catelyn with Naruto nodding.
"Walder Frey is a bitter old man. Even more so with what happened with Robb marrying the woman he loves. The man will see it as an act of betrayal by House Tully and House Stark. I have little to no doubt the man plans to try something later just to prove his point in he won't tolerate anymore...offenses by anyone else," replied Naruto with Blackfish nodding in agreement.
"You may have known Walder Frey when you were a little girl my niece, but the man has no honor, and has no problem killing someone if it means extending his own life. I would wager he would side with the White Walkers if they promised to make him live longer," said Blackfish with Naruto nodding.
"Not the best way to describe Walder Frey, but no less accurate. All the more reason to let me handle things with him from here on out," replied Naruto knowing it was the only recourse here.
"And what if Walder Frey decides to get violent? Any act by him against House Tully or Stark will weaken us considerably. It might even make the Lannisters become bold in wanting to give less and take more during the peace talks," replied Edmure with Naruto now looking at him.
"If Walder Frey gets violent, it will be the last thing he or his House ever does, and I will see to it that the Twins will nothing more...then a memory!" stated Naruto coldly before he was gone via Kamui.
"I don't think I could ever get use to seeing him do that," remarked Blackfish while he saw the others nod in agreement.
(Elsewhere)
Talisa was working on the two Lannister children and tending to their wounds while they looked at her and the armed men behind the woman fearfully. They had been squires in the last battle. Both wounded yet captured all the same. Neither boy thought they would be in this sort of situation given they were not only Lannisters, but also simple squires of the knights serving their House. Only to one day find themselves in a battle for the army they were with to fall at the hands of the men serving the King of the North and House Tully of Riverrun.
And find themselves in the den filled with wolves.
"You are Robb Stark's wife," said Martyn Lannister while he was being bandaged.
"Yes I am," replied Talisa with a smile.
"Is it true what they say about him?" asked Martyn curiously.
"I don't know. What do they say about him?" asked Talisa though she had an idea on just what they were referring to about her husband.
So many amusing stories people tell these days.
"That he can turn into a wolf at night?" asked Martyn with Talisa smiled further since she heard that rumor too given his dire wolf fought beside him in battle.
"True," answered Talisa to humor the story along.
"And he eats the flesh of his enemies?" asked Martyn with Talisa nodding again.
"Also true. You seem nervous about that. You must be Lannisters by blood," concluded Talisa when she saw how nervous the boys were about being surrounded by so many of their House's enemies.
"Martyn Lannister," answered Martyn respectfully while fearing any insult to this woman would provoke the wrath of the Wolf King the Lannister men had called Robb Stark in the past.
"Well Martyn Lannister, you have nothing to fear. My husband doesn't eat children of his enemies. Unless, there is a full moon out. Is there a full moon out tonight?" asked Talisa when she looked back to the guards behind her.
"No my Lady," replied one of the guards neutrally.
"See? Nothing to fear," replied Talisa before she finished working on the boy and sighed at the horror of war leaving its mark on the two boys in front of her.
A knock on the door made the men behind Talisa turn with swords at the ready should it be a trap and opened the door to see the three eyed masked Sage himself.
"Mind if I come in?" asked Naruto with the guards going pale in the face and nodding quickly.
"You are the Great Sage. I'm honored," replied Talisa with a humble bow and the two Lannister boys behind her looking at him in awe with a hint of fear.
"Robb Stark's wife. I can already see your beauty in the physical realm is surpassed only by the one of your spirit. No wonder Robb Stark fell in love with you," remarked Naruto with Talisa smiling at his praise and bowed humbly once more in front of him.
"Thank you Great Sage. May I inquire as to why you are here?" asked Talisa with Naruto nodding.
"You may. And to answer your question, I am here to take these Lannister boys home to their Father in Lannisport. I already talked to Robb about it and he agrees this has to be done since the peace talks in King's Landing will happen soon. This will be a show of good faith that everyone involved with these peace talks wants them to happen," said Naruto with Talisa nodding and the boys looked happy.
"Do you require some measure of transport to take you and the boys from here straight to Lannisport?" asked Talisa since she could arrange it thanks to being Robb's wife.
"Thank you, but no. I will take them using my own means of getting from one destination to another," said Naruto while walking up to the nervous boys and patted their shoulders.
"You're not going to use your magic to turn us into anything...unnatural? Right?!" asked Willem Lannister since he had heard stories about the Sage and his powers to bend all things to his Will with a flick of his wrist.
"No. I only do that to naughty children, who decide to do horrible unspeakable things to people, and deserve a taste of their own actions aimed at them. You haven't been naughty children, have you?" asked Naruto with both boys shaking their head no.
"No Great Sage," answered Martyn with Willem nodding too.
"Good! Then you have nothing to worry about. Now what I'm about to do will make you a bit nauseous and there is a chance you might vomit, but it is a small price to pay for this quick trip home," replied Naruto with both boys nodding.
"We're ready," said Willem with Naruto smirking under his mask.
'You wish,' thought Naruto before he vanished via Kamui with the two boys right out of the room to the shock of Talisa and the guards.
(The Twins-Short Time Later)
"So the Wolf Pup and his Tully for a Mother send the Great Sage himself to my home to speak to me on their behalf. I don't know whether to be insulted or honored," commented Walder Frey while sitting in his chair at the head of the table and drinking his wine and eating food like a pig in front of Naruto with several of Walder Frey's children off to the side.
"Father, proper decorum dictates...," said one of Walder's children though whether he was a legitimate or bastard child of House Frey was unknown.
"Was I talking to you? Bastard? I know you and the others are all waiting for my death so one of you can sit here. I'm not dead yet. I've still got life left in me. Enough to talk, eat, drink, and fuck any young woman I want. I did it with your Mother years ago and I can do it now," countered Walder Frey angrily.
"Father please...the Sage...," whispered Lothar Frey, who glanced at the masked three eyed man standing there with a growing angry look in those said eyes.
"All right. Fine! I welcome you Great Sage into my home under the Light of the Seven and its protection. Now, let's get down to this fucking business regarding the Wolf Pup, and the breaking of his oath he made to marry one of my daughters," said Walder before motioning Naruto forward.
"Robb Stark wishes to make amends regarding his oath when his Mother made the actual agreement to have him marry one of your daughters. He intended to come here himself to handle such a grievance himself, but the recent passing of his Grandfather Holster Tully, and the impending peace talks in King's Landing has caused his trip to be unintentionally delayed. To prevent this dishonor from growing further, I offered to speak to you on his behalf, and fix this mess to prevent further problems," offered Naruto civilly toward the old looking man, who looked more like a walking corpse.
Honestly, how was this man not dead from old age yet?!
"Excuses all. Just like his Grandfather. Holster never came to the Twins to celebrate my Name Day or my many wedding to my many wives. Always sticking his nose up at me and his Grandson of a King does the same now. And using Holster's death as an excuse. And these peace talks? Bah! I could care less! I have a better chance of fucking a woman and getting her pregnant on the first try!" said Walder before taking a drink of wine.
"Father please! You are being insulting to our guest," said another one of Walder's many grown children.
"Shut up! I don't have to listen to you as if you were my better. I am the Lord of House Frey and of the Twins. I can bloody do what I like in the safety of my own home!" said Walder while glaring at one of his many sons.
"Even if this is your home Lord Frey, it doesn't give you the right to be a fucking cunt to your guest when they have done to deserve your rude hospitality," countered Naruto with the old man glaring at him.
"This is my house. If I want to piss, shit, and fuck in front of someone, I will do it as I please. I might just fuck one of my future wives right here just to prove my point," said Walder while Naruto's face became a scowl behind his mask.
"I would advise against it. The instant you drop your pants, I drop you from the top of one of the towers before destroying this bridge to build a new one," threatened Naruto with Walder snarling at him at the sheer defiance made here.
"So that's how it is huh? You come here, to my home, under the pretense of being polite, and talking about fixing what Robb Stark broke. And for what? To threaten me? And in my own home no less?" challenged Walder with Naruto shaking his head no.
"No. I did come here and speak to you about Robb Stark's actions and get it resolved. But you have been insulting since I first stepped into this room and acted like you could do what you wanted in my presence. No matter how disgusting or insulting I found it. Tell me Walder Frey, were you this insulting to Catelyn Stark when she first came here?" said Naruto while taking another step forward.
"You're just like House Tully and House Stark. Always thinking yourself better then me and my House. Always looking down at House Frey with contempt. Holster didn't come to any of my weddings, even before he became ill, and weak in the body. And for what? All because I like to fuck young women and make them produce babies? Both legitimate ones and bastards. I will fuck any girl or woman who catches my fancy and I will make her produce a child of my blood. And if Catelyn Tully Stark or her Wolf Pup for a son Robb Stark don't like it, I can remind them that my home is key to providing support from the North to their army, and if they still want to get those supplies they better give me something worthy of the oath breaking," countered Walder Frey before he spit on the ground in front of Naruto, who frowned further, and his power started to come out of his body.
The time for being civil was over with this old ghoul of a man.
"You are disgusting piece of shit Walder Frey. You are man barely clinging to life and making demands of others like they owe you for years of past debts long overdue. The Tullys and the Starks owe you nothing! Why? Because you ARE nothing Walder Frey. Your House is filled with a bloodline that is some of the blackest around. You have no honor. You do not care about the oaths you swore to House Tully. You go around fucking any woman, who has had the unfortunate task of being within hand grabbing distance, and producing more of your vile offspring. You want to know why Holster Tully didn't attend your weddings in the past? Because he knew as I do from the mere sight of you, that you Walder Frey are filth. You are slime. Lower then trash. You don't deserve to be held in high esteem like you feel others should when mentioning your House. I look at you and I see a bitter and withered old man, who has only three major parts of him functioning out of his entire body. Namely your brain, your mouth, and your cock. You also stink of shit from lack of bathing, it is amazing that any woman fucked by you does not faint, vomit, or both from the stench created from your ugly grotesque body. So do not bitch to me about how no one from the Tullys or the Starks respects you or your House Walder Frey. You have done nothing to make others think highly of you. Only lower," answered Naruto coldly and cruelly with Walder Frey looking absolutely furious at the insults thrown his way in his own House and in front of his family no less.
"Kill him! I order you all to kill this fucking cunt! Right now!" commanded Walder while he pointed his decrepit finger at Naruto.
"Did I hit a nerve? Did I get to the heart of the matter? It must hurt to hear the bitter truth about what people think of you, doesn't it Walder? Knowing for all your blustering and showing off the supposed greatness of your House, all you are showing everyone is just how pathetic you truly are, and bringing about further shame upon yourself," commented Naruto while the room was now filled with knights, archers on the balcony, and other soldiers ready to kill him at a moments notice.
"I have had about enough of you. When I show off your head on a pike at the top of the Twins, we will see who will have the power to control the Riverlands? House Tully with its idiot for a new Liege Lord? House Stark with its so called King who breaks oaths? Or House Frey, the House that killed the Demon Sage himself without a shred of mercy for the insults he slandered us with?" challenged Walder Frey angrily while Naruto did not look amused.
"Oh really? You speak to me about how people broke Oaths to you? When you yourself have done it? I know all about your secret messages to House Lannister. Willing to cut Robb Stark off and betray him if several men from House Lannister were to marry some of your daughters. I also know how you had planned to use your own daughter promised to Robb Stark to control the man when married. And when an Heir has been made from their union, you plan to have him die from a poison you give to her on her wedding night to hide away until the deed is done, and the child is secured as the future King of the North. Do not speak to me or about Robb Stark breaking oaths Walder Frey when you were playing both sides and planned to show your allegiance to the side who gives you more," replied Naruto angrily with Walder sneering at him at having his plans for the Wolf Pup being discovered.
"Kill him now!" commanded Walder angrily and his men moved to kill the masked Sage.
Starting with the archers firing arrows at him.
Only for the projectiles to dissolve under the slowly oppressive power of Naruto's chakra now coming alive around him and forming 10 massive tails.
"So that's how it is, huh Walder? You can't stand the truth and once caught at playing both sides of the war, try to cover it up. Like a child lying to his parents about all the horrible things he's done when asked about them. How pathetic! Such a vile House with your blood does not deserve to live. So I will do this world a favor and simply end it here and now!" declared Naruto in a demonic with his power spiking and making the room shake.
"What are you doing? Stop it! Stop it! Come on you cunts! Kill him already!" exclaimed Walder Frey while his army shook in fear just as the Twins themselves seemed to shake.
"Your time is over. Your House, your bloodline, and even this building built on greed and sin will die with you for your crimes. You should feel honored. I haven't used this much power in centuries," said Naruto while some of his tails lashed out at the Frey men around him and causing their bodies to disintegrate in an instant.
"What in the Seven Hells are you?" asked Walder Frey while finding himself trapped and unable to move in part because of the power from the Sage in front of him and in part his own elderly body.
"I am many things. I am a beginning. I am an end. And as of this very moment...all things connected to House Frey shall END! DIE!" answered Naruto with his eyes locked onto Walder Frey's terrified form.
BOOOOOOM!
A massive beam of light violently exploded upward to the heavens. All could see it. From the Wall, to the Iron Islands, and even at the Vale. The light had parted the clouds in the sky while the ground shook all over as if the realm itself was quaking in fear. In the end, all that was left of the area was a massive circular hole where the Twins once stood, and water from what was left of the massive river crossing now pouring into it.
And standing in the air using the wind itself was Uzumaki Naruto, who looked over the entire area for any (unlikely) survivors of House Frey. He didn't expect any of course. Having obliterated the Twins and all within it into nothingness and knowing the entire House (army and all) was indeed within the Twins at the time of the destruction. Still, it paid to be absolutely sure, and watched for any possible survivors to he annihilation of the Freys.
And found none.
(Lannisport-At the Moment)
Tywin Lannister was by his window when the explosion and beam of light appeared at the Twins happened and he could honestly say he was glad in his decision to not respond to the older man. He never liked the perverse and crude ruler of House Frey. No one did. The only reason anyone even made deals with the sickly looking old man was because they had to make deals with him because of the key trade route between Riverrun and the North. Oh Tywin would freely admit he made deals in the past with Walder Frey because business was business and money was money. But there was something unsettling about making deals with Walder Frey outside of business in the realm of war. Oh Tywin was tempted by the deal offered by Walder. Reduced price in paying tolls for crossing the Twins, marrying a few of his daughters to a few Lannister men, and using the weakened position of House Tullys following Holster's death to become the new Liege Lord of the Riverlands while putting the Stark army in a pincer move.
All those things were so tempting...if not for the Baratheon/Tyrell alliance adding their own army to the Stark/Tully army. All they had to do was attack the Twins, which they would easily win given their insanely larger army, control the massive structure, and then redirect their efforts back to attacking House Lannister. Oh sure, Tywin could attack if the enemy laid siege to the Twins, but the much larger army of four major Houses could easily fight off House Lannister, and take the Twins easily while at most losing a third of their men.
If there was one thing Tywin Lannister knew from his own years of experience in raising his House to one of importance, it was knowing when to cut your losses, and focus on the big picture staring you straight in the face. Namely, the peace talks he was setting out to tomorrow, and ending this expensive and costly war. Without gold being found deep in the mines, Tywin knew the days when Lannisters "shit gold" were now coming to an end, and a new form of revenue outside of gold would be needed. The secret of there being no gold in the mines would not be kept hidden for much longer. It was practically an all out invitation for the war to continue until the war lasted for so long that even the massive wealth the Lannisters possessed was destroyed to nothing.
Not what Tywin wanted in terms of a legacy left behind after his death.
"I take it you saw what I did?" asked Tyrion after entering the room.
"Yes. House Frey is no more. He must have made the Sage very angry to unleash that level of power," commented Tywin with Tyrion nodding.
"Walder Frey makes everyone angry, but yes I can see your point. I don't suppose you telling the Sage about Walder's attempts at making deals with us had anything to do with it?" questioned Tyrion with Tywin letting a small smirk appear on his face.
"If only that were true, but I cannot take credit for such an act. At best, I merely provided the necessary proof of House Frey's treachery. The Sage already suspected as much from Walder Frey in terms of the old man's plotting and scheming against the North and the Tullys. Besides, with the way things are now and the peace talks we plan to have soon, it would have been foolish to accept the offer. In addition, the Sage did return two members of my family back to us not that long ago, and a Lannister always pays his debts," replied Tywin with Tyrion nodding.
"That we do. I imagine any attempt to stall the peace talks will be silenced by this sudden act of destruction. Though I am curious how the Sage will fix the lack of a bridge at the crossing? Without a bridge, supplies from the North to Robb Stark's forces will be put in jeopardy to some degree," said Tyrion with Tywin smirking a bit more.
"Knowing him, he's already fixing it right now, and a new bridge has already been built where the Twins once stood. Something simple, yet quite pleasant to look at. Not like the Twins and the feeling of walking into a pit of hungry scavengers ready to devour you at the first sign of weakness," commented Tywin with Tyrion nodding.
"Joffrey and Cersei have been relocated to their assigned carriage and we will soon be ready to depart," said Tyrion after a moment of silence.
"Good. All the guards assigned to us reliable and loyal?" asked Tywin knowing his not so innocent daughter or bastard Grandson would try to find a way to make the men on this trip shift loyalties to them for freedom.
"I chose them all personally. Each man knows what is at stake and what will happen if they try to betray us. What just happened at the Twins will no doubt reinforce it. Bronn is also with us and he knows neither Cersei nor Joffrey can offer him anything that would warrant his betrayal. Plus the man has an uncanny ability to sniff out backstabbers and betrayers from his experience as a Sell Sword," said Tyrion with Tywin nodding knowing the man did have that keen sense.
Bronn maybe a Sell Sword, but the man also knew enough of the world to know just how far people will go to kill, and such talents were useful to those who could afford use his skills when needed. Said skills which Tywin saw first hand in keeping three would-be assassins at bay when they thought killing the old lion at the behest of his incest bastard born Grandson Joffrey's command would give them some kind of reward. Their weight and armor in gold from what Bronn had learned once they were all "questioned" by the Sell Sword about what was promised them once Tywin and possibly Tyrion later on was dead.
What those idiots got was a painful death! And Joffrey? Well he was denied food for the entire day and told to keep it down when bitching about it.
"Come! The sooner we get to King's Landing, the sooner we can end this ridiculous war, and refocus our efforts on rebuilding the Lannister name properly!" stated Tywin with Tyrion right beside him with a smile on his face.
It was actually nice to stand by his Father's side on the same page of something for once.
(King's Landing-Days Later)
"It seems everyone here has arrived ahead of schedule," commented Naruto with a hint of amusement in his voice while seeing the banners for Stark, Tully, Lannister, Tyrell, and of course Baratheon in the main area they were told to go by the City Watch.
The City Watch had actually improved itself after being placed under the very harsh, yet necessary guidance of Ser Sandor Clegane's command as its new Commander. The man had felt out of place being knighted with no official duties aside from managing House Clegane, which the scarred man didn't really care about at this point, and left his House to be managed by one of his other family members. So, as Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Ned Stark had decided to give the man a key position where he could help others, gain an honorable reputation among the smallfolk, and have purpose all in one.
"Your actions at the Twins and House Frey's destruction having nothing to do with it I'm sure," commented Ned while standing beside him with the Kingsguard flanking both of them.
"You could always ask them," offered Naruto with Ned smirking now.
"No. I think I will just assume what I wish. Nothing more," replied Ned while Naruto smirked behind his mask.
The two watched the various sides become tense around each other. Some guards from the Lannister side had hands on their swords while the Stark/Tully, and Baratheon/Tyrell men had their own at the ready. It was only Naruto making a noise and getting them to turn their attention to him did the tension between them all die down. Especially with the look Naruto was giving them to basically knock it the fuck off so they could get down to business.
"Tywin Lannister," said Robb Stark when Tywin approached with Tyrion.
"Robb Stark. I see much of your Father's fierceness in you. The fact you have won every battle against my army proves it," replied Tywin while seeing Catelyn Stark watching him carefully and the young beautiful foreign woman standing beside young man whom he assumed was his wife if what he heard was true.
"My Father taught me many things. Namely fighting for what you believe in," said Robb while Tywin nodding since he could respect that.
"Lady Catelyn Stark. Its good to see you again despite these circumstance. I'm sorry to hear about your Father's passing. He was a good man. I would have come to the funeral to pay my respects, but...we were just starting a ceasefire with your side," replied Tywin with Catelyn nodding with a stoic face, but still nodded all the same.
"Thank you Lord Tywin. My Father was loved and respected by many. He ruled well and justly over Riverrun. The current realm of men is a slightly darker place without him in it," said Catelyn while Tywin gave a brief nod before turning his attention to the younger woman beside Robb Stark.
"And you must be Lady Talisa Stark," said Tywin while the woman smiled honestly and curtseyed respectfully toward the Lord of House Lannister.
"I am her Lord Tywin. You are every bit as intimidating as my loving husband led me to believe. Though I assure you he said it with respect on his part," said Talisa with Tywin smiling slightly at her.
"My reputation precedes me in seems. Still, I will take it as a compliment all the same," said Tywin knowing the woman in front of him had a fire in her and thus what no doubt caught Robb Stark's attention.
It was no wonder the young wolf married her. To be young again and in love.
"I see King's Landing has improved greatly since we were all here last. The smell of the place seems to have improved greatly," commented Renly with his wife Margery Tyrell beside him and Olenna Tyrell the Queen of Thorns herself behind her Granddaughter.
"Indeed. I might not have to use some of my perfume this time around," replied Olenna while seeing King's Landing had indeed improved smell wise since the last time she was here.
"I think our current Lord Regent and Sage had something to do with that," remarked Tyrion while glancing over at the approaching figures just mentioned.
"Lord Stark. King's Landing thrives under your guidance," replied Tywin while seeing Ned nod.
"It does, but only due to the help of those enlisted around me. Namely Ser Barristan, Ser Sandor Clegane, Varys, and of course the Great Sage himself to name some of the key people helping me with the improvements of the city," replied Ned knowing who to honor for improving King's Landing after becoming Lord Regent.
"Using key maps of the city, we helped reform many of the drainage areas all over King's Landing and even found some clogged pipes responsible for causing a backflow into the lower sections of Flea Bottom. If we didn't fix the issue, there was a chance of a plague sprouting up within the next few years, and no one wants that happening anytime soon," said Naruto with the group nodding in agreement.
"Are the poor being treated well?" asked Margery while Naruto nodded and saw Olenna smirking at the sight of her Granddaughter making herself out to be the loving champion of the smallfolk.
"Yes. It was something I had Ser Sandor Clegane take care of when made Commander of the City Watch. He made sure the people with little to nothing weren't cruelly trampled on by those who do have more then them. I even setup several orphanages and even what I call an Apprenticeship Stations where those who have no skills can go to acquire them in order to seek work to gain money so their lives aren't so poor," explained Naruto, as he wanted to see fewer poor people living on the streets begging for money, and doing just about any unethical or immoral act to gain it.
"Impressive. A strong work force means good productivity and fewer poor people among the smallfolk all at the same time. Though paying for it must be difficult after all with the Crown in debt," commented Renly knowing Littlefinger had bankrupted the Kingdom under his older brother's rule.
"Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as you think Renly. After I took at look at the ledgers left behind by the former and dead Master of Coin, I was able to relocate much of the gold Littlefinger had drained from the Crown. I recovered most of it to pay back all the debts owed to the Iron Bank. What money I have yet to find and help pay for the rest owed to House Lannister will be covered thanks to the trade agreements made with House Martell in Essos along with some others places Ned and I were able to broker trade deals with," said Naruto while Tywin was surprised the Sage was trying get the necessary funds to pay back the Crowns debt owed to the Lannisters during King Robert's time.
"Not that my House doesn't appreciate this, but...why?" asked Tyrion with Naruto let out a chuckle.
"Tyrion, regardless of the war, King Robert still owed House Lannister a large sum of money, and the debt still stands regardless of him not being alive to pay it. All the debts owed should be paid and this is one of them. A Crown that does not pay its debts is not one that can function properly. Ned and I feel that when the new King or Queen is made to rule over the Seven Kingdoms, the person sitting on the Iron Throne should be able to start out debt free," replied Naruto with Tyrion nodding since it made sense.
"As part of the agreement made, we have Jaime Lannister and Armory Lorch ready to be taken to the Black Cells," said Robb before he motioned for his men to open the carriage holding the prisoners, who had been cleaned up prior to coming here, and looked more respectable if one were to see just what they looked like prior to that.
"And as per my part, I have my daughter Cersei along with my...Grandson Joffrey here as well," added Tywin while calling Joffrey his Grandson like he just drank poison before he motioned for his men to open the carriage holding both family members.
Both family members who were currently resisting once brought out of the carriage and were held firmly in place despite the verbal commands from Joffrey to release him.
"Place all four in the Black Cells under watchful guards, but make sure no harm comes to them until the actual trial starts for each prisoner!" commanded Ned with the City Watch taking control of all four prisoners being taken away.
"It is not easy to see my children taken away like that. To hand them over. Family means a great deal to me," remarked Tywin while seeing Ned nod in agreement.
"They won't be mistreated while here Lord Tywin. I swear it," replied Ned while Tywin nodded knowing the Lord Regent well enough to know he would keep his word.
"When will the trials start? I hate to say this, but everyone came here a bit early for it, and the peace talks," stated Tyrion since coming here ahead of schedule set things off a bit.
"House Martell from Dorne are coming here. Namely Prince Oberyn Martell. He wants to be here for the trial against Amory Lorch, but he won't arrive for a couple of days. Since that is the case, I suggest we all spend this time to relax, if only for a bit, and there is also the face we have to properly prepare for the upcoming trials once the peace talks are over with this war ending," replied Naruto with everyone nodding.
"Will House Martell be joining in the peace talks as a neutral party or negotiator?" asked Tyrion while knowing his House's history with House Martell was not a good one.
"No. I'm going to ask Prince Oberyn to be more of a witness to it. But he can offer some suggestions to issue that neither side can agree on if such an event does happen," replied Naruto with Tyrion nodding.
"In the meantime my Lords and Ladies, I have had rooms prepared for you and your men while staying here. If you will follow, I can show you where they are in the Red Keep," said Ned while being the gracious Host for this group for now.
But in truth he wanted to speak to his son about this whole King in the North business and trying to prevent the North from leaving the Kingdom.
(Essos-At the Moment)
Daenerys and her army were encamped outside the walls of the city called Yunkai. Like the city of Astapor, this city thrived on slavery, and the selling of slaves while making lots of money doing it. Of course, the one difference between the slaves of Yunkai, and the slaves of Astapor was the type of slaves produced by both cities. The city of Astapor conditioned slaves for fighting for those who bought them and making slave armies that were, if put kindly...expendable on the battlefield. The slaves of Yunkai were not meant for fighting, but meant to serve simply as slaves to handle all forms of lowly tasks. To clean up after the Masters. To feed the Masters. Dress the Masters. And depending on the various...preferences of the Masters...to have sex with them...whether the slaves wanted to do these things or not. Not all Masters were cruel.
A small majority of the Masters had raised their slaves well. Treated them as close to free men and women as one could in Yunkai. Making sure that the slaves in their service were good playmates, servants, or teachers for their children in exchange for living the slightly better then average Yunaki slave lifestyle.
Again, these were the small majority. An extremely small majority.
The majority of the Masters in Yunaki were like those of Astapor. They were cruel and not afraid to use the whip or sword to make their point on their living property. With the slaves outnumbering the Masters, the loss of one, two, or ten slaves daily to make all the others know their place in the world was nothing to them.
"Yunkai. The Yellow City. One ruled by Masters and have many slaves," remarked Jorah while Naruto nodded.
"True, but they don't have slave army. These slaves are trained more for pleasure. More money to be made and less of an effort to train in the art. Plus, I would wager some of the Masters who trained these pleasure slaves have no doubt...tasted the merchandise first in order to prepare them for the market place," said Naruto while Jorah nodding and saw that Daenerys was scowling heavily.
"Is it just the women who are treated that way? Or the men too?" asked Daenerys with a hint of anger.
"Both. Unlike Astapor, the slaves of Yunkai are of both genders my Lady. Rich women by male slaves for satisfy their sexual appetites when their late or stupid husbands can't do the job themselves. Some of these rich male Masters of Yunkai even prefer other male slaves and use them as such for their own sexual gratification. Some even prefer them at an even...younger age. Both boys and girls," replied Naruto with Daenerys narrowing her eyes.
"I see," remarked Daenerys with Jorah knowing that look well of a woman who wants to unleash her wrath on those deserving of it.
"Fortunately, they don't have a slave army. They do have an army, but its ill equipped, and mostly just guards for the Masters. They can't win a fight against your army on the open field," said Naruto with Jorah nodding.
"On the battlefield outside of the city. But the Yunaki know they don't have to fight like we do. They have strong high walls, lots of provisions, and above all else...patience. They can wait us out for weeks, months, maybe even a year or more if pushed. We do not have the means or resources to wait that long. We will have lost much of our army if we stayed here during that time. Time would be our enemy," remarked Jorah with Naruto nodding and Daenerys scowling further.
"I will not lose half of my army before I eventually make it back to Westeros. A future Queen does not squander what she has and I will not sacrifice my army recklessly. I am not my brother," replied Daenerys while glaring at the city of Yunkai.
"We don't need Yunkai to make it back to Westeros for the Iron Throne, Khaleesi. You only need a small fleet to sail with the army you have back home and claim what is yours by right," replied Jorah with Daenerys disagreeing.
"And leave over 200,000 slaves in Yunkai? To suffer? To die? They breed slaves like it is a sport. Within a few years they could easily have several times that number. All being used for the sick pleasure of a man or woman, who thinks they are better then the slaves they abuse. And for what? Because they have gold and thus have power?" asked Naruto with Jorah feeling a bit nervous since he had once been a smuggler and slave trader.
It was why Ned Stark had wanted his head. Jorah was from a strong House loyal to the Starks and had shamed both with his actions. Jorah had vowed to redeem himself and felt the only way to do it was to put the rightful ruler of Westeros on the Iron Throne. Maybe even become a Kingsguard if possible.
"Then we have 200,000 reasons for taking the city," said Daenerys knowing she could not forgive herself if she just left all those people to live horrible lives of suffering.
"If you want, I can just destroy their walls with my power, and create a big enough hole for the army to march into the city?" offered Naruto with Daenerys shaking her head no.
"Not yet. Let's try diplomacy first. I would rather they surrender the city to me willingly over attacking it like others have no doubt done before my time," answered Daenerys with Naruto nodding.
"As you wish. But my offer still stands," replied Naruto with Daenerys smiling at him.
"Duly noted," remarked Daenerys before she sent one of her Unsullied to the gate to inform the Masters that she would receive one of them to talk terms.
Eventually, one of the Masters came with a small entourage of slaves carrying him in a single one man carriage along with a large chest. The Master in question saw row upon row of Unsullied, knowing of their reputation on how they were trained in the city of Astapor to be ruthless when commanded to unleash their training on the enemy. Several of the Masters from Astapor often visited Yunkai for pleasure slaves, namely the female variety to eventually impregnate, sire bastards, and turn the boys into Unsullied while the girls were sent here to be pleasure slaves. Chances are at least one of these Unsullied had the blood of one of the now late Masters from Astapor in their veins.
Still, to see so many of Unsullied in one place standing at attention, ready to strike if he so much as sneezed wrong made the Master a tad nervous.
Eventually, the group from Yunkai made their way up to Daenerys's tent where slaves set down the carriage carrying the Master, and helped the man out of his seat to walk into the tent. Daenerys for her part disliked the sight of the slaves she saw from her position in the tent and their physical condition being less then pleasant to look at. They were dirty, thin, some looked like they had been whipped only a few days ago, and their eyes showed they felt dead inside.
"Easy Daenerys. I sense your emotions. I know you want to kill this fucker and free the slave with him from bondage. But that would be the easy short route and the slaves in the city will no doubt be punished simply out of spite for your actions. Remember, we want to free all of the slaves. Which means we have to wait for the right moment. Now is not the right moment," said Naruto before the Master entered the tent to the Sage, Daenerys, Grey Worm, Jorah, Missandei, and three glaring dragons snarling at the Master.
They clearly sensed their Mother's displeasure of the man in front of them.
"Now comes the noble Razdal mo Eraz of that ancient and honorable House, Master of men and speaker to savages, to offer terms of peace," said Missandei while seeing the man walk into the tent like he owned it.
Only for the three dragons screeching at him to cut off his attempt at looking superior to everyone else in it.
"Noble Lord of Yunkai, you currently stand before one Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and the Mother of Dragons. If this were MY tent, I would be insulted over the fact you are not kneeling at my feet, and begging for mercy at your false superiority when in my presence," said Naruto while watching the Master from Yunkai look at him for a second before focusing on Daenerys.
"Fortunately for you Lord Eraz, this is MY tent so I will forgive the disrespect shown here today this one time. You may approach. Sit," said Daenerys while she motioned for the Master to sit in the seat in across from her.
"Will the noble lord take a refreshment?" asked Missandei while the Master nodded and was given some water to quench his thirst.
"Ancient and glorious is Yunkai. Our empire was considered old before dragons stirred in Old Valyria. Many an army has broken against our strong high walls. You shall find no easy conquest here, Khaleesi," said Razdal while seeing Daenerys turned her attention to her three dragons and fed them a large fish to fight over.
"I do not want this to become a war. Such things are violent and pointless. I merely wish to exchange my terms with you so that we may live another day," replied Daenerys while the Master in front of her was more pleased then he was willing to admit.
"I'm glad. Word of your actions at Astapor have reached the Wise Masters' ears but the Yunkai are a forgiving and generous people," replied Razdal before clapping his hands and two groups of slaves who came with him brought in two large chests.
Upon opening one of them in front of the woman, she saw gold bars inside stacked up to the very brim of the container.
"Generous indeed," commented Daenerys while looking at the gold.
"The Wise Master have sent this as a gift for the Silver Queen. There is even more then this waiting for you on your own personal ship," replied Razdal while Daenerys looked at him in surprise and Naruto looked at him with suspicion.
"My ship?" asked Daenerys while glancing at Jorah, who was surprised, and like Naruto was also suspicious of this surprising generosity.
No one gave so much out of generosity. No one.
"Yes, Khaleesi. As I said, we are a generous people. Your ship will be made available to you whenever you wish," said Razdal while Naruto narrowed his three eyes at him.
"And what do you ask of me in return for taking my new ship and newly acquired wealth the Wise Masters have seen fit to give me?" asked Daenerys curiously knowing like her own companions in the room that there was a price for such...generosity.
"All we ask is you make use of your ship. Sail back to Westeros where you belong and leave us alone to conduct our business here in peace," replied Razdal while Daenerys frowned slightly at the offer.
She also noticed the Yunkai were offering her only one ship. Not a fleet. One ship could not hold 8,000 Unsullied and what was left of her Dothraki Horde who stayed following Khal Drogo's death.
"Will you provide me more ships for my army?" asked Daenerys with the Master now being the one frowning.
"Unfortunately, your Unsullied cannot accompany you back home. They have killed their Masters and have laid siege at Astapor. While they may have been ordered by you...the Unsullied must pay for their crimes...as they are property of Essos through and through," said Razdal while Daenerys and Naruto scowled at him.
Glancing at Naruto, the masked Sage looked over at her, and gave a "diplomacy is over" look with the go ahead to make the Master in front of them know they were not fucking around.
"Thank you for your...generous terms Lord Razdal. As such I have a gift of my own for you in return. I offer you your life," replied Daenerys with the man in front of her frown in confusion.
"My life?" asked Razdal while glancing from Daenerys to the various armed men in the room.
"Yes. Your life. And the lives of your Wise Masters. But I also want something in return for my gift. You will release every slave in Yunkai. Every man, woman, and child shall be given food, clothing, and property as they can carry out as payment for their years of servitude and will be allowed to leave with me. Reject this gift by me...and it will come to war," replied Daenerys coldly and saw the Master in front of her looking furious at her "offer" for peace.
"You are mad woman! We are not like Astapor or Qarth. We are Yunkai and we have powerful friends! Friends who will take great pleasure in destroying you. Those who survive, we shall enslave once more. Perhaps we will make you a slave as well!" said Razdal when he stood up, but was forced stumbling back down when Drogon screeched angrily at him for threatening his Mother, and Naruto had surprised everyone when he somehow summoned Kubikiribocho to his hand while leveling it pointedly with one arm at the Master.
The length of the sword actually made Razdal fall back out of his seat in fright. Drogon actually jumped onto the sword to further enforce its Mother's defense.
"Say something like that again and you will die in this tent before being fed to these three dragons. I assure you Razdal that while fish is a good meal for them, nothing would make these dragons happier then eating the flesh of their Mother's enemies. And from what I can see here, you are an enemy," commented Naruto with the three dragons around him screeching in agreement.
"You swore me safe conduct!" protested Razdal while looking at Daenerys.
"I did, but my friend here did not. And he hates it when you threaten his friends. Not to mention my dragons made no such promises to you...and there is the fact you did threaten their Mother. Children like mine tend to be protective of the one responsible for bringing them into the world," countered Daenerys while she saw Razdal looking increasingly angry at her.
"Take the gold," commanded Razdal to the slaves and they cautiously moved to obey the order.
But were stopped by three kunai thrown in front of them at their feet and three dragons now turning their attention to the slaves while moving over the chests to keep them from being grabbed.
"My gold. You gave it to me as a gift, remember? And as such, I will put it to good use. You would be wise to do the same with my gift to you. Now get out of my sight before one of my dragons decides to make a meal out of your body!" commanded Daenerys coldly while seeing the scared slaves and Razdal leave the tent.
"The Yunkai are proud people Khaleesi. They will not bend," warned Jorah with Naruto smirking at him.
"Pride is a weakness Jorah. What does not bend will be broken when enough pressure is applied. You just need to know where to apply the pressure," said Naruto with Daenerys nodding in agreement.
"We gave them a chance to be different. To change and not have their blood spilled. They refused to listen. Now they will fall," said Daenerys while petting Drogon affectionately.
"Agreed. You kept a cool head when talking to the Master. The mark of a good ruler is never backing down to the threats of others. It invites your enemies to become bold and take more from you during negotiations. Now they will know you mean business and are not to be ignored simply because you are a woman," replied Naruto with Daenerys giving him a smirk before she frowned.
"He said the Yunkai had powerful friends. Who was he talking about?" asked Daenerys with Jorah shrugging.
"I don't know Khaleesi. Whoever these friends are must be past customers who have bought slaves from them. Many wealthy and powerful people in Essos would not stand for someone taking away one of their guilty pleasures in the form of slaves trained to give them pleasure," answered Jorah with Daenerys frowning further.
"Find out," ordered Daenerys knowing Jorah could and would learn who these friends are that they seemed confident could challenger her army.
"My offer still stands Daenerys. It wouldn't even have to involve your army. I could slip in, kill all the Wise Masters, open the gates, and the army could march into the city. All of this could be done before these friends of the Wise Masters could get here in time," said Naruto with Daenerys shaking her head.
"No. I wish to know who these friends the Yunkai possess. Once I know, then I will act on how to deal with them," replied Daenerys with Naruto nodding.
"And if these friends of the Yunkai are the savage kind that like to maim, kill, rape, and not in that particular order?" asked Naruto with Daenerys now having a cold fire in her eyes.
"Whether by my army's hand or yours...I want them destroyed," answered Daenerys with Naruto nodding.
"Just remember one thing Daenerys. Don't become the monster you are fighting. We can easily slip from the path in front of us and turn into the very thing we despise," replied Naruto with Daenerys nodding.
"I will remember that Great Sage. In the meantime, I will see what my enemies have on their side for an army before I show them the full extent of mine," said Daenerys while she pet her dragons and soothing their anger with her touch.
It was high time the name Targaryen was spoken once more throughout the world.
(A/N: YAY! Another update for all of you. My loyal loving fans. Hope you enjoyed this one. Did you see the end of season 6? Of course you did! Lots of people died! People who have been with the show since nearly season 1 or 2! Talk about an explosive end to their characters. Walder Frey is dead. Both on the show and in my fic. Well deserved death for being the asshole we all know he was when we first saw him. Come on! You all knew without reading the book and how he acted The man was a total dick. He was the old perverted medieval version of Tarkin from Star Wars. Now all is left is who will kill Cersei? Considering how Tyrion is with Daenerys on the way to Westeros, my money is on Jaime at this point. The only thing keeping them together was their children and now that the boy is dead thanks to Cersei killing Margery in such a way like the Mad King wanted in the first place (only on a grander scale), chances are the man will have to do the one thing Cersei never thought he would do. She always suspected it was Tyrion who would end her life. Not Jaime. But she fails to realize that Tyrion doesn't have the...what is the word I'm looking for? What Tyrion doesn't have is the hands size or strength to choke someone. Remember in season 4 when he killed Shae. He used the necklace she wore to choke her. Not his bare hands. They wouldn't have done the job. Jaime on the other hand needs only has one good hand to choke Cersei with and that is all he really needs. Until next time...PEACE!)