The Catspaw Succeeded

by randomthoughts2022

What if Catelyn hadn't been able to stop the attacker? What if yet to be named Summer wasn't in time? How would this effect the future of Westeros?

7. Investigations and Meetings

The Catspaw Succeeded - Investigations and Meetings

Brynden sends a letter to Ned from Riverrun. Ned meets with Barbery Dustin and the Lords of the North. We get some insight from Littlefinger and Tywin.

-Eddard-

Ned Stark was in his solar, reading the letter he had received from Ser Brynden after he had been able to speak to Hoster Tully. He had read this letter several times and once again came to the conclusion the South was a den of vipers.

Before Brynden had left, He and Ned had questioned the man that was apprehended in Winter Town thoroughly. He admitted to being the one who took the Septa's letters. The Septa believed this man arranged for a regular contact to travel between the North and Riverrun who would deliver the letter. In reality he gave the letters to the owner of the brothel in Winter Town. Replies back to the Septa were given to the Septa's contact from the same brothel owner. To avoid any aspersions on Ned's character, the brothel's owner was quietly brought to Winterfell by Ser Brynden and Jory - who had been sworn to secrecy.

The brothel owner had been tasked with giving them to a man who made regular trips north. In a stroke of luck, the brother owner had written a copy of each letter the Septa had written as well as each response she was given. The man was greedy but knew if ever caught he needed something to avoid the block. Ned had read through them all. The Septa had not lied when she stated it was general information on how the family was doing. But there were several references to watching the bastard for any more misdeeds as well as any rash decisions by Ned. He was confused by those statements.

After much debate Ned had allowed Ser Brynden to take the letters to see if the man's suspicions were correct.

Eddard,

I have had several talks with Hoster since I arrived. I have questioned him thoroughly about his letter brought by Edmure and his reasoning for sending it. I told him his fears about your son Jon were unfounded. He scoffed at me and said he knew more than I did. I asked him if he meant Septa Mordane. He was shocked when I told him how you had figured it out. He pressed on and dug out the letters from the Septa he had saved. After showing me the letters he had from the Septa I told him what we discovered about how the letters were being sent to another person before coming to him and that we had copies of them. We compared the ones he had received vs the ones we had copies for. Every mention of your son Jon had been altered. The same was done about your treatment of him and his interactions with your other children. There were also mentions of several incidents of misdeeds by Jon in the letters received by Hoster that Septa Mordane did not write in her original letters. They played into all the assumptions of what the holy describe bastards as. After this revelation we looked over the replies from Hoster that the Septa had kept. According to Hoster, these were altered as well. He is adamant he never pushed the Septa to try and convert the Starks.

It is clear now that someone has been using these letters to poison Hoster's opinion of you and House Stark and using Jon as the catalyst. Hoster has been fed false information for at least 5 years now. This mountain of lies had him convinced that with Cat's death you were going to ask Robert to legitimize Jon and eventually have him replace Robb as your heir. Because of the lies he feared for the girl's safety as well. Adding in his failing health and pride resulted in that letter. I have not seen Hoster this upset since I declined to marry the Redwine girl all those years ago. Hoster will be sending along a letter of his own soon.

The only positive I can see out of this is Edmure. I was here when Edmure finally arrived home and was informed of this plot. My nephew has a good heart and a soft head. But he takes our House words seriously. He has taken this as a direct threat to his Family. Hoster was sending the letters through his steward, not the Maester since they could not be sent by raven to Winterfell. That steward is currently rotting in our damp cells. After questioning him we discovered the steward was originally sending the letters straight to Winterfell by messenger as directed. But someone learned of these correspondences and he was bribed into giving them to someone else. Edmure was embarrassed and angry when he found out the brothel he visits with his fellow Riverland heirs was being used just like the one in Winter Town. We paid the owner a visit and while we do not know WHO is behind this, we found out the next step in this chain is in Kings Landing. Both letters from the Septa and letters from Hoster are sent there. I have seen the traveler who takes them to Kings Landing. He has a letter to deliver and I plan on seeing where this trail leads as well as do what I originally was going to Kings Landing for.

Brynden

Ned was beyond furious. Someone was trying to actively undermine the relationship between the Starks and the Tullys. He could not see a reason why, though to him it appeared to be targeted towards the Tullys. Was the intent to force Hoster into a rash decision? To undermine the North/Riverlands/Vale alliance? Ned was still upset at Hoster's demands but swallowed his anger and wrote a long letter to his Goodfather. In it he reassured Hoster that he has nothing to fear from Jon's presence in Winterfell. That he was loyal to his family and loved his siblings. He added that Ned himself had plans for Jon that would set Hoster's fears at ease. He wrote that he understood his health may not allow it but he was free to come and visit his grandchildren and to see Cats final resting place.

Once finished he called for Luwin to come and send it to Riverrun by raven.

After that he took a walk to clear his head. He pondered the recent events here in Winterfell. A lot had occurred since Ser Brynden began his journey south. For one, Benjen had departed for the Wall with Theon. The realization of a life at Castle Black is what finally broke the boy's arrogance. Ned had written to Robert informing him of Theon's actions and his sentence. Stannis had responded with a curt acknowledgment and a suggestion to watch the Western coast.

Another event had been the gathering of the Lords. It had had been a mixture of condolences, drinking, arguments, and celebrations. House Stark made quite a sight to the Lords when they arrived. Each time a Lord arrived they would line up together - Ned, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Rickon, and Jon. To the right of each was their direwolf. All the Lords remarked later they felt like they were facing the Old Gods judgment when walking by the beasts. Roose Bolton arrived with a small group. A widower who lost his only son and heir the year before to a mysterious illness. Rumors had been spoken his bastard son was responsible. All of the direwolves went from sitting with looks of interes to a stance of agitation when he arrived. Lady Dustin received a somewhat more muted version. The rest of the Lords were greeted without incident. Greatjon Umber looked like he wanted to either adopt one or piss his breeches. Lyanna Mormont was brave enough to stand right in front of each wolf and stare right back at them. And somehow she had gotten Rickon's wolf to lay on its back begging for a belly rub.

When Ned was ready he had Vayon Poole bring Lady Dustin to his solar to meet. He knew this was not going to be a pleasant chat but was needed for the good of the North and for his house's security. Her animosity had festered for 14 years now and Benjen's accurate assessment of the situation only made it worse. He knew he would have more patience than normal with her. As soon as she arrived she immediately began to test it. She sniffed at the sight of Shadow in the room and asked "Is it really necessary for the beast to be present?"

Ned just glanced down at the sleeping direwolf and replied "They go where they please. But they tend to stay close by. I think they feel like protectors"

She tisked and replied scathingly "Well they have not done a good job at that, now have they?"

Like Ned's temper, Shadow went from a quiet slumber to a burning anger. He sat up and growled at her. Ned told Shadow to stand down. He then turned to Barbery Dustin. "Well I see we are at the heart of the matter. I arrived home to find letters of condolence from almost every Noble House in the North. Even those as remote as the Mountain Clans or as reclusive as the Reeds. Yet I noticed one was missing. Did you know that, My Lady?"

Lady Dustin just looked calmly and said "No. Who would be so callous?"

Ned ignored her feigned ignorance. "You know exactly who I am talking about. Now I am not looking for an apology. I know I won't get one. It would be like asking the sun to set in the East and rise in the West." He paused to get some notes he had written. "While I was gone, my sons noted your lack of communication. Robb, my heir, took the time to educate himself a bit more on House Dustin. He was quite saddened to see that after you pass from this world the House will go extinct."

Barbery Dustin looked at Ned with contempt. "And who's fault is that? First your whore of a sister runs off. And then YOU get my husband killed looking for the tramp! And what did I get? You could bring your sister's bones back but all you could bring me was my husband's HORSE! You Starks are the reason why!"

It took all of Ned's considerable patience to not scream back at her but he took several deep breaths before speaking again. "That, my Lady, is a regret I carry with me. That was dishonorable of me and I apologize for that. I have made arrangements to have the bones of your husband and the other men who fell to be brought back North so they may rest with their kin."

Barbery was still in a state of anger. "That still does nothing for my late husband's house."

"You are correct my Lady. It does not. But I have been debating what I can do. The Dustins were always a loyal house but were lucky to survive as long as they did. For four straight generations they only had a single male heir born. No sisters or younger brothers."

Through gritted teeth Barbery spat out "I am quite aware of that."

Ned ignored her. "I am also aware that you deal with unwanted suitors and have been getting increased pressure to remarry." Barbery's face went stony at that.

"Yes. I have been. The grasping fools are all third and fourth sons with no future. They hope that either I will have a child that you will name heir or by some miracle their family will inherit"

Ned sighed. "My Lady, your husband was a fine man. A good leader of his men. I know I insulted you all those years ago with my poor decision. It was not my intent. And it has been left to fester." Ned paused to let his statement sink in. He continued. "I have a proposal for you. You have a younger brother - Roose, correct?"

Barbery had a faraway look now. "Yes…he may be Roose Bolton's namesake but he is nothing like Roose. He rides horses like he was born on one and has more courage than most grown men." She suddenly was serious again. "Why?"

Ned took a deep breath. "I will let you live out your life as a widow if you want. I will name your younger brother Roose as your heir. He will have to take the Dustin name before he leaves Winterfell from this gathering and will go live with you in Barrowtown. You aren't that old yourself and he may have to wait a while before he becomes Lord of Barrowtown but if he chooses well and marries a fertile bride the Dustin name will not die out."

Barbery Dustin stared at Ned. "After all these years, why now?"

"Because I want this grudge to end" Ned said "I am not Tywin Lannister who maintains loyalty by fear. But I am also not a fool like Mace Tyrell. I want loyal houses but I cannot expect them to stay loyal if I have wronged them. I am trying to make amends. But let's be clear. I expect this grudge of yours to end. I also expect House Dustin to end your subtle games. My Maester has noted that for the last 3 years the taxes and the food storage is not what it should be. Not to mention the limited soldiers sent by your house during the Greyjoy rebellion. If I or my son ever need to call the banners again, I expect the full complement of Dustin men. Now, do you accept my offer?"

Barbery didn't know what to say. She knew she was an unpleasant person to be around if she wanted. Years of resentment coupled with being the lady of her house meant she was never really questioned on things. To have dull Ned Stark suddenly challenge her was a shock. But she knew she had to accept. She had no intention of remarrying. Her Father and two older brothers were insufferable men who thought little of her. She knew Roose Bolton had been poisoning her fathers mind for years into thinking of a change in the North. But her youngest brother had backbone and refused to follow their little plots. She needed to ensure her brother was given this chance.

"I accept" she said.

"Excellent," Ned replied. "I will have the declaration written up and announced at leaving feast. I am sure your father will be delighted"

Barbery nodded. Before she got up she spoke. "May I give you a some advice, Lord Stark?" He nodded. "My Father and Lord Bolton continue to communicate regularly. Even after all ties ended with Domeric's death. I know this really goes without saying but do not trust a word that comes out of Roose Bolton's mouth. And if he ever requests you to petition for his bastard son to be legitimized - don't do it. Bolton all but admitted those rumors are true about his bastard son and Domeric. He truly is a beast in man's flesh" she paused and then added "Just like his father is" With that she rose to leave. Before she could open the door, Ned spoke again.

"Thank you for your advice. May I give you some?" Barbery turned around. Ned Stark's impassive face he had been wearing was replaced with the coldest stare she had ever seen. "It would be wise if I never hear you speak about my sister again like you did earlier.".

Barbery Dustin swallowed, slowly nodded her head, and left the room.

At the feast the first night, there was a long moment of silence for Cat and for Brandon. This was nothing like the feast that was held when Robert was here. Lots of ale and simple Northern fare. Ned saw a gaggle of young ladies gathered and chatting while making glances at Robb. He sighed. He knew he needed to find a bride for Robb sooner now than he wanted. He also knew his daughter in law would need to be a northerner. The Lords had missed out on having one of theirs be Lady Stark for two generations. A third would not be acceptable. He also noted that it appeared Lord Wyman's not so subtle plot with his youngest granddaughter was not working out quite like he wanted. Wyla, it seemed, had taken quite a liking to Ned's son. But Ned was sure it was not Jon that Lord Wyman originally had in mind. The poor boy was completely oblivious to it though. Ned contemplated that for a moment. Ned had planned on gifting Moat Caitlin to Brandon. But the recent events had pushed him to rehabilitate the old stronghold faster than originally planned. Though this may help his plans out in the end.

The next day Ned and all the Heads of the Noble Houses met in the room that Ned normally held court for matters in his lands. After ale was brought he had the doors shut and guards posted. He wanted no interruptions and no ears nearby.

He described the events that occurred. From Bran's fall, the attack, and finding a strange man with a sack of 90 silvers hidden in the stables had been responsible. He did not mention the man's apparent resemblance to a Westerman or the unique dagger. That the only logical conclusion was that Bran was first pushed and then killed to maintain his silence. That his wife was killed for being by his sickbed. The anger in the room was heavy. Lords Umber and Karstark loudest in their anger. Ned also disclosed that Theon Greyjoy had been sent to join the Watch in response to his attempt to kill his son. There was anger at that but not as much as before. Ned understood. Bastards in the North are treated better than most, but they still are seen below trueborn children.

"I swore that I would find out who did this and have justice for my wife and son. This coupled with the Greyjoy heir being sent to the Wall brings me to this. I will have Moat Cailin restored. It will take many years but will become the once mighty shield it was before that guards us from the South. To all my Lords on our Western coast, increase your patrols and improve your defenses. Balon Greyjoy has never cared about his sons, he cared more for his pride when he rebelled. I will not have us attacked by those savages. I have fought in two wars. I do not want to fight a third. But I will not allow someone to threaten the safety of the North. And when we find out who arranged for this attack - I will call on the North to join me. Because the North Remembers."

After the roars for his Lords subsided there was much discussion on planning and ideas on improved defenses. Lord Glover suggested that the watch towers along the coast have ravens added notify of an incoming Iron Born attack. Many suggested the restoration of a Northern House on the west coast to have a small fleet. Ned took all of these under advisement.

Before the Lords departed he received several proposals to wed his son and heir to the young maiden daughters of his bannermen. Lords Karstark, Umber, and and Lady Mormont to name a few. He assumed with his wife gone they thought this was their time to press the matter. He promised all he would take it under advisement. When Lord Manderly did though he continued the conversation.

Wyman and Wylis Manderly were with Ned in his solar. Wyman had asked Ned to consider Wyla as a match for Robb. Ned suppressed a small grin as he said "I have watched your daughter and she has become quite taken with my son. Though Jon appears quite oblivious to it." Both men were shocked at first. Neither seemed particularly thrilled with this. While Northerners they were also followers of the New Gods. Ned picked up the conversation. "I will make no decisions on brides for my sons just yet, but I want you two to be aware of my plans. Assuming he accepts, I intend to have Jon as Lord of Moat Cailin and take a new name." Ned could see the cogs turning in their heads. Tied to the Starks via a cadet branch. With their blood in the heirs of an important stronghold of the North along the Southern coast and border they also share. It was an enticing idea. Wyman was also a shrewd man. He knew Ned Stark had probably not told anyone else about his plans for Jon. He could see that Ned Stark wanted Manderly support to restore Moat Cailin. What would Ned want and what could he ask for in return?

"I am sure your son would make a fine Lord." Said Wyman. "But he is young for such an important defensive position. He would need able men to advise him."

Ned agreed. "Yes, it is true Jon is young. But a knight like Ser Wendel would be a fine resource to him." From the look the Lord of White Harbor gave his son, her knew then they would agree.

Lord Wyman looked back at Ned. "We shall speak to Wyla when we return home and seek her thoughts on this. Please let us know if young Jon accepts this fine opportunity.

-Littlefinger-

Petyr Baelish was a very happy man for a change. When the news came that Catelyn Tulle (she would never be a Stark to him) had been murdered he was shaken to his core. For the first time in years he contemplated giving up his plans to ruin Hoster Tully and Ned Stark, allowing him to rescue Cat from her barbarian. He had been so awash in despair he ignored his duties. But then the King and his family returned and he learned of Robert's proposal to marry his 'son' to Sansa Stark. Who Petyr discovered from the gossip of the returning court was as lovely, if not more lovely, than her mother. He despised House Stark. First Brandon Stark almost killed him and then Ned Stark got to have her. Nothing would be sweeter than to have Ned Stark's daughter for himself. What also made Petyr happy was one of his long games was finally coming to a head. His network of brothels had been a wonderful source of gossip and information for making money and blackmail. When he discovered that Hoster Tully was using Cat's Septa as a source of information a wonderful idea occurred. But he never imagined he'd be able to unhinge Hoster Tully so well. Besides the Starks, he wanted to ruin the man who twice denied him Cat's hand. He had received word about the letter Hoster had sent. He could not wait to be in the small council session when the inevitable conflict between Houses Stark and Tully happened. The King would not be pleased with Lord Tully. He may even work on lifting that warhammer of his to be a part of ending it.

The only negative in his life right now was that damnable Maester Pylos. While Pylos had only been able to access the house accounts that Petyr had not been using for his schemes, his ability to decipher even the most convoluted accounting worried him. He paid a princely sum to get information on the young maester and found out he made a name for himself by unearthing corruption at the Citadel in Oldtown. The man was smart. Not as clever as Petyr though. Nobody was smarter than he was. He knew Stannis was pressuring Robert to let the man have a look at the ledgers for the Kingdom. Petyr believed he was too smart to be caught. But he did not get where he was by taking chances. He just needed to find a weakness in the man.

-Tywin-

Tywin Lannister put down the letter from his daughter and frowned. He summoned a guard and commanded him to fetch his brother Kevan and sister Genna. While he waited he looked out the large window behind his desk and watched the sun dip below the horizon. Once his dutiful yet unambitious brother and large but cunning sister appeared he sat back down. He handed over the letter and let them read the letter.

Kevan was the first to speak. "So Stannis will stop the King from leeching off of you. That is good. Though it seems you may need to give more support to Cersei. Is she really as unsafe as she claims? I know for propriety's sake there should be more Baratheon men in Kings Landing but she makes it sound like she is in danger."

Genna scoffed. "I love my niece, but she has brought this on herself. I told you not to believe a third of what she says. And unsurprisingly she finds a way to place blame everywhere but where it belongs."

They both waited for Tywin to speak. He finally turned around and did. "Yes, the Crown will stop borrowing from us. I was beginning to think nobody was going to figure it out."

Kevan and Genna looked at each other. "Figure what out?"

Tywin sat back down and spoke "When I was contacted for the first time by Lord Baelish for a loan. I was willing to do it. But as more requests came I did some digging. Some simple investigation showed Baelish was using the treasury as a fund for his schemes. And he also never questioned the terms I provided. So I did what was best for our house. I slowly cut Cersei's allowance down by half."

Kevan looked at him in bewilderment. But Genna was thinking it over. He gave her a minute and then she smiled. "You clever man".

Tywin did not smile but he acknowledged the compliment. He then turned to Kevan and explained. "I cut Cersei's spending to force the crown to borrow more. And I used my knowledge of Baelish's scheme to ensure we made a significant amount of money in interest. But most of all, we earned leverage. Being owed a significant amount of Gold gives us influence. But this maester of Stannis' has lessened our influence. He was clever enough to figure out what I was doing. Stannis will no doubt deduce why I did it.

Kevan asked "And on what will you exert this leverage?"

"When something important enough comes along, I will use it" was Tywin's reply. He had hoped to use it to return as Hand but with first Stark and now Stannis taking that position he did not see it happening any time soon. With Arryn he could have used it to secure Jaime's eventual release from his Kingsguard oath. But Stannis would sooner smile before he would do such a thing. Stark would have agreed - on the condition he was sent to the Wall. And that was not something Tywin would never allow. No member of the Lannister family would ever serve with that frozen penal colony.

Kevan liked to use these meetings to get a feel for Tywin's state of mind in matters. Tywin didn't mind and appreciated hearing their thoughts as well. "What were your thoughts on Robert betrothing Joffrey to the Stark girl? I thought it was foolish. Robert already has Eddard Stark's loyalty. He should have used it to bring in Highgarden. Or to hamper the Martells by betrothing him to a rival dornish house.

Tywin shook his head. "No, it was inevitable from the moment her birth was announced. And Robert may have the North's loyalty. But Joffrey does not. Especially after his behavior while in Winterfell and on the road home before the Starks left. He needs Sansa Stark now more than ever. Cersei writes about how brave and strong and smart her son is. My people whom I trust and pay to tell me the unvarnished truth of what information I ask for tell me otherwise. That he is a coward. He is coddled by his mother and is as cruel as Aerys ever was. Oh, and evidently Tyrion was not japing when he said the boy could not count past six"

His siblings asked what had happened and Tywin supplied a succinct summary. "He was disrespectful to his hosts, tried to challenge the Stark heir to a spar with live steel, neglected to provide any words of comfort to Lord and Lady Stark when their son fell as he should very well know it is expected of him as a prince, and compounded that by doing the same when word came of the death of Lady Stark and her son. Not to mention taking Sansa Stark away from camp without her chaperone, tried to get her drunk on wine, and then maimed an unarmed peasant in front of both the Stark girls for the fun of it. I care not for his opinion of the Starks or some peasant. But the boy is old enough to know how to act. He is a prince. The Starks don't know it but he had a member of the Kingsguard track down the peasant boy and had him cut down in front of his father - a butcher. That butcher was killed for attacking the knight who did it with a cleaver".

Kevan looked aghast but Genna seemed unsurprised. "That boy has all of Cersei's cruelty and none of her intelligence. Something must be done before he does something really rash."