GAME OF THRONES
CERSEI
"Your grace,"
Cersei nodded brusquely, blonde curls bouncing against her cheeks. A hot midday sun warmed the surface of her eyelids, as the smells of the lower quarters of King's Landing began to settle into wide nostrils. To her far right, cobbled road jutted harshly from between dirt, trampled underfoot by the poor souls who called these bleak quarters home.
Despite the many times Cersei had traveled here, the destitute reality... it always shocked her. In a distant sense, she pitied these people. But she learned long ago that there were powers at work here that necessitated their suffering- so that those born into positions like hers could operate greater deeds- actions greater than the peoples she saw limping about now.
"Your Grace?" The guard began again.
Cersei nodded absentmindedly, smiling as bashful embarrassment inadvertently caused her to blush- an annoying trait she had retained from childhood.
Cersei coughed, clearing her throat and offering a limp hand to the waiting guard who dutifully stood outside her carriage. The horses snorted loudly as she exited, sniffing at exotic aromas.
Cersei herself paused then, stepping onto the unsteady road before her. The two guards accompanying her immediately fanned out at either side, politely pushing commuting denizens as they shuffled by slowly.
Cersei swallowed harshly, tensing at the amount of shoulders brushing past. Despite this she continued, keeping a pleasant if not vacant expression from underneath her hood.
Catelynn.
It had been some time since Cersei had seen the girl. They corresponded here and there, but once they both had their own children things grew quiet- if not distant.
Cersei and Catelynn had been inseparable as youths. Back then, Cersei was being held as a peace hostage during the intermittent Petty Wars, a brutal sixty year conflict between Lannisters and Baratheons the Crown left to its own devices.
She had grown within the halls of Storm's End, even spending some time upon the moon Dragonstone. Catelynn and her sister were being tutored on Dragonstone, and the girls met at around ten or eleven years- Cersei couldn't remember exactly which.
Cersei was rather dismissive of Lysa- she was... rather droll, to say the least.
But Catelynn… there was something about her.
The quiet humor, the stubbornness. Cersei found Catelynn interesting.
Yes, it would be good to see Catelynn again.
Cersei's guards continued ahead, they had been this way many times before. Swords bounced against belted waists, causing commoners to warily move out of step, sure to make distance.
Faraway shouts echoed downwards from the higher levels, while a constant black smoke gradually shifted into the air.
Cersei inhaled softly, taking it all in.
I might as well embrace it, while I'm here.
Cersei nodded forward, understanding in a detached emapthy the plight of these poor. If anything, she would ensure their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Cersei's green eyes hardened.
Gradually the sounds of the city grew quieter. Cersei and her retinue marched down a thin alley, doors lining the way. Shanty homes stacked on top one another stretched above as if cruel mockery of industry, while men huddled in silent circles, passing smoking pipes to each other.
The sun was not as bright here, and even the sensation of air felt different. Lows of this sort...are a necessity of those in power.
Failure to realize this led to the disruption of entire dynasties.
Cersei frowned.
Her father, Tywín, told her as much before.
There are no weak links amongst Lannisters, Cersei. Do not be the first of them.
It was because of this Cersei didn't feel… necessarily bad about the actions undertaken.
The Hand…
He certainly came upon something. What it was.. Cersei wasn't sure.
But there was no way she would be ignorant to it. It is possible there's nothing.. a harmless variation in action.. despite that, Cersei had to know.
Not knowing.. meant the death of her, or the people she loved.
Cersei and her group finally came upon a metal door found at the side of a wooden structure, reinforced with mud and stone. Two armed men stood outside of it, nodding towards the guards Cersei traveled with.
The door creaked open.
Nothing but darkness greeted them. Cersei's guards entered first, the Queen following behind them.
The smell of dust and sitting air rushed against Cersei, while blinking overhead lights flickered on.
The room was small.
Each side of it held walls of cobbled stone, strange writings embedded onto individual pieces of brick. The center of the room possessed a table-
A hooded figure was seated at it.
The guards flanked each side of the table. As Cersei approached, the figure began to slowly raise its head.
Brown plastic skin covered a face that was devoid of eyes, empty metallic sockets meeting Cersei's gaze instead.
The automation whirred, bowing.
It then, haltingly, rose.
It leaned downwards, picking up a red and black transmitter radio that was beside it on the dirtied floor.
The automation placed the radio between it and Cersei, delicately pressing a button found on the radio's panel.
Then, it sat down again, hood bouncing against hollow cheeks.
"My Grace."
A voice crackled from the transmitter.
For some time, Cersei was unsure if the being she spoke to was really Varys. However, they had met enough..especially in short notice, that Cersei was confident that the man she heard now.. was truly him.
"I haven't much time, Varys. What news of Winterfell?" Cersei said, her voice a hissing whisper.
The cloaked automation before her pantomimed hurt.
"And here… I thought you enjoyed our talks…My Grace." The radio grumbled.
Cersei did offer an annoyed smile then.
Unprompted, Varys continued-
A learned behavior.
"They… seem to have increased their armament. What's more- during the night, large groups of soldiers are running patrol drills- into underlairs and passageways."
Cersei's eyebrows furrowed.
"As if they're preparing for a siege." She said, curiosity ringing in her voice.
"Yes...My Grace." Varys said, his radio crackling with interference.
"There's more." Cersei drew her hands together.
Catelynn… wouldn't do something, would she?
Cersei knew intimately that members of Catelynn's immediate family were involved in the ongoing Riverland Interregnum-
Pockets of civil wars and miniature kingdoms dotted the vast lands, a period of ongoing bedlam that hasn't relented for one hundred and seventy years. It was said widespread conflict began during the Dance, when the valyrian House ruling Riverland, the Nohdaerys, fell.
Is it possible Catelynn finally began colluding with the Blackfish?
Cersei shook her head.
No.
At least, not yet. An action that bold necessitated moves Varys would've warned her about long ago.
The automation sitting across from Cersei leaned forward. Varys continued, his voice rising from the small radio as if smoke nearly unseen.
"I've had eyes following every patrol, every night."
Cersei held her breath, absorbing Varys' careful words.
"Their patrols seem to rotate.. however, aside from the increase in patrols and the siege protocol… There is nothing else out of the ordinary; Nor.. have men spoken of pressing interests, other than the eventual appearance of our Grace."
Cersei heard a quiet laugh from Varys' transmitter.
"The King."
He finished.
Cersei rapped fine fingers onto the table before her, deep in thought.
"And nothing else of the Hand?" She asked.
"No. Just what I told you previously… her abscondence to the godswood. Whatever she said there.. is known only by decaying northern leaves and mossy rock."
The damn Godswood!
Not even Varys' methods could infiltrate that sacred ground. He told her that it was possible that it was sealed- that is, using magics left over from the old world..
Cersei tensed, inadvertently thinking of how her Father would rebuke her for believing in such things.
She smiled, spitefully aware that his informed ignorance is what holds him back- a trait she did not share with him.
There are many things in these two worlds you have not seen or experienced, Father.
Cersei adhered to the Faith- while still aware of the lurking and invisible realm often accessed by warlocks and mystics. The Fell Witches of God's Eye.. one of them had spoken to Cersei in her childhood.
Cersei shook, fear striking across goose-bumped skin.
Cersei inhaled darkly, lowering her bright eyes.
Now isn't the time for such thoughts.
"Robert and Jofferèt* are still in the Riverlands. The siege of Meander is ongoing, and I have received word that they refuse to leave until it has been taken." Cersei informed.
"Despite the Hand's-?" Varys questioned.
Cersei leaned backwards, crossing her legs underneath a heavy dress.
"Lord Arryn has agreed to forestall his journey to Winterfell until the King has returned."
Cersei rose from the table.
However, she kept one hand planted upon it.
"Ignore the comings and goings of Winterfell for now. I anticipate Lord Arryn will reach out to the Starks again."
Cersei's eyes narrowed in dim humor-
Another laugh crackled forth from Varys' radio.
"You're hoping he communicates with Lord Stark."
Cersei nodded.
"I want to know what Lord Arryn is doing daily. I want him followed and I want his words and actions deciphered. We will use whatever time we have in order to prepare for what he intends to tell Lord Stark before his King."
Cersei raised her hand from the table, clenching it into a tight fist.
"And keep an eye on our Master of Whispers. Robert.. he has indulged Lord Waters." Cersei said softly.
"Ah, yes. My dear friend Arsulyne.."
Cersei grimaced.
"Indulgence breeds selfish loyalty. Arsulyne has grown accustomed to comforts not afforded bastards. Depending on what Arryn has found.. Arsulyne may need to be dealt with before any other."
She looked into the sockets of the automation, its servos whirring.
"Do you understand, Varys?" She asked.
The machine bowed- Cersei wondering just what its faraway human operator could perceive.
Cersei could hear the smile on Varys' mouth as he answered.
"Of course, My Grace." He giggled, shouts heard starting outside-
Before two pistol shots silenced them.
"Be wary… of your way back to the Keep." Varys offered as Cersei turned her back to the machine, guards taking lead in front of her.
Cersei shut her eyes as she walked.
No matter what… Catelynn.
I will not sacrifice what I have now…
Cersei opened her eyes, the stench of Flea Bottom assailing nostrils once more.
Not one bite of it…
For you.
(A/N)* NAME PRONUNCIATIONS: Jofferèt (JOFF-ER-AY)
Arsulyne: ARRS-Sue-Line
