Willas Tyrell was brimming with nerves as he ensured his best hawks and falcons were on display. Their divine guest had finally asked for something, and it was something he was proud of. He prayed quietly that his birds would be up to her standard. His life's work was to be judged by a Goddess! He carefully glanced at the clean floors that he'd insisted be cleaned thrice today in preparation for this. The soft smell of the fresh pine sawdust and rose-laced breeze through the windows were there. The scent of bird was barely noticeable. Not that he kept most of his birds in this particular room.
He carefully checked the hoods on the young red-tailed hawks he believed were the best option for a young boy receiving his first hunting animal. Of course, he had his own gyrfalcon and some of its fellows there for display. He also had seen that some saker falcons and sparrow hawks were on display as well as any of his birds of particular note. Willas turned at the sound of the door opening and bowed deeply. "Your Holiness."
"That is…so many birds." Goddess Quake blinked seeming surprised by his prize aviary specimens.
Willas straightened, and carefully selected the loveliest leather lady's glove. "Please, it is an honor to show them to you."
She stepped closer, accepting the glove while looking at the birds curiously. "I have no idea how impressive this should be." Her eyes flicked to him. "So if I sound incredibly stupid, sorry ahead of time."
"It is something I am honored to share, they are some of our most prized possessions in the Reach. I'm afraid I can speak of them at length if I am not stopped, Holiness." He smiled, pleased to see a respectful light in her eye as she looked at the birds. Familiar with hawking or falconry she might not be, but she liked them.
He walked carefully, though he had noted their divine guest didn't give a fuck about his leg and easily adjusted her pace to match his whenever they walked near each other. "For a gift to a young prince, I would recommend one of the red-tailed hawks if it is his first bird." Willas gently lifted one of the handsome young hawks onto his glove, clipping its leg lead from the perch to the metal ring of his glove.
Goddess Quake looked at the animal curiously. "May I touch it?"
"Of course, he's a well trained bird." Willas was fond of the young hawk. He'd been planning to gift it to one of the young boys from House Fosseway, but well, the Fosseways could accept a different bird. "His name is Applesworth."
Her brow rose as she gently touched Applesworth's feathered breast. "Applesworth?"
"I allowed one of the younger cousins to name him when I first was bonding him." Willas smiled fondly. "Of course, the name could be changed if his Highness chooses to do so, Holiness."
She didn't appear displeased, merely amused. "It's funny how names can be so wildly unsuited for a person or animal."
He wondered if she meant her own name, after all, Daisy was hardly fitting for a Goddess of Ruin and Death. "Children have the oddest ideas for names I've found, and well, a mother rarely knows who her babe will grow to be."
"You're not wrong." She had a kind smile, it easily reached her eyes. While Willas had seen enough of her to know she was intelligent and her ruthlessness was not in doubt. He wondered at the depths the Goddess had. It was fascinating, truly. Her eyes flicked to him and away from the bird. "Should I be expecting you to attempt to seduce me? I think I'm at five Tyrells who've tried now."
Willas reached out touching his personal favorite bird, his gyrfalcon with his free hand. "If my relatives have not been to your taste I doubt you're interested in more than my birds, Holiness." He gave a faintly self-deprecating smile.
Her eyes flicked from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. One of her brows arched and then she rolled her eyes. "This world is so fucked." She sighed. "You have a limp, not the plague."
"My first tourney I took a bad fall." He agreed, though he found himself fascinated at the implied disgust she felt on his behalf.
She dropped a hand on one of her hips. "You know the knight who trained me to fight had a limp, didn't stop her from being the scariest human I've ever met. And while I'm not interested, to be clear, you are stupidly handsome. There's no way you don't have a herd of women willing to marry you."
"I'm not without options for marriage." He allowed, and he was certainly pleased by the compliment.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "But that does not prevent your Lords from being dicks about it."
"It does not." Willas set Applesworth onto the perch, lifting his own favored bird onto his hand instead. "But there are advantages to being underestimated."
She gave a light laugh of agreement, her eyes curiously taking in the bird. "And what's this one's name?"
"Haytham, I bought him from an Essosi trader. He's a gyrfalcon and the finest bird in the Reach." He proudly presented the bird to the Goddess, its white feathers gleaming in the sunlight that dappled through the wooden screens covering the windows.
She gave him a look and waited for his silent nod, before reaching out and gently touching the bird. "He's beautiful."
"He's a great hunter for pheasant and hares." Willas gently offered the bird to her Holiness. "Just remain steady, they know when the one holding them will not support them."
She accepted Haytham from his glove to her own. There was something that might have been awe as she easily took the weight, not a sign it affected her at all. A quiet reminder she was something far more than mortal. "Well hey there. Aren't you a handsome boy." She greeted the bird.
Willas was quiet as he watched Haytham accept the arm he was on. He always found that how an animal and person interacted revealed to you far more of a person's character than they showed otherwise. And Haytham felt no unease at the being holding him. Instead ruffling his feathers and preening. He felt a pleased smile on his face. "Haytham is a bird fit for a King."
"I can see that." Her eyes didn't leave the bird though. "I'm guessing not for a boy just starting at…is it called falconry or hawking or something else?"
He would have chuckled at the question from anyone else, as it was he felt his mouth curving into a smile. "No, traditionally not. However his Highness is royalty, it would not be unheard of. And both terms are applicable, your Holiness, though falconry is more commonly used." A large part of him would be grieved to be separated from any of his three gyrfalcons, let alone Haytham, but the favor of a god was far more valuable than an animal that could be replaced. At great expense or not.
Something knowing was on her face as she looked at him. "Rickon Stark if he could choose would pick the largest, most vicious bird you have. He could care less whether the bird is for Kings or not. Even if Haytham here is really beautiful."
Willas actually laughed at that. "Sounds like what I'd expect from a boy of two and ten. Right up until the bird larger than him tries to savage him for not being able to hold the creature's weight steady."
"Pretty much." The Goddess ran her fingers along Haytham's feathers, the gyrfalcon leaning into the contact as her fingers hit what must be an itch he hadn't been able to reach himself. "Though, he does have a direwolf the size of a large pony. He's started riding Shaggydog, scares the hell out of the knights from the Vale."
Willas felt his eyes widen ever so slightly. Of course, he'd heard of the Stark direwolves, it'd been court gossip years ago, and none had forgotten the tales of Robb Stark and his great beast of a wolf. But to realize that the boy prince of the North had a beast larger even than Robb Stark's likely ever had been was..it was terrifying.
She didn't acknowledge his pause, though it was clear she had noticed it. "Shaggydog, Rickon's direwolf is constantly stalking your brother actually. I think he thinks the shriek Loras can hit is funny."
"The wolf or the prince, Holiness?" Willas asked, forcing his unease aside. Tales of magic, dragons, direwolves. The world was so different from what he'd ever imagined as a boy.
Her brow rose as she looked at him. "Yes."
"Ah." Willas looked to where his golden eagle was perched further down the row. "While it would perhaps be a poor choice of bird till he's older, would you wish to see my largest bird, your Holiness?"
She gently returned Haytham to his perch, which was interesting. She'd clearly picked up the how on that by watching him, and she'd done so fast. It spoke to a level of confidence. "Alright, I'm going to guess it's the giant one at the end?"
"Indeed." Willas walked, not mindful of limiting his limp, the Goddess clearly didn't care. He reached the giant beast of a bird. "Loras named her Briar."
"Like the roses?" The Goddess frankly giggled at that as she approached the bird without a flicker of fear. It was fifteen pounds, and nearly forty inches standing up of vicious hunting instinct. Briar's wingspan if she'd spread her wings their span was seven feet of feathers and muscle.
Willas dared to reach out halting the Goddess before she got too close. "Briar is…temperamental. I would be shamed if she attempted to harm you, Holiness."
The Goddess paused, looking at the bird. "She's a golden eagle isn't she?"
"Well spotted, I thought you were not one for hawking?" Willas asked, he noted how the bird and Goddess were both clearly examining one another.
She didn't look at him, her and the bird staring right at each other, unblinking. Her voice was soft. "I, it's funny, it's my sigil. I've worn eagles stamped all over my clothing for years but I've never seen one in person."
He stared as she approached, slowly, before reaching out, Briar instantly leaning into the touch, seemingly as fascinated with the Goddess as the Goddess was with her. It was…he would never say it aloud, but while her name might not suit her, her sigil very much did. And clearly, the living creature of her sigil agreed.
Briar climbed onto Goddess Quake's gloved hand and arm without hesitation, butting its massive head against Quake's chin.
"They can tell I'm not human." She touched the eagle the same as she had the small hawk he'd first shown her. "It's funny, humans can't tell unless I do something or they look at my blood or whatever. But animals, they get it."
Willas watched fascinated, she wasn't wrong, his birds had had no reason to trust her, and yet they all had. "She's yours if you wish."
"She is beautiful." Goddess Quake didn't look away from Briar, the eagle nudging her hand with its head to encourage continued touch. "But I wouldn't know what to do with her. And my world would be wrong for her." She shook her head, finally looking away. "And while Rickon would be delighted, I think we both know this isn't the one for his nameday."
Willas accepted it easily, he could have guessed at the answer and yet…perhaps he should prepare a hunt while his honored guests were within his halls. "No, I think that might be for the best indeed, Holiness."
"So tell me, which bird do you think is right for a twelve-year-old?" Her lips quirked up, though the massive bird on her arm remained engaged, leaning into her touch and body.
He gestured to the birds closer to the doors. "If the choice was mine, one of the red-tailed hawks, Holiness."
"And if I asked for two so that he could learn with his closest friend?" She was looking at him curiously.
Willas felt a thrum of excitement, he could feel that he'd gained more ground in this one short afternoon than any save perhaps Loras had gained since their divine guest had arrived. "Then it would be my honor to assist you in selecting the two most suitable birds I have."
"Which makes this kinda weird, how do you want me to pay for them?" She shrugged slightly. "I can't offer blessings or whatever, and it's not like I can turn things to gold."
He stepped forward. "Please, it is an honor to gift whatever you should please to you. I owe my own, and my entire family's lives to you. It is a debt I can never repay, to yourself or her Grace."
"I'm not going to take your birds. Even if I doubt I get it entirely, even I can tell they are ridiculously expensive. And you care for them." She had that brow raised, daring him to challenge her on it.
Willas swallowed, he knew from his cousin that the Goddess had shown no interest in the gifts of the small folk, and from what else he'd heard or rather had reported to him he doubted that was unusual of her. To offer them as a gift again would be an insult. But to ask anything of a Goddess was… "Two questions. Answer me two questions truly, and honestly and the two finest hawks I possess are yours."
"That doesn't seem fair, but alright." Goddess Quake returned Brair to her perch, easily hooking her tether back to the perch. Which was fortunate, Briar was a natural predator to the smaller birds in the room.
Turning she leaned against the perk, one hand idly stroking Briar, but her attention fully on him. "What do you want to know?"
"Why the Starks?" Willas asked, watching her expression carefully, ready to take back the question if it gave insult.
She looked thoughtful before she finally spoke. "I'm not from your world, and I didn't mean or want to be brought here. And I came through with my friend, Fitz. He's human, they've been calling him Smith touched." She sighed seeming to consider her words further. "He's in Winterfell still. But he didn't take coming out of the tree well. Took him seven weeks to wake up and I can't heal. I destroy."
Willas adjusted the weight that was on his leg, watching her fascinated.
"And again, not my world. And roughing it in the wilds would be a terrible idea like I'd be fine, but Fitz? Out of my entire team, we're kinda the least suited for your world. Like half my specialty isn't even possible here." She ran her ungloved hand through her hair, it wasn't that much longer than his own. "But Winterfell was there, and Maester Wolkan. So accepting the offer to stay from the Boltons was the only good option."
Her face filled with active disgust. "Then the Boltons were disgusting, I haven't regretted killing them once. But uh…probably not the most well thought out thing I've ever done? So it was just Sansa, the servants, and men at arms smart enough not to help the Boltons and like..that was it. Then overthrowing a government and just leaving is..super shitty."
"Regime changes can be incredibly chaotic." Willas agreed, he was far more interested in the obligation this Goddess had given herself, and the implication she cared for human life and peace. She was aware of her actions' consequences and was not indifferent to those consequences.
Goddess Quake gave a slight nod of agreement. "So I stayed, and well you've met Jon. He's a good guy. And Sansa is…impressive. I watched her take terrified boys and broken peasants and forge a nation. And do it with every kindness she was permitted to give. I was involved, and I like them. All of them are good people, loyal, brave, and willing to see what is wrong and fight to change it. It's weird, I don't even like the cold and I miss it when I'm down here." She seemed to see something on his face as she continued. "I like them, they're my friends. And they're preparing to fight the end of your world. I'd have ended up involved anyway."
"To your credit, Holiness." Though Willas wasn't entirely sure why the end of the world would draw her? Her power, or her heart?
She looked like she was barely keeping from laughing at him. "It's not that complicated. By the time I could leave without hurting Fitz it was a bit too late. I care about them." She stepped away from Briar. "Come on, you look like you're in pain, even if you're hiding it."
Willas could feel his knuckles turning faintly white where they held his cane, and yet. She hadn't lied, he wasn't sure if she'd omitted for herself or to avoid telling him the rest? It wasn't difficult to read the implication. It wasn't 'like' or 'friendship', she loved them. She'd met the Starks and they'd made her love them. And his leg might ache, but it was hardly sharp enough for him to lose this moment. "If we leave this room, not even I can predict which ears will hear and be spread of any question I might ask you."
"You can ask tomorrow." She did him the courtesy of looking in his face, not at his leg.
He nodded. "I could, but I know my own limits, your Holiness."
"Ok, you won't insult me or whatever if you have to find a chair though." Her shoulders rolled slightly back as she crossed her arms. "So what's question number two?"
Willas could ask a thousand questions, and all of them would be useful, but the Goddess was quite free with some information, even if he'd noticed it was specific what she was fine with talking about. So he needed to ask something she would typically brush off. "What is your opinion on Daenerys Targaryen? Truly."
She whistled under her breath. "Should have expected that one." Goddess Quake tilted her head. "She's idealistic, tries to do the right thing, but she's also arrogant and entitled. I don't know if she'll be a good leader long term, she's not good at choosing advisors. Something no doubt you'll want to fix." She frowned. "But she cares and that matters more than a whole hell of lot else." The Goddess paused slightly. "And the title Breaker of Chains, that's important. I get why the people who follow her half worship her. People like her rarely end up in power, and what she's done with her power so far is impressive."
"Thank you for answering so honestly, Holiness." He smiled slightly, he saw her game, at least in part, then. He'd wondered what she meant to accomplish and why she acted in some cases and not others. Grandmother had been right, why she hadn't killed Cersei was important. And he would wager he'd just found it.
She raised a brow at him, a knowing expression on her face. "Practical questions."
"I try to be a practical man." Willas didn't bother hiding his smile, he'd been right. She was exactly as aware of politics as he'd thought.
Goddess Quake pulled off the leather falconing glove as she reached his side. "I'll leave tomorrow evening for Winterfell for a few days. It'll be interesting to see what you do about your Queen's counsel while I'm gone."
He stepped to where the hawks were. "Applesworth and Swiftwing are the two hawks best suited for the young prince. I will have them prepared for you before you leave." Willas looked at her, it was fascinating. She wasn't what he'd have expected from a being with the titles she bore, or the power she wielded. "I will endeavor that you are pleased on your return."
Willas let out a sigh of relief as he sat by his grandmother. He hadn't lied earlier, he could handle the pain, but that did not mean he enjoyed it. Setting his cane aside he poured himself a cup of wine and drank deeply, allowing his eyes to close.
"Well out with it, how was your afternoon with her Holiness?" Olenna asked as she accepted her own cup of watered-down wine.
He looked at her and couldn't keep the satisfied look off of his face. "Two hawks for two questions answered honestly."
His grandmother actually looked flummoxed by that. It was an outrageous deal to have made with a god. It shouldn't have happened. She did recover quickly, she wasn't the Queen of Thorns for nothing. "What did you ask then?"
"She loves the Starks, not that she used those words. They impressed her, Sansa particularly. Our Goddess is most likely a protector at heart, she found the Starks' decision to fight the dead admirable, and their honorable traits appeal to her. There is no shaking that bond without the Starks betraying her." He drank of his wine, watching his grandmother digest that.
Olenna sighed. "I had hoped that was not the case. The simplest explanation though." She looked at him. "Your other question?"
"She likes Daenerys and puts a great deal of weight on her title of Breaker of Chains. Thinks she could be a good ruler but is not impressed by Daenerys' advisors, however. A thing she is aware we might endeavor to change, and would not oppose." Willas ran a hand through his hair, brushing it out of his face. "I believe it's clear why she's left Cersei alive then."
Olenna chuckled. "She's leaving the bitch as a distraction to keep our southern and northern Queens from fighting each other. Daring, has set us on a path of alliance instead of war. And with the Lannister army conveniently eradicated the war against Cersei will be far less bloody once it begins in earnest. That show with the orphan girl in the town wasn't just a show."
"Rare for one with power to prioritize the life of those far beneath themself." Willas was still awed. He might have expected such altruism from the Maiden, perhaps the Mother. But from a goddess of Ruin? That it had taken so long to realize this simple aspect of her character was confounding.
Olenna gave a snort. And drank deeply of her wine. "Unusual, she doesn't seem to want anything but Sansa Starks' cunt."
"You should watch your tongue, Grandmother." Willas snapped, his eyes sharpening. "Being wrong on the character of another is rare for you, and no doubt has vexed you. But you were wrong. And we stand as a House that a Goddess is passingly amused by. You will not ruin that with your tongue."
She gave a sound of agreement. "Well, you've finally found a desire to lead then."
"Well, it was always Margaery who held our House's ambitions, and you." He looked at his cup of wine. "I was to be Lord and play the part of benevolent wealthy supporter to our beloved Queen Margaery. Times have changed." Willas looked at his grandmother. "We should ensure Jaime Lannister is not burned alive or eaten by a dragon or anything of the kind. He's our option to gain favor with our Goddess, the North, and more importantly, weaken Tyrion Lannister's position."
Olenna frowned. "Send him and the rest of our prisoners to the Wall then? That will cost us much to see done."
"Yes, and so long as Tyrion's older brother lives, he'll never have a truly secure claim to the Westerlands. Not enough to spend all his time in King's Landing." Willas held his grandmother's gaze. "He's a dwarf, has done little to gain favor with his father's bannerman, and brings a conquering Queen against them." Willas didn't need to mention Tyrion had no army of his own, only their Queen's. It would make gaining the Westerlands difficult, and more importantly, time consuming. Time that could not be afforded by a Hand of the Queen.
She gave a nod. "Time that we have to supplant his position of Hand of the Queen with you. The Kingslayer will most likely perish in the North."
"But he'll never escape the North. They hate him more than we do, having him and his surviving men as sacrificial soldiers on their ice wall will be a gift that no doubt the North would appreciate." Willas could live with Jaime fucking Lannister dying half frozen, ripped to shreds by the dead.
Olenna sighed before reaching out and taking his hand. "Then it would seem we have work to do."
