Chapter Thirty-Three

…

Lord Renly Baratheon, Stormlanders

The five massive ships of the Stormlands skim through the open waters of the Eastern coast of Westeros. Atop its deck, lines upon lines of men wearing the familiar yellow and black surcoats of the Stormlands stand in attention. All of them look fresh and ready. It is not really a surprise seeing that these men are all seasoned sailors used to the rigors of the sea like any Stormlander worth their salt. More importantly though they are personally chosen by Renly in this journey to protect their liege and represent the Stormlands in the upcoming tourney.

Among there retinue are people with different skills that would be participating in the list of events that would be hosted in the tourney. There are wrestlyers, soldiers, poets, artists, riders, knights, all of them here to win glory ad gold.

At the prow of the lead ship stands resplendent in vibrant green colors of green, yellow and black is Prince Renly himself with his doublet. His stormy blue eyes look over the already filled harbor of Moonton. He would be lying to himself if he says that he is not excited.

Being a member of the Small Council is boring and tedious as far as he is concerned. As Master of Laws, at the best of times after all is boring. It is a demanding job if you do it right as Jon Arryn does. Add the fact that he is Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and his duties are ten times worse as many. The Stormlands might is well balanced in the seas and the land; but the Stormlands is not the wealthiest of all the Great Houses and the trade routes are contested by the might of the Reach, the Westerlands and the thrice blasted Ironborn pirates. The only reason the Stormalnds manage to retain their position on the great game is due to the simple fact that they have royal connections seeing that the king is a Stormlander. Extra funds from Robert brings untold number of opportunities and gold that is necessary on the maintenance of its navy which basically serves as the Royal Fleet.

The gulls sweep through the ship showing soon the rugged outlines of the Eastern coast of Rivendell and the dark outline of the busy harbor they are heading to. Already even in the distance, Renly espies dozens upon dozens of shipes heading as they are. He does not fail to notice that a lot of them are also foreign vessels, each bearing the flag of a House, a nation or a kingdom.

"They must be all here for the Tourney also and personally see the Lady Delianah of Rivendell," he thinks to himself as he watches a ragged longboat with the flag of Sunspear limp sadly to the harbor. It looks like it has taken a beating, as its appearance is a lot less than its appreciated design. He smirks though as he sees a young Dornishman looking like a drowned rat vomit at t the sight of the longboat before crashing unto its decks panting.

Renly despite liking boys of course has read the political climate perfectly. Other than the victory against the Faith, word has spread after all about the two famous bachelorettes that live at the territory of Rivendell. Renly Baratheon would bet his left nut that everyone coming to this tourney have brought their nephews and sons in the hopes of snagging at least either the Princess of the Crown or the Dame of Rivendell.

He barks a chuckle at the thought, he himself is not innocent of playing the familiar games of betrothal and alliance seeking. Together with his retinue is Beric Dondarrion with his wife, Allyria Dayne and their nephew, Edric Dayne of Starfall, who is a bachelor himself and soon to be lord in his own right. The prize after all to whoever snags one of the two bachelorettes is either the rich country of Rivendell with its great potential or a royal betrothal.

Renly Baratheon smirks as he leans at the prow of the skip quite excited in what is to come. This tourney is sure to be going interesting as far as he can already see.

…

Osgiliath, North Gate

People stand aside as the neighing of horses sound down the road.

"She has done well, very well brother," comments Kevan riding beside Tywin looking at the beautiful paved roads, and stone white houses.

"Hmm, indeed," Tywin simply replies.

Inside though the Old Lion of the Rock is impressed, very impressed. When word reached him of the King's demand to to Delianah to arrange a tourney in only three months, he had been quite annoyed. He is after all doing his damnest to forge a good working relationship with the Lady of Rivendell to tie them in the crown in any way he can find thanks to the impossibility of a royal betrothal. He of course knows that the Royal Family was not in any way a family you would want to call your friends, thanks to the mismanagement off Robert despite Jon Arryn's attempts on fixing the realm. There's also the disturbing rumors regarding the Crown Prince that Tywin wanted personally to fix.

Unfortunately these days his attentions are divided. With the drying up of the gold mines of Casterly Rock, House Lannister sufficed it to say find themselves in serious trouble. Thus before the fires of damage worsens, Tywin had been doing his damnest to pour water on them and finding new sources of income for House Lannister.

Currently all that is keeping House Lannister from dipping into his emergency vaults are the usual monthly taxes from the trading posts belonging to Rivendell. Their goods are so new and so limited that every resupply of said posts would usually end up only a day or two before going empty again. Already he is finalizing the total demolishment of the old castle of Tarbeck and Reyne for the lands to be at rent for Rivendell. Apparently according to Rivendell's Castellan, Lady Amelia; Delianah plans to invest even more on agriculture to keep up with the demands of Yi Ti and the North for both rice and meat supply. Tywin of course is confused as to how in the world is she going to succeed on planting in a completely hilly area. The Castellan only sent him a letter that they'll deal with it and his only responsibility is to make sure that the old ruins are completely gone.

"Interesting, concept of roads," comments Kevan beside him pulling Tywin out of his thoughts as he looks at his brother.

"Hmm?" he wordlessly gestures for him to continue.

"All I'm saying brother is that her concept of roads is interesting," states Kevan with a gesture to the two way paved roads that are clear of smallfolk walking around.

Now that Tywin is seeing it, he has to admit that it is….unique. Unlike the Kingsroad or gods forbid the dirt roads at King's Landing. The roads here are all stone like everything else. It is their way of usage however that is different. Normally roads at Westeros can be used by anyone; smallfolk, knights, soldiers, wagons, all of them. When those atop horses, cows or wheelhouses appear, the rest on foot just jump aside to avoid being trampled. Of course there's always a one out of ten possibility that a poor schmuck might be trampled to death(usually smallfolk). Even then it is the reality of Westeros. It is in fact almost second nature to even Tywin himself.

This system currently facing him though just shows the narrow minded focus that the Dame of Rivendell is putting in her plans and creations. The roads here at Osgiliath as far as he can see only caters to wagons and riders. The "footwalk" a smaller version of the roads at the sides serve as places where those who deem to walk in two legs traverse. Places are assigned specifically with a town guard where people can cross the streets and avoid them being trampled.

"Ingenious," even he with all his thoughts of improving the Rock back in the day when he first became Lord Lannister never thought of a system such as this. Sure it might not be affecting the larger plans that a lord or a lady should be worried about, but at the same to be able to think of something like this? This just shows the capability inside that brain of the Dame.

Tywin personally values it more than any skilled warrior. A person can be a skilled warrior with enough training and equipment. Intelligent people however are rare as gems on the shoreline. It is not something that one can simply get but one must be born with it. Delianah Tully is one of those gems.

Not for the last time, Tywin curses under his breathe for the stupidity that his grandson inherited from his father and his personal inability to bind the Tully bastard to their family.

…

The Road to the Coliseum, Osgiliath

"By the gods above and below! You've got to be kidding me," Yohn Royce can't help but gasp as his eyes behold the large structure that could be seen even in the distance.

It takes a lot to impress the Valemen when it comes to castles. The Knights of the Vale after all pride themselves on their mountainous abodes which is no easy feat to build. Designs which are meant for stopping mountain clan-men from attacking balancing with aesthetics; castles of the Lords of the East are both large and powerful containing great ancestry.

Lord Yohn "Bronze" Royce however right now can personally say that today he is awed and impressed as he looks down below the hilly road that he and his men are taking as they march towards the site where the tourney is going to be. He is not the only one impressed as nearly all of his men are muttering and pointing at the structure at the distance. In fact everyone who is making use of the hilly pathway is pausing as they behold fo the first time the massive marvel of construction and wintin good reason.

Down below the side of the mountain can be seen is a massive elliptical structure bearing the tell-tale designs of an amphitheatre. Rising like a large monument, it is massive in size that even this far away; they can clearly see its designs. It is the size of a small mountain itself with specks of black around it filled with lights showing the dimensions of the city that surrounds it. It is so big that it looks like it is made by the hands of giants and not that of men. Beside it is a mssive statue almost in the same height as the amphitheatre at its siz It depicts the image of a helmeted woman wearing form fitting scale armor and pants holding a spear at its hand raised to the sky. It stands like an immovable sentry of the Amphitheatre welcoming everyone who has come to enter it. There can be no doubt of course who the statue is depicting. There is after all only one woman in this part of the world that is famed for the use of a Valyrian Spear.

"Now this trip surely has become interesting," Yohn Royce comments more to himself as he drinks in the view below him. "Rivendell sure holds many curiosities. At least I know now where that all ungodly amount of marble and stone they are ordering go," that is in fact a complete understatement. These past three months, House Royce has been forced to pull the entirety of its smallfolk from their usual jobs and practices in order to mine the needed marble and stone. Suffice it to say that House Royce became rich in a few months time earning them a lot of raised eyebrows from the rest of the Vale Lords.

"Curiosities uncle? That is not a curiosity but a miracle!" his young son and heir, Robar Royce exclaims flapping his arms dramatically beside him. "That building is as large as the Dragon pit at King's landing!"

"Larger in fact," corrects Yohn Royce rubbing his chin with his forefinger and thumb. "At least we now know where all our marble and stone went when we sent it before. I'd always wondered what the Lady Delianah was building with all those massive orders of hers. I've expected a large wall at least or a castle like Harrenhal, not this,"

"This is concerning father. Rivendell's growth has been exponential ever since she has taken the mantle as Lady of Harrenhal. Worse it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. I'm worried for the future father. It would be a great threat to the Vale if war ever breaks out between the Kingdom, in time. We might have an alliance with them now due to the relationship of Lord Arryn with the King and Lord Starks and Tully, but alliances never last,"

"Yes, I understand your point my son," Yohn replies simply. "The grown of this kingdom within a kingdom will not stop. I'm sure of it. The question remains though; is it in the best interests of our House to continue supporting it or help its enemies destroy it should the worse comes to worst? Decisions, decisions. For now though we are here as guests; so stop your worrying my son and do try to enjoy the tourney," Yohn chuckles as he gestures for the rest of his knights to continue their trek downward the path.

"Yes father," Robar simply replies following him. Despite the assurances of his father, Robar can't help but be worried though. A large number of the Knights of the Vale had joined back then the Holy Army that got killed to a man on the newly dubbed Forest of Death after all.

….

Grand Coliseum, Osgiliath

There are very few things that can ruffle the feathers of Delianah these days. Personally as a coping mechanism of the past few hectic months, she takes life in a stride these days. It basically astonishes the nobles she had cut deals with to make the building of the city of Osgiliath come into being. She had basically waved off every insult and snide comment that the ruling class of this continent loves to quip on their words to their rivals and hated peers while hiding in the veneer of couresty. She's not fazed as she made deals with angry Riverlanders, Stormlanders, Reachers and Crownlanders to trade for the million and one things that were sorely needed to for the impossibility of Osgiliath to be possible. In every essence of the word, Delianah is a role leader that can inspire people even without trying. Her beauty which has grown through the months and presence are more than enough.

However every single one of her subordinates that works under her know only one rule: "When Delianah puts into plan something, follow it to the letter,".

No one after all wants to imitate the fate of that idiot knight representing the Faith (as a sign of bygones be bygones) who questioned Delianah's plan again and again about the new "entertainment" forms that are not whorehouses. When the Dame refused fully his proposal, he insulted her in her face saying: "that she is nothing more than a girl that needs a man to breed her for that is all girls are good for,"

He certainly did a nice cartwheen mid-air when Delianah throws him off one of the hundred terraces of Rivendell down to the swamps below.

In fact there are only two things that can force Delianah to change her mind once she sets her eyes on something. Those are either logical reason that can force her to think and reconsider; or one of the people she cared for (basically either Amelia, Myrcella, Yasmina, Rhaenys, the ghost of Ser Arthur Dayne, and added newly are Hoster Tully and Edmure (since only he's too adorable)). In fact on any of the people mentioned above, as far as Delianah is concerned, they can get away with anything in her territory short of murder (and even that is debatable).

Delianah however currently cannot stop the twitching of her right eyebrow as her emotions wander somewhere between exasperation and disbelief; for good reason to. Her project, the ne she has been preparing for the Grand Tourney by the order of the king as the world calls it is the building of a massive amphitheater which is the size of the Coliseum of Rome back home. Hundreds of thousands of workers and a continuous supply of ships bearing raw materials via rivers have been coming and going ever since the War of Faith is won. It is simply Delianah's mark to the world, a man-made wonder that would be rivaling that even of Brandon the Builder's gigantic pile of ice. With the king's order, it would suit her needs perfectly. The Coliseum of Osgiliath, today would be its debut for the entire world to see. It is elliptical in design and is a hundred and eighty-nine meters long, and a hundred fifty six meters wide. The height of the outer wall is forty-eight meters. The entire perimeter is five hundred forty-five meters almost the size of the original Coliseum.

What Delianah does not expect to see however when she arrived here though is the massive bronze statue of her painted in pure white with a thousand Delianite designs on it standing at the side of the Coliseum standing vigil over the entire city of Osgiliath surrounding it. For the life of her she doesn't remember ordering a massive statue of herself. She might be vain, but she's not that vain. Of course said culprit responsible is not hard to find seeing that it is giving her doe-like eyes in front of Delianah as if her next words would mean the world for her.

"So, do you like it?" asks Myrcella, her round green eyes gleaming with excitement as she practically bounces on her high heels as she awaits Delianah's reply.

Said Dame tries to answer something but apparently the sounds that come out of her mouth are simply unintelligible as her brain is still at the middle of processing what she is seeing right now. The cost alone of the materials for a statue like this must be massive. That is not counting the transportation fees, the labor feels, delivery feels and the negations probably involved to deliver this much marble or Delianite for that matter. Thinking about it is daunting alone.

There's also the small fact that Delianah has no idea how how in the world did Myrcella managed to keep this hidde from her. The Dame is meticulous enough when it comes to reviewing the details of this project of hers. Nothing much go past her, but this? She blinks as she stares at the helmeted face of the statue looking terrifyingly accurate as her whe she's in armor.

"Delia?" the soft voice of Myrcella makes said Lady of Rivendell blink for the second time as she turns at the young girl whose expression now contains a bit of worry. That decides it for Delianah. Despite the frustration levels inside her, she can never endure seeing Myrcella with a sad face. That expression of hers has no place in her face as long as she's in the territory of Rivendell.

Gulping and forcing her throat to work, Delianah smiles softly at her putting aside her chibi mental representation of anime crying at probably the costs involved. "It's…..lovely Cella, thank you,"

Like a light switch, the face of Myrcella shines once more as she hugs Delianah tightly making the Dame sigh softly as she pats the back of her friend. She ignores the rather inquisitive gazes of the people around them. It is well-known after all that Myrcella fosters under her. It would not be a far stretch to assume that they would be friends, right? She wonders how they would react if they know that she would not be adverse to a game of tensil tonnis with Myrcella once the girl is old enough.

She mentally giggles as she can almost see and hear the outrage.

"My lady," the calm but professional voice of Draco unfortunately puts a stop to the cute cuddle moment the two of them are sharing.

Sighing, Delianah simply smiles at Mycella before disentangling from their embrace. She makes a mental note to review the costs of Myrcella's little deviation and take into account those whom the Crown Princess has in her corner to order something without Delianah's knowing.

"Are they all here?" Delianah asks standing straight as two aides appear out of nowhere removing the wrinkles from her attire caused by Myrcella's hug.

Draco simply nods making Delianah take a deep breathe. The Tourney is finally about to start.

…

Stark Delegation, North entrance of Osgiliath

Catelyn Stark nee Tully can almost feel her teeth grinding to dust as she sees the grand White City, or Miracle City as it is called due to it being finished in three months time only. Due to the good relations with the Starks of Winterfell, the Northern contingent are given free leave to use the roads of Rivendell to reach Osgiliath with the promise of not stopping instead of going around the territories of Rivendell using the King's Road which is more muddy and a combination of mud, filth and dirt.

On the way here, she has seen the different "projects" of her bastard sister. The different homesteads managing the farms and poultry, the wide towns with every crafts available, almost resembling cities, patrols of Black Guard marching down the paved stone roads with the adventurers running around doing "quests", Bounty Hunters dragging a criminal or two to the nearest guard posts, and occasionally the bright ornate armored knights of the newly named Silver Order riding along singing as they went. She has also never seen smallfolk so richly dressed wandering around as they go along their business. Everyone in Rivendell seems rich that the Northmen looked almost like paupers with their fur capes and leather attires.

While the retinue of Northern Lords heap mountains upon mountains of praises to the well taken care lands of Rivendell, while at the same time marveling at everything that they are seeing; Catelyn feels otherwise.

While internally she puts out a façade of neutrality as their guide leads them. Inside it takes all of her willpower not to foam at the mouth. Sure part of her like the Northern Lords is impressed by the growth, wealth and territory improvement of the Lady of Rivendell.

She cannot get over the fact though that the bastard does not share it with her entire family. The very thought only fuels Catelyn's personal opinion that the bastard is seeking to supplant her brother. Imagine if all this would be under her brother's control. Not only will House Tully's tenuous control over the RIverlands be finally over but it would also elevate them to the respects that the Lannisters and the Tyrells enjoy.

Instead the bastard is keeping it for herself and showing off her gold and glory for everyone to see. Catelyn would not be surprised to hear that she would be boasting about how she is the better Tully instead of her brother. She can almost smell the evil bastard stench of hers even from here although word is she is at Osgiliath already.

Never has Catelyn knows that she would hate someone more than the bastard of her husband but here she is. Not only is the bastard reaching for heights not worthy of her station but she also champions and elevates other bastards for that Silver Order of hers giving them glory and honor which they should not have. It is an affront to everything the Seven is teaching.

Still, Catelyn is here as a guest and she can't do anything. She would not be silenced though. She must need to talk to her father, brother and sister about the hidden threat within their midst and possibly rein it. Her father legitimized the bastard after all. He can always take it back.

Worse comes to worse, she can always rely on Petyr's promise to get rid of the bastard personally and be the divine justice behind the will of the gods.

….

Author's Note: Next Chapter. The start of the Tourney. Hope ya like this Chapter fellow Westerosi.