Chapter Fifty

…

Casterly Rock, The Westerlands

News from the capital always finds itself on the polished oak table of Tywin Lannister. Naturally the Lord of the Westerlands prefer to keep himself in the loop no matter how petty the news is. Thus when a letter arrived from Pycelle himself addressed directly to him, Tywin knows immediately that it is not the usual mumbo jumbo that passes over his deck.

"So, the Lord Hand is dying," says Kevan, it is not a question but a statement. "Can Pycelle be wrong?"

"That dotard might be a fool and a lickspittle but he is still competent enough as a Maester to know that Jon Arryn has been poisoned, Tears of Lys is his most likely suspect,"

"Poisoned? By whom and why?" asks the younger Lannister in confusion. "Jon Arryn might be a pacifist but he is loved by many, plus no one would dare hurt him directly for being the father figure of the king,"

"I agree and that's what I am wondering about. Who is brave or cunning enough, to risk getting rid of the Lord Hand of the Realm? The moment he dies, the investigation that would be given at his moment of death would be great, especially if Pycelle reveals that poison is the cause of it,"

"He did not,"

"What?!"

"He did not tell anyone else that he knows that it is poison," scowls Tywin. "He claims it is a fever in fear that whoever it is that tried poisoning Jon Arryn might come for him once he reveals that he discovers that it is poison killing the Hand. Pycelle is not the bravest of the apples in the basket and unless I order otherwise directly, that old man would always try to save his own skin first,"

"So what will we do now brother?"

Tywin just sighs a he massages his forehead. Not for the last time the weight of being the King without a crown of Westeros weighs down on him. "We will keep things as it is. Normally I'd rather do my best to save Jon Arryn since he provides stability for the realm. A stable realm is good for Joffrey since he would rule it one day. Unfortunately it is too late now and we have to look over at the aftermath of Jon Arryn's demise,"

"Should we start thinking as to who would replace as Hand for Robert?" asks Kevan making Tywin snort.

"That is already decided brother. Once Arryn kicks the bucket, Robert would turn to the only person which he trusts the most to wipe his fat arse," this time Tywnin lets his eyes trail at the map of Westeros painted at his wall, specifically at the North.

Kevan also follows his gaze before gawping in disebelif as he realizes what Tywin is looking at.

"Don't tell me that he is planning to put Eddard Stark as the Hand of the King?"

"That is the only choice that our dear old Robert will follow I am afraid," grunts Tywin unhappily. While at first glance, most people would hypothesize that the Old Lion is planning to undermine the realm by expanding his influence on influential heights, they can never be farther from the truth.

Personally Tywin has an investment on making sure that the realm remains stable and secure. With Joffrey coming to the throne, what better foundation can there be than having officials loyal and in line with him? Of course it is not saying that it is also Tywin's safety net in the case of the boy becoming mad. He is not blind of the failure of his daughter and how problematic the current heir of the throne is. Tywin has served one mad king, he would not suffer the rise of another. In the unlikely event that Joffrey can no longer be controlled, he would need the men surrounding Joffrey to turn without hesitation.

"Robert is never one to use his brains, that is why Jon Arryn is around. Eddard Stark might be loyal to our dear king but he is uncompromising and rigid, not exactly the man that you would want in dealing with feisty Lords and Ladies where backroom deals and lying can get you through. Damned Northeners and their precious honor,"

"Seeing that you are not looking as worried though, I believe that you have a plan for an occasion such as this brother?" asks Kevan.

"Indeed, I do," sighs Tywin leaving the tapestry of the map of Westeros before heading to a shelf at the side of his study where letters are sealed in separate boxes.

"The inauguration of Ned Stark as the next Hand of the King is inevitable. It is Robert's folly not to notice that his surrogate father is getting on in years and adding the stress that the office of the Hand of the King to Arryn is detrimental to his health. The Vale after all is not as united as they like themselves to believe with marauding mountain clansmen and the rather lack of an heir that Jon has for a long time has taken a toll on its lords and ladies. Add the fact that Jon is rather stuck here all the time at the capital ruling in Robert's stead only makes that divide grow deeper. The rather wimpy Robin Arryn provided by Lyssa Tully does not help matters. The result is an overworked old man getting on in years while having a lot of stress. He would have croaked five years, ten years from now at best,"

"It still doesn't explain our solution to Ned Stark," points out Kevan.

"Indeed," nods Tywin. "You see men like Ned Stark are honest and loyal to a fault. If he is any younger then I would say that there is no hope for him. The Lord of Winterfell however is a veteran of two wars and have a lot of experience in his belt. While he would stubbornly hold on to his traits, he would however bend them if there is reason," Tywin grabs the letter off his shelf with the seal of a House. "And fortunately for us, I know someone who holds Stark's trust that can prevent him from causing the realm to self-implode,"

…..

Essos, Astapor,

Krazys mo Nakloz is a proud man. Being a member of the Masters of the City of Astapor, he has little to fear. With a crack of his whip, hundreds of his Unsullied would take down any foe. He has so many connections that it is near impossible to hide an assassination plot for him. He is filthy rich and he could buy (in his mind at least), one of those fancy kingdoms from Westeros if he so puts his mind on it. Even the great Khalasars of the Great Sea would think twice before trying to make a threat to his city.

Thus for Krazys mo Nakloz, there is little reason for him to be polite and cordial to his customers. Instead he lets his slave translators do the polite talking for him. He speaks High Valyrian seeing that very few of the rich moronic dunderheads practice another tongue other than their local ones. Krazys takes great pleasure insulting them while their ugly uptight faces scrounge up in annoyance.

However for some customers, Krazys mo Nakloz for all his arrogance acts the genial and likeable businessman required in the trade.

"Master Marcus, ever it is a pleasure to see you. Am I to assume that you are here for the same stock as last time?" simpers the bald man as he gives off a bow to the pale looking man flanked by his ever black armoured bodyguards, their face shields hiding anything but their blue eyes.

Krazys normally would never be this polite, not in a hundred years. However seeing the wagonloads of bags of gold currently being pulled inside Astapor, only a fool would be disrespectful. The man has been buying thousands of slaves in tandem twice already thousands of slaves giving Krazys a year's worth of earnings in one day what he would usually earn in one year.

"Yes, ten thousand slaves will be enough though I would also be ordering a batch of your Unsullied also, trainees included," declares the man. Krazys have always wondered where the man get so much gold, however it is not his business to ask directly. Gold is gold, though his spies tell that the man is affiliated to the kingdom with a kingdom Rivendell that is slowly being known throughout the known world.

"Of course, of course master. How many of the finest soldiers of Essos would you be buying? I am glad to tell you however that this yearly batch of ours are the finest we have produced so far," asks Krazys.

The pale man only looks at him, that ever stern face of his not betraying anything. "How many do you have right now that is for sale?"

Krazys only blinks at the inquiry. "Six thousand spears my lord, and another four thousand that have not yet finished the ritual that would earn them a place in the ranks of the Unsullied,"

"Very well, I'll take all of them,"

Normally Krazys would be inclined to inquire further, however the clinking of golden coins being pulled by the carriages stilled his tongue.

"Pleasure doing business with you Master Marcus,"

….

Docks of Astapor

Marcus Corvin, current Elder of the Green Men hides the pleased smirk as he sees the ordered slaves being slowly put into boarding by the crews of the ships he brought with him. The Empire of Yi Ti have graciously given the Hundred Ships' gift to Delianah as a dowry for her accepting the Lady Liu Yan as a concubine from the Emperor to seal the Alliance between Rivendell and Yi Ti. Of course the Lady Liu is now his wife, a gift from the Messiah herself.

It is a dream fulfilled for Marcus to serve the Chosen One of the Old Gods. He truly grieves for the death of Elder Viktor but his death has given way for Marcus to be where he is right now, a direct connection from the Lady herself to the rest of the Green Men. They have always taken great pride in the fact that their lady entrusted them with her greatest secret, her ability to do magic. All of them swear that they would take it to their graves. Only a fool would dare betray their Lady from those Seven starred cunts who won't recognize the power that the Old gods have over the world.

A strong "CRACK!" makes Marcus turn towards the source who is a figure wearing a scarlet cloak that covers her face. Immediately Marcus falls on his face in reverence at the sight. He knows of course who it is.

"Get up! We have little time," the snappy voice of their Messiah makes Marcus scramble himself ramrod straight.

"Is everything going as planned?" Delianah Tully asks as she watches the slaves being boarded at the ships.

"Yes my lady, the slaves are assigned at the ships heading for Osgiliath while the Unsullied are being sent to the training camp of the Black Guard," reports Marcus.

"Good work Marcus, however I am sorry to ask if possible that you double time the work here. Things are moving at a fast pace in Westeros and I am afraid the Time of Great Turmoil is upon us. We, no…I would need all the help I can get,"

For Marcus the answer is obvious as he sets his face in grim determination. "Have no fret my lady. I would have everyone at Westeros in a week's time, this I swear,"

"Thank you Marcus, I know I could count on you," even with the cloak, he can somehow imagine the appreciative smile being thrown his way before his Lady disappears into thin air with a loud CRACK!

Taking a deep breathe, Marcus is filled with resolve. According to the Holy Book of Prophecies, the Time of Great Turmoil would be the precursor to the Battle of the Dawn and Marcus would not be found wanting in such a time.

"Hurry up you lazy dogs! Double time it!" he bellows at the Yi Ti ship crews urging the slaves unto the ships.

…

The Gryphon's Roost, Rivendell

The back part of Rivendell at its highest point is probably the only place in the entire area that is totally off limits and for good reason. This place have been given as a roosting area for the Gryphons that call Rivendell home. As stated before, Gryphons are wild and very bad-tempered without a Rider. Even now currently, the only Gryphon Riders of Rivendell are of course Delianah, Amelia, Rhaenys and Draco, whose Gryphon, Tom remains here. Other than them, there are no other Riders and for good reason. Fifty men and women tried to tame the temperamental birds to try being a rider. Forty are dead with the remaining ten mauled badly, saved only by Delianah interfering at the right time.

Now however the current riders of Rivendell minus Draco are here with Myrcella alongside their mounts .The princess after all would be testing if it is possible for her to be a rider also. All of them wordlessly agreed that they would not be allowing the princess of Westeros gets an arm or a leg torn off if she is rejected by the bad tempered birds.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to do this?" Myrcella asks nervously observing the large ridges with specially carved caves where yellow eyes gleam. Contrary to popular belief, Gryphons don't build roosts but instead carve caves with their giant claws where they make their nests and hide from bad weather. Currently there are twenty-four of the giant birds living in Rivendell, the ones with riders not included.

"Of course, we just have to make sure that there's a Gryphon for you here," answers Delianah to her making Myrcella smile nervously at the reassurance.

She has been rather insistent that she gets her own Gryphon after seeing the fact that her friends have one, but now is deeply regretting it. She shivers beneath the training leathers she is wearing. The roost of the Gryphons are all rocks and slippery by the draft of the clouds. Dresses have no place here.

"How do you know that it chooses you?" Myrcella asks nervously as a black Gryphon emerges from one of the caves, eyeing their small company with gleaming yellow eyes.

"Simple, it'll try to kill you," answers Delianah with a smile.

"That's great," Myrcella answers dryly wondering how in the world is she going to achieve this. She's pretty sure Delianah would not make sure that she not be Gryphon chow…..maybe?

A piercing screech makes everyone of their small company flinch in surprise as out of the mist, a golden slender Gryphin with a red mane appears heading straight to Myrcella talons outstretched. Before Myrcella can do more than scream, said talons grab her shoulders and toss her out into open air in the Cliffside.

For a second Myrcella's eyes come flashing before her eyes and she screams as she falls down weightlessly. Tears flash in her eyes as she sees the ground below, this is how she is going to die, falling like a rock and splattering down before. Every inch of her doesn't want to accept it, this inglorious end. Yet it is coming fast, so fast in fact as she sails past the ornate cliff walls of Rivendell seeing the surprised faces of people as she falls right past by. She can see the ground more clearly now that the details are starting to form. Her screams intensified as her arms flap uselessly in the air in vain. The ground is so close and Myrcella closes her eyes not willing to see the end slowly coming to her face.

Only to slam into something hard and feathery, the feeling of free falling now gone.

Groaning she opens her eyes to see herself at the back of the Golden Gryphon soaring back to the skies. Relief floods through her entire frame at the near death experience. She hugs the feathers of her Gryphon in comfort for the sudden save. She has no idea why it saves her, but she would not ask, she's just thankful on not becoming a grease on the mountainside.

If she has looked up however, she might have seen the glassy confused look at the eyes of the Gryphon disappear.

…

King's Landing Red Keep

The bells of the Red Keep ring true and it is always the sounds that usually herald the coming sorrow, a death of a king. Right now however they ring by the direct orders of Robert to commemorate the passing of Jon Arryn, a true and loyal servant of the throne and a father figure for Robert.

Said king however is currently on his throne alone, the usually loud and full gallery empty to give Robert the needed privacy.

Grief is currently enveloping the fat king's mind and it is one of the rare times that he is totally sober. This time, just this time, he would honor Jon by actually following his request that he stops drinking.

His mind however is currently racing a million miles per hour about the future. He has already given the order to prepare to head North once Jon is buried by the Silent Sisters. More than anyone else, Robert knows he's a bad king. It's Jon who manages to hold the realm together, a good man. Ned would not like it but Robert knows that he's the proper man for the throne. Honest and true, his brother in all but blood would make a good Hand and keep the kingdoms in line. He would be the king in all but name while Robert stick to dreams caused by too much wine. At least he would see Ned from time to time and not all be miserable and lonely in this shit pool that is King's Landing.

All this thinking about the future however makes Robert think also about the future of his Crown and the person who is going to inherit it. He has to be blind, deaf and dumb to see that his current heir is psychotic as a wheelhouse no matter how the bitch queen tries to sugar coat it. Frankly it reminds Robert of the Mad King and it gives him the shivers. If he could, Robert would have happily passed the heir title to Tommen. However his second born, weak and simpering would be torn to pieces before court, and without Jon? It would be a downright disaster. He would not subject Tommen to that.

That brings him unfortunately to the thing that has been bothering him the past few hours. Joffrey and Tommen are not his only children. He has one more and this one in fact has the capability and knowledge to rule. What she lacks is the drive, and for good reason. Westeros never has a High Queen before. The last time a woman tries to contend for the throne, the Dance of Dragons is the result which spells the doom for the Targaryens in the long run.

Robert however knows that out of the three spawn that he has, Myrcella Baratheon is the logical choice. He has heard her exploits and her ability to rule from the information submitted from Rivendell. That girl has even experienced battle and she volunteers for it. It honestly makes Robert proud. The girl is Baratheon by blood, no fear.

Normally Robert would never even think about putting Myrcella as successor for him. However that girl has mighty political connections. He knows that the Stormlands would support her (at least most of them) if he gives the order. The North definitely would since Ned would see the logic in his decision, and most importantly since he ordains it. The Vale he hopes would agree, after all Lyssa Arryn would be the ruling regent there and would probably honor his wishes despite the crisis of Faith. The Riverlands would be divided as always but where Stark goes, Tully would follow he knows. The Reach would need some kind of settlement as always though many of them would not like a woman on the throne. The Dornish would hate it no matter what the decision is since Myrcella's part Lannister. The Westerlands would probably grumble but Tywin would understand, Robert knows. The Lion is no fool and Robert knows that what he can see in Joffrey, Tywin can see also.

It is however the full support of Rivendell that really tips Robert's decision. Powerful, rich and fearless, he knows that Delianah Tully would support Myrcella since she practically raised her. It is a good thing since Myrcella would need it. The Vale is a kingdom on its own despite its small shape, its influence is large and does not remain on Westeros only. Its Lady has a trend on doing the impossible and Robert sincerely hopes she can repeat that feat this time. Hopefully she can advice him to decide on who Myrcella is right to marry to help her secure her position in the future.

Making his decision, he takes the scroll of paper where he writes down his will.

…

Somewhere South of Rivendell.

Five cloaked figures spring out of the grass looking at the border guards of the bridge. The lead figure's eyes narrow at the sight of Black Guard checking the travelers. His brother has given him warning that he dare not antagonize the Lady of Rivendell any further. However his mind is set. He must see that young woman who looks like his deceased sister during his younger years. His brother fortunately has ordered him to patrol the borders of Dorne. Unfortunately for him, he does not exactly specifies the time range which gives him leeway at least.

"Remember, the plan is simple, we sneak in. Find who we are looking for, then sneak out nice and slow, get it?" he says to his man who nods at his confident words.

"Good, now let's get this show on the road," Oberyn Martell says standing up as he joins the other groups of merchants heading to the checkpoint.

…..

Author's Note:

Thank you very much for the support as always. Anyway I'm pushing the plot line already. So that we can focus more on the story. sorry for the late updates since Im focusing on also reading some fanfics on my own. Downside of fast updates is unable to enjoy some reading time.

What is your opinion on Myrcella being thrown as a candidate for the throne?