Hard offer to pass
Edmure POV
I sharpened my sword as we sailed to Meereen. I could see eyes covering me with interest. Only a few of Asha's crew knew of my identity. To others, I was a guy with a face covered in bandages. Asha kept a close look at me too. As a whetstone went through the blade of my sword, I could see her flinching.
"I know what you are thinking," I said.
"What am I thinking about?" She asked.
"You are thinking of betraying me. Joining Euron and his forces and handing me over," I replied.
"You are partially true," She responded. "But I am still trying to think why I shouldn't do so."
"I already gave you my offer," I commented.
"What if I want more, and my uncle can offer me more?" She asked.
"He can't because there is nothing more to be offered," I answered. "Even if you gather a hundred thousand men with thousands of ships, you will be isolated once you land in the seven Kingdoms. You will have no friends or allies. Your actions will only unite the Seven Kingdoms like your father did in his little rebellion over ten years ago."
"Fine, but I will not betray you because I don't trust my uncle and not because I trust you," Asha said.
"As you should," I agreed with her mindset as I checked the sharpness of my sword. "Now, we only need to convince the dwarf."
"Bring the Imp," Asha yelled out the orders.
My only eye followed the two men entering a deck and bringing out Tyrion Lannister. He was thrown at Asha's feet. Asha kicked him toward me. Tyrion grumbled in annoyance as he stood up on his feet. Before he could say anything, I put my sword on his neck. He gulped but didn't flinch at the cold steel.
"Before you have any ideas, I will tell you," I began. "I don't give a shit about you. I could throw you over the board and forget your existence the next day."
"And why are you not doing so?" He asked.
"Because you can be useful to me," I replied while pushing my sword, cutting his skin and letting a droplet of blood swim through the blade. "But it depends on you if I can use you."
"What do you want me to do?" He asked. I could see his eyes tremble. He feared death like everyone else, even if he didn't want to show it.
"Asha will offer you with Mormont to Daenerys," I said. "You will have to get closer to her or her enemies."
"Why do you think she won't kill me at first glance?" He asked.
"Because alive, you can offer much more," I replied. "And don't get ideas of revealing my identity. I will kill you, and you won't accomplish much, as the only reason I will hide is to get to Euron. If I am in danger, I will reveal my identity anyway."
"What will I get?" He asked.
"Casterly Rock," I replied. "I will make you the lord of Casterly Rock, and you will serve me until my son is of age and can marry your niece Janei. Then you will serve him as Castellan. Of course, you could serve under Daenerys if you want, and she accepts after the ordeal in Meereen is done. I promise I will not send any assassins to kill you."
"I agree, but I want one another thing," He agreed, a bit too fast.
"I offered you more than you could ever imagine getting," I was prepared to cut his head off here and now.
"I want you to find my wife," His words stopped my action. "If you find Tysha, I will kneel to you and serve you and your family as a dog."
"The crofter's daughter?" I asked. "She might already be dead."
"Then find her grave," He said. "Do that, and I will never even think of betraying you."
"Write everything you know about her," I said. "When I return home, I will not spare any resources in finding her."
I didn't expect such a condition, but Tyrion looked earnest in his request. If she was still alive, it shouldn't cost much to find her, and with a Lannister in my hands, controlling the Westerlands would be much easier. Still, if he wants to return home, he will be under my watch, and one wrong move, and I will dispose of him.
…
I left Asha to announce herself to the guards in the harbor. Asha had Tyrion and Mormont bound in chains and ready to transport them. Theon Greyjoy and the Tyrion's guards will have to stay behind. Aside from Asha and Tyrion, everyone who knew my identity stayed behind too. It was better that fewer people knew about me. I wanted to strike Euron while he didn't expect me.
After a while, a messenger informed some guards to guide us into the great pyramid of Mereen. When I stepped out of the ship, I was greeted by the bustling activity and the sounds of the city. The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices mixed with the salty smell of the sea. It was different from King's Landing, at least before it burned.
The streets are crowded with people, their clothing ranging from simple robes to more elaborate and luxurious attire. There were no slaves with chains and collars. It seemed that Daenerys policy was still at work. There were many unsullied around the streets, guarding the order with their spears and shields.
As I walked through the city's winding streets, I was struck by the stark contrast between the grandeur of the Great Pyramid in the distance and the poverty of many surrounding buildings. Some structures appeared to be crumbling, with signs of neglect and decay. But despite this, the people of Meereen didn't seem to be starving or dissatisfied.
I had learned enough about the rule of Daenerys when we arrived at the great pyramid that towered above me. It casts a shadow on a portion of the city. When I entered the palace, I was surprised again by the cool and fragrant air. It was a big contrast between the outside of the pyramid and the inside of it.
"Please his way," A little girl, not even in her teens, led us and took glances at Mormont. "Please leave your weapons with if you want to meet her Grace, Queen Daenerys."
Asha and I handed our swords and daggers to the unsullied outside the ornate chambers at the pyramid's apex. I expected to go to the courtroom, but it seemed that Daenerys had a different idea. I guessed from the interior of the chamber and guards outside the rooms that we were in her personal chambers.
"My guests, please take a seat," I could recognize Daenerys's silver hair and purple eyes. "We are outside the eyes of most, so you don't need to keep the courtesy."
"We are grateful," Asha replied, bringing her prisoners to the front. "But I brought some gifts for you."
"What is this?" Daenerys didn't seem to be pleased with the two men.
"The small one is Tyrion Lannister, as of the Lannisters that killed your family," Asha said. "The old one seems to be your old friend, so I brought him too."
"Tyrion Lannister?" Daenerys turned to the white knight next to her.
"It is true. I recognize him," The knight in white answered.
"Jorah," Daenerys turned to Mormont.
"I am ashamed, my Queen," Mormont bowed his head. "I saw the imp in Lys and wanted to bring him to you and ask for forgiveness."
"Too bad he messed with my brother," Asha added. "If you want, I can chop him up."
"I would like for introductions first," Daenerys replied.
"Where were my manners?" Asha laughed. "I am Asha Greyjoy, rightful ruler of the Iron Islands."
"I am Daenerys Targaryen, rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
I wouldn't say I liked how he called herself, yet I said nor did anything about it. It was not time, and I feared a certain man more than her. As I was thinking and keeping myself in check, I felt eyes fall upon me. They were waiting for my introduction, but I had to take a breath to gather my thoughts. I couldn't make any mistakes. My life and the lives of my family depended on it.
"I am Oscar Rivers, envoy of Queen Shireen Baratheon, ruler of Astapor."
"Missandei, please take a few guards and take the prisoners to the dungeon. I will talk with them later," Daenerys motioned for the little girl. "Lady Asha, please take the chambers next to me and have some rest. I will soon call upon you to discuss why you are here."
"I, too, want to wash myself, but please don't keep me waiting for long," Asha smiled and left with another guard guiding her.
"Ser Oscar," Daenerys turned to me.
"I am no knight," I replied.
"Knight or not, we would like to see your face," The knight in white said.
"As you might have heard, my face isn't presentable, especially to young ladies," I responded, looking with my only eye at Daenerys.
"I have seen many terrible things," Daenerys didn't take her eyes off me. "Please uncover your face."
"I do not wish to do so," I replied.
"But I insist."
"Ha," I exhaled loudly in annoyance. "You might have seen many terrible things, but I do not wish to show my face to anyone. Do you think I take pleasure when sweat soaks the cloth, and I have to suffer from heat and the terrible smell?"
"I do not think you like it, so please take it off."
"I do not like it, but it is better than looking at eyes of disgust looking at me," I said, thinking of how to convince her to drop the topic. "You have smooth and pale skin that many women would envy. You do not know how it feels when people reel back because they see your face. When they back off so they can as far as possible from you or when they stare at the scars that were inflicted upon me in disgust and mockery."
"My apologies, I didn't mean to offend you, ser Oscar," Daenerys voice seemed to soften.
"I have not heard of your name in the Seven Kingdoms," The knight in white said.
"I don't think many have heard of my name," I replied. "I am not a knight, but a former slave that the benevolent Queen Shireen Baratheon saved from death."
"You said you are an envoy," Daenerys said. "What do you bring to me."
"An offer from Queen Shireen," I said. "She knows that you might not be able to send for any reinforcements to Astapor, but she wants you to join hands with her in defending the good people of Mereen and Astapor from cruel slavers. My word is hers word. I am to help you in any way you want and answer all your questions."
"I have heard of your skills and feats," Daenerys said. "I gladly accept you, but what does Queen Shireen want in return?"
"Support in upcoming wars," I replied.
Daenerys looked at me, but I could see she was deeply thinking. I could guess that she didn't trust me. She weighed what her decision would bring to her and her rule. In the end, she could only dismiss me and give me room to rest. I wasn't in a rush. It was an offer she couldn't pass on. If my plan with rumors worked even a little, she would soon proclaim her support for Astapor.
Now, I could only wait and plan further. I had to see how she acted with Euron, as from the ships in the harbor, I believed him to be somewhere around. If he were close to Daenerys, I would have no choice but to fight against her. If not, I would have to use her to corner Euron. I will not let Euron unscathed, no matter what.
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