Hello, my dear readers. Sorry for the long wait. Life got in the way, and as I was writing this chapter, I somehow wrote enough for two chapters, so expect an update in the near future. Anyways, I own nothing but my characters and their arcs.
Dothraki will be bold.
Enjoy.
Tyrion, Cersei and the rest of the council members sat in their seats at the Small Council Chamber with their relative, Alton Lannister, giving them a report. They offered a peace treaty to Robb Stark, hoping to see if this war could end peacefully, but they got a reply proving that peace was not achievable.
"From this time until the end of time, we are not part of your realm but a free and independent Kingdom of the North." Cersei reads the letter before tearing it up, "He has more spirit than his father; I'll give him that."
"You've perfected the art of tearing up papers," Tyrion japes, much to his sister's annoyance.
"The Starks knew we would never agree to these terms," Hellen sighs, "Otherwise, they wouldn't be so bold about it."
"Regardless," Tyrion gazes back to Alton, "Give him his father's bones back, at least, as a gesture of good faith."
"You'll give the Starks our reply, cousin," Cersei presumes.
Alton bows, "I will, Your Grace."
Awkwardly, Cersei asks, "Did you see my brother when you were the Stark guest?"
Hellen gives a slight side look to Cersei, knowing the proper relationship between the twins, although she couldn't say anything for obvious reasons.
"I did," Alton said, "They have not broken his spirit, Your Grace."
Cersei says, "If you speak with him, tell him he's not been forgotten."
"I will, Your Grace," Alton bows his head.
"Safe travels, cousin," Tyrion said as Alton left the room, followed by two gold cloaks.
"You have a deft hand with diplomacy," Tyrion japes again to Cersei.
Ignoring her brother, Cersei asks, "If that's everything?"
Pycelle, however, takes a letter out of his cloak, "A raven flew in this morning from Castle Black."
"Trouble with the wildlings," Varys presumes while Pycelle hands the letter to Tyrion.
"That's why they're called wildlings," Baelish commented.
Varys corrects, "Somewhat less wild these days. It seems they've stopped killing each other and started following this King-Beyond-the-Wall."
"Another king?" Cersei asks, "How many is that now, Five? I've lost count."
Tyrion reads the letter, "Lord Commander asks that we send more men to man The Wall."
"Perhaps he's forgotten we're fighting a war. We have no men to spare." Cersei dismissed.
"I'm sure there are some men in the black cells that would be on their way to the black anyways," Hellen suggests.
"Cold winds are rising," Tyrion recites the letter, "and the dead rise with them."
Confused by the cryptic words, Hellen asks, "What does he mean, the dead rise?"
"The northerners are a superstitious people," Pycelle waves off as everyone but Tyrion stands up to leave.
"According to the Commander, one of these dead men attacked him in his chambers," Tyrion says after finishing the letter, "Mormont doesn't lie."
"So they're fighting dead people now," Hellen asks sarcastically.
"How do you kill a dead man," Varys asks, presumably.
Tyrion answers, "Apparently, you burn him."
"One trip to The Wall, and you come back believing in grumpkins and snarks," Cersei chuckles while leaving the room as the council members follow her.
"I don't know what I believe, but here's a fact for you," Tyrion proclaims, getting everyone's attention, "The Night's Watch is the only thing that separates us from what lies beyond the Wall."
"With all due respect, Tyrion," Hellen said, "the Wall has been attacked multiple times, and the Night's Watch has prevailed each time. Most likely just the Wildlings playing some game to crossover to our lands."
"For once, we agree," Cersei said to Hellen before walking off as others did the same, with Tyrion staying in his seat, "I have every confidence the brave men of the Night's Watch will protect us all."
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After today's council meeting, Hellen and Jonathor were in their room playing a game of Cyvasse. It wasn't a game played in Westeros as it came from Volantis, but it was something Jonathor picked up and enjoyed playing with his wife occasionally. It was also an good game to sharpen the mind as it was all about strategy and tactics to beat your enemy.
"The North claiming independence," Jonathor rephrased while moving his spearman piece to Hellen's light horse piece, "I figured they would never stop until they killed Joffrey, but this…"
"Well, considering everything that happened between the North and South, who could blame them," Hellen counters, moving her crossbowman piece three spaces to the spearman piece. "After the abduction of Lyanna Stark, the murder of her father and brothers, and then the execution of Ned, the North hasn't had any reason to stay in the realm. Do you think they can win?"
"This changes a lot. It's more than just a rebellion for justice now. It's a war for their lives—a war between Starks and Lannisters. No doubt Tywin will find some way to win," Jonathor said while moving his trebuchet piece to Hellen's crossbowman, taking it out.
Hellen sighs slightly for losing her crossbowman, "But Robb Stark was able to outsmart Tywin and capture his eldest son as hostage."
Hellen then uses her heavy horse piece for an attack position in a 2-space line to Jonathor's trebuchet piece that was one piece away.
"True, but he's still young. And if he's anything like his father, he'll fight with honor, but Tywin doesn't fight with honor," Jonathor kept his eye on the board, contemplating his next move.
"But he has the whole North rising with him," Hellen said, "Obviously he knows how to recruit men and bring them together."
"And that can only take him so far," Jonathor said, "The pack of wolves against the pride of lions. Only one can be the victor. Only time will tell."
"If the Starks win, the North would be its own kingdom," Hellen says as Jonathor moves his spearman piece one space to the heavy horse piece, "but then they would be on the receiving end of the power of the other six kingdoms who would be trying to retake it. Unless the other kingdoms want independence as well." She then moved her heavy horse two spaces away from Jonathor's spearman piece and closer to the king piece, which she needed to win the game.
"Then we would go back to the days before the Targaryen conquest," Jonathor said, thinking of his next move, "Each kingdom at war with one another. Kings are trying to kill each other. Houses with bad blood fighting to the death. And who would suffer the most?"
He then moves his spearman to two spaces to protect his king piece.
"The innocents of it all," Hellen concluded, moving her heavy horse to the spearman and capturing it, putting her piece it before the king piece.
"Causing more war and death," Jonathor said, taking a nearby crossbowman piece one space towards the heavy horse from behind for an attack. "Destabilizing the realm even more. Which would allow someone else to take power when the damage is done."
Hellen looks at him intently, knowing who he is talking about, "Is there any other way?"
Jonathor gazes board, picking up a dragon piece that can go any direction with unlimited space movement, then looks back to his wife, "You know the war was going to happen when Robert died. It's only going to get worse, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. We can only…find ways to go through it for the time being, and when that time comes," Jonathor then uses the dragon piece to move the entire length of the board to Hellen's king piece, which had no defensive pieces, allowing him to take it, "It will come."
"That would be hard to do with Tyrion at court," Hellen confesses.
Jonathor counters, "That is why we have some spies at court to keep an eye on him. Along with Varys and his birds. Who, by the way, made quite the discovery." Jonathor leans forward, "Apparently, Tyrion brought a woman with him and hid her in the Tower of the Hand. I guess she's not supposed to be here since Tyrion didn't take Varys's interest in her too kindly."
"Is that so," Hellen leans forward as well, "If it were any other woman he takes to bed, he wouldn't care."
"Might need to keep an eye on him and her as well," Jonathor said, "Never know if it might be useful long term."
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Areon found himself standing in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by mist and darkness. As he looked around, he noticed a staircase that appeared to lead somewhere. Without knowing where he was or what to do, he decided to walk up the stairs. The staircase led him to a large building made of ancient-looking grey stone. The building was long and low, with no towers or windows. It was coiled like a stone snake, and black tiles covered the roof, many of them broken or fallen. Despite the building's dark aura, Areon could not take his eyes off it and continued walking towards the front door. As he approached the door, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he noticed a human face carved into it, with the mouth as the entrance. Areon was hesitant to go in, but then he heard a dragon's cry from behind the door. Out of impulse, Areon went in and walked down a long hallway that led to four entries.
Suddenly, he heard the dragon's cry again, but this time, it was behind him. As Areon turned, he saw two people. One was wearing a long hooded black robe and a red wooden mask with wet and shiny eyes. The other, a bit shorter, was wearing a white cassock while bearing a silver mask with a human face with piercing blue eyes. The two beings just stared at him as Areon didn't know what to think or say as they never kept their eyes off of him. Then out of nowhere, a flash came out of nowhere. After it was done, the being wearing the silver mask disappeared, and everything around Areon suddenly lit on fire. Everything was burning. Areon looked back to see the large building had collapsed around him, burning with flames and smoke. He then heard a dragon roaring loudly. He didn't know what to make of it. He turned back to see the being wearing the black robe and red mask still staring at him, whispering, 'the glass candles are burning.' Then everything went black, and Areon was left alone, confused and frightened, in the darkness.
Areon woke up suddenly and found himself lying in his tent. He looked around and realized it was just a dream. He rubbed his face and felt his bald head, which reminded him of what he had endured at Drogo's funeral pyre. Areon got up and left his tent to see everyone in the small Khalasar camp trying to escape the scorching sun, but to no avail. They were all covered with dirt, blisters, and sunburn, struggling to stay awake. Aggo and Kovarro returned with no signs of help, so everyone was eagerly waiting for Rakharo to come back, hopefully with some success.
Areon notices that Dany and her maids, Irri and Doreah, are lying on the ground inside their tent, attempting to escape the heat. However, the intense temperature is still affecting them. Jorah is sitting close by to protect Areon and Dany, but the young Targaryen can see that the knight is struggling to stay awake. Therefore, Areon stands up with a wineskin full of water in his hands and approaches the knight, saying, "Drink."
Jorah looks to Areon with confusion, "You need it more than I."
"You're protecting us," Areon said, "You need your strength more than us."
Not wanting to argue, Jorah relents and takes the wineskin for a large gulp of water while Areon sits by him, not wishing to be alone.
"This is my fault," Areon mutters to himself, but it is loud enough for Jorah to hear.
"How so, Your Grace," Jorah asked.
Areon looks to the old knight, "I convinced everyone that we should follow the comet. I thought it would lead us to something."
"It might," Jorah said, "There's still much land out of this desert."
"But the comet is gone now," Areon looks up to the sky, seeing it empty. Nothing but a few scattered clouds and the blistering sun. "All because I dreamed of something."
"They are more than just dreams, Your Grace," Jorah reminds him, "Because of your dream, the dragons have returned."
Areon shook his head, "And now we are in the middle of the desert. I don't know what to do… I.." What could he do? He felt so helpless. He hated that feeling as it reminded him of how helpless he felt from Viserys and everything he did to him. He remembers the times when Viserys beat him, and he couldn't do anything to stop him. He can still remember when it all started when he was eight, and Viserys made him his 'squire.'
After the death of their guardian, Willem Darry, Viserys, Areon, and Dany were left to fend for themselves, traveling from place to place in search of shelter. Unfortunately, people would only take them in briefly, hoping to take advantage of their Targaryen name. Eventually, they were taken in by some magisters in Volantis, and Areon became Viserys' squire. Areon did everything Viserys commanded, such as bringing his clothes, polishing his sword, cleaning up after him, and braiding his hair. It was nothing at first, but when they were on the streets again and starving, Viserys had no choice but to sell their mother's crown for food. It was the only thing they had left of her, and Viserys was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. From that day on, Viserys became bitter and demanded more from Areon, even when they were taken in by magisters who had servants to do such tasks. Areon had to clean his bedroom floor, feed him, wash his clothes, draw his bath, and clean his bed sheets.
It got so bad that Areon felt more like a servant than a squire or brother. When he finally spoke up, he said, 'I am not some servant or enslaved person to you, Viserys. I am your brother and heir.' After Areon said those words, Viserys gave a dark look that terrified him. A look he could never forget. He grabbed him by the hair, yelling, 'My heir? My hair? You are wretched brat who does not know his place.' He then literally drags Areon, despite the once eight-year-old screaming, kicking, and pleading, until they come upon a closet and lock him inside, saying that he will not come out until he reflects on his behavior.
After being locked in a closet, Areon cried, "Let me out, let me out!" He banged and clawed at the door, but it remained shut. Small Dany came to the closet and begged Viserys to release Areon, but he only screamed at her to be quiet. Areon spent hours trapped inside, but the door did not open until the next day. When it finally did, finding him laying on the ground and looking up to him with fear, Viserys gave him a stern look and asked if he had reflected on what he had done while locked up.
After being locked in a closet, Areon cried out, "Let me out, let me out!" He banged and clawed at the door, but it remained shut. Small Dany came to the closet and begged Viserys to release Areon, but he only screamed at her to be quiet. Areon spent hours trapped inside, but the door did not open until the next day. When it finally did, Viserys found him lying on the ground with a fearful look. He gave him a stern look and asked if he had thought about what he had done while locked day was when it all started. The punishments got worse, the abuse got more painful, and it was so much that he was about to run away until he saw the Viserys started to abuse Dany, too. Not wanting his sister to suffer as he did, Areon decided to stay and stop Viserys whenever he tried to hurt Dany; even though it caused Viserys to take it all out on him, he remained for Daenerys. Moreover, now she was in the desert because of him.
Seeing the young Targaryen in distress, Jorah puts his hand on his shoulder, "In times like this you must find strength to move forward. Who is the one you wish to protect most of all?"
Areon immediately looks to his sister who was still in her tent, "Dany."
Then you must keep moving forward and keep fighting for her," Jorah tells him, "For everyone here. She has to be their strength just you need to be hers."
Areon kept thinking about Jorah's words until he saw a horse riding up to them with a rider. After looking at the rider for a few minutes, Areon realizes it was Rakharo and immediately went to her to gently shake her awake as her eyes began to open, seeing what he was seeing.
Areon, Dany, Jorah, Irri, and Doreah got up from the ground to Rakharo as she asked, "Did you find anything? And towns or cities?"
"There is one," Rakharo said, still on his horse, "Pale as the moon, but it's in ruins."
"But is there anything there for shelter," Areon asked, hopefully, if it meant they could get out of the desert.
"Yes," Rakharo said, "Some fruit trees and grass were tall enough for the horses. A ruined city, but still a city."
"Then we go there now," Areon said, "The sooner we get out of the heat, the better."
Dany and Jorah agreed as they told everyone in the camp to get their belongings ready to travel to this city Rakharo found. They hope there isn't any danger there.
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Cassana was in her chambers with her ladies-in-waiting as they sat at the windowsill as they always do. However, as they were talking, she could only look out the window, thinking about recent events. The most horrifying one was the death of children by the crown's order. More specifically, the late King Robert's bastard children. The whole city was talking about it as it didn't happen discreetly, but out in the open. Cass heard some servants saying that some of them were babies and children who were either cut down by the sword or drowned at Blackwater Bay. What was most unnerving was that people said it was either Cersei's order or Joffrey's. The question she was thinking the most about was why. Why did this happen? Who would be so heartless as to kill children?
"Cass," Lenora's voice said, pulling the princess out of her thoughts. She turns to see her friends giving her worried looks. "Are you alright?"
"Um," Cass mutters as she does not know what to say, "Honestly, I don't know."
"Is it because of what happened," Lenora asks.
Cass fidgets her hands a bit before getting up from the windowsill to walk to a nearby table with a wine jug and some cups. "What? That almost all of my father's bastards were just slaughtered? Why wouldn't it?"
"I'm sorry, Cass," Lenora said, "I can't imagine what you think right now?"
"I heard some of them were children," Ema recalled from the stories circulating the royal court.
"Some of them were my age," Jocelyn said, a bit shaken by the news as she was only fourteen of the group.
Seeing Jocelyn's distress, Ceryse wraps her arms around the girl to try to soothe her, "Well, it's only the bastards in the city. I'm sure there're some around the realm."
"Doesn't make it any better," Cass said as she gulped down her cup of wine, "I just don't understand the point of it all."
"Well, I have no doubt it was about the rumors about Joffrey's parentage," Lenora said.
Jocelyn then asks, "So, are they true?"
"No, of course not," Lenora shoots down, "Just rumors getting out of control."
However, this did bring up old thoughts Cass had about those rumors. She asks her mother, who denies it and decides to believe her. Although she couldn't shake those thoughts after what happened in the city.
"Then why did he make this happen," Jocelyn asks.
Lenora tries to come up with an answer, "Because sometimes bastards cannot be trusted. I'm sure you all know about the Blackfyre Rebellions. Aegon IV legitimized all his bastards on his deathbed and most of them launched a full-scale rebellion against his trueborn son, Daeron II. And there were four more generations later."
"Yes, but they were all grown adults when the first rebellion happened," Ceryse corrected, "Almost all of the bastards today were either babies or children younger than eighteen."
"It doesn't matter," Lenora said honestly, "Sometimes lords and kings believe that they should make that kind of sacrifice."
After hearing those words, Cass gives a confused look, "You sound like you approve."
Lenora looks back to Cass, "I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that things in politics can get ugly, and bloodshed will happen."
"Innocent bloodshed," Cass corrects, "Mostly because of the actions of others."
"That's just the way of the world, Cass," Lenora tries to say, "Sometimes lords believe these kinds of acts are necessary."
Cass then said, "Oh. Like your father razing villages in the Riverlands right now?" Once that made that comment, all the girls went silent as Lenora gives a slight surprised look on her face as Cass continued, "Or maybe when he killed Elia Martell and her children?"
After some more silence passed, Lenora said softly, "That's not fair."
"I'm sure that's what all the mothers are thinking right now when their sons were killed because of who their father was," Cass then said, causing more tension between the two girls while Ceryse, Ema, and Jocelyn looked back and forth, not knowing what to do.
Not wanting to cause more drama, Lenora gets up from the windowsill and leaves the room while slamming the door close as Cass goes back to drinking her wine.
Ceryse, sitting on the floor with Jocelyn, gets up and ask, "What was that about?"
Cass gives Ceryse a skeptical look, "You can't agree with what she said, can you?"
"She was just telling us why what happened, happened," Ceryse reasons, "And then you go off about her father. You know how she feels about that."
"It was a bit harsh, Cass," Ema spoke up.
Cass looks to Ceryse and Ema with disbelief, then looks to Jocelyn who simply puts her head down, showing that she wasn't going to say anything. Scoffing and shaking her head, Cass puts down her cup, but took the jug of wine and leaves the room with her friends still in awkward silence.
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Lenora walks through the halls, furious at what Cass said. Making it seem like she was uncaring of the Robert's bastards being killed. In truth, she was horrified by what happened, but she wasn't surprised that Cersei ordered it considering how vindictive she is. Who else would do it? But what hurts most is how Cass brought up the actions of her father. Tywin was a ruthless man, no one can deny that, and Lenora hates that about him. She always hated the stories about how her father ordered the deaths of Elia Martell and her children and the sacking of King's Landing where the Lannister armies attacked the innocent people of the city.
And now he's doing it again at the Riverlands, which makes her sick. She hates the idea of bloodshed and killing innocents, but it was her family's name at stake, she just wishes it would be played out differently. Her brother, Gerold, may think the same, but he's too busy trying to live up their father's expectations to say what he feels. She always goes to her mother for her opinion on it, but Lady Sanya always excused Tywin of doing what was best for the family. Although, despite all of Tywin's speeches of doing what is best for the family and legacy, Lenora feels it's more about his own legacy than anything else.
And then there were the rumors about Cersei and Jaime. She never listened to that disgusting gossip as there is no possible way they would ever do that. Brothers lying with sisters is a forbidden act that is punishable by death. Only the Targaryens were allowed to do such practice since they were always closer to gods than men. She was only a babe when Cersei left to marry Robert and live at the capital as queen, and Jaime was a member of the Kingsguard since before she was born, so she has no memories of her time at Casterly Rock with them. However, when she first came to the capital to be Cass's lady in waiting, she saw that the twins were hardly together unless it was tourneys, or feast events. So, when she heard the news from Stannis, that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are Jaime's and Cersei's, she couldn't believe it. They would never do such a thing, especially if their father found out if it were true.
Wishing to have someone to talk to, Lenora goes up the stairs of the Tower of the Hand to speak with Tyrion about it, however, as she gets up to the door of the bedchambers and opens it, she sees a strange woman with olive skin, brown eyes, and hair, sitting by the window, with her eyes widen by the surprise visitor.
Lenora stood where she was in confusion as she never saw this woman before. Although she admits, she never paid attention to servants as this woman was in the dress that handmaids wear.
"Who are you," Lenora asks.
"Um," the woman stutters as she stood up straight, "My name is…Shae…my lady."
"Shae," Lenora repeats, "I've never seen you in the Red Keep before. Are you a servant?"
Shae stays silent as Lenora heard footsteps rushing up. She turns to see it was Tyrion with wide eyes as if she caught a child doing something he wasn't supposed to do. After a few minutes of explaining, Tyrion took Lenora to his solar while Shae stayed in his bedchambers as they talk about what she just found out.
"Tyrion are you insane. You need to get her out of here," Lenora urges him.
"I don't see the harm in it," Tyrion shrugs his shoulders.
"Don't see the harm in it," Lenora repeats, "Father sent you here to act as Hand in his stead, not to bring whores in the bed."
"Oh, sister, please," Tyrion exclaims.
"So she's not a whore," Lenora questions with her arms crossed.
Tyrion stayed silent with his eyes darted away to avoid her gaze.
"So, she is," Lenora deduced while rubbing her head.
"She wanted to come," Tyrion said, "And I enjoy her company."
"You enjoy every woman's company," Lenora argues, "You practically slept your way up and down the Street of Silk. Why is she even here anyways?"
"As I said, I enjoy her company," Tyrion said more firmly this time.
"Enjoy her company," Lenora scoffs, "I don't see why you can't enjoy her company in the city like the rest of them. As long as she's getting paid, who cares where she's at."
"I'm not paying her," Tyrion exclaimed a bit harshly.
"What are you talking about, not paying her," Lenora said, "If you're not paying her than what are you…." She stops herself as she sees a certain look in his eyes as they were speaking. In a couple seconds, it finally dawned on her, "Oh, you…. Are you….in love with her? She is a whore Tyrion. Could you possibly pick someone who is the least available?"
"You could say the same thing to King Robert," Tyrion japed, "Oh, wait. He's dead."
"Tyrion," Lenora sighs with frustration, not in the mood for his jokes and sarcasm, "Does anyone know she's here?"
Tyrion then went silent again, rolling his eyes as he goes to his desk where his jug of wine and cups where at.
"Tyrion does anyone know she's here," Lenora repeats again with more force in her voice while following him.
Pouring his cup of wine and drinking it, Tyrion mutters, "Varys knows."
Lenora's eyes widened with shock. "Varys! Out of all people, Varys?"
"I didn't know until after I saw him in the room speaking with her," Tyrion said.
"He spoke to her," Lenora repeated before burying her hands with frustration as she sat on the chair in front of the desk.
"After taking care of some matters, I came to the room and found them speaking together, and there was nothing else I could do," Tyrion explained.
Lenora then looks at her brother, "Well, that woman, who you never should've brought, is staying here no longer."
"I disagree," Tyrion remarked.
Lenora looks at him with disbelief, "Tyrion."
"I will be careful," Tyrion assures her.
"You're already not careful," Lenora exclaims, "Varys knows, and he knows everything. It's only a matter of time before he tells Cersei."
"I don't think so," Tyrion counters, "If that were true, he would have done it by now. But he didn't."
"So," Lenora questions, "He's probably going to use it for his purposes. Maybe even blackmail you."
"Lenora," Tyrion groans, having enough of this argument.
"No, I'm serious, Tyrion," Lenora gets up from the chair, "What happens if Cersei knows, or god forbid Joffrey? Considering they just ordered the deaths of the bastards of Robert Baratheon, who were children, and the execution of Ned Stark, it's clear they have no qualms of bloodshed."
"Lenora," Tyrion exclaims, wanting her to stop.
"I'm just telling you the truth," Lenora continues, "Or gods forbid father does it himself. I mean, have you thought this whole thing through."
"I need her," Tyrion exclaimed, causing the both of them to be stunned.
When hearing those words, Lenora saw the longing in his eyes. He honestly does care for Shae. Considering what had happened the last time he had fallen in love with that Tysha girl, she had never thought that would happen. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to get hurt again because of…what you told me…about Tysha."
"I know," Tyrion drinks a large gulp of his wine after hearing that name, "I will handle the matter. You won't have to do anything. Just don't say a word."
Lenora gave it some thought. If Cersei or, worse, their father finds out about this…. she doesn't want to think about what would happen. But there was something she thought of, "What about Varys?"
"I'll handle it," Tyrion assures her.
Seeing how much he wanted this to end, Lenora decided to drop it. "Anyways, I came here to discuss what the City Watch did."
"Yes, I'm aware of that," Tyrion tells her, "I have dinner plans with Janos Slynt about that."
"Dinner plans," Lenora gave a confused look at what her brother meant, but judging from a slight smirk he gave her, he gave her the answer, "You're going to dismiss him?"
"I already have someone to take his place," Tyrion tells her.
"You do," Lenora asks, "Who?"
"Bronn," Tyrion said, "The sellsword who came with me. You saw him when we first arrived."
Lenora thought momentarily about the man she saw at Joffrey's name day celebration. She then remembered a tall man with a beard, "Him? Why? Why not one of the other officers?"
"I don't trust any of them," Tyrion answers, "For all we know, they could be spies reporting to Cersei at this moment."
"Or maybe they're not, and you spurn their pride by making some unknown person their new commander," Lenora advised, "Does he even have any commanding experience?"
"He's a skilled warrior with a sharp wit," Tyrion tells her, "Quite entertaining to be around. More so than others."
"But those are not the only qualities for someone in that position. I mean, is he a knight, is he of low birth? The big part of it is that no one knows who he is. I don't see anyone in the City Watch following him as their leader," Lenora tries to persuade him, "Besides, if you're going to be Hand, don't you think you should start making more allies with people in the court."
"Is that so," Tyrion thought. He thinks Bronn would be a good city watch commander, but he can see Lenora has a point. So, he decides to pick her brain a little, "Then who do you think would be the right man for the job."
Lenora then gives it some thought. She doesn't know much about the other city watch officers, so she decides to say, "Maybe choose one of the captains of the city's seven gates. They would be perfect candidates for the job. As for Bronn, maybe you can make him captain of the guard."
"Captain of the guard," Tyrion repeats.
Lenora nods, "Yes. The royal guard of the Red Keep. That way, you would have an ally in the City Watch and another one close to you. He could even keep information for you around the Red Keep with his guards always around every corner."
Tyrion then puts more thought into it, and he can't deny that it does make good sense. Perhaps he should listen to Lenora more than he is now. Giving her a smirk, he jokes, "It seems you have a talent with playing the game after all."
Lenora then gives a small chuckle as she believes she didn't really do anything, but gave him some advice.
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