King's Landing – CrownLands – 39 days since Visenya Left
King Aerys II sat on the Iron Throne, one cheek pressed against the knuckles of his hand in boredom. By the base of the stairs, a nobleman from a house he did not truly care to remember was talking to him.
In two rows at the sides, many noblemen and women were present to witness their mighty King offering justice and comfort while listening to his subjects. By the base of the steps to the right, Queen Rhaella sat on a chair with both hands on her blown-up stomach.
Suddenly, a Royal Guard opened one of the double doors of the Throne Room; earning everyone's attention as he rushed towards the Iron Throne. "The Hand of the King, Lord Tywin Lannister and the Targaryen Princess Visenya II have returned with prisoners" he announced, slightly out of breath as he looked up at the King.
Aerys did not seem to be in the mood to see them, especially the cheap trick Visenya pulled on him. Okay, it might not be a trick for he did not remember it but he knew she had a part in this; rushing with his army to protect Tywin and help him.
Yet, as everyone's eyes turned on him, he knew he had to act the part. "Bring them in, then" he ordered the soldier, who rushed towards the half-open doors.
Not a minute later both doors were forced open as Lannister and Targaryen Men started to walk inside the room, quickly spreading to the left and right respectively forming lines. In the middle of the path they formed, the prideful partners walked towards the Iron Throne; dressed in their armour.
Gasps were heard from multiple people in the room as the two victors walked side by side, behind them around 10 men were bound in chains and held by the soldiers. Once at the right distance, Tywin and Visenya came to a halt.
The Lannister soldiers all were right behind Tywin at the left side of the room while the Targaryen ones were behind Visenya respectively, the prisoners held in the middle of the two rows.
"Your Grace," they said at the same time and gave a bow of their own.
The one Tywin did was shallow, not truly deep and a reflection that he did not truly fear nor respect the man sitting on the Iron Throne. Visenya did a more formal one since she had worked behind his back.
"I see you two have returned Victorious" Aerys said, trying to hide how much he despised the fact that everyone's attention was on them instead of him.
Visenya slowly lifted her body and looked at him. "Of course, your Grace. The rebels have been defeated, the minor houses that assisted have been dealt with accordingly and the traitors of the crown have been brought in front of you to face justice" she continued, her honey-coated words working like magic to ease his temper. "Thanks to your orders and your battle plan, your Grace, this victory became possible as the enemy paid with Fire and Blood"
Murmurs started between the nobles, many talking and even praising the powerful King for thinking of the plan which was used to bring Victory. Some did not truly believe it but the praising was all the same in Aerys' eyes.
Somehow, his temper started to subside as all the glory and attention were given to him. People were not fools and neither were the soldiers, for they knew who truly the one behind that Victory was.
Word would spread rather quickly, and the ones awake enough would see that the King did not truly hold any power nor he was the genius man he tried to make others think. It was only because of that harsh truth, that Tywin let Visenya speak and did not allow his pride to get the best of him.
In the end, Visenya was not in any trouble for her dirty plan and instead, a banquet was thrown for the Victory of the King over the Silver Lions. The traitors that had been brought back would be executed by fire the following morning but for the night being, people celebrated.
Visenya had stayed by her sister's side, talking with her and then discussing with Rhaegar as well. The boy was almost 17 name days old but he did not thirst for battle. Instead, he liked writing songs, and poems and charming the ladies with his beauty and talent.
Yet, he was always happy to hear of the adventures of his aunt and the brilliant plans she would come up with. It inspired him, promising her to write songs about her adventures as the true heroine of the story.
Knowing he was too stubborn sometimes, Visenya had allowed him to do that while she excused herself and retreated from the festivities. She walked down the halls of the Red Keep, the number of people roaming them becoming more and more scarce as she kept heading for the Royal Wing.
Her pace slowed down upon reaching the closed door of the Royal Library. She wanted to pass by it but an odd feeling inside of her pushed her to open the door. Once her gaze fell into the room, she took notice of Tywin sitting on one of the chairs with a book in hand.
"Lord Hand" she greeted him with formalities as she entered the room, her eyes quickly taking notice of a board of Cyvasse on the table in front of him.
" Princess" he greeted after he closed his book and stood up, hands behind his back. "Took you longer than I expected you to come"
This made her lift an eyebrow as she walked slowly towards him. "You expected me to come here? Have I become that predictable, my Lord?" she questioned as she stood at the other side of the table.
Tywin smirked faintly. "Not at all, Princess. I simply have started to figure out where you prefer being during social gatherings and celebrations" he said and motioned with a hand for her to take a seat.
Understanding what he wanted, Visenya decided to amuse him and obey. Once she sat on the chair, she started to arrange her side of the board while he studied her. Not long after the game between them had started, like it always did.
However, while usually their games would be played in silence; a mood for discussion had been created.
"Pray my Lord, did you invite me for a game to test my skills after witnessing them on the battlefield?" she asked him, taking his pawn and allowing him to make the next move.
Tywin remained silent for a moment, his green eyes glancing at her momentarily before he focused back on the board; deep in thought of his next move. "I have been testing your skills for years now, Princess. However, I do wish to make it even after the defeat of the Bastard" he confessed and moved the next piece, cornering her.
"Then I allow me to assure you, it will not be an easy task" she mused as she used her dragon to destroy one of his pieces.
The game was halfway on, both sides were equally strong and determined to win. Small talk had been starting up between them here and there but nothing that lasted too long, both too focused on the game.
"That Greenfire of yours, where did you find it?" Tywin eventually asked, voicing out that single question he had been holding for almost a month.
Something tinkled in her eyes, the corner of her lips turning upwards faintly as her eyes moved from the board at him; suddenly finding him far more interesting. "Tell you what, Lord Hand. If you do win this game of Cyvasse, I will let you know"
Her bet made him look up at her, locking their gazes once again. His eyes momentarily went to her exposed neck, noticing how it faintly moved with each shallow or slightly open neckline of her black dress.
Controlling his mind and his focus, he let his green eyes return to her face and to what she had just said. "What happens if you win?" he asked, logically wishing to see what was at stake for him.
Visenya hummed for a moment, thinking as she leaned on her open palm. "I will think of something. Rest assured it will not be something big or disrespectful"
Usually, Tywin would not agree to such bets and deals because he did not know all the details of it. However, two things played a role in that particular bet that made it an exception to everything else of a similar nature.
One, this was Visenya and she not only kept her word but had no interest in taking something of importance from him. Knowing her, she might ask for more secretive information or perhaps some assistance with another plan of hers but nothing too drastic.
Two, Tywin did wish to find out more about the mysterious green fire of hers. Never had he or anyone else witnessed something like that, and no records existed of it either. Like hand-made dragon fire, it was one of a kind and the only person, who truly seemed to know more than anyone else was her.
"Very well" he finally said as he waited for her move. "I accept your bet, Princess"
This might be perhaps one of their strongest games, where both played at their best. More than once Visenya managed to almost claim victory but Tywin somehow, managed to save it and turn the tables to favour him.
At last, the end of the game arrived.
"I win, Princess," Tywin said as he pushed down her king, satisfaction visible in his green eyes and written all over his face.
Amused, Visenya closed her eyes for a moment and nodded her head a few times. "Indeed and a bet is a bet, Lord Hand," she said as she stood up and he copied.
She started to lead him towards the deeper parts of the library, increasing his confusion but also his curiosity. He watched silently as she pulled a book, then a second one and last she pressed two rocks from the many that existed on the nearest wall.
As she pressed the second rock, some sort of corridor seemed to be visible and with little more struggle and brute force; a part of the hall was pushed to the side. Tywin spotted the dark corridor and moved silently but quickly, grabbing two torches.
She took the second torch and started to walk into the secret path, Tywin slowly following her as the secret door closed behind him. The path led to descending stairs, the passage narrow and the smell of closure was quite distinguishable to him.
Yet he remained silent and let her lead, seemingly knowing where to turn and which path to choose. As if sensing his surprise but also his stare at the back of her head, Visenya spoke up. "There are many secret passages all over the Red Keep. Some lead outside, others to different rooms" she explained, a ghost smirk on her rosy lips as she glanced at him above her shoulder.
Not long after, they reached a small wooden door. Visenya knocked thrice, then two times and then three more before the door was opened for her from the inside. She walked first, bending her head slightly to dodge the low door arch and Tywin copied.
Once inside the room, the Lion of Casterly Rock watched around with a lifted eyebrow; masking his surprise while his intelligent eyes took every detail of what was happening.
They were in a bigger room, somewhere underground. Wooden tables had been placed left and right, dozens of selves with all kinds of spices, plants, mysterious powders and odd-coloured liquids. Glass vials were held above candle flames and some other odd instruments that Tywin did not recognise.
A few men walked around, dressed in long black robes similar to those of a Maester but wore no chain and no insignia.
"Where are we, Princess?" Tywin asked, standing next to the Targaryen woman.
"Beneath Visenya's Hill, at the chambers of the Alchemist Guilt. This is one of their more private working rooms and this passage allows me to come without attracting attention" she confessed as she hung the torch to one of the empty rings by the stone walls.
Tywin did the same, not failing to notice the many sacks of sand all around them.
The people bowed upon seeing him but continued working until one of them started to walk towards them. His hands were bony, close to those of a skeleton while his face had a broken unhealed nose and a quite repulsive appearance.
"Princess, welcome!" he greeted, smiling with his yellow teeth. His eyes quickly went to Tywin, recognising him due to his position as Hand of the King but not as a common visitor.
Visenya, seeing where his eyes were locked, cleared her throat. "He is with me. Lord Hand, this is Wisdom Rossart, Grand Master of the Alchemists. You can speak freely, Wisdom "
There was a small hesitation in his voice but nodded nonetheless. "I heard of the battle, the substance did good as I promised" he continued, his fingers placed against one another; his grin making Tywin uneasy.
"It did, although it almost blew up on us during the travels. Since we know it works, it is time to improve it. I want it capable of being handled and carried with less risks and the explosion of it was not granted" she instructed as they started to walk side by side, Tywin following closely as he listened. "Its explosion was quite small; I believe you can change that"
His grin seemed to grow upon hearing of the latest orders, his fingers twitching with the burning need to experiment some more and try new spells to please his patron.
"Of course, Princess. We will get on it and we will message you once the latest substance has been created" he said and gave a small fake bow before he left, leaving the two partners alone.