Chapter 3-Increased Influence
Sub-Zero was always a patient man. Even as a boy being trained as a member of the Lin Kuei, he knew the value of patience. Both when learning from his instructors and when teaching his own recruits back in Earthrealm. And naturally, his patience was rewarded with some of his more wild recruits actually showing promise and potential.
Sadly, even the most patient man has limits. And right now, Robert Baratheon was trying his right now.
"Piss on this training! There is no way this shit is possible!" exclaimed Robert after he fell off the tightrope into the thick pile of hay below to cushion his fall.
And throwing a tantrum in the process.
"It is possible young Robert. Your problem is the lack of focus," said Sub-Zero while he along with the rest of the student before him were watching.
Jamie Lannister and Edmure Tully trying to hide their smirks.
"I am focused! I have been focused since the fucking first day we all arrived here to this shitty building!" Robert shouted back with his temper commanding his mouth.
"If you were focused, you wouldn't have fallen into the hay. Your foot work is not correct and as a result your balance on the tightrope is uneven. It is no wonder you can barely go three to five steps before falling," said Sub-Zero while Robert growled angrily.
"And you can do better? Mr. Teacher of the fucking impossible!" challenged Robert with Sub-Zero nodding.
"When I was your age? I had could walk the tightrope with ease. You are fortunate the tightrope is low to the ground and there is hay to cover your fall. My instructors made sure the rope was higher off the ground and the hay was replaced with shallow water. Cold shallow water. And they didn't care if you were soaked, cold, or got sick as a result of not changing your clothes. You had to do the tightrope until getting from beginning to the end. None of you were trained at birth to do what it is I can do and as such, you are not being given the same level of difficulty I was given. I do not need your Houses being my enemies because of a training accident," said Sub-Zero before he made his way to the tightrope and casually walked it as easily as he walking on solid ground with his hands behind his back.
"Impressive," remarked Rheagar while watching Sub-Zero's footwork intently and not seeing an ounce of hesitation.
"It is all about balance. Knowing how to walk when the ground around you is thin as a layer of string. While you may never have to face that prospect, it doesn't hurt to make sure your footwork doesn't suffer for it. The balance is key to your footwork when you swing a sword, a spear, or...even a war hammer," said Sub-Zero while Ser Barristan gave a nod since he was watching too.
"Master Liang is right. Any man can wield a sword or a spear or a war hammer. But if they lack proper footwork, they are clumsy, and will miss their target almost every single time," added Ser Barristan while the Heirs around him nodded in understanding.
"Footwork? Piss on that! With my war hammer, I could hit three, maybe four men at once in a single swing. All the shits would have to do is charge toward me," said Robert with Ned mentally sighing at his sworn brother's words.
"And what if one of them is skilled enough to see the swing coming, ducks low in a roll to avoid the hit? What if he gets inside your defense and pierces your chest armor or your skull? Skill and power make a deadly combination. Power without skill will only work so well half the time. The same can be said regarding skill without power. You must have the balance of both if you are to become a great warrior or fighter," said Sub-Zero before he finished the tightrope and jumped down.
"I still say you are full of shit," said Robert while Sub-Zero mentally sighed at the boy's brash and stubborn behavior.
And he thought Johnny Cage was full of himself.
"And yet I am the one who can walk the tightrope without falling," said Sub-Zero with Robert's glare increasing slightly.
"Fuck your tightrope! I bet you wouldn't be able to best me if I was full grown with my war hammer!" exclaimed Robert with Ned sending a warning glance to his friend, which was ignored.
"Really? You think your skills are superior to mine? A boy who has not seen combat and with training, which up until you came here, had the finesse of a drunken butcher?" asked Sub-Zero, as he saw Robert get increasingly angry.
"I don't need my war hammer to best you! I can take any sword here and use it to cut open your belly to spill your shit filled guts out onto the ground," said Robert with Sub-Zero not looking impressed.
"Really? Any sword you say? Let us put this to the test. Ser Barristan, if you would be so kind and give young Robert your sword?" asked Sub-Zero with everyone looking at him in shock.
"Master Liang?" questioned Ser Barristan with Sub-Zero never taking his eyes off a now cautious and curious Robert.
"Your sword is some of the finest quality here when compared to the dull training swords provided to us. I don't want young Robert to think he lost due to the quality of his blade being low in standards," said Sub-Zero while Ser Barristan looking hesitant for a second, but a nod from the Prince assured him it was okay.
"I expect this back and in one piece," remarked Ser Barristan while handing his weapon to Robert.
"You'll get it back, but it will stained in his fucking blood," replied Robert with Sub-Zero watching him calmly.
"Ready when you are young Lord," commented Sub-Zero while his hands were behind his back calmly.
And without hesitation, Robert charged at him the Grandmaster. Swinging this way and that. Using his strength and speed to make up for his lack of skill. If anything, the sword was light in his hands. Robert was always bulky in terms of muscle when growing up and tried to stay active in terms of fighting, hunting, and had started to notice sexual presence of girls that made his loins stir.
And for the last couple of weeks, Robert had been reduced to sitting in a room with other Heirs from other parts of the Seven Kingdoms. Learning how to do this and that on how to be a smart Lord ruling over his territory. Piss on that! He was a fighter! A young boy who would one day be a man and fighting other men in battle! Not this shit where they learn before fighting. Bah! His brother and Ned may want to learn those things, but not Robert.
As for Sub-Zero, he was calm during this whole exchange. Dodging his opponent with ease. Each move, each swing, was telegraphed easily enough to know where the sword was being swung before Robert even tried. At one point, Robert swung high to take off Sub-Zero's head, only for the Grandmaster to perform a leg sweep, which sent Robert onto his ass with a loud "thud!" sound.
"Still think you can stain Ser Barristan's sword with my blood?" asked Sub-Zero with Robert snarling and getting up to try again.
"Hold still!" demanded Robert while he tried to swing at Sub-Zero again, but found his opponent kept dodging.
"You have speed and power young Robert. There is no denying that. But without skill, finesse, and proper footwork, you might as well be telling me how you are going to strike before you strike," commented Sub-Zero before dodging another sword swing, grabbing Robert's wrist, and tossing the young Lord several feet with ease.
"Fuck you!" exclaimed Robert before he threw the sword down and stomped off.
"Forgive him Master Liang. Robert is a stubborn man as I'm sure you already know. I will go talk to him," said Ned before he ran off to help his friend curb his temper.
"He's quick to anger that one," said Ser Barristan after Jamie picked up the sword and gave it to him.
"It will be the young Baratheon's undoing one day if he is not careful," commented Sub-Zero before focusing on his remaining students.
"Give him time. He is young," commented Ser Barristan knowing young boys can be rowdy in their youth, but calm down as time tempers them.
"Time may only make him worse," added Sub-Zero with Ser Barristan grimacing since that was also true as well.
Both men just hoped Robert didn't get worse as time went on.
(Several Months Later-The Strategy Room)
If there was one thing Sub-Zero always loved to do, it was get some mental insight into the minds of his students. To know how they think. What they are thinking. And how they will act upon their line of thinking. He found the best way to gain such insight was through games and how his students acted in competitions.
And there was no better strategy game to do that when it came to the mind then Go. An abstract strategy game to be sure, but one that was effective, involves cunning, and was a means to explore one's mind in the ways of war before war even begins.
So far, the only students who really showed promise in the ways of strategy using this game were Prince Rheagar, Brandon Stark, and Stannis Baratheon. Prince Rheagar had clearly shown he planned his decision before making a move. Stannis showed the same way of thinking. Brandon took a little longer to understand the game since he was use to thinking and planning with an illustrative table showing all of Seven Kingdoms.
Naturally, Sub-Zero experimented with this concept as well. He saw how the others show they had a mind for strategy when using this concept, but the Lin Kuei had them use the concept of Go. He even mixed things around by providing random realistic moments in time where weather or lack of supplies would stall an army's advancement. He would pit the students against each other or against himself. Sure enough, each student showed a slow understanding for strategy with the exception of Jamie and Robert.
For Robert, he liked the idea of charging his forces right up against anything that stood in his way. The boy also showed signs of being a violent sore loser. Throwing the table over and storming out after losing five times in a row to different people.
Jamie said he would simply have a messenger walk into the enemy camp and sing the Rains of Castamere to remind the people opposing him of his Father. The fear that came with the song would get them to either bend the knee or turn on each other to appease him. Sub-Zero reminded Jamie that his Father would not be alive forever and it was his duty as the man's son to live past the man's shadow.
Not easy to do, but Sub-Zero didn't want the boy to constantly rely on his Father to get him out of any situation.
Sadly, Jamie's arrogance on the issue didn't seem to quell over this warning. Granted, the boy was young, thinking his Father was untouchable. Invincible even. But given time, the Grandmaster knew Jamie would think otherwise.
Though when that happened would be another story all together.
As time went by, it was clear his students were going to be a handful growing up.
"How are things between you and your brother?" asked Sub-Zero to Stannis while they played a game of Go.
"He is angry. As usual. My brother enjoys the physical application of fighting. I honestly don't know what to do Grandmaster. I try to bond with him as my brother, but he keeps his distance from me. Young Eddard Stark is more of a brother to him," said Stannis with a sense of bitterness in his voice.
"I see. And young Lord Stark? Have you talked with him about this?" asked Sub-Zero with Stannis making a noise.
"No. I thought if I did, it would make things more complicated. You know how close those two are Grandmaster. They are sworn brothers acting more like they were brothers by blood. And Robert is expected to one day marry Ned's sister when both come of age, which means they one day will be bound by it," said Stannis with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Young Stark is an honorable man Stannis. You know that. While he is loyal to Robert without question, I doubt the young Lord wants both Baratheon brothers to not be close to one another like they should. Talk to Ned Stark and share your concerns. Sometimes sharing the weight helps lighten the burden. Especially if you go to the right person to ask for help," said Sub-Zero with Stannis nodding before he frowned and relooked at the Go board.
"I lost. Again," grumbled Stannis with Sub-Zero smirking.
"And you will lose many more in the future young Stannis. But for every defeat, you learn more about yourself. You will learn more about your opponent. And in time, you will be learn how to beat me at this game," replied Sub-Zero with Stannis scowling less, but still a tad frustrated.
Still, Stannis knew he was growing stronger. Both mentally and physically. Sub-Zero's combat training regiment. Eating properly. The various strategy games and other mental exercises to make the mind think outside of just blindly swinging a sword. Stannis could honestly say he was in the best shape of his young life ever since coming here. Hell, the young Baratheon could honestly say he liked it here and there were few things in the Seven Kingdoms worth liking. Sadly, his place was in the Stormlands, and Stannis knew being here was only temporary.
But what he learned would always stay with him forever.
(Several Years Later)
Tywin Lannister marched through the Lin Kuei Compound with a purpose after getting off his horse while a servant held onto it the moment he dismounted. At the moment, Lord Tywin Lannister was furious. Angry. Filled with a rage he had not felt since two Houses rebelled against his own. Or maybe it was the simple fact the King refused the arranged marriage proposal between his daughter Cersei and Prince Rheagar.
And only one man who could possibly provide him assistance in fixing the wrong done to him, his legacy, and House Lannister was here. But first, Tywin needed answers to a few questions he had for the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.
After entering the training grounds of the compound, Tywin stopped to see Sub-Zero was sparring with none other than Ser Arthur Dayne himself. A loyal knight of the Targaryens and of Dornish blood. The Sword of Morning was considered by many one of the greatest swordsman in the world. Many considered Ser Arthur Dayne to be tied in terms of skill with Ser Barristan himself in the ways of fighting and many wished to see them fight, but the King had forbidden it. He would not have the two most skilled warriors in practically all the Seven Kingdoms, who were charged with defending him, and his son possibly be killed by the other in single combat.
"We have a guest and from the sound of him walking, it is important. We must postpone our spar, at least for now," said Sub-Zero after raising a hand for his opponent to stop.
"A pity. Our fight was truly interesting. I learned a lot already from this one alone. I shall inform Prince Doran of this and what you taught me immediately. I believe he will wish to speak to you soon. Thank you for your time Grandmaster," said Ser Arthur before he bowed toward his teacher and left without a word.
"I need to speak with you. In private," said Tywin firmly with his voice stating refusal was not an option.
In the last several years, the Lin Kuei slowly grew in size. From simple servants who were attending the compound to actual members. Young orphans were key prospects for recruitment into the clan. Sub-Zero and his older brother had been recruited back when they were children, never really knowing their parents since the memory of them was so faded. Many of these orphans he took in were bastards or parents who lost their family to one thing Westeros had to offer. Bandits, violent hill tribe members, starvation, and any other thing related to death with orphans being produced as a result.
Hence why several groups of orphans from all over Westeros were sent to him. From the North at Winterfell to South at Dorne. From the Vale in the East to the bastards born from High Lords in the West. Those chosen to be prospective members of the clan were sent to him after reading over the description of each one. Many of these children came from nothing and were hoping beyond hope, praying desperately that someone would adopt them into their House.
Sub-Zero had been an answer to their prayers.
Not only that, but in the years since he taught the young Heirs like Edmure Tully, Ned Stark, Brandon Stark, Stannis, Prince Rheagar, and Jamie Lannister the other Houses had sent their children too. The stories his "class" of students had provided their Fathers and Foster Fathers spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The training they all went through both mental and physical was now stuff of legend. Of course, not all the potentials from the various Heirs of Lords made the cut. Some didn't even make it past the first week to get up with the Sun rising. Some had laughed at the concept. Scoffed even. Some had said their Father wouldn't let them be kicked out for something like getting up early and threatened to have their Fathers call the House bannermen to march on the compound.
Sub-Zero ignored them for the duration of the week to see if they were capable of the task before throwing each Heir that failed out. Naturally, the Lords of these Houses had come to him with a small, but still impressive group of bannermen to intimidate the ice using Grandmaster.
Sub-Zero soon showed each Lord and their bannermen why he was the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei by decimating each one with just his hand to hand combat skills alone. In fact, several of those men wouldn't be walking right or using their arms for quite some time.
"Has something happened to Jamie?" asked Sub-Zero since that could be the only reason Tywin would be here to see him outside of his business with the King.
"My son has joined the Kingsguard. Against my wishes," said Tywin before sitting down in a chair after arriving in the Grandmaster's office.
"I see. And you feel this is somehow related to me," assumed Sub-Zero while Tywin nodded before he saw the Grandmaster making some herbal tea concoction and poured two small cups with one going to the Lord of House Lannister.
"My son got it in his head to forsake his claim to his inheritance, his position, and any chance of having children by swearing an Oath to join the Kingsguard. In short, my son had figuratively castrated himself in the process. All my time invested in him has been wasted. Lost. Before I take this conversation further, I want to know if you had a hand in his line of thinking?" said Tywin before sipped the tea in front of him since the cup was small and gulping it down was considered rude in the Grandmaster's eyes.
That and it actually was good herbal tea. Almost as good as some of the more expensive wines he had tasted in the past. Still, it was slowly calming his nerves to the point where his mind was slightly clearer.
"No. I did not encourage him to join the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan did that all on his own after seeing Jamie's potential with a sword. He felt your son could one day use his skills to protect Prince Rheagar when ruling on the Iron Throne. However, your son did come to me for advice on whether he should join the Kingsguard after Ser Barristan talked to him," replied Sub-Zero while Tywin grimaced knowing Ser Barristan had that effect on people to convince them to join the Kingsguard.
"And what did you tell him?" asked Tywin curiously.
"That he should think about his decision before making it. To think about what it means to join the Kingsguard. What he was giving up. What you thought of it. I told him that while ultimately the decision was his to make and his alone...he had to think about it before saying yes or no. He had to think of the consequences of his actions before the action was made," said Sub-Zero while Tywin closed his eyes with a deeper scowl on his face.
"You didn't attempt to persuade him from joining," commented Tywin with Sub-Zero not looking the least bit intimidated.
"Your son is stubborn Lord Tywin. Not unlike you. Telling him no would only encourage him to say yes that much faster. I wanted him to make an informed decision so when the time came to make it, there were no regrets. I told him to think about everything before he decided to join the Kingsguard. Whatever decision was made by Jamie, it was made by him and him alone," said Sub-Zero while Tywin let out a long agonizing breath.
"My son is many things. Sadly, a fool is one of them," said Tywin since his son had just forfeited his future to inherit House Lannister.
"I understand you have another son. Tyrion is his name, correct?" asked Sub-Zero with Tywin scowling deeper.
"Yes. My deformed son. A dwarf no less," said Tywin angrily with spite in his voice.
"You are not happy with him," commented Sub-Zero with Tywin glaring at the man.
"My wife died bringing him into the world. He destroyed her womb through his birth and deformed body," said Tywin coldly while Sub-Zero shook his head.
"Your anger towards him is misplaced," remarked Sub-Zero while Tywin nearly made a fist and almost crushed the cup in his hands.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" asked Tywin coldly.
"Because normal children can kill their Mothers during the birth same just as deformed ones can. The only difference between those children and your son is that yours killed the woman you loved. Tell me, if it has been Jamie or Cersei who had done it, would you have been just as angry with them?" questioned Sub-Zero while Tywin now looked like was having an internal battle with himself.
"I honestly don't know. I loved my wife very much. She always had the power to make me smile and happy. And now because of my second son, she is no longer here among the living," said Tywin spitefully.
"Do not let how your wife died determine things with your son Lord Tywin. He may just surprise you in the future if given the chance," said Sub-Zero while Tywin didn't look the least bit convinced.
"Unlikely," said Tywin with Sub-Zero thinking for a moment.
"Send him to me when he old enough," said Sub-Zero suddenly out of the blue.
"What?" asked Tywin curiously.
"Send your son Tyrion to me when older. If you are so concerned about him being a form of deep shame to your House, I can gauge his value for myself. Besides, what he lacks physically, the boy could make up for it with his mind," offered Sub-Zero while Tywin thought it over in his mind very carefully.
"I see no problem with that. I only ask that you keep my son from doing anything stupid that would shame House Lannister. Jamie has already done so by joining the Kingsguard and forfeiting his titles. I don't want to know what Tyrion will do when he is old enough to do something foolish," replied Tywin with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Rest assured, I will keep you informed of your youngest son's actions while under my care when the time comes to send him to me," said Sub-Zero while watching Tywin rise from his chair and keep his serious, yet calm composure.
"While I do not expect much from Tyrion, I am hoping he won't be a disappointment for a son all the same," said Tywin before he left the room.
(Red Keep-Throne Room)
"You wanted to see me your Grace?" asked Sub-Zero after he bowed in respect the King in front of him sitting on the Iron Throne with member of the Court around him.
"Yes. I have been talking to my Master of Whispers. He has informed me that your ranks are swelling nicely and more Lords are sending their children to you," said King Aerys II with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Yes on both counts your Grace. Though some of the Heirs to some of the various Lords have not qualified and were removed from the compound soon after. Their Fathers and some of the bannermen from those Houses came to visit and convince me to change my mind. In the end, those who tried to force me into submission for the insult were beaten into submission," said Sub-Zero though he was sure the King already knew this.
"Yes. Yes. I have heard some interesting rumors about you my fellow dragon," said King Aerys II with Sub-Zero keeping a stoic face.
"Rumors your Grace? About what?" asked Sub-Zero curiously.
"Several things actually. One, my former Hand, Tywin Lannister, has spoken to you just recently. Second, a rumor has arisen about you having the power to summon ice. Some are even going so far as to call you a White Walker. Or some kind of mix so you could walk among us. Normally, I would not believe such rumors, but you did come here from the North with House Stark. So tell me my fellow dragon, are any of the rumors spoke true? Are you a White Walker? Or are you truly a dragon of ice?" asked King Aerys II with his madness filled eyes staring at him intently for an answer.
"In order of your questions asked your Grace, it is true that Tywin Lannister came to me at the Lin Kuei compound. We were talking about his son, Jamie Lannister. It had come to his attention that Ser Barristan had convinced young Jamie to join the Kingsguard and forsake his titles, inheritance, and having children. We talked at length about it and I told Lord Tywin that I had no influence on his son's decision. All I did was make sure Jamie made an informed decision and understood what he was planning to do once the decision was made. Nothing more," said Sub-Zero while he saw the King nod since he had one such conversation with Tywin earlier to get him to dismiss the boy from the Kingsguard.
But the King had refused. Saying he would not deny the boy the honor. However, the real reason the King did this was to spite Tywin Lannister per the whispering of the madness in his ear. By keeping Jamie in the Kingsguard, the Warden of the West would be placed in a weakened position in having his youngest son rule when of age. Over the years, the King felt threatened by Tywin, the madness in his mind not helping, and decided to use this along with denying the arranged marriage proposal between Rheagar and Cersei.
The lion would and must always stay humbled under the power of the dragon.
"And your rumored abilities to make ice?" asked King Aerys II with Sub-Zero sighing since he had hoped to avoid this.
Given how the King may act worse as a result of revealing it being one of the reasons he kept his powers an extremely closely guarded secret. Few knew of his powers. Literally, all the people who knew could be counted on with just one hand, and it just so happened two of the few who knew was in the room with them.
Varys the Spider and Ser Barristan. Though considering the two, Sub-Zero doubted it was the member of the Kingsguard. Ser Barristan was too honorable of a man to reveal something so personal to the King. Sub-Zero had revealed his abilities to both of them and explained how important it was to keep this a secret. The Lin Kuei had warrior had told them that he had no intention of using his powers to endanger the realm or the King.
Ser Barristan believed his words were truthful, which they were, and thus kept the secret of Sub-Zero's ice powers from the King. Varys had not been around Sub-Zero as much as the well respected member of the Kingsguard so he couldn't exactly take his word at face value. Plus being the Master of Whispers and Spy Master required he not trust anyone in their entirety.
It was how the man stayed alive for so long in a place like King's Landing.
Why Varys told the King, he didn't know. Maybe he thought his power was some kind of sorcery? Sub-Zero didn't exactly reveal the ability was in his blood and was descended from a line of cryomancers. Varys had confessed to him about his childhood being better than most in the Free Cities of Essos up until some would-be sorcerer castrated him for some kind of spell. The man no doubt felt magic was evil and wanted to ensure those who practiced it never became too powerful for their own good.
It was actually a good thing neither Quan Chi nor Shang Sung were alive and in this realm since they would have conquered it within a few years.
"They are true in regards to my powers. In regards to being related to the 'White Walkers' you mentioned, that part is false," said Sub-Zero before raising his right hand and formed a solid block of ice before crushing it in his hands.
Much to the shock of many of those at court witnessing this within the throne room.
"So my fellow dragon is a dragon of ice. Just as I am a dragon of fire. Ha! Reminds me of the old prophecies of ancient times," commented King Aerys II, who didn't look angry in the slightest.
"Can anyone learn to do this?" asked Prince Rheagar while beside his Father and looking at the ice melting on the floor of the throne room.
"Only someone of my blood or descended from my portion of the clan. My older brother had the same power. And another, who was my student did too. Both were born with it. My brother is dead and the other betrayed me for power, but her treachery towards me was her undoing. She perished soon after," said Sub-Zero while telling only a partial lie to the King.
While his brother was dead, Sub-Zero could not say for certain about Frost. However, given the way Frost had been power hungry and clearly eager to betray others for power, it wouldn't be long before her end. Of that, Sub-Zero was certain. If Raiden's own violent paranoid tendencies regarding potential threats to Earthrealm didn't put Frost down for being too ambitious, someone else would.
"Surely you intend to have children one day? To pass on the family line to ensure such powers extend to them?" asked King Aerys II with Sub-Zero nodding since he had given it some thought.
"Maybe one day your Grace. But for the time being, the revival of the Lin Kuei remains my top priority," answered Sub-Zero with the King nodding in understanding.
"That will be all. You may leave us," said King Aerys II while Sub-Zero bowed before leaving the room while ignoring the other members of the court who were there and had watched the whole thing.
"Your Grace, such a man with the power to command ice is no friend of the Crown. He should be restrained and possibly killed for the good of the realms," said Grand Maester Pycelle since such an ability was an front to the nature order of things.
"On what grounds Grand Maester? Sub-Zero is a friend to all. High Lords and small folk from King's Landing to the Reach. To the North and South. Even East and West. Not to mention he has taught young Rheagar here how to use his own Dragon fighting style. If the man were subdued, imprisoned, tortured, or killed by anyone here, it would cause many to possibly rise up in rebellion. We want to keep the Seven Kingdoms whole and form bonds of friendship to protect the realm from those seeking to shatter the peace," said Vary while King Aerys II was deep in thought with the madness whispering to him about what the Spider was talking about.
"No one is to harm my fellow dragon. I forbid it! Even if he can summon ice, it is not a crime to wield such power. Besides, he has done much for the Seven Kingdoms upon his arrival. I will not punish someone so generous as my fellow dragon," said King Aerys II while the voices in his mind were whispering approval his decision.
"Yes, your Grace," said Pycelle though it was clear to everyone he didn't agree with that decision.
(Lin Kuei Compound-Sometime Later)
Prince Oberyn was having the time of his life. At first, he thought training under the Lin Kuei Grandmaster was a waste of time. What did this one man have to teach that the fighting pits of Meereen could not provide in Essos? Oberyn was already showing he had prodigious skill with a spear and was thinking of adding a coat of poison to his blades so that even a single knick or cut would slowly bring about his opponent's undoing.
But his brother insisted he go. Both of them had come here to learn from the Grandmaster after the initial group of "students" returned to their parents or foster parents stronger and wiser. Now every House wanted to send their sons and in cases, even daughters to the Lin Kuei warrior to see if he could mold them into being proper Heirs or Heiresses.
And sure enough, the teachings Sub-Zero had produced for them had provided results for each person who came to the compound. Both Dornish Princes being chief among them. Doran had excelled in the mindset of running his House and the Kingdom of Dorne while Oberyn excelled in the fighting aspect of things. Sub-Zero had commented how the two brothers balanced the other out when it came to their different personalities.
The Yin to the others Yang according to the Grandmaster.
When Doran had learned all he could learn from Sub-Zero, the Dornish Prince thanked the Grandmaster for his time before returning to Dorne. He had sent Arthur Dayne to attend soon after and had formed a great deal of respect for the Lin Kuei warrior. Sub-Zero even taught several of his most promising students Chinese Mandarin, saying it was a language from his own land, and taught the words that went with speaking it.
His various students assumed it was the language of the clan and called the language Lin Kuei, which Sub-Zero did not correct.
So far, Doran, Ser Arthur Dayne, Oberyn, Prince Rheagar, Varys, Jon Arryn, and Stannis Baratheon to a certain degree had learned the complicated language. At the same time, the Lin Kuei Grandmaster had requested books on many languages the Seven Kingdoms, and even Essos had to offer. Grand Maester Pycelle had been resistant at first, but King Aerys II wouldn't deny Sub-Zero the means to learn and ordered the Grand Maester to comply with the request.
As for Oberyn, he spent his time at the Lin Kuei compound perfecting his skills with a spear, and even applying the idea of using horse hair near the tip of the spear per Sub-Zero's suggestion. At first, Oberyn was confused on why horse hair could be used on a spear. But Sub-Zero explained and demonstrated the act, stating the horse hair can easily distract your opponent. In addition, the horse hair could hit the opponent in the eyes, and leaving them wide open for an attack.
"Your skills are improving at a tremendous rate Prince Oberyn. Your agility mixed with the skill of your spear is truly impressive," said Sub-Zero from a distance while seeing the Dornish Prince moving around, pretending to stab, dodged, block, counter, and move around his invisible opponent.
"Thank you Grandmaster. Your time training and teaching me has proven to be a sound investment in learning how to fight," said Prince Oberyn while looking pleased with his own skills and how far they had progressed.
"Just try to keep your passions and temper in check Oberyn. They can be used against you. Especially the latter. It is a weakness. One that an enemy can exploit if they know what to look for when fighting back," warned Sub-Zero since he had seen a lot of the now young man's growing temper when sparring and practicing against other initiates of the clan.
"I will Grandmaster. I'm hoping the skills I learned from you will help during my time in Essos when I participate in the fighting pits in a few years," said Oberyn while Sub-Zero nodded since he knew about that particular desire the Dornish Prince wanted to do.
"I wish you good fortune in your fights when there Prince Oberyn," said Sub-Zero before Oberyn bowed in respect to him and left clean up.
"Grandmaster, a message from the King has just arrived. He is requesting your presence at the tournament at Harrenhal being hosted by Lord Whent," said an initiate of the Lin Kuei approached him and handing the Grandmaster the message.
"I see. Prepare a raven for me to send a reply back accepting the invitation to join," said Sub-Zero knowing the King would want an immediate response to his written command for the Grandmaster to attend the tournament.
Even after all these years, the King wished for him to participate from time to time during these tournaments to show the "greatness of the dragons", and Sub-Zero knew the man would not take no for an answer. One refusal and the King would no doubt be insulted or believe the dragon of ice was threatening to topple the dragon of fire from his position of power.
It was best not to disappoint the King.
(Harrenhal-Sometime Later)
Sub-Zero stood near the King. A position usually reserved for the Hand when attending the events like this one. However, Tywin Lannister had long since left the position vacant on account of what happened with Jamie becoming a member of the Kingsguard. There was also the denied marriage proposition for Cersei to marry Prince Rheagar for Princess Elia Martell of House Martell.
He was asked by the King to become an extra pair of eyes and ears with several Lin Kuei agents in the crowd to keep an eye on things. Sub-Zero agreed to the request and had sent several of his agents into the crowd to spy on people watching the tournament. The King was now suspecting the High Lords and some of the Wardens were plotting against him. Both Varys and Sub-Zero along with other members of the Small Council tried to change his mind to prevent a self fulfilling prophecy.
Unfortunately, the King's mind had long since lost any form of rationality. People were now starting to call him the Mad King. How the man was interested in seeing things burn after setting them on fire. It made a lot of people nervous when attending Court because the Mad King could choose any one or all of them to burn alive.
To halt the mental illness as long as possible until Rheagar could one day take the Iron Throne, Sub-Zero had been gathering information on the various medical herbs known throughout the world. He had hoped to create some kind of herbal medicine or even some kind of herbal remedy to keep the madness at bay. With the madness of the King growing stronger, the desire to rebel from various High Lords with their powerful armies or the even Wardens themselves grew with it.
He had consulted with Varys on the issue in hopes of obtaining the materials and herbs provided to make something the King would have to drink almost daily. But obtaining it without the Grand Maester knowing or the Citadel impeding him was an issue since any thing like that fell under their purview. Sub-Zero knew the Grand Maester was not a big fan of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster simply because of his ice powers, and also due to being a foreigner from another land. If the man learned what Sub-Zero was doing, he could go to the King and state the "dragon of ice" was intending to poison him. Given the state of mind the King was in, the Grand Maester's accusations could ultimately hurt the Lin Kuei warrior.
As such, Sub-Zero had to tread carefully in his research. At the very least, he could use the knowledge obtained so far to make sure there were competent healers in his slowly growing clan. Which he did. Sub-Zero also decided to expand his own knowledge on the different languages this realm had to offer. Both those currently being used and even a few dead ones too for good measure.
"Don't look now, but it seems someone is provoking a dragon," whispered Varys to Sub-Zero, who turned his gaze to that of a knight with the shield of the Laughing Tree having bested three squires from several prominent Houses.
"Seize that knight! I want that one dead!" commanded King Aerys II suddenly while Ser Barristan, Prince Rheagar, and Sub-Zero himself went to retrieve the knight to find out their identity.
(Sometime Later)
Lyanna Stark of House Stark laughed to herself as she pulled the helmet off her head, the sweat running down her form. Not really surprising since she nearly overexerted herself after putting so much effort to best all three squires while wearing heavy (for her) armor. Lyanna's friend Howland Reed had been picked on by those squires and she felt it was only right to defend her friend's honor. Of course, being a woman in a man is always better, smarter, stronger, and overall superior to a women, it would bring shame to her own House if she did anything so openly. Ned was a good brother. He wanted to help too, but didn't have the courage to make issues out of something many would say was a minor incident.
But Lyanna, had to do it. She was a She-Wolf at heart. Not one to play by the rules set for people of the realm. Lyanna wasn't one of those ladies who did embroidery, acted all prim, proper, and waiting to be married to a knight or Heir to a great House. No. She just couldn't be a simple wife that spent most of her days doing nothing except trying to get pregnant with her future husband's first born child and spend time after that raising said child and future children to repeat the cycle depending on the gender.
Lyanna was a warrior woman. Like the women of House Mormont on Bear Island. She preferred swords to dolls. Pants over dresses. Fighting her enemies over being polite to them if they needed a good thrashing for being arrogant pieces of garbage.
Maybe that was why her Father thought marrying Lyanna to Robert Baratheon was a good idea. Robert was a fighter. Headstrong. Stubborn. And always looking for a good fight. But Lyanna wasn't interested in a man like Robert. She knew of his vices. How he liked to drink, hunt, and even whore around with women in brothels. Ned, Jon Arryn, and even the Lin Kuei warrior known as Master Liang had tried to curb Robert's vices.
Sadly, all three men couldn't be around the man all day and night to keep said vices in check. Once Robert had left the Lin Kuei compound following his time there, he went to the nearest tavern, bought a barrel of its finest wine, and drank it all down. This was soon followed by grabbing the nearest tavern wench who caught his fancy, paid tavern owner, and took her out back to fuck to his heart's content.
She knew this because Ned had been with him since both were suppose to return to the Vale soon after their time learning under Master Liang was over and wrote to her. While Ned didn't stay for the last part, he had told Lyanna about what he saw to that point with Lyanna being able to put two and two together when reading the letter.
All the more reason she hated the idea of being married to Robert. Lyanna knew exactly what kind of man he was going to become long before anyone else did. Robert was a man who would let his vices consume and control him. She wouldn't be surprised if the man had a few bastards before they were even married.
"So you are the Knight of the Laughing Tree," said Prince Rheagar with Lyanna turning around to find him staring at her in an almost mesmerized state.
"Prince Rheagar!" exclaimed Lyanna in surprise while she now found herself caught by the Prince of the Seven Kingdoms in a situation where her life was in his hands.
"Why did you do what you did Lady Stark? My Father saw your shield's sigil of the Laughing Tree and assumed it was made to mock him at the tournament. He has now commanded the knight in question be found and killed for such a crime," said Prince Rheagar while Lyanna grimaced since she expected it, but was also hoping to get away before anyone could figure things out.
"I had to do something. Those three squires attacked my friend. I had to defend his honor and teach those fools a lesson," explained Lyanna while she saw Prince Rheagar looking around and sighing.
"We need to act quickly. I need you to remove your armor and take off before anyone else finds you like this," said Rheagar with Lyanna blushing before smiling at him.
"Wanting to see me without my armor? Oh Prince Rheagar, how could you? Trying to see what lays beyond this woman's armored chastity?" teased Lyanna with Rheagar blushing since it was only now did he realize his words could be misinterpreted as something the Prince of the Seven Kingdoms should not be saying to a lady.
"Well...no. I meant when I leave for a time. When I return, I will take your shield back to my Father and inform him of the knight's death and present the shield as proof," replied Rheagar while Lyanna laughed at his attempt to explain his choice of words.
"And with any luck, no one will be the wiser that a lady from the North, who bested three of the most lowly squires from different prominent Houses in front of the King himself," added Lyanna while Rheagar smirked.
"I'll be back shortly," said Rheagar before he turned around, but stopped when finding himself staring at the form of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.
"It seems you have yourself a bit of a situation young Rheagar," commented Sub-Zero while calmly walking toward the two.
"Master Liang, I assure you it is not what you think," said Prince Rheagar while Lyanna's eyes widened in remembrance of the man before her.
She was only a little girl when he arrived suddenly in Winterfell and had asked about him in passing, but her Mother had forbid Lyanna from being anywhere near him. Now that word had gotten out about his ice abilities, many were giving him a wide space since they thought he was connected to the White Walkers despite what her Father told everyone in the North. While the North easily trusted the word of a Stark as much as Lannisters could produce gold from their mines, the rest of the Seven Kingdoms did not share such value in it.
"Master Liang! It is an honor to meet you," said Lyanna quickly knowing this man was not one to tease or mock.
"Indeed. The last time I saw you Lyanna Stark, it was many years ago. You were a little girl wanting to ride a horse. Your Mother was against it. Your Father encouraged it. He knew right away you were wolf blooded. Dolls, dresses, and the art of embroidery was not for you," said Sub-Zero since he had such talks with Lord Stark during their time together when traveling to King's Landing.
While it may seem weird for someone to share such personal concerns with a foreigner like Sub-Zero, the Lord of House Stark knew an honorable, and trustworthy man when he saw one. The more Lord Stark talked to the Lin Kuei warrior during their time on the road to King's Landing all those years ago, the more he knew Sub-Zero could be trusted with such information.
"Grandmaster, you cannot tell my Father what you saw here today. You know what he will do if Lyanna is discovered," pleaded Prince Rheagar while Sub-Zero nodding since he did have a vague idea.
And they all involved Lyanna Stark being set on fire.
"I don't intend to tell him what I saw here. Only what he needs to know," said Sub-Zero before walking over to them calmly with his movements being unreadable to them.
"And what will you tell him that he needs to know?" asked Lyanna curiously while Sub-Zero looked down to his left and picked up a descent size rock before extending his other hand out to her for the helmet.
Which she hesitantly gave him.
"That we found the Knight of the Laughing Tree and put him to the sword before I froze his remains," answered Sub-Zero before putting the rock into the helmet and used his powers to freeze it before their very eyes.
"By the Gods," whispered Lyanna in shock since she had never witnessed something like this outside of stories from Nan about the White Walkers with their own powers.
"Lady Stark, I suggest you find a private place to remove all that armor and return to the public setting with the others at the tournament. Leave the shield. Rheagar and I need to have a chat," said Sub-Zero with Lyanna nodding before she gave respectful nod to the Prince and left quickly as her armored form would allow.
"Thank you for you assistance Grandmaster," said Prince Rheagar, but was shocked when the man glared at him.
"You are playing a dangerous game here Prince Rheagar. I assume you know who that was you were speaking to just now?" asked Sub-Zero with Prince Rheagar nodding.
"I do," said Prince Rheagar while Sub-Zero's eyes narrowed.
"And you know she was promised to Robert Baratheon, correct?" asked Sub-Zero with the Prince nodding and sighing.
"I do. But Robert is a pig of man. Everything you taught us, everything we need to know to improve ourselves with, and everything someone like him needs to rule the Stormlands has long since left his head! He threw it all away! As soon as he was out of the Lin Kuei compound, Robert just rode right into King's Landing, entered the nearest tavern, and ordered their finest wine before buying the tavern wench from the owner to have for the day. The man will not be faithful to her," said Rheagar with Sub-Zero nodding since he had been kept apprised of his former student.
"True, but you cannot interfere in this no matter how much you personally want to young Rheagar. Or do I need to remind you of your own marriage to Elia Martell?" questioned Sub-Zero with Prince Rheagar looked away in the direction Lyanna had gone to remove the armor.
"My marriage to Elia is...not as loving as people think. She is beautiful. No question there Grandmaster. But...I do not love her. My marriage to Elia and even my children that I have been given through her are only based on duty as Prince of the Seven Kingdoms. Not love. With Lyanna I feel...something I have never felt before until today. I know without question before the Gods as witnesses...I truly love Lyanna Stark," said Rheagar passionately.
"Be mindful of what you feel right now Prince Rheagar. Do not surrender your reasoning for your passion. Even if the passion is love. Your Father fell to the madness surrounded by his love for fire. If you are not careful, love for Lyanna will be your madness, and it will be your end. I would like to think you among all of my students would be able to keep such things in check," said Sub-Zero in a semi-scolding tone with Rheagar frowning in thought.
"That is just it Grandmaster. I have been thinking over everything in my mind. In fact, I was considering the idea of annulling my own marriage to Elia so I could pursue Lyanna Stark, and if it is love...marry her!" said Rheagar with Sub-Zero looking at him in shock.
"Do not be a fool! Lyanna has been promised Robert Baratheon. If you do anything to jeopardize it, such an act would result in a possible war. With the state of mind that your Father is in right now, such an act would be inevitable if you go through with it. You will jeopardize all I have tried to do since my arrival in keeping a war from happening," said Sub-Zero with Prince Rheagar flinching at the Grandmaster's words.
Rheagar was good at fighting. Always. He had the natural skill for it. His younger brother Viserys said as much when seeing him one day during the time training to keep his skills sharp. But Rheagar didn't like to fight despite his natural skill and training he obtained from Sub-Zero's guidance along with Ser Barristan's own. He liked to sing, play all the songs on a minstrel, and make people happy with the songs while giving the gold earned from them away.
Though the one time he became incredibly drunk with Ser Barristan one time did make him laugh when recalling the memory.
"I cannot help how I feel about her Grandmaster. She is...beautiful beyond measure," said Rheagar while Sub-Zero sighing.
"As much as I would like to knock some sense into your brain, I know I cannot stop you from feeling the way you do about Lyanna Stark. But know this, if you choose the path of doing something foolish, even in the name of love, and this somehow leads to war...the Lin Kuei will not help either side of it. We will protect the people around your conflict using what few numbers the clan has on hand, but nothing else," warned Sub-Zero with Prince Rheagar looking away in shame.
"I understand Master Liang. Forgive me," said Prince Rheagar with Sub-Zero sighing and motioned him to follow with the Laughing Tree shield.
"It is all right young Prince. I just wish to keep the peace long enough for you to sit on the Iron Throne as King. The idea of so many of my students, all of whom were Heirs to their Houses, suddenly killing each other in a warrior using the knowledge I gave them is very...unsettling to me," said Sub-Zero while walking back to the tournament and caught up with Ser Barristan waiting with a knowing look.
Clearly the man knew what was going on, but decided to keep his mouth shut. Smart as he was loyal.
"Did you find him?" asked King Aerys II when Sub-Zero approached with his son.
"We did. The Knight of the Laughing Tree will no longer be laughing any time soon your Grace," said Sub-Zero while holding up the frozen helmet before crushing it in his hand.
Much to King's maddening delight.
"Excellent! Do you know who the fool was?" asked King Aerys II curiously while Ser Barristan walked over to stand by the man.
"Nobody. He was a nobody your Grace. Or perhaps a more appropriate term would be that of a fool," answered Sub-Zero while motioning Prince Rheagar forward to present the shield with the Laughing Tree sigil on it to the King.
"One less annoyance and threat to my rule. Judging by my son's return, both of you ended him together," surmised King Aerys II with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Yes. I froze him in place while your son took his head. The fool had discarded his shield when found in his attempt to flee by horse. Our attack prevented his escape and cost the knight his life," said Sub-Zero while glancing slightly at Lyanna to see her a tad nervous about being discovered.
"Excellent! Excellent! As always, you prove to be a most reliable ally in the defense of my kingdom my fellow dragon. Continue with the tournament!" declared King Aerys II while laughing with glee and madness.
"Remember what I told young Prince. Do not let your passion or passions cloud your reasoning," said Sub-Zero with Rheagar nodding, but he still glanced over at Lyanna.
With his words spoken, the Lin Kuei warrior walked over to the King and stood by the man's side while Rheagar got ready to participate in the tournament. A tournament he would win and upon winning, he placed the Crown of Beauty for his woman of choice.
And his choice shocked almost everyone when the woman of choice was not his wife Elia Martell.
(Lin Kuei Compound-Several Months Later)
Sub-Zero was not happy right now. Very rarely did he feel this way about anything or anyone. While serious, he tended to keep an optimistic approach to things no matter the situation. But this was different. This was surrounding the events of the tournament and what Prince Rheagar had done after winning it. Even after the months that followed the tournament, the actions that day done by Rheagar sent shockwaves through the entire Seven Kingdoms.
'His actions following that day will be his undoing. I know it,' thought Sub-Zero sadly before a knock came and a member of the Lin Kuei initiate opened the door.
"Grandmaster, the Master of Whispers is here to see you. He said its extremely urgent," said the initiate with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Send him in," said Sub-Zero with his guests doing just that at a slightly more noticeable pace that clearly showed the man had increased his walking speed.
Meaning this was important.
"Thank you for seeing me so suddenly my friend. I do apologize, but this is important and cannot wait," said Varys before waiting for the door behind him to shut.
"What is it?" asked Sub-Zero knowing the man wouldn't come here so quickly to see him shortly after the tournament for small talk.
"I have just received some disturbing new from one of my little birds. Apparently, Prince Rheagar has done something dreadful. Something so horrible that it will no doubt undo all we have both tried to accomplish since your arrival my friend," said Varys with worry in his voice.
"What? What did he do?" asked Sub-Zero with Varys sighing.
"Prince Rheagar...kidnapped Lyanna Stark. She was taken two days ago and from what the people could see at the time...the Prince was in fact the culprit," said Varys with his concern and dread being heard in his voice.
"I told him not to do anything foolish regarding her. I warned him!" stated Sub-Zero with Varys nodding and sensing the Lin Kuei warrior was getting considerably angry.
And for good reason. Rheagar had shown such promise in terms of being a proper student when learning under Sub-Zero. All that effort in training, teaching, and lecturing each of them was now thrown out the window. Lines in the sand would be drawn and his students who once learned under him would take sides in that sand while trying to kill each other! Using his knowledge, his teachings, and his lessons to end the life of those who once sat in the same room together hearing Sub-Zero's words of wisdom.
It might as well be the Lin Kuei civil war all over again!
And when the war did break out, the Lin Kuei would not be able to stem the full tide that Sub-Zero knew would come from this. The clan wasn't strong enough or have all of the numbers yet and what numbers they did have were not fully trained Lin Kuei. In another ten to twenty years, the number of initiates would increase, its members would have more experience, have some valuable warriors to extend the teaching aside from himself, and make the clan grow exponentially.
But that took time and effort. And time was something Sub-Zero did not have if every major House suddenly called their banners. Within the month, every House major and minor would be thrown into this coming war.
"It would seem your warnings were for not. A shame. The Seven Kingdoms would have prospered under Rheagar's rule. But now, it seems madness has taken control of the son as it did the Father," remarked Varys while Sub-Zero frowned since he suspected the kidnapping was not really a kidnapping like everyone no doubt assumed.
"What is Lord Stark's response to this?" demanded Sub-Zero with Varys looking even more grim.
"My birds tell me that he is heading South to King's Landing. No doubt to demand the King surrender his son to face justice for kidnapping Lyanna Stark," said Varys with Sub-Zero clenching his fists.
"It will be Lord Stark's death sentence," said Sub-Zero with Varys nodding in agreement.
"Yes. One we cannot stop," said Varys with Sub-Zero looking at him with a frown.
"What do you mean?" asked Sub-Zero since he intended to do just that.
"If you intervene one way or another, the King will know or suspect your involvement in preventing Lord Stark's arrival. The Mad King will then see it as you choosing a side in the conflict that is to come. You will be made an enemy of the Crown and your clan will be hunted down to the last disciple before you are put to the sword," said Varys with the Lin Kuei warrior scowling at him.
"And you suggest I do nothing? Is that it?" questioned Sub-Zero with Varys nodding.
"Unfortunately, the answer is yes my friend. You cannot and must not do anything to stop this flow of events that are to come from happening," said Varys with Sub-Zero looking ready to unleash a blizzard in the room.
"You are suggesting I abandon a dear friend. One who took me into his House when in a weakened state. Healed my wounds. Helped me understand the realm I had landed in and know what was going on around me so I could lay a foundation from which I grew my clan to what is now! You are asking me to be betray someone I owe my life and my clan to upon being in the Seven Kingdoms," said Sub-Zero who was now in the face of the Spider.
"I know. I do not like it either my friend. I never like these choices. But it must happen for the greater good. The war is inevitable now. That much we both know is certain. But you entering it now would only complicate things. You may not know this, but you do have as many enemies as you do friends. The sons of Lords you failed the first week of their arrival? They have not forgotten you. The Lords themselves of those sons have not forgotten you either. Any side you take or perceived to be taking in this conflict, they will side with the opposition. You side with the North and their future allies, they will in turn side with the Crown and their allies. You must also be mindful of Tywin Lannister in all of this. While you did not wrong him per se, the lack of trying to prevent his son Jamie from joining the Kingsguard is still a wound made on your part," replied Vary with Sub-Zero looking away.
"I cannot abandon Lord Stark. I owe him too much," said Sub-Zero with Varys shaking his head.
"You cannot save the man from his death my friend. But I believe you can protect the rest of his family in his place when the time comes," said Varys with Sub-Zero now looking out the window of his office with anger.
"Tell me Varys, how do you deal with the loss of the innocent? And those few you have respect for? Knowing what is to come with the King and this war against the Crown by those it has scorned?" said Sub-Zero with Varys giving him a small weak smile.
"Truthfully? I don't deal with it at all. All I can do is watch and observe. I try to use my position of power, my knowledge, my skill, and influence to keep the monsters at bay from harming the smallfolk. I save as many as I can while hoping the death of those I failed are at the very least quick and clean," said Varys knowing he had to hunt down the King's supposed enemies and have them brought to justice.
If you counted setting people on fire and burning them alive to be justice. Which Varys, contrary to what others believed, didn't see it as justice. But what else could he do? Defy the King? Not a chance. It would be his head on the chopping block or set on fire while still alive. All the Spider could do was play the role of the loyal servant, who was tasked with finding and capturing enemies of the Crown.
"I told the Prince, at the tournament, should he do something foolish regarding Lyanna Stark, that the Lin Kuei would take no sides should it come to war. I told him we would have no part of this, except protect the smallfolk from both sides of the conflict. When I said those words, it was done in the hopes it would stop the Prince from doing something foolish. Now I have to stick by those very words," said Sub-Zero with Vary nodding in agreement since it was for the best given the situation.
"A wise and prudent course my friend. Even if the threat at the time was more of a bluff, the decision is no less the best one. The Lin Kuei grows strong under your command and through your teachings, but they are not ready to be fully involved in an actual war. Your strength lies in living and working in the shadows. People whisper your name and your clan as if it were a looming and dangerous shadow. They know you exist, but aside from this one place, do not know where else your clan resides. They don't know anything but what the rumors and whispers tells them. Who are your contacts? Who are your allies? Who are your friends in high places? No one knows this. Some say you have friends everywhere just as you do enemies. Some say you will usurp the King when his guard is down. Some say you will side with the King in his desire to see people burn. Even I don't cannot separate the truth from fiction," said Varys with Sub-Zero calming down.
"In that case, I will need your help Varys. Nothing that will go against the King to be considered treason, but at the same time make sure it doesn't support him either. If the Lin Kuei is going to be forced to the sidelines as a barrier between soldier and civilian in this war, you are going to help me with that barrier to ensure innocent lives do not suffer for what is to come," said Sub-Zero with his voice being tired and Varys nodding in full agreement.
"I will of course help you in this. I know you want to do more Master Liang. Gods know we all wish you and your clan could. But time, resources, and manpower are something neither of us have right now. House Stark will understand and survive. You taught them all very well. You must have faith that all will unravel as it should," said Varys with Sub-Zero looking at him for a brief moment.
"We will see Varys. Remember, the outcome of this war will be written by the victors. How they interpret it and let the story be known is entirely through them. I maybe on the sidelines, but I will make sure the true story behind this war is never lost. Even if it can never be told to others. At least, not anytime soon," said Sub-Zero with Varys looking a tad nervous about the real truth behind events being recorded aside from the victor.
Victors tend to embellish and don't like it when someone else recounts their victory in a different light. Mostly because the lies that are told from the victor's point of view so the people don't turn on them, but also because the supposed glory from the victory would be taken away.
"Just make sure when it is recorded, you keep my name out of most of it. I don't want the people to have any reason to try hunting me down and play 'crush the Spider' in the name of their version of story," said Varys before he bowed and left to room.
"Forgive me Lord Stark. But it seems that I cannot help you in this situation and repay the debt I owe for your kindness. And yet...maybe I can help your children in the years to come," said Sub-Zero while deciding to send his subordinates out to various locations to begin their assignment in being an additional pair of eyes and ears in this soon to be war.
If he couldn't help Lord Stark, perhaps he could help his sons and daughter to prevent a horrible fate that would no doubt befall them in the future if they weren't careful.
(A/N: Another long chapter updated. As you know, Sub-Zero's situation is currently in one where he can't really do anything in the event of a war. Much less pick a side since he really can't. For one, siding with the Crown will make him an enemy of Robert, and everyone fighting Targaryen forces. If he sides with the North or Robert, the Mad King will see his clan compound burned to the ground with everyone in it. Sub-Zero's clan has been growing steadily, but doesn't have enough member yet to be an influential force in the Seven Kingdoms. Remember, he has to train them, educate them, and ensure they are in fact loyal to the clan's ideals. So as you can imagine, the poor man has been busy with this difficult task while trying to make sure no one (namely the King) saw him as a threat to the Crown to give cause to order the clan's liquidation. But while the war is going to happen, as we all know it will, the aftermath will not be entirely the same as we know it. Just some food for thought. Until next time...PEACE!)
