Chapter 8

Poor Planning Leads to Failure

I own nothing just playing god in another's universe. Well this was done faster then I expected. Just so everyone knows there will be conflict, the kingdoms are still full of snakes in the grass, Jon only got rid of those in his view at that time. As you will see I am moving into my next arc with king Stannis, which will bring conflict to his reign. I am going to say I have lost track of where in the timeline Edmure is, lets just go with this is a week after Jon Arryn woke up, three weeks after Lysa's trip with a southern splat. We are also going with the premise that ravens fly as fast as Varys could move in the shows. Got to love the Varys is a merman theory. If you haven't heard that one youtube .com/watch? v=pbEl1_cmqcAt=12s its sorta funny. So is the one about Varys uhmm bits being used to open a wormhole, and the one about Varys being a Blackfyre and brother of Mopatis's wife Sara, the potential mother of fake Aegon if he is fake. Actuall all the ones about Varys are funny but completely off the point now he's sleeping with the fishes.

Jon Arryn

Ravens. More and more ravens. Every day since Jon woke has been nothing but reading more and more raven messages. In the last week the condolence letter, the condemnation letters, the recommendation letters. The snakes couldn't wait for the dead to be buried before trying to slither their way into positions they didn't deserve.

The letter from the withered rose, the "queen" of thorns, had been as terse as expected but also had demands that her oaf of a son or cripple of a grandson be given a position on the small council as recompense for the bent roses death. Ollena didn't even name a position she wanted them in just that she wanted one of them in one. Jon is tempted to send her a bottle of spiced wine, with the spice being the tears of lys. With Jon's luck however it would be thrown against a wall not drunk by the wilted sagging rose.

There was even a letter from the Imp of Lannister both commiserating about the death of his supposed son young Robert and thanking him for getting his father sick. Jon pannicks a small amount at reading that but then thinks more about it and comes to the conclusion that the Imp wasn't implying that Jon had killed his father but that Jon was the one who was sick and gave it to the old lion.

Very strange relationship the Lannisters had with each other, twins that fuck, a father that is a monster, and an Imp who is more of a whoremonger than the former king. Hopefully the new Lord Lannister, or rather the Lord Imp would be better than his father.

At the very least Jon has been able to send off a letter to Yohn Royce about his daughter Ysilla. Jon has hope for the first time in half a year that mayhaps he would have a dutiful wife. A wife that would give him sons. Ysilla Royce was a faithful woman whose belief in the seven was more solid than most septs. Jon's letter to Yohn went.

Yohn.

I have a need. A need I hope you can fulfil. I need a wife. I am hoping you will allow Ysilla to become my wife. If that is agreeable, I will write a provisional will that states upon my death the eldest boy shall inherit my seat, if there are only girls it shall be the eldest girl. And that in the likely case I die before the child reaches majority you shall become acting lord and acting lord paramount until the child reaches majority.

Jon Arryn.

Another thing that is annoying Jon is Stannis's relyance on the foreign Priestess from the faith of R'hllor, the lord of light. It started with Stannis's wife Selyse, Melisandre or the red witch as Jon calls her. Melisandre doesn't talk, she preaches, she manipulates, makes promises she cannot keep. Selyse took the red witch into her service on the promise of a son.

Jon can understand that Salyse was taken in by the pretty lies the red witch likes to spout but that is all they are pretty lies. There is no god that is going to intervene and give them sons if they only lay together once per year. That's not how you get sons.

Jon also understands that the red witch promised to heal the little princess Shireen from her grey scale scars, but that was just another castle in the sky. No one could heal those scars. Stannis spent a fortune trying to heal those scars, including other Priests from the lord of light. Jon just doesn't understand with all those false hopes why he would be taken in by this one.

Jon can't understand why Stannis relies on her so much. Her advice was not good advice. Not to mention that she keeps asking to burn the septs down to burn as she calls them the false gods root and stem. Stannis seems to think with his smallest head when it comes to her.

Jon only just manages to stop her every time she goes off on one of those rants. So far Stannis hasn't given into her, but it is only a matter of time. Especially when she keeps saying that R'hllor will give him a son if he gets rid of the false gods in King's Landing. Only Jon reminding him that it would cause the faith to bring back the Faith Militant has so far stopped Stannis. No one is stupid enough to want the Faith Militant back.

The ravens were not the only things that kept coming to him. Some of the survivors of the city came to the Red Keep to ask what the Nobility was going to do about the conditions of the city. As if it is just the Nobility that has the ability to fix their every problem. While it is the duty of the king to make sure his people are well taken care of, there are others in the city that have been tasked with taking care of these matters.

So far most have been turned away. Only when the last batch threatened to riot if their concerns went unheard were they allowed to enter. That was an hour ago. The conversation kept going around in circles. Jon is tired of it. Stannis is tired of it. Most of the small folk are tired of their leader demanding quick action when none are available.

"Enough." Jon yells, finally losing patiences. "You want quick fixes. There are none. You want immediate action. There are none. There may be enough people in King's Landing to get the work done but they are needed to keep the city running."

"That's not good enough." the man in rough spun clothes says back. Jon didn't bother learning the man's name. The Red witch that followed Stannis everywhere step forward

"My good man, there is a simple solution. you and your fellows can join the group that the Hand has sent down into the sewer system to help them along. We know that half the problem is the sewer and the other is the water flow issue. The water flow can only be corrected by professionals. Professionals that have been sent for. Just like professionals for the sewers have been sent for." Jon sighs as the red witch says this. Jon decides to speak up before the ignorant man has a chance.

"His Grace King Stannis is the first king since the dance of dragons to care about the conditions of the city. The first thing he tasked me to do upon awakening from my sick bed was to clean the city. We had a many hours long conversation about how to fix the situation. Upon leaving my sick bed he put those plans into motion. Men were sent into the sewer. Ravens were sent to those skilled in the things we desperately need fixed. What more would you like us to do?" the man and most the small folk have looks of deep thought on their faces after that speech

A man comes running into the throne room while the small folk continue thinking. He comes over to jon and starts whispering into his ear.

"I have a report. There are major blockages in the sewer. We need all available men to go down there to clean them out. A full report is being written up now but that's the main issue we have come across." Jon nods before waving the man back.

"My King, good people, I have a preliminary report and a more detailed one is being written now. We need all hands not currently working to go down into the sewer to clear blockages. Once the blockages are cleared we should have a remarkable drop in the smell, also the sickness we get from the excrement left on the streets." a gasp comes from the small folk. Stannis nods.

"I shall have those guards not needed in patrol sent down there, I ask that the criers be sent out to get the common folk to help. Every common folk that helps will gain a stag for every day they are down there." This is one of his smartest moves in the week since Jon woke.

The red witch nods toward Stannis with a look of pure devotion on her face. The look on her face frightens Jon. No one should look that way to a man, not even to a king. Stannis dismisses the court while holding back the red witch and Jon.

"Jon, do you have any idea how bad it's going to be to try and clear those blockages?"

"It depends, your grace." Jon says while rubbing his chin

"Depends on what, Jon?"

"Well there could be more blockages behind the ones that have been found. It would be easier if we could improve the water flow through the sewer. But that can't happen until a better aqueduct is built." Stannis grinds his teeth at this news. "Don't grind your teeth Stannis, it's unkingly." a look of shock crosses Stannis's face at Jon's words.

"I knew you corrected Robert all the time but I didn't expect you to do that to me too." Stannis says with a wry smile. "When can we expect the architect to arrive? Also when is Tycho returning? We will need his help to negotiate favourably."

"He should be arriving on the morrow. I received a raven from the Iron Bank saying that they don't fear the fever, as they have the spring sickness crop up in Braavos often. It was also sent after Tycho had left Braavos. Or so the letter claims." Jon rubs his chin again trying to remember what the letter from the Citadel said. "If I remember correctly the Arch Maester of architecture would be travelling via the Roseroad so he should be here within two months."

"Good, good. Keep me updated." With that dismissal Jon leaves the room. Weary of leaving Stannis alone with the red witch but knowing better than trying to argue with the King.

Edmure

All Edmure wants to do upon seeing the Bloody gate is grown. "Raise the Tully Standard." Edmure says. Near three months on the road with only Patrek Mallister to converse with drove him near crazy. Patrek was not one who likes to travel fast unless it is towards a fight. The additions to his guard by the Stark lord had been well received by his men. As well as the tracker and his wife, the women could make a good road fear meal.. However none of them were of his station so he couldn't converse properly with them like he could with his usual companions.

The Stark guards turned back as soon as Edmure left the neck where a contingent of Tully men at arms that awaited them. His father sent the men after receiving Edmures letter. That had been two months ago. The tracker and his wife stayed on with them. The tracker had been more interested in the regular coin that Edmure provided.

Edmure informed the tracker that his skills would no longer be needed once they left the vale. The tracker just told Edmure that he didn't mind, as the North is his home, not the strange Andal south. Edmure is glad he would go back to his cold tree gods. Didn't need another nutter trying to live on the Isle of Faces.

While the tracker was very good at hunting, every night coming back with a fresh kill for the morrow. It doesn't change the fact that more often than not if a northern man came into the Riverlands they will go to the Isle of faces.

Then the old lady Whent will send more ravens to his father to try and get them off her land, despite the fact that ninety percent of those that go to the Isle never leave. It's unsure what happens to them as the few that do make it back claim they never saw any one.

Even the Silver Prince claims that he found no one on the Isle upon his return. It had been a point of contention with the north that a non believer went to the Isle. Especially as it happened after he had crowned Lady Lyanna the queen of love and beauty.

Approaching the Bloody Gate at the head Edmure saw something he wasn't expecting. With the Tully Standard flying from the guard that had carried them since the Neck, Edmure had expected to see his uncle on the balcony above the gate, not three green boys.

"Halt, who approaches the bloodiest of all gates." the tallest of the boys yells down. Patrek couldn't help himself but laugh. Edmure only just manages to control himself and not laugh along with Patrek.

"I Edmure, Heir of House Tully, along with Patrek, Heir of Seaguard. As well as our guards." Edmure yells back to the miscreant.

"Edmure of house Tully, what be your reason for approaching the Gate of death?" yells the shortest of the three boys. Patrek clutches his side while laughing harder at the cheeky comment for this young upstart. Edmure decides at that moment he is going to mess with the boys.

"I Edmure of house Tully have heard that the bloodiest of bloody death gates is holding mine own favourite uncle Brynden Blackfish Tully captive. This host of Rivermen will take this death gate and shall free mine uncle." Patrek falls off his horse at Edmure's comment. "Get my fool back on his horse." Edmure says to one of his guards, indicating to Patrek.

"Archers, Archers. The Rivermen have come to liberate our most valued prisoner. To posts, get the pitch to boi." the tallest yells before he's yanked backwards, as Brynden walks into view.

"Enough out of your boy. Edmure, I do hope you aren't here to invade the gate? And that it's just Lysa's body you have come for." with this Edmure's face goes white.

"Lysa, Lysa's body. Uncle, what do you mean Lysa's body!" The pure shock that is shown on Bryndens face is not something that he has seen in a long time.

"Raise the gate. Enter those who mean the Vale no harm." Brynden says observing the Bloody Gate's formalities as he walks out of view. As the gate opens Edmure rushes in, dismounting in a hurry as his uncle comes into view. Not caring if his party follows him or not.

"Uncle?"

"Not here. Come." Edmure follows Brynden silently until they reach the study that Brynden usually uses. Once seated Brynden pours them both drinks.

"Uncle. Truth. Now." Edmure says near to losing control.

"First I need to know how long have you been out of contact?" a frown crosses his face.

"Since not long after you left Riverrun. I went North. But truely out of contact since we left Moat Cailin around two months ago."

"Shit. So you have no idea what's happened in King's Landing?" Edmure shook his head. "There was a fever in King's Landing a month ago, thousands died. Worse, most of the Royal Court also got caught in it. Very few of the court actually survived." at this Edmure picks up his glass and drains it.

"The King?" Brynden shook his head, "Jon Arryn? Young Robert?"

"Jon lives, the king, queen and their children, as well as young Robert passed. Which brings us to Lysa. A letter arrived from King Presumptive Stannis, explaining what happened. Lysa already not taking well to the news that Little finger died, took this even worse. She told all the guards to leave her. Ordered more wine. According to the servants she was in the throne room of the Eyrie where the moon door is." Brynden says before refilling Edmure's glass

"She jumped?" Edmure says before draining his glass once more before grabbing the decanter and drinking directly for it.

"Likely jumped as the servants say the moon door was closed before they left. Lysa had to have opened it to fall out."

"How much of her is left for the burning?"

"To be honest, not a lot. But wait if this isn't why you are here than why are you here. Why did you go north?"

"Uncle, I'm not in the mood for this conversation. The one thing I will tell you right now is that you were wrong about how the north sees Cat and her children, even how they see the bastard." Edmure says while taking the half empty jug and another that is on his uncle's desk and leaves the office to drown his sorrows about the death of his sister.

Nestor Royce

Seeing that Brynden was likely to be busy either comforting his nephew or drowning himself in ale again, Nestor took it upon himself to settle the guests in. making sure Patrek Mellister has a good room near to where Edmure will be placed. He settles the rest of the party in one of the barracks set aside for men returning from war.

One of the men that is placed in the barracks comes up to Nestor.

"Scuse me, milord. But may I asks you to place me in a room with me wife." Nestor raises his eyebrow at this, not even realising that a woman is in the party. He however does notice the man's northern accent.

"Of course my good man. However if you are wanting a room, I will need to place guards on you both. I'm sure you understand why." a slight grimace flashes over his face. It is only for a moment before smoothing back out into a neutral look but Nestor wasn't a survivor of many battle for no reason.

"Of course milord, that will be of no issue." Nestor takes a good look at the man, or lad pretending to be a man grown.

"Give me but a moment to get your room sorted. If you and your wife will wait here in the courtyard, I'll send a maid, or the guard I assign to you to take you to your room." he is given a nod before he walks off into the keep.

Walking through the corridors thinking about who he could get to guard the boy and his supposed wife. There is no way in Nestor's mind that those two are up to any good. Being the suspicious man he is, he doesn't trust many. Nestor ponders on who to choose when he comes across a man who isn't a guard but a sellsword.

A sellsword that Nestor hired in the past, one that has recently returned from a task that Nestor sent him on. This man would work perfectly as a discreet spy but not to stay on them as a guard. Bronn the sellsword, a man that once brought stays brought until the contact is finished.

"Nestor, just the man I was hoping to run into." Bronn says with a wolfish smile on his face. Just as Nestor is about to answer, a maid walks around the corner.

"Could you have a room near the guest barrack prepared for a married couple. And ask Darrel to guard the couple while they are in the keep. They should be in the courtyard waiting, have Darrel go meet them." the maid nods and walks off. "Not here. Follow me." he says to Bronn.

He walks them out on the top of the gate and out onto the cliff top away from any guards. Bronn with a cheery look about him while having a hand on his sword while they walk. Ever the pragmatic type who is always on the lookout for the client to turn on him.

"Let's back away from the edge shall we my lord?" Bronn says with his ever present smile.

"Of course, of course. I didnt bring you up here to fail at killing you. You should know better than that by now." Nestor says backing away from the edge closer further on to the plato.

"Oh aye, I know you're the good type, but you look like a stiff breeze would blow you over the edge and I wont get my money that way will I?" Bronn says, following behind him.

"Were you spotted? I'm guessing you weren't as most are saying she was alone."

"Aye, I got in and out easily enough, no one ever guards the privy holes. He's been avenged. Now about that gold yee owe me." a bit of a glint of greed enters Bronn's eyes at the mention of gold.

"You'll get your gold, for services well rendered. However I have one more task for you. I will double what I'm giving you to tail that so-called married couple you heard me talking about with the maid. Something just doesn't feel right about them." Bronn rubs his hands together as he hears those words from Nestor.

"Who do you want followed more if they separate?"

"I'll task Darrel to follow the man boy if they separate. I have a feeling that it will be the woman who does something as she seems more able to hide. I didn't notice her at all in the group of men. You know me, you know it's hard to fool me." Bronn gets a contemplative look on his face.

"If she's that good, I want triple if I manage to stop her. If I don't, I can at least warn you hopefully." Bronn says contemplatively.

"Done." Nestor says holding his hand out for Bronn. With a shake Bronn's loyalty secured for at the very least another moon. They took their leave from each other.

Nestor makes his way to Brynden. The Blackfish has been one of his closest friends since the man came to the Vale. entering the solar of the man he sees he is once again drowning himself over his selfish niece.

"Brynden you need to cut back on the drink my friend. It will do you no good if you fall off the Gate." Brynden doesn't even look up at his friend's words, too busy trying to drown himself after his conversation with his nephew. Nestor decides it is time to take the bottle away from him.

Brynden tries to throw a punch at Nestor, but all he accomplishes with that move is to land himself on the floor. He stays there staring blankly at Nestor's feet.

"Leaf me bee, Nesta. I jut 'ad to tell me Nephew tat his siter is dead. Not wha he was specting when 'e got 'ere. 'e came to visit me after 'aving visted his siter in the norf." Brynden is more drunk than Nestor has even seen him. He is taking the death of his niece rather poorly.

"Come on Brynden, let's get you into bed. Things will look better on the morrow.'' Nestor took him to his room, feeling guilty for being one of those that celebrated Lysa's death. Now his friend needs him, and Nestor will be there for his friend no matter what.

I know I promised Ramsay but I forgot about the Nestor part of the story. A gold dragon to those who guess what Nestor hired Bronn to do. Ramsay up next, I'm wondering how many of you can guess where I'm going with him. However with the exception of the Ramsay bit of the chapter which is a little over a thousand words. I have nothing written past that so chapters will probably slow down again.