Chapter 31: Allies on Paper
Kingslanding
"It looks like this?" King Robert bit the inside of his mouth in shame to be jealous of a child. But..."Ned, send for your daughter to come and kneel to her king." He left the table as if he won't accept any objections.
"Perhaps if you went to see your daughter the conversation would be easier." Cersei is enjoying the tension. The filthy Northern babarians are clearly committing treason.
Cersei Lannister is not too stupid to dismiss Olivia Snow after all that she has proven to be capable of at best she will have her husband send the North to kill the bitch and sack her city.
Ned didn't answer and just left the council meeting but he didn't write to his daughter nor did he bother to even entertain the idea. He looked down and smiled thinking about the beautiful harbor Olivia built in the most feared places on the map. She always knew how to surprise him.
He is busy investigating the children of the queen. He can see that his friend is ready to go to war just because he lusts over the hard work of a child.
Ned knows this is a very sensitive matter because the king can ask the North to go to war with Olivia and if that happens the only people to get hurt is the North. The Southerners would love that. It will probably be best if she came and knelt.
He finally understood why the south is such a dangerous place even without going to war directly they can make the North suffer greatly with their scheming and plotting.
The next day he woke up and wore his traveling clothes then he took his children and guards walking in the middle of the day to the harbor to hitch a ride to Winterfell.
Before he can do anything, he is surrounded by Lannister men and he is pulled to meet the king. Made to kneel in front of a boiling mad Robert Ned just sighed at his question.
"Why Ned?"
"I lied to you, your grace. Olivia came to see me once before lord Arryn died. She said she had a prophetic dream about my death. She said I would be publicly executed in Kingslanding by a boy king while my children watched helplessly on the side. She never came back home after burning my cabinet."
"By a boy king?" It means Jeffrey and it means not long from now while Jeffrey is still a boy.
"You dragged me here by force. Now you want to kill my children. Asking Olivia to kneel? You want war, I can see it in your eyes you lust for blood. So what if it is my own daughter?"
"Why are you sure she will not kneel?"
"She hates Southerners. Says they scheme too much, I imagine it is why she went further North. To get away from it all. But I don't think she wouldn't have anticipated your commands she is too smart for that. What makes my blood turn cold is not what you will do to her, it is what that child is capable of. Sigh...I have seen it once, her potential." Ned sighed but before he can continue he asked the king to let his daughters go to rest unless he wants to punish him here and now.
Robert grunted his agreement and Sansa felt annoyed being swatted away like a fly just when they are about to get to something useful. Olivia that bitch! She is costing her from the frozen lands with her barbaric nature.
Land beyong the wall is no place for a lady. Even now, father obviously chose to endorse that bastard's future instead of hers the rightful firstborn daughter of the house Stark. He chose to deprive her of her queen title instead of taking and army to make the bastard kneel in front of her rightful king.
In the future the bastard will have to kneel at her and kiss her hand as the queen. She can see it now, her father is trying to steal away what belongs to her in favor of a motherless child he make through sin. Her expression morphed into a twisted snarl as she entered her room. "Mother was right."
"I came back from the war when she was ten. Locked in a cell with several broken bones, bone fractures and open rotting wounds. Cat had gone too far with her usual antics." Ned took a bottle of wine and drank some. The king chased all the council members away it is just the two of them.
"Instead of crying out in agony she looked at me up and down and said, huh...welcome home. Did we win? Then I watched the measter cut her up to clean her wounds and she didn't make a sound. That is when I lost her. Forever." Ned has tears on his eyes now.
"Now I am afraid. She is my blood, king or not. You can cut me down where I stand your grace. Olivia. That girl, she is a different kind of breed."
"If you don't want me to clash with her then It's okay, I won't insist on it. It's lands full of wildlings anyways. But don't take away my son's future wife. Damnit Ned, this is a chance for us to be a family don't take this away from me again, I command you as you king." He pulled his crying friend into a hug.
Cersei and Jamie standing on the other side of the door waiting and listening became speechless. The queen became enraged and made her way to her room when she got there, her anger boiled over and she started breaking things.
...
Olivia heard about the commotion and her father's actions of leaving the capital and even forsaking Sansa's marriage and his career as hand of the king is touching. She considered thanking him with a gift but everything she sends unless it is sent in person may end up in someone else's hands.
She did consider the king lusting over her things but she had thought since Jeffrey will be king soon it means he will die soon right? The North will not listen to that boy when he orders them to kill her their Northen Snow.
However, she believes her father has seen how complex navigating the muddy waters of Kingslanding is and he might one day need a backup plan. With this in mind she requested Bree to put people and a boat that will blend in and always be ready to sail North at a moments notice.
This should be enough to be considered filial piety to a man who wanted to be a politician. This way he will save his life at the nick of time. Olivia will continue being disappointed in him and the world goes around and round.
Turning her focus on her studies as she learns different kinds of spells from Morpheus. She learns a spell to track down her blood. Among the studies she doesn't forget the place said to have drag
on glass by her spie queen Bree. She was looking for it and luckily Bree was able to track it in only a few months.
She took Morpheus and landed on the Island as Morpheus reduced her size. She is lucky no one close saw her landing on the roof of the castle.
A while later after flaoting to the ground she requested to meet Stannis, she found out there is a new born boy child which has made the couple very happy along with the first born daughter. This time they insisted she joins them for dinner.
"Dragon glass? Why?" Stannis asked her his stoic face looking like curious.
"It is very important for an upcoming undertaking of mine. You know I am an alchemist and usually I come up with all sort of solutions this time it includes your dragon glass. It won't be for free, I can assure you."
"That's not it, it just random."
"You can charge me per gram. I would like to conclude this deal as soon as possible. If you don't mind."
"Is it true you built a city in the infamous hainted forest?" He suddenly asked.
"Yes. You can visit anytime unless you want to involve us in wars then your invitation is revoked." She smiled.
"What war can wildlings fight in?"
"That's what I say. We just like living free from southern politics."
"You sound strongly opposed to the south."
"The south has its own charm. The only one I have seen personally is your daughter. But I went to Kingslanding when I was younger and that is when I decided to leave the seven kingdoms."
"You know the king may come and ask you to kneel?"
"This is true. He may." She agreed
"And if that happens what would you do?" Stannis watched her closely.
"You know, I have made a lot of friends in the haunted forest. Do you know about the stories surrounding the forest? About it hosting some of the most terrifying beast in the world?"
Stannis nodded. "Well, I have made a few friends. After staffing themselves full of snow, I wonder if the'll find southerner meat to taste like chicken.." Stannis became displeased.
"Careful how you speak about your king..."
"I would never feed HIS meat to any of my friends. Its the rest of you who should stay away. Besides, I get along with Robert and to tell you the truth, he strikes me as a North man than a politician from the south." Stannis is momentarily stunned by her words.
"You think too simply, what if he asked the Northerners to attack you?"
"Hahahaha....no one would attack me from the North. If anything, they would turn their blades on to the one who ordered such a thing. But if they do come I have prepared for it too."
"What did you prepare?"
"I can't tell you." She made a gesture of silence.
"How many men do you have fighting for you? Wildlings I don't suppose they can gather at the thousands without killing each other." Stannis said with distaste.
"That kind of thinking is so rigid." She ate her food and looked at Stannis Baratheon.
"You should visit my home. If you ever get tired of politics and looking for an old fashioned war between ancient enemies. Come over you will fight until you've had your fill."
"You have ancient enemies up there?"
"Sure. About the dragon glass." She went back to topic. Stannis found himself being led by her on the conversation.
"Pay whatever you want and take all of it if you need." He sighed, such a high spirited young lady. It is a good thing she despises the south.
"I really need it all but will probably take 70 percent. I'll send someone with the mining equipment and the money." From thsi day, large ships came and went out of the Dragonstone for several months without rest.
Her blacksmith became fascinated with the new weapons. Seun and Arkar even combined it with the explosives to see if it will maximize the effect on killing whites.
In the North, Bran was climbing the castle using the new metal pipes put there for transporting water into the castle when he saw Cersei and her brother fucking.
Jaime pushed him and he lost his ability to walk. A year later Lysa Tully sent her a letter saying the Lannisters are responsible for the boy's fall. Tyrion who has developed a taste for Northern girls is kidnapped by the delusional Caitlyn and taken to the Vale.
In response to this, Tywin Lannister sends his men to sack Riverlands and Ned refuses to send men to help. On the account that his wife is a fucking idiot.
Instead he sent a letter to his estranged daughter knowing this is one call she won't turn down since it is about his wife. He asked her to uncover the intricacies of his wifes actions. After she showed him how his wife was easily manipulated by those she trusted, he is sure this is some kind of ploy.
When Jaime Lannister ambushed and surrounded him with his men Ned just sighed instead and told him. "My wife is probably misunderstanding something so I have already sent my daughter to find out the truth."
Jaime instantly knew who he is talking about and he felt his blood run cold. Forgetting all about his rage, he told his men to leave so he and Ned can speak alone Ned also told his men to go, he then turned to look at Jaime in suspicion.
"What do you mean you sent her to find out the truth?" Jaime came down from his horse suddenly feeling like he is under water.
"Olivia will use this time to help find out if there is someone using her simple mindedness to bring conflict between out two houses." Ned said straightforward.
This made Jaime breath a little better. "And my brother?" He looked at Ned.
"They traveled together once, she will take care of his safety and it will piss of Cat so two stones." He smiled.
"I was wrong about you, here you are using your daughter's resentment for her step mother in your favor. Perhaps you may survive here after all. I must travel to father, he is sending men into your wifes home to caurse chaos." He smirked when he saw the frown on Ned's face.
"God's spped." Ned walked to his chambers. He found his daughter standing there waiting for him. She looks displeased.
"What's wrong?"
"My grandfather's lands are being invatmded and you are refusing to help, that is what's wrong." Ned frowned. Hus wife seems to have dug her claws very deep into this one. Ever since they came to this place he can see her resentment for him growing everyday. Even when he is mot doing anything he is doing something wrong in her eyes.
"You speak as if the Riverlands have no men to protect it."
"But they could use our help. We are allies are we not?" She has certainly gotten bolder.
"Yes, and allies chose to help when they want. Your grandfather refused to help the North when hmwe were struggling with food while he had enough to spare. Children died in their mother's wombs, parents had to choose which child to let die in the snow because they only had food for one child." He saw her eyes go wide. If you want to be a grown up, I will treat you like a grown up.
"We didn't have men to help with the Iron born raidings and the bandits inland as I begged him to send men to help at least for a little while. He refused, his men wouldn't even be fighting well trained soldiers like he wants us to do now they would be fighting untrained slow and starving criminals and HE REFUSED!"
"That..."
"Now if you don't have any more accusations to throw on my face please leave I am tired from the headache your mother has given me." Ned closed the door even as he felt sorry for shouting at his daughter.
He closed his eyes and hoped that he is not wrong about Olivia.
.....
"Oh? Haven't even bothered to greet me in over a year and nkw you want my help with the trouble caused by your crazy wife?" Olivia frowned and threw the letter to her new assistant.
"Send Amon with Broady to investigate this matter, it is said they are headed to the Vale. Tell them to take some healing pils and truth pills. Lock down the place and get answers."
A while later it seems her assistant is dim witted. She brought the people to her office instead of having them go on the mission.
"Mistress, I have knews but it is from the North." Bree entered the room and reported.
"Don't keep me in suspense Bree, what is it?" She leaned on her desk and listened. Bree looked around and saw other people in the room. She saw Olivia nod so she continued.
"Caitlyn Tully has convinced the North heir apparent to call his banners in preparation for war against the Lannisters. Because of one letter from her sister."
"I see. What else?"
"Domeric Bolton died a while ago, he was butchered in the halls of Dread fort." Olivia widened her eyes.
"Bear Island has managed to defeat the Iron raiders every time since the wall went up Around the island. But recently the attacks are happening too frequent. It seems they mostly want wood."
"Building ships eh? Interesting."
"Roose Bolton is in communication with one Tywin Lannister. It seems they are planning the fall of the Starks together."
"I want specifics." Olivia said and Bree took note.
"Is there any movements from Dorne?"
"Not after the Targaryen prince died."
"How disappointing. I had hoped they are brewing something sinister underneath that silence. I seems they are just defeated."
"They did try to get in contact with the Targaryen siblings before the girl married a Dothraki."
"The girl is now heavy with child. It seems the Dornish were looking to Marry their princess to the boy Targaryen when he comes with an army."
"Was he looking to take the Dothraki to Westeros?"
"He's dead. Mistress."
"There it is, that lingering disappointment feeling whenever family comes up." She mummers.
"You two go to the Vale and lock it down, investigate why the bitch step mother took the Lannister Imp and expose her delusions to the others there. You are from the Haunted city, not under any Westeros laws. When you are done come back straight." She commanded Amon and Broady.
...