Chapter 23 3 страница

Robb hated it, but she had a point. Just about everyone within Winterfell and Winter Town would wait days to have a chance to see the sorcerer, or now Sansa, for the chance that they might heal whatever ails them. Granted most were turned away due to the illness or injury not being severe enough to warrant their attention. But a skilled healer like Talisa, and even Maester Luwin, were all but wasted in Winterfell. And if there was one thing about the Northern people, they were not wasteful.

" When…? " Robb started, then paused as he had to swallow a large lump that formed in his throat trying to keep him from saying the words. " When will you leave? "

" Not for some time. Months…Maybe even a year or more. There is still much I have to learn before I can set out as a healer. " Talisa answered, bringing a new wave of hope to Robb. " And there is also something else I wish to do. Something that I will more than likely need your and your father's help wi –"

" Whatever you need, I will see it done, " Robb said eagerly, hoping to win some favor with her.

What he got instead was a quick flick to the nose that he didn't even see coming. " A lord, even a lord-to-be, should not be so eager to grant requests like that, Robb, until they have time to hear what is being asked and consider the ramifications should they fulfill the request. I know your father taught you better than that. "

Hiding the wince that threatened to overtake him, Robb nodded. " Aye, you're right. What is your request, Talisa? "

" I want to organize a group much like the Rangers you have patrolling the lands of the North, " Talisa explained to him as he poured them both some wine. " But unlike your Rangers, who are hunting down bandits and undesirables, the group I wish to form would be a band of healers who travel from village to village and treat those who would be otherwise unable to receive the care they would if they lived near a castle with trained healers. "

Taking a sip of his wine, another gift from the Tyrells, Robb took a moment and truly thought over Talisa's proposal before saying anything. In theory, the idea had a lot of merit. Healers, usually Maesters, never really strayed far from the holdfasts that they were assigned to. Which usually left the smallfolk to rely on the village elders or anyone who had even the slightest bit of training in the arts of healing. If an injury was bad enough, the smallfolk would make the trek to the nearest holdfast hoping to see those with more experience, but that journey was usually not without risks. Having a group of healers traveling around the land giving aid to those who needed it? It would certainly do much to boost the faith of the smallfolk in their lords and ladies who ruled them.

But while the idea was a good one, there were multiple issues that would need to be resolved first before they could go forward with the idea. The first being just how would these healers earn their coin to pay for their healing supplies and other basic amenities? The smallfolk could pay them for their service of course, but he doubted that many of those they would be treating would have the coin to pay them in full. Which meant that this group would be relying heavily on the donations of the Lords and Ladies of the land for their coin. Which meant they would have to look at the taxes and see what could be moved around to make sure they could get the coin. Perhaps they could combine the group with the Rangers?

The coin for the group was just the first problem though. The second would be ensuring the group's security. Once word got around that there was a traveling group of healers who worked for little or nothing, few would be foolish enough to bring them harm. But that didn't mean that it wouldn't happen. There were those out there who wouldn't care about the fact that they were a traveling group of healers looking to help people. They would only see an easy target to attack. So that meant that they would have to provide some sort of security for the group as well. And lastly, they came to the issue about just who would be part of this group. Obviously, Talisa would be leading them. But outside of his sister and Lord Nox, Robb could count the number of trained healers he knew of on one hand.

" The idea has merit, " he said after thinking for some time on her proposal. " There are a lot of details that would need to be worked out before the idea could be brought before my father for approval. But I would be more than happy to help you with the organization of this group of healers, Talisa. If that is what you truly want to do. "

Talisa favored him with a smile, then made his heart nearly leap out of his chest as her hand lightly fell atop of his own. Without thought, his hand turned seemingly of its own accord so that his palm was flush against hers and their fingers wove together, locking their hands together. Smiling at Talisa, Robb sat back and took a moment to enjoy this one simple moment where he and the woman he hoped to spend the rest of his life with sat together and watched the feast going on around them.

Sighing heavily, Ned Stark entered his private solar adjoining to his bedchamber and immediately sought out the comfortable chair that was positioned just before his hearth. The feast to welcome the visiting Houses to Winterfell had dragged out long into the night. Far too long for his tastes. And in fact, he could even still hear the feast still ongoing even from his chambers. 'Gods only know what tonight's gonna cost us, ' he sighed, feeling a headache begin to form. 'And the gods only know how much the rest of their time here will cost us. One visiting great house would be costly. Three at once…? The only saving grace in all of this is the fact that all the Houses at least realized the burden they were placing on us and have sought to ease the burden by bringing either coin or supplies of their own to distribute. But even with their aid…this is going to be a long and expensive gathering. '

Hearing a low whine, Ned turned his head just in time to watch Winter saunter into the room and drop down onto her belly before the fire. The difference in the she-wolf from a year of proper feeding still amazed Ned. Her body had filled out more and she'd grown at least a hand if not more during that time. She could now lay down on the floor and rest her head on the arm of his chair without straining her neck. And the pups were showing signs that they would be just as big, if not bigger, than their mother by the time they finally stopped growing.

" I hear you, girl, " Ned nodded as Winter whined once more, the sensation of exhaustion fluttering through the strange connection he felt with the she-wolf. " I'll take a war any time over dealing with the politics of the noble houses and the game they all love to play. "

Winter gave off a huff and rolled over so that she was laying on her side with her belly facing the fire trying to warm herself. Despite not caring or even wanting to play politics with the south, Ned was not ignorant of them. He knew exactly why these Houses had come calling on Winterfell. They wanted power. Specifically, they wanted the Sorcerer's power. And since Nox was a man who was not so easily swayed, they had set their sights on the next generation, his children and those who were and could be trained by Nox to wield his power. Along with the power of the sorcerer, they also wanted to know just how the North had managed to advance themselves as in a few short years in hopes of duplicating their success. And they weren't even trying to be discreet in their desires either, which irked Ned more than anything.

All throughout the feast, Willias Tyrell had kept close by Sansa, entertaining his young daughter with stories of Highgarden or tales of the Reach. And whenever he was not impressing himself upon his daughter, then either Garlan or Margaery were. Did they truly not think that he would notice just what they were trying to do? Or did they just not care? His sweet red-wolf was only two-and-ten, barely even a woman. And granted many highborn ladies throughout the realm were either betrothed or were being negotiated for at her age. But still… She was his daughter damnit!

The Lannisters were a bit more cunning in their desires. Though that was more than likely because their need for getting the blood of magic into the Lannister line was not as strong as the Tyrells, given that Joy Lannister was now one of Nox's acolytes. But they were still doing all they could to learn the secrets of the North, some of which he knew that Tyrion Lannister had managed to figure out. He'd wanted to restrict the half-man's movements in Winterfell, but Nox advised against it. Instead, he ensured Ned that they had a safeguard against Tyrion stealing and spreading some of the more profitable secrets of the North. Though when he found out just what that safeguard was…it was honestly the first time he truly wanted to strike his friend. They, unknowingly to him, had acquired Tyrion Lannister's own secret daughter safely in Winterfell and working for the Sorcerer. The only thing that had stopped him from striking his friend was when he stated that they needn't hold the girl hostage to keep the half-man quiet. They just merely needed to keep her safe from the rest of the lions.

But while the actions of the Lannisters and Tyrells annoyed him, it was the presence of the Martells that had him the most ill at ease. Relations between the North and Dorne had improved greatly over the years since Nox's arrival, but it was still tense after what befell Elia Martell and her child at the end of the Rebellion. On the surface it seemed like the ruling family of Dorne had come north to do exactly as they said: discuss further trade with the North in hopes of expanding the glass trade further south, perhaps even to Sothoryos or the Summer Isles. But when you looked closer, it was easy to see that that was not all they were after. Princess Arianne had made her intentions towards Jon very clear to just about everyone. And that worried him greatly.

There was a good possibility that the girl's interest in Jon was truly genuine, which it honestly looked to be. And in truth, it wasn't a bad match at all. While he desperately wanted to keep Jon in the North, perhaps even make him Lord of one of the recently vacated keeps, the Dreadfort for example, he knew that anything he offered Jon would fall well short of the chance to become the next Prince Consort of Dorne. The marriage would also work to truly repair the relations between the North and Dorne and it would give them an ironclad trading partner. But in the back of his mind, there was still a nagging suspicion about a potential match between the two. And that suspicion was born from Jon's true parentage. If the Martells somehow discovered Jon's true parentage, they could potentially try and push him towards the throne. No. They wouldn't even have to do that. They would just have to let his parentage slip into the right, or rather wrong, ear. And the moment word reached Robert, his friend's anger would do the work for them as he knew that the king would demand Jon's head immediately for being the son of Rhaegar. And once that happened, Dorne would take up arms in defense of their Prince Consort, as would those who still held loyalty to the dragons. And then either he or Robb would be stuck with having to choose between Robert or Jon.

He knew exactly who Robb would choose. And he knew that many of the North would follow the choice. Not because Jon was the son of Rhaegar, but rather because he was the son of Lyanna Stark. And because he had made a name form himself within the North on his own merits. But what was truly disheartening in the whole scenario was not the prospect of war, but rather that he himself did not know who he would choose. His brother in all but blood? Or his nephew who has become his son, in name and blood. 'No. You do know exactly who you would choose. Afterall, you made the choice years ago when you promised Lyanna on her deathbed that you would protect him from everyone. Should Robert ever learn of his true heritage and demand his execution…I would raise my sword against Robert and declare Jon my king. I wouldn't be pleased with the decision, but I would do it in a heartbeat. '

Resting his head back against his chair, Ned closed his eyes and allowed his senses to drift. And as soon as he did so, he immediately opened his eyes and sat up straight. 'Of course I would not be allowed a moment's peace tonight. '

" Milord, " one of his guards called out from the hall. " La–"

" I know who's there, " Ned grumbled, taking a moment to compose himself, because the gods knew that this conversation was about to tax him like no other. " Show Lady Tyrell in. "

Huffing, Ned got to his feet as the guard showed the dowager of House Tyrell in while Winter only barely raised her head to see who had come in before laying back down and closing her eyes. " It is quite late, Lady Tyrell, " Ned said, greeting the old woman politely.

" Pah, neither of us may be spring chickens anymore, Lord Stark, but the hour is hardly that late, " Olenna replied, brushing off his concern as she claimed one of the two seats before the hearth, the one that Cat usually sat in during their quiet nights together. " And if your concerned about rumors being spread, don't. I've long since passed the age where I am interested in late night dancing between the sheets. Even if it would be with a strapping lordling like yourself. "

The thought was not one Ned wanted to entertain, so he pushed it from his mind as he retook his seat. " I take it you have a reason for calling upon me now instead of on the morrow? "

" Of course, I do, " Olenna shot back, pulling out a rolled piece of parchment from within the confines of her robes and brandishing it towards him like a dagger. " Let us cut to the chase, as you Northerners are so fond of doing. You know why I dragged my grandchildren across Westeros to meet with you and your family, don't you? "

Sighing, Ned nodded. " In light of recent events, House Tyrell has lost much standing with your bannermen. First not fully committing to the field with the Targaryens. Then the reduced trade with the North, not something that would hurt the Reach in a significant manner, but noticeable to those who relied on the trade for coin. And most recently, the plot of the Maesters that has been brewing under House Tyrell's leadership since before even the time of Aegon the Conqueror. No doubt some of your bannermen are starting to think that they might be better suited to stand as Wardens of the South. You need allies. Strong allies. And you're here to secure the North as your ally through marriage. Given the way your children were acting during the feast, you are hoping to take my eldest daughter Sansa and turn her into the next Lady of Highgarden. "

Olenna gave him a look that showed she was mildly impressed with him. " And there are those in the south that believe you Northerners despise the game, Lord Stark. "

" I do despise it, " Ned countered. " It's a waste of time and resources that could be put to better use. "

" That's debatable, " Olenna shot back. " But despite your hatred, you play the game far better than most I've met. You're handling of the Sorcerer and keeping him locked to Winterfell by naming his lady wife as your Stewardess was a well thought out play. Then there is the fact that your eldest son and heir is obviously courting that young woman, Talisa Maegyr, who just so happens to have the same family name as one of the Triarchs of Volantis. Then there is the fact that your bastard boy is so obviously besot by the Martell girl. Should either or both courtships bear fruit, then the North will have gained ironclad trading partners in both Sunspear and Volantis. Which would allow you to expand Northern trade far beyond the reach of most other Houses in Westeros, making the North the most dominant exporter of Westerosi goods. Quite the ambitious goal, Lord Stark. "

Ned was just about to counter her, saying that her thoughts were not his own. But the words died on his tongue. 'If people think you are doing something and are so convinced that they are correct, don't correct them even if they are wrong. ' He remembered Nox telling him during one of their many discussions involving the politics of the south. 'That way, their own arrogance blinds them to what you are actually doing. '

" The North has stayed stagnant for far too long, " Ned replied instead, neither confirming nor denying Lady Olenna's thoughts. " It has served us well in the past, but times have changed. And the North must change if we are to survive the whatever the future might hold for us. "

He noticed that Olenna was eyeing him critically from her spot next to him. " Quite the view to have, Stark. And a drastic change from what many have perceived the North to be in the past. Now, are you going to open that contract up and read it? Or are you going to make me wait for winter to set in fully before you make your decision? "

Truthfully, Ned wanted to do nothing more than to throw the contract in his hand right into the fire and watch the thing burn. He and Cat had talked about their children's futures and their eventual betrothals many times in the past. But talking was as far as they'd ever gotten on that subject. Hells, he hadn't even finalized a betrothal for Robb yet. And now, here he was, holding a betrothal for his eldest daughter. His little red wolf.

Breathing out through his nose, Ned broke the wax seal on the rolled parchment and began reading over the contract before he could rethink his decision not to throw the thing into the fire. The contract was more than just a simple betrothal contract, it was also tide into a trade contract as well with a few aspects thrown in that were usually not normal for a betrothal. The contract itself and the contents within were certainly not unheard of, but they were not typical either. And for the most part, all the terms within the contract seemed to benefit the North, or rather House Stark specifically, over House Tyrell and the rest of the Reach.

'They're desperate, ' Ned realized as he started going through the contract once more. 'They're doing everything they can think of, even coming here in person, to obtain a bride from House Stark. Is their position truly so precarious in the Reach? They've even put in a clause stating that there will be two wedding ceremonies. One in Winterfell before the heart tree for which House Stark will pay for. And one in the sept at Highgarden, which House Tyrell will provide the coin for. '

The only part that truly seemed to benefit House Tyrell in specific was the terms of Sansa's dowry. Instead of coin, House Tyrell wanted a single Valyrian steel sword, at least a longsword in length. Such a dowry was almost unheard of outside of one reserved for a Princess of the Realm. And if not for the fact that they had a stockpile of Valyrian steel thanks to Nox's expedition into the ruins of Old Valyria, Ned would've rejected the contract outright for that one clause alone.

" Well, Stark? Do we have a contract or no? " Lady Tyrell all but demanded as she sat seemingly impatiently by his side.

Rolling up the contract, Ned thought over his words carefully before responding. " Your terms are most generous. Besides the requested dowry, though considering Master Nox's recent success, I find myself without cause to deny the request. But –"

" Anything before the word 'but' Stark is horse shit and you know it, " Olenna cut him off, surprising Ned slightly as he'd often said the same thing. " The North may not have the best recent history with the Reach, considering the Maesters and the failed marriage between the Mormonts and the Hightowers. But she will be the future Lady of Highgarden and wife to the Warden of the South. She will want for nothing. And the North and the Reach will benefit greatly from a union of our two houses. "

" But, " Ned pressed on over Lady Tyrell and giving the old woman a look that caused her to freeze momentarily. No doubt because as he recognized that his own anger that'd crept into his voice had turned his eyes the slightest shade of yellow. " My daughter is still a young girl of two-and-ten. And I will not see her wed for at least another five years. "

The old woman overcame her surprise quickly as his words reached her. " Reasonable. Marriage serves little use if the bride hasn't bled yet and is unable to bare children. "

" Additionally, " Ned pressed on, trying his best not to let the words of Olenna put him off. " I will not agree to this betrothal unless my daughter finds the betrothal agreeable as well. "

The look Olenna gave him was one as if he'd grown a second head right before her. " You would hold up the betrothal and the betterment of your people on the decision making of a two-and-ten-year-old girl? "

Ned gave the old woman a hard look. " Aye, I would. The North has survived long before now and will continue to do so well after our time has come and gone. This agreement will indeed perhaps make things slightly better in the North for some time, but let us not fool ourselves, Lady Tyrell. You need House Stark. You need the power my daughter commands and the influence House Stark can bring to your House. We, however, do not need House Tyrell. We are discussing my daughter's future, Lady Tyrell. She deserves a say in it. By the end of your stay here in the North, should my daughter find Willias agreeable, then I will agree to the betrothal. If, however she does not, then you will leave my lands without. Those are my terms, Lady Tyrell. You can either accept them, or the door is right there. The decision is now yours. "

Olenna stared hard at Ned, a look he returned with one just as hard and unyielding. The moment of silence stretched on between them, the only sound in the room being the slow steady breathing of Winter and the burning of the fire. In the end, Olenna was the first to back down. " Well, I never expected to find such a challenge when I set out from Highgarden. And now I'm even more sure that coming here was the right decision to make. Had my oaf of a son come up here, he would have done something so stupid as to make it so that relations between the Reach and the North would only become a thing of fantasy. "

Rising to her feet, Olenna waved Ned off as he rose to help her. " I'm old, Stark. Not an invalid. My legs still work just fine. And I suppose that we will be extending our stay here in Winterfell for a bit longer than we had originally planned. Keep the contract, Stark. You've laid down the gauntlet for your daughter's hand. And I guarantee you that before we leave, your daughter will all but be begging for you to agree to the offer. "

" We shall see, Lady Tyrell, " Ned answered, rising to his feet despite the woman's motions for him to remain seated.

" Indeed we shall, Stark, " Olenna grinned. " Indeed we shall. "

Drumming her fingers against the railing lining the balcony attached to her chambers in the Red Keep, Queen Cersei Lannister, for she refused to have any ties outside of 'Queen' to her drunken whoremongering husband, glared hatefully towards the North where she knew the greatest threat to her, and her children's, reign resided. 'Unfortunately, I am the only one who truly recognizes the threat Nox poses, ' she fumed, still glaring northwards as her fingers picked up the pace of their drumming. 'My drunken husband all but worships the ground he walks on…and the Small Council are all either Baratheon's as well or brow beaten into submission. And now because of what transpired during his brief time in my city…even the fucking small folk look upon him like he's some sort of god descended from the heavens to save them. None of them realize the true threat that he is. But I do. '

She'd always been wary of the stories of the sorcerer ever since Robert returned from the Greyjoy Rebellion singing the man's praises like he was the Warrior Reborn. But now after meeting the man in person, she realized she'd been wrong. He wasn't as dangerous as she thought. He was far, far more dangerous than she could have ever dreamed possible. That night when he silenced her and froze her in her seat with but a mere look… She had no idea what foul magic he used on her that night. But she could still feel the cold fear he'd cursed her with even now well over a moon past his leaving. The fear, the darkness. It would come and go seemingly at random. But when it came, it never fled no matter what she did. Drinking. Fucking. Causing torment upon some idiotic serving girl. Nothing could bring her out of the dark pit that Nox had cursed her into.

'He needs to be brought under control! ' Cersei seethed, her drumming ceasing as she closed her hand into a tight fist. 'Or, failing that, eliminated! He's not one of us. So, he's our enemy. Yes. He needs to be eliminated. But before he dies…his power. I must have his power! With his power, my rule and the rule of my perfect lion will remain unchallenged for an age! '

Hearing a light tapping on her door, Cersei didn't bother to turn around as the Kingsgaurd assigned to her today, Ser Mandon Moore, opened the door to her chambers and entered. " Your grace. Lord Varys is requesting an audience with you. He is out in the hall. "

Glancing out of the corner of her eye, Cersei took a moment to gaze over Mandon's pale faç ade. Jamie always considered this man to be one of the most dangerous of the Kingsgaurd because his face never truly gave away what he was thinking. Which to Cersei meant that he was the perfect tool if he did what she told him.

'Jamie. '

Her musing of the Kingsguard was cut off as her mind drifted, as it usually did, to her brother and lover. He was another reason for her hatred towards the sorcerer. Were it not for that blind meddling fool, her brother would not have had to endure the punishment that Robert so unjustly brought down upon him! 'They dare to punish Jamie! ' she seethed once again as her thoughts turned to her brother's whipping and the wounds that had still not fully healed over. 'They should be lining up to suck his cock in thanks for saving all of their lives! But, no, instead they whip him bloody! And not even father will step in to remind Robert and the realm that the Lannisters are not a House to take such a slight! And this…? This was so much more than just a slight! '

" Your grace, " Moore called out to her again. " Shall I tell him to leave? "

Taking a moment to compose herself, Cersei shook her head. The eunuch never called upon her unless he had something that he knew she would be interested in hearing. The only questions were what was the information that he had and what it was going to cost her this time. " No. Send the Spider in. " She didn't bother to turn around, instead she merely listened to the door open and close as she remained staring out over the kingdom that rightfully belonged to her.

" Your grace, " the smooth oil voice of the Spider called out to her as the eunuch entered her chambers. " I am grateful that I managed to catch you at a unbusy time to speak with you. "

" No games, Varys, " Cersei all but snapped as she was in no mood to trade words with the cockless fool. " Say what you have to say, then leave. "

As usual, the man didn't flinch in the slightest in the face of her wrath, the same wrath that had sent many a servant to the ground in fear. " Of course, your grace, " Varys bowed slightly, his tone not changing and the irritating smirk still on his face. " I was merely curious as to whether you have received word from your brother or uncle about your cousin and whether or not she was successful? "

Cersei only just managed to keep her brow from furrowing as she spared the Spider a single glance before dismissing him and returning her gaze to King's Landing. " And why would I care about word from that wretched creature or the bastard girl? "

She could almost hear the amusement in Varys's voice as he spoke. " Because Lord Gerion and Lord Tyrion have both escorted your cousin Joy to Winterfell to have her tested by Lord Nox to see if she is capable of becoming one of his acolytes. No doubt at the command of your father, Lord Tywin. The songs of my little birds in the North have not yet reached me as to whether she was successful, so I was merely curious as to whether you had heard if she was successful or not. "

Cersei only just managed to keep her rage, which was already teetering on the edge, from taking hold. 'Now even my father is lining up to suck the sorcerer's cock! ' She seethed, only just barely managing to keep her expression impassive as she did everything in her power to keep her anger from showing. The last thing she wanted now was to give the cockless fool the pleasure of showing that he'd managed to get under her skin. 'No. Father wouldn't do something like that. It's a ploy. It has to be. A way to learn the sorcerer's secrets and use them for House Lannisters' advantage. But still, even knowing that…I am the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and a Lannister by birth! I should have been informed of this! '

⇐ Предыдущая 68 69 70 71 727374 75 76 77 Следующая ⇒