Merman In Kingslanding-Part 2

Merman in Kingslanding - Part 2 

“-fifteen Gold Dragons.” 

Wyman shook his head slightly. “I'm sorry my friend. Thats too little.  I can come down to twenty.” 

The dornish merchant hesitated slightly. His tanned face went through a few different expressions before eventually settling. “Very well. Twenty dragons per sheet of silk. I will take twenty of them my lord.” 

Wyman felt a smile come on to his face as he clapped broadly. “Deal my good man.” Wyman quickly wrote the order on a piece of parchment before stamping it with his sigil and handing it to the man. He then gestured to one of his servants. “Gerard here will take you and your men to the ship that has them now.” 

The man bowed shortly before leaving. Wyman slumped slightly into his chair. “Who's next Jerob?” Wyman asked the servant responsible for keeping track of the merchants who wanted to see him. 

The man answered promptly. “A trader from Driftmark by the name of Willem my lord. He seems to be interested in the alcohol.” 

“And how many are there left for today?” 

Jerob looked at the parchment in is hands for a few moments. “Five, Lord Manderly. We have already done ten.” 

Wyman massaged his temples briefly, feeling a headache coming on. He truly couldn't wait for lunch.  

He straightened himself and was about to gesture for the guards to let the next person enter when there was a knock on the door.  

Slightly surprised. Wyman only hesitated briefly. “Enter.” One of his guards walked into the room followed by a servant of the Red Keep.  

The servant bowed. “My lord, the King requests your presence in his solar.” 

Wyman withheld a sigh. He knew this was coming sooner or later. He just wished it happened when he wasn't already busy. 

Well, there was no keeping the King waiting.  

Wyman stood while speaking to his servants. “Jerob, please speak to the rest of my appointments. Tell them I was called away and put them first for my next round of meetings tomorrow.” 

His faithful servant bowed his head. “It will be done my lord.” 

With that Wyman gestured to the lad who summoned him to the King to lead the way. 

The walk to the Kings solar was unfortunately terrible for Wyman. The Red Keep was made up of many twisty corridors that's purposes seemed to only be to confuse people. There were numerous staircases that also seemed to have no reason to be present. At one point Wyman went down a flight of stairs only to climb up another staircase one hallway over and then turn around and go back in the opposite direction before descending another staircase. Truthfully, if he was the King he would seriously consider having this place torn down and rebuilt. As it was, Wyman was convinced Magor the Cruel was not depicted as mad enough in the stories he read. 

By the time he got to the Kings solar he was beginning to sweat quiet heavily. 

He exchanged a short nod with the Kingslayer before the lad gestured for him to immediately enter. 

Walking into the solar, Wyman felt himself drool slightly at the feast on display. There was fish, boar, apples, pie and an assortment of other foods arranged on a large table in the middle of the room, and he was incredibly hungry. Still, Wyman never let himself lose his composure and immediately started to kneel before the King.  

Before he was even halfway down, Robert waved him off. “Enough of that. I get enough sucking up from the leeches in the South. I don't need it from you Northerners as well.” 

Wyman stood, immensely grateful for his knees. ”As you wish your grace.“ He then nodded at Jon Arryn who was on the Kings right side on the other side of the table. ”Lord Hand.” 

Jon Arryn gave him a smile. “Lord Manderly, please join us for a meal.” 

Wyman was too happy to agree. Before he knew it, he was digging into the feast before him with relish while the King told him stories about some of his hunts.”-big bastard too. Never seen a more ferocious boar than that. Took seven arrows to put him down and he was still trying to gut me in his last moments. Truly one of the better hunts I've been on. I should arrange another hunt that way soon. Jon do you-” 

“Your Grace.”. The Hand interrupted with a slight sigh. “Perhaps we should talk to Lord Manderly about what we discussed.” 

The King looked frowned slightly but turned back to Wyman without much complaint except for a sigh. “Aye I suppose you're right.” 

Wyman straightened up and cleaned off his fingers on a handkerchief that had been provided. “I'm at your disposal your grace.” 

The king frowned for a moment before speaking. “We’ve heard all sorts of rumors coming out of the North, Manderly. Rumors that are making some people at court rather anxious. Now I'm not accusing the Starks of anything. I know you Northerners are rather simple and straightforward. It's what I like about you. The problem is people keep bitching at me about you lot and it's giving me a headache, so I want some answers that will get them to shut up.” 

Wyman heard the Hand of the King sigh, but he ignored that to focus on Robert. “What would you like to know about your grace?” Hadrian had told him to be as open and honest to the King as possible about most topics. The only thing he doesn't want known to the South was some of his inventions, such as the compass and his magic. Wyman intended to do just that. 

Robert frowned. “Firstly, are the rumors about the Children and the Giants true?” 

Wyamn nodded calmly.” Yes they are. Hadrian, myself and a few other lords came across them when we travelled briefly past The Wall. They offered to bend the knee and Hadrian accepted.” 

Jon Arryn frowned. “Why were you beyond the Wall?” 

Wyman felt his lips twitch slightly. “Hadrian is a rather serious boy, but he is still a boy and sometimes prone to adventure, no matter how seriously he takes his duties most of the time. He took a few Lords with him when he went to inspect the Nights Watch. I suspect he just wanted to go past the Wall for the right to say that he did.” 

Robert laughed and banged a meaty fist on the table. “Ha! I can understand that. Lord knows I did stupider things in my youth.” 

Jon Arryn pursed his lips. “Still, I must ask. Will it be possible to convince Hadrian to get rid of them?” 

Wyman instantly shook his head. “He takes his word very seriously and he promised them his protection as vassels. Even if he did get rid of them the Northern Lords would be up in arms. They are linked with the Old Gods and are therefore to be respected. They would go along with it, if only because a Stark ordered them to, but it would damage his relationship with many of them. Truly I doubt Hadrian had any choice but to accept their fealty when it was offered in front of so many Lords. Not if he wanted to keep their respect.” 

Arryn leaned forward. “And if the crown ordered it?” 

Wyman frowned. “Then he probably will. But the Northern Lords will be furious at the crown.” 

Arryn leaned back with a heavy sigh. The man looked like he aged years in a moment. “You must understand that this is getting the Faith incredibly angry. We’ve seen a surge of numbers in the growing militant faction and this has put a huge strain in talks to get them to disband.” 

Wyman pursed his lips. “With all due respect my Lord. I doubt such an argument will move Hadrian. As the King is the Protector of the Faith, Starks are generally seen as the Protectors of the Old Gods. I know Hadrian is already getting annoyed that the Faith Militant hasn't been crushed yet. Especially since they attacked the North.” 

Jon glared slightly. “If we attack them, we risk making them martyrs and having rebellions pop-up all-over Westeros.” 

“And yet, the longer they go without being destroyed the bolder the Faith will grow.” 

The old man pursed his lips. “The Conciliator destroyed the Militant with words not swords.” 

Wyman wanted to laugh at the foolishness he was hearing. “Magor the Cruel destroyed the Faith Militant. The Conciliator offered the survivors a way out that they could stomach.” 

Jon Arryn scoffed. “Lord Manderly, the Faith can always get more numbers. They are not-” 

“Enough!” Robert bellowed. “I'm not here to listen to you argue like children.” 

Wyman bowed his head. “Apologies, Your Grace.” 

Robert shook his head and took another sip of ale before continuing. “Lets get back to the North. What does Hadrian intend to do with these creatures? Some fear he wants to use them for war.” 

Wyman released a breath. “To be honest, there are only a few hundred of them altogether and the Giants can take decades before they have children of their own, the Children are even slower to reproduce. I doubt Hadrian intends to use them in war and risk them all dying off. It would be a poor look for him.” 

Robert grunted. “Then?” 

“Hadrian told me the Giants will be put to use in reconstructing some of Moat Cailin over the next few years before the castle is given to Eddard.” 

The King visibly brightened. “Eddard is getting a castle? Good for him. I offered him one in the South you know. The stubborn bastard refused, saying a Starks duty is in the North.” 

Jon Arryn looked more wary than ever. “Why Moat Cailin?”  

Wyman expected this question. It would be strange if they weren't wary of the implications of the North rebuilding its southern fortress. “Ned is familiar with the South and his wife is Lord Tullys daughter. Hadrian figured it was the best option for him.” 

“I was under the impression that relations between the Rivelands and the North were poor.” 

Wyman nodded easily. “Aye, they are. But they don't have to stay that way. Edmure Tully walked into Winterfell like it was his own castle and basically ordered Hadrian to give Sansa Stark over for fostering. In front of the Lords of the North no less. As you can imagine, Hadrian wasn't pleased. Still, Hadrian mentioned to me before that trade will reopen as soon as he gets an apology from Edmure.” All true. However, he left out that Edmure Tully was proud and was unlikely to apologize anytime soon. Even if he did, relations will probably be cool at best. 

Lord Arryn relaxed slightly. “I see. I will have a talk with Edmure.” 

Wyman nodded. 

Robert was looking thoroughly bored by what was happening and was quick to move things along. “Next, the army. Why is it being built?” 

Another complex topic. Wyman felt tired already. “Do you know what Hadrians biggest ambition is Your Grace?” 

Despite looking vaguely interested, Robert grunted. ”No. What is it?” 

“In truth, Hadrian doesn't really care about the South. Rather, his gaze is fixed North.” 

The King sat up slightly straighter. “He wants to conquer beyond the Wall.” 

Wyman smiled slyly. “Aye, but it won't be a normal conquest. That is practically impossible.” 

The King waved impatiently. “Then?” 

“He’s going to use trade.” 

The King looked incredulous.” Trade?” 

He nodded eagerly. “Aye, the idea is to conquer Hardhome with the army and then station them there to use as a garrison. Then food will be brought in. The wildlings will be tempted to trade furs for food, and over time given more and more benefits if they agree to bend the knee. Such as being allowed to stay in Hardhome and having protection from other Wildlings and having better deals when they trade. We don't expect it to work with most of them. But there will be those that will be tempted when they are starving. From there, a proper settlement will be built over time. This will also force the ones who don't want to bend the knee to attack us where we want them to. Instead of having the army march across that that frozen wasteland and be picked off by ambushes and starvation. If Hardhome is successful. Then we can spread out from there over the next few years. Conquering a bit at a time. Of course this comes with problems, such as the fact that Hadrian can't use his Lords armies to do this. Not when it will potentially take decades. So he decided it would be better to fund his own army in which he can cycle troops to and from Hardome to the North occasionally, without weakening his own levies to an unacceptable degree.” 

The Hand of the King looked stunned and even the King looked contemplative. Say what you will about Robert Baratheon, but he was no fool. Rather he was just uninterested in ruling. 

After a few moments Robert spoke. “That could work. But it will take a hell of a long time.” 

Wyman smiled slightly. “Aye, I believe Hadrian expects it to take most of his life to properly conquer those lands. But he seems determined.” 

Jon Arryn leaned forward. “When will Hadrian be starting this?”  

“In about a year or so. There are a few more things to sort out, such as increasing the size of the army a bit more. He also wants the permission of the crown before starting. That is one of the reasons he sent me to Kingslanding.” 

The Old Falcon furrowed his eyebrows. “Then what would he do with the army if he was refused?” 

Wyman shrugged slightly. “If that happened, he planned to stop training men and sending what there is so far with a few thousand levies to Skagos. The Lords on that Island have been ignoring the Starks for centuries. Whether the plan to conquer the lands beyond The Wall continues or not, he plans to take proper control of that island either way.” This was a lie. Hadrian never intended to stop training men for the army. He was just sure that the King wouldn't refuse his request for conquest. 

Robert snorted before turning to his mentor. “See? I told you there was nothing to worry about Jon.” 

The Falcon Lord looked as if he wanted to interject but Robert had already turned back to Wyman. “Tell Hadrian he has my permission. It can only be a good thing if those savages are taken care of. “ 

Despite the words of the King. Jon Arryn still looked worried. 

Wyman ignored him and smiled back at Baratheon. “Thank you, Your Grace. Hadrian will be happy to hear that.” 

Robert waved him off. “Bah. He’s going to marry my daughter. The least I can do is give him a chance to make the North slightly safer.” 

Robert took another sip of ale before he continued. “Enough of this. Lets talk about better things. Manderly, you traveled to Essos in your youth, yeah? You must have some interesting stories.” 

Wyman smiled. Happy that neither seemed to ask about the Nights Watch. To be honest, even Wyman doesn't know what Hadrian plans to do with that order once it was no longer needed. “Well, when I was young, perhaps on my second or third trip to Braavos...” 

LINE BREAK 

Sitting in the shaking carriage, Wyman wiped the sweat off his forehead with a sigh. Afterwards he couldn't help but look out the window towards the docks where his ship was with a slight excitement. 

After over a fortnight, Wyman was relieved to finally be leaving Kingslanding. He considers himself one of the more politically astute Lords in the North, but even he quickly grew tired of the snake pit that is Kingslanding.  

Almost every day he was approached by this minor lord or a representative of that lord, all wanting different things from him. All fishing for any information of the North they could get out of him and all trying to drag him into their political games.  

Truthfully it grew tiresome rather quickly.  

Even some of the damned merchants he spoke to were aligned with different lords with different goals. Some just wanted to get some of his items before their rivals. Others wanted him to snub their rivals by asking him to refuse selling to them, while others kept trying to bribe him with vague promises on behalf of their lords to keep them abreast of Northern affairs. 

Truly, Wyman felt like he could understand Robert a little bit more now. If he had deal with all these self-entitled idiots all the time, then he would be tempted to drink it all away too. 

Wyman couldn't wait to get back home. 

At least he could say that this trip was anything but a waste of time.  Wyman managed to sell most of his cargo already and made an enormous sum of gold for his trouble. True, a large portion will be going to House Stark, but House Manderly would still be making a lot off this venture. 

All Hadrians political goals were also met. Honestly, they were met with a lot more ease than Wyman's wildest predictions. He expected that the North might have to pay some penalty. Or that Hadrian would have to promise something. Instead, everything was basically just handed to them by the King. 

Robert Baratheon was generous towards the North. He would make sure that Hadrian knew that. 

Wyman was drawn out of his musings as he started to hear quite a bit of noise outside his carriage. 

Before he could ask what was going on, one of his guards leaned into his window and spoke with tense voice. “Looks like trouble milord.” 

Wyman furrowed his eyebrows. “What's going on?”  

“It looks like the faith. Lads with the seven-pointed star have started to follow us. Their numbers are increasing too.” 

Wyman paled slightly. “Tell the driver to go faster. We should get to ship as quickly as we can.” 

The guard nodded. “Aye, milord.”  

Wyman could faintly hear the man telling the men to move faster and he felt the carriage speed up. Unfortunately, it only lasted a few minutes before it skid to a stop. 

His door was yanked open by the same guard. “Milord, they've blocked the road ahead.” 

Wyman pursed his lips. Damn, he should have known the Faith Militant was going to do something stupid. 

He decided not to waste any more time. He quickly stood up and exited the carriage and called for a horse. Luckily all the gold had already been moved to his ship, so the carriage was not necessary. 

While he was waiting, he saw what the guard was talking about. They were about a block away from the docks, in a particularly wide street that had quite a few alleys leading to it. In front of them were about twenty men wearing a seven-pointed star. All of them were armed with knives. Behind the carriage were another twenty or so men. Leading the procession at the front was a man dressed in rags with a bald head and a tattoo of the Seven-Pointed Star on his forehead.   

Other than these men, the streets were nowhere near empty. There were dozens of smallfolk, perhaps even hundreds watching from narrow alleys and on the side of the road. 

One of his guards bent down to help Wyman climb up his horse, while those on foot climbed on horses of their own. The other guards already on horses trotted a few feet closer to their foes. 

The lead guard shouted. “Halt! You are in the presence of Wyman Manderly. You are blocking the road! Make way!” 

The bald man finally deigned to open his mouth. “I come on behalf of the Seven Who are One. The greatest authority there is! I wish to speak to Lord Manderly on his blasphemy!” 

Wyman finally sitting comfortable responded. “What blasphemy do you speak of?” 

“You claim to worship the Seven. Yet you serve a heathen. A heathen who has invited foul beasts and demons into the realm of men!” 

The smallfolk on the sides of the street murmured to themselves at this proclamation. 

Wyman felt himself becoming increasingly nervous. This had the makings of a riot. 

He needed to handle this carefully. 

“I obey my liege lord. As all good men should!” 

The man in front spat on the ground. “Not when he is a demon worshipper!” 

“They aren't demons, the-” He tried to defend. 

“Liar.” the man snapped. “They're abominations and the North has invited them into their homes. Still, you follow the teachings of the Seven. Even if you have lost your way. Surrender yourself so that we may guide you back onto the path of righteousness.” 

Damnit, he was a fanatic. “I am a lord. The Faith has no right to take me prisoner.” 

A mad glint appeared in the man's eyes. “The Seven give us the right. Capture him!” 

Suddenly there was no time to talk as all the men suddenly charged forward towards him while his guards formed up around him. 

Wyman tried to stop the madness that he knew was coming. “Wait-”  

Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful as one of his guards cut one of the lead fanatics heads off. From there it seemed as if the crowd around him went into a frenzy. The fanatics started to become even more reckless in their charge, sacrificing another of themselves on that guards blade as others pulled out knives and started stabbing him. To make it worse the smallfolk started pelting him and his men with rocks. 

In moments, there was chaos. 

His lead guard called to him. “My Lord, we have to get you out of here!” 

Wyman nodded. Knowing things had already spiraled out of control, he knew the only thing he could do now was escape. With that in mind he gave the order. “Charge!” 

With that the rest of his guards, who were all on horses, broke into a gallop. There wasn't near enough space to reach full speed, but it wasn't needed when his enemies were unarmored peasants wielding only knives.  

His men cut through them easily. Only two more men were lost when they were pulled off their horses. But Wyman didn't have the luxury to pay attention to such details when he was hacking with his sword to break through the crowd. It only took moments to break through to the other side of the group but in that time, most of the fanatics were cut down. With only a handful remaining uninjured among their number. 

Wyman didn't stop his charge once he was through, if anything he only sped up. He ignored all distractions as he desperately raced towards his ships. It felt like it took forever to reach his destination, when it was probably only a handful of minutes. 

Wyman wasted no time in boarding his ship, ignoring all the port officials and ordering it to pull anchor and set sail. The rest of his fleet were quick to obey the order as well. It took maybe five minutes to move away from the docks, but it felt like an eternity.  

By the time his ship started picking up speed, the riot had reached the docks. Wyman watched as crowds of smallfolk attacked the Goldcloaks on duty. He watched as they started looting everything they could. He watched as dozens died. He watched as more fanatics arrived and started calming down the riot. 

At the end, Wyman could only say one thing. 

“Fuck.” 

Sorry for such a late chapter guys. Life has really been getting in the way of my writing lately. On top of that we have been having major power issues in my country for the last few months which really messes with my schedule. Next chapter won't take nearly as long. I plan to release a chapter a week over the next month or so now that things seem to have calmed down to try and make it up to you guys.