Chapter Text
Chapter Seven: Plots and Plans. Plans and Plots
Both of the Northerners were silent until they reached the courtyard after his father was briefed by Fat Tom about the Princess’ unscheduled visit. “Willas Tyrell?”
Jon shrugged, avoiding the question. “What did Lady Catelyn want?”
“What! How did you…? Were you following me?”
“Please father.” Jon said, not meeting his eye. “Robb and I could always tell the day after you and Lady Catelyn coupled. You let off this… aura.”
“…Really?” Eddard asked, barely recognizing the boy that he raised. He always knew Jon was observant, but this was too much.
“No. You smell like her perfume and your shirt is inside out.“ Jon deadpanned, causing Jory to cover a laugh with a cough. Eddard glared at both of them and Jon continued trying to keep the tremor out of his voice. “Br- Bran?”
“He is fine.“ Ned said, before quietly explaining what happened between Catelyn and the knife. Surprisingly, Jon did not bring up his dream. Right when Ned was about to bring it up Jon brought a finger to his lips. Eddard quickly diverted what he was about to say, “Bran got a soulmark. It is a stone direwolf. And Robb’s mark became clear as well. Lady Wynafryd Manderly. “
“Perfect.“ Jon said, happy for his brother. “Maybe you can invite Lord Wyman to be Master at Laws. “
“I cannot give him the Master of Laws position!” Ned said, as they continued walking. He could not give him nor the Blackfish positions of power within the city. There was no honor in nepotism. “It would not be right to give my son’s future good-father a position like that. “
“Why not? Isn’t it equally as bad to not give him a position he’d deserve because he’s your son’s future good-father? Is that not the same thing but in reverse?” Jon asked as they started up some stairs.
“That’s… true enough.“ Eddard admitted.
“It’s more expected that you do that.“ Jon admitted as they turned a corner.
“But back to the subject at hand, considering with what you told me I am guessing I can assume Littlefinger was lying about the owner of the dagger?”
“If Littlefinger’s lips are moving, aye. You can assume he is lying.“ Jon said, squinting as if trying to figure out where they were. “But on this? This? I can prove that he is lying. “
“Oh?” Ned said, as his son started to look around more and more.
“Gambling is highly regulated at tourneys.“ Jon said, for Eddard to indignantly respond, “It is?”
“Aye, for taxes.“ Jon said, his face relaxing. “You are only able to bet certain amounts in certain rounds. A Valyrian steel dagger? No way that goes in any round except the final round. “
“And that’s significant how?” Jory asked, and both he and Jon blanched as they had forgotten the captain of guards was even there. Eddard would have to bring him up to speed later.
“I went up against Jaime Lannister in the finals. No way in any of the seven hells would Tyrion Lannister ever bet against his brother. They’re closer than Arya and I.“ Jon said, certainly.
Eddard pinched his nose and sighed, ”That is not actual proof though, so we are no better than when we started.“ He said in annoyance. Eddard then realized he had no idea where they were.
“Jon, where are we?” Eddard asked, looking around to see if he recognized any familiar landmarks.
“On our way to Loras.“ Jon said, cryptically.
“Would he still be here so late?” Eddard asked.
“Probably. “
“Why are you being strange about the Tyrells?” Ned asked, getting more and more suspicious.
“I do not know what you are talking about…” Jon started before,
BANG!
Both Jory and Eddard were taken by surprise as Jon suddenly without warning kicked a random door in. What the hell was he thinking! Whose room was this and what did Eddard’s son want with them? There was a shout as Jon strutted into the room, confidence seeping off of him.
“Grand Maester!” Jon said in a fake sounding scandalized voice. “For shame! This must be against your vows, no?”
Eddard’s eyes widened as he saw Grand Maester Pycelle standing in his room nearly naked. Judging by the position he was in; the weakness and foolishness of the old man was just an act. Eddard doubted even Arya, athletic and spry as she was, could bend her body the way this Letcher did.
“M- M- M- My Lord?” Pycelle stammered, falling back into his act. The man who had been in King’s Landing since before Eddard was even born meaning that he was well versed in how to slime his way out of tricky situations. “I- I assure you this is not what is it looks like-”
“Dancy?” Jon said, cutting off the Maester looking directly at the naked whore with orange hair in the corner of the room. Despite the blonde girl using her hands to cover herself, the red head did not even bother. Eddard could not believe his son's restraint. He was still yet a boy and was looking directly at the pretty girls in the eye, only the eye.
“It’s exactly what it looks like Lord Hand.“ She said as she started putting her dress back on. “The Maester here actually paid a little extra so that he could put it in my ars-”
“Thank you, Dancy!” Jon said, quickly cutting her off, finally turning red with embarrassment. He tossed her a bag that sounded as if it were filled with gold pieces and the whores left the room, though not before the blonde gave his son a quick curtsey. Jon then turned to the Maester. “Tsk, tsk, Maester. Breaking your vows and then interfering with an investigation by the Hand of the King with lying?”
“Please, My Lord. If I may just explain…” the man said, but Eddard was more distracted by his son giving him looks over the feeble old man’s head.
“This is a very serious charge, Grand Maester.“ Ned said, turning to his son and Jory.
“What do you think, Ser Jon?”
“Well I happen to know that the Sunset Dancer is headed up to Eastwatch by the Sea tomorrow afternoon…” Jon said, and a look of growing horror hit the Scholar’s face. “The watch can always use more men. They probably are in need of a Maester…”
“No! Please!” He cried, falling to his knees and grabbing Eddard’s sleeve. “Please my Lord Hand!”
Eddard shoved him off in disgust and looked to Jory. “Jory, please escort the Maester to a cell. Jon please talk to the Captain of the Sunset Dancer in the Morning to let him know that they will have an extra passenger. “
The pathetic old man wailed some more as he was led away.
“What the hell was that!” Eddard snapped at his son once no one was in ear shot.
“I am sorry father…” Jon said, pensively. The look upon Jon’s face made some of the anger Eddard felt dissipate but not all of it. “I knew you’d never go along with this if I told you what was going to happen. Honestly, I am surprised you went along with it as much as you did…”
“Jon, what…”
“What I did was dishonorable, I know.” Jon said, starting to sit on the bed before realizing what had gone down there a few moments ago and thought better of it. “But this was for the best. Pycelle was not- is not a good man. If underhanded tactics get rid of him then so be it. There is no single person in the capital that is not better off for it. “
Was what his son was saying true? How had he become so ruthless? Were the decisions he made justified by the outcome?
“Do not forget, if Lord Arryn was murdered then he had a hand in it. If not the poisoning itself, he was the one who withheld medical care from him. He ordered Maester Coleman away.“ Jon said, and his face darkened. “Even if none of that were true, he is guilty of much darker crimes. It is just a good thing Daella was able to get me a note to deal with this so soon. “
Eddard put the pieces together in his head as he realized. “That girl, the one who you said runs your estate. She is actually a whore?”
“She does run my estate and she was a whore.“ Jon clarified. “She got pregnant and -it's not mine!- I felt bad for her so I hired her to my estate. “
“How do you know a whore in the first place?” Eddard asked, before he realized that he probably did not want to know the answer if Jon was anything like his uncle.
“Lord Royce did not like it, but Jon Arryn used me to speak to the smallfolk during some of his investigations.” Jon said, smiling at the memory of the older man. “They’d much rather speak to a bastard than some ‘uppity lordling’. Most of the whores know they can come to me if they are in trouble and I can count on them for favors.”
“Such as information?” Ned asked.
“Mostly, aye.“ Jon said, picking up a shift and folding it.
“Jon Arryn was always wise enough to see when someone could be utilized in ways that most would not have thought of.“ Ned said, smiling as well and tucking that nugget of information away for later. “You did truly buy an estate? How?”
“With the money from the tourney I won.“ Jon said, “It should be ready in a day or two. I shall like to show you and the girls once it is ready. “
“I would like that as well.“ Ned said, “Now let us leave this place. It reeks of sex. “
“I will find Loras first father. I want the offer for Master of Coin to be in any missive that he sends.“ Jon said, Ned cocked an eyebrow and Jon raised his hands in surrender but glanced at his shoes. “No more secret plans father. I swear. “
“Very well.“ Ned said, patting the boy on his shoulder. Ned knew that he was lying, but decided to trust him. He made note to get Robert to speed that legitimization decree up. “I shall see you in the morrow. You don’t want to keep that pretty soulmate of yours waiting. “
Jon rolled his eyes as yet another member of his family was lecturing him on how to conduct himself with his soulmate. He murmured something guiltily and Ned remembered that he still needed information from his son.
“Why are you acting so strangely about the Tyrells?” Ned said, and seeing that his son was going to attempt to dodge the answer again he said, “We are not leaving here until you tell me.“
“Margaery Tyrell…” Jon began, seemingly at a loss for words. “Margaery Tyrell is my soulmate. “
“I beg your pardon?” Ned said, “I must have misunderstood you. “
“I spoke to Loras earlier.“ Jon said, rubbing his arm. “She apparently has a soulmark that matches mine. “
“That is…” Ned said, falling back onto the bed. “I don’t…”
“He even talked about her gaining veins of gold the same way I did.“ Jon said. “Something no one but Lady Catelyn, the rest of us kids and Ser Jaime knew about. “
When Ned found out what happened, he ordered that no one was to talk about how Jon got his soulmark while Luwin did more research into the phenomenon.
“But Lady Val…”
“Is still my mate.“ Jon stressed. “I can feel it in my bones. “
Ned felt sick to his stomach. Over the years there had been rumors of this. Baela Targaryen, Jacaerys Velaryon, and Sara Snow had been rumored to be so. (A Snow and a Jacaerys!) Bloodraven and Bittersteel had been rumored to share half a soulmark with Shiera Seastar and that is where the acrimonious relationship came from. But no, the only confirmed triad of soulmarks was the Conquers: Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys. Every trio had Valyrian blood. This was not good.
“… years ago when the royal progress traveled to Highgarden. We did not speak to each other much though.“ Jon said and Ned realized he had spaced out.
“What. “
“Lady Margaery. We met a few years ago but we did not speak to each other much. At all really” Jon said, and his face ignited in what seemed to be embarrassment. “She spent most of her time swimming with her ladies. “
Ned blushed thinking of Robert’s words in the crypts and shook his head. “And that is why you were so adamant about naming Willas Tyrell?”
“No.” Jon shook his head. “I asked Loras to make sure that Willas was coming to the Capital back in Winterfell. You need people you can trust and that can actually do their job. If you did not agree… well it is not as if he would not enjoy and be popular at Tourneys.”
“I will write Lord Ty…” Ned began but Jon grimaced. “What?”
“The Tyrells… They are very adamant about getting a grandson on the Throne. I do not believe that they would be very… receptive of their only daughter marrying a bastard.” Jon said, sheepishly.
“You seem to be close with Ser Loras…”
“Which would do nothing for Mace Tyrell’s lust for prestige.” Jon said, bitterly. “I… I will deal with the Tyrell’s.”
~~~
“You seem cold My Lord.” Allyria said, walking up from behind.
Willas was surprised that she was able to get so close but he really should not be. She was naturally quite quiet, and Willas had spaced out quite a bit.
“Ah, yes well…” Willas said, still not quite used to having a soulmate nor on how he was supposed to interact with her either. “Not quite used to being on the water.”
When the Purple rose with a broken steam appeared on Willas’ wrist. His mother and even his grandmother had been overjoyed for him. (His father had, of course, made it about himself)
“Your family is from the Harbor and Oldtown and you aren’t used to the water?” She asked, the humor more than clear in her tone.
“Well when you put it like that…” Willas said, as his soulmate sighed sadly. “Is everything alright?”
“It is just…” Allyria began. “Everything has moved so quickly. I was betrothed to Beric and helping my father run Starfall before Edric could take his rightful place, now I am to be the Lady of Highgarden. And we’re going to the capital all of a sudden.”
Willas and Allyria were not actually planning on meeting and going to the capital together. Willas was going to pick up Oberyn from Sunspear and she happened to be there acting as a Lady-in-Waiting. With the Martells and the Daynes so close, they knew that Willas was going to be in Sunspear and it was not very hard to narrow down who the rose with the broken stem was.
“Do you not like the Capital?” Willas asked, as her grey eyes shone with odium.
“Not many in Dorne care for the Capital nowadays.” Allyria said, facing away and leaning on the railing away from him.Willas was just barely able to avoid grimacing at his faux pas. “My Princess and I have even less of a reason than most.”
“Yourself as well?” Willas asked.
“Now that the Starks are there? Yes.” Allyria said, and Willas hummed in agreement. He knew what happened between Ned Stark and Arthur and Ashara Dayne. He could not imagine that was not the beginning of a feud that would last generations. Just look at what happened between him and Oberyn when that was just an accident.
“We can avoid them.” Willas said, placing his left hand on top of her right and rubbed his thumb up and down the back of her hand.
“I doubt that it will be that easy. At least for any length of time.” Allyria said, seemingly accepting defeat.
“Then why do you make the journey?” Willas said, “Surely you could have just waited in Starfall?”
“Because Prince Oberyn told us that you would be picking him up.” Allyria said, “If you go, we should both go.”
“And Your Princess?”
“She has her reasons. It is not my place to question them.” Allyria said, as if reading from a script.
“But you do know them?”
“She has her secrets. It is not my place to share them.” Allyria said, although she did not hide her mirth so Willas knew she was teasing him.
“Allyria.” The woman in question said, and both of them turned around and saw her there. “I wish to get ready for sleep.”
She was very openly glaring at Willas the entire time she spoke. Not that he could blame her. His family hiding at Storm’s End the way they were could have changed the course of the war and her children may still be alive if that were the case.
“Of course, My Princess.” Allyria said, demurely as they both went to her cabin.
Willas made note to avoid her as much as they would be avoiding the Starks. While she may not look like him, Willas had no doubt that she was just as deadly as Oberyn if push came to shove.
~~~
Jon sighed as he trekked up the stairs to the Tower of the Hand. Why did this place have So. Many. Stairs?
His estate was actually in order tonight. He swung by the place accidentally waking baby Barra, invoking the wrath of Mhaegan, but it was intact and ready to be used probably as soon as tomorrow if he truly wanted. Next door was doing even better. His investment into Chataya's was making him a lot of money. More money than he anticipated to be honest. Maybe when the time came, he would be able to buy his own keep in the North for him and Val. Somewhere in the Gift perhaps?
But back to Chataya's; that pussball on legs Meryn Trant had been back. Whenever he shows up the whores all scramble and whoever is unfortunate enough to be the one forced to service him tends to not be able to walk for a few days, and that is if they are lucky. The white cloak has made them too afraid to stop him. Jon will need to make a plan to get rid of him as well. Pycelle is taken care of, Janos will be tomorrow, Loras confirmed that Willas was on his way already so Littlefinger will be gone soon enough not to mention Renly and his stupid plan to… with Lady Margaery no less!
“Hello Lover.“ A sultry voice sounded causing Jon’s head to snap up. Seeing her nowhere proved to be to his detriment as he was tackled from behind and the duo rolled across the floor. Finally his arms were pinned to his sides by Val’s legs, a dagger at his throat.
“Lad… Val!!” Jon said, finally getting a hold of himself.
“I’ve been waiting for you to long. I’ve decided to take things into my own hands... You reek of sex?” Val said, causing Jon’s eyes to widen, “Oh don’t give me that look Snow, I know what it smells like. “
“That’s not what… What can I help you with, My Lady?” Jon said, glad the light was dim in his room so that his soulmate could not see his blush.
“Well I was here to steal you.” Val said, letting go of his arms. “But it seems as if you…”
“My lady, I assure I did no such thing, I swear it on the old gods and the new. “ Jon said, leaning up onto his elbows.
“Really?” Val said, skeptically.
“I was checking on our estate. It is right next to a brothel and many of the girls come to me for help with things. “
“Our estate?” She asked, with a curious eyebrow not quite succeeding at keeping the smile on her face.
“Aye, our estate.“ Jon said, placing a kiss on her lips.
“I heard you.” Val said, with a role of the eyes “I do not know what an estate is.”
“Oh…” Jon said, embarrassed when he remembered that Val more than likely did not have the same education as he. “It is a building that I own.”
There was an awkward pause for a moment before Val said, “I don’t care if you did you know.”
“Excuse me?”
“Lay with… who ever.” Val said, with a dismissive wave of the hand. “Unless it is our soulmate. You do it with her and don’t tell me then you’ll fit in right well with those crows up north. You’ll be celibate… permanently.”
Jon chuckled, and softly pushed them back over to the bed. “The only one I wish to ‘lay with’ is you!”
“And our soulmate.” She corrected. “Though we do that together.”
“Are you sure?” Jon said, confused. “She is… well… a girl…”
“Really?” Val said in her mock scandalized voice that got better with every day she spent in the south. “I had no idea! I have met many ‘sisters’ that were actually men!”
Jon rolled his eyes and he twisted her around, abruptly flopping her backwards onto the bed. He pulled her knees up closer to her chest and asked, “Tell me. Have you ever heard of the Lord’s Kiss?”