8.Intentions
Mya's POV
Why was this happening, I kept seeing my child over and over and over. Why did they do this to her, her body was damp and getting cold. Her hair was wet and I couldn't get it off of her face. "Please wake up, wake up, please. DON'T LEAVE ME, PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE JUST WAKE UP! WHY MERCIFUL MOTHER WHY? GIVE MY CHILD BACK!"
What had I done? Where was I? I had jumped from where I had been sleeping. Someone had grabbed me. But then I froze when I remembered; where I was, who was holding me. He had hugged me gently; I could hold back no more and I began to cry. I thought that I had cried all that I could, the seven know how much I had cried, I had begged the Father and the Warrior, give me vengeance.
Now I wasn't crying for vengeance, I was crying for her, my child was gone. Those animals took her. I had only let her out of my sight for a short moment. They snatched her, my beautiful girl. She would have been married by the time it was truly summer.
Mark and her would have married when he returned in a couple of months and I would have still lost her. But at least she would be alive. She would truly be a woman then, but she had still been my baby when they took her. They had ripped her clothes off and bashed her head in, so much blood still leaked from her head.
My baby was gone now. I cried for a long time. It was still in the twilight of dawn but, now it was getting bright, I would need to get to my chores soon. But I didn't wan to let the boy in front of me go.
When I saw what he did to those men, part of me finally felt lighter. He had made them suffer. The word he spoke. The way the guards followed his words. They broke the animals' legs and arms. They would not live. But he had made sure they would suffer still in their last moments.
I had seen the young lord grow up. He had not always been a no-nonsense child. His face had been so happy until he was around 6. He would sometime come to the kitchen for his meals. He was almost always angry. I had warned Merys to keep her distance from him, so she wouldn't anger him.
Now when I looked at him, I saw something I had never seen in any man. He was still ah boy, but I felt so much strength from him, so much kindness. Even when he stood, covered in their blood, he was my champion. He had done what I had begged his lord father to do.
Sally had said that lord Tytos wouldn't execute them, but he had ordered the dog who had been found first to be executed. But I was still worried about the others, would he make them take the Black. Then I would truly get no justice. They would get to live the rest of their days at the Wall.
But the Young Lord had done what his father hadn't, he had carried out their punishment himself. He had let me watch them be beaten like the animals they were, and then didn't let them have a quick death, he would make them suffer.
After he looked at me, I hadn't truly understood what he had been saying until I finally did. His kindness had given me the first bit of comfort I had gotten in days. I had not eaten, I had not slept, I had barely drunk. But now I had slept, I had felt his comfort. He held me like no man had ever held me, not even Merys' father. A boy with so much strength and power, had held me so gentle.
As I finally stopped crying, I remembered what I had asked last night. Sally had told me that the Young Lord was to be sent to King's Landing in a fortnight and I had felt overwhelming dread. I had owed this kind boy so much; he had been a ray of light in the dark. And he would be taken away. I would have nothing again.
It was then and there I made my mind. I didn't wan to think what would happen if he rejected me. If I did then I would never have hope again. I had desperately tried and finally met him. Even after I had the courage to beg him, I thought he would still reject me. But he didn't, he accepted me, a servant, the Young Lord, took me as I was into his bed. Not for his lust like most men, but out of kindness.
"Hey, its okay, stay here and wash up. I will be going to Lannisport in a while, you will be coming with me. I will return in a while to wash up and get ready." He said before he got up and got dressed. Only now did I remember his bare chest had been pressed against my back all night. Even if he was still a boy, there was strength to him.
I did not regret what I had done last night. I had offered to serve him and he accepted me. I would serve him for the rest of my life. This I promised.
.........…..
Tywin's POV
For now, I would go slow with her. Mya had surprised me. I thought that I would have to approach her for what I was planning, but instead she came to me. I didn't need to manipulate her, but I had learned in the past, it was always better for someone to think their actions was from their own choices. Not that someone else had asked them or forced them.
I just needed to take it slow with her, less she developed some mental instabilities. While she slept fitfully this morning. I had decided that I would keep her close as my personal servant. Maybe with some care and attention, she could become more than a servant. Even in her rough condition, she wasn't hard on the eyes, she had just lived a hard life and needed some care. The best employees were always the one who thought that they owed you.
.........…..
I made my way to the kitchen and met with the person in charge. She was a rather large blonde woman named Beth, she was middle-aged and rather plump. She had seemed rather amenable the couple of times I had spoken. She thanked me over and over again for what I had done for Merys. Word had already start to spread. She was even more grateful when I told her that I would be keeping Mya to serve me for a bit.
Mya and her daughter were favourites in the kitchen. Everyone had taken what had happened hard. She was just happy the Mya would be looked after. I didn't tell her that I would be taking her with me to King's Landing to prevent someone from getting any ideas and decide to target her or try to gain my attention. My plate was already full. I grabbed something light to eat for both me and Mya and dropped it off for her in my room before I went to my now personal training yard.
.........…..
By the time I finished my morning calisthenics sets, I had figured out what I would need to focus on for the immediate future. I already had a grasp on sword combat, so I would try to push it to above 'basic' skill level.
I also wanted to try and push my dagger proficiency skill forward. It had saved me yesterday and looking back, that was twice I had personally experienced how deadly small blades could be.
Daggers were easily concealed and if I could figure out how to throw one, I would have a nice ranged weapon, maybe I could unlock another skill. I also wanted to increase my skill with a bow.
From my memory, the reason Tywin, lacked spear or lance skills was because Tytos had instructed the Master-at-arms to hold off on jousting training until he was older after a particularly nasty fall.
While I was deep in my thoughts Garrand arrived. "How are you doing my Lord."
"I'm doing fine, and you?" I responded.
"Not to overstep my Lord, but are you sure. You did better than most men, for your first time killing another in battle. I have known grown men who would lose their stomach or there will to fight after killing someone up close. The first time I killed was with my bow. You handled yourself well and you should be proud." He said with a winning smile.
"I don't know about being proud, but I lost no sleep over those animals. Is everything ready?" I asked keeping a neutral face.
"Aye, the men and the wagons should be soon. I had to request 4 additional guards. I will be leaving 2 behind to look after the guest we have 'hanging around'. I guess you wouldn't want anyone letting them go too soon."
I almost laugh for the first time since being in Tywin's body, I never knew Garrand was so clever. A slight grin crept out when I looked at him but I quickly returned to my resting bitch face. Can't have anyone thinking that I was going soft.
"8 guards plus me and Robar should be enough." I nodded at Garrand's assessment. He would be the better judge in this case.
"Also, if I was to guess, you don't mind the news about the 5 prisoners getting out?"
"No, I chose to make examples of them, to let others know how I intend to deal with such matters. Why do you ask?"
"Because, last night, it was all I could here people gossiping about at dinner. Some were outlandish, like how you beheaded 10 men. Others were how you tortured them for hours using knives." Garrand said with a proud grin.
"Did you set the story straight?" I asked.
"Why, should I have? The story would spread either way. Especially with the Frey's men around. They were the chattiest about it from what I could hear."
"No, you did the correct thing, let it spread. But we will be addressing the men later today or in the morning, or whenever we get a chance. Speaking of the Riverland rats. Can you say what they have been doing since yesterday?"
Garrand though for a second before answering. "Lord Frey and Ser Stevron, left yesterday around noon, they took half the men and went to visit some of the minor lords along the ocean road. I'm sorry for the poor fools if they make the mistake and let them in. No doubt Lord Frey will fleece them for everything he can. But they should be gone for a week or so.
Emmon and Aenys stayed behind on account of Emmon's upcoming nuptials. Lord Frey probably told him to try and get close to Lord Tytos and the rest of your family. Aenys Frey. Can't say I saw him all of yesterday, must be held up in his quarters."
"What of the men they left behind? I don't want them running around in the Rock. If left unchecked they will cause trouble. If my father has to deal with it, he will only lower his reputation further." I didn't really care much about Tytos' reputation, I just needed an excuse to keep an eye on them.
"They left behind around 12 to 15 guards and a Ser Brom Charlton, and a knight from House Erenford. I can't really say what they were up to." He shrugged at me.
I took a few second to think. "When we get back, remind me to talk to Ser Denys and arrange some of my men on guard duty around the guest quarters. I want an eye kept on our guests after we return."
"How are the other 4 hanging in there, are they alive and well?" I asked referring to the prisoners.
"Not that I am aware, the night guard said, he hears moans from 1 of them, so I guess at least 1 must still be alive."
'If I cut them loose, I should be able to free up 2 more guards. I can brief them when we get back and then. Then I can get Denys to put them on guard duty to watch over the Frey. I also need to find out more about Aenys' condition and movements if any.'
Just then I got a wicked idea. "Ser Garrand, I think I would like to invite Emmon Frey along with us today. Send someone to ask him to come meet me, I would like to know his plans for the day. Tell him to come meet me on the balcony on the Western side."
Garrand was confused by my sudden request. Understanding finally dawned on him when he realized where I wanted to meet him. A wicked grin came over his face. "I will see to it myself, my Lord."
"Thank you, I appreciate your effort."
.........…..
Emmon wasn't much of a mystery. I'm sure at the Twins, he must have felt like a big shot. He was the second son of a Riverlands Lord. His family occupied a very strategic route between the North and the Riverlands. His home was supposedly one of the most fortified castles in Westeros and he was surrounded by his family servants and men.
Here at Casterly Rock, he was out of his element. Combine with his father leaving him in the 'lion's den' and Emmon's already timid nature. He looked like he was ready to jump out of his skin. This made my task easier. Emmon had been accompanied by a Frey guard. The guard looked to be in his late 30's
"Emmon, how are you this morning?" I asked as we stood on the balcony. The breeze was refreshing this morning.
"I, I'm good Tywin. And how are you?" he asked in return, most likely not knowing what to follow up with. His body showed all the signs of anxiety. I could smell his body odour. 'Did observation heighten my sense of smell?'
"I'm good, I asked you here because I wanted to find out something. Wait, did you hear something?" I feigned as if I had heard something.
Garrand quickly cleared his throat and got both of our attention and nodded his head at me in the direction of the parapets. I quickly pretended to only remember something at his que.
"Hold on for a moment, I need to take care of something." I paused my conversation with Emmon who was now noticing there were ropes tied around 5 parapets. I leaned over the edge and looked down at the 5 prisoners. Garrand had hung all 5, even the one I had killed. He must have anticipated the shock value for anyone who saw it.
"Would you look at that, one of them is still alive!" I said nonchalantly at Garrand who gave me a look of doubt while Emmon looked between our faces. "That's surprising considering they have been there all night; they were already half dead when we put them there." 'Garrand you're a dangerous man. You cheeky fucker!' I though, as I had been amazed by his adlib performance.
I took out my dagger from behind my waste. "As much I have enjoyed their suffering, no need to prolong it." I said before I began cutting the rope. As the first rope broke, I quickly leaned over the side. I was in time to see the body hit off the rock below before splashing into the water.
"We can't even hear the splash from up here, that's disappointing, I though for sure there would be a loud splash when his body hit the water." Emmon looked pale now, and his guard wasn't doing much better as they realized that it had been a man on the other end of the rope I had cut. The truth was I didn't know if any of them were alive or not. I just knew that they could serve another purpose now.
I slowly cut the remaining ropes. Each time a rope broke, from the corner of my eye I could see Emmon and his guard flinch. This happened each time until the last.
"Sorry for getting side tracked, there are some things that I rather get done myself. Right, I intend to take my sister to Lannisport for the day. Truth be told I intend to spoil her. I was thinking that you may want to join us seeing as you will soon be married to her.
You can bring a few guards with you if you want but Ser Garrand has already made arrangements for a guard detail. I don't take any chances where Genna is concerned. I don't know what I would do to anyone if they hurt her. So, what say you? Will you join us?" I asked innocently.
"No, no, I still, not feeling well from the day before. I mean my shoulder is still, injured from the day before." He stuttered out. His guard had also looked relieved when he heard Emmon's answer.
"Such a shame. I would have like to spend the day, getting to know you better." I said with a cold tone now. Emmon could not possibly be blind to the threat I had given him. It was as naked as the dagger that I had yet to sheathe.
Emmon was now taken care of for the mean while. I had decided I would keep Emmon around for now. As long as he was frightened of me, he would probably never touch Genna even after they were married and she came of age. I would just have to remind him from time to time.
I had a plan now for Emmon and House Frey. Lord Walder and Stevron would be dead by the time I became the Lord of Casterly Rock and when they did, Emmon would decide to contest his right to the Twins. If he wasn't already granted the position of heir. He would conveniently be supported House Lannister.
In this timeline, Walder Frey won't be allowed to have half as many offspring. The ones that remained would be slowly purged. I was proud of this plan that I now referred to in my head as operation Cuckoo Bird.
In the years to come Genna's children would be guided by Uncle Tywin as they took control of the Twins, while I would keep Genna close to me. In time Genna's children would fine matches to heirs of Riverland Lords while the members of House Frey will be thinned out.
They may even marry the children of Lord Hoster Tully, Catelyn and Edmure if they existed in this timeline, but definitely not that crazy bitch Lysa.
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