บท 52: Chapter 51
Solomon. King's Landing.
Walking slowly down one of the streets of the famous capital of the Seven Kingdoms, I was surveying my surroundings and comparing it to other cities I had visited before, while Kinvara and Lavena followed behind me and did roughly the same. Although our group was obviously attracting a lot of attention, each of us was already used to such situations and so we quietly ignored the stares we were receiving.
I must say that King's Landing wasn't very impressive compared to Braavos, though it was similar to it in that it was built by Targaryens descended from Valyria. Same red roofs, stone houses, and European surroundings.
When I first saw the city, I noticed only three places that stood out for their size and grandeur, and also matched the description in the books: the Red Castle, the royal residence and the largest building here, the Great Sept of Baelor, the main temple of the Seven faith, and the Dragon's Lair, a smoldered and partially collapsed building that looked like a kind of arena. Of all these places, I found only the last one interesting, for I could feel the mana from there. Though extremely weak and almost faded.
My nose also picked up the smell of sewage that permeated the entire city, which was consistent with the opinion of the inhabitants of the Seven Kingdoms. The reason for this was that there was no sewage system, and thus the body waste was thrown either into the water, i.e. the Blackwater River, at which the capital was located, or directly into the street. King's Landing in this respect could be called the equivalent of Victorian London.
Besides, one look was enough for me to realize how low the standard of living is here, and what a difference between the strata of the population. While in Braavos the upper, middle, and lower classes were relatively balanced, in this city the vast majority were simple laborers, some of whom probably worked only for food and shelter. And against their background, the rich could be seen from a mile away, as they wore much better, colored and cleaner clothes than the rest.
To summarize, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms did not inspire a good or even neutral impression. And here, walking around the city, of which I was a devotee, was unlikely to bring me peace of mind or satisfaction.
Of course, I understood the appeal of King's Landing to the population of the Seven Kingdoms, for here ordinary people could get a pass into life if they could make connections with members of noble families through the display of some skill or simple luck. However, whether it was worth it was a different question.
I shifted my gaze to my companions, stopping our group at one of the houses.
- What do you think of this place? - I asked them and gave three copper pennies, one of the three types of coins used in the Seven Kingdoms along with gold dragons and silver deer, to a girl of about ten who was standing nearby, begging for alms. She smiled gratefully at that and ran off somewhere, holding the coins against her chest.
- I've been here before on my way to Winterfell, and from my experience and the word of our people, I can tell you that it's not a good place to live if you don't have gold. And that smell..." Kinvara said with a slight note of displeasure. - Are you sure you want to be here? I don't think this place is right for you, my king. It is too... dirty....
- I understand your feelings, but this is still the capital of the kingdom, the main artery and main trading center of Westeros. And even if I have to give up walking around the city, there are a lot of powerful people here and it is from here that the life of the Seven Kingdoms is dictated. And when you consider what this world has in store.....
The White Walkers that will arrive in a few years will not discriminate people by gender, wealth and all other factors. They will simply come and kill everyone, cleansing the planet in a peculiar way. Their motives are quite similar to Gaia's, but there was no counterbalance to her in this world, namely Alaya, and that meant I had to lend a hand.
- As you wish, my king.
- And what about you, Lady Lavena? - I asked, but she didn't respond, as if she were pondering something. - Lavena?
- Did you say something, Master Solomon? - Lavena said casually, to which Kinvara furrowed her eyebrows but remained silent.
- What do you think of this city? As a resident of Braavos, I'm sure you have something to say," I repeated the question and then let out a chuckle. - We've only been in Winterfell for two weeks, and you're already so attached to Bran and Rickon. They are your first real friends, though, so to blame you would be impolite and rude.
And it really was. They spent a great deal of time together, sometimes disappearing for as much as twenty-four hours at a time. The Stark boys showed her around the castle and the surrounding countryside, told her stories of the North and shared their dreams. Lavena was not as open as they were, confining herself to low-key and short phrases, but she definitely enjoyed their company.
She corrected them when the information about Braavos that the boys had gotten from books and stories did not match reality, mentioned her work and the people she encountered, and even painted pictures at their request.
It is this last point that I would call the most significant, for she was well aware of the value of her paintings and skills. Because of this, Bran and Rickon each have two fully completed paintings of Lavena in their rooms, painted with her personal brush, and they were every bit as good as the ones she painted for the noble lords in Braavos. I doubt that Lavena would have done the same if someone else had been there instead of the boys.
Most of the time the boys acted as her maids, on their own initiative of course, for they carried her work supplies for her. And that suited them just fine, including Lavena and even Lady Stark for letting them do it. The latter did it with my encouragement. Robb, who'd returned to Winterfell the day after we'd arrived, said nothing, but was happy for his younger brothers.
- Tsk," Lavena clucked her tongue and turned her head to the side. - They're just so much better than you.
- You can't lie, Mistress Lavena, and I guess that's why you don't like lying so much," I smiled. - So, what's your opinion?
- You're not going to let up, are you? - Lavena sighed. - Your victim is right. Even for me, who grew up among the common people of Braavos, this place is too dirty and noisy. And paintings of this place would be plain and boring. Happy?
- You're too rude for a prostitute when dealing with my king," Kinvara remarked, to which I sighed tiredly, and Lavena grinned.
- I am still pure, so your words are meaningless. And you're the one sleeping with him, not me," Lavena said. - Your loyalty to him makes me sympathetic and afraid, because I don't want to be the same.
- You...
- That won't do," I shook my head to get their attention. - You need to get along, because we're going to be traveling together for a long time.
- I don't see any problem," Lavena shrugged.
- . as you wish," Kinvara said with a tilt of her head.
I sighed tiredly once more.
Well, it's unlikely that this issue will be resolved anytime soon, and now I have to focus on the matter at hand.
I want to speak with members of several of the Great Houses, and perhaps even the king himself, to find out the current situation at the highest levels of the kingdom. I doubt I won't need to make changes or guide them in any way, at least at first, but it must be done, indirectly preparing for an enemy from the deep North.
Jon was fine, and his progression there had not been much of a problem. Daenerys, on the other hand, was beginning to realize what she wanted, according to Shiro, and so there was no need to worry about her either. Beni-enma had recently reported back on Kirana's condition and her pregnancy, and so I can proceed relatively calmly.
As I looked into one of the alleyways, I saw an ordinary boy of about eight years old, who, noticing this, slowly turned around and disappeared among the crowd.
Also, we're being watched. I wonder who it is?
- Kinvara, you must have some idea why we're here," I began and got an affirmative nod. - Who do you think I should pay attention to first?
- Are you sure you want to start the discussion here, Master Solomon? I've heard many different rumors about this city, and none of them have been particularly appealing," Lavena asked, giving me a questioning look and shaking her head to indicate her surroundings. - I don't care about you and your victim, but not about me.
- I hate to agree with her, but her words make sense. There are too many extra ears and eyes around," Kinvara added.
Well, I suppose some secrecy would be nice. After all, scheming was part of the routine in times like these, and I've already developed quite a reputation. And given the circumstances surrounding Ned, as well as the information about King's Landing itself....
- Hmm... I suppose you're right," I said thoughtfully, and covered the bodies of our group with localized closed fields. - Now those around us would still be able to hear us talking, but in a language unknown to anyone else.
- Thank you, my king," Kinvara nodded. - Shall I call out the entire list of suitable individuals to you?
- No, I will trust your judgment.
- In that case, it is very short. Given our goals, I would suggest only three. The first would be the Tyrells, Olenna Tyrell to be exact. She is essentially the head of the Great House Tyrell, even if officially that role is filled by her son. For the most part, she is loyal to her house, but given our enemy, Olenna Tyrell will not ignore your words. As a representative of the Great House she fits our purposes well, as she is intelligent and sensible.
I was familiar with the name, and rumor has it she is a rather busy older woman known for her sarcasm and sharp tongue. The Tyrells owned Reach, the southwestern region of Westeros, known for having the most fertile lands and the largest population in the country. It was also home to the city of Oldtown, where the Citadel was located.
- Next would be the High Septon, nicknamed "The Fat One." Despite being a pathetic, cowardly, and corrupt man who takes full advantage of his position, his word still carries tangible weight in the Seven Kingdoms. If you show him magic, I'm sure he'll do whatever it takes.
"The 'Supreme Septon' was the equivalent of the Pope. In this world, he performed similar functions, namely crowning a new king, blessing marriages, authorizing vows, and all that sort of thing. The Supreme Septon was supposed to be an image of holiness and high spirituality, but if we take into account the words of Kinvara, this is far from true. Yes, and in reality, power corrupted people very often.
- The last and most effective would be Varys, the current Master over the Whisperers. He has no lands, castle, or family, but he does have "birdies" as he calls his informants. His spy network is spread across both Westeros and Essos, and it's much larger than ours, to my shame. Varys hates magic because a rogue sorcerer burned his genitals trying to contact the Lord of Light, and his allegiance is to the realm, not any king.
As I recall, this Varys was part of the Small Council, a governmental body made up of the chief advisors to the ruler of a country, and held the same position of chief information provider back under the Mad King, a rebellion against which Ned and Robert Baratheon, the current king, participated.
- All three will be able to act independently of each other, but with the common goal of preparing to fight against the Great Other, if convinced and provided with evidence," Kinvara finished. - Oberyn Martell is also here. According to Nefis, the priestess with your earring fixed here, he arrived only recently.
- 'I understand,' I nodded, while Lavena didn't look the least bit interested. - 'But I find it odd that you haven't mentioned any of the Baratheons. What does that have to do with it?
- They're too straightforward. Renly Baratheon is frivolous and stubborn. Robert Baratheon, though a king, is a king out of necessity, not skill at running a kingdom or the ability to see the pitfalls. Of all the Baratheons, only Stannis, who holds the position of Master over the ships, fits the bill. He's an experienced commander and a good soldier, which is something he's already taken on, since he's being guided by our priestess.
- You speak well of him," I said in an interested tone.
- I suppose you're right, because he's the only member of the Great Houses to have converted to the Lord of Light," Kinvara smiled slyly. - And I think he'll find us when the time comes.
- Details?
- His ten-year-old daughter, Shireen Baratheon, was sick with the gray sickness. Normally this would have meant a death sentence, but through her father's efforts the disease was cured, though its effects still disfigured the girl's face. Stannis would not let her off Dragonstone, thus providing protection, for then his daughter would be met with nothing but ridicule and insults.
I frowned, and not just me, but Lavena as well.
This is a sad thing. Children should not have to suffer, for they are innocent, and in most cases they were beyond the control of the circumstances that haunted them for the rest of their lives. I didn't consider myself a paragon of humanity and compassion, but to miss out on something like this would be... unpleasant... I suppose we should change the route a bit.
- Dragonstone, you say?
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