Chapter 64

"I bet 100 dragons on my sworn shield." He said conversationally while taking a bite from the ice cream bowl.

"The one with the Weirwood sigil and two swords." Littlefinger said mockingly, as if humoring a little child, which he admittedly was. Even if only in body and not in mind.

"That's the one." He nodded.

"A fine swordsman no doubt. But why would anyone bet on him when they could bet upon someone like the Mountain. Or better yet, Ser Barristen the Bold or Ser Jamie Lannister… the Kingslayer?"

"Because I believe that my sworn shield is better than them." I said as the King finally shouted at the men to start fighting and the melee started as 40 men jumped into the arena and started attacking anyone they met.

It was chaos incarnate and even someone very skilled could get injured if they're not aware of their surroundings.

But unlike the nobility of Westeros, Varko had spent 5 years in the fighting pits, fighting against numerous opponents more times than he could remember.

So to say that Varko was in his element while fighting in the melee would be an understatement.

"How bold." Littlefinger drawled "To say that your sworn shield. A man of unknown origin is better than the best swordsmen in Westeros. Are you sure you're not mere boasting."

"Are you sure you're not afraid of losing 100 gold dragons." He asked challenging as Varkos destroyed men after men down in the arena.

Littlefinger hesitated for a moment upon witnessing how good Varkos actually was but a single wandless Complusion charm did the trick.

"Very well then. 100 dragons on the Mountain."

"Add my bet as well." Tyrion Lannister shouted from his seat behind them. "100 gold dragons. On my brother Jamie. And someone bring some more of this… Snow Cream?"

"Ice Cream" he helpfully supplied, watching from the corner of his eyes as the Royal children greedily ate the Ice Cream they were supplied with and King Robert drank Wine that was filled with Ice.

With the Royal Patronage he was sure that establishing the Ice Cream Business in Kings Landing would be easy.

"Ice Cream. Girl. Bring me some Ice Cream." Tyrion shouted and the girl who was giving the Ice Cream came to give it to him.

"A fascinating and delicious thing. This Ice Cream." Littlefinger admitted. "Makes me wonder why no one ever thought of selling Ice before this. Are you sure you don't want to partner with me in this business venture of yours."

Left unsaid was the fact that if he didn't ally himself with Littfinger in this highly profitable business ventures, then he would do his best to do everything to make this business fail in one way or another.

"I wouldn't mind your help if you're really all that much interested in this business venture." He nodded "But only in Kings Landing. As I doubt that your influence reach as far as Dorne or the various cities in Essos."

"I still don't understand how you're able to transport so much Ice from all the way North to Dorne without it melting." Tyrion stated.

"Ice packed in a dense manner in a wooden container and sprinkled with some salt takes far more time to melt than normal ice." He said with a shrug "And even if more of it melts the further down my ships go south, the costs are easily redeemed as Ice Cream is more expensive down in the Southern areas due to how hot it is there."

"Talking about business while watching a melee. You're truly a strange lord Lord Bolton." Littlefinger drawled but his eyes held a hint of respect.

"You're someone who has reached the position of The Master of Coins despite coming from very humble beginnings. I could say that you're plenty strange yourself Lord Baelish."

"To strange people and their strange alliences then." Littlefinger said and raised his glass while he did the same and they cheered.

"100 gold dragons." Tyrion growled as he threw a purse in between them. He looked down and noticed that Jamie Lannister had just been defeated by Ser Barristan Selmy while Varkos fought against the Mountain and after a short and fierce bout, he won by knocking the Mountain out by striking his head with the pommel of his sword. Repeatedly.

"It seems that I've lost as well." Littlefinger said and gave the 100 dragons to him.

At this point, even if his champion lost against Ser Barristan Selmy, he would still gain 200 dragons as his champion went further then theirs. Not that he really cared about such paltry sums.

He still sat and watched as Varko traded blows with Ser Barristan Selmy again and again in a whirlwind.

He knew that Varko was as good as the best swordsman in Westeros but 'knowing' something and actually seeing it happen in front of himself was something else entirely.

Of the two swordsman, he could tell that Ser Barristan was slightly more skilled than Varko. But Varko more than made up for that with his duel wielding, speed and sheer brutality.

After a slight bout of attacks, Ser Barristan fell in defense, parrying, blocking and dodging Varko's blades until at last, he couldn't and Varko disarmed Ser Barristan Selmy.

The arena was silent for a moment. After all, no one had expected a Knight with an unknown sigil defeating 'The Mountain' and 'Ser Barristan Selmy' one after another in the Melee.

Then as if a dam broke and all the smallfolk started cheering at once while the nobility followed a moment later and started clapping as well.

By the end of the day, Varko was 20,000 gold dragons richer and he had set up a business partnership with Petyr Baelish with a magical contract signed by Petyr that would subconsciously force him to adhere to the agreement and not try to steal from him.