Chapter 38: New Player

(1,200 words)

- Rhaegar Targaryen POV -

- Red Keep - Crownlands - Westeros - 280 A.D -

"Lady Mina Tyrell has confirmed it sir" my friend Jon said next to me as I tapped my fingers quickly on the table with a frown on my face.

Jon's hair was red as was his beard, and he showed the occasional wrinkle even though he was three years younger than me. But Connington was one of my closest friends.

"That bastard!" shouted my other great friend Arthur as his face turned red with rage.

What was this conversation about? Well, with the death of Varys, the Master of Whisperers, a new person was sought for the position. The chosen one was none other than Mina Tyrell, who was formerly in charge of the Tyrell spies.

According to Connington, who is more intellectual than me, she is not as skilled as Varys, but she was more loyal and reliable. Although only to a certain extent. She may not be as venomous as her mother, but she's still a daughter of Olenna Tyrell.

The thing is, with this new Master of Whisperers, we learn about the situation in Essos. Something the crown had no idea about. And that's basically the name of one person, the one who caused the most relief at my wedding to Elia. The person was Percival Bolton.

Yes, Percival Bolton, the guy who showed clear signs of affection with Ashara Dayne, and who is also rumored to have run off in the middle of the ball with Cersei Lannister, with whom he had sex according to many tongues.

The Old Lion, Tywin Lannister was furious, and looked for him all over the castle, but the guy was not there. He wanted to finish off his men, but then he calmed down and did nothing. I didn't understand why someone like him would be afraid to kill the men of a northerner who aren't even the Starks. But after everything Lady Mina told us I could understand it perfectly.

The guy was dangerous, very dangerous. And Tywin knew it... The Tyrells knew it too, and most likely Varys at the time from what the little birdies now working under Mina said.

He had proclaimed himself, with the force to back him up, Lord of Braavos, Lord of Pentos, Lord of Norvos and Lord of Lorath. Four of the Free Cities of Essos. But if that were not enough, he had also just become the owner of the Iron Bank. A organization to which the crown owes a debt.

"We could take advantage of this to avoid paying debts to the Iron Bank" I said with a confident smile.

"It's not our decision. That's for the Master of Coin in Small Council to see. But I don't think it would be good to challenge a man like that. Mina Tyrell told more things, and the guy is very cruel and dangerous. If the Iron Bank of before was feared, this new Iron Bank will be even more feared. Since he is much more powerful than the old Iron Bank, he will be even more feared" Connington told me as he denied with his head.

"I can't take it anymore". . . murmured Arthur beside me.

"Arthur, you need to calm down. "

"How do you want me to calm down when the spies told us that my sister left on that guy's boat to Braavos without telling me!" he shouted angrily, and his reaction is normal. You can't just walk in and run off with someone else out of nowhere without telling their family.

"Relax, we will send a group to Braavos to bring her back peacefully. Lord Oberyn himself offered to lead it", I said.

"That doesn't reassure me at all. Is he going to Braavos or Lys?" said my friend with contempt.

"God the trouble. . . Besides, the child thief is back", Jon intervened trying to change the subject. But this really confused me.

"Child thief? What do you mean?"

"The rumor began more than 10 years ago, when two sons of a Westerlands nobleman disappeared out of nowhere. They were stolen, of course, but for no apparent reason. Both belonged to House Clegane. The thing is, now there's been another wave of disappearances. The year before last was Robar Ryoce, of House Royce and son of Yohn Royve along with Bryce Caron of House Caron and son of Bryen Caron. While this year they were, a guy from House Greenfield, his name was Preston, another from House Swann named Balon, and finally a girl from House Tarth", he said, I frowned.

"It's worrying. . . All from noble families, has nothing been heard?"

"Not really, not even if it's the same person as with the Cleganes. "

"Can we keep talking about my sister?!" Arthur roared angrily, and I could only sigh.

"Calm down for God's sake". . . Jon said. "We told you, Oberyn Martell is going to lead a group to Braavos", Jon added.

"Tch. . . Your Highness", he said as he knelt. "Can I go find my sister by joining this expedition?" he asked me with a serious face.

"Are you abandoning your duties as Kingsguard for your sister?" I said in a serious tone.

"I. . . Yes. . . I do", he said regretfully, and I smiled puzzling him.

"That's good. I wouldn't like to have a guard who doesn't care about his sister. You can go", I said smiling to my friend.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" shouted Arthur with a smile as he retired to prepare for the journey.

- Mina Tyrell POV -

I had already been trackingPercival Bolton, but with the network I built for my family I hadn't accomplished much more than ordinary people knew. But that meant knowing the information already manipulated by Percival Bolton.

But now, with Varys' little birds. The ones that became clear, as many disappeared and were taken for another figure. Which I wouldn't be surprised if it was Percival himself. But the thing is, I've learned a lot from his. . . Actions. But he's a fascinating man. . . And dangerous. Very dangerous. His letter predicting this, made me check that.

"So what will be our course of action?" asked Symond Staunton of House Staunton. He was Master of Laws.

"I do not recommend antagonizing Iron Bank", said Ser Gerold, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

"This is our chance!" cried Qarlton Chelsted with a gleam of greed in his eyes. Silly man. . .

"Silence!" said Tywin Lannister, who led the meeting as he pressed his hands on the table. He was still upset that the guy that fucked his daughter and deflowered her. He won't be able to sell it at such a high price in front of the Lords.

"My Lord, I think we should seize the opportunity", Qarlton said again.

"What does Lady Mina say?" said Pycelle.

"I don't think it's wise He's a dangerous man, and he has the raw power of two great houses. That he can increase more with mercenaries or if The North supports him", I said.

"What Lady Mina says is correct. We'll keep the debt repayment normal. But we will try to find other means of financing. We don't want to enrich a potential enemy", said Tywin, showing his wisdom.

A wise and dangerous man. But not as wise or dangerous as Percvial Bolton. Not so evil. . . Sacrificing your own firstborn son. . . It's just terrifying.