Fosterage

- 278 AC -

(Leo POV)

Tywin and the King have left Casterly Rock again ... finally. Their relationship is clearly stained now and from what I was able to gather from Mother, the King has begun to overrule many of Tywin's decisions and appointments. Tywin is getting rather angry with the King's way of annoying him because he can't really get much done this way. 

Well, I don't really care to be honest. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to those I care about. And the only one I care about is my mother. Maybe this will change in the future, but not yet. It is true, not even the twins matter much to me. I do see them as my siblings but there is something that has happened that I didn't account for. 

When I used the 'Guided Evolution' to grow accustomed to this world and the family, two things happened. First, I grew to see Joanna as my real mother and have since then come to love her, truly. The second thing that happened though was that the memories which were stored in my DNA started to awaken slowly. When I say memories, I don't mean Lion El'Johnson's life memories, but the memories of his body. The skills his body learned and were ingrained into his DNA were slowly starting to awaken, giving me the rather cold and calculating look, whenever I am not talking to Mother. 

I was already known as the Silent Lion, but I can see that I will be truly scary in the future. I made sure not to grow faster due to the awakening of DNA memories. That would be bothersome to explain. My strength continues to rise though. I am already as strong as a grown man, if my guess is correct and it is. My mind is becoming more like the supercomputer that the Lion's was. I observe everyone and have noticed that I look for weaknesses in everything they do. Physical, mental or otherwise and how to use them effectively. 

If I enter a new room, I look for exits and evaluate the danger I might be in. I'm in not that much danger it turns out. My mother on the other hand ... there are spies in the castle. And both my mother and I are under surveillance. I am not that interesting it would seem, since I am known as the Silen Lion and never really do anything. My lack of words is seen as retardation or something ... which is good. The more the other houses underestimate me, the harder they will fall when I eventually come for them. 

This leads me to this moment. I am stalking one of the kitchen boys. One of those who help the cooks with whatever they need. It allows them some freedom to walk out of the kitchen but not as much as this one. He thinks he is smart about it, but I can see the truth of the matter. He hasn't changed his pattern for a while, this is not the first time I am following him. But it will be the last time. 

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(Siguin POV)

I have been tasked with getting more wood for the cook. He smacked me on the head again, which I don't like. But that is normal. I have to endure this and soon, I will be rewarded. He told me as much. When I first met Udor, he threatened me with death, if I didn't tell him what happened in the castle. 

I told him that I was just a kitchen servant but he said that was fine. All I had to do was tell him what the Lords and Ladies ate every day and when a big feast was being held. It was simple enough and every time I did good, Udor would give me a halfpenny and tell me how well I did. I like that. It's better than hitting over the head. Soon, I can go and visit the place all the other men go from that.

I walk around the corner into an alley that is very dark. I don't like dark places but it is faster this way and I have to make sure no one sees me when I go to Udor. As I walk through the alley, a strange feeling comes to my belly. I had the same feeling when I met Udor that day. I stop walking and look around. 

*Thud thud thud*

I turn around again when I hear the footsteps. 

"Wh-who's th-there?", I ask and take the small kitchen knife I stole into my hand. 

A small person becomes visible slowly and then ... I recognise who it is.

"Young Lor- *kackkk ..*"

I feel pain in my throat and look down only to see ... the young Lord holding my knife into my throat ... 

"I... it hur *cough* hurts ..."

"It is the price you pay for betraying the hand who fed you.", a dangerous and scary voice says to my ear and I see the eyes ... so scary eyes ... why?

.

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(Leo POV)

I watch the life drain from the kitchen boy's eyes. The law of the jungle is ruthless. He should not have looked at my mother in that calculating way. It was what caught my attention in the first place. 

This was my first kill in this life. And I don't feel anything. It is like meeting an old friend after a long time. He hasn't changed but you have. Something like that. 

I move away from the scene and towards the secret hideout of this Udor who recruited the kitchen boy. I have long observed the place and know that there is but one exit to the place. Which is perfect for what I have planned. I have prepared for this moment. Basically something from my past life, a bottle filled with a flammable liquid and a wick that is ignited before throwing. A Molotov cocktail.

I approach the entrance and wait for a moment when no one is looking. Large boxes are standing around to make it seem like this building belongs to the docks, which it did originally. I open the door and spill some of the alcohol I took with me for this reason. Then I throw the Molotov cocktail into the building and close the door as fast as possible before the fire can affect me. I move to the back of the boxes and push them. They fall in front of the door to the hideout and block the entrance. 

*Crash*

Now all I have to do is wait. I watch the flames spread all over the building which is made of wood. I hear the screams and shouts of the men inside and after looking at it one last time, I make my way back to the castle. They will die and it was their own fault. There is no mercy for such people. If you plan against me, you will die no matter who you are. 

I knew that I could have gotten more information out of Udor, had I gotten hold of him that day, but I am still 5 years old. Or how they say it here, 5 name days old. It would be very strange for a 5 name day old child to walk around town and then abduct someone. But I'll do it when I catch wind of another plot. Which could be tomorrow for all I know. 

My life continued this way until I had my 6th name day. Mother celebrated it with me and the twins. But other than that, there was not really anything special ... well except Tywin coming back to see me. 

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- 269 AC - 

"You are now 6 name days and you know what that means. It is time to send you to be fostered somewhere.", Tywin starts the talk after we sit down in his solar. No 'Hello how are you' or 'gratulations on surviving for this long' ... I like it. 

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You have to say something eventually.", Tywin says. 

"And what?"

"What do you mean what? Your thoughts."

"Oldtown."

"Why?"

"The Citadel and the knowledge they are hiding there. It would also allow me to get familiar with trading since Oldtown has a big port.", I say. 

"What do you know of Oldtown?", he asks me.

"Oldtown is a city located on Whispering Sound on the southwestern coast of the Reach. It was constructed around the Hightower, the seat of House Hightower on Battle Isle. The Citadel, home to maesters and their Conclave, is located in Oldtown, and the city also contains the Starry Sept, the seat of the High Septon of the Faith of the Seven. 

These things are useful for us since they would allow me to gain intelligence on three important powers of Westeros at once. The importance of Oldtown is undeniable and we would profit from sending me there. Once I'm back, you can send me to another.", I explain. Speaking the most words to him ever. 

Tywin looks to be in thought.

"I was planning on fostering you in the Westerlands. If I send you to any of the other 6 Kingdoms, a son of mine would be fostered by a major noble house and not a minor one like House Hightower.", Tywin tells me. 

"Then do so. Ask House Tyrell about fostering me in Highgarden and when they refuse, ask House Hightower. Why would they refuse? They only gain and not lose anything, at least in their eyes.", I tell him.

"Why would House Hightower accept when the rulers of the Reach, House Tyrell refuses? And why would House Tyrell refuse in the first place?"

"Olenna Tyrell."

"Explain."

"She is about the same age as you are. She is shrewd and intelligent and holds the reigns of House Tyrell despite what Mace Tyrell tells you. The man is an idiot and his mother holds all the power. She will think that she smells a deception on your part and refuse the request. House Hightower will know of House Tyrell's refusal but still accept. In fact, I am sure that Olenna will tell them to accept. She will see you asking House Hightower as an insult against you, not knowing that we want that."

"And impressive thought process that might have some merit. But what will you do, if House Tyrell accepts?"

"Nothing. There is no chance that Olenna would allow that to happen. She might agree to talks, in order to get a feeling for me, but she would refuse during the meeting, to slight you.", I tell him.

"Then why would we go in the first place?", Tywin asks me. He is testing me and it's getting annoying. 

"Free food."

"..."

"..."

"Very well then. However, I can't afford to have you fostered in a minor House. No matter what you think you could achieve during your stay there. Our House would benefit much more if we show you off and foster you here in the Westerlands. It is important to keep an iron grip on our vassals."

"While that may be true normally, I am different. If you give me one or a maximum of two years, I will be able to provide you with knowledge on some secrets of the Citadel and the Maesters as well as the Faith of the Seven and the High Septon which will make it all worthwhile."

"How could you possibly be so sure about that? What would secrets of the High Septon even grant us?"

"Father, I don't know why you are testing me like this. I am getting bored. If you think the idea is useless, then say so.", I say after getting fed up with this discussion. 

"Watch your words, boy. You are my son and will treat me with the respect a son gives his father. Is that understood?"

"Sure."

.

It was decided to do it the way I said. So a raven was sent to House Tyrell in Highgarden with a request to foster me there. The response was just what I predicted. 'Mace Tyrell' invited us to discuss this in Highgarden. Of course, we accepted this and Tywin and I left Casterly Rock to go to Highgarden in the Reach. 

Mother was angry and sad about her baby leaving her. I was also unhappy about this but knew it was necessary if I wanted to gain the knowledge necessary for life in this world. I will use blackmail in the beginning and later on, rule with both fear and intelligence. No one will be safe ... no one.