Chapter seventy-four: Westerland.

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~~~Tywin Lannister, Third Moon, 277 AC~~~

~~~Lannisport~~~

Lannisport, the city that my ancestors had built from scratch and that has survived a thousand tribulations since that day, is a walled city and one of the main ports of the Seven Kingdoms, making it an essential token in the game. 

And now, if I used my chips correctly and at the right time, I could make Lannisport and The Lannisters rise to levels never seen before. 

One had to be a fool to believe the king would see the problems of having an Xandarian garrison at King's Landing. From miles away, one could see that the people of Xandar were not willing to slaughter flocks, for descendants of Dothraki savages, well, they knew their way around the corridors of deceit and mayhem. 

And if it were so that only a few possessed Varys' gift of entering people's minds and befriending them, then such men would be more dangerous than they let on, and now that the bank of Xandar was ending, he had given those people a stronghold within the city, something that to this day he still argued with Aerys about. 

However, the level of opportunity they brought with them made me want to welcome them. One would have to be very blind and not realize the commercial and political power that Xandar offered with every place their merchants reached. 

The North was no longer starving; there was a trade between the North and Xandar, with one selling food in unimaginable quantities at an astounding price and the other buying the food and selling furs, ironwood, and even northern horses. 

"We are falling behind, the North is prospering, Dorne is getting food and goods from Xandar as well, and even the crown lands have their hands in Xandarian affairs; only the valley, the stormlands, and the Reach have had no contact with Xandar" Kevan, my brother and the one I could trust in terms of like-mindedness to mine was spoken, commented with a neutral tone. 

I knew that tone of voice; it was the one he used when he wanted to tell me something, but he was hesitant about saying the words, "What?" I asked, wanting to nudge him so he would have the confidence to talk about whatever he had pending. 

"I was in contact with Xandarian traders a week ago, when you were still in King's Landing, thanks to that I scheduled a meeting with several of them, though now that you're here, I think you should meet with them." 

I was surprised. Kevan never did anything without consulting me first, and unless I gave the order, he wouldn't act until I agreed on something. Still, that made things easier for me, especially since that could make him create a bond with Xandar, from which the Lannisters and all of Westerland would benefit, especially now that three kingdoms already had the upper hand on us. 

"When will this meeting be?" Kevan was surprised when I agreed. I didn't stress anything to him; that was fine. I wasn't always going to be attentive to things in Westerland. My position as the hand of the king already took too much of my time to focus only on my lands; even my three children were forced to live together without a father for the same thing. 

"They sent their messenger parrots several days ago, telling them that they had passed through the cone of Dorne. They are expected to arrive tomorrow at the light of dawn," Kevan explained; simultaneously, the city bells began to ring. Alarming Kevan and causing me to tense up. 

The bells were only rung in cases where an army was approaching the city, or Iroborn fleets were approaching the docks. 

Just as we were about to leave the room we were in, a soldier entered the room looking tired, with his breathing ragged and sweat dripping from his forehead; "My Lord, a fleet is approaching the city, thirty ships and... They use an unknown stealth and are unknown ships to all ships seen before." 

"How is their stealth?" Before I spoke, Kevan stepped forward and asked about the banners the ships were bringing. I connected the dots and concluded that the Xandarian traders had arrived earlier. 

"It's a purple dragon with a crown on its neck, atop an amber banner," the soldier replied, causing both Kevan and me to conclude to whom those ships belonged. Kevan possibly from his encounter with traders earlier, while I from seeing said banners on the Xandarian bank located at King's Landing.

Understanding who the visitors were, I immediately took action, willing not to make a fool of myself in front of foreign men. "Cease the ringing of the bells, guide the ships to the docks, mobilize a contingent of city guards to be ready to march to the dock as soon as possible, and prepare a welcoming ceremony as quickly as possible." 

Once I gave the orders and the soldier went out to carry them out, I went to the room's balcony to see part of the city and the docks from the balcony. 

From here, I could see the ships—giant floating monoliths that looked like small islands from a distance, ships much more significant than anyone had ever seen. And so far, the only place with the might and resources enough to build such things was Xandar, having already become familiar with the ships coming to King's Landing bringing materials and people for the renovation of the old Dragonpit facilities. 

So I had been very aware of Xandar's every move, culture, organization, and wealth because it could become a strong ally... Or a terrible enemy. 

Soon, Kevan and I were at the docks watching as the huge ships docked at the pier that looked like toys in front of such works of art, revealing a group of five, both men and women, wearing the epitome of the word wealth, beautiful and delicate garments, along with chains, earrings, bracelets or bells in their hair, all made of gold, diamonds or precious jewels. 

Beside them, a group of ten soldiers dressed in steel armor and carrying two swords at their waists each accompanied the five distinguished guests, their eyes fixed on what I assumed were the merchants. 

"Lord Kevan, it is a pleasure to meet you. My friend Mario has spoken highly of you over the past few days." One of the five women stepped forward and held her hand to Kevan, who saw me from the corner of his eye. He clasped his right hand together with the woman's and shook them. 

"I hope good things were what you heard from me," Kevan said, with a smile on his face that was strange to me.

"Hahaha," the woman laughed a little, then rested her gaze on me, and for a small moment, I thought I felt my dear Joanna's gaze return. Her golden blonde hair, her beautiful green eyes, and her angelic face, I saw them again after four long and torturous years. "May I present my brother, Lord Tywin, lord of Casterly Rock and Lord Paramount," Kevan brought me out of the moment of reverie I had entered, presenting before the beautiful woman and her four companions. 

"Ohh, Kevan's brother, it's a pleasure," the woman greeted me, smiling moderately as small dimples grew in her cheeks as she smiled, "Ouch, forgive my manners, let me introduce myself, I am Jana, Janna Bletchen, leader of the fourth, fifth and sixth merchant fleet of the kingdom of Xandar."

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"These are my quartermasters and associates." Janna turned and pointed to her companions, "Ismael, Sandra, Rose, and Rodolfo." 

"Shall we continue our conversation in a quieter place?" Kevan suggested, and nodding, the seven of us made our way to several carriages already waiting for us. Janna, Kevan, and I were in one, while the other four rode in the other, along with their guards riding on horses.