Ch. 31 Return

Seventeenth Day of the Seventh Moon, of the year 295 A.C.

"The information you received was wrong," I plainly stated to Tywin. "The Targaryens were never in Lys."

Tywin Lannister's brows furrowed at my statement. I've not seen my uncle in five months, but I still recognize the look on his face. It's the face he makes when he's angry but lacks the appropriate words for the situation, a rare sight.

"The Targaryens did board a ship in Myr bound for Lys, but the Targaryens disembarked in Tyrosh," I answered Tywin's unasked question. "From there, the dragons boarded another vessel for Pentos."

"And where are they now?" Tywin asked with dry heat in his voice.

"They remain in Pentos, under the protection of Magister Illyrio Mopatis," I calmly said.

"It took you three months to uncover this?" Tywin asked after a moment to process what I said.

"No. We only stayed in Lys for a month. Once we exhausted our investigation there, we then traveled to Pentos," I carefully said.

A cold fury instantly sparks in Tywin's eyes at my admission. "Who told you to go to Pentos?" Tywin quietly demanded.

"It was implied, when it became obvious, we could not end the Targaryen threat in Lys," I fearlessly answer. "Once I realized we couldn't kill the dragons, I decided we needed to gather as much information as we could on the key players."

My time out of Casterly Rock has done more for me than Tywin will ever know. Not only did I get to see the world, but I was given complete control of my life for the first time.

When the mission began, I was under the impression the soldiers were operating under strict orders from Tywin. While Master Sergeant Roland did have additional commands from my uncle, they only pertained to my safety and the extermination of Viserys and Daenery's lives.

Once I realized I was in complete control of this mission, I relished in the freedom command brought. It was a beautiful mixture of stressful and liberating. I loved it.

Tywin leaned back in his chair and appeared to be scrutinizing everything he just learned. Having calmed himself a bit, Tywin signals with his hand for me to continue.

"Unlike the previous nobles and merchants of Essos, I believe Illyrio Mopatis intends to aid Viserys in regaining the Iron Throne," I boldly state. "The Magister's manse is a small fortress guarded by several hundred Unsullied. With the protection of Pentos, the Targaryens are currently untouchable. So, I felt it was vital to learn as much as we could about our enemy, starting with who this fat merchant really is."

I stepped over to the chair in front of Tywin's desk and took a seat. I no longer felt like standing before my uncle.

Once situated in the unpadded chair, I revealed my findings. "Illyrio Mopatis began as a common sell-sword, born from commoners. He was talented with a blade, but nothing exceptional. Shortly into his career, he fell in with a small spy network. With the aid of the spies, Mopatis utilized their information to establish himself as an extraordinarily successful merchant."

Of course, I wasn't going to tell Tywin the spies were lead by Varys. Tywin would undoubtedly have Varys assassinated, and what's left of my metaknowledge would cease to exist. I know much has already been changed, but there is still a great deal that will not.

"Eventually, Mopatis worked his way to becoming the third most powerful Magister of Pentos, even marrying a cousin to the Prince of Pentos. Magister Mopatis is well connected in both Westeros and the Free Cities," I continued my report.

"Something odd I discovered is who Mopatis married after his first wife died. His second wife was a whore he met in a pillow-house in Lys," I said with a slight tilt of my head. "Of course, once the Prince of Pentos learned of this, he banned Mopatis from the royal palace for life."

The slight sneer on Tywin's face was proof of his thoughts on the cheesemonger's choice in a wife.

"From what I can tell, Mopatis is aiding the Tarygaryens for financial gain, provided the dragons can reclaim the Iron Throne," I openly state.

"We may not be able to end the Targaryens now, but we can begin to hinder their plans. It's possible to sabotage the Magister's dealings and spread rumors about the last two dragons," I suggest. "It's not perfect, but it can limit their resources and tarnish their reputation in Westeros."

Tywin was silent as he calculated everything. I know he isn't pleased about me failing to kill the Targaryens, but it isn't due to a lack of trying. In fact, I still have the poisons I purchased in Lys for Daenerys. I resolved myself to kill her, but that doesn't mean it would have to be painful. Dying peacefully in her sleep still results in her being dead.

"We will discuss this further later," Tywin stated in dismissal.

I stood and gave the Lord of Casterly Rock a respectful bow before departing. I was eager to see my parents and siblings after such a long absence. I couldn't help but smile as I swiftly made my way to the family quarters. It's good to be home.

******I wish you good fortune in the wars to come. And now it begins.******