GOT : Chapter 78

( Gulian POV )

For once, Gulian Qorgyle wasn't in the seat belonging to the governor of Sunspear. No, for once, he was one of the many people in the seat right in front of it, behind the desk, staring at his interlocutor in the eyes.

Well, this seqt never was his in the first place. The large Martell banners that adorned the walls behind were quite the hint at that, and gave the room a different type of feel than if these were the three scorpion banners of his on house.

And the person looking through the many scrolls and papers lying around was the person supposed to hold this office in the first place. Quentyn had arrived by ship from Yronwood only yesterday, with plans to go to the capital at the end of the month. 

In the meantime, though, he had returned to his official duties, which at this point just involved checking over what Gulian himself had been doing.

The news had taken him by complete surprise. What would the point of Quentyn going to King's Landing? Admittedly, there was apparently the need to send a delegation there, but it was led by prince Oberyn already. 

What was the point of Quentyn leaving when he was needed here above all? Not only did it put him in danger, the lions no doubt knowing about Quentyn's stunt with Lorch, whose skull was sitting on the desk within Gulian's reaching distance, but it made no real sense. 

Why not send Trystane? After all, wasn't he betrothed to princess Myrcella? Surely this would do better than someone the lions would rather see dead.

Gulian winced as he already knew the answer all too well.

For the entire duration of his tenure as acting governor of Sunspear, the prince in the gardens had only made life harder for him. From orders not reaching specific people, certain key informants disappearing or being relocated overnight, to projects being cancelled…every day was a battle for Gulian, just not the battles with a sword.

Fortunately, the Dornish had experience with battling with quills and words. Other noble houses of other kingdoms may have scoffed at counting coppers or mingling with the smallfolk, but Gulian knew all too well the careful balance of Dornish politics when it came to trade, notably with the free cities, and the importance of the smallfolk overall.

Needless to say, as heir to Sandstone, Gulian knew exactly how to deal with any financial issue, be it issuing from exterior or interior trade. It is perhaps the very fact that he was well-versed with this so-called "copper counting" that Quentyn appointed him as acting governor.

Again, others may have scoffed at the prospect, but the truth is that well … it distracted him. All the games played in a bout for influence or the games played with the Free Cities, were great distractions for him, which didn't involve too much physical effort. At the stroke of a pen, Gulian could tip the balance for a side or another.

The feeling of having such power could certainly have gone to his head if he didn't know what he was planning for. By the end of Gulian's tenure, Sunspear should be completely filled with Quentyn's supporters, meaning either purging the garden prince's influence or turning his faithful to Quentyn with splendid projects. The groundwork had already been laid, after all.

And the prince in the gardens' supporters certainly weren't the brightest of the bunch, if Gulian could say so frankly. It was child's play to have most of them removed or have them brought to his side. All the easier when Gerris did some of the more hands-on work.

"Well." Quentyn nodded with satisfaction. "You've done a wonderful job, I have to admit."

"Well, that's why you sent me here, didn't you?" Gulian showed a slight smile.

"And you've completed this job almost to perfection," Quentyn said while placing the sheet of paper down. "It's a good thing you will have to continue your duties as acting governor when I leave for the capital."

"It's done, then?" Gulian asked with a hint of worry.

"I fear so." Quentyn frowned. "I can hardly disobey my father's explicit command since Overlord is not ready yet."

Gulian nodded sombrely.

"We need more time." Quentyn sighed. "The good news is that, at least, I can read through my father's intentions. He did try to have my influence purged somewhat once already, I will not have it done a second time."

"Gerris stays, then?" Gulian raised an eyebrow.

"No, I need him with me." Quentyn shook his head. "But I've brought Jennelyn and Delilah Fowler along from Skyreach. Admittedly, they lack Gerris' muscle, but they shall be useful all the same."

"I can work with them." Gulian nodded. "You are sure that I am not needed?"

"I think that I need you more here than ever before." Quentyn sighed. "My father will try to bring Sunspear to heel again, and it is time that I show him that it is not his city anymore. For that, I need you."

"You've put a lot of trust in me," Gulian replied softly.

"I have." Quentyn nodded back. "But so far, you've only given me satisfaction. The port is being widened, the fleet construction is going well despite the North stopping its exports, the refurbishment of the palace is going wonderfully well, the medical facilities have been drastically improved and the roads have started to take a new look."

"A good thing that Stannis' raiders have not targeted us." Gulian cut in.

"An interesting development, that." Quentyn acknowledged. "Do we know who they are targeting precisely?"

"The Stormlands and Crownlands for the moment, it seems," Gulian replied. "No Dornish ship has been attacked, but perhaps our own war galleys have deterred them."

"The damn smuggler has a lot of tricks up his sleeve…"

Then the prince added in a very low voice.

"Although we're close to being ready…"

"And who are you taking to that pit of vipers, then?" Gulian asked, changing the subject slightly. "Gerris, Cletus, Arch…"

"Nym and Ned too. I think a lot of dignitaries are coming with my uncle, including your own brother, as a matter of fact."

"Good for Arron, I think he needs to start sticking his head out of Sandstone." Gulian chuckled. "What's Lucian Toland got to do with any of this?"

"Ah…" Quentyn tapped on the desk. "Do you remember these old pirate maps I asked?"

"Yes." Gulian nodded with a surprised look on his face. "Why would you want them? They show some coves where our pirates landed raiding parties along the Stormlands back in the days when we were still at each other's throats."

"For the same reason, I need Lucian Toland and Jaro Jordayne. Both are experienced sailors…"

"And that's why you requisitioned the Ruby and the Pearl?"

"Yes, I need these ships for a very special mission, but I know not if such mission will be carried out. I can only hope it will…" Quentyn trailed. "In any case, they have knowledge of how to quickly and quietly disable a large vessel, and I need such people."

"I guess that if I ask why you will just shrug and tell me that I'll see why later?"

"Precisely."

"Well, it's worked somewhat until now…" Gulian trailed, rubbing his eyes while Quentyn leaped from his seat. "That's it?"

"Yes." Quentyn nodded. "I suppose it is. If all the other things I've asked prior to leaving have been done … I now need to see Cletus."

"Is he up for a secret mission too?"

"No, he's been feeling under the weather recently, and I need to find out why."

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