chapter 12

The journey had taken two months. Bran had never been away from home for so long. How was Old Nan, Robb and Rickon doing? He missed his mother terribly. And yet, he was quite happy. He was learning form the greatest living knight! And now he could see Kings Landing, the largest city in all of Westeros.

It wasn't what he had expected. The smell was quite foul. Looking at the faces of sisters, Sansa and Arya agreed, though Sansa tried to hide it. The guardsmen also muttered and some of them clearly wish they were still in the North. They were coming in at the tail end of caravan. Father was up ahead and had wanted to meet with the Small Council sooner than later.

The last week or so had been incredibly busy for him. He had followed Tyrek and Lancel Lannister as they served the King. Lancel looked down at him and warned him not to get in their way or to speak of the indignities the King heaped on his squires. Tyrek was easier going, and seemed genuinely glad when Bran came to 'shadow' them.

Bran also had more lessons with Barristan. Barristan had praised his balance and footwork, that he held himself naturally balanced. He felt a little guilty because the climbing he wasn't supposed to do was responsible for it but only a little. The knight had also shared some of his battle stories and Bran had hung from every word.

Duty, Nymeria, and Lady drew stares from the crowd that watched the King's precession.

"Those aren't dogs, those are wolves!"

"Leave it to Northerners to tame wolves."

They made their way through the city and into the Red Keep. The rocks were literally red and it was a sizeable fortress, but smaller than Winterfell Bran thought proudly. They stabled the horses and then were escorted to the Tower of the Hand. It was tower with plenty of room, more than enough for all the Stark servants and soldiers.

Bran's room were close to his father's and the girls. It was decently spacious too. Duty sniffed around a bit while Bran unpacked. Bran felt the hairs on his neck tickle and then Duty growled and pawed at the wall.

"Duty? What's the matter?" Bran went to inspect the wall but could find nothing out of the ordinary to it. His wolf calmed and then lay down on the ground.

Strange, he doesn't act like that normally but this place is new to him.

He went over to Arya's chambers and knocked. She answered and he asked if Nymeria was acting strange. Oddly enough Arya said Nymeria had also been acting aggressive toward a wall. Bran was now deeply curious. What had excited the wolves? Only one other thing to do was to check on Sansa who had Jeyne Poole with her.

"Did Lady act oddly when you got to the room?"

Sansa nodded. "Yes, she even growled and she never growls."

Bran wasn't sure what to make of it. "Do you think we should tell father? It might be important."

Arya shook her head. "What if he thinks it's a sign, they aren't behaved well enough. That evil witch, the Queen will look for any excuse to have them killed."

"Arya!" Sansa exclaimed. "You cannot talk about the Queen that way! She's the Queen."

Bran sensed another storm brewing between the two of them and hastened to get in front of it.

"Stop, don't argue, please. Let's just wait and see if it happens again. We'll tell each other if it does but for now let's just keep a close eye on our wolves."

Sansa and Arya both looked at him. Bran felt a little uncomfortable, he was their younger brother. Fortunately, they both agreed to his suggestion. Returning to his room he finished unpacking and wondered if there was any place, he could climb unseen in the Red Keep.

***

I am happy to return to Kings Landing, despite the smell. Once you got used to it, it wasn't terrible but being away for so long had lowered my guard. It would fade in time and more importantly I was back home and had a list of tasks to accomplish. Meet with the Red Priest, Thoros of Myr, ensure Uncle Renly and Lord Eddard arranged for sword shields for myself and Tommen, resume my correspondence with my cousin Shireen, meet and hopefully suborn the ladies in waiting my mother had arranged for me, ensure Lum remains loyal and use him for information, keep good relations with the Stark children, and oh yes, try to figure out who was trying to murder me.

The whole event still confused me. It was sloppy and even if I was a regular noble girl, it could have failed! The would-be assassin was nervous and unsure of himself. He had hesitated and nearly fumbled drawing and lunging at me. Who took the effort of arming an incompetent assassin with Valyrian steel? A sharper dagger wasn't likely to change the mission success odds by an appreciable factor. Be better to spend the coin and hire a better culprit.

That did get me thinking, maybe the person who owned said dagger had it stolen and was supposed to be pinned for the assassination? Unless the person wanted people to think that they were being framed… no I was building foundations on air. Still, it would be useful to know about who may have owned it. Hmm I recall Valyrian steel is extremely difficult to work with, so most blades had a history. I'd have to make a trip to the Street of Steel and see if there were any smiths familiar with the metal. Wouldn't do to be obvious about it though, maybe I could trust Lum to be discrete, maybe.

The most pressing concern is, would I be targeting again, followed up by, how? I didn't know because I didn't know the culprit. No one readily came to mind. Kinslaying is one of this world's major taboos so I doubted it would be my Lannister cousins or Uncle Renly. Joffrey was quite twisted but I'd have a hard time imagining even he would be this monumentally stupid as to try to have me killed. He had fourteen years of cultural conditioning that made it a point of reinforcing how vile kinslaying and guest right violations were.

Other parties seemed even less likely. Lord Stark? For what gain? He had also built a reputation for being an honorable person. Either he was intelligent enough to see the value in it and present the honorable mask, only to lower it in the most dire of circumstances, or he was truly honorable. In both cases sending a catspaw to kill a child doesn't make sense.

While Lord Stark was likely innocent, it could be possible that some of his men wanted revenge for the prince having threatened their liege lord's children. Joffrey was always closely protected but I wandered about, if they couldn't strike him maybe they could strike me. Or maybe it was Mycah's family. They had just received a significant amount of silver… but then where did they get the dagger? Both scenarios seemed unlikely.

Who would have thought having an incompetent adversary would be so exasperating! Nothing made sense about this. Frustration mounting, I turned my thoughts to how to weed out potential attacks. It seemed to me if someone tried to attack me once they would try it again. I could make certain plans well known and spring a trap. Make public mention a few times on where I will be in a few days and see if an assassination attempt presents itself, taking some due precautions beforehand of course. If it happened again, I'd focus on taking assailants alive.

Poison was another concern. Despite common belief, poison is not an easy way to kill someone. Many poisons have some sort of taste or odor to them. Still, it wouldn't hurt to refresh my familiarity with them and maybe even practice some mithridatism and build up some immunity to a few of the common ones. I'd also wait to try dishes and drinks until I'd seen others consume them. None of this was a guarantee but self-preservation was number one in this life as it was in my second life. No sense it making it easy for a would-be assassin.

With the greater ease of using magic, I could also experiment with some medical formula. The immense difficulty is there were so many ways poisons could fuck with you. Some that interfered with your cells ability to use oxygen, to catastrophic blood thinning, to neurotoxins which messed with your nervous system. With the right formula you could increase respiratory function and heart rate which could improve your odds of survival, or dramatically reduce them. Other formula could promote rapid increase in cellular division in an area, often used to hasten healing of broken bones, bruises and lacerations. I had gotten the full treatment of that while recovering from my wound in my first mission in Norden. Now I wish I had paid more attention to the mechanism.

My first experiment would be to heal small cuts and from there I could slowly and carefully look to recreate formula I knew could work by trial and error. Hmm I could probably experiment on small animals first, that would be inherently less risky.

I wasn't content just with that, I would also see about refining the vectors I used. I could push myself in any direction but could I use those formula to push forward a thrown weapon? I had no qualms with getting my hands dirty in close combat, especially if I had the element of surprise but being able to hurl a dagger with more speed and force than any would expect would be safer.

My usage of mana remained at the same higher rate with almost no deviation. It was still incredibly limited so experimentation would word at a snail's pace. Made worse due to a need to keep some in reserves in case of another attack. Now that I had the privacy of my own room in Maegor's Holdfast it was time to get started.

***

Renly Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End was amused by the new Hand's sureness that he could get Robert to backdown from an extravagant tourney in his honor. He knew his brother well, the Tourney of the Hand would go forward despite Lord Stark's objections. The treasury would just go further into debt, and that was accepted to Renly. He didn't think it was a waste of money. It spurred the economy of the capital, made an excuse to bring the realm together, increased the popularity of the King and allowed the great knights of the realm to showcase their prowess.

Eddard would learn in time how to pick his battles, well hopefully, the man was quite the stick in the mud so far. It was disappointing to learn that Margery Tyrell didn't look like Eddard's sister, but it was still worth the effort to try to bring her to Kings Landing and catch Robert's eye.

A knock on the door by a servant announced the presence of Myrcella Baratheon, daughter of the King and his niece. It delighted Renly that there was friction between the princess and the Queen. The more unrest with the King's family the more likely he was to wash his hands of it and try with a new bride.

The princess entered and took a seat. As typical her dress and bearing had no flaws. It was a confusing combination, she acted older than her years but appeared younger. She could pass for 8 instead of 11 with her height.

"Uncle Renly, thank you for making time for me. I had hoped we could continue our discussion on having a sword shield for both myself and my brother."

Renly smiled graciously. "Of course, Myrcella! I have given it careful thought and will be bringing the motion forward to Lord Stark shortly. He will no doubt agree and then we can arrange for the announcement and swearing of oaths done in open court. Your mother will be unable to object once that is done."

Myrcella returned the smile. "Excellent, as I mentioned before, you are the Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. I would lean on your wisdom in selecting the appropriate knights."

His niece's flattery was obvious and appreciated. He knew he was an absent Lord but the court often was dismissive of him as just the King's younger brother. A man who could tell japes and dress finely but of little consequence.

The choosing of the sworn shields was a solemn business and he had a few potential names. In the end he had opted for two. Ser Guyard Morrigan was a stout knight and his family was fully loyal to Storm's End. Being the younger brother of the House Lord meant he could be assigned a duty of several years without disruption. Sword shields were not necessarily sworn for life and Renly would prefer it to last for but half a decade. Ser Guyard was for Tommen. For Myrcella he had something more interesting in mind.

Myrcella was of age, and already had clear desire, to attend court and meet with nobility. Her sworn shield would be privy to her secrets and even the secrets of the Queen and what went on in the Royal Apartments. Tommen was younger and less valuable despite being the spare. For Myrcella he needed someone who would be loyal to him first, not her.

Brienne of Tarth. It was amusing how a small kindness had led to an infatuation with him. This was something his shit of nephew had yet to learn. A dance and a gentle word had ensured loyalty of a doughty fighter for life. Tarth owed him allegiance of course, but personal loyalty was not to be underestimated.

Having a woman as a sworn shield would be looked at oddly but it would allow Brienne to follow her in places where only women were traditionally allowed. Plus, Brienne was quite competent having already bested a number of knights. She was even taller than most knights. He was going to have her participate in the melee which would quiet any concerns that were made after the fact.

He shared the names and some of his reasoning and he saw her taken aback. "A female warrior?" She asked with surprise for a moment but nodded. "If she is as competent as you say I suppose that will suffice."

"You disapprove of women fighting?"

She shook her head. "It isn't practical for most; it sounds like she is a bit of an exception. Not even the Mormont women are as big as you describe Lady Brienne, so she will do. Thank you, Uncle Renly. I won't forget your kindness. Do you need anything from me to help sway Lord Stark?"

"No, I should have it covered. I can even keep quiet that it was your idea if you prefer."

Myrcella smiled. "A gallant gesture uncle, but unnecessary. My mother may have a lot of bark but she won't bite."

Renly chuckled. "We are talking about the same Cersei, right? Rumor has it she sold a woman to slavery for the crime of sleeping with my brother."

Myrcella didn't blink. "Rumors are rumors uncle, as slavery is illegal it seems unlikely my mother would do such a thing. If she felt it necessary, I have no doubt she would have someone executed but she wouldn't be foolish enough to break the King's Law and shame her family."

Renly did blink. He had hoped to delicately create a wedge in sweet Myrcella and her cruel mother but she was completely unphased. It seemed he really was sending Brienne into the lion's den.

***

It was time to meet the young ladies who I would be spending time with. Two were coming from Lannisport and one from The Crag. They had just arrived and I would be having my first meeting with them.

The youngest was Rosamund Lannister, a Lannister of Lannisport. The Lannisport Lannisters were kin but distant, and while they bore the name Lannister, they were not very important. She was my age and supposedly had a passing resemblance.

The next girl was older than me by a couple of years and from the minor house of Westerling. Eleyna Westerling was the youngest daughter of Lord Gawen Westerling. They were an ancient and storied house but had little wealth and power now.

The final girl was six and ten and named Rosyn Lannett. Barely above landed knights. Though occasionally that house married into the Lannister line's third and forth children.

These were slim pickings. Fully loyal to the Westerlands already and zero influence outside of it. Mother was starting to irk me. Waste not, want not. I would do my best to spend time with them and see about winning their loyalty.

We met in one of the parlors in the Red Keep. An alcove overlooking the Blackwater Bay was where I met them. I valued my privacy so I wouldn't have them act as my maids, just be companions. Mother was not there to meet them either, which was both good and bad in my view.

They came and as it was just us ladies there was no herald or formal introduction. Rosyn Lannett came in first. A tall blond whose face was a bit too pudgy to be called pretty gave a curtsy.

"Princess Myrcella it is an honor to be here with you. I look forward to you showing me around Kings Landing. I want to see everything."

I smile politely. "Rosyn I would love to arrange for you to have a tour of Kings Landing and the rest of the Red Keep. I look forward to hearing about what is new from Lannisport, we didn't get a chance to visit before the grave news reached us about the Hand."

Rosamund Lannister greeted me next. She didn't take after me very much. She was blond and green eyed and two inches taller than me. She seemed nice and tried to hug me. Which I accepted a bit stiffly.

Eleyna Westerling came next and curtseyed as well. "I am glad to be the capital, The Crag is quite dull. And there is to be a tourney as well? We must watch it together!"

"We will be sure to attend, now what have you three been told that you'll be doing with me?" I wanted to see what instructions they had been given.

Rosyn spoke for the group. "We are to attend any Royal Feasts with you, to attend Holy Days at the sept with you, we are to be your companions and to make sure you don't spend time alone with boys and we are to spend our day with you."

"How delightful," I lied. "I do look forward to your companionship. I also look forward to your loyalty, don't tell my mother but I can get into mischief every now and then." I looked at the girls closely. Rosyn looked away, she's obviously been instructed to spy on me. Rosamund doesn't seem to react and Eleyna grins a bit. Though right now I suspect any of them would tell the Queen whatever she asked. Still, it was good to know.

Eleyna responded first. "What kind of mischief?"

"Oh, you'll just have to wait and see. But tell me, you mentioned The Crag was dull, why? What is it like?"

She talked about frivolities that I memorized but didn't care much about. From there we chatted on inane things like their favorite foods, what they thought of the city and the Red Keep and of course the tourney. They all fawned over my Uncle Jaime and just knew he would win. To give credit where credit was due, it wasn't a bad prediction, he was a fantastic warrior and his jousting skills were quite exceptional.

It was clear the rest of my day was shot but so be it. Rosamund was the shyest of the lot and Elyna the most vivacious. Rosyn was somewhere in the middle, she seemed to concentrate on every word I said. Memorizing it? Really, how obvious could one get?

I learned a bit more about each of them. Eleyna's desire to find a match, and her lack of faith in her mother's ability to do so. Rosamond's fear of being away from home. Not much was learned from Roslyn but she did say she hoped to one day travel to Essos. They in turn questioned me and asked about what perspective matches I hoped to make. I played coy and didn't share any of my thoughts.

After our initial meeting they followed me to my room and then I followed them to theirs. They were housed in good quarters nearby. We then settled in to do some sewing and talked more. It wasn't until nearly the end of the day that they retreated to their rooms, before they all left, I called out to Lannett.

"Rosyn, it was so wonderful to meet with you today. I did not want to speak with the others present since they are young and, well, you know how little girls and maids can keep secrets."

Her eyes grew wider and she leaned close. "What is it?"

"I do have my eyes on someone but I fear mother wouldn't approve. Robb Stark was very handsome and kind, he looked the perfect cross between sweet Lord and dashing warrior. I've tried to engrain myself with the Stark girls so they will put in a good word for me. Tell me true, do you think I am being foolish?"

She hesitated. "Well, with Sansa already betrothed to Joffrey, the match is not likely but I could not say."

"I know, I know but I can dream, can't I? And you'll help me with this, yes? I want to introduce you and the others to the Stark sisters. You'll help me befriend them and treat them sweetly, won't you? The Hand seems to listen to his daughters, I know they will be the key."

Rosyn nodded. "Of course, princess, I'm here to serve."

"Thank you, I knew I could count on you. Lannett's have always served the Lannisters well. And I swear to you if I get a match with my Robb, I will do all I can to secure a good match for yourself as well. Now, please promise you won't say anything to anyone, it would ruin everything."

"Of course, I won't say a thing to Rosamond and Eleyna."

Smiling I dismiss her. Later I'd corner Rosamond and share some other match and then wait until my next argument with mother. I had no desire to match with Robb Stark unless the direwolves truly were key to enhancing my magic. The likelihood of another Baratheon / Stark match with Joffrey and Sansa was slim to none, no the purpose was entirely to find out which of my handmaids were able to keep my secrets.

***

It had been difficult to shake my ladies in waiting. They insisted on doing everything together. From breakfast to sewing to even accompanying me when I wished to read. I had to wake up earlier than them to get away from the three. Likely they would still be wondering where I was but I had informed the maids I planned on visiting the Starks again like I had done yesterday, only I was meeting with Thoros.

The Red Priest was surprised that I had wanted to see him.

"In my studies I've learned of different religious beliefs outside of The Seven. I was curious about your devotion to R'hllor."

"Ah…" he began, "I would welcome almost anyone to the faith but unless I convince your father I dare not try to pull you away from The Seven."

"Trust me Thoros, this is academic in nature not spiritual." The thought of worshipping anything resembling Being X was revolting.

He smiled. "Good then, what would you wish to know?"

"The septons aren't warriors and yet you fight in the melees and even went to war by my father's side. Is that normal for priests?"

He laughed. "I'm not a normal priest. Most of my order lean more on the mystical side."

"Oh?" I was curious, if I could use magic, as limited as it was, it may mean others could. Parsing fact from fiction would be difficult.

"Many in my order claim to be able to see the future in the flames. Some claim great ability to withstand heat. As far as if I believe them," he shrugged, "I don't really. Some claim I have magic powers with my flaming sword. But its just wildfire and I'm used to the heat and know how to avoid lighting myself. I know others used powders to make the flames roar on command."

It was rather interesting, and I liked Thoros not trying to put up some mystic façade. Not being a great source of information, I moved to buttering him up and hearing stories about my father. Time to pretend to be the child who wants to dearly hear more about her dear old dad, the dad who doesn't spend nearly enough time with her. Father wasn't someone I wanted to spend time with for emotional reasons. It would have been useful to be able to influence him, so it made sense to try. Convincing him that I had some sort of hero worship of his past exploits via Thoros can only help when I asked for boons and favors in the future.

"I know you fought by my father's side. Can you tell me what it was like?"

"Of course…"