Sailing trip I

- 277 AC -

(Stannis POV)

"When are you coming back?", I ask Robert as he is packing everything he will need for the journey.

"Roughly 6 moons. Maybe more if I manage to strike a favourable deal in Braavos. I'll find myself a skilled shipwright, who would fit into the family and then give him or her the plans I made.", he says and I nod. 

"What about Dorne? How long will you stay there?", I ask him suspiciously. 

"A few days. Maybe a sennight if necessary. But from what we learned, the Merchant Guild is ready to receive us and I'll use that to go through with the little plan I made.", he says with a satisfied smile like it already worked. 

*Sigh*

Over the last few moons, the Defiance of Duskendale as it was now widely known had been going on and the King has still not been freed or killed officially. Robert and I used this chance to further our plans and the influence of the Guilds as it would be the best moment to move, now that the King was not around and the attention of everyone was on something else. The Peaky Blinders were also increasing their influence in Kings Landing and it seems to be going well. 

That is until Robert started planning to increase the Merchant Guild's influence and our military might on the sea. I am used to such 'projects' as he calls them, but now I am starting to get a bit worried. Not because of his ambition or plan, they always seemed outrageous, but because his personal life worries me. 

He has been corresponding with his friend Ned Stark up North in Winterfell and Jon Arryn in the Eyrie which isn't worrying. But he has also corresponded with Elia Martell and the younger Cersei Lannister has also been writing to him. I am worried because it looks like Robert seems to entertain the idea of entering a relationship with the dornish. He also likes the younger one Cersei, but he's not into young ones like that. 

His 'plan' to see whether a relationship with Elia Martell works now is why he goes to Sunspear and looks after the Merchant Guild there. His plan is to find out whether she is truly different from her family or whether she is playing and just interested in Robert for personal or family gain. I believe she is a nice woman to have as a friend, but not a wife. I don't believe that she is a virgin and while Robert doesn't seem to care all that much, as long as she doesn't have children, I think it stands to reason that the culture of the dornish is not marriage material. 

She will see their marriage as the same as they do in Dorne and take lovers or have intercourse when she feels like it. No matter how much I like Elia, that can't and will never happen. A polygamous relationship will never happen in the Stormlands. 

.

"You look worried Stannis. Don't worry. Trust my judgement at least. I won't do anything unless I am absolutely sure, it won't hurt our family or our House. I am not someone who chooses a bride because she has a pretty face. That's why I am doing this in the first place."

"To find out her true character when she isn't in her family's safety. I know, I understand your plan well. It just feels like you might lose sight of the objective and fall for her dornish charms and appeal. Many men thought they could resist temptation. And you're not a sword swallower, so there is always a chance.", I tell him. 

I know that he will be able to resist, but he has never had sex, as far as I'm aware. He is a powerful young man and with his physique, he is bound to have his cravings. I wouldn't fault him for bedding the dornish beauty. But the problems that would come from that, are not worth the short relief. 

"Bahahaha. Don't worry. If I want relief, there are many beauties much closer here in Storm's End that would surely be willing."

"Aye, that's true."

"Very well. I'll see you in a few moons with good news Stannis. We'll get that contract one way or another.", Robert says to me.

"I believe you. You always do."

"Goodbye brother.", Robert says and then boards the ship. He is going to Dorne now and I won't see him for a long time. At some time, I also want to leave Storm's End. It is getting rather obvious that I am usually the one who has to keep things under control while he sails off somewhere. But he told me that we'll do just that soon. 

.

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(Robert Baratheon POV)

As I start my rather short journey to Sunspear, I think about what has happened and what I have planned. I have been sending and receiving ravens from Ned, Elia Martell and Cersei Lannister after I was kicked out of Winterfell. I understand why it happened and I can't fault Rickard Stark for it. I didn't mince my words as he needed to hear that. The Mormonts also let their women fight, so why can't they? There is no reason for Lyanna not to learn how to fight. Even if she will have to marry eventually, knowing how to fight will only benefit her. 

The letters of Elia have gotten rather frequent and the ones from Cersei did as well. I understand that the young Lannister seems to have become smitten with me for some reason. I am smart enough to see the signs and read her mood. Tywin Lannister will never allow that, which is why I have put Cersei out of my mind. Sure she is too young now, but that won't always be the case. She is 1 and 10 name days old now, which means that in about two years, she would be ready for marriage. 

Not that I am very comfortable marrying such a young girl, but my mentality has changed since I reincarnated here. I am still uncomfortable but I would accept it nonetheless. However, the obsession of Tywin Lannister with his daughter becoming Queen stops anything from happening. 

Elia Martell though ... well she is another matter entirely. I could see me getting intimate and marrying her, if what I think about her and what I have observed so far, is the truth. To find out whether she is truly the way I think, I created this plan. I thought that to find out for real, I had to isolate her from her family. 

How would I do that? 

Psychology. 

I combined this trip with my trip to Braavos, where I am planning to acquire another business venture. Shipbuilding. Ships are an essential part of this world. If you have ships, you are a wealthy person, no matter how you use those ships. 

The Iron Bank of Braavos is a wealthy and powerful institution, that I would like to first get a feeling for and then either take over entirely or become a major shareholder. Money ruled the world. And those who ruled the Iron Bank ruled those who ruled the world. Confusing. Getting a piece of the Iron Bank would give me access to loads of money and business ventures. I would ensure House Baratheon would live comfortably in the coming years. 

.

I finally reach Sunspear after sailing for a while. It is an impressive city and the port is lovely as well. I can see why the Martells hold such power over Dorne. I disembark the ship after giving the workers some orders and then begin walking towards the merchant district. We have gotten news from the Merchant Guild in Sunspear about their successful integration of the city and the start of their businesses. 

All the leaders and vice-leaders of any new Merchant Guild Branch have to go through the ritual and drink my blood. This assures that the rest of their workers are in line, as only the leader and vice-leader know all the details of the operation and only those of their respective regions. The only ones who know all that is going on are Stannis and me. This is not a democracy. I am the ruler of this merchant empire. 

I walk through the city and finally reach the house where the guild is located. I walk in and see the leader of the guild. He recognises me instantly. 

"Ah, my Lord. How nice of you to come and visit us.", he says. 

"Don't worry Quent. I said I'd have a look and that's what I'm doing. How is everything going?", I ask and we go back into his study where he has most of the important papers. 

"it is going rather well. The people know about our reputation and are currently seeing whether that reputation is just a ruse or whether it is real. And so far, no one was disappointed."

"Good. Then let us go over the few things I wanted to talk to you about.", I say and then we get busy for a few hours discussing some things he will have to expect when working here in Sunspear, the heart of the Martell House. 

After a while, a soldier enters the building and asks for me specifically. I smile when hearing about it and walk to the front where he is waiting. 

"Yes? How may I help you?"

"Lord Robert Baratheon?", he asks me, trying to act like he doesn't know me. A poor tactic in his case, because I know he recognised me the moment I stepped out here. 

"No, I'm his younger sister, Bertha. Can I tell him you were here?", I say. 

He looks at me with a strange look. He looks me up and down, trying to see whether I am a woman or not. Bah, he has no idea that no amount of logic can win against this stupid topic. 

"You're clearly a man.", he says with a raised eyebrow.

"WHAT?! Are you saying we women aren't allowed to look however we want? I feel like a woman, so I AM a woman. No matter how long and girthy my penis is will change that. You are violating my right as an individual and I won't stand it! Please leave this establishment and tell whoever sent you, that we won't be doing business with them.", I say and turn around and walk away. 

He still stands there with his mouth open, not sure what just happened. After trying to figure out what to do, he asks to see me again, but I refuse. Why would I play the Martell's game? If they want to talk to me, they had better come themselves. I knew the soldier was from the Martell House, but he never said that ... he never got the chance to. But that's not my problem. 

.

As expected, after roughly an hour, another person entered the House. Elia Martell had arrived with her brother, Oberyn Martell. I smile when I approach them and greet them. 

"Ah, such distinguished guests. Welcome Elia and Oberyn Martell.", I say to them. 

"Robert, it's good to finally see you again after all this time. We wanted to ask for you to dine with us earlier, but one of our guards said some strange things, which were clearly lies.", Elia says turning to the man in question. 

"No need. I made a small joke with him and had fun. Now, what brings you to our lovely guild house?", I ask them.

"As I said, we wanted to invite you to dinner with us. Now that you're finally in Sunspear, don't think about leaving again any time soon.", Elia says with a stern expression. 

"Bahaha, I wouldn't dare think of it. But I'm afraid, I won't stay in Dorne for long. I leave tomorrow morning for Braavos.", I say. 

"What?! No way! You will stay a while.", Elia says and I can only smile. 

"So you are the famed Robert Baratheon, the entire realm and Elia are talking about all the time. If the rumours are to be believed, you might as well be a god. I thought you were taller, from the stories.", Oberyn speaks for the first time and walks closer to me. 

"Eh, don't believe those rumours. They are all lies, I assure you. I am but a good looking Heir to Storm's End, nothing more.", I say with a casual smile. 

"Hah, is that so? You don't carry yourself like a 'normal' heir. You look like a skilled fighter. And your body seems bloated."

"These are all transverse spermatic cords."

"..."

"..."

"Bahahahahahahaha", I suddenly start to laugh at their confused and surprised faces. It is so easy to surprise people in these times. 

______________________________________

Finally, we will see more of the world than just Westeros. Important chapter the next one. 

As we approach the Tourney at Harrenhal (281) and the Rebellion (282 -283) things will change. I have thought of how to anger Robert and had writer's block. I was actually very close to going on Hiatus. Ironically, I found the solution and understood that I was actually looking too far.