Chapter 65: The Lure of Ambition

The Redwyne fleet moved through the Straits, now bolstered by its recent victories against the pirates. Paxter stood on the deck of The Arbor Queen, feeling the wind on his face, the tension in his chest slowly loosening. The pirates had been dealt a significant blow, and the trade routes were once again secure—for now. But Paxter knew better than to believe that the threats to House Redwyne would end so easily.

In the days following the raids, his men had interrogated the captured pirates, pressing them for any information about their backers. It had been slow work, and Paxter's patience had worn thin as the prisoners resisted, offering nothing but vague threats of more "free men" on the sea.

Mina joined him at the bow, her sharp gaze fixed on the horizon. "Word of our victory is already spreading," she said quietly. "The smaller houses will take notice. Our position in the Reach is strengthening."

Paxter nodded, though he did not feel the sense of satisfaction he had hoped for. "It's a small victory," he replied. "But the bigger threats remain. We still don't know who was backing these pirates. And Tarly… his silence is troubling."

Mina crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "Tarly is waiting for the right moment. He won't act until he's sure of his position. But that moment could come sooner than we think. With the realm in chaos, he could be looking for any sign of weakness in the Tyrells or the Crown."

Paxter's jaw tightened. "I won't allow House Redwyne to be caught off guard. We need to stay ahead of him."

Mina glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Then perhaps it's time to act. We've been cautious, but Tarly isn't the only one capable of playing this game. If we start reaching out to the lesser lords now, we can strengthen our alliances before Tarly makes his move."

Paxter considered her words. He had been biding his time, waiting to see where the pieces would fall, but the political landscape was shifting quickly. It might be time for House Redwyne to take a more proactive approach.

"Send word to our emissaries," Paxter said finally. "I want them to begin quiet discussions with the smaller houses. Offer them protection, favorable trade terms—whatever it takes to secure their loyalty."

Mina smiled faintly. "You're thinking ahead. Good. If we can build our own network of allies, Tarly's power will be diminished before he even has a chance to act."

As the fleet sailed back toward the Arbor, Paxter felt a sense of urgency growing within him. The victory against the pirates had been a necessary step, but it was only the beginning. The game of thrones was moving faster than ever, and if Paxter wanted to ensure the survival of House Redwyne, he would need to be just as swift in his actions.

When the fleet docked at the Arbor, Paxter wasted no time in calling a council meeting. The great hall of his estate was filled with the voices of his advisors, captains, and trusted allies, all eager to hear the latest developments. As he took his seat at the head of the table, the room fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone present.

"We've secured the Straits," Paxter began, his voice calm but firm. "The pirate threat has been dealt with, and our trade routes are safe for the time being. But we are not done. The threats to House Redwyne go beyond simple piracy."

He glanced around the table, making eye contact with each of his advisors. "Lord Tarly remains a danger. He has been meeting with Lannister agents in secret, and his silence speaks volumes. If he makes his move, the Reach could be thrown into chaos, and we need to be prepared."

Ser Martyn Harte, who had led the fleet in the raids, spoke up. "What do you propose, my lord? Should we move against Tarly now?"

Paxter shook his head. "No. Not yet. We can't act without concrete proof of his plans, and attacking him prematurely could turn the other lords against us. But we can't afford to sit idly by, either."

He turned to Mina, who had been quietly observing the room. "Mina has already begun reaching out to the lesser houses. We'll offer them protection and favorable trade terms in exchange for their loyalty. If Tarly does make his move, we'll have the strength of our own allies to counter him."

There were murmurs of approval from around the table, but Ser Gawen, one of Paxter's older advisors, raised a hand. "And what of the Tyrells? If we start building our own alliances, it could be seen as a betrayal."

Paxter's expression darkened. "We are not betraying the Tyrells. But we cannot rely on them to protect us if the Reach fractures. Olenna Tyrell is a formidable ally, but her position is not as strong as it once was. We need to protect ourselves."

Ser Gawen nodded, though he did not seem entirely convinced. "I understand, my lord. But we must be careful. If word of this reaches Highgarden…"

Paxter raised a hand to silence him. "It won't. We'll handle this discreetly. Olenna has her hands full with the situation in King's Landing. She won't concern herself with our actions, so long as we continue to support her publicly."

The meeting continued, with discussions about strengthening patrols along the coast and securing the loyalty of more houses in the Reach. Paxter listened carefully to his advisors, but his mind was already moving ahead. He could feel the tension in the room, the uncertainty that came with playing such a dangerous game. But Paxter had never been one to shy away from risk. He had built House Redwyne into a formidable power, and he was determined to see it survive, no matter the cost.

As the meeting came to an end, Mina lingered behind, her expression unreadable.

"You're making the right choice," she said quietly. "Building alliances now will ensure that we're not caught off guard when the time comes."

Paxter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It feels like we're playing with fire."

Mina smiled faintly. "We are. But that's the game we're in. The Tyrells, Tarly, the Lannisters—they're all making moves. We have to stay ahead of them, or we'll be left behind."

Paxter nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that every step forward brought them closer to a precipice. "Keep me updated on the negotiations. I want to know where each of the lesser lords stands."

Mina inclined her head. "Of course."

As she left the hall, Paxter stood alone, staring at the banners of House Redwyne that hung above him. The rich crimson of their sigil, the grapes entwined with vines, was a reminder of the strength and prosperity they had built over generations. But even the strongest houses could fall in times like these, and Paxter knew that he was walking a fine line between ambition and destruction.

He walked to the large windows overlooking the vineyards, watching as the sun set over the fields. The Arbor was peaceful, the scent of grapes heavy in the air, but Paxter's mind was anything but calm. The game of thrones was a dangerous one, and every move he made brought new risks.

But he had no choice. If House Redwyne was to survive, they would have to play the game better than anyone else.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land, and Paxter knew that the coming days would be filled with even greater challenges. The Reach was on the brink, and the storm that had been brewing for so long was finally about to break.