Chapter Thirty-Six

Highgarden. The Reach.

For the visit to the home of House Tyrell I'd brought along many important guests, Viserys Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen, Prince Oberyn, his paramour Ellaria Sand and the prince's eldest daughter Obara Sand. In Dorne those born out of wedlock weren't looked down upon like they were elsewhere. I didn't care for the idea of bastardy, if there was any sin involved then it belonged to the parents not the child. When I introduced my travelling companions I saw a visible reaction to my use of the name Sand, but it was ignored in favour of the Tyrells getting to gush over the two Targaryen royals.

I'd considered taking the royals to Dorne, but I'd dismissed the idea as while this version of Viserys was more stable than the book/show counterpart thanks to the tutoring and psychological care I hadn't wanted to run the risk of him insulting a hot headed Dornish man and ending with the point of a spear in this guts.

"Walk with me Lord Thrax" insisted older of the Lady Tyrells.

Lady Olenna Tyrell, née Redwyne, was the elderly matriarch of House Tyrell and the last known head of that house. Lady Olenna had been a mistress of court politics, plotting and intrigue par excellence throughout her life. She was also known for her wit and sarcasm. As a result, Lady Olenna was popularly nicknamed the Queen of Thorns, in reference to the Tyrell sigil, which was a rose, and her cutting, barbed comments. In many ways she was the de facto head of House Tyrell

"So I assume that this is when and where we make a deal that sees your granddaughter on the throne" I said bluntly as the Queen of Thrones led me around a garden "It will be an easy thing to arrange as it is exactly what I wish to happen".

If Lady Olenna was taken aback by my lack of tact she hid it well.

"You think Margery will make a suitable queen?" I asked.

Indeed I did.

"She's young, pretty, smart, and Viserys needs a queen who can keep from doing anything foolish" I answered "If she's half the woman you are the Seven Kingdoms will be in good hands".

I caught a slight smile appear on the the wrinkled face of Lady Olenna.

"You forget rich" she gently chided.

The old woman led me to a table and chairs that just happened to have some wine and snacks laid out as if she'd somehow known we'd end up here.

"The wealth of House Tyrell is a factor" I confessed.

I wasn't going to get much past the Queen of Thorns so I wasn't going to bother. Stringing along Tywin Lannister hadn't been that hard, however I could sense that Lady Olenna would not so easily accept that I was just some merchant prince out to make some money.

"The Seven Kingdoms are in debt and while the money owed to House Lannister might not be a problem in the long run" I said "I'd rather not have Viserys start his rule with too many problems".

Destroying the Iron Bank was not an option as that would cause problems for those who needed to deal in large amounts of currency, such as myself, so the debts would have to paid back, at least in part.

"House Tyrell can help with the Kingdom's money problems" said Lady Olenna.

I noticed right away how she'd not actually promised anything.

"Once Viserys is on the throne he'll need experienced men on his Small Council" I was now saying "I've already discussed this matter with Prince Doran and he'll support us in exchange for putting his brother on the Small Council, as well as a few other minor favours. My thinking was that son could be Master of Coin. He hasn't ruined House Tyrell so I assume he can handle money".

Lady Olenna didn't have a high opinion of her son.

"I suppose he couldn't do worse than Littlefinger" was all she said on that subject.

My thinking was to make sure that Lord Tyrell had some good bookkeepers working for him. I had my own chief account called a Purser my plans involved talking to that person and getting him to send a few of his support staff to Kings Landing once my puppet was on the throne. He could always elevate members of my very large crew to replace his losses.

"Do you think that Viserys will need a smart queen?" she asked "All young men want a pretty wife, but Margery is more than just someone to hang off his arm at social events".

I'd never say it to him because of his ego, but he really did need a strong hand to guide him.

"He's not as foolish as he might seem and my people are doing their best to prepare him" I admitted "My concern is that he can let this temper get the better of him and that can cause rash judgment. He needs someone who can speak to him without stinging his pride or seeming as if she's a challenge to his authority while really being the power behidn the throne. I think your granddaughter can handle that".

There was no question that I would put Viserys on the throne. Anyone who seen my flying machines and come to understand how they altered the balance knew that I could take the throne for the Targaryen royal, the issues were holding it and then stabilising the realm. I needed House Tyrell for that since they had most of the food and a lot of money. Of course Lady Olenna knew this.

"I assume you mean to destroy or at least cripple the Lannisters" said the Queen of Thorns.

She seemed to be enjoying this open talk. There was no need for us to speak in riddles or to plot behind closed doors.

"The Lannisters won't just stand by and let a Targaryen take the throne" I stated "The Westerlands will need to brought to heal as will The Vale. I don't foresee much of an issue with the Riverlands. As for The North, well the Starks have never done well in the south, I think it best to leave The North to them".

Olenna nodded.

"Sounds as if my son will to call his banners" she remarked.

That would be wise. The armies of The Reach would be of far more use to me than the Dornish due how hard it is to move so many troops. An army gathered here at Highgarden could threaten Kings Landing, or go fight the Lannisters while I secured Kings Landing.

"Cersei will do away with her husband soon enough" I was now saying "All she needs to do is get him drunk enough and he'll finish himself off. He'll have an accident while hunting or he'll drink himself to death".

She might even be more direct if she really thought that I was supporting her.

"The Lannister will move to seize the Red Keep and the capital" the Queen of Thorns reasoned.

Tywin Lannister had no reason to attack the Riverlands since no one had taken the Imp, so he might march an army on Kings Landing to help secure it rather than invade another kingdom. Renly would declare himself king and rally the Stormlands giving him someone to fight. This I informed the true leader of House Tyrell.

"Then Mace will have to call his banners" she decided "and now so that we can prepare. For that we'll need your guns".

I'd known that we'd get on to this subject sooner or later.

"And men to train your guards in how to use them as well as plenty of ammo" I said "That can start today and I'm willing to sell you what you need for far less than the Lannister are paying".

But more than Martells were paying.

"You won't simply supply your new allies with these guns?" I was asked.

"I am a merchant prince, my lady" I reminded.

Bringing this world under Imperial control was important, but so was filling my holds with gold and anything else of value I could get my hands on.