The Northern Dragon

CH 22: OLD VALYRIA

Michael was led inside the Hand's chamber where the office was located. Just yesterday he had been in this room with Tyrion, finishing discussing about the upcoming battle. Now, it was his father, armor and all since he had gone straight to work rather than taking it off, who sat firmly before him with the desk in between.

As for Tyrion, he had saved this city by buying enough time. He was a hero. A hero who was now sitting in a tiny corner room with all his things clustered around him since there was not enough space.

Tywin didn't speak at first, only reading whatever documents were in front of him. He was so calm that it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

It was only after Michael had waited for half a day that the older man opened his mouth, not lifting his gaze, "Nicely done in holding back the enemy until my arrival."

"Tyrion. Tyrion did that."

Tywin paused, lowering the quill he was holding as he stared at his youngest son, "You did well with the aftermath, too. However, it was unnecessary to kill all those fools. Some still had their uses."

The man easily moved away from his other son. If Tyrion had died, he might have been in a better mood and might mention him once, but since he survived, Tywin could care less. Michael had to use all his strength to stop himself from showing his disappointment. "I apologize, I made a hasty decision. I thought that there was no need to waste our resources on traitors when we are still in debt to the Iron Bank."

Until now, the only thing the Lannisters had about Rhaenys were rumors. Rumors that some people in Storm's End can confirm. Stannis wouldn't, since it wouldn't be good for him, but the same couldn't be said for those high lords who joined his side.

It was unlikely that any of those high lords she met would spread it around, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Moreover, dead men tell no tales. Anything they might have heard and suspected is now gone with them.

"No matter. This will serve as a good example. Even if they bent the knee to us, having people around who keep changing Kings has its dangers. I just did not expect such an order to come from you."

Michael much preferred to not speak about it any longer. Instead, there was something else that he really wished to know. "Why did you come to the capital? You could have sent someone else to lead the reinforcements while you remained at the battlefront."

The North was still steadily marching south. Their numbers and morale high since they hadn't lost a single battle. With Tywin's personality, it was unlikely he would leave dealing with Robb and his men to someone else.

"Robb Stark is nothing but a child. He will be dealt with soon enough."

Even after he said that, Michael still wasn't so sure whether to believe that his father was underestimating Robb, or that he was hiding something. He didn't get much chance to think about it either as an attendant soon arrive to announce that the King requested their presence. Or rather, the play staged by the father and daughter duo was about to begin.

The lords and ladies who resided within King's Landing were all called and now stood around the throne room, leaving only a path from the gate to the throne empty, Lannister soldiers forming two lines on each side. The Tyrells stood at the very front of the crowd to the left from Joffrey's viewpoint, the men from his Small Council, including Michael, standing with the crowd on the right. As for Sansa, she remained with her ladies in the risen platform close to the right wall, a railing standing between her and the rest.

All over the hall, flags were hanged. Half a red field with a golden lion and the other half a yellow field with a crowned, black stag, both looking as if they were holding their paws. The lion's tail curled above their heads, part of it entering the yellow field. The flag was supposed to represent the union between the two Houses, under a King with both names, but it also covertly showed that the lion was the one in control.