DAGGERS TO THE HEART Part 2 - CLASH OF THE KINGS

Cersei I

The rains fell from the sky as Cersei looked over Blackwater Bay from the window of her chambers. She was still dressed in black, mourning the death of her dear son, Joffrey. However, she soon hoped to have reason to celebrate.

Tyrion set off a sennight ago, and his ship should run into difficulties any day now. A small smile graced her lips at the memory.

"Ensure it happens in the Shivering Sea," she had told the pirate who promised to rid her of the treacherous bastard. "If anything goes wrong, at least I know he will freeze to death. He wouldn't know how to survive out there on his own."

When she first learned of the deal between Jaime and her father, Cersei had screamed, punched, and kicked. Her father had locked her in her chambers. But after some careful consideration, she viewed it as an opportunity.

During her tenure as Queen, she had come into contact with some unsavoury characters—ones who should have been put to death for their various crimes. Most suffered, but occasionally, she persuaded Robert, and later Joffrey, to be reasonable. These were people they could use for their gain.

Cersei had gotten the idea from Robert, who had sent Ser Jorah Mormont to spy on the Targaryen girl. Mormont had fallen afoul of Ned Stark by trading in slaves. Ned wanted his head, but Ser Jorah escaped across the Narrow Sea. Robert tasked him with spying on the girl in exchange for a royal pardon, which he received.

Of course, the fool betrayed them. It was said he had fallen in love with the Targaryen Princess. The man was old enough to be her father, and then some. Why on earth he thought himself worthy of a Princess, even a Targaryen one, baffled Cersei. Perhaps the girl understood the power between her legs and was using the idiot. If she did, Cersei couldn't say she was surprised or even blame her.

As soon as she had calmed herself and promised her father she wouldn't do anything rash, Cersei sent one of her little spies to find a Tyroshi merchant whose life she'd had Joffrey save after he was caught trying to buy orphans to sell as slaves. Neither Cersei nor Joff had any problem with the man's actions, but slavery was illegal in Westeros, and her father wouldn't hear of Joffrey trying to revoke that law.

The merchant, with his purple beard, was called Maanoi Ravarnos, and he owed her a favour. Now the time had come for her to collect. He was to sail after the Storm Crow with a crew that included thirty sellswords. As soon as they got close to the Shivering Sea, they were to attack the ship and kill all aboard, including Tyrion.

Maanoi had told her it would take just over a sennight to reach the Shivering Sea. Once they performed the attack, Maanoi would be free to return to Tyrosh. If she found out the Storm Crow reached Eastwatch, Maanoi would be dead.

Cersei stared out the window, willing this to be the day for the little monster to die. He deserved it. Not only had Tyrion murdered Joffrey, but he had killed her and Jaime's mother. Ever since she had wanted him dead. Cersei took a sip from the goblet of wine in her hand before returning to the dry warmth of her chambers, where she would prepare for the day.

⸺⸺⸺◊◊◊⸺⸺⸺

Much of Cersei's time was spent placating stupid lords or smiling at the insipid Margaery Tyrell, who was to wed her only living son, Tommen. The match was essential, or so her father kept insisting. The Tyrells were the lords paramount of the Reach. Not only were they wealthy, but some of the most useful houses in Westeros were based in the Reach. For instance, the Redwynes had the largest fleet in the Seven Kingdoms. A naval fleet was always useful, especially if someone else paid for it.

Her first meeting of the day was with her father. The Iron Bank of Braavos was making a nuisance of itself. Cersei couldn't understand the fuss. The crown could borrow money from the Lannister gold mines. Her father had mentioned they were empty, but Cersei believed it to be a ploy. Gold mines didn't just dry up.