Chapter Text
Baelor tucked the cape around himself as he stepped out on deck. It was late in the evening when the ship made it to Gulltown, as the weather had slowed them. At least the waters were calmer in the bay.
"Your majesty, the horses are ready, and the Old Keep is ready to welcome you."
"Thank you, ser Rolmund," Baelor nodded, glad he had a squire who was already mapping out their situation. "I had not expected that when we were this late."
"I guess that they foresaw your late arrival when they saw the weather," Rolmund smiled as he took the lead down the gangway.
"They would know better than us what to expect," Baelor agreed as he followed Rolmund. He admitted to himself that while he handled sea travels well, he was relieved to have solid ground under his feet and a horse waiting.
"Fuck it's late…"
Baelor chuckled as Maekar came down the gangway. "I can't change the time of day, brother."
"Eugh…" he muttered before a long yawn came. It was true; Maekar was grumpy not matter what time of day it was. "Let's get to the Keep…"
Not long after, they were trotting up the streets towards the Old Keep, the gait of the horse a welcome change after days of rolling seas. The streets were dark, and few people were to be seen, as most had sought the comfort of their own homes at this hour. The market square was empty, and with the streets lying open, they arrived at the keep quickly. The gates to the keep opened for them without question, even as the black Targaryen flags couldn't be easily recognised in the darkness.
Stableboys met them, and as Baelor elegantly slid down from his horse, the host had arrived. A man with dark, wavy hair and a short-trimmed beard welcomed them with open arms and a smile. "Your Majesty, your Grace, it's an honour to welcome you to Gulltown and the Old Keep!"
"Thank you, lord Grafton," Baelor said with a kind smile as he walked up to the host, who bowed to him. Lord Robar Grafton was a large, muscular man in his late 30s, recently becoming the Lord of Gulltown after his father's passing. "I'm sorry for the time of arrival; it was not our intention to keep you up this late."
"That's the way of the sea, you can't tame her," Robar chuckled and Maekar made a small eyeroll. "I'm glad she wasn't nastier to you; there was a potential. Maybe she figured out who the passenger was."
"Now that would have been gracious," Baelor chuckled. "Let's not waste more time and go inside, shall we?"
*
A meal was served that night before Baelor decided to leave the long discussions for the next day. A wise choice, as he had been tired and slept well once his head had hit the pillow. The following morning, he had been served a much-welcome breakfast before he found Maekar and headed for lord Robar's solar.
"Are you pleased with the facilities, my lords?" lord Robar asked as Baelor and Maekar entered the solar.
"I cannot complain, my lord," Baelor sent Robar a friendly smile.
"Then I can only hope you find your stay in Gulltown most pleasant," Robar smiled. "Please, sit down, we have a lot to talk about."
…
"It's tiresome, our connection to the Vale is nearly cut off…" Baelor sighed. "The Blackfyres have many allies in the Riverlands, naturally…"
"A charming bunch of uncles and cousins you got there…" Robar noted dryly.
"If they only saw that they would have more power as allies of the crown rather than being in conflict with it."
"You would do well with alliances from the North," lord Robar said. "We expect a ship tomorrow from White Harbor. On board, there is somebody with solid connections that could be of use."
Baelor noticed that there was a flicker of hesitation. "Then why aren't you confident in your thoughts?"
"Because this person is Lord Welmar Manderly's youngest daughter, Caryss. And the further south we get, the less women get to say, I've noticed."
"I'd listen to her," Baelor tilted his head a little, ignoring Maekar's surprised look. "Tell me about her."
"She's tough. Honest. Straight ahead. No time for bullshit, fuck around and find out," Robar chuckled. "I like her. You know what she says is what she gives. And she's constructive, she sees things from different sides."
"And what does she do?" Maekar asked.
"A lot," Robar shrugged his shoulders. "She's trading and travelling, and building alliances and relations for her father. Lord Manderly is a powerful man, these days, and we can't deny much of it is because of her efforts."
"Then let her know I want to speak with her," Baelor leant back in the chair. "But what is her role in the North?"
"She's unmarried, so she has no other connections than House Manderly, formally. And she has no formal role, but her way of life takes her around the entire North, and she's well-known in the Vale and Riverlands, too. She sees and hears much, and she knows how to use it."
"Admirable to see her working and sacrificing," Baelor took a sip of wine from his cup.
"Sacrificing?"
"By not marrying? She isn't ensuring her future that way?"
"Don't worry, she is set to inherit a fortune that will have her live like a Queen into old age…" Robar grinned. "It's not easy finding spouses for every daughter when you have 9 of them and only 2 sons, so… I think it's a compensation as he couldn't find a fitting match for his youngest, and words say she wouldn't leave the North, so… Risked a generation of nobles that were all cousins… I've never heard her sulking about it, I think she appreciates living her life as it fits her."
"So we're going to ask a cherry girl for advice against a rebellion?" Maekar chuckled.
"How old is she?" Baelor asked, ignoring Maekar.
"30 and… 2… 3… something around there."
"That's a spinster."
Robar chuckled at Maekar's comment. "Trust me, she knows her way around. She's made men shut up before, in many ways."
"Oh well… good for her…" Maekar furrowed his brows. "I take that as… she's not afraid of travelling around either?"
"Under no circumstances…" Robar nodded, his eyes crinkling.
"Doesn't sound like someone who acts and speaks to please others… It would be interesting to meet her," Baelor was curious about this Caryss.
"She has a large network; most nobles and big traders are familiar with her. She has been here many times and is considered as a friend by many important people here. People will listen to her," Robar assured him. "If you are willing to listen to a woman, you can get useful connections in the North…"
"I see no reason not to talk with her," Baelor smiled.
*
"Your majesty, lady Manderly is here," the servant said as he stood by the door.
"Let her in," Baelor said calmly and stood up, as he had prepared the solar for their meeting, with drinks and fruits on the table. It would be a meeting under 4 eyes, he wanted to speak freely with her without interruptions. The servant stepped aside, and in came a woman of a kind Baelor hadn't met many of. Her trousers were tucked into high leather boots, and under her moss green jacket, he could see a brown shirt and dark brown leather west. A black belt held a few daggers in place. Her cloak was dark green and made her golden-brown hair shine in contrast as the braid rested on her shoulder. Her face was beautiful, with some freckles over the ridge of her nose, and clear blue eyes shone with curiosity.
"Your majesty, an honour to meet you," she said as she bowed her head to him.
"Lady Caryss Manderly, a pleasure to see you." Baelor bowed his head to her.
"A joy to hear that sight of me is pleasing, usually I get to hear I look too much like my father," she said as she walked up to him with a smile on her lips, her eyes crinkling with curiosity. "So now I wonder why you wanted to see me?"
Baelor couldn't help but notice the shine in her eyes. "I'm afraid I have never met Lord Manderly face to face, so I couldn't tell. What I can tell is that I am honoured to be here with you. I heard you have a network that could be of my interest," he said, looking at her with raised brows. "Maybe we should sit down and talk? And perhaps lord Robar would be happy we are unarmed…"
"Why? Afraid a girl would beat you in an honest fight?" she teased before she walked over to one of the chairs by the fireplace. She snickered as she saw his surprised expression. She picked up a few grapes before she continued. "Don't worry, I'm not so stupid that I risk killing the king."
"I don't trust I'll be as lucky next time, so I'd appreciate you sticking to your senses…" Baelor said with a breath of amusement.
"Bold of you to assume I have senses, so I'll do my best not to disappoint," she winked and crossed her legs. She noticed he was tall. The impression of his height didn't lessen as he sat down; rather, the opposite, as his long legs stretched out in front of him. "So… how can I be of use to you?"
"As you may be aware, we still have an issue about the Blackfyres…"
"Yeah, I heard that it's quite the family drama… One Daemon gone, another one shows up. I thought my life with 9 sisters could be messy, but at least it calmed down as one by one was wed and moved out. Your problem is a bit more intricate…" she tilted her head a little. "And they keep finding new allies and sympathisers. Riverlands can soon be named the seat of Blackfyre if you're not taking action."
"Unfortunately, your worries are shared by many. They are now cutting me off northwards, the Vale is hard to reach, and the North only by sea," Baelor let a breath out as he watched her curiously. "That's why I'm here. And I was told of you. If you can help me strengthen my position by stronger alliances in the North, I could perhaps put so much pressure on the rebellions that it would die out before it escalated further."
Caryss smiled at the way he tilted his head, reminding her of a teacher waiting for a student to find the right answer, which just hid somewhere in the memory. It was a man who was used to being patient around people, and he wore that face well. "Your request isn't an easy one, considering the general distrust in the North; you have to play on the right strings."
"I expect to practice that skill anyways," he said with a small smile.
"Good. Because the North has a ridiculously good memory, they still grumble about having to bend the knee… that no Targaryen has ever wed a noblewoman of the North, that you are incestuous inbreeders…" she leant back and sighed. "By all means, your late wife was unrelated to you as far as I know, and so was your brother's wife. And your mother… Your grandparents, on the other hand, are still alive in many memories…"
"It's not only in the North I hear that. My father made a point out of having all four of his sons marrying women we were not related to, both because of politics and some other worries that begun to arise. Without the dragons, we must think new." He then studied her for a moment; honesty was correct. But Robar mentioned nothing about her striking beauty. He had to continue not to be distracted. "I believe our houses have a shared history since the days the Targaryens came here?" The question was more a gentle reminder than a search for an answer.
"We would be blood relatives if it wasn't for a few incidents," she shrugged and shifted her legs. "My great-great-grandfather served as Hand of the King, a position you served for many years, and served well."
"So did he, he was reputed for his skill," Baelor agreed. "So I do believe it is about time we nurture the old alliance before it fades, and…"
"If you're going to suggest we should marry, I should inform you that I'm no chaste woman or a clueless virgin." Caryss looked at him with raised brows. She had noticed his looks, even when they were subtle. Now he looked at her as if she had suggested he go swimming in the harbour. "I hope good, old Robar mentioned the needed warnings about me."
The way her somewhat wicked smile made her eyes crinkle with delight reminded Baelor of what he had been told about her. And Baelor liked it, though he was not prepared. He drew a deep breath before his hands folded on his lap. "I'm delighted that you are sharing light on the option."
Now she put both her feet down, looking at Baelor as the corner of her lips tucked upwards. "I should have brought with me a dress…" she said with a little sigh. "But all my dresses are up at White Harbor, so we must stick to the other options… What do you need from an alliance?"
Now Baelor leant forwards to rest his elbows on his knees. "I need forces to be stationed to the south and the Twins. I need negotiators who know the different lords, so the supporting balance can be shifted. And the possibility to use harbours."
"And what do you offer in return? An alliance should always go two ways."
"Fair trades and access to resources. Compensation for men lost. Horses and ships too," his voice was calm, and by the Seven, he was handsome with that intense look on her now. "I'm sure I can find a position in King's Landing for a Northern Lord to fill, if the North wants a louder voice."
"I can't make the deals, but it's easier for me to speak your cause when I know that you're not demanding loyalty, but willing to do your part for it to deserve it more than the rebels. I appreciate that," she nodded.
"A local voice tends to weigh more…" he said and looked at her, his hands fidgeting with a ring. She couldn't help but notice how big his hands were, his fingers long and strong, obviously marked by years of practice.
"And you ask a woman?"
"Northerners are wise enough to value the words of their women," Baelor said with a little smile.
"And you trust them to trust me," she sent him a little smile.
"Because of what I heard about you."
"Then you must be a little bit mad."
"Isn't that what you say about us Targaryens?" his eyes crinkled, and she felt a little blush spread on her cheeks.
"We wouldn't get anywhere without a little bit of madness," she picked up a grape and ate it. "But how do you expect us to work? What do you want me to do?"
"Most of all, I need you to seek out lords to speak with. But it won't do much if I'm not around. I was prepared to travel for months now to advocate for my cause."
"I'm bold, but give me 3 months, and I'll give you what you need." She picked up another grape, and it was gone moments later. "First, I need to go home to White Harbor and prepare, and I can reach more lords from there, but it's a good starting point."
"That's bold…"
"I am bold," she winked. "But think about it. You should come too, but to avoid giving my father a heart attack, he's 60 and drinks too much beer, which shows… You should come after me. I'll take the Morrow back to White Harbor once I'm done with a handful of errands here, and we get this project in motion."
"So you are going to do this?" Baelor had to ask to be sure he got her right.
"You bet the fuck I am," she grabbed an apple and bit a huge chunk off it before she got up and walked to the fireplace, throwing some wood on the fire before she turned to Baelor. "It would be a thick, long middle finger up the butt to all the southern lords who frown at what our women can do, who have kept us up North, only listening to our men. Imagine their faces when they hear the name Caryss Manderly, as the one who helped the King turn the tables and strangle the rebellion. I may not be an anvil like your brother, but I promise you the fishing nets are effective too. And I hope that your son will remember the North if we succeed."
"You should probably be aware that my brother is here," Baelor said with a small smile.
"The grumpy one?"
Baelor held his breath for a moment. "Yes."
"Shit, this is just getting better."
"Better?"
"Someone who speaks the same language as me, I have heard."
"You do have that in common, but Maekar's aura is rather gloomy, where yours are… uplifting," Baelor chuckled a little.
"He's in the council now, right? Because Valarr is Hand of the King now."
"Valarr is serving as Hand of the King already, he's a clever young man. He takes care of the throne in my absence, and he is well aware of where I am headed, and why. He knows I intend to strengthen the bonds to the North. Maekar is here as a political partner."
"Good. The bonds are needed, and I will do my part to see it happen," she smiled and bit another huge chunk off the apple. "The North deserves better than what it has been given, and if this is a way to lift it… I'm with you. But you must be prepared that it might not be easy."
"I was prepared for that since before I left King's Landing," Bealor confirmed.
"Good. You might get some more silver in your hair. But it suits you, don't be too worried," she smiled as she walked back to the table, picking a handful of nuts.
"I leave it to my son to be the handsome one now," he said with a small smile and picked a few grapes.
"You truly are a bold man… Because…" she put a few nuts in her mouth before she looked back at him. "If you used to be more handsome before, it must be a testament to your willpower, as I've never heard of a tail of bastards…" she said with raised brows.
"I learned from the mistakes of the ones before me… so I broke my nose, twice," Baelor shrugged.
"Not enough, Your Grace," she winked, and Baelor silently thought he knew of a way to shut her up. It would be more pleasant, but maybe not as amusing as letting her lack of filter unfold.
"I'm afraid I'm too boring for that…"
"My experience is that the men who spend the most time hunching over parchments and listening to important meetings and being smart, go down the wildest…" She picked up her cup of wine and smiled as she saw a faint hint of a blush on Baelor's cheeks. "Do I have to look after you on our loyalty tour? I promise, I'm a great fighter."
"It's flattering that you have such hopes for me, but it's not what I'm spending most time on," he said with a small smile.
Caryss smiled before she emptied the cup. "If I had a bit more to drink, and you were not… the King… I would take that as a challenge…"
"So you have a limit?"
"Another bold assumption…" she snickered. "I'm just trying to keep my father alive, and he would probably fall dead if he heard a rumour about me luring the King to my bed."
Baelor shook his head. "I think we must agree on limiting the deal to working on loyalty in the North…"
"And whatever happens outside the contract?" she snickered.
"Personal responsibility."
"I can live with that," she ate the last few nuts. "Can you?"
"I will," he chuckled and got up. "I've been sitting all day, and I'd like to go for a walk. Would you follow me, and we can continue our talk?"
"Why not?" She smiled as they left the solar together. "The garden is beautiful now in the spring, so if you haven't already been there, I recommend it."
"Show me the way," he said with a little smile. "I'd be honoured to tell that Lady Caryss has shown me the best spots of Gulltown."
"Call me Caryss," she said, looking at him with a friendly smile. "I'm not one for fancy titles."
"Then you can me Baelor, under four eyes," he chuckled. "Tell me more about the gardens."
Soon she had shown him around, the many beautiful flowers and blooming shrubs now in the spring, before she showed him the trees. "This is my favourite place," she said as she stopped in between them. "The trees block out the noises from the city, it's your own little world, like a crib where you can find peace. I like to go here whenever I'm visiting the Graftons."
"I can see that," Baelor smiled. "These trees are not native to the Vale?"
"No, I think they are from Essos or maybe Dorne."
"I've seen them in Dorne, but they love importing beautiful plants too," Bealor said as his hand slid over one of the trees, his fingertips tracing the bark. When he turned his head to admire the tree, she could see the scar from the famous trial that nearly killed him 3 years ago. It almost looked like a star with 7 spikes. "In Dorne, they call this one snake tree, because of the way the branches bend at the end, reminding one of a snake."
"You've been to Dorne many times? Your mother was from there, wasn't she?"
"Many times. I liked it there, both the relaxed sphere, the climate, wine…" he chuckled a little and turned to her. "And nobody questioned my looks there. Here, people are still saying I look too Dornish, and I can't wait for the day I'm all greyed out – all wolves are grey at night.
"You know I've grown up in a different world when all I care about is how you're going to be our king. I don't see a problem with your looks…" she smiled a little at him. At first, she didn't get why he just kept looking at her. Then she realised. "And yes, in that world it's also possible to accidentally hit on the king, while standing in a garden hidden away from others."
Baelor laughed heartily now. "Lord Robar was indeed right about you. And I must agree with him. I like you; you're a fresh breath of air…"
"If you want to, I can also accidentally hit on you in other places, just let me know…" she nudged him with the elbow before she walked out of the forest, hoping she didn't make a fool of herself again.
"I could need the confidence…" Bealor teased as he followed her.
"Yeah, as if the King doesn't get any attention from the ladies!"
"It's not as much as you'd like to believe…"