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Nyra fixed the Master of Coin with a level stare that she had learned from Nox. One that held enough strength and conviction to make even the Greatjon shift his feet. And Baelish was no Greatjon. The wiry man could only meet her gaze for less than a few heartbeats before turning his attention back to his books. "You're thinking like a Lord, Lord Baelish. Not one of the masses. You've never gone hungry. You've never seen your family go hungry. You've never had to watch as your family went sick and had to make the choice on whether to try and send your family to a healer with what little coin you had or use the coin to provide food for the rest of your family. We will find those willing to work. And while the budget Lord Stark and I devised is not a 'king's ransom', it does reflect the work that we are asking to be done."
None of the Small Council seemed to have an immediate retort for her. "And what of when the winner's purse has dried up?" Baelish asked, clearly trying to regain some measure of control of the conversation. "Who wi—?"
"The crown will pick up where House Stark and House Nox has left off," Robert cut in, silencing Baelish. "Lady Nox is right. This city smells of shit and piss. Has ever since I threw the fucking dragons off the Iron Throne. And I've been left trying to clean up the shit those sister-fuckers left behind. Might as well see to it literally now. Baelish, do what you have to in order to find the coin to keep up after House Stark and House Nox run out of the coin they're ready to invest. Don't…and I'll find myself a new Master of Coin. And no more fucking crawling to the Iron Bank. We've already borrowed enough from those copper-counting fucks. It's a miracle they hadn't sought out the Targaryens long before they died out. I don't want them finding another enemy of ours to enter talks with to get their fucking coin back."
Baelish nodded. "I believe I should be able to move a few things around. And if the coin does last for a year as Lady Nox has said—"
"It will."
"—then I should have plenty of time to find a means to pick up where House Stark and House Nox leave off."
"Good," Robert nodded, before turning his attention back to Ned and Nyra. "Now, you two. Varys here has reported whispers that the Sorcerer cooked up something new. Some sort of…powder or some shit that's similar to wildfyre. Is this true?"
Ned silently cursed Varys and his web of spies. He wanted to inform Robert of this new development himself to try and head off any ill feelings. But now his hand was being forced. "He has," Ned nodded, drawing sharp looks from Renly and the Grand Maester. The first of whom was clearly unnerved. The second was curious and interested in the new discovery.
Raising his brow, Robert motioned for him to continue. "And?"
"And the black powder is not complete as of yet, your grace," Nyra answered for Ned. Something he was glad for as she was much more familiar with the black powder than he was. "The formula works as intended. But my Lord husband and his students within the Winterfell College are currently working on a means of delivery and control of the resulting explosion when the material is exposed to even a spark of fire."
"Explosion?" the Grand Maester questioned, his expression mirroring one of a young boy that'd just discovered something new and exciting. "So, this black powder of the North's is much the same as wildfyre then?"
"Yes, and not." Nyra answered. "While both are highly combustible, that is where their similarities end. Black powder is consumed almost instantaneously when set to flame, whereas wildfyre will burn for a fair portion of the day. Black powder is also far more stable and safer to transport than wildfyre. You can store it in casks, knock it around, spill it, or do whatever you want to it. But as long as it is not exposed to flame, it will do nothing."
Ned noted that the Grand Maester had opened a book as was writing down Nyra's words as quickly as she said them. "And what is the proposed purpose of this black powder?"
"Mining and field clearing," Nyra answered immediately. Which was true. Though Ned knew after seeing a demonstration that those were the simplest of uses for the black powder. "The powder is strong enough to blast apart boulders and create mine shafts in a solid rock face. And as for field clearing, a small amount of the powder can turn a heavily rooted stump into a shower of splinters in the time it takes most to blink. And with the King's approval, my Lord Husband and I have devised a safe demonstration of the powders ability that can take place in the training yard within the day."
Robert had a small smile on his face as he nodded. "Seven hells, that man never ceases to impress me. You have my approval, Lady Nox. Whatever men you need to prepare this demonstration will be given to you. I want to see what this shit can do at first light."
"As you wish, your grace," Nyra nodded before falling back into silence as conversation around the table started up again about various other topics that needed to be discussed. And some that Ned felt honestly didn't.
It took until nearly sundown before Robert finally lost his patience and called an end to the meeting. And while he wouldn't say it, Ned was glad for it. It'd been a long road. From the North, to Harrenhal, and now to King's Landing. He was tired, both in mind and body. And he wanted nothing more than to return to his new chambers in the Tower of the Hand, have an evening meal with his daughters, and then find his bed.
The next morning, Ned rose before the sun began its rise knowing that today was going to be a day that perhaps changed the course of Westeros. Dressing himself and breaking his fast with his daughters, Ned made his way to the training yard just as the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon. But despite the time, he was not the first one there. Lady Nyra had beaten him, and she was commanding several servants around the yard. A statue of a dragon had been placed in the center of the yard. No doubt a remnant from the Targaryen reign that Robert had not yet had destroyed. 'Well, he will soon get his wish,' he thought, as he watched as Nyra directed the servants to take a pickaxe and bore a slight hole into the base of the statue.
By the time the sun was well above the horizon, the yard had come to life in such numbers that Ned was sure that at least half the court of King's Landing had come to see the demonstration. 'It seems that words and gossip spread faster than I thought.' Ned thought, scanning the crowd of onlookers. 'It was only just half a day ago that this demonstration was discussed within the confines of the Small Council. Now, half a day later, and nearly the whole court not only know about it, but they also know where and when it was to be held.'
A small commotion in the crowd caught Ned's attention, just in time to see several Kingsguard led by Ser Barristan clear a path through the gathered onlookers. And right behind them was Robert and the Grand Maester. But beside Robert was an additional set of eyes that Ned had not expected to be present to this demonstration. 'I was not aware that the Queen had an interest in such things as this.' Ned frowned as he watched the Queen, who clearly did not appear pleased to be awake at this early hour, walk just behind and to the right of Robert as his brother in all but blood made his way into the training yard proper.
Leaving his place, Ned approached Nyra, who'd noticed the King's and Queen's arrival, and together they both bowed and curtsied. "Your graces," Nyra greeted the two royals as she rose from her curtsey. "I trust that this demon—"
"Enough with your pitiful flattery, girl. Get on with whatever nonsense you have to show us today and be done with it already."
Nyra was not the only one who frowned at the Queen's harsh words, though it was Robert who actually responded. "Shut your mouth, woman," Robert growled, casting but a single glance towards his Queen. "This is the Sorcerer's wife we're talking to here. Her words are his and to be taken note of. Lady Nox, show us what you have."
Bowing, Nyra motioned for a few servants to bring a table and a small chest over. Once the table was set and the chest placed atop it, Nyra opened the chest in a way that prevented anyone from seeing inside. Reaching her hand inside, she pulled out a small leather pouch, and what looked like a leather stick the length of a man's hand and as round as a spear shaft. Opening the pouch, Nyra poured out a small pile of black sand onto the surface of the table for the King and Queen to inspect. Robert looked interested. Whereas the Queen looked almost outright offended by the sight. "You woke us to show us…sand? I should have you whi—"
"Woman. Shut it before I shut it for you," Robert growled menacingly.
For not the first time, Ned frowned at the way Robert treated his Queen. He held no love for the woman, or even fondness for that matter. But treating the woman like this in open view of everyone was…not right. Setting the pouch aside, Nyra picked up a pinch of the black powder and motioned for the King to hold out his hand. When he did so, Nyra deposited a small amount of powder into the palm of his hand. Frowning, Robert moved his hand like he was about to roll a pair of dice. "Feels like coarse sand."
"Indeed, your grace. But as you can see, on its own the powder is stable. However, exposed to open flame… Well, see for yourself, your grace." Motioning to another servant, this one carrying a lit torch, Nyra took the torch and placed it on the ground and took up another pinch of the black powder she'd poured out on the table. "If you would please, step back, your graces."
Once everyone had taken a step back, Nyra carefully leaned forward, turned her head to the side, and tossed the small pinch of black powder into the open flame. Ned, knowing what to expect, was ready. Everyone else was not. The moment the pinch of powder touched the flame, it ignited in a plume of fire and smoke, accompanied by the sound of a small explosion that set many a noble jumping and caused some to even give a scream of fright. The Kingsguard all immediately put their hands on their swords in response, but once they saw nothing but smoke their grips loosened. Dusting her hands of the remaining powder, Nyra righted herself, a smile across her face. "Once exposed to open flame, or even a spark. Well, you can see the results for yourself."
Eyes moving from the disappearing smoke to the powder in his hands, Ned watched as Robert took a few steps forward, ignoring the warnings of his Kingsguard as he repeated the same actions Nyra had just taken by throwing the small pinch of powder in his hands into the flame. The result was the same. Only this time fewer nobles screamed, though still just as many jumped as the powder was ignited the moment it touched the flame.
"Incredible," Robert breathed, watching the smoke disappear even as the Grand Maester stepped forward to begin inspecting the powder that was still on the table. "And what is with that…stick thing on the table?"
Moving on, Nyra picked up the stick and turned it around in her fingers. "This is a…method of delivery and usage of the black powder that my husband has been working on perfecting. He and his students have done a significant amount of testing through trial and error. But I'm afraid they are still nowhere near to meeting my husband's expectations for this. However, that does not mean this…prototype, that he has developed lacks any usages."
Turning around, Nyra walked back towards the dragon statue and slid the stick into the small hole that'd been chipped out at the beast's feet. "I would highly recommend that everyone leave the yard. Those of you wishing to stay had best get behind shields. Now."
The nobles all looked at one another, confused at the request. Robert himself sent a glance towards Ned. After giving his King a confirming nod, as well as purposefully putting himself behind one of the pillars of the yard, Robert turned towards his Kingsguard. "Tower shields. Now. Everyone else, get behind something or get your asses out of the yard."
The nobles, most not willing to leave, all scrambled behind whatever shielding they could as the seven members of the Kingsguard all picked up heavy tower shields to create a shield wall between the King and Queen and the statue of the dragon. Once everyone was clear, Nyra drew out a striking stick and ran it across the rough stone of the statue, igniting the tip. Touching the flame to the fuse, Nyra turned and quickly made her way to the same pillar Ned was standing behind. Making room for her, the two placed their fingers in their ears as they stood side by side behind the pillar, waiting for the inevitable.
Ned knew what was coming, but even knowing did not fully prepare him for the thunderous bang that thumbed his chest and set dust and rocks flying across the deserted yard. Feeling Nyra move beside him, Ned lowered his hands and came around from behind the column. The Kingsguard were all still behind their shields, and Barristan looked to be forcibly holding the King down as he tried to cover both the King and Queen with his armored body.
"It's fucking over, Barristan!" Robert roared, his ears still ringing from the deafening noise. "Now, let me fucking stand, so that I can see jus…"
Robert's words died on his tongue as he stood up and glanced over the shield wall. Where there was once a statue of a dragon as tall as a man, there was now nothing but dust and jagged rocks. The Grand Maester was the first to overcome the shock. The large man moved with a speed that defied his size as he shuffled through the dust and broken stone to reach what'd once been a statue. "Ned…Lady Nox," Robert spoke, his eyes not leaving the blackened mark on the training ground. "What do you need to see this shit done?"
Smiling, Nyra walked forward. "The Sea Wolf departed White Harbor not too long ago, your grace. And she should be making landfall here in King's Landing within the next few days, or a week at the latest. On board are several barrels of black powder, and just as many of the black powder sticks that've been crafted in the North. We will use this shipment to help demolish part of the Dragon's Pit in order to prepare it for its rebuilding."
Robert, still in a daze, walked forward to join the Grand Maester to stare at the destruction. "Whatever manpower you need, whatever material you need…it's yours," Robert said in awe. "Fucking Gods…that man never ceases to amaze me. Hells, what's he going to show us next? How to sail through the fucking sky like birds? Fuck…That'd be something to see."
Ned couldn't help but glance towards Nyra at the King's words, the two sharing a knowing glance between the two of them. Given what they both knew of Nox's history and his people that sailed the stars, Ned was absolutely positive that had he the ability do so, Nox would've already created ships that could sail through the sky as it were. But alas, he could not create them simply because Westeros, and this world in general, did not have the means to create even the simplest of flying vessels. 'But…it would be interesting if he could,' Ned thought with a smile on his face as the Grand Maester rounded on Nyra and started asking one question after another. 'To sail the sky, feel the wind, touch the clouds… It's not but a dream. But what a dream it is.'
Cersei was… Well, to say she was in a rage would be understating things greatly. She was angrier than she could ever remember being at any other time in her life. That…that sow that had fucked her way into the Sorcerer's bed was standing proud and tall in the center of the training yard as Robert, the fat fool, and the Grand Maester, the even fatter fool, threw one question after another at her. All of which she fielded with the expertise of an experienced Lady of the Court. It was…infuriating to see her standing there, garnering so much attention and admiration when she had next to nothing to do with this miraculous black powder. But, oh, what a substance it was! She needed to get her hands on it. The whore might've said that the powder was to be used for field clearing and mining, but Cersei knew better. This was something that could, and would, be used against their enemies. If a single stick of this powder could destroy a stone statue as tall as a man…then how many would it take to destroy a castle's walls? The secret of this powder had to be held in the hands of House Lannister and her son alone! Where it could be used properly.
But, no, the whore refused to give them the means to make the powder themselves, even denying the King when he asked about it! Something which should have had the woman flogged and raped till she could no longer walk! But…this could be a good thing as well. The North was guarding how to make this formula tighter than a Septa's thighs. Which meant that other kingdoms would not be privy to it's usage as well unless they bought it from the North. Which gave her time. Time to…compel some northern fool into giving away its secrets to her and her son. And once they knew how to create it… There would be none to challenge her son's rightful claim!
Growing sick of the display of the whore basking in the attention of so many nobles, no doubt ready to sink to her knees just as she did to gain her position, Cersei cast one last glance towards the chest that'd held the pouch of powder and the powder stick. She had plenty in the Red Keep loyal to her. But even she could not simply take the chest. Even if she did, there was no guarantee that there would be anything left within. But she didn't need to. The whore had already screwed the North out of their precious black powder. A trade ship would soon be arriving with the powder. A few words here or there, a flashing of her tits or cunt or maybe even an invitation to her bed if it was needed, and a few barrels of the powder would be 'misplaced' while they were being unloaded. Yes. That was the route she would take. Let the little whore have her moment of victory now. Cersei would win in the end. As she always did.
Turning her back on the sickening display, Cersei purposefully marched out of the courtyard. Her brother, her lover, her second-half, falling in step behind her as she did so. As they left, she felt a stirring within her that always came about whenever she was alone with her brother. A feeling that only her brother had been able to elicit within her. And had she not had other matters that needed seeing to, she would take her brother back to her room and have her way with him while everyone was distracted. But, no, now was not the time.
Making her way into the royal family section of the Red Keep, Cersei spied the various guards standing watch outside of the rooms. A set of two gold cloaks and two Lannister men-at-arms stood outside each of her children's rooms. Indicating that none of her children had left their rooms yet. Good. That meant she wouldn't have to go on a hunt to find her precious son.
Within her son's room, she found him already up and dressed for the day and standing at his balcony, staring out upon what would one day be his kingdom. Her legacy. He was a King. A true King. "Mother," he greeted her, glancing at her before turning to look back over the city trying to see something beyond her sight. "What was that noise? What's going on?"
Glancing back at Jamie, her brother gave her a nod of understanding before backing out of the room and shutting the door. He would ensure that no one could hear them talk. "Nothing you need concern yourself with, my son," she said soothingly, making her way to a nearby couch and sitting down before gesturing for her son to join her. "The North, under the eye of Stark and Nox's whore, have been showing off a new creation of theirs."
Frowning, her son looked at her. "What was it?"
Knowing that her son would not let it go until she told him, Cersei relented. Afterall, he was bound to find out about it the moment he talked to the first noble or servant who crossed his path. Better he hears it from her first. "A type of powder that they've created. It's…difficult to explain. But when exposed to fire the powder ignites, much like wildfyre. And when it does, well that noise you just heard was a stick of the powder as long as a man's hand reducing a dragon statue to dust and rubble."
Joffrey's eyes narrowed in thought before coming alight with excitement. Good. He could already see the implications of the powder with only her telling. "When will they be handing over the process for how to create this…powder?"
At this, Cersei frowned and turned her head away from her son. "They will not be. While they will be providing the powder to the Seven Kingdoms, the process of how to make it will remain in the North." 'For now. But not for long.'
Joffrey's grin fell, replaced with a snarl as he began pacing the room. "Those…Those barbarians! They think to keep such a thing from their true King! It's blasphemy! No. It's treasonous! And father is just letting them get away with it? Of course he is. Father is blind to the North, even when they are spitting in his face, on us!"
Leaning back, Cersei allowed herself to feel satisfaction, though it didn't show on her face. She didn't even need to work on her son's wariness of the North. He already saw the danger they represented. "And how would you deal with them when you take up the Iron Throne, my son?"
Frowning, Joffrey thought on her question for a moment before answering. Another good sign. He didn't rush his answers and took his time to think them through. "I'd double their taxes for a start. Then demand that all Valyrian steel that was pilfered from Valyria be brought to King's Landing where it should have always been. Then I'd dismantle this 'Winterfell College' and have all books of note sent to the Citadel where they belong. Then I would demand that the process to make this Northern Steel and this powder be brought to King's Landing. And only those with direct permission from the King would be allowed to create it on pain of death."
"And when the North rebels for taking away that which they feel is rightfully theirs?" Cersei asked. While she did approve of her son's ideas, she knew that doing exactly as he said would lead to only one possible outcome.
Joffrey didn't hesitate. "I'd crush them. Grind their armies to dust and push them north of the Wall to live out the rest of their days with the wildlings. With orders to the Night's Watch that they are to be hunted and killed on sight. Then I'd install someone loyal to the crown at Winterfell. Perhaps Uncle Kevan and his line could create a Lannister branch within the North."
Again, she approved of the idea. But it wouldn't work. "The Starks have held the North as a single kingdom since before recorded history. They are too engrained. The North, as galling as it is to admit, cannot be held by an outsider. It's too big. Too wild. And when winter eventually comes and the northerners push through the Wall, not even the Seven gods would be able to save your army or the one you choose to hold Winterfell. And that is even without mentioning the most dangerous weapon the North has. The Sorcerer and his Apprentices. Most of whom number amongst the Stark children."
Rising to her feet, Cersei slowly approached her son, who was not looking pleased at her putting down his ideas. "When you are King, we will show the North who the true King is. But we must do it slowly. Act too rash and the North will fight back, tooth and nail. Instead, we will slowly weave a noose, and drape it over the North's neck." Pausing, Cersei reached out and caressed her son's cheek. "A good King knows when to consolidate his strength. And when it is time to crush his enemies."
Joffrey smiled under her touch. "So, you agree? The North and the Sorcerer are our enemies?"
Smiling, she patted his cheek. "Anyone who isn't us is our enemy, my son. Remember that when you are King."
Nox felt no small amount of relief as he, and the others sworn to House Stark, passed through the gatehouse of the outer wall of Winterfell as they rode up the drawbridge leading to the inner wall and heart of the North. After leaving Harrenhal, the Northern retinue had set a near breakneck pace back to the North. Though for Nox himself, it still felt as if they were moving at a snail's pace considering it took them nearly four weeks to reach Winterfell. For not the first time, he cursed the loss of any modern transportation vehicles. And he also cursed himself almost daily for letting his wife, his light, go into that snake infested cesspool that was King's Landing without him while he was heading North to try and collect proof of the White Walkers and their army of Wights to show the rest of Westeros. 'By the Force…I'm feeling more and more like a pathetic duty-driven Jedi than a Lord of the Sith. But…as aggravating as this detour is…it's necessary. Not just to collect proof of the White Walkers. But also to find out what the hell is happening at the Wall and to investigate just what this disturbance was I felt from Jon back in Harrenhal.'
Riding into the inner courtyard beside Robb and Talisa, Nox briefly noted that seemingly all of Winterfell had come out to welcome home the heir to the North, or rather Lord Stark now that Ned was Hand of the King. And standing at the forefront of everyone was Jon, with Ygritte on his right and Ghost on his left.
Coming to a stop, Robb slid down from his saddle and made to greet his brother, but he was barely able to take a single step before a grey blur raced past Jon and started yipping and barking excitedly around Robb. Breaking out into a wide smile, Robb scratched Greywind behind his ears, something which the young man didn't even need to bend over for as Greywind's head easily reached Robb's chest now.
"I take it you missed me, boy?" Robb laughed as Greywind continued to dance excitedly around him.
"Lord Stark," Jon called out, a smile on his face as he stepped forward. "Welcome home, Lord Stark. Winterfell is yours."
"None of this 'Lord Stark' horse shit, Jon. Especially not from you, my brother." Robb said lightheartedly as he stepped past Greywind and pulled Jon into a hug.
Once they broke, Jon turned his attention towards Nox. "Master," Jon greeted him, bowing respectfully. "I sensed your return north, yet I thought you were going to stay in the south and take up your position in King's Landing?"
"I was planning on doing just that. Yet… Things changed. I sensed several…disturbances, both here and north of the Wall, that I felt compelled to investigate," Nox said, focusing his full attention on his Apprentice, who was looking more like a child about to be scolded rather than a Sith Apprentice. "What have you done, Apprentice? Ygritte isn't pregnant, though not for lack of trying if the tales I hear of you two are true. Yet I sensed new life in the Force."
At the mention of Ygritte possibly being pregnant, both Jon and Ygritte went through a torrent of emotions, embarrassment, desire, need, and longing. "Um, no…She's…Ygritte is not with child," Jon answered awkwardly before lowering his voice so only those close to him could hear. "But, well…This isn't something to be spoken with so many ears about, Master."
Turning his head towards Robb, the heir to the North gave him a quick nod before turning to greet and dismiss the people of Winterfell while Nox signaled Jon to lead the way. An hour later, and Nox would've been rubbing his eyes had he still had the ability to do so. What was before him was… Well, many considered it an impossibility. To him, it was something that he considered very, very improbable. Yet there was no denying what was before him, scurrying around Jon's room within the Sorcerer's Tower while trying to entice both Ghost and Greywind into playing with it.
"Jon…That's a bloody dragon," Robb said, summing up Nox's feelings, and Talisa's as well judging by the slack jawed expression the new Lady of Winterfell was wearing.
"I know," Jon replied dryly as he stood off to the side with Ygritte, watching the young hatchling trying to play.
"Jon…That's a bloody fucking dragon!"
"Again, brother, I know," Jon replied again.