The Witch-King of the Vale [GoT x LotR] Chapter 46 43

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Another invaluable acquisition had been the heir to the Vale. Fate itself had delivered Axel Arryn to him, and he had no intention of squandering the power of the Eyrie. Over the past year, the Falcon's eye's character had beco clear to him. If Axel committed to a cause, he would see it through to the very end. And so he had indulged him at every turn and pushed his advancent along. Axel would have made lieutenant on his own rits eventually, but it would have taken longer. As things stood, he was now a young and celebrated lieutenant with a detachnt of a hundred riders who were loyal to him personally.

"Am I interrupting?" He must have been deep in thought to have missed Axel's arrival entirely. He could hardly fault the guards for it. They were well accustod to Arryn being a frequent visitor.

"Not at all. Just finishing a few formalities, then I'm heading to the feast."

"Yes... Morango, on an occasion like this, brought out a cask of Arbor Gold for his inner circle." He needed to hurry, it seed the general had decided to be generous in his old age. "The contract with Myr has brought us a great deal of good, but it could bring us even more." Axel was steering toward sothing.

"You're not wrong. Tyrosh won't recover for a long while, Lys has no appetite for a land war, our tad pirates have slipped their leash, Volantis is tangled up in its religious troubles again, and the rest have little interest in Myr. This is an excellent mont to profit, and only fools would fail to press their advantage." He nudged Arryn toward the point.

"And you and I are not fools." Whatever his shortcomings, the man had a face made for confidence, though his smile had a quality that put people on edge. "By a complete coincidence, so friends of mine have been offered the chance to acquire a few businesses that could make us wealthier and lighten the burden on the company."

In the Free Cities, native residents took a deeply dim view of outsiders buying up local enterprises. Like jackals who had marked their territory, they guarded what was theirs, making it nearly impossible for anyone not born a citizen of the city to purchase an existing business. Axel's "friends" were almost certainly his own n, born in Myr. Clever. He was using them as fronts for his arrangents.

"And what do your friends want from a humble treasurer?" He liked where this was heading.

"Between them, my friends have managed to acquire a couple of smithies and a few tailoring workshops. It would be wonderful if certain people could keep an eye on them." Simple enough. He needed guards.

"Unfortunately, I cannot spare you any n. We were hired by Myr at full strength and are obligated to defend the Disputed Lands from any hostile encroachnts. One of the core terms of the contract is that we cannot take outside work. I'm sorry." The plan was not a bad one, but the Myrn were no fools either and had made sure to insist on that point.

"That's fine, but you've misunderstood . I'm not hiring anyone for guard duty. It just so happens that so of our comrades have decided to spend their days off visiting friends and sharing a cup of wine in honor of the Gods, for a week at a ti. Sellswords love being paid for easy work, and there will be no shortage of volunteers."

"Simple soldiers might agree, but I doubt their commanders will."

"Wrong again. Friends from the sa unit will be given priority and a decent discount, which saves everyone a fair bit of coin."

In essence, he was proposing to establish businesses that would generate steady inco by serving the needs of the company, while remaining under its protection. He would stand in the middle, collecting goodwill, a asure of respect, and a modest cut. It was worth trying. And if it went wrong, Arryn would have no one to bla but himself.

"Very well, but I have a few conditions." Axel's nod showed he was listening.

"A small share of the profits to , the exact figure we'll settle later. Through your channels, you'll purchase Dornish horses for the company. And you will help beco Captain-General."

He considered the offer for about ten seconds before answering.

"Agreed."

To mark the deal, they shook hands and drank a cup of wine each. He drank a Dornish red. Axel drank a sweet ereenese. Over the course of it, they worked out the details. And just as Axel turned to leave, an idea ca to him.

"Axel, wait. There is one more condition." That cracked the armor of the man's composure. Arryn turned and fixed him with a look that carried a plain desire to kill.

"What now?" All warmth had left his voice, replaced by the full asure of his irritation.

"It will cost you nothing, but it matters a great deal to ." Arryn relaxed slightly, though the frown remained. "A close friend of mine, a man who has helped more than once, has a son. I would be deeply grateful if you would take the boy on as your squire."

"Why ?"

"My friend is an exile from Westeros. His greatest hope is that his son, at least, might one day return ho. You have everything needed to make that happen."

"Fine. Have him co to my tent tomorrow. I'll take a look at him."

Without waiting for an answer, Axel left. He returned to his papers, his thoughts drifting toward what promised to be a very interesting future.