43 Dealing with the lion

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A gift, don't get used to it

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POV of Wilhelm

As I had foreseen Lord Lannister had come to the city thinking that he could deliver the bodies of the Targaryen to Robert to justify his neutrality in the war, but I won that race several days ago already.

With this Tywin will have a hard time asking to spare the life of his son, Jaime, who will be judged for his crime of regicide and if I manage to be appointed judge in this trial I could sell my vote against Jaime's crimes for some Lannister favors.

Roon stopped Tywin's army from entering the city and from what was sent in the letter it seems Lord Tywin understood the reason Roon gave him, so all goes according to plan.

The Lannisters will join the rebels and they will have an army of forty-five thousand men, I almost outnumber them twice, so I can trust that they will feel obliged to respect my deal without the need to bring more men from the reach and the army that is testing the defenses of Dorne

As we take advantage of our positions in the south to advance and take ground as far as the Torentine river which expands the reach to its natural border, as the river will provide us with enormous protection from any attack from Dorne and at the same time we reduce the size of our border with our southern neighbors

Not to mention that we will acquire a large extension of mountains that will serve enormously when it comes to obtaining materials for construction because my plan will require so many tons of rocks that we could make the mountains disappear

But that was something secondary because now an alliance with the lion mattered, if we achieve an alliance between us, you could easily control economically the rest of the kingdoms and they would not be able to do anything about it.

Because of this with my men I went ahead of Lord Arryn's group because I wanted to arrange the alliance with the Lannisters and make sure that everything was ready for Robert's arrival in the city.

When we were arriving at the city, we found the Lannister army camped outside the city.

My men had already prepared a tent where Lord Tywin and I would meet on neutral ground with the same number of men to begin our discussions.

I hurriedly got off my horse and followed by five of my knights into the tent, which was still empty.

Which was still empty, now we just had to wait for Lord Tywin to arrive.

I sat down at my side of the table and waited for a little less than an hour until we heard horses arriving at our position.

From our side Aleksanteri entered my tent and quickly signaled one of my knights to leave because it might be seen as an offense to have more men in the same tent.

''What's going on, Aleksanteri?'', asked Charles.

''Nothing, I just came to observe the conversations, lord Lannister has been quite busy with meetings with his banner men, in the last few days several attempts by his men to enter the city at night where they tried to control a gate'' said Aleksanteri placing himself on my left side

''Wow.... then he is a bit desperate... I guess for his son''I said looking at Aleksanteri.

''Probably, although they must be preparing for the punishment that will come to them anyway'' said Aleksanteri.

''I doubt it a little Lord Arryn is trying to heal rather than assert himself as a victor, something that is good for stability'' I said grimacing.

Lord Tywin interrupted our gossip by entering the tent in his crimson armor, followed by knights.

'Wow that's a tall one, that must be Gregor clegane'.

Lord Tywin took a seat at his booth and we stood watching.

''He, he, Lord Leon is going bald, look how he's trying to hide it with that hairstyle'' said Aleksanteri in Finnish.

''Yes, it looks like he's in the beginning stages of a bald spot'' I said while covering my mouth with one hand.

Charles was looking up and down at the giant who barely fits in this tent.

As I don't have all the time in the world for Lord Tywin's staring match, who was a close friend of silence, for since I arrived he has not stopped staring at me and blinking rarely while not letting even the slightest hint of emotion escape from his face.

''Lord Lannister, it is an honor to be able to meet you in person, I have heard that you are a wise and efficient man when it comes to crushing your unruly banner men, I must admit that the rains of castamere is a song as beautiful as fate the rebellious house'' I said with a cheerful tone while smiling

''I suppose you are the mercenary who prevented me from taking the city?'', Lord Lannister said with a dry tone without taking his gaze off me

''That's right, a mercenary, ''noble'' from distant lands who serve Lord Arryn's rebels, but well, I don't want to bother you with a story you shouldn't have the slightest interest in, I suppose you know why I invited you here?'', I said while I made movements with my hands to highlight some words.

''Jaime, what do you want to free him before Lord Arryn sends him to the wall?'', Tywin replied placing his thumb on his chin and covering part of his mouth with his hand.

''Unfortunately, I have already made the transfer of custody of your son, Lord Tywin, I can no longer bargain with it, it would not be right.....'' I said to Lord Lannister, but he interrupted me.

''You are a mercenary ..... what does your honor matter?.... just hand over my son and I will take care of the rest'' Lord Lannister said in his deep voice without emitting any emotion.

''Well it matters a lot, as I will soon be the warden of the south and paramount lord of the reach because of my dealings with lord Arryn, besides your family's honor and prestige will be quite damaged, but I suppose that doesn't matter to you as long as you can keep your son alive and your legacy lives on'' I said with a slight smile.

''What do you propose?'' Lord Lannister said, settling back in his chair.

''Well, King Robert and Lord Arryn want me to be one of the judges in your son's trial, since I witnessed the events and they consider I will be someone neutral..... the problem is the other two judges, Lord Stark who already decided your son's guilt and wants his execution or the wall and Lord Arryn who probably because of pressure from the Starks and King Robert also voted in favor of the motion leaving me, as the only one who does not mind giving his vote to your son's innocence''I said while staring at Lord Lannister

''Well I can put enough pressure on lord Arryn and with some knowledge, I have I can get his son released, through no fault of his own... I could even have him removed from the Kings guard... to, you know, have an heir that meets his father's standards''I interlaced my fingers as I spoke and though Tywin showed no emotion I could sense that I had his attention.

''Let's say I accept..... what do you want in return?''said lord Lannister leaning forward

''The friendship of the mighty lion, in the form of a marriage to your daughter''I said as I rested my back in the chair.

Lord Lannister just stared at me.

'The fact that he didn't say no to me immediately is good.'

''Gold and grain all that is needed to control the seven kingdoms, our alliance would be the most powerful seen in centuries in the seven kingdoms'' I said smiling

''I am considering someone better for my daughter's hand, King Robert'' said Lord Tywin.

''Robert is engaged to the Stark and believe me he loves her madly, so much that even if Rhaegar has taken away her purity he will fulfill the betrothal and marry her besides, this is a more personal experience, the crown is of no use if no one listens and obeys you the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire understood that, since they never managed to control the imperial princes and much less the king in Prussia, vassals only in name, but I suppose that someone who has ruled the seven kingdoms on behalf of someone else must know this very well, the influence of our alliance could control the politics even better than the king himself and his hand would''I said with a kind tone

Lord Lannister was very quiet which was good because it means he is considering it.

''And well as you would become my lord father.... I will have no problem negotiating... this''I said slowly drawing the Valyrian steel sword so as not to alert lord Tywin's knights.

a gleam came into lord Tywin's eyes, seeing the color of the Valyrian steel sword.

''Orphan-Maker, the sword of house Roxton which is now in my possession because house Roxton no longer exists, how about my deal lord Lannister or would you prefer that I now call you lord father from now on?'', I said smiling

Tywin relaxed in his chair as he kept looking at me.

''Deal, but first you keep the part about saving Jaime, I want him alive and without any punishment'' said Lord Tywin.

''So it shall be done lord Lannister, I will even make lord Stark himself thank him for stabbing the mad king'' I said as I flashed my white smile.

After the conversation we discussed the amount of the dowry Lord Lannister would give me for the care of his daughter and we set the date on which I would give him the Valyrian steel sword and the price we agreed on, since I need it for Robert's coronation to make a good impression on everyone.

Lord Lannister returned to his camp and when he was leaving the tent he collapsed in his chair with a long sigh.

''You are getting the hang of the negotiations, my king'' said Aleksanteri as he removed his mask and sat down at the table.

''Yes it's getting easier, though lord Lannister was a hard one to crack, no emotion in the air, just a twinkle in his eye when he saw the Valyrian steel sword..... we'll tell me what you saw that we didn't''I said looking at Aleksanteri

''Well, someone who has suffered many humiliations in his youth and was hardened by that or someone with a dominant personality to begin with even they are extremely rare, as he likes to be in control at all times, the chair I placed him in was made to be uncomfortable, you saw how he moved around looking to feel safe while negotiating.....the family is important to him''Aleksanteri said as he pulled out a canteen and drank from it

''The first thing he had in mind was his son, not the possible punishment lord Arryn could give him or the loss of lands, only his son, it means he has concern for the future of the dynasty, as you pointed out in the conversation..... and with the stories, I have heard I would say he is someone very dangerous, be careful with insulting him because anything that doesn't please his wishes could be considered an attack on his authority''

''So it will be difficult to make him collaborate with an idea to control the gold and grain market, to destabilize other territories because he will seek first the power for himself, than as a whole, but if let's say Jaime doesn't leave the royal guard and the dwarf has an accident, the Lannister might want one of his future grandsons to take his place and well by that time if you are quick one of his sons should be Prussian before Lannister'' Aleksanteri said laughing showing his perfectly cared teeth.

''And you got all that from watching him just once?'', asked Charles.

''He, he, he, he of course not, one of the men lord Lannister sent to try to control a gate, let's just say he didn't come back as he should have, I've been making assessments of his personality for two days now'' said the smiling Aleksanteri

''Well let's stop wasting time, Lord Arryn and Robert could arrive at any moment and everything must be perfect'' I said as I stood up and left the tent.

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