4 Negotiations Were Short (Part 2)

"I still don't see why we must employ all this caution." Genna gestured around the room. "It's not like we're discussing a war council here."

I shared a look with Kevan before answering. "It's important specifically because this is not a war council. Suppose we take extra precautions only when talking about important things. In that case, it lets people know when we talk about important things. Which is information in and of itself."

My aunt muttered something to herself before nodding, and we started the meeting.

"Before we start, uncle, I was wondering if our sources in King's Landing have anything for us on why the King decided to come." Fortunately, Kevan knew where Tywin kept the records of his more secret activities. So, with him back, we had access to more information channels. More specifically, a way to discreetly contact Pycelle for information about the King.

"I spoke to Maester Creylen this morning, and we did receive a raven." Kevan reached into his pocket and handed me a rolled-up piece of paper. "Apparently, Varys advised King Aerys that his son, Prince Rhaegar, would be attending our event." I finished reading through the paper to confirm the information before handing it to Genna.

"Any word on if the prince still intends to come?" I asked Kevan before Genna finished reading.

"Nothing certain. It wasn't even announced that he would be coming before Varys knew. But it would be a great slight against us, not even to mention what the King would think if he went back on his decision to attend."

We were all silent as we considered this information. I had ensured everyone important was briefed on what we knew about the King and his state of mind. And if what Pycelle told us was true, then I could at least guess why the King had decided to attend.

"I guess I'll make sure another royal room is prepared." My aunt's voice cut into the silence between us. I smiled at her and nodded in thanks.

"I don't think I need to tell you this, Jaime, but make sure to not be seen taking any particular interest in the prince." Kevan grimaced. "You should also review your courtesies with a tutor before any lords arrive."

Reluctantly, I agreed. Considering what Tywin had to deal with, I would need to know how to appropriately respond to insults, both from those below and above me. Many lords would be attending this event not only to pay respects to Tywin but also to get to know their new lord. Right now, it would be beneficial for me to remind the lords of the great lion of the rock, not the laughing lion.

Maybe I should work on my poker face?

…

Maybe I should invent poker?

Forgetting those thoughts for a moment, I tuned back into the conversation. Kevan and Genna were talking about which Westerland noble they thought would give us the most problems. My aunt thought house Farman would be trouble, but my uncle thought they could be pacified by a proper show of Lannister unity.

That seemed like a good enough segue into what I wanted to discuss. "Speaking of house Farman, I wanted to talk about what I was doing in Lannisport yesterday."

That got both of their attention. "I wanted to start by telling you that I wrote to Quellon Greyjoy inviting him specifically to attend."

"What?" Kevan looked surprised. "I thought we were trying to improve your reputation with the Western lords, not sink it into the harbor."

I grabbed a small folder from within my red jacket. "I think my proposal will satisfy both the lords and the Greyjoys." I put the folder on the table before answering their unasked questions. "It's a combined trade, development, and defense proposal. I want to increase our imports of iron and exports of finished goods."

Kevan looked at the stack of papers in the folder before picking up the first page and turning back to me. "Well, at least you've improved your handwriting and organization after training with the Maesters."

I chuckled, remembering the atrocious handwriting and disorganized papers Tywin had forced Uncle Kevan to read. When I was young, before I learned how things worked, I had written page after page of things I thought could be improved. To the man's credit, Tywin at least had someone read the papers.

Unfortunately, most of said ideas worked off vague knowledge that I couldn't properly explain, things so ambitious they were almost certainly impossible, or things that had a definite chance to improve our house. Unfortunately, most of those ideas would require more trust than I had as a nine-year-old.

Genna cleared her throat. "I will certainly take a look at this later, but maybe you could give us a summary, especially on how and why you intend to work with the Greyjoys."

I nodded and started to explain. "While visiting Lannisport, I talked with some information brokers." I had learned about them in Oldtown. They primarily dealt with the wealthier merchants who needed to know when and where they should bring their goods. "You already know that lord Quellon has been trying to establish better relationships with the mainland."

"I know that's what he says." Genna interrupted me. "I wouldn't trust the man. His 'desire' didn't stop him from sacking Faircastle."

That would be one obstacle I would need to address. "I realize that. But it can't be ignored that Reaving has gone down significantly in his tenure as lord of the Iron Islands. He has freed many thralls, and I believe his desire to be at least partially sincere." I also had the help of some meta-knowledge. "But I learned these reforms have left him in a difficult situation with the other ironborn."

"The islands alone can not sustain their population. Food and finished goods especially were either stolen or traded for, and with Westeros being in the middle of winter, many brokers have been telling merchants it might be worth braving the danger to sell to the ironborn."

"You mean for us to buy their iron? We already get sufficient amounts from our more northern regions. If you start favoring the ironborn over your own lords, I'm not sure Tywin's reputation could protect us," Kevan argued.

That was true. The Westerlands had plentiful mines. And while we might be well known for gold, other metals were some of our most important exports.

"Sufficient for our current production, yes, but I don't intend to reduce the amount of iron we buy from our lords. I talked about this with you earlier, but I've been talking with ironmongers and smelters since I returned to the rock. If we expand to them the same guild charter the goldsmiths receive, many have agreed to take out a loan to increase their production capabilities."

Gold is valuable and essential to the West. Still, if I could bring the same renown to our iron and steel industries, we could force the merchants to come to the other side of Westeros and grow Lannisport.

Genna looked to Kevan in surprise, everyone knew about Tywin's opinions about loans. "You did tentatively convince me that giving out loans to increase production instead of for political capital has merits. But I would still have to counsel against going through with this plan. Too many things would have to go right for this to work, not even considering how the lords would feel about both proposals."

And you just activated my trap card. "Am I correct that the lords would think I was weakening our position against the ironborn?"

"Among other things, I think that would be the main concern."

"Well, I believe that would be addressed by the defense aspect of the proposal. In addition to these steps, we would also sponsor the construction of a larger western navy. For too long, the Westerlands have been vulnerable to piracy and attack by the sea. I intend to change that."

"Even I know the cost of such an endeavor," Genna replied.

"Which I know our reserves can easily endure, especially with increased production and exports. I also wanted to discuss a sort of hybrid fleet that would loan ships to the merchants of Lannisport but also allow us to use them if the Ironborn threaten our shores."

Our gold would be used to increase production, and that increased production would be ferried by our new fleet, also allowing us to buy and sell more from our neighbors. If everything went well, it would be perfect, and if some part failed, then I would still be accomplishing something, just with more expenses to the Lannister treasury.

"I'll read it over," Kevan said hesitantly. "But we need the favor of our lords now more than ever. Even with the larger navy, I can't see many lords agreeing with this. Lord Farman, especially, was kept in line by your father's reputation. But if a different Lannister starts to talk about trade with the Ironborn…"

I knew it would be a hard sell. I had hoped to convince him here so I had a better position later, but it would seem I have no choice. "If I could get lord Farman to agree with the proposal, would you support it?" If I wanted to get anything substantial done in the next few moons, I would need Kevan's support.

He considered that. "His support would go a long way to reduce any negative effects this could have. If everything I read checks out and you manage to get the man's support, I think I could get behind this proposal."

I barely suppressed the urge to celebrate. He probably thought it impossible, but I had a chance. And a plan I believe would convince the truculent lord of Fair Isle.