13.The Journey to Valyria

The port of Lannisport was filled with people. There were several massive ships docked there. These ships had been specifically constructed to survive harsh waters. The Lannister family was there, saying goodbyes to Gerion Lannister, who was taking his journey to the ruins of valyria. This had been delayed by a year because they were making some better equipment.

"Are you sure all this is necessary?" Gerion Lannister asked a blonde boy standing next to him. The boy seemed to be of 10 name days. He was dressed in regal clothing.

"Definitely. We don't know the dangers those waters pose. So, this specially trained crew, equipment and ships might help you go a long way." I replied for probably the tenth time.

"Still, this all cost quite a sum. You are basically funding this whole trip yourself. Don't you think its a waste of money. For all we know the waters could be quite mild." I was basically using this trip to promote my businesses. This excursion was planned by me and uncle Gerion. We had sat down and planned for some of the probable scenarios he could face. Then the crew had been specially trained for 5 months. Even after all this there were quite a lot of variables, but this had way greater chance of success than his previously planned excursion.

"Don't worry, I have high hopes that this journey would be successful and Father has agreed to help me expand my businesses to other regions. So I will be making back the money in a very short time." that was true, my businesses were quite successful. We had already spread across westernlands and the capital. Now, we were targetting The Reach and Stormslands. My business model was a close walled structure. We initially bough some farms, had our trained farmers move there, grow the needed crops and raise the cattle, then we opened an inn and used the produce from our own farms. The recipes were guarded, but there were some knockoffs appearing. I could not stop them but all of our inns were unique in having better margins, cleaner environment, lesser burgulary due to specifically hired guards and least of all music. One thing I had noticed was that small folk loved had no form of entertainment. So I had introduced some ideas including having an occasional play and some music. This had made them very popular and had also helped me attract nobles, whom were entertained in better built and specially designed resturants. This small change made me quite rich as nobles would have to pay more and well they had to keep up appearances. Bad for their coffers, good for me.

Uncle Gerion beckoned me to the side, probably wanting to have a private talk.

I followed him, he stopped and then turned to me with a serious expression," I should probably be having this conversation with tywin but he has returned to the capital. I just had a small request for you.

I had an idea of what he wanted, I gestured him to continue, "I have a daughter named Jory. I have given them a suitable sum to take care of themselves. But in case..."

"Don't worry uncle, they are family bastard or legitimate. I will take care of it. Don't worry about them." I replied without letting him complete his sentence.

He then boarded the ships and left on his journey. This was in the future the first somewhat successful excursion into valyria for years to come.

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Tywin Lannister POV

In the Lord's solar in casterly rock, he was looking through the regular work. He had come back from the capital to inspect the region. He could always trust kevan, but it was better that he would be aware of proceedings of his own land. Another one of the reason for his coming back was the journery his cousin Gerion had planned. He had always wanted to explore Valyria. He had brought it up once before, Tywin had given his blessings, hoping to find a Valyrian steel heirloom for the family, but his son Tyland had asked him to delay it, saying that it would be foolish to leave without proper preparation. He had asked his blessing to sponsor the journey which he had granted and in a little more than a year he had delivered on his promise.

He had long recovered from the trauma that Joanna's death brought. He had become more focused and at just 10 namedays was probably richer than a lot of noble houses. His training as a knight was going well too. He planned to expand the trade to other regions which needed the King's blessing, Tywin as hand had promised to help him.

Just then a knock was heard at the door. Tywin knew who it was and asked them to come in. The door opened and in came his eldest son standing at 5 ft 11'' his golden hair tied neatly behind his back. Eyes razor sharp and focused.

"Greetings father. I hope that everything was up to your expectations." he asked in an expression that made it quite normal for a 10 year old to run such a business and plan such a journey. I wanted to ask him his secret but I had promised her to never do that, and cold he may be he would never break a promise specially to her.

"The plans are adequate. But, what I wanted to know is why are you establishing such a vast trading network. Our house is already the richest in all of westeros I don't think we need more gold." This was a test. If he answered correctly, I would know of his true capability.

He smiled and answered," we have been mining gold for centuries. I am trying to help us prepare for days when the mines run dry. with these businesses we would be able to shore up our coffers taking the pressure off of our mines."

And here it was. His child was always unique in looking at the bigger, longer picture. His intelligence allowing him to look into years ahead. He would not say it often, but he was quite proud of him. He knew of his ruthlessness from when few workers thought they could sell his secrets to a competitor. He had all of them arrested and punished for crimes of steeling ad rape and made an example out of them. He had shown that though he often mingled with the small folk and was quite gentle, yet when you crossed him you faced the ire of the Lion and Lion isn't the king of the jungle for nothing.

"Your Uncle mentioned something about Terbeck Hall. Why do you intend to rebuilt that symbol of defiance and fear." this was the main reason for this meeting. He wanted to rebuild Terbeck hall and Castamere. But, they were symbols of what happens to those who crossed house Lannister. He had initially wanted to downright reject him but then considered wanting to know his reasons. If anyone could possibly convince him it would be him.

"Yes. I did mention it Uncle Kevan. Of course I know of their symbolic value, but we can raise that value instead of a symbol of defiance we could help make it become the symbol of the greatness of our house."

I could see that he meant every word of it, perhaps he could convince me.

"How," I questioned with a small smile on my lips. House Lannister was in capable hands.