Distrust

"It seems we were right to expect the Targaryens to recruit the Dornish to their side," Willas muttered as he entered the tent, looking around at the occupants, his family. "Word has reached us that the Dornish camped at Princes Path have started moving north toward Kings Landing."

He raised the letter into the air, Olenna and Margaery sharing looks.

The only reason the Dornish who had escaped Kings Landing before Yohn Royce took the capital had made camp within the Princes Path, close enough to make a speedy return to Kings Landing for the new King return, but far enough away to escape should they be threatened. However, with Robb having just entered the North, the war between him and Stannis had yet to end.

That meant the only reason the Dornish would have a reason to make a move is if they had chosen to support either them or the Targaryens. In turn, someone had provided proof that Aegon was at the very least, not who he says he is.

Enough that the Dornish had chosen to support someone new.

"No doubt, this is once again the doing of the Imp," Margaery noted. "He truly is proving to be the biggest thorn in our side. If something is not done soon, the Targaryens will have a firm grip upon Kings Landing that will be difficult to shake."

Olenna shook her head. "The Targaryens have always possessed a tight grip upon Kings Landing, even after all these years since their fall, the smallfolk have longed for a Targaryen ruler once more. They have suffered the most in Robert's rule, despite the years of peace that have endured through his reign. Daenerys was always going to find much love and support there from the Smallfolk, but you're right, the Dornish and the Imp are cause for concern."

Even though Dorne had never involved themselves much in the politics of Westeros, they were still powerful figures all the same. Certainly, not a major cause for concern when comparing the influence of the Reach and others of the Seven Kingdoms. But what was most concerning though was that Daenerys had the full support of a kingdom behind her and from the looks of things, the Crownlands also.

"Contact Lord Redwyne, tell him to double his pace back round west. We must secure the Iron Islands and implement the changes as quickly as possible to turn them into the trading hub of the west." Olenna stated, earning nods from those around them. "I imagine next though that with Dorne at their back, the Targaryens will then be focusing upon the Stormlands and the Riverlands."

"And us?" Willas wondered. "If we follow Ned's instructions, we would be allowing the Targaryens to gain a great deal of support without making much progress ourselves. Certainly, those like Lord Mallister might be pushed to us by the pressure of the Targaryens, but there is no certainty to that. We must also time our moves in the Vale just right to ensure the Targaryens don't earn too much goodwill."

"It's always a matter of concern. especially with our food supply dwindling." Margaery agreed. "If we can no longer provide food to the smallfolk, then we will quickly lose their love and support also."

"It's a gamble," Olenna murmured, none too pleased with the situation they were in. "We have made serious moves in the course of the war and in doing so, have stretched ourselves and resources too thin. Now, we need to wait and let things bare fruit, even if that means allowing the Targaryens to gain some headway for now."

"But that does not mean we simply have to stand by and do nothing," Willas argued, Olenna looking at her grandson questioningly. "I spoke with Lord Stark earlier today, we talked about the situation our family finds itself in and he offered me some advice."

"Advice?" Olenna asked dubiously, eyes narrowing.

"The Stepstones are on Lord Redwyne's journey south." Willas pointed out. "They are part of the Disputed Lands belonging to the Free Cities of Myr, Lys and Tyrosh. While they are currently infested with pirates, any incursion into the Disputed Lands by any external force has often led to the three colonial cities to unite and fight against the invader."

"You are suggesting the risk of war between Westeros and the Triarchy, just like what happened with Daemon Targaryen?" Margaery noted but Willas shook his head.

"We have permission from the cities to travel through and around the Stepstones and have done for centuries. But we have no right to set foot on any of the islands and claim it as our own." Willas began. "We know that Daenerys has called for ships from her lands in Slavers Bay to come west. If we time it right, we could plant a flag upon one of the larger islands, perhaps Bloodstone?"

"While it would be blamed upon the Targaryens by the Free Cities." Margaery agreed. "It would still come with the risk of war. Unless we were to offer the Free Cities something in return."

"The Golden Company." Olenna pointed out, Willas nodding his head.

"Exactly. While they have been defeated, the Golden Company are still strong in number and their reputation and skill are deserved."

But despite the sense and reasoning in the plan, Olenna did not like it one bit and she made that clear. "There are many things that could go wrong with this plan, most importantly, the risk of open war and the possibility of this plot revealing itself to be our doing." She said, frowning deeply. "However, I distrust it because it is the idea of Lord Stark himself."

Margaery rose a brow in confusion. "Why?" She wondered. "I thought you trusted Lord Stark?"

"I trust no one, my dear," Olenna replied. "Least of all a Lord, but you're right, compared to must, I did trust Lord Stark. But for the supposed Quiet Wolf, he has not been very quiet."

Olenna didn't trust how helpful, nor how cunning Eddard was being, it was so unlike the man he had presented himself as in the past. There was too much purpose and political sense in his actions that did not suit the image of the man he had been, nor reflect upon his past actions. Perhaps there had been a hidden political mastermind under their noses all along, someone who plotted everything from the beginning to push his family to new heights, but Olenna doubted that very much.

It did not change the fact that Eddard was being far too cunning and capable for her liking. The politics of the North and south were different, both father and son had proven that while adept in one, they were not so adept in the other. But now, Eddard was proving a hidden skill and ability to navigate southern politics that he did not possess before.

Olenna could not find faults in his plans because they were precisely ideas that she had considered herself for many months. As the end against the Lannisters came to an end, before the Targaryens arrived, Olenna had been considering what to do with the Iron Islands. Turning it into a trading hub of the west to match the Riverlands had been the idea she considered, a way to stifle the Riverlands growing power and influence.

She had also considered ways to lower the Targaryens influence through numerous means, one of which had involved the very plan Willas and Eddard had proposed. She doubted very much that Eddard told Willas this plan in full, but instead alluded and hinted towards it enough for Willas to think he and Eddard had come up with it together.

It was why he was so excited and convinced it would work.

But Olenna had seen the tricks done before and had performed them herself, she knew what they looked like and the effect they could have.

"And what would you suggest instead then?" Willas wondered. "There is no better chance than now before Lord Redwyne enters the Stepstones and the Targaryen fleet passes them. While yes, there is the risk of this blowing back upon us, I believe that what we stand to gain outweighs the risks taken to get them. Unless you have another idea?"

The thing was, Olenna didn't and her silence proved it.

That was not to say she didn't have other plans, but it was like Willas said, the reward of such an action was more than all of her plans combined. If it succeeded, the Targaryens would be dealt a critical blow that would forever tarnish their image in Robb's eyes.

But Olenna didn't like it because it meant doing precisely what Eddard wanted.

"Send a message to Lord Redwyne." It was not Olenna that replied, but Margaery.

No complaint was raised and so, Willas left.

"It is a good plan, grandmother, even if we might be doing what Lord Starks wants," Margaery told her. "There are still plenty of other things we could do to further our position and weaken the Targaryens. Things that Lord Stark will have no control over, but we should let him think he can manipulate us how he wishes. He will eventually make a mistake that we can use to her advantage."

Despite those words of comfort, Olenna had never imagined that the biggest problem she would face in the War of Queens, was not the Imp, but instead, the Quiet Wolf. However, it seemed that this war had changed something in the Starks and they were beginning to act like the Kings of Winter of old who ruled the North with an iron fist.