145 More Schemes

"That went well." Tyrion snarked, taking one large gulp from his goblet as he waddled towards the table where Daenerys sat, staring out through the balcony and onto the horizon. From what he had noticed, she had been doing that quite often, her gaze focused on the east, perhaps longing to return to Essos.

He hoped she did.

Tyrion did not fancy spending his life locked in a political battle with the Queen of Thorns.

Though she might not have much longer to live, she still had her grandsons and granddaughter to carry on her legacy. A legacy that even his father had been wary of, a threat he had recognised and one that he had tried desperately to stamp out through Robert Baratheon.

"Did it?" Distracted, Daenerys didn't pick up on his sarcasm.

"Not in the slightest." Tyrion replied simply. "We are now stuck with the duty of solving the food crisis here in Westeros thanks to the actions of Olenna admitting her own weakness." That was certainly not something Tyrion had expected, but he could not fault the way in which she had done it.

Especially when they considered how the Tyrells had recently backed away from the Vale.

It was more than likely that they had a similar plan for both the food crisis and the Vale, something Tyrion at the moment had no answer for.

"Then what do we do?" She asked.

Tyrion shrugged. "In my opinion, fuck off back to Essos and abandon the shithole for good." His response was blunt, yet something he had said on many occasions before. "However, even if you choose to stay, there's not much we can do."

It was as he had already explained to Daenerys in the past, it would take the entirety of their wealth to solve the food crisis in Westeros or close to it if they played it smart. However, that would solve nothing as they would be left with very little ways to respond to the Tyrells afterwards. Money meant power in Westeros and without it, one could do very little about the political landscape.

"The Tyrells are biding their time." Tyrion continued. "They are doing with the food exactly what they are doing with the Vale. Letting us take all the risk and do all the work. No doubt once we have laid the groundwork in the Vale and started to solve some of the major food problems in Westeros, they will swoop in and claim as much of the rewards as they can. We do all the work and take all the risk, while they simply bide their time for the rewards to come."

Daenerys frowned. "Then we strike back."

It was a response that Tyrion had expected, though perhaps it was the look in her eyes that made him pause.

"And how do you intend to do that?"

"They revealed their plans for the Iron Islands because they do not fear a response from us." Tyrion nodded his head at her words. "But it does not have to come from us, instead, it could come from a place that would be most impacted by the success of the Iron Islands."

"The Riverlands." He murmured, beginning to see where she was coming from.

It was a good plan and one that could work in two ways if played correctly. Daenerys might not only be able to slow the Tyrell's plans for the Iron Islands, perhaps even completely derail it though Tyrion doubted that would happen. However, it would also serve to bring much of the Riverlands back to Daenerys. After all, there were many lords in the Riverlands that support Margaery as Queen, but if they were to learn about what the Tyrell's were planning, they would surely not be in support of it.

"However," Tyrion had to point out one thing before they continued. "That is not guaranteed to be the case. Her son might be fool enough to reveal his plan to us in such a fashion and with such obvious weakness, but Olenna is not. She must have some way to appease the Lords that support Margaery to the point they overlook this fact."

Daenerys would not be deterred and showcasing an understanding of the Lords of Westeros, she came up with the perfect response. "Then we simply need to provide them something to sway their minds."

-X-

Biting into the grape, Olenna leaned back into the chair as she looked out over the gardens, turning to see her granddaughter Margaery who lowered into a seat beside her. "I had not thought to see you about so soon?"

"I needed some fresh air and besides, Garlan is there," Margaery answered, taking a moment to just close her eyes and seemingly relax for the first time in a while. But as she did, the stress of her journey and the pregnancy showed itself, Olenna frowning slightly.

"You will need to tend to yourself before your husband returns." She said curtly. "His second wife, the Targaryen is a beauty, a rare one indeed. From what Garlan has said, they were in bed together for much of his campaign against Aegon. It would not do for you to look as you do, and she to look as she does."

Margaery frowned, a rare flash of anger crossing her face. "Do not worry, grandmother." She replied equally as curtly. "I am aware of my duty as a wife."

"So long as you do not forget."

"It was not me who revealed our plan for the Iron Islands." Margaery shot back, Olenna laughing lightly.

"My dear child," Olenna replied almost pityingly. "Did you think I would have revealed those plans without expecting the Targaryens to respond? You must still be tired from the pregnancy to think that I have not planned for their response. No doubt they will try to derail our plans, somehow by targeting the lords of the Riverlands. But that's fine, they are becoming more of a nuisance nowadays."

The Riverlands were not prosperous, they were the most damaged by the War of Five Kings, but the groundwork that had been established for them to grow was clear for all to see. Each of the lords there understood that as well and with it, they were beginning to grow more arrogant.

It had taken a great deal of time and effort to convince them to choose to support Margaery, the woman in question doing much of the work. But it had taken even more effort and money to convince them to overlook what they were planning for the Iron Islands.

Now they were demanding more, all based on their perceived worth.

"It will take them years to recoup all that they lost from this war and as a result, just as much time to actually be able to have voices loud enough to influence the politics of Westeros," Olenna said, unconcerned by this. "No, our attention should be focused on Edmure Tully, Jason Mallister and Tytos Blackwood. Those three have the most influence in the Riverlands and more than likely, will have just as great an influence over the new era to come."

"So, we simply cut the others loose?" Olenna nodded her head. "But they will still be able to slow the progress of the Iron Islands?"

"Robb Stark will go for the idea, it is an intelligent one and he is fond of intelligent ideas," Olenna explained. "As King, what he says go and if he returns to Kings Landing still uncertain on the idea, it will be up to you to convince him to go for it. Daenerys will no doubt do what she can to convince him to oppose the idea and men are easily influenced by sex."

Another not-so-subtle hint about her appearance that did not go unnoticed by Margaery whose frown deepened further. This was the side of her grandmother she had seen a few times over the course of the war and she had never liked it.

"In the meantime, leave the Riverlands to the Targaryens, let her deal with their arrogance. We shall instead focus our attention upon the Iron Bank, the King and finally, the Triachy." That made Margaery pause, looking at her grandmother in confusion.

The Triachy or more commonly known as the Kingdom of Three Daughters was an alliance formed between three of the Free Cities, Myr, Lys and Tyrosh. It had been formed in 96 AC and stood as one of the major powers in Essos, a rival to Braavos and a serious threat to Westeros for some time. That was until its dissolution after a civil war in 130 AC over one hundred and seventy years ago.

Since then, the three cities had been hostile and in some cases, at all-out war with one another ever since.

"When the Targaryens lay claim to part of the Disputed Land, it will come across as Westeros wishing to expand further eastward. Our sudden removal of debt to the Iron Bank will lead us to then having the money to actually raise an army and with a King such as Robb Stark and all the stories of his conquests, it will all paint the picture of a young conqueror wishing to expand." Olenna explained. "Naturally, in the face of such odds, it's only natural for old allies to put aside their differences and face a new threat."

"You would plunge Westeros into war again?"

Olenna shook her head. "Oh no." She answered. "But I would make the Targaryen's standing drop even further in the eyes of the King."