Darken Rahl in Game of Thrones

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***

Darken Rahl.

The road after receiving word from Winterfell was quite uneventful.

The first castle of the Riverlands was the Twins. Old Lord Walder Frey "belated Lord Frey", "old lecher", "old lecher", "old shrew" and a host of other nicknames were given to this man. He was very "ancient" if I may say so, I don't remember exactly how old he was, but I wouldn't be surprised if he outlived half a dozen kings of the Seven Kingdoms. He was, however, a very interesting person and conversationalist. Putting aside all the bollocks about the King's arrival and his intentions to marry off his daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters to the visiting lords (including us), he's not an annoying man with a clear, uncluttered mind and a remarkable managerial experience.

Though it is said of him that Frey can't keep his cock in his trousers and thus breeds an "army of trousers", but I can even understand his intentions. He has few lands and loyal men. So he relies on his offspring. Which he's had quite enough of from eight legitimate marriages and bastards. And that's not counting Walder's other close relatives.

I made it clear to him that neither John, Rhys nor I would marry his female child. Emperor Rahl doesn't take a legitimate wife, but he has a harem. So he couldn't get the D'Hara people to marry him. And then, after a moment's thought, he managed to take me by surprise and surprise me at the same time. Old Frey was not confused and offered to take his daughters and even his bastard granddaughters with me to Panisheart. They were really beautiful and young, you can't take that away from them.

And when I asked him, "Would it not be an insult to your family to give your bastards to Master Rahl's harem?"- he replied, "I don't know Darken Rahl personally, but I respect him already. I don't really need them, but it wouldn't hurt to honour the glory of a great commander and ruler."

However, he was being sly, whatever he said about his descendants, he cared about them. He even loved them with a kind of love of his own. And he did so because he wanted to make a way not only for his daughters-granddaughters, but also for his sons-grandchildren to go east. Intending to take the Freys further out of the Riverlands. After all, at this point, there was little left for them to do in such a situation.

In addition, one of the Frey sideline, Theo Frey, a knight of twenty-five, had personally sworn allegiance to me. He was landless and rather poor, though he belonged to the family. So he decided to try his luck with us. I didn't mind, and for now he swore an oath to me as Lord Darke. I'll tell him my true identity later.

It was a pity that Walder Frey's identity had been overlooked earlier from my close attention and little followed. But now I'll put him on my special list. I will have to look even harder at the vassals and opponents of the Great Houses.

In Riverrun we were welcomed with open arms and joy. Visitors were always welcome here. Lord Hoster Tully was elderly and bedridden, so his only son Edmure, younger brother of Lady Catelyn Stark and Lady Lysa Arryn, took over as master of the house. The boy's a real party animal. Put him in his father's place and in five years at most he'll lose his fortune or die before his time, for the same Frey will send him quietly to the next world and take his place. After being there for almost a week, under pressure from Lord Stark, we went further south.

There were castles and settlements: Stone Cliff, Harroway and Darry Castle, and then we stopped not at any castle but at Ruby Brood. A drunken Robert was telling me how he'd busted John's father's rib cage, while the lad pretended to just listen to the old warrior's blurb. But I knew he was feeling anger and rage towards him. But he kept his cool and smiled. Still, I was able to raise a worthy pupil. Though it was difficult. Ten years of life in the North and Stark's upbringing had done its work, so even still he was a northerner to the core, though far from stupid and naive in his "aspirations to honour" like his uncle.

Towards late afternoon we received news that Prince Joffrey had been wounded. I was distraught myself, for the boy's guard was up to par. But then I found out exactly what had happened. A little argument with Arya Stark, a fight on wooden swords and the death of Mika, the boy cook's assistant or some butcher's son who joined the king's delegation, is not so important. What is important is that Cersei Lannister raised a storm over the lute-wolf girls. Nymeria, that was the name of Arya's direwolf who wounded Joffrey, yet escaped, and the Lady was killed personally by Lord Stark, at the Queen's insistence.

Joffrey, on the other hand, whimpered like a girl. Even I, in a past life, when that damned Zorander fire hit me in my youth, didn't cry and scream like that. And it was more dangerous and painful than ordinary fire ...

The next morning we set out on our journey. And after nearly another week, we reached King's Landing.

This was once the place where Aegon I Targaryen landed with a small army and three dragons.

The small wooden fortress Egonforth, once built by the conquering king on a hill above the bay, had eventually given way to the majestic Red Castle built by one of his sons. From there, seated on the Iron Throne, the kings of Westeros ruled their country for centuries. Around the castle was a huge, overcrowded and rather foul-smelling city with rich noble estates and the filthy slums of Flea End, many markets, workshops, taverns and brothels. In the capital's harbour - ships from all over Westeros, from the Free Cities and the Orient. The city is guarded by the Golden Cloaks, who are now commanded by Slynt.

As soon as we entered the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, the common people began to gather around us and greet their monarch.

I watched with a smile. This crowd had once greeted Rhaegar Targaryen, his father, and many other kings of the old dynasty in the same way. Time passes, but people don't change.....

We soon arrived at the Red Castle, where we settled in comfortably. Here, of course, you could still smell the city stench in the mornings and hot afternoons, a little bit. But it was better than being in one of those inns that take up everything.

While the servants housed my subjects, I made my way to the throne room. I looked up at the Iron Throne. It was indeed majestic. It was probably the second most important thing Aegon the Conqueror had done. The first, of course, is the creation of the most united kingdom in all of Westeros.

I was caught in the middle of it by someone who knows a lot within the walls of this castle-- Lord Varys.

- Lord Varys, I presume? - I asked without turning to him.

- You are perceptive, Your Grace. - even so? - You have a good ear.

- I have no complaints. - How did you know it was me and not just a dragon rider with a similar name? Of course, it's not that I'm deliberately hiding, but it's just interesting.

- The little details. - the eunuch sang sweetly. - Your appearance, people have not seen your dragon, though you have it, according to you and your companions. Also the name itself, though it may mean nothing, is probably the smallest detail. But what interested me the most was that Ser Theo Frey swore an oath to you, though it seems he wanted to do it to Lord Rhys Firestorm, and John, according to my "birds", has a great respect for the Emperor, and on the way they told me that he has a great respect for you. Though I must admit that, even without much concealment, I almost let you pass my attention.

- Well, it's only logical and fair that you "uncovered" me. - I turned to him and smiled sincerely. - It's a pleasure to meet you in person Spider, after all these years.

- Master... - he bowed. -...Ral. You made me nervous, and if I hadn't shaved my head, it would have been obvious how grey and bald I was. You're a born "player."

He came closer and stood flush with me while looking at the Iron Throne.

- It's a great structure. I'm still impressed by it more than... oh, I can't even remember the first time I came here.

- I agree. It must be an uncomfortable fixture for a king, but it's the way it should be, I guess. I think Aegon said that any king shouldn't sit on something that demurs the monarch, lest he forget how this kingdom was created, and that he should always be at the ready.

- A bit off, but you captured the essence correctly.

- I, alas, did not have the upbringing of the Maesters of the Citadel or the learned men of the Small Council of King's Landing. - I shrugged. - I am mostly self-taught. And, of course, life has taught me much.

- So have I. - The eunuch frowned.

- I understand, I hear you, and I sympathise. - I wiped the smile off my face. - We all have painful themes and memories. My ordeal began even earlier than even yours. While I wasn't scraped, I was also robbed of a very... important part of my life.

- What is your real purpose in travelling here?

- To see this land. After all, both my parents were born in this kingdom. And this is where I was meant to grow up. But I didn't because of the behaviour of a number of people. And then I was separated from my mother early in my childhood. It hurts to be deprived of an important part of yourself. It wasn't until years later that I found her.....

Varis listened intently and did not interrupt. He still doesn't know who my parents are, or he has an idea, but he's trying to find out for himself.

- The flames of anger burned in me for a long time. But I have learnt to tame it. Just as the Valyrians once learnt to tame fire. Each dragon has its own fire. The Black Terror Ballerion's was black. Black flames tempered that throne. But there was also a sword of noble steel with the same name that a Targaryen bastard took as his family name. Its branches are lost in the Fox. - Varys flinched a little at those words. - Sometimes I think the Targaryens might not have fought their kin, but rather helped each other. The Targaryens on the throne, and the Blackfae at the throne supporting them, like the Velaryons for example. Blood for blood. And do you think the Blackfire can revive again, as it once did?

- I don't think so. - Varys snorted. - It's a thing of bygone days. There are no people to keep that flame burning. And if there are, they are hardly capable of it.

- Your position is clear to me. But all things are possible in life, Lord Varys. For example, my bodyguard Belvas has never been interested in women, but recently, thanks to me and former Maester Quibernus, his life has taken on new colours and voluptuous moments. Have a chat with him. - Rahl said, and after a while he continued. - Magic can do more than maim, it all depends on the user. Even wet sand can be worth something, though it is forgotten. The tide can irrigate the sand that is plentiful in some regions of Westeros, and when it's gone, that sand can be used to build at least a castle... for children.

- Are you sure about that?

- Water keeps a traveller in the desert from dying, but it can also kill a traveller in the ocean. A sword can protect against a robber by its mere presence, but it can kill its own wielder for not knowing how to use it. There could be any number of analogies. But the point is the same - it is foolish to be angry at the tools. It's not the tool that's at fault, it's who uses it and how. You remind me with your fear of magic of "The Hound" Clegane Jr. - On that note, Varis smiled faintly. - Believe me, if you have a lot of questions about magic, I am willing to discuss the nuances of your concerns at any free time for both of us. After all, ignorance breeds fear and stupidity. And it offends me when someone like you looks foolish. Believe me, I'm being sincere. As sincere as I can be.

I turned round and began to walk away from him at a leisurely pace. I gave him a small smile, turning sideways just as I left the Throne Room.

- I am sorry for your loss in Pentos, I had nothing to do with your friend's death. You have my word. Though to be honest, I was going to take him out, but much later. You must realise what a thing it is to live the life of a man who plays the game of thrones.

He bowed to me and I left.

Well think Lord Varys... Blackfire.

Is your case worth the gamble or not? I've revealed much to you, now it's your turn. And we'll see how it plays out. I wish I could see Lord Stark and Robert's faces when Varys tells them about me and Mother and Father.

My little clue should be enough for Spider to realise who my parents are, shouldn't it?

To be continued...