Game Of Thrones: House Bracken

Next came Tyrion Lannister, and after overhearing a conversation between Cersei and Tywin, he went forward.

I don't remember the specifics of their conversation, but looking at Tyrions almost depressed expressions, and knowing his whore would be found soon enough, I got a general idea of what they were discussing.

And Cersei's apparent joy spoke of nothing else. 

"A book?" Joffrey asked Tyrion as the gift was presented to him. 

"The Lives of Four Kings, Grand Master Caiths history of the reigns of Daeron the Young Dragon, Baelor the Blessed, Aegon the Unworthy and Daeron the Good. A book every King should read." Tyrion said sarcastically, and everyone expected the same rebuke from Joffrey, whom, if following his natural state of mind, had no interest in books, and even less in ruling. He just cared for the power and confidence that came with it.

After some awkward silence, Joffrey spoke up, and what he said, surprised all. 

"Now that the war is one, we should all find time for wisdom. Thank you, Uncle." Joffrey said, which surprised every noble at the party, even the servants.

"Who beat this kid so hard?" Lord Vance asked, and the other 2 chuckled. 

"Whoever did, I would like to hire. If you can beat the arrogance out of Joffrey, I´d want the same for my youngest." Lord Jason Mallister said, but we all kept our voices low, making sure nobody heard. 

And with that, the confused Tyrion stepped back and returned to his seat, only for a Kingsguard to make his way up towards the royal seating, and at the same time Tywin stood up.

As the Kingsguard put the sheathed sword down, a longsword, he began speaking. 

"1 of only 3 Valyrian Steel Swords in the capital." Tywin said, his eyes turning to my own Valyrian Steel Sword, which I had recently gotten fully customised. Which I had actually decided to name Tidebreaker, referring to how I changed the course of House Bracken. 

Instead of the original name. But Tywin continued on.

"Freshly forged in your honour." Tywin said, and the excited expression on Joffrey´s face couldn´t be hidden, and somehow. Joffrey at his happiest looked even more hideous than when he attempted to be, which actually put me off slightly. 

And with that Joffrey stood up, before essentially running around the table, and drawing the sword out of its sheathe, before swinging it around excitedly. 

"Careful, Your Grace. Nothing cuts like Valyrian Steel." Grand Maester Pycelle said, as Joffrey turned around, facing the crowd, and turning his back to his family, flexing his sword slightly, before he turned around. 

And he began slashing at Tyrions book, albeit weak slashes, the Valyrian steel still managed to help him enough, which allowed them to slash through the book. 

And after barely 4 downwards slashes, he was breathing heavily, all the while staring down his Uncle, Tyrion Lannister. But he then turned around towards the crowd.

"Such a great sword, should have a name. Any suggestions?" Joffrey asked the various nobles sitting around. 

"Stormbringer!"

"Widows Wail"

"Wolfs Wail!" Came the shouts, but Joffrey had already chosen his name.

"I like that, Widows Wail it is." Joffrey said, before turning around to his family, and lucky we sat close enough to hear.

"Every time I use it, it will be like cutting Robb Starks head off all over again." He boasted, but we all knew the truth, he had nothing to do with Robb´s death. 

"Has he ever cut a head off?" Lord Mooton asked me, and I sighed.

"Aye, the head of cats, birds and prostitutes." I said, and they all looked at me in shock, the prostitutes weren't well known, but Ross and another whore never came out of the Red Keep after heading there for a second time. 

"Is that true?" Lord Jason asked me. 

"Aye, it is. But keep it between you, it's been kept a secret for a reason." I said, and all 3 of them nodded. Understanding the gravity of the situation.

And with that, the small feast continued, until everyone headed off to their own chambers, the wedding would start in a bit, so everyone were expected to be clothed in their finest, but I had to do something else entirely. 

As I entered my office, I found a multitudes of letters awaiting me. 

I knew my limitations and weaknesses, I didn´t have the power the suppress the Vale and the Riverlands all by myself, and it would take centuries for the Vale and the Rivermen to feel as one region, and then my legacy and blood would be rooted deep within the areas.

And so, as such I had to please certain Houses and individuals within the Vale and Riverlands, to keep myself positioned at the top, and as such. I created 2 different councils, the River Council and the Vale Council, all with their own ranks and duties, and they were identical. 

Lord of Ships

Lord of Coin

Lord of Whispers

Lord of Law

Lords Hand 

And I had sent letters to all Houses within the Houses of the Vale and Rivers. 

And let's start with the Vale,

Lord of Ships - Lord Gerold Grafton, Lord of Gulltown

Lord of Coin - Lord Edmund Waxley, Lord of Wickenden

Lord of Whispers - Lord Yohn Royce, Lord of Runestone

Lord of Law - Lord Gillwood Hunter, Lord of Longbow Hall

Lords Hand - Cedric Bracken, Lord of Crossroads Keep, Steward of the Eyrie

I had decided to support of a few minor Lords, namely the Hunters. Additionally the Waxley´s seat, Wickenden was positioned in the Bay of Crabs, and when I opened the route between the western and eastern sea, they would become valuable allies. 

Lastly, my brother Cedric Bracken would be invited to be sure they kept themselves in line, and he ruled from the Eyrie as it stood, without actually ruling the Vale, but he had the power to. But he wouldn't betray me.

And even if he did, his entire guard retinue was mine, so he wouldn't be betraying me for long.

Now, onto the Riverlands Council.

Lord of Ships - Ser Patrek Mallister, Heir to House Mallister.

Lord of Coin - Lord William Mooton, Lord of Maidenpool

Lord of Whispers - Aaron Bracken, Heir to Crossroads Inn

Lord of Law - Lord Karyl Vance, Lord of Wayfarer´s Rest and Atranta

Lords Hand - Lord Jason Mallister, Lord of Seagard. 

In The Riverlands I had employed a different tactic, I already held the autenticity to rule, I just lacked the complete power to supress them and the Vale, so I decided to keep the major houses in power, and especially the Mallisters, whom I planned to form deep bonds with. 

And at the same time, I sought to have information dominance over the 2 regions, my hand in the Vale, and Lord of Information in The Riverlands, and having both regions rely on them. 

However, at that moment, I heard a knock on my door, before Jon spoke up.

"My Lord, a letter." He said, as he walked in, before handing me it. 

The letter itself was just secured by wax, but without any sigil or signal of where it came from, and as I opened it, the letter spelled simply.

"I have found what you're looking for, I am awaiting your arrival" Was all it said, and I couldn´t help but smile. Finally. 

______________

patreon.com/pondsfyre

Captain Vaughn: +10 Chapters

House Bracken: +12 Chapters

Thalron Veridian: 20+