Chapter 52: Pit
The man to win the contest with the second person having the kills of 10 deaths of whites is a man they call Falcon, he is tall strong and a bushy brown beard. He will be Olivia's grand duke.
The crowd mummers hearing this but the man walked and knelt in front of Olivia. Even on one knee he is a massive figure.
"May I pass the noble title for something else your grace?" Olivia saw his eyes burn with a bright light of ambition.
"Oh? What would you like in exchange?" She asked lightly ready to refuse if he asks for too much.
"Three hundred ships and five thousand gold coins. I want to become a ship master and spend the last half of my life in the open sea." He swallowed wishing with all his heart that she would agree. Olivia is taken by surprise at his request. An adventurous heart. She smiled at the man thinking about Arya.
"Alright then. For the hero, I will double your amount. I wish you good fortune. But how should you sail the ships by yourself?" She asked before he can celebrate.
"I will take one first and then come back for the others when I acquire a crew and supplies." He said in excitement.
"I wish you good fortune." She smiled as he ran out of the throne room excited to get started. "Go to the yellow castle when you are ready." She shook her head in amusement.
"Number two is a bracelet with this sign. Hand it over and let me inspect it well." She is surprised when Amon walks up and hands his bracelet to her.
"Grand Duke huh? Congratulations." Olivia smiled brightly. Amon didn't smile, in fact he doesn't look happy at all.
"What's wrong?" Olivia sensed his mood.
"Number two. It is not number one." Amon said lightly. Yes, Amon has always strived for perfection even on his training. It is the reason she only has eight guardians till date.
"You had stopped competing once you realized I was in need of guardians at that time otherwise who knows how many whites would have died in your hands?" She comforted and it is not just her, she can see everyone agreeing with her on this. Amon has always been too harsh on himself this is why Olivia trust him to make a fine grand duke. She can not lose such a fine noble just because he is stubborn.
"Three generations from now, your descendants will be high nobles in my empire. Your family will be second only to mine and I have only just began building my empire. Take the title Amon. Be my right hand and let your bloodline swear loyalty to mine." She said gently. His face softens when he heard her words. With a look of determination he knelt and accepted the badge with and empty crest for him to fill it with his chosen family crest.
He rise as a grand duke of the flame kingdom soon to be 'empire' but for now it will remain a kingdom at least until her official coronation where she will bestow the Dukedom title's again and by then they would have chosen their family sigils.
A round of applause sounded in the throne room. "Number three and four are two dukes of the flame kingdom. Come over with these signs." She projected the two rune signs in the air using a projection spell.
Gin and Caine approached her with their bracelets. "Congratulations and I expect big things from the two of you." She smiled and hugged Gin after giving them their empty Dukedom family crests. No hug for Caine who just laughed in amusement.
"Yeahhhh!"
A celebration took place where everyone congratulated the new high lords. They will need to choose at least five minor lords to serve under them. It is a good thing they are commanding generals of a large part of the kingdoms army.
This is basically a place for them to choose their minor lords. Olivia has cautioned them that it is a place where they must choose wisely. She didn't spend much time in the celebration because she had a meeting in the morning with the council members.
....
Olivia looked at the members of her council in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"My queen, the Lannister family is now restraining common people from approaching the recruitment ships that we dispatched throughout the seven kingdoms." Vince as someone directly responsible for this task is visibly annoyed.
"Why is this happening?" Olivia asked curious. She was thinking of going to cleans her kingdom of all the death aura making the place unable to grow much food, even flowers die quickly here. Sighing, she turned to Bellamy who is usually calm and able to match the wits of many schemers.
"What do you think she wants?" Olivia asked her mentor.
"She thinks you are desperate for men power and wants to ask you for something in return for allowing her people to migrate." He answered her without hesitation.
"Is she right? Are we desperate?" Olivia frowned. This feeling if someone holding you back is not delightful.
"Half a million. That's the number of kings landing population. Half of which are either dying or dead because of the wars of five kings. We will save many people if we can take them away from that awful place." Vince said words full of compassion.
"Put away that bleeding heart and tell me clearly. Do we need people from that city or we can make up the numbers from the other kingdoms?" Olivia said in a bored tone.
She didn't start an entire kingdom just to become a savior of the poor and needy. Her words made people around the table chuckle in amusement.
"My queen please understand that a while a go I was one of these people left for dead by my uncaring lord. I just sympathize with them." Vince became flustered.
"Sympathy is appropriate but Vince, I only have compassion for my people. If I started caring about what is happening to the rest of the world I will have to take over and rule everything under the sun." This time she spoke with a serious tone making them all understand that she is not to be used as a means for them to further their own needs to save, conquer or any other ideas they might have.
"May I interject?" Bree asked her queen politely and upon receiving a nod she continued.
"Of the seven kingdoms is the Vale which was not affected by the wars, the Reach is allied with Cersei and are stopping their people from boarding the ships. This is a significant loss because the Reach is one of the most populated kingdoms. We are going to expand the kingdom outward with a new map and all the nobles domain. We need the man power and our kingdom can afford it but we are being blocked."
"To answer your question my queen, kings landing is not enough to require your intervention but coupled with the Reach, it is another story entirely." Bree said in a formal tone.
"I see, why not send someone to negotiate?" She asked and saw Bree show a helpless smile. Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Well? What is it?"
"She said she wants you to come in person. I suspect she wants you to heal her brother and the Tyrells have that cripple heir. They must have heard of your healing abilities or the medicine you refuse to sell." Bree explained.
Olivia groaned in annoyance. "Ready a ship and my guardians for me. Send a letter stating my arrival in kings landing three days later." She stopped to think.
"Did we decide on a royal sigil?"
"It is a burning tree, a simple white flame or a snow."
"Stick with the white flame. The burning tree will make people think we harm trees in our kingdom. A simple flame is okay. We are a snow flame kingdom. Emphasis of the flame." Olivia decided.
The council members are released a sigh of relief. In fact, they all wish for their queen to get out and make connections for the kingdom. Although many think Olivia doesn't look kindly to the south. The truth is most of them are foreigners and others are low born those people will never listen to them.
With this end to the meeting, Olivia spent these few days playing with Rogo.
"No?"
Olivia sked her son who doesn't want to wear a fluffy looking overall designed as a bear, complete with bear ears.
"No." He said with his baby voice sounding very serious. His cute face scrunched up in a disgusted scrawl.
"Not even for mommy?" Olivia blinked. Rogo hesitated but after looking at the cotton made bear outfit shook his head decisively. Olivia didn't know whether to be impressed or saddened.
"Momma Morby..." Olivia smiled at his broken name for Morph.
"She went to the Red lands to deter some bold slavers and to help make a massive wall around the red lands." Olivia is going to surround her kingdoms with great walls especially since she is planning on turning both places into paradise with her new powers of nature.
The north maybe secure but it may require her to work with the south which is not something she wants to happen. Being forced into some kind of marriage to secure armies against hordes of invading armies that will be attacking after they find out she has turned the land into the most fertile of lands.
The Red lands on the other hand is going to be besieged as soon as a grain of rice is grown there because of just how greedy and vile the leaders of the islands across the narrow seas are. They will want to take her lands, divide it and enslave all her people.
To avoid this she sent her dragons to use magic and construct a great structure that will make all the people admit that she is the great builder and healer of the world. They will all be shocked when they realize what she has built in a previously desolate place.
"May we come in?" She heard a whisper from outside the gate.
"Sure, come on in." A while later three little green people came into her balcony. They don't like appearing in front of humans so they would just appear here but Olivia scolded them for being ill mannered last time.
"Greetings, my sincerest sympathy for your loss." Olivia remembers they suffers a lot of casualties in the battle.
"Thank you. We won't take too much of your time, there's something we would like to discuss with you about these lands." This made Olivia put her guard Up.
"Ah yes, you were here first I remember. Is there something of the matter?" Olivia invited them to sit down.
"Long time ago this place was full of life with plants in every part of the lands which earned us many enemies from the 'other' species in the far west. They stopped coming when the night king contaminated this place with his breath." The new leader of the children of the forest said.
"You mean now that there is no night king they will set their eyes this way again?"
"What sort of species are these?" Olivia's heart skipped a bit.
"It is basically just normal animals but with intelligence and massive body size. Because of their massive size they would occasionally run out of recourses and would want to come this way. However, few remained after a time because of their constant fighting only a few kings remained and even fewer followers but the decline in magic didn't help things as well. They stopped growing stronger and started declining."
"I am grateful that you have made me aware of this information. So tell me something about them. Can they speak? Whose more powerful? My dragons or them?"
"Only those who have awakened can speak but they would always have a massive army of followers. It is my understanding that you already have an awakener here besides your dragons?"
"Ice snake."
"Right, but it is important to be on guard. If your pet was able to awaken then more and more will be awakening all over the world now that magic is back and so are the other world energies which allows for beasts to awaken." Olivia's eyes widened as she had forgotten that she could feel the spiritual power also gradually rising with the return of magic. But she had given specially made pills to Lola so there is no chance if someone making them out there.
"Thank you. This makes things very complicated indeed but may I ask why there are no records of these 'beasts' with the records of the Andals?" Olivia asked.
"Powerful humans used to tame beasts to help them fight them and us but I thought it was why they always carry around flags with animals on them. I know the Starks used wolves." It must have been such a long time all records were lost if they were even made in the first place.
"This information is very valuable. A little late and I would lose my new found kingdom with all the lives here. Is there something you need from me?" Olivia is not naïve enough to think this is free information.
The woman smiled or did what passed as a smile. "A few things actually. Can you help us shape the clothes like you did with your armor? Can you use your magic to make more forests further away from humans? The last thing we will discuss at a later date."
"Okay. I will give you the the tools to shape them. You can learn to do it from the factory. You know how to hide yourselves right?" Olivia took out the tools from the space and handed it to them.
"I will be going south for a while then when I come back the forests will be made but you can't harm humans if they venture there. We will discuss where you want to be stationed later."
"We are not inherently violent." The tone seems to say 'unlike humans'
"You did repeal monsters from your lands before the night king. Did you do it by saying 'please' and 'thank you?' I don't think so. Just don't harm them and I'll make sure you have the most luxurious forest in the world." Olivia called bullshit.
"Agreed."
"The I will see you when I come back from the south and begin cleaning up the night king's overwhelming death aura around here. Only then can I start making lush forests." She said inside wondering why they are not making forests themselves. Have their magic deteriorated that much?
The next days Olivia made a small cabin in her space. She is calling it soul space rather than god space or whatever. It can only be considered a god's head if it is a complete universe which is far from the few acres of land in her space.
She filled the cabin with all the things she has wanted to take with her everywhere since the beginning. All her medical experiment containers and the cooking stove made from warm stone.
Then she filled the new cabinet with wine, vodka, brandy and even simple juice. Her new wardrobe is filled with casual, summer dresses, armor and all her weapons. Then the medicines she has made over the years and kept in stock for her personal use.
She now want to grow her space and plant herbs. The thought of having spirit medicine makes her shiver in excitement. She went to her seamstress and found several simple but elegant dresses she has designed for a simple outing and perhaps hosting a dinner evening gowns with beautiful metal work.
She took them all into her space. Soon it is time to depart. Horry one of her guardians is messing around with the crew as soon as his shift is over while Olivia is close to her guardians she knows they respect her too much to have actual fun while she is around. This is why she took her two maids and assistants with her.
"Anna thinks this one is better. I believe Southerners will take the first impression to heart. It is better to play it safe. People don't know that you don't feel cold, you will come off as needy and an attention starved." Faith said with a caution.
"I will wear this one. I believe it is elegant and simple enough that I look like a queen but still retain my own touch of danger. And I dislike showing my bare back to people."
"Don't forget the the long gloves."
Her outfit is a long pants that have high waist in dark blue color, her top has wide sleeves like the pants but her chest size can not be mistaken. It is big and round, just like her buttocks. This outfit has a warm fabric and beautiful metal work of a white flame on one side and a single metal flame on only one leg of the pants burning from below upwards. The white on blue fabric color is exquisite.
The shoes are the high heels she and a few seamstresses drew up based on her memory. They are not comfortable shoes but when you wear them you feel empowered. This feeling Olivia wanted to share with all her people.
The heel makes an odd sound as she walks into the carriage headed for the city. They had arrived in a luxurious ship with a clear flame on the side and a black gold color. This had been very high profile so the queen regent was made aware of her arrival as soon as her ship was docked.
Cersei called the council meeting in the throne room planning on making Olivia address her daughter who is now queen of the seven kingdoms after both her sons passed.
After Tommen took the throne he was poisoned in his own wedding and the same message on his bed chamber walls as when they had lost Marcella but it said a 'prince for a prince.'
Cersei still suspects Olivia which is why she called her here. Olivia decided to enter straight towards their council meeting. The guards on the door were quickly dispatched and left sleeping on the ground.
Entering, Olivia walked in her heels making a dull sound against the floor. She took a seat near Oberyn who is seated opposite Pycelle. "So, what are we talking about?"
"You have grown up to be a beautiful maiden." Oberyn said next to her with passionate eyes.
"Hello everyone. I sent a letter informing you people of my arrival but It must has slipped your minds. No matter, I am nothing if not magnanimous." Olivia smiled charmingly.
It seems Cersei is adamant on ignoring her but Olivia doesn't care why this woman is acting up, instead she looked around the room. "Where is Tyrion?" She asked because she had been told he was on the council.
"Tyrion disappeared from the cells after he was arrested for poisoning the king." Oberyn said
"Which king?" Olivia showed a clueless expression. That was the last straw Cersei slapped the large table in anger.
"My son! King Tommen, were you buried under a rock that you don't even know this?"
"Lets just say that. I have been occupied and frankly the south has always seem like a pit with all of you always trying to destroy each other." Olivia said lazily.
"If the south is such a pit, why are you here now?"
"Because Cersei wants something from me. I am a well behaved child and came as soon as my elders called." When she said this Oberyn chuckled. No woman would want to be called old.
"Now, Cersei please tell me what you want so I can leave this place as soon as I can."
"Afraid?" Cersei smirked.
"Yes. I am overcome with fear." Her tone didn't change so no one can tell if she is being serious or sarcastic.
"I came here to ask that you and those snakes in the Reach stop preventing people from boarding my ships. I am told it is polite to ask nicely so here I am. Pretty please?" She batted her long white eyelashes.
"You too lady Tyrell." She turned to look at the old woman on the council. The old rose tilted her head probably trying to read her opponent. Olivia has mostly always had a flat expression even to Ned but her beautiful features made it so people do not pay attention to it.
Olenna Tyrell couldn't see through this young woman. She feels like someone who doesn't have a weakness but that is simply not true. "You are the witch of the North? We are all very curious about your identity as the legitimate daughter of Prince Rhaegar and lady Lyanna Stark. Care to elaborate on this?"
Oh? It seems they have somehow obtained this information and that is the real reason she was summoned here. She turned to Oberyn and saw that his earlier amicable expression has now turned hostile.
"Hehe... Is that why I was dragged here from my important work? This nonsense about dead mad men and their delusions? Sigh, I was told that by a person who can see the past and he claims there are records in the citadel."
"I am not responsible for what people did I was just a baby." She groaned.
"We are only interested to know about your plans? Now that you have turned out to not only be a legitimate heir but you have actual dragons. Two dragons at that." The old rose didn't waste time and spoke frankly.
"I have plans many plans." She began but the faces of the people around the table has varying degrees of changes. "But I assure you I have no interest in any Westeros ands below the wall. Not even my childhood home let alone this..." She looked around in disgust "Armpit of society." Every word is dripping with disgust.
"Now can you let the starving dying people move out? I'd hate to lose my temper and do something...crazy." She said and the temperature in the room went down by a few degrees.
"You don't want the iron throne? Why?" Oberyn asked in surprise and to move the topic he is suddenly freezing and he has an idea that she is responsible.
"To rule people you need to at least care about them and wish for their development but honestly I couldn't be bothered with any of you. But if they move to my domain I will take care of them because then they will be my people."
"That's it? You expect us to believe that a bastard suddenly comes to find they are legitimate heir to the throne they decided... meh.. I don't like it. Bullshit!" Jaime who has been standing near his sister spoke with a sarcastic voice. When Olivia turned to him, he flinched but then came back to his senses but many saw that little interaction.
"Have you all been brainwashed into thinking the Iron throne is something everyone desire?" She rolled her eyes.
"The only way for us to believe such a thing is if you bring those beasts to slaughter here for us to see." Cersei said but she found herself up in the air with Olivia's hand around her throat tightening.
The people guarding her rushed to help Cersei but their bodies became heavy and fell on the ground un able to even lift up their hands. Everyone stood up to did not approach the scene because now Olivia's feet are not touching the ground but floating slightly so she can pull Cersei by the throat.
Cersei struggled but nothing helped "You want be to kill my dragons so you can feel secure? Is that how you will negotiate with Daenerys? Kill your children and we can be friends?" She sighed but didn't turn to the others in the room.
Jaime couldn't speak a word Olivia turned to him and tilted her head. Cersei turned blue so Olivia threw her a distance away from the table. Her body crashed on the ground leaving her in an un lady like posture.
"Sigh, Now I'm angry and someone better do something to appease me all you are all not leaving this room." She took out a handkerchief from seemingly out of no where and wiped her hands as if she had touched something foul.
"Well?" She looked at the people around the table, seeing them not moving she released a heavy pressure making them sweat. Then she increased the temperature of each person along with her anger. Oberyn walked to Cersei opened her mouth and cut off her tongue cleanly. The Lannisters on the grounds stirred but they couldn't do anything with the pressure on them.
She suddenly giggled and released everyone from her hold. They all but one gasped and tried getting outside since some had soiled themselves. She smiled brightly at Oberyn and walked out taking her guards with her.
.....