Game of Thrones: Reincarnated

Tywin felt at ease now that the matter of Lucas being summoned to King's Landing had been settled so smoothly. But there was something else gnawing at his mind something he needed to address and talk about.

"Lucas," he began, his voice firm but calm. "There is another matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Yes, Lord Lannister," Lucas replied politely.

"I have heard that twenty ships, carrying almost all of the men you had been training in Metal Town, recently set sail from Lannisport," Tywin said, fixing Lucas with a steady look.

"Yes, Lord Lannister," Lucas confirmed without hesitation, but offered nothing more, forcing Tywin to press further.

"May I ask where they have gone? And why?" Tywin asked, his tone carrying a hint of frustration. "I had always believed you were raising those men to protect your trade caravans and shipping. Yet now, almost all of them have departed at once."

This nephew of his had always been like this far too sharp to be drawn by mere implication of his words. Anyone else might have offered a full explanation unprompted. But Lucas only ever answered precisely what he was asked, forcing Tywin to lay his questions bare. It did not seem much but in a conversation, it decided if your remained on a front foot or a back foot.

"What you assumed was not entirely wrong," Lucas said evenly. "But recently, a business opportunity has arisen one that required me to make this decision."

Tywin's brow twitched. He opened his mouth to press further, but Lucas continued before he could.

"And you need not worry," Lucas said. "It has nothing to do with Westeros. Those men have gone to Essos."

At this, Tywin exhaled quietly in relief. Any major move by Lucas involving two thousand men within the Seven Kingdoms would have caused a stir perhaps even an upheaval. And Tywin had no patience for that now, not while the Lannisters were still clawing their way to secure the throne. He did not want a Lannister name bringing chaos in Westeros. Though this seemed utterly ridiculous, he had, just maybe a faint wish, to see Joffrey sit on the throne while he was still alive. And how he expected to outlive Robert, he did not really have much of an idea.

"And if I am successful in my endeavour," Lucas added, a faint smile curling his lips, "I will gain something very large. House Lannister will, of course, enjoy its share of the spoils."

Then Lucas leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting as he addressed Tywin more personally.

"Uncle," he said, "I know you worry that one day I might drift away from Casterly Rock or worse, become alienated from it."

He held Tywin's gaze and continued. "I assure you, as long as I am not pushed to the wall or forced into something I deeply oppose, I will always keep the interests of Casterly Rock, Lannisport, and by extension the Westerlands secure and protected. My father lives here, who loves both you and this castle. My mother and four siblings make their lives within these walls. I will never ignore that."

Tywin studied him for a long, quiet moment. Then he gave a satisfied nod, feeling both relieved and though he would not say it genuinely pleased. There were all chances of Lucas being the next Lord of Casterly Rock but if a chance and if Jamie inherited the lordship, Tywin needed Lucas to remain loyal.

"And I will inform King's Landing that you will depart…" Tywin began.

"In seven days," Lucas finished for him.

Tywin inclined his head in another approving nod. That was as close to contentment as the Lord of Casterly Rock would show. It was also Lucas' silent cue that he was dismissed.

Lucas rose, offered a respectful bow of the head, and took his leave, leaving Tywin alone to contemplate further on his thoughts.

.

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Olenna Tyrell was a deeply troubled woman. Despite her advanced age, the burdens of her house refused to leave her shoulders. And she still could scarcely believe that Mace Tyrell, a blundering fool and oaf, was truly the son she had borne from her own womb.

In Olenna's view, all men were generally hopeless at politics, suited only to swinging swords and their cocks.

But her son was the worst of the lot. He could not read a room or plot out a single strategy to secure House Tyrell's future.

Unlike House Martell with Elia in forced custody in King's Landing, who at least had a personal reason to side with the Targaryens, the Tyrells had no such cause to throw their lot in with the mad king and his air headed prince.

Even then, when they did support the Targaryen cause, it was a half-hearted affair. Had House Tyrell truly committed itself, perhaps they might have won and the Tyrells could have had a firm hand on the crown to show for it.

Now, in the years following the rebellion, relations between House Tyrell and King Robert's Baratheon dynasty were comfortable, yes but fragile. Their prior loyalty to the Targaryens was not something easily forgotten.

And meanwhile, there loomed House Lannister who had gained the most from the war while risking the least, and who seemed to grow ever stronger with each passing year. They had the queen on their son, the next king would carry their blood and most importantly, Lucas Lannister.

If she could have had such a grandson. But at least her grandson, especially Willas, was better than Mace.

"Grandmother," Willas' voice as he approached her in the garden she had been sitting, snapped Olenna's attention towards his grandson.

"Yes, my dear," she asked.

"We have a news from King's Landing," Willas informed. "The crown has summoned Lucas Lannister to fix the sewage problem of the city."

"Oh!" Olenna mumbled. This seemed to be a heaven sent like opportunity to her. And it seemed that luck was finally turning on their side. Few days ago, Renly Baratheon had agreed to take Loras as his squire. And her third grandson was to travel to King's Landing in few days.

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