Chapter 74: Gold
(Drakken's POV)
"Hm...." I said as I stood at the entrance of the cavern, "Is this it?"
I was looking at the entirety of the cavern, gold veins were seen all around. The sunlight that shone through the crevices reflected off the golden walls and ceilings, a bright light shining off the metal. The cavern was indeed massive, large enough to fit at least four Cannibals. And The Cannibal is not a small dragon either, he was quite large.
This made sense why House Lannister was one of the wealthiest Houses in Westeros, their Gold. I have heard that most of the Westerlands and their Houses were wealthy due to the abundance of gold in their mines. How fortunate that the founders of their Houses were to find the Gold back in the old days.
"Yes." Tyland said as he looked at me, "This is merely the entrance of the mines, these veins are nearly depleted but there are more the deeper you go in."
I crossed my arms, "Interesting." I said, "This is what makes you and your House wealthy, hm?"
"You could say that." He said
"And Gold buys anything, huh?" I said as I tilted my head, "It is a lot of gold.....it will do. I want these veins depleted and half of the next set."
"Pardon?" He said, "I don't see...."
I looked at him, "Is that a problem?"
He gulped, "My Lord....I was thinking of offering half of the depleted veins....but..." He said, "All of this and half of the next set is...too much...."
I walked closer to him, "300 of my Duskguard is too much." I said seriously, "And yet that is how much you are going to get, Blessed and all....strong enough to defeat any army. And your son touching my Maegelle was too much, yet I spared your House."
He frowned, "Well...."
"Worry not." I told him, "That is how much Gold I require. There will be a generous return. After I do what I plan to do, you can wait at least two months until I pay you back an entire vein's worth. More if I feel generous....twice if your daughters satisfy me."
He looked at me with a confused look, "I don't understand..."
"You don't need to." I told him, "Deplete this vein and half of the next set." I said, "Those are my terms. Prepare your girls for traveling, I will return for them after I fly back to Harrenhal. I will send a detachment to pick the gold up. I expect the entirety of what I demanded for. If not, well I would expect Casterly Rock to be burnt down."
There was a slight pause, Tyland Lannister looked at me with a serious look. It was as if he was contemplating this deal we were having. It wasn't like he had a choice but he was measuring the benefits from what I wanted.
And it seemed that he was going to trust my judgment.
"Very well." He said, "My son Dalton will be shipped to the Wall....I will have Dara and Daranne ready to travel. I expect a grandchild from you."
"No promises." I said, "You gifted them to House Drakkengard, not me specifically. Having to deal with too many women....it could be a pain."
"Well, I do expect a flourishing relationship or alliance to come from this." He said as he crossed his arms
"Of course, you would....." I said, "You Golden Lions are always so amusing....thinking you can buy your way through anything. I do wonder what benefit the Targaryens would get from marrying off their daughters to you lot."
"We are one of the Great Houses of Westeros." He told me, "There is great benefit."
"If you say so." I said, "But I warn you. Do not forget your place, Lannister. House Tully defied me and I left it in shambles. Lord Tully is still mourning his sons. I don't mind going to the Wall and butchering your son nor do I mind ending your bloodline where it stands. Your daughters might as well be hostages."
"Worry not." He said, "There will be no problems from me."
************
[Harrenhal, A Few Weeks Later]
"Lord Drakken." Jon said as he approached me, "The convoy of gold has arrived. Everything is in there, thousands of pounds worth of it."
I drank from my cup, "Good." I said, "I take it the detachment I sent had arrived at the Westerlands?"
He nodded, "Yes." He said, "Lady Mya is keeping communications open with the Captain."
"That is well." I said as I leaned back, "How are the twins?"
"They have been rather restless." He said, "Especially the energetic one."
"Hm." I said, "Dara."
"That one." He said, "But they are spending time with Maegelle so she does not get lonely. I suppose that is a good thing."
"Yes." I said, "I suppose that is."
"May I ask..." He started, "What is to be done with the gold?"
"We use it to secure a wealthy future for our House." I told him as I stood up, "Call Mya, we have work to do."
"Understood." He said, "Olyver has sent a message from the Tower, there is no progress with this current task."
"Is that so? That stupid three-eyed raven..." I said as I clenched my fist, "As elusive as always....tell him to keep searching...."
"Very well." I said
As I took a step, the door opened and one of the Lannister girls walked in, Dara I believe it was. She was wearing a yellow dress and had her hair tied to a ponytail, wearing her nice gold earrings and necklace.
"Lord Drakken...." She said with a frown, "What boredom there is here in this castle."
"Girl, what business do you have here?" Jon asked, "Lord Drakken is not expecting you."
"It is alright." I told Jon, "Go and resume your duties, Jon."
"As you wish, My Lord." He said before walking away
Dara then walked over to me, "Lord Drakken...." She said as she pressed herself against me, "Why would you not take me?"
I frowned, "What?"
"My Father gave me to you....." She said, "Why would you not have me?"
"I am not interested. It is that simple." I told her, "Your blood has no use to me."
"How crude..." She said, "I am beautiful, am I not? I can provide healthy sons for you...they will be strong...."
"I care not for any of that." I said as I moved her aside, "I have work to do."
"Show me what work you do." She said, "If you are a god, I want to see your work."
"Go with Maegelle." I said, "You'll find it to be better to do that."
"No." She said as she hugged my arm, "I want to stay with you."
"Aren't you clingy...." I said with a frown
"I am a Lannister..." She said, "I get what I want."
"Not in this instance, you do not." I said as I pried myself off her, "But if you insist on seeing what I am about to do....."
"So be it."