Chapter 14: Kingslanding 2
Ahem!...May I speak with the King and the hand of the king? It is a rather embarrassing matter." She said trying to sound courteous.
"You have the nerve!" The queen immediately got outraged.
"I'll allow it." The king said
"My king!" The council said.
"Enough! Unless one of you is the king and another is the hand, leave the room." King Robert said firmly.
They all scampered away soon enough. "Now. What is it you wish to discuss?" Lord Arryn said but Olivia didn't speak and just gave him a set of papers.
"The halls here have ears, literally." Then she turn to the king. "I do not have a way to cure the disease but I do have a way to get rid of the source of the problem. The sewer under the city." Olivia explained calmly.
"Is that why you wanted the others gone?"
"I wanted them gone because they are an eyesore. I have a bad temper and who knows how many positions in the kings council would suddenly be vacant if they are allowed to converse with me?" She leaned forward as if to whisper.
"I am a master of hidden weapons. Well, mostly poisonous ridden weapons so you get the gist."
"Hahaha...but what did you give to my hand?"
"I don't want to say it because there are people hiding behind wall here." She said looking at a certain spot.
"Is that so? How can you tell?" The king raised an eyebrow. "What's in there?" He looked at the carrier.
This is a cooling box you might have heard about it. This one was designed for your trips to carry your refreshing drinks. Inside is a new beverage I created called beer. It's better when it's cold." The men opened the carrier lock and a cool air field the space. It is not a freezer, more like a cooling carrier.
The tightly packed bottles inside are all facing the opening lining up neatly. "What's in there?" Robert is suddenly near her pointing at a small container inside.
"This is a delicacy like pastry but frozen that is why it is on the freezing shelf below. It is made from compressed milk. I call it ice cream. It is very sweet. I thought the royal children might like it."
"You said this entire carrier is my gift? You didn't bring anything for the queen?" He asked amused.
"I did but then she set the Lannister dogs on me, I will not reward her for that." She frowned. The king just laughed.
"You made this cooling carrier, how?" The king asked.
"Its a trade secret." She smiled mischievously. The lord hand walked to a candle and burned the parchment he had given him. Olivia look to him and gestured.
"As you can see where this information was gotten from finding the truth is only a matter of effort for the lord hand." She then took out a gray pill. Unlike her most renowned pills, this one is dull grey seemingly having nothing special.
"This is a truth pill. Once taken it will force whomever drank it to speak nothing but the truth for one hour. Here is a bottle. Go crazy." She said indulgingly. The lord hand didn't even say anything to the king and left.
"I have never seen him that angry before." The king admitted. Olivia turned to him and spoke.
"I want 20 thousand gold dragons as my payment for clearing the stench of the city for you." She said.
"That is a lot of coins. What are you planning to do with it?" Robert doesn't seem fazed by the cost.
"Buy myself a pretty dress." She blinked innocently.
"Where did you get that truth pill?"
"I made it. That is where my pills come from."
"Impressive. But are you not afraid of me? Many young people are afraid of talking to me." Robert asked curious.
"I have a stepmother. She is scary." Olivia said making the king laugh. "Doesn't she give you trouble?" He asked.
"Trouble? I had three broken ribs when I was 5 name days. Sevier stomachache when I was 8 and recently I was covered in rotten flesh all over my body." Olivia explained. She saw the king frown.
"What was Ned doing?" He asked surprised.
"Working, mostly."
"I am sorry you went through that. But you turned out good."
"That is an oversight. There are several men with slowly decaying flesh because of my terrible temper. The things I went through have turned my personality into a disordered mess. Father finally realized but the damage is already done."
"Do you hate her?" The voice has turned soft.
"I pity her." This surprised Robert.
"Because I am not some useless bastard child. One day she will need something from me and I will turn my back on her. The world is always changing, who knows what tomorrow holds?" Olivia said softly.
The king saw the hurt in those eyes that remind him of his great love and wanted to comfort her.
"You could stay here, and become my adopted daughter. I would love to have you stay here." His voice is full of sincerity.
"I would jump at the opportunity had you been a normal man living in a farm or a minor lord someone not worth noting. But if I stayed here, I would probably murder half the kingdom if they annoy me. This place is too busy."
"Besides, just like my own father you are guilty of ignoring your off springs. They don't know your care as a loving father do they?" She looked at him briefly.
"They have their mother."
"That hateful queen? Do you want her to be the only influence your children have in this world?" She asked.
"It's..."
"Complicated. Story of my life."
"I will await your answer for my proposal." She did curtsy as she left.
In the tower of the hand.
"Lord Arryn what is the meaning of this?" Little finger was dragged into the tower of the hand and then bound to a chair like a criminal.
The information said he has a lot of connections with the city guards so Lord Arryn has taken extra precautions. Olivia had been receiving information on each member of the council and she is especially interested in Caitlyn's little friend. Petyr Baelish.
That night Jaime Lannister came to see Olivia unarmed "Look, it was my mistake at that time. Can you please cure them? It is entirely my fault. Please.." The plea in his voice is sincere.
"If your sister orders you to do something to me again what will you do?" Olivia asked. But she can see that Jaime's commitment to his sister is too deep. Her face turned gloomy, the voices in her head saying to kill this pest immediately.
Olivia has had a troubling life in Winterfell, having recovered her last life's memories should have stabilized her mind but she has nightmares most nights about all the terrible beatings she was getting regularly as a bastard of Winterfell.
Then there is her death in that life. It drives her to the brink of madness when she sees people like Caitlyn, like this man who thinks it is okay to do the things his sister tells him to do just because they are Lannisters.
It is not a madness but something close, not to mention her last life was not walk in the park, in fact her juniors were like this, entitled self serving just because of a little talent. She refer to her violent mood swings as a terrible temper but it is so much more.
If she hadn't focus on the many tasks she had in Winterfell, she would have really killed Caitlyn Tully in the most painful way possible.
Seeing another 'noble' who likes to use their position to step on others for no reason makes her sick. The murderous intent in her eyes boiled over.
"You should get used to the horrible consequences of your family's power. Toughen your stomach Ser Jaime. This is just the beginning." Olivia turned and looked at the guards who got the message and pushed him outside the inn.
"You can not survive in this world if you go against the Lannisters. My father..."
"I know who your father is. You are passed marriage age now Ser Jaime, when will you stop fucking your own sister and go home already?" She tilted her head.
Jaime seem flustered by this question but soon schooled his expression and smirked. "Have you set your sight of being the lady of Casterly rock?" Olivia laughed beautifully dazing the people around her.
This sudden change in mood is really comical.
"Tell me Ser Jaime, what would happen if your father were to fall? How many enemies would crawl from the shadows to take a bite at you? Without your father, how long would the men that he has subdued with fear in his own lands turn against you? Demand justice for the things he did to secure people's absolute obedience?" She asked smiling as his face becomes distorted.
"Your name means something now but only for as long as your father remains alive. I have at least five minor nobles your father terrorized ruthlessly to cut them down to size so they would be under his absolute control. What do you think these proud people would do to you if he were to perish?" The questions cut deep in Jaime Lannister's heart.
"That is one of the reasons you're hiding here isn't it? You are using staying by your sister's side as a way to hide from who you're to become if you take over Casterly rock. You must have seen it, your future. If you're to run Casterly rock you are to become your father, that terrifies you doesn't it?"
Jaime turned pale. He has always thought this was a secret. Everyone else sees him as a moronic spoiled waste of potential. How did she deduce his innermost feelings with a glance?
"You love your sister but without the power of her home, she is not worth much so if you really loved her, you should have been home hoping to use that power to protect her."
"Why does she need protection? She is queen!"
"You should know better than anyone else why she is in danger after all it is partly your fault. But we are getting off topic. Tell me what would become of you if your daddy were to fall?"
"You keep speaking like you have the power to take my father's life."
"I am just showing you your position. It would be another story If your hateful sister has at least one royal child but hehe...If Robert or your father dies, the walls will crumble and you will be exposed to the rain. It will be even worse if you have no control over your own people. GO HOME...willingly or I will make you go on your back." She gave a ruthless smile and turned around to leave.
She turned to Anna who is the most talented on shadowing. Anna went to her room to change and then came out of the window following Jaime through the night.
When her guards went to sleep she and her now 15 team members put the veterans into a deep sleep. They used the prepared path to transport all of them into a ship and 5 people boarded the ship with them and they all went towards Winterfell.
The city is too dangerous for good men like them to be. Since she is killing people from the Lannisters she will be expecting to find trouble with them soon enough. This is why she can not risk their lives here.
In the red keep Jaime went to see the men who are screaming while Cersei and the Maester stood by watching as their bones started showing amidst the creams. She did not turn away from the gruesome sight but watched because this is her fault. These men suffered like this because she had wanted to vent her anger.
One of the men jumped up and lunged for her earning a swift stab to the heart from one of her guards. Cersei's heart jumped in fright and she screamed only to be embraced by the returning Jaime.
Seeing her shaking figure he decided to take her away from here. "Put them out of their misery." He ordered the guards with turning stomachs seeing the human flesh falling off the ground.
When they reached her room she is in no condition to hear anything and fell asleep after sobbing in his arms. Cersei is used to harming others using the power of her house it rarely backfires in such a way. Anna did not leave and waited till the next morning when she woke up and Jaime told her what happened.
Her face morphed into a hideous snarl. "That bitch is out of her mind! You are not going. Instead, she is the one who will die here. Make it the same way her grandfather and uncle died here all those years ago." She commanded making Jaime sigh.
"That girl is terrifyingly smart she has probably anticipated that you will want her dead." he advised.
"Then kill all of her men. Make them suffer while she watch and then have her be a plaything for our men." She ordered ruthlessly.
"Cersei...this.." He became uncomfortable. His sister saw this and sneered scornfully.
"Do you feel sympathy for her? What about all our men whose flesh was melted from their bones? Don't you feel sympathy for them? You are a soldier, just think of it as following an order. I need this done Jaime." She said sternly. Looking at her like this, he knows she is angry at being bested.
"You are still hesitating? Then you should do as she said and go home, but don't think about coming back and you will never see our children again." She declared and he knew she means it. Sighing again, he got out of bed and left.
Anna went to report to Olivia who just smirked. She turned to the 15 men and women of her strengthened small army. She has full confidence they can handle what's coming. It's a shame the veterans are not here.
Over time, Olivia, Chubby Faith and Anna have brought over 312 crippled and old veterans who fought and retired over the years but still wish to fight another day, she gave them her rejuvenating soup and healing pills. And because of her strengthening pills and cleansing potions they are very strong.
She couldn't have them openly in the tower like the 72 recruits because then everyone would know that she has bone regeneration medicine which which make her life very difficult. She sent them on the islands across the narrow seas for recruiting man power for her next project which will take years.
She needs a lot of man power for her next project which is why she sent them to buy many cheap soldier slaves who were trained to fight from young so she will use her medicine to turn them into strong warriors. What she needs is a solid foundation of training.
This morning was destined to be full of unrest in Kings landing. Little finger is dragged into the dungeons with three legs wasted and a shattered arm. His body has many bruises which are bleeding. He groans in pain because his jaw has been broken and missing many teeth.
Lord Arryn is livid but most importantly his pride is wounded beyond belief. "You have come so early in the morning. Am I to be silenced as well?" Olivia yawned carelessly.
"Who else knows?" He growls.
"They probably all know but the one man whom you already suspect is aware, he is. He knows it all."
"Did you tell me everything?" He narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know. Did I?" She looked at him sharply.
Noticing the tension he softened his voice. "I want you to keep it a secret for me."
"You have my word but can you do me a favor in
return?"
"Yes." He agreed.
"I want my stepmother to know you heard it from when you are ready to share it. Deal?" She asked. Lord Arryn is taken aback by her words but he agrees.
"You have medicine. Can you cure someone who is barren?" He asked.
"I can. But can you be sure it's your seed?" She asked calmly. She saw a ruthless light in his old eyes.
"I will make sure."
"Then I can help you turn her into a blooming garden. It won't take too much work for it to take. How about twins?" She smiled and went into her room.
"Dissolve the pill into water and have her drink every sip. Don't mix it with alcohol." She warned.
"What happens then?" He asks in alarm.
"Nothing. It's not recommended. That will be 8000 gold coins." She said blinking.
"After how long does it work?"
"After drinking it will take a few hours to work on the body depending on the damage. This is to help you with vigor. It doesn't have side effects and it will last for as long as you live. That will be 500 gold coins." She smiled at his stiffening expression.
"Your coins will come soon." He turned and left.
"I hope you like the gift I prepared for you stepmother. Hehe.."
Lord Arryn sent for his wife. The king told his council of what Olivia said and they were all indignant but after retrieving the stolen money from little finger and the rest which is on the way, the crown is even able to pay one million gold coins to the Lannisters.
The money is paid but she told them to send it to the iron bank into her account because she is afraid the Lannisters will go after her and take away her money. Two days went by while Olivia is just relaxing in Kings Landing but little did anyone know that she is using wood to transport small bombs wrapped in paper to standby near various points of entry to the city sewer.
"The hand of the king just asked me to buy all the 'establishments' belongings to the master of coin. Did you finally use the information we had gathered with the girls?" Emma asked with a happy expression.
"Did you agree?"
"Yes. I will be owning a substantial amount of businesses. I have so much work to do..." She sighed exaggeratedly.
"You love it."
"I do." She left happily not even waiting for her to answer the question.
A week went by quietly but Olivia is not in a hurry. She received a letter saying the ship arrived and the men are pissed, but safe. The money finally made it to her account and she received an updated document of her deposited amount and the current remaining balance of her account with the bank.
She went to work sending her leaves to cut open the powder bombs in each place with the sewer under the city. Two days later the stink in the city disappeared gradually. When the alchemist went to check the status of the sewer they found it empty as if all the poop melted away over night.
"Good, you have delivered on your promise Olivia Snow. This King thanks you." The king said with a loud voice. This time the entire council is present. Olivia bowed and wanted to say her goodbyes but the queen interjected.
"You are in the presence of your king, kneel peasant." She said spitefully.
"I am still growing. If I kneel my knees will grow crocked." She said bored. The throne room became silent for a few moment until the king busted out in a loud and cheerful laughter.
The tension a while ago made everyone hold their breath. Seeing the king laughing as always made them try to hold their own smiles.
"If I may, Your grace I have a question for the Northern Snow, does the young lady have any plans to extend her free clinic down south?" Pycelle asked somewhat agitated.
Olivia smiled at the old man and delivered a resounding NO before bidding farewell to everyone.
She knew that if the twins wanted to act it will have to be tonight.