Chapter 112: The Order and the Arrival
King's Landing had begun to learn fear.
Or perhaps it had finally begun to learn what peace truly was.
With men trained by the Demonwolf, the two often came hand in hand. Peace in the city did not mean songs and smiles. It meant no riots in the streets, no drunken brawls growing into bloodshed, no crowds gathering to test the patience of the gold cloaks. It meant order, and order had teeth.
The fear that Ethan brought was not the grand sort that came with armies at the gates. It was quieter, sharper, and far more useful.
Ethan had taken the city by the throat and would not let go.
He had been given a mission by his lord, and he meant to carry it out, even if it required blood of many.
The first night had been the worst.
Men drunk on ale and bad judgment had tried to spark a riot near the Street of Steel, shouting over coin, over food, over the gold cloaks, over gods knew what else. Petty men. Men unused to order. Men who had forgotten that King's Landing was not their own village where fools could shout and be rewarded for it.
But Ethan had come with the Winter Guards newly folded into the City Watch, and he had begun to teach them what sort of city this would now be.
By the time the noise had swelled into something dangerous, Ethan had already moved.
He had not stood upon a platform calling for calm. He had not begged for peace. He did not believe peace came from words. It came from consequences.
So he gave them consequences.
Men who had meant to start riots found their throats opened in the dark. Others found steel in their bellies before they could lift a hand. The killings did not stop after the first night. Nor the second. Nor the third. Night by night, the disorder was broken, and the men of King's Landing began to understand the answer was always too swift and brutal if they chose the wrong path.
Soon enough, they stopped trying.
Some said Ethan was savage.
Others said he was cruel.
A few said he was exactly what the city needed.
Artos heard of each incident as it happened, and each time he said little. Several lords and men came to complain of the harshness, of the fear spreading among the commons, of the way the city now watched the gold cloaks as if they were wolves.
Artos did not let any of it trouble him.
He had no patience for that sort of complaint.
If men wished to live in peace, they could learn to live under discipline.
Days passed in that way. Fear and order.
Threat and silence. And slowly, people began to speak of the One-Eyed Stark with a different kind of respect.
Ethan stood before him one evening and gave his report.
"My lord," he said, "the unrest in King's Landing is nearly ended. There are still a few matters, but we are handling them. The city is under control. I promise you, there will be no disorder during the Hand's Tourney."
Artos looked at him and smiled.
"Good work, Ethan."
That smile did more to Ethan than any praise spoken by lesser men. In his training, he had seen the worst of Artos. He had learned under a hard hand, and he knew the sort of man his lord could be when the world pressed too closely. But seeing that smile now was the brightest moment of his life. It felt, for one brief instant, like he had finally done something worthy enough to please the man who had shaped him.
Then, with a slow inward breath, he pushed the feeling aside.
There was still bad news to give.
"My lord," he said carefully, "there is more."
Artos's good eye sharpened. "Speak."
"Many of the ranked officers in the City Watch have been compromised," Ethan said. "They have been taking gold. Their loyalty is not to the Crown, but to the men who fill their purses."
To Ethan's surprise, Artos's smile did not fade.
Instead, it widened.
"Good."
Ethan blinked. "My lord?"
"That is not bad news," Artos said. "It is useful news."
Ethan frowned. "I do not understand."
Artos leaned back slightly, his fingers drumming once against the arm of his chair.
"It confirms what I have suspected for some time. I have long believed Littlefinger has been stealing from the Crown. I had my Bravosi men examine the books, and Manderly men as well. The trail is tangled on purpose. Whoever arranged it knew how to hide coin well enough that unraveling it would take time. Years even."
Ethan listened without interrupting.
Artos went on, his voice lower now.
"When I began looking for whores for our King outside Littlefinger's establishments, I learned something else. The City Watch has been quietly protecting some of his establishments. They have been helping collect taxes, too, though not for the Crown. It could be Baelish. It could be men like Tywin Lannister. It could be that old Hag Olenna Tyrell. Gods know how many hands are in it. But Littlefinger is the key."
Ethan nodded slowly. "Then this is good news indeed."
"It is," Artos said. "It means the chain is beginning to show itself."
He studied Ethan a moment, then continued.
"I taught you politics, but not enough of the game itself. North politics is simple. We do not bullshit each other much. Even the Manderlys play in our favor. The Dreadfort is the exception."
Ethan's expression hardened slightly. "The Boltons."and continued" That's why you specifically isolated them from all the trade bloom in North and Routes that North is currently enjoying. While every other House in North loyal to Starks got stronger and richer . They are stagnant because of the isolation you put on them with the help of Manderly's."
"Aye," Artos said. " When the Greyjoy Rebellion happened,After that I wanted to wipe them from the North entirely, but Ned and Benjen talked me out of it."
A faint, bitter amusement touched his mouth.
"They are Good men more than I. But even a bad wolf has its use. It reminds others not to grow too comfortable. I have been doing that for my brother for years. I am quite good at it. Natural even."
Ethan understood that. He had been taught to understand it.
Artos continued, "After the tourney, we will gather enough evidence to move against Littlefinger. But more important than his lies is the coin. I want the coind that he has stolen from the Crown."
Ethan nodded. "And when he is gone?"
Artos smiled, and it was not a kind smile.
"Then we replace him."
"With someone fromManderly? That would be a good choice, My Lord" Ethan asked.
"That would be the sensible choice," Artos said. "Trustworthy. Competent. Loyal. But I cannot fill every seat with Northmen, no matter how much I might like to. This is a game, Ethan. One we must play for a long time, and eventually win."
He allowed the words to settle.
"I already have someone in mind. A controversial choice, perhaps. But a useful one. Would piss off many I don't like."
Ethan saw the look in his lord's face and smiled faintly. He knows Artos loved playing that game . A game of thrones.
The game was still going.
Ethan reported the next things " Lord Jon has reported in the letter about a army of Wildlings, he said they are united under a King. They call him King beyond the Wall. Mance Rayder is his name."
Artos sighs listening to this. " Another War, I thought my Dream would finally be true after this , The North Population is on rise with better resources and easier access to grains from Reach. New generation has more numbers than ever. Ned and Benji done a lot of work in increasing North Population. But these wars will put my plan behind 10 to 15 years more. Already news from Essos , now this. Although we are prepared but too many unpredictable things are happening. Robbert is right A war is coming, Whether we like it or not " Artos said contemplating.
Ethan nodded seriously already knowing news from Essos and Now this . The situation is more serious than ever.
Artos continued" Well, with the help of Winter Guards Jon will handle them. I believe in the kid. He is my blood he will do good. Let him handle it under his command."
Ethan also agreed after all he has seen Jon and also trained him a bit. He knows what Jon is capable of.
Ethan reported another thing at last." My Lord, a letter and a rider came . Lord Robb with all other men are coming to King's Landing and would arrive tomorrow morning."
Artos nodded" Finally some Normal news. Good, i will receive them myself."
Ethan nodded and finally takes his leave to do his other duties.
Next day
Robb, Loras, Margaery, Bjorn, and Wylla arrived at King's Landing.
Artos came out himself to receive them.
Robb was the first through the gates of the Red Keep, and Artos stepped forward at once to pull him into a brief embrace. He held him for only a moment before drawing back and studying him with a practiced eye.
"You are beginning to look more like your father every day," he said, then added with a faint smirk, "though perhaps a good deal more handsome."
Robb gave a short laugh. "Then I am glad then."
Loras stood beside Robb in fine posture, looking every inch the knight he had been trained to become. Artos turned to him at once.
"So, Ser Loras Tyrell," he said, smiling with a trace of mischief, "are you ready for the joust? I will expect you to win the tourney."
Loras's face lit with immediate, earnest pride. "It would be my honor, my lord. I shall do my utmost not to disappoint you."
That made Artos smile in spite of himself. The Boy has made himself in the good Graces of the One Eyed Stark. Even good enough to Artos that he Trained him in Combat and Jousting . Artos saw the boy relentless enough and talented ofcourse.
Bjorn followed, larger than most men in the party and carrying himself like a storm that had learned to speak. He did not grin much, but he did bow his head to Artos with proper respect.
Artos studied him a moment longer than the others.
Bjorn had grown into his bones. Broad.
Hard. Restless. There was Skagos in him, and there was Stark in him, and those two things together made a man dangerous even before he picked up a weapon. But most dangerous Artos saw in him was the Younger Version of himself in him. The Young DemonWolf.
"White Harbor treated you well," Artos said.
Bjorn grunted. "Aye, it was something. They take good care of me. "
Artos's mouth twitched. "Then you should thank them properly."
Wylla, standing close by, gave him a calm look that was far too composed for a girl her age. She had the Manderly face, and the Manderly stillness, and Artos found himself liking it more than he expected.
" Wylla, Take care of my Boy. He is a bit clueless but a Good man." Artos said embarrassing Bjorn who is red faced now.
"Ofcourse, My Lord" Wylla said smiling already knowing the Jape ans intentions of Artos
Artos's good eye flicked back to Bjorn, whose embarrassment only deepened. The sight pleased him more than it should have.
Margaery, meanwhile, curtsied with the same polished grace she had likely used on a hundred noble courts and a hundred more people eager to be charmed by it.
"My lord Hand," she said sweetly.
" Margaery, You don't need to be so formal. We are family now." Artos replied. "Welcome to the capital. "
Her smile sharpened a little. "Thanks Uncle Artos."
Robb looked between them, amused despite himself.
Artos noticed and gave him a dry look.
"I see you have brought your Lady."
Robb smirked. "I thought it wise."
"Aye, Wise Men live Happy, knowing thier Lady is satisfied." Artos said.
He led them in at once, with guards closing behind them and the city left to its own noise outside
...
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