Aldric knew that when dealing with the petty lords of Westeros, humble diplomacy was a language of the weak. They understood only the weight of silver and the edge of a blade.
"Ser Charles," Aldric began, leaning back in the heavy oak chair of the solar. "What support exactly do you seek? And what is the price you are prepared to pay?"
Charles Costa leaned forward, his eyes searching Aldric's face. "Commander Aldric... I heard you were once a sellsword under the Young Wolf. Is that true?"
The change in address—from Lightbringer to Commander—was a deliberate jab. It was a reminder that Charles knew Aldric's origins as a common mercenary. He was signaling that while the peasants might worship a savior, the knight saw only a man with a price.
Aldric didn't flinch. He nodded easily. "I served Robb Stark. I was at the Whispering Wood, at Riverrun, and at Oxcross. I led the van and mended the broken. But how did you hear of this? You weren't at those battles."
"A friend," Charles explained. "He served in the siege of Riverrun before Ser Edmure released his levies. He returned home to find his strength hollowed out and his lands vulnerable. He is desperate for protection. If we were to offer him a military alliance, the returns would be... significant."
Aldric smirked. "You want to be my intermediary, then?"
"In a manner of speaking," Charles replied. "The Golden Dawn is a lethal force, and your mastery of the Light is a miracle. To hide such power in a crumbling monastery is a waste. I can introduce you to the lords of the western shore. If you support my claim as the leader of a regional league, I will collect an annual tribute from each house for our protection. I am willing to grant you half of all we collect."
Aldric shook his head. "Fifty-fifty is a poor trade for the men who do the bleeding. Seven parts to the Dawn, three to the Costas."
Charles bristled. "Seven parts? I am the one risking my reputation and providing the connections!"
"And I am the one providing the lives," Aldric countered. "The worth of a man is the highest currency."
After a grueling hour of haggling, they settled on a sixty-forty split in Aldric's favor. But Aldric added a condition: any soldiers provided by House Costa would be integrated into the Golden Dawn's ranks for training and command.
"If my men hold the line while yours watch from the walls, it is not a partnership—it is a hireling's contract," Aldric said firmly. "In that case, you pay a flat fee for our blood, and we keep everything else."
Charles accepted the terms with a hidden glee. As a landed knight, he was essentially a low-level officer. In his homeland's history, he would have been a sergeant or a centurion. He was used to his men being grouped with other levies under a high lord's commander. Aldric's men were worth four times any common levy; Charles was more than willing to trade "command" for such elite support.
He wasn't worried about his men being "stolen." So long as their wives and children lived within the Costa walls, their loyalty was anchored by blood and soil.
The pact was sealed with a handshake. It was agreed that when Aldric departed, he would take fifty of Costa's finest youths back to the monastery for training. In return, Aldric would send ten Sunwalkers to the Costa lands to act as healers for the smallfolk.
After Aldric was escorted to his guest quarters, Charles turned to his eldest son, Will. "Will, do you wish to join the training at the monastery?"
Will looked hesitant. "If it is your command, Father."
"It is an opportunity," Charles mused. "But perhaps your brother, Torlin, should go instead. He is a man grown now. If our house could produce its own Sunwalker, our future would be carved in stone."
Will frowned. "Torlin? He has no piety. I heard him mocking the High Septon in the kitchens. He told a jest about the High Septon visiting Oldtown and being 'surprised' to find brothels there. If he insults the monks at St. Maur's, it could ruin everything."
Charles laughed. "A fine jest. I'll keep that one. But no, Will—don't be naive. Do you truly think Aldric and that monk, John, are true believers? They are heretics worshiping a foreign god called Anshe. The High Septon would burn them if he had the strength.
"The Golden Dawn is a band of outlaws who have seized a holy site. Once the war ends and the King looks south, they will be swept away like dust. But their magic is real. Until the Iron Throne crushes them, we will squeeze every drop of value from them for the glory of House Costa."
Will understood then. "We use their strength to unite the other lords, giving us leverage when a new Master of Harrenhal arrives."
"Exactly," Charles said. "But we must be careful. I'll send Torlin. It's better to risk a second son as a hostage than a first. It's time the boy earned his keep."
In the guest wing, Aldric was briefing Edrick. "Go out and have the brothers check the smallfolk in the courtyard. Heal the sick, bind the wounds. If you hear them talk about how the Costas treat them, remember it—but do not ask. I don't want to bring the Lord's wrath down on them yet."
"Understood, Lightbringer," Edrick said, but he paused at the door. "I don't like this alliance. It feels like a bad trade."
Aldric laughed. "I don't make bad trades, Edrick. Charles thinks he is using my steel to buy his influence. He doesn't realize I am using his influence to plant my seeds. When the Word of Anshe takes root in the hearts of his soldiers, we will see who they truly follow when the sun rises."
Power came from violence, but violence was directed by belief. Aldric held the ultimate authority over the Word. He wasn't worried about losing.
That night, Charles hosted a feast. Two sheep were slaughtered, and fresh black bread was served with casks of ale. It was a simple but heavy meal that left the warriors satisfied.
The next morning, Aldric departed. Charles, now the picture of a gracious ally, escorted them with a full guard to the border.
As the Costa manor faded into the distance, Aldric looked at Edrick. "Did the brothers hear anything last night?"
Edrick shook his head. "Nothing. The smallfolk are terrified, Aldric. They are cautious and silent. They wouldn't say a word against their Lord."
Aldric nodded. "Understandable. It's their home. But don't worry—the Sun shines on everything eventually. Truth cannot stay hidden in the dark forever."
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