Chapter 65

Jaime for his part was doing surprisingly well now that he properly focused on his work, and while you still had to create more of your Knights for your Father, you really couldn't help but gloat about this awesome little Brother of yours, much to Marie's open Annoyance. Which of course made it only harder for you to stop with it as she was absolutely adorable while she failed to fully ignore your Praise, you still didn't know what she had against your little Brother and Sister, but you didn't let that bother you anymore.

Marie could be quite weird from time to time, so it's probably nothing of actual importance with how she was still unwilling to share her Reasons for disliking your Siblings to this very Day. But it once more didn't really bother you, for you were sure that she perfectly understood what you would do to her if those Secrets of hers led to Jaime's harm. You of course remained curious as to why this Girl that got along with apparently everyone couldn't bring herself to befriend your Siblings, but you knew that the Gods could be just as odd as Marie, so you were sure that their reasoning would remain beyond you.

Though what did bother you was that your little Companion actually behaved while you were occupied with reading to your Sister and protecting your Brother, it didn't feel like Marie contained the same Amount of Energy as she did before. Now that you think about it, it's quite obvious what has her so gloomy and dreary most of the time, she was probably seeing the ongoing Conflict in the eastern Westerlands. Santor Castle might have fallen without much Bloodshed, but the same couldn't be said about the Castles and Territories that got your Father's personal Attention.

The War between the Ironborn and the Crown as well as the Raids of the northern Tribes against the Starks were everything considered rather distant and of little importance to your House and thus to the Plans of the Gods. But the Rebellions in the East and thus essentially in the middle of the Realm were another matter entirely, and you could imagine that this greater Attention to the Conflict also meant a passive increase in Visions of your Father's impressively bloody Campaign, you were honestly a bit jealous.

Well, mayhaps Stadley Castle could provide you with the Bloodshed that you sought on this beautiful Campaign, the Santors could be spared seeing as they were once Vassals of House Stadley and had a more than capable Lord. But you were sure that your Father had no Intention of extending such Courtesy to Lord Dainor as well, so the Week promised to become pretty interesting. And that Feeling only grew as you were approached by your gloomily little Oracle an Hour or two before Nightfall on the very same Day, it seems like the good Lord Dainor of Stadley had absolutely no Interest in waiting for his Death till next Week, how amusing.

"So how many Men did they send out against my little Brother, Marie?"

"The first Host that will be blocking the Road is about one hundred Men strong and comes from Stadley Castle under the command of Lord Dainor and his Son, and the second Host that's coming from the East is formed from Mercenaries and is about four hundred Men strong."

"Huh, that's more than I expected them to send so soon, but even then this isn't all that impressive, maybe they still believe that Jaime has only those two hundred Knights with him."

"It would explain why they think that they can block the Road with just one hundred Men and some Barricades I suppose, did you see anything else, Marie?"

"It's only those two Hosts as far as I can tell, Azami, but is there really a Reason to expect even more Troops to come after Jaime if your Father is the one that hangs whole Houses one after another?"

"You're probably right, but what's the Point of being on Guard if you just drop it once you feel safe, I think it's better to make sure that nothing funny will happen, no matter what."

"If it helps you sleep at Night, Azami."

"Yeah, very funny, Marie, since when do I sleep at Night?"

"Sigh, that's enough of that Smile of yours, how are the Arguns doing, Marie?"

"They're still fine, Azami, though Dallin has apparently become a big Brother of Sorts while you dealt with the Rebels."

"Huh, seems like Life is really full of Surprises, how did that even happen in such a short time?"

"Ah that, they built some kind of Siege Weapon together, and they just bonded."

"Was it a proper one or just a Miniature?"

"I almost forgot who I was speaking to, thanks for reminding me, Azami, yes, it was a real one, it should stand somewhere near the western Towers to defend the Docks together with the others of its kind."

"Hmm, thanks for indulging my Curiosity, Marie, is there anything you desire that I could give you as a Reward?"

"A Chest filled with Gold would be quite appreciated."

"Sure, I can get one for you."

"..."

"Do you have any Idea how much that's worth, Azami?"

"Of course I do, but you helped me in my Efforts of keeping Jaime safe, so it's really not all that much to ask for, I think."

"Are you sure that you Lannisters didn't just all lose the Sense used to perceive the Value of Gold?"

"Blood is worth more than Gold, Marie, at least to us Lannisters."

"Sure, but you do understand that those six thousand Gold Coins in that massive Chest are more than enough to buy over twenty million Loafs of Bread, right?"

"..."

"Maybe."

"I knew it, you Lannisters are completely deranged when it comes to Gold."

"That's still only about thirty Suits of Plate, Marie, it's really not that big of a Deal."

"Gods above, why won't she see Reason, this is the kind of Gift that I literally can't accept, Azami."

"Well, what did you plan to do with the smaller Chest of Gold you had envisioned?"

"I just wanted to buy a few Sweets for the less Fortunate Children down in Lannisport."

"Great, then I order you to do just that with nine tenths of the Chest and you will simply take the last tenth as Reward for yourself and whoever you decide helped you out enough with that Order, now off you go, Marie."

"Sigh, as you wish, my Lady."