Chapter 18: Interlude I: Growing Strong in Snow
(Tyrell War Camp, Storm's End, Shipbreaker Bay, The Stormlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)
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(Randyl Tarly POV)
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Mace Tyrell had been a mess until the letter came declaring that Lady Olenna and King Barthogan had struck an accord, which meant that The Reach were now Rebels. The King's Letter appointed Randyl to the Position of Master of Laws. An appointment Mace Supported, ha! As if that woman in man's leathers would defy his mother or risk his Wife, Mother, and Sisters safeties! But then that was Tyrell Business and not Tarly Business. It was their lot in life as The Tyrell's Vassals.
And to suggest otherwise would flip the natural order of things on it's head. Still it stuck Randyl's gullet to join the Rebels so quickly after they decimated The Reach, but this was Lady Olenna's command, and anybody who thought it was Mace who ruled The Tyrell's was either a Fool or Lying to themselves.
This position in the new King's Small Council was an opportunity for House Tarly, one Randyl intended to grab with both of his hands.
According to rumors, Brynden Tully is now part of Barthogan's Kingsguard, and Randyl has to suppress the smile coming to his face at his Old Friend receiving that honor in particular. Randyl was a young squire when the War of The Nine Penny King's, he had the honor of fighting with Brynden Tully back then, now they were allies together again. This meant he had a previous relationship to exploit if he needed to.
It would be strange fighting beside men who not three days ago had been his enemies or that he was now fighting under Robert Baratheon who up until now had suffered his only loss against Randyl's Reach Vanguard despite Mace taking the Credit for it for himself and his own personal glory. But something had been bugging Randyl, Barthogan had an excellent Spy Network and he suspected many Loyalists were in fact Loyal to Barthogan, because Barthogan was able to Intercept orders like a Hawk. Even when sending Riders the orders were either stolen, exchanged for fakes, or apparently copied and returned, So why would he not take advantage of this more actively?
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(POV Shift: Olenna Tyrell)
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Barthogan Blackstark was a True Demon. His Eyes despite the traditional Stark Coloring, burned with the type of Fire Conqueror's had. He knew how to annoy her, how to pique her interest, and how to temporarily corral her to his will. He was equal parts Tempter, Monster, Diplomat, and Warrior.
She'd need to tread carefully with him. School her future Granddaughter's to watch themselves around him if and when they made the play for the Throne. Cassandra Baratheon was also by all reports just as ferocious as her brother, husband, and namesake. Barthogan was reputed as a Skilled and Cunning fighter, Robert was seen as a Monstrous Beast on any Battlefield, while her Namesake was known for a sharp tongue not unlike Olenna's own, which had earned her the epithet of The Queen of Thorns.
Barthogan was equal parts charming, intimidating, honorable, ruthless, realistic, and pragmatic. He was a man of many moods, a man who could be seen as the perfect blend of Tywin Lannister, Jaehaerys The Counciliator, Aegon The Conqueror, Daeron The Good, and Cregan Stark. He wasn't completely in it for himself. He might prostrate himself as being in the right and justifying Rebellion on thus scale but Olenna knew and saw better.
Blackstark saw this coming and like a True Demon he not only let it happen but he put himself in a position of Night Absolute strength and certainty that would allow him to reap the Rewards and Spoils.
Barthogan let his Father and Brother die to secure his House's Legacy, it took a special kind of monster to know this stuff was coming and let it happen in order to secure the Future as he saw it.
In The End Olenna only needed to know whether or not his Son's took more after him or their mother. And Which one was the worse outcome....
Weekly Power Status
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