From Westeros to Essos : The Crusader King

Sailing from the north to the capital was uneventful, and with nothing better to do, Andar spent most of his time reading or sparing with Bronn. The sellsword was a great friend, albeit his loyalty to their gold rather than his honor. But at least, Lady Nyssa was more than able to handle an unruly bastard with a big mouth and an even bigger love for women.

Even now, a few moons after the two met, Andar couldn't help himself but wonder what in the seven hells had Lady Nyssa seen in the sellsword. It wasn't love, that much he could tell, but for some reason unknown to him, the beautiful thirty-year-old ship captain let Bronn shower her with sweet words.

As for Bronn himself… the man still wants to become the lord of a castle and since the Vale has quite a few abandoned ones, well if he's lucky to live long enough, he might just become the lord of one, and who knows, mayhaps he would get to marry a beautiful wife.

Just as he was about to search for the man, an unbearable and almost choking smell hit him. Olds Gods be good, this place smelled like death. Trying his best to breathe through his mouth, Andar prepared himself, after all with the smell so strong over hear close to the port…

The ship docked in the port of King's Landing, and Andar felt glad to finally reunite with Lord Arryn. He had been away for too long but unfortunately, his stay would not be a long one. Leaving Lady Nyssa to deal with the resupply and everything else concerning the crew, Andar, followed by Bronn and a party of ten men wearing black robes with a red cross and one wearing white with a black cross, disembarked from the ship.

As soon as they were on the ground, Andar froze when he saw his father standing beside Lord Arryn waiting for them. It had been six years since he last saw him, and before he could ever say anything, Yohn engulfed him in a tight hug, one that almost made the young knight's eyes moist. "Andar, my son, you have no idea how much I missed you," When he heard his father's words, Andar knew that his old man missed him even more than he did. "You have grown into a fine man, a true Royce of Runestone."

"Father, I… I missed you too," Andar said, struggling to find the words. "I am sorry, I should have… I mean, I wanted to…" He trailed off, feeling awkward and ashamed.

Yohn smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, Andar. I understand. You had your reasons, and I respect them. You are a grown man, and you have your own path to follow. I don't blame you for anything, Andar. But we have to talk about it, as I believe you didn't come from Essos alone without a good reason."

Nodding his head at his father, Andar turned towards the Lord Hand. "Lord Hand, a pleasure seeing you again."

"The pleasure is all mine, lad. It's been a few years since I last seen you or my son, but I believe such matter should be discussed inside the Red Keep."

All of his plans went to hell once that bastard won the fight. Thousands of gold dragons gone down the river and weeks of work, paid goldencloaks and smugglers all for naught now that Jon Arryn's abomination of a son got himself an army.

Just as Baelish turned in bed, the red hair of the woman who was naked in bed with him fell on his chest as she snuggled closer to him, making Petyr sigh before looking down at Lysa Arryn. No matter how many times he slept with her, his heart still yearned for her more beautiful sister, alas that was not possible yet. And while Lysa had her uses, the fact that Yohn's son had come here could only mean trouble for him.

He had to act fast before the boy spilled his secrets to the old fool. He had to find a way to get rid of him, or at least discredit him so that his position would not be at risk. With that in mind, the Master of Coin kissed Lysa softly on the forehead, before whispering in her ear.

"My love, you are the only one I want. But I need you to do something for me, something very important. Something that will make us happy, safe, and powerful. Will you do it for me, my love?"

Lysa opened her eyes and looked at him with a lovestruck expression that made Baelish smile at her. A fool, she was, but a useful one. "Anything, Petyr. Anything for you. Just tell me what to do."

Like many times before, he kissed her again, before explaining to her that while he knew she detested him, Lysa should try as much as she could today to bother Jon so that he would be busy, while he would deal with some troublesome people that would want to harm the baby that was growing inside of her.

While she would hopefully keep the old fool busy, he would try to buy the services of a few sellswords that are in the capital and in special the service of the sellsword that stays close to the heir of Runestone. No one would stop him from getting what he deserves! Not Ned Stark, not Arryn and his spawn, and not even Yohn and his son! Catelyn would be his and with the whole North!

Six long years since he had seen his son and Yohn's son. Six long years of suffering and fear, and thanks to the seven, the boys were safe and sound.

The day he read the letter from his son, was the happiest day in his life, that and the day Lysa was confirmed to be with a child. Even now, Jon could imagine his older son and his soon-to-be-born sister or brother playing. Alas such happy thoughts, were best kept for later.

Strangely enough, his pregnant wife tried, and thank the gods, failed to take him away from Yohn and Andar, for some reason unknown to him yet. Lysa, for all the wrongs he did to her, ever since she got pregnant and this time didn't lose the baby in the first weeks, grew happier and happier by the day, something that he too was happy to see.

While their marriage was a forced one, and since he was an old man already, he felt bad for her, and because of that reason alone, he tried to give her a good life.

Jon then heard Yohn's happy voice calling his name as the father and son duo stopped talking about Andar's time in Essos and instead decided to talk about why had Andar come alone without Konrad to the King's Landing.

"Jon, my old friend, come join us."

Jon nodded and walked over to the table where Yohn and Andar were sitting.

"Once again, Andar, it is good to see you. You have grown into a fine young man. How is my son?"

Andar forced a smile, one that Jon didn't like. "Thank you, Lord Arryn. It is good to see you too. My nephew is well, but he could not come with me. He had to stay in Volantis, to deal with some… issues."

"Issues?" Jon looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Aye, my lord. I take by now everyone had heard about the battle of the Demon Road?"

Both Jon and Yohn nodded, with those little birds that Varys depended upon, the news of the battle arrived quite early compared to other lords' own sources.

"Well, the lord Arryn, father, I think I owe you an explanation. As you already know, the sellsword company: the brothers of the Cross are loyal to my nephew and right now are being led by Ser Tyrek Lannister. Over the years we have kept killing assassins and sellswords that aimed for my nephew's head." Andar paused watching as both his father and Lord Arryn started to grow uneasy with his words. "Most of those people were sent by the same employer. Someone named Littlefinger."

When he said that Yohn almost wanted to shout if not for Jon grabbing his old friend and forcing him back on his chair.

"Judging by how my father reacted, I think you know someone using that name, am I right, my lord?"

"Petyr Baelish, the current Master of Coin is known under that name. Are you sure that he's the one responsible?"

"Aye, my lord. If that wasn't enough to prove his guilt, the men, the company fought have been slavers, men of vale, serving House Baelish. The one in charge was his master-at-arms or steward. While the number of valemen wasn't that big, two hundred men was still a significant force, besides, Baelish had hundreds of sellswords working for him."

As soon as Yohn heard what his son said, he slammed his fist on the table, making the cups and plates rattle. "Slavers? Valemen becoming slavers? How could this be? "

Jon looked at Yohn in concern, after all, he too shared his anger, but King's Landing was not a place suitable for such emotions. At the same time, the old Lord Hand seemed to have aged at least a few good years in a matter of minutes. He knew how much Yohn loved his home and his people, and how much he despised slavers and their ilk. But what hurt him the most was his blind trust in Baelish, even when Yohn and many other lords of Vale had warned him about the man, but he like a fool had dismissed their concerns, saying that Baelish was a clever and loyal man, who had helped the realm prosper. Now, Jon wondered if Baelish had been playing them all along, using his position and influence to undermine the realm and enrich himself.

"Yohn, I understand your anger, and I share it. Baelish has betrayed us, and he must answer for his actions. But we must not act rashly, or we will play into his hands. We both know that the snake is a cunning and dangerous man, and he has many allies in King's Landing. We must be careful if we want to capture him." Jon stopped and turned towards Andar. "Do you have any person who can act as a witness for what happened in Essos?"

"The son of Baelish's master of arms is still alive. Lady Nyssa suggested that we should keep him for a while before sending him to the Wall where the valemen who survived were sent. As for Baelish… I have already sent someone to catch him."

"Can you trust him?"

"Don't worry Father, the man might be a sellsword but what Konrad promised him is nothing Baelish or even the king could give easily."

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