novelzi [67] A New Base of Operation
[67] A New Base of Operation
Chapter 67: A New Base of Operation
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About half an hour later, I stood behind some trees far from the outer walls of the city, with Cersei beside me, her clothes exchanged for a more common outfit.
She shot me a furious glare as we waited. “...I’ll make you suffer for this,” she hissed, but she still followed when I grabbed her arm and led her toward the gate she’d mentioned to Trant.
The sky stretched over the open land, and we didn’t walk long before I spotted them. Four riders headed away from the city.
My lips curled into a grin as I recognized Kinvara, still disguised as “Nyra” with her striking red hair, riding Dany White. That made me smile, I was worried that I'd have to pay another visit to get my horse out.
The Sand Snakes rode alongside her, all tense and on guard, their weapons beside them. Even from here, I could see bruises marking their arms and faces. They obviously had it worse in captivity than Kinvara, who looked as pristine as ever.
“Your guards weren't exactly gentle with our Dornish friends,” I commented to Cersei as we headed toward the group.
“Don't talk to me.”
The Sand Snakes tensed as we approached, hands drifting to hidden blades. But Kinvara’s face lit up with a knowing smile.
“You sure took your time,” she said in a teasing tone, amusement dancing in her eyes. “I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us because of that Stark girl.”
“Forget? Never,” I replied, liking how our usual banter hadn't been lost in the short time I wasn't here. And that seemed to bother Cersei. “Though I did get a bit sidetracked, I took care of it.” I gave Cersei's waist a squeeze for emphasis.
The way Kinvara's smirk widened told me she fully understood exactly what kind of taking care I meant. Seeing the mix of annoyance flash across Cersei's features was almost worth it.
Kinvara’s gaze landed on her, and her smile got bigger. “So I see. And here I assumed you had a thing for redheads. Welcome aboard, Your Grace.”
Cersei trembled in rage at the mockery, and the Sand Snakes gasped in shock in recognition. They hadn't expected me to abduct the Queen.
“The little queen needed some personal attention,” I said, matching her teasing tone, my hand slapping against the bitch Queen's ass. “How could I say no?”
Cersei gasped, trembling in rage and glaring at me, but she could do nothing.
She realized that she was nobody before me, a lion without claws.
One of the Sand Snakes, Obara, cleared her throat. “This is all super entertaining, but maybe we should deal with more urgent problems?”
“I agree with the girl.” Kinvara sat a little straighter on my horse. “Where are we heading now? I doubt we're staying here given you had us dropped outside.”
Her question spread around with the cool morning air, as I parted my lips to tell her my plan.
****
The night breeze brushed against my wings as I flew over Hayford Castle, an area merely a day's distance on horseback.
My enhanced eyesight took in every detail of the fortress below. In the moonlight, those red-tiled roofs looked almost silver, and the torches on the walls seemed like scattered stars.
From up here, it all seemed so calm—a pretty little jewel surrounded by rolling hills and fertile fields. It was a single castle building in the middle of nowhere, and the Kingsroad snaked alongside the castle, like a pale ribbon vital for anyone traveling between King’s Landing and Duskendale.
What a waste, I thought, veering left to study their defensive layout.
The guards marched along the battlements in easy-to-predict routes, their torches basically giving away where they were. The high stone walls did look impressive but they weren’t on the same level as some of the mightier castles I've seen. Two towers anchored the corners facing the road, good spots for archers if anyone was willing to go for a head-on assault.
A small brook gurgled somewhere below, feeding the farmland around it. The outer bailey sprawled in front of me, complete with barracks and stables, enough for a decent garrison—except now, it hardly had any. Fair, why would they need a bigger force, anyway? I sneered, recalling how the Lannisters had snatched this place.
The last Hayford heir was just a baby girl, so they married her off to some distant Lannister cousin who probably spent her inheritance while she played with dolls.
Typical. Lannister bastards. They always believed themselves so clever, weaving their webs of marriage and money, never expecting someone might chop all their strings.
From one of the tall windows in the great hall, candlelight glowed. It was the only room that was lit. It made me wonder who could be in there.
I swooped lower, wings barely making a sound,
Everything changed when that boy Tyrek Lannister was betrothed to little Lady Ermesande. The golden boy showed up with his own retinue of servants, all loyal to House Lannister rather than the cozy setup Myranda had going. Suddenly her position wasn't so secure anymore. Her access to the master bedroom was snatched, and she was moved to a different, albeit still big, room.
Those newcomers started questioning her authority, watching how she spent the castle's coin, wondering why she lived so well for a mere servant.
It was a sad story, how pitiful. Well, not really. She was taking advantage of the current house head’s age. But I will sympathise with her. She'll be an ally.
I could see the fear in her eyes as she huddled in the corner of her bed, back pressed against the wall like she thought she could melt into the stone if she tried hard enough. Her hands twisted in the fabric of her fine dress—probably worth more than most servants made in a year.
"So… W-what are you goin' to do to me, m'lord?" she asked, her common accent slipping through despite her attempts to sound refined.
I shrugged, standing at my full height near the window where moonlight cast my shadow long across her floor. "It depends.”
“Depends…?”
“On how bold you are. I can easily fix your problem," I said simply. "Come with me, take me to the rooms of the Lannister servants, and I'll kill them all. I'll tie up the Lannister boy after that. Since you control the information passage, the Lannisters won't know what's going on here as you send them reports as usual. Am I clear?"
She trembled harder, eyes darting between me and the door. I could practically see the thoughts racing through her head—if she did as I asked and the Lannisters found out, they'd have her head for sure.
I scoffed at her hesitation, pulling a dagger from my inventory. The blade materialized in my hand like magic, making her gasp.
“Listen, girl,” I said. "You don't look that old, so don't make a stupid choice. And the stupid choice here is clear. You'll die now if you don't help me."
Myranda just trembled. She squeezed her eyes shut, shoulders slumping in defeat. After a long moment, she nodded with a heavy sigh. “Yes, m’lord…”
"Good choice," I said, letting the dagger vanish again. "In exchange, I will grant you the actual Ladyship over this House. Give me a month, alright?"
She looked up at me, confusion written all over her face. The idea that a servant could become a true Lady probably seemed impossible to her. And who was I to give her that?
I just smiled, already savoring how perfectly this would all play out.
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