Tywin Lannister rides with his retinue and approaches Saltpans, which has a port. Getting to Baelish's Keep is not as easy as one might think. Over the years, as the harbour expanded, regulations were introduced. Certain ships of different sizes were required to place their boats in designated areas. Every vessel was registered, and the cargo was checked. If you didn't want that, you weren't allowed to settle there. It was the easiest way to scare off smugglers. Everything was checked, and no guard or employee accepted bribery.
This caused a special class of merchants to cease sailing to Baelish's Keep, as they didn't like the outcome of the order. But it wasn't possible for those who were ambitious.
Tywin rides through the small port and approaches the portmaster. Seeing the red banners causes almost everyone to look down in fear. No one wants to be in the line of sight when the dangerous soldiers appear. But the Lord of Casterly Rock is not out to make a scene or cause damage. He addresses the portmaster.
"I am looking for a ship sailing to Baelish's Keep. Is there one present?" he asks.
"Ah, my lord, you are in luck, there is one... Ah, one that will sail there," the man says nervously.
"Where?"
"Just over there, it is the bigg-"
Tywin doesn't listen and rides forward. He looks around and finally sees a small group of men who are having a good time and not bothered by what the realm is going through. Tywin has a feeling that this is the group the portmaster was talking about. He approaches them and observes their reactions. They are more bothered that they were interrupted than scared.
"Can we help you?" one of them asks.
"Are you the ship sailing for Baelish's Keep?" Tywin asks.
"Yes, what of it?" another one asks.
"I want to reach Baelish's Keep as fast as possible," Tywin says.
"Aha, so?"
"Do you know who you're talking to?! This is Lord Tywin Lannister. You will show some respect!" a guard shouts.
"A Lord, eh? How quaint. So a Lord wishes to travel with us, lowly sailors. Hahahaha."
"It doesn't matter what you do to use anyway. In the end, the Captain decides, and intimidation doesn't work. I can guarantee that," another one says.
Tywin signals his men to stand down. They were about to attack the sailors for being disrespectful.
"And where can I find your Captain?" Tywin asks.
"On the ship. Doing inventory, most likely. You can get down, but only you. No one else."
"Who do you think you are?" the guard asks and unsheathes his sword.
They force their way on the small vessel, and Tywin makes his way to the Captain's cabin. They open the door and see a young woman sitting at a desk, with a sword lying to the side. She looks up and breathes smoke out of her mouth.
[Picture]
She looks bothered.
"What the fuck do you want?" she asks.
"I want to sail to Baelish's Keep. I hear you are going that way," Tywin says.
"And now you think your golden locks and pretty armour will get you that?" she asks without fear.
"Does it not?"
"Look at me, do I look like someone who is impressed with pretty faces and men with swords? Names and titles mean nothing on the sea and in real life. Only strength is respected, so get your dogs out before I flog them myself."
Tywin smiles. He is a man with impeccable sense for people, so he knows that the woman clearly earned her place and wasn't handed anything.
"I'd like to see you try," someone says.
"Careful, child, before I turn your face inside out. So what is it, are you going to leave, or do I have to make you?" she asks Tywin.
"Now, before we get things messy, how much would it cost us to get to Baelish's Keep?" Tywin asks.
"We could do that, but you will take the available rooms, and no amount of money or gold will get you better ones. Anyone who sails on my ship works, regardless of their birth. If you accept those conditions, you can have the remaining rooms. There are four of them."
"I see nothing wrong with this. How long does it take to get there?" Tywin asks.
"With this thing? Far too long. We will get to the galley shortly. She's waiting further out. Get your men who will accompany you, and then leave the horses here. You'll be notified when it's time."
.
Tywin Lannister and several of his guards make their way on the ship. Doing this is highly dangerous under normal circumstances, and as a brilliant strategist, he naturally knows this. But things are special when it comes to ships belonging to Baelish's Keep. He would have never agreed to this otherwise. The Captain and the entire boat belong to the merchant fleet of Petyr Baelish and are under the protection of their warships.
The small vessel sails further out to sea, where a large galley is waiting for them. Although it resembles a pirate ship, and the skull on the sails would lead one to believe that, the sigil on top of the middle mast reveals the sigil of House Baelish. The cabins that Tywin and his men are given are better than almost anything they would get in most inns. After the ship sets sail and they are on their way up north, Tywin gets out of his cabin and walks on deck, observing everything around him.
"Get your behind off the ground, you lazy shit," the Captain shouts.
Tywin observes the woman as she knocks a few of the men to the ground. She is not all talk, he knows that. It is hard to believe that someone as attractive as her was doing physical labour instead of 'using' her beauty for something else. Tywin is impressed with the galley, and he doesn't even agree entirely that it is a galley. It seems like more. There are more sails, and the speed is a lot faster compared to what he is used to.
"Admiring the view, rich man?" the Captain says as she walks by.
"Where did you learn to fight, and how did you get to command this ship?" Tywin asks.
"If someone has the necessary skills, he or she shouldn't be barred from being allowed to be useful."
"Which wise man OR woman said that?" Tywin asks.
"Petyr Baelish," she says.
As she talks, she handles the ropes and looks up at the sky. Not giving Tywin her full attention at any time.
"And who taught you how to use your skills?" Tywin asks.
"Captain Jones."
"Jones? Who is that?"
"Captain Davy Jones. The Commander of the entire Baelish's Keep fleet. He is the reason why we are not attacked by pirates, slavers or any of the other kingdoms. And if they do, they are taken to the bottom of the sea."
"You respect him," Tywin observes.
"I fear him."
"And why would someone as important as this man teach you? What did you give him?" Tywin asks, having an idea.
"Things don't work that way in Baelish's Keep. The only reason Captain Jones taught me was because Lord Baelish told him to," she says.
"And why would he do that? Also, not for that one reason?"
"No. He is the only man I would do it with. You men are fucking disgusting most of the time. All you think about is either politics, war, murder, wine and sex. That's literally all there is to it. Now, you better get below deck, there's a storm incoming."
"What's your name?" Tywin asks.
She looks back at him.
"None of your bloody business," she answers and walks off.
.
The sea grew violent, but the ship held on and ploughed through the waves. The journey didn't take as long as one might have thought, but 'normal' was not a word associated with Petyr. They arrive at the smallest of the Fingers of the Vale. The sea has calmed down at that point, and the Lannister soldiers have arrived on deck to observe the wonder that is Baelish's Keep's Harbour.
"Woah... what are all those constructs?" one of them asks.
"It looks like the Harbour extends out into the sea."
"Because it does," one of the sailors says.
"Yeah? And how does that work?"
"The Harbour was extended using wood above water, and then large, powerful stone pillars below, to keep things standing. Then the small islands were used to create further stabilisation. The project is enormous, and constantly things are being replaced and improved. It is basically an island at this point," the sailor explains.
The sailor didn't understand what was happening either. He only heard about it. Petyr ensured that a logical explanation was in place when people began asking questions. He extended the entire Harbour out into the sea to make it bigger and allow for different-sized ships to dock. But this change had to be reinforced below the sea level, so Petyr added modern ways of dealing with it. Now that he was back, he was going to use technology from Star Wars to take care of the problem entirely.
The ship enters a specific lane and sails slowly into the Harbour, settling at a place which is just the right size for it. On the jetty, there is a group of Iron Vanguard Soldiers waiting for the arrival of Tywin Lannister and his group of soldiers. It is a great risk for him to do this, but the Lord of Casterly Rock has a good idea of Petyr's character, so capturing him here doesn't seem like something he would do.
"Welcome, Lord Tywin. We will guide you to Baelish's Keep," the man in front says, as Tywin descends from the ship.
"And you are?"
"I am General Dalran Ryser. This way," the man says and guides Tywin through the busy streets of Baelish's Keep.
The buildings are tall and sturdy. They look good and clear, like all of the city. The streets are made like the Roman roads used to be, and a special group keeps things clean. As much as it looks like chaos, that's only superficial. A secret police force is keeping watch so that everything goes as it is supposed to. Eventually, the group arrives at the large mansion, which belongs to Petyr.
"If you would wait here, Lord Baelish will-"
"Not necessary, Dalran, I'm already here," Petyr says as he walks into the hall.
Unlike what Tywin expected, Petyr doesn't keep him waiting. It is a means of showing dominance and power, to keep someone waiting if they wish to speak with you. But Petyr does not need such a thing. He's the friendly neighbourhood bookkeeper, or at least that's the image he presents here. Although he is also known for having a loose tongue and speaking his mind, most of the time. So people usually think that he's speaking the truth, even if he's not.
"Lord Tywin, what an unexpected pleasure to see you here," Petyr says.
"I thank you for receiving me, Lord Petyr," Tywin says.
It has probably never happened that Tywin Lannister had to say such words to anyone. But power recognises power. Petyr smiles.
"Would you like to talk in my solar, Lord Tywin? You'll find it has refreshments for you after the arduous journey."
"I would indeed."
They make it to the solar, where Arla is sitting on a chaise longue and reading some documents. Petyr opens the door for Tywin, and they enter.
"Ah, Arla. May I introduce Arla Fett, my better half in all things. Arla, this is Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the Westerlands."
"Well met, Lord Tywin. I have heard a lot about you," Arla says without a change in her expression.
Tywin only nods.
"Here, my Lord. If you would like to sit down."
"Thank you."
Petyr walks to the other side of the desk and sits down. A moment later, a servant walks in with a tray of beverages and serves both Tywin and Petyr a glass, filling it slightly with alcohol and then adds another glass with water. After that, he leaves again.
Tywin tries a small gulp, and a moment later, his eyes widen.
"What is this?" he asks.
"Whiskey. So, Lord Tywin, how may I be of service?" Petyr asks.
"..."
"Ah, Arla, love, Lord Tywin is uncomfortable with you present. Would you be so kind as to give us the room?" Petyr says.
"Sure," she says and leaves the solar.
After she leaves, Petyr looks at Tywin again and waits for him to speak.
"As I'm sure you heard, Ned Stark is dead."
"Yes, the newest accomplishment of your grandson, I believe," Petyr says.
"Indeed. Where do you stand on this issue? Are you in agreement with Lady Arryn and the rest of the Vale? Are you neutral?" Tywin asks.
"My Lord, if you would ask your question, I am sure I'll give you an honest answer."
"I want you to take up your previous position as Master of Coin," Tywin says.
"I see. So you see this as me taking your side of the conflict, should I decide to take the position," Petyr says and thinks about it for a moment.
...
"Sure, I'll do it," Petyr says.
"And why would you agree to this?"
"Lord Tywin, I am not a particularly ambitious man, not in the way you may think. The last thing I want is a higher station, with more people to take care of. I care nothing for lands and titles. I built what you see here myself, and I'm proud of it. I refused Jon Arryn because Robert Baratheon was a whoremongering baffoon. I want to see my work bear fruit, and I know that it will if I work for you. Besides, I also appreciate a man who can say what he means without bothering about upsetting someone."
"I hear we may share that particular talent."
"Haha, true."
"Very well then, I shall take my leave. Is there a ship I can use to return?" Tywin asks.
"Well, since we are going to be working with one another, I believe it may be best if we travel together as well. Come, I'll take you."
_______________________________
There is, of course, another reason for Petyr accepting this. We all know that.