Game of Thrones: Paladin of Old Gods

Chapter 21: ' The Most Powerful Woman In Westeros ' Part II

POV of 'A Lady Widow';

Torrhen's Square.

On the same day a mother lost hope on her son...

"Lady Barbrey Dustin, Torrhen's Square and the Tallhart family welcome you." Helman Tallhart said loudly, giving a slight but respectful bow.

"Lord Helman Tallhart, I am honoured and grateful for the welcome that Torrhen's Square has extended to me and my retinue. I again offer my sincerest apologies for the delay in my arrival." rested Lady Dustin making a more pronounced bow.

"Please, my Lady, there is no need to apologise. We all know of the harassing attacks by those marauding Iron Islanders. I wish our two Houses future prosperous cooperation in defending the North from such 'raiding pirates'. "' Said Helman trying to reassure the lady.

"'Certainly, Lord Helman. House Dustin and House Ryswell will forever fight alongside House Tallhart and the rest of the North in this fight." Said Lady Barbrey.

"Meet my family my lady. This is my Lady wife Myra, and the twins Benfred and Eddara, my brother Leobald and his wife Berena and finally here we have my son and heir Duncan." All the family members, even the twins, bowed in unison.

Lady Dustin felt honoured and amazed at the gesture. She was being accorded a welcome on a par with a 'royal visit'. Her gaze rested on each member of the family. One note was out of place among the several main members with dark brown hair of House Tallhart. A child barely four feet tall with Steel-White hair.

"Please, my lady, the rooms are ready and a banquet has been set up to refresh you from your long journey." Said Lord Helman showing the way to the main hall of the castle.

"Thank you, my Lord." Lady Dustin replied politely, she and all her retinue bowed as a sign of thanks for the hospitality offered.

***

Several hours later....

"My Lord, the dinner was delicious. We do not deserve such a reception. Please, tell me what House Dustin can do to repay the kindness and welcome you have extended to us." Lady Dustin asked, speaking to the Master of Torrhen's Square who was at the side of her guest of honour.

"Nothing, my lady. I fought alongside your late husband, Lord William Dustin, in two battles. He was an honourable man and will forever be remembered as a hero here in Torrhen Square." Lord Helman replied graciously.

"At the risk of sounding rude for the disrespect I am about to show. I insist on knowing how I may repay the debt to your house, my lord." Said Lady Dustin beginning to show a slightly more serious look. A clear message of {No meal is free in this world} had just been issued by the woman.

Helman looked at the woman for a moment, showing no signs of displeasure or offense taken by her words.

"If you insist, my lady... I would like, if it is no trouble, for you to meet my son Duncan tomorrow morning. To discuss possible future collaborations." Lady Barbrey looked again for the boy who was currently dancing with his younger sister on the dance floor...

"No bother, my Lord...it will be my honour to speak with your 'Hero Heir'." Lady Barbrey said calmly and quietly. Helman nodded in satisfaction at the reply...

****

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The next morning...

"Lady Dustin, I'm honoured that you agreed to this meeting. Again, my lady, I am saddened by your tragic loss and offer you my sincere condolences." Said Duncan making a deep bow as Lady Dustin entered.

"I thank you for your condolences, Young Lord...now, if House Tallhart doesn't mind, I would like to know what game you are playing." Lady Dustin said, staring again into the eyes that had given her a repeated gaze challenge the night before.

"Please, forgive me for the little play the other night, my Lady, it was not my intention to cause you any offence. I just wanted you to be clear on who I was and whether I was worthy of interacting with you. Please, my lady, take a seat." The boy replied politely, pulling back the chair on the round table in the study on the castle's attic.

Lady Dustin sat down accepting the chivalrous gesture but thinking carefully about the 'unspoken' words his message expressed.

"If you agree, my Lady, we can begin to speak freely, leaving behind the formalities and various puns." Duncan proposed.

"As you wish, 'Bloody Snow'." The woman raised all the defences she possessed and prepared for the fight.

"Please, ladies first." Duncan.

"Did you arrange this? William's body and the 'royal' reception? A whole plan orchestrated by you to have me here today nicely set at your table?" Lady Dustin departed with a charge of heavy cavalry. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Yes, my lady, I assure you that I would still have returned the bodies of all the fallen heroes at the Tower of Joy to their respective families...but yes, I have taken the opportunity that has presented itself to have you here today," Duncan replied sincerely.

"Why? What do you want from my House or me?" Coldly replied the Lady slightly annoyed by the answer.

"An ally. House Dustin is a noble and powerful House of the North...but I am more interested in the Lady who currently rules it." Duncan.

"What do you mean by that? If it is not the power or influence of my House you seek, then what could this woman possibly do for you?" Barbrey.

"Very...very much indeed. I would have you by my side for times to come. Not as my subordinate but as an ally. An alliance of equal value to face a revolution and a war that will change the history of the known world." Duncan.

"The victory at Snow Mill got you a little too excited I see...What revolution? What war are you talking about?" Barbrey.

"One step at a time, my lady. I would like you to answer me first according to your point of view on three subjects: The current state of the image and consideration shown of 'woman', what do you think of the maesters and the citadel that leads them and lastly who do you think is the person or organisation that holds the most power in Westeros and Essos. Please indulge me if you can. All will be clearer later if you answer me." Duncan.

Lady Dustin paused for a moment, pondering carefully what answer to give. Almost a minute passed and then the Lady said:

"Women are seen by you men only as an instrument of libido and an apparatus of reproduction that rightfully belonged to them. Maesters are not to be trusted...they are slippery and manipulative and most of all is the tower that houses and instructs them. And to answer your last request succinctly: 'The Iron Bank'." Reposed the woman without hesitation.

"Exactly what I expected as an answer." Said the child with a nod of approval.

"That is the great revolution I want to bring to the world. A world where the women of Westeros and Essos are given their due respect and recognition of their true worth and abilities, that is not held back in progress and education by a bunch of 'grey rats' and is not moved by the strings of its true puppet master." Duncan.

"What world do you live in boy? Do you even know what you're talking about? The vessel you are trying to open will unleash a plague so great it will wipe you, your loved ones and any fools you manage to convince from history." Said Lady Dustin mocking Duncan.

"Waking the sleeping giant is a sure thing, facing him and winning the fight is an uncertain thing....but erasing me and those who follow me from history, WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE! Not with what I will unleash against him in response. The song will be sung, I assure you, my Lady, and even if I fail, generations to come will hear it and use it as inspiration to raise their heads again and confront the evil that rules them. THE STORM THAT WILL SHAKE SEAS AND MOUNTAINS WILL COME WHETHER THE WORLD WANTS IT OR NOT!"

Duncan replied, pulling out every ounce of intimidating presence he had. Lady Dustin trembled in the presence of that overwhelming, implacable, inhuman will. That was no longer a six-year-old child in the eyes of the Lady.....He was a monster!... A monster disguised in a suit of human flesh.

Now she was certain that the creature's words were not only true but that nothing... 'nothing' known to her could have changed the decision that the 'child' in front of her had made.

Duncan realised, only as he saw the woman in front of him trembling, that he had gone too far. He returned to his former state and rose from his chair.

"I beg your pardon, my lady...I have gone too far. May I offer you something to drink to try and calm the heated tempers?" Said the boy heading towards a small table with several full jugs and two cups.

"Urmm emm....Yes, thank you, my lord." Lady Dustin replied, clearing her throat and trying to remain calm.

"Here, please taste. A drink of my own invention that I personally enjoy and use to help keep my mind clear and my throat moist." Said the boy handing over a full cup.

Lady Dustin tasted it, and was amazed at the sweetness and fresh, unique taste of the concoction. She could taste honey, lemon, a hint of ginger and cinnamon.

"Very pleasant and well appreciated." Lady Dustin said. Duncan nodded in response to the compliment.

A minute of silence passed to recharge his batteries and resume the 'game'.

"Returning to the speech earlier Lady Dustin...I can assure you that I will have the means and be prepared enough to make the coming conflict more fair and balanced. Should you decide to stand with me I am convinced we would have a better chance of success. I am not asking for your help without getting anything in return....you will have my full support and I will provide you with the means to achieve greater power than you ever dreamed of. I assure you that I will keep my end of the bargain." Said the boy in a quiet but serious tone.

"I don't mean to sound disinterested by your generous offer...but I have to ask. Why me?" Barbery asked, not hiding the tone of curiosity that his voice conveyed.

"Because you are brilliant, capable, reckless, cunning and patient.....History teaches us time and again something that many miss.....'War is not won by men...it is won by those who are able to wait and know when and where to strike.' And no one does that better than you women...you my lady, are the one the 'Old Gods' pointed out to me when I asked them for the most suitable woman in the North, with the qualities I was looking for." Duncan.

Lady Dustin was shocked for a moment by the answer.

'That those rumours are true too? Is he really blessed by the 'Old Gods'?' She thought, reasoning accordingly.

"'Let's say for the sake of argument that I believe your words, and also in the fact that you actually have the ability to obtain the means and armies necessary to deal with a war of such magnitude. You would leave 'such power' in my hands without any conditions?" Lady Dustin.

"Indeed no my Lady....there would be certain conditions and demands I would want you to comply with. I warn you in advance that such demands might, especially at this time, be offensive to you..." Said Duncan beginning for the first time to show Lady Dustin a hint of discomfort.

"Let's hear it...you have my undivided attention." Lady Dustin replied making a small grin.

"First, I would like you to prepare yourself as well as possible for your 'possible' future roles. The power you wield must be handled with the utmost skill and expertise....the second condition I would like you to respect...is that you settle, over time, your personal grudges with House Stark..." Duncan said, trying to be as careful as possible with his words.

Lady Dustin jumped up from her chair. She didn't know what to think.... she was totally confused, angry and shocked.

"YOU!" ....YOU! How do you know that?! How dare you ask me that!" Lady Dustin asks, trying hard not to pounce on the child and push him off the tower.

"Please calm down my lady...it is not my intention to insult or provoke you." Said Duncan trying to cool the boiling spirits of the recently injured Lady.

"Do you know what they did to me? House Stark took everything from me! EVERYTHING!!!" Roared Lady Barbery.... was trying to catch her breath to keep control.

"I know what they did to you...I saw it...Brandon...Lord Rickard, Catelyn Tully and even Ned Stark." Duncan replied quickly.

Hearing those words he began pacing back and forth in the room no longer caring about decorum or formalities to be shown.

After a couple of minutes and a few sips of the drink Lady Dustin regained her composure.

"Why? Why you need House Stark?...if what you told me earlier is true you may very well become the new protector of the North or maybe even its King!" Lady Dustin said, trying to get 'Bloody Snow' on her side.

"I'm not doing all this because I want to be King my lady, but to gain the power necessary to change the world in the way I personally deem 'best'. Helping my loved ones and the people my family is sworn to defend...the gold, the titles...the armies....are only 'means' that will help me reach that dream of a better future faster...The North will have to stay united and strong for the times to come 'The whole North'. Even if House Stark has caused you outrage and pain beyond measure, I ask you to let it go for the sake of the people, who have suffered more than anyone else in the history of the Seven Kingdoms...Those people, my lady, have a right to a better future. A future where tens of thousands of men, women, and children do not starve or freeze to death just so the personal grievances of a few can be satisfied...The Starks are part of that people and have sacrificed so much for the good of that people. Do not let the mistake of a few erase thousands of years of noble deeds. Please." Said the child trying to speak from the heart.

Lady Dustin didn't know how to counter that answer....not without going to the wrong side. After this speech she would look like a 'spoiled princess exacting her revenge'.

"Ned Stark..." She was interrupted.

"He's an honorable man. One of the few left here in Westeros....Yes has done wrong but, you must understand my lady that he too has lost much during the last two years. He is not the smartest or most astute person, there is I must give you that, but he would give his own for the good of the North." Duncan replied anticipating Lady Dustin's words.

Another minute of silence passed....

"IF, and I mean IF by 'hypothesis', I should be able to make this effort in the future....that would be it? No other conditions?" Lady Dustin asked with an attentive look.

"Well there would be one last one...but perhaps it would be worth mentioning at another time...let's say it would be related to the second one..." said Duncan feeling genuinely fearful for the immediate future.

"No, no, no, let's hear it...you won't get off that cheaply you brat. Spit it out, I'm all ears." Lady Dustin said, widening her eyes.

Duncan took a sip from his cup and for a moment double-checked that there were no blunt objects in the room that could have fatally injured him. Lady Dustin waited impatiently, she looked ready to pounce again but this time for a reaction that was more physical than verbal.

"Well here it is yes in the near future....not immediately of course...to make the bond of our alliance more solid...and in the hope that you may once again find the serenity and peace that every man, woman or child deserves....I would ask you for the chance to give real hope to a man who has suffered throughout history suffering similar to yours....I am not asking for a forced marriage, let that be clear! Just a real and concrete possibility of courtship, in the hope that it can unite two people who deserve happiness and love....." Duncan was ready for anything, he had already devised a contingency plan to escape the room, without Lady Dustin's nails ripping through his throat.

The woman managed to keep control. After another dozen breaths she asked a question.

"And who willingly should get this favour?" If the boy had said a man's name accompanied by the letters 'S','T','A','R','K'....Lady Dustin would have tried to kill the boy and then fled back to Essos.

"No one from House Stark, I assure you. He'll be an honorable man too worthy of your title and person!!! I'd rather not say the name now my Lady....you might later be swayed by prejudices that would undermine the man's chances. What I am asking, is just a chance to get to know you, if you are ever out of sync or your differences are irreconcilable, I will not continue on this path, I swear to my family and the 'Old Gods'!" Duncan replied quickly.

'Ten' minutes of fierce stares from the woman and total silence later....

"I won't meet anyone until at least...three years have passed...and I still want that position you offered me, even if I don't have to marry after meeting him..." said Lady Dustin.

"DEAL!" Duncan replied as he stood up.

Lady Dustin nodded her head slightly in response....still keeping her gaze cold.

"So...do you finally want to specify what kind of position and what kind of power we're talking about?" Lady Dustin asked.

"Well if we move at the right times, making the right moves, with the right precautions..." Duncan ducked reaching for a closed roll at his feet.

"The Most Powerful Woman in Westeros." Duncan said handing the scroll to Lady Barbery Dustin.

The woman did not react to those words and concentrated on the document...She opened the scroll and at that moment her eyes widened...

"Never Winter Bank?"