Lion's Cub I 010 Maia II

Maia II

1 Promotion

To Maia, she was an absolute presence. And not just to Maia. She was in a position to issue instructions to the handmaidens and nannies working in the Princess's residence, the court Septa, and at times, even the Captain of the Guard and the steward, and she would even stand her ground and offer her opinion to the Princess's chief bodyguard, her nephew, Lord Jason Burke.
Her handmaiden's uniform had a copper armband sewn onto it, and a bunch of keys hung from her waist. Though thin and small, her back was straight, she was agile, and her eyes were always scanning her surroundings with a sharpness that missed no detail, no matter how trivial. She had served the Princess since her birth and had lived her life constantly at the Princess's side.

The head handmaiden, Yerma Burke, was bedridden. This was the first time in over thirty years of service.
In a hurry, Olde Marbrand, a gentle head handmaiden of the same age as Yerma, was appointed as her proxy, and Maia was promoted to assist her, running around to manage the Princess's residence.
Olde entrusted Maia with extremely important tasks, such as the arrangements for audiences, the adjustment of guard placements, key management, and the synchronization of codes.
Tonight was the night the Princess would visit the "Lion Star Observatory" in the annex of the residence. Although the observatory was within the residence, it was located in a low tower on the outer edge that had to be reached by walking through a long corridor, and it was used for secret audiences. Maia had entered it many times during the day for cleaning, but this was her first time stepping into the room at night.

The walls of the "Lion Star Observatory" were painted a dark blue with pigments made from crushed lapis lazuli and azurite, and jewels modeled after stars were embedded in them. The ceiling was covered with the highest quality Mia glass from the Free City of Myr in Essos, supported by thin, black steel frames. When night fell, anyone who entered the room would be enveloped in a feeling of floating, as if surrounded by the starry sky.

Maia, feeling as if she might become intoxicated by the starry sky, went around lighting beeswax candles in silver candlesticks. The preparation of the secret meeting place had to be done only by Olde and Maia, without involving any other handmaidens.
On the pale alabaster round table placed in the center of the room, she placed three silver pitchers filled with well-chilled lemonade. Three light-red ceramic pitchers filled with warmed, thin white wine. Six small white ceramic plates topped with biscuits kneaded with honey and exotic spices, and six small blue ceramic bowls topped with dried figs, dried strawberries, dried peaches, and raisins. With trembling fingers, she lined them up as if counting them.

Once the preparations were finished, she informed Captain of the Guard Voltec that the preparations for the audience meeting at the Princess's residence were complete. Since the Princess's bodyguards would be handling her protection tonight, the guard unit was to remain on duty at the Princess's residence.
Before the three Sworn Shields escorted Lady Jane and brought her here, she had to guide the attendees to the observatory. The attendees were already waiting in the waiting room on the floor below the observatory.
From the balcony of the observatory, she descended the exposed outdoor stairs, carrying a Mia lantern. Maia was not afraid of heights, but she still gripped the handrail tightly. When she reached the landing on the floor below, she knocked on the door of the waiting room twice, modestly, with the back of her index finger. She waited for a response from inside the room before pushing it open. Four men were waiting inside the waiting room.
The inside of the waiting room was dim, and four huge shadows were cast on the plaster-coated yellowish-white walls. The four men who were the owners of the shadows were sitting around a beeswax candlestick, but they all stared at Maia in unison.

"Everyone, thank you for waiting. The preparations for the audience are complete. I will guide you now."
Maia, her smile slightly stiff, bowed and urged them to move to the upper floor. The four men nodded in unison and stood up.
Maia held up the Mia lantern, led the way up the outdoor stairs, and welcomed the men at the balcony with the light.
The one leading the way up was Lord Harwood Estren. With his rock-like physique, he was dressed in a brand-new ultramarine brigandine and a neat, dark green wool cloak today, and his beard was trimmed, making him look reasonably well-groomed, but the crude sword that looked like a thick iron plate hanging at his waist remained the same.
Next, Lord Berian Bouma came up the stairs, his steel walking aid creaking. He wore a gray cloak and the crimson robe worn by Casterly Rock officials, and he gripped a black hexagonal staff while beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
Behind him, Lord Crestor Ue, wearing a light green cloak, climbed the stairs while looking down at the bottom of the cliff with dark gray eyes. His dark brown military boots made not a single sound.
Finally, a small, middle-aged official came up. With gentle eyes and hair mixed with gray, he wore a crimson tunic and an elegant leather jacket. This was Casal Doggett, the steward, whom she saw often. He looked at Maia, narrowed his eyes, and nodded.

Once everyone had ascended to the "Lion Star Observatory," she guided each of them to their designated seats. The head handmaiden, Olde, had already raised the room's temperature slightly with the fireplace. Even though it was late summer, the nights at Casterly Rock were cold.

Standing alongside Olde, she opened the door, bowed her head, and welcomed the Princess.
Leading the Princess was Lord Jason Burke, who had black hair, a thick chest, was tall, and had a stern expression. He wore a black wool cloak over a black hauberk and carried two long swords at his waist.

Next, Princess Jane entered the room. The four men who had been seated stood up and bowed their heads. The Princess raised her hand to acknowledge them, and she sat in the seat pulled out by Lord Burke with the faint sound of rustling fabric. She was wearing a gown dress made of dark crimson velvet, as deep as blood. The fabric was thick, covering her from her neck to her wrists without any gaps, and the collar and cuffs were trimmed with black sable fur to ward off the night chill. Lord Burke sat in the last remaining empty seat, next to the Princess. The remaining two guards who had followed behind the Princess, the tall, dark-gray-eyed swordsman Whimsy Burley and Lord Liam Hill, who had the appearance of a butler, stood silently by the room's door. She and the head handmaiden, Olde, divided the work of pouring lemonade into silver cups, and when finished, they placed the silver pitchers on a cart by the door.
With this, her duties were finally over. Now she had to return to the Princess's residence and prepare the Princess's bed and bath after the meeting.

"Maia, I leave the rest to you."
The head handmaiden, Olde, looked at Maia with her usual gentle eyes, smiled, bowed to the Princess, and left the room.

"Eh?"
She stood there, stunned. Serving at a secret meeting was the head handmaiden's job. Did this mean they would proceed without service because Yerma was absent? She pulled herself together and tried to leave the room.

"Maia, you are to remain here."

At the Princess's words, she could not immediately understand the situation, and her legs went weak.
Am I to witness a secret meeting?
She looked around at the group as if seeking help, but the five men who were seated said nothing. Lord Burke, a man of great importance, did not even look her way.
Lord Bouma merely cast an unreserved, appraising glance in her direction.
The two guards who had been waiting by the door left the room without a sound.
Behind Maia, who had become the proxy head handmaiden starting tonight, the heavy door was closed.

2 Secret Talk

Maia stood frozen, but the Princess began the proceedings herself.

"Time is precious. Crestor, report."
The Princess's calm, composed voice echoed in the silence, bringing her back to her senses.
It was the same voice as always, but the phrasing was short and devoid of any rhetoric.

The temperature in the observatory should have been kept appropriate, but surrounded by the starry sky and the blue-black jade walls, it began to feel chilly.
Lord Crestor Ue lifted his hips from his chair without a sound and bowed briefly. The forest ranger was wearing a navy-blue high-collared gambeson under his green cloak, and he was half-blended into the surrounding blue-black jade walls.

Lord Crestor reported the progress of the investigation in a detached manner.
The response of Lord Aemond Stackspear, the young heir to "Highstack," and Lord Walmon's poor health, and the fact that Aemond was currently acting in his official capacity—his low, monotone voice reached her ears clearly.
Lord Crestor took several slips of paper from his pocket, tucked them into a red leather letter case, and slid it across the round table. The letter case slid across the top of the pale alabaster round table and reached Lord Burke's hand. Lord Burke took out several slips of paper, spread them out, and handed them to the Princess sitting next to him.

"There are two points that have been confirmed. One is that a flooding accident occurred in the silver mine tunnel, and the other is that the request for support from the Stackspear family was suppressed by someone."

Lord Burke interjected immediately.
“I have heard nothing about a request for support.”

“...Continue.”
The Princess urged him to proceed while looking over the document Lord Crestor had submitted.

Maia, unable to cover her ears and letting these reports enter as they were, stood behind with a silver pitcher. She suppressed the slight trembling of her hands.
She moved behind Lord Estren, who had already finished his lemonade, and filled his silver goblet to the brim.

Lord Crestor’s report continued.
“Aymond said, ‘Despite Lord Morel’s mediation, the support was rejected.’”
Maia did not understand what that meant, but she could feel the air in the observation room grow tense.

“Then, perhaps we should twist that treasurer’s arm and make him spill it.”
Lord Bowma, the large man in red, stated with a ferocious smile.
Beside him, Lord Estren nodded.

“...Please, wait. The man is, however lowly, a high official of Casterly Rock. One wrong move and it will tarnish the Princess’s name. That man Morel would find a way to talk his way out of anything.”
The small steward, Casal Doggett, admonished them in a thin but sharp voice.

“He’ll talk in an hour.”
Lord Bowma bared his teeth.
“If you peel off his fingernails, anyone will talk.”
His voice was flat, without any strain.

“...You said you would value my judgment regarding court matters, did you not?”
Without flinching, Steward Casal responded with a sharp gaze.

Lord Bowma frowned and looked away.

Once the exchange between the steward and the quartermaster subsided, the forest warden spoke up.
“In the Stackspear lands, the management of the silver mines and tax collection in the frontier are held by outside ‘supporters.’”

Maia saw the Princess’s lips tighten. The Princess was clearly suppressing her anger.

“The ones acting as agents are the ‘Lead Stag’ trading company. They were originally fur traders, but in recent years, they have made a living through ‘takeovers’ of farmland and businesses mediated by the gold guild.”
At Lord Crestor’s report, everyone fell silent.

“...Are you saying that House Stackspear, a bannerman of House Lannister, is being preyed upon by shady merchants after having their internal failings exposed?”
Lord Burke gripped the silver goblet in his hand so hard it looked as if it might crumple.

“...However, no matter how greedy they are, can mere merchants really lay a hand on a great lord who is a bannerman?”
Steward Casal raised the question in a thin voice.

“...They have a backer. Besides the merchants of the gold guild faction, there are insects that mock and ridicule House Lannister. And they are massive insects at that. They are trying to whittle away the faction that has sworn loyalty to the Princess...”
Lord Harwood Estren growled, glaring at the starry sky. Maia did not know who he was thinking of, but his eyes held a ferocious light different from usual.

“I believe it is still too early to reach that conclusion.”
Lord Crestor said in a low voice, as if smiling bitterly, and suppressed the speculation.

With a sigh, Lord Burke closed his eyes and lightly raised his silver goblet. Maia took the light-red ceramic pitcher and poured warm, diluted white wine into the goblet. Lord Estren picked up a biscuit from a small plate and stuffed it into his mouth.

Only Lord Crestor ate nothing, continuing his report in a low voice.
“In the frontier settlements, the number of villagers had decreased. It is believed they were taken away somewhere.”

A heavy atmosphere hung in the air.
Even Maia understood that ‘slave trading’ was a grave crime.

“...This gives us grounds to suspect slave trading.”
It was a bold statement for the cautious Steward Casal.

Lord Crestor nodded quietly.
“It is likely forced labor at the silver mines. I wanted to confirm it, but—”

“Did you see the ‘Tiger’ of the rumors?”
Lord Burke leaned forward to ask.
Lord Estren leaned forward as well.

“No. I turned back because I sensed the danger of an enemy ambush on the way to the silver mines.”
Lord Crestor twisted his lips. It was rare for this forest warden to show emotion.

“There is no need to push yourself. For now, it is best to wait for old Wolmon’s recovery. I will have my husband act and have Maester Beldon from Casterly Rock visit officially to provide medical support.”
The Princess affirmed Crestor’s judgment in a calm voice.

"Should we have someone accompany the envoy of Maester Beldon?"
Lord Berian leaned forward and said.

"No, my husband should be very interested in the health of the old Lord Walmon. We will proceed with this as a proposal from Lord Lannister. I will have no part in it... We will proceed in a way that even Maester Beldon will not realize."

"? Are you suspicious of the Maester?"
Lord Burke stared at the Princess Consort beside him with a look of surprise.
Casal the steward was nodding.

"...One must be cautious in all things. In any case, we will wait for a while. If we move too openly now, the other side will realize that we are lying in wait downwind."
The Princess Consort smiled faintly. It was a smile Maia rarely saw.

"Casal, keep an eye on the movements of Morel and Boros."
The small steward bowed deeply.
"Berian, investigate the 'Lead Stag' trading company."
The large logistics officer also bowed deeply.

"I believe you understand well, but you must coordinate your responses. However, you must not move directly. Use your connections with officials, the council, and the trading companies to cast a net."

"...We are not moving; we are waiting for them to be caught in the net."

"Crestor, you have been a bit too conspicuous with your work as the 'special envoy for well-wishes.' It would be best for you to leave Casterly Rock for a while. A request will be issued to the Forestry Bureau seeking advice on reforestation in the peninsula region. You should accept it."
Lord Crestor bowed his head silently.

Next, the Princess Consort turned her face toward the rock-like giant.
"Harwood. We cannot move the army to deal with this. In the near future, you will likely be hunting 'tigers' with the troops you have on hand."

Lord Estren pushed his small bowl and plate to the side and placed his thick arms on the round table.
"...There are about ten men who can withstand actual combat."

Ignoring the hesitant Lord Estren, the Princess Consort gave a strict order.
"I am changing the order. We cannot move the regular army. Consult with Lord Burke and Crestor, gauge the enemy's strength, and proceed with preparing sufficient troops. I leave the details to you."

"...As you command."
The usual sleepy color in Lord Estren's blue eyes vanished, replaced by a deep, sunken hue.

3 Bells on the Neck

One by one, they raised their silver cups slightly to ask for a refill. Maia went around pouring lemonade and thin white wine. She piled Lord Estren's empty small plate and bowl with biscuits and dried fruits until they were nearly overflowing.

"Lord Bouma, report on the progress of the southwestern port development."
The Princess Consort's voice was steady and calm.

The logistics officer in red robes bowed while seated and gave a summary of the situation at the southwestern port. Most of the talk about the budget for wall repairs, port evictions, quay reinforcement work, and coordination with the Lannisport Council was beyond Maia's understanding, but she could sense that this rugged giant was a meticulous thinker, contrary to his appearance.

"Thank you for your hard work. ...Do not push yourself too hard; proceed in due time."
Berian nodded deeply at the Princess Consort's meaningful words of appreciation.

The Princess Consort looked at everyone and took a breath before speaking.
"Thanks to Berian's efforts, we can say that the development of the southwestern port has begun. At the same time as we proceed with the construction of the port as a vessel, we will proceed with the establishment of a 'Small Council' to oversee this port."

There were no dissenting voices in the observation room. Even Maia, while checking the beeswax light of the candelabra by the wall, could understand at least that this 'Small Council' was the key to the southwestern port.

"We have received 'advice' from the Lannisport Council. A recommendation for a member has been submitted."

"...It is Melwin Lannister, the chairman of the 'Black Lion Trading Company.'"

The moment that name was mentioned, the air in the observation room froze.

Lord Jason Burke growled as if spitting out the words.
"Lady Jeyne. You intend to entrust the port to a stray cat like that? There is even a possibility that he is connected to the 'Gold Seat' faction."

"Who do you intend to put a bell on that stray cat's neck?"
Casal the steward frowned and narrowed his eyes.

Only Lord Bouma showed no reaction and remained silent.

“The Small Council shall consist of the sacred number of seven seats.”
The Princess raised her hand to silence any objections and prompted Lord Bouma to explain.

“There has been a request to add one council member based at the |Old Dock| to the Small Council.”
The large man in red robes handed a scrap of paper, presumably a letter from the Lannisport Council, to Lord Estren in the seat next to him, and gestured with his chin for it to be passed around.

“...In the first place, the Lannisport Council had maintained an attitude of tacit approval regarding the development plan for this southwestern harbor. They had also decided to remain spectators regarding the friction between the traditional 'Gold Guild' and the 'Charcoal Guild.' And yet, to 'recommend' a member for the Small Council—the audacity is beyond measure.”
Lord Estren read through the letter, lifted his chin, and snorted.

“...First, Mervin Lannister. His partner, the bigwig of the |Dull Wharf|, Dahl Peatpot. And their underling, Jorm Lannister. The idea is to install these three as members.”
Ignoring Lord Estren's complaints, Lord Bouma continued.

“...What a wretched bunch. What kind of collateral are you thinking of?”
Steward Casar asked, pressing him.

“I have decided to have the man named Jorm establish a trading firm in the southwestern harbor.”
The Quartermaster in red robes said it as if it were nothing.

Lord Burke asked irritably at Lord Bouma's explanation.
“A young man who doesn't even have his own trading firm?”

“...Jorm Lannister is the son of Jose Lannister, the head of the Lannisport Council.”
Berian added, raising an eyebrow.

Everyone fell silent. Somewhere in the observation room, beeswax crackled softly.

“...You are a wicked man, Quartermaster. You are using the council's proposal to force a 'Black Lion' upon us to your advantage, and planning to drag the mainstream faction into it.”
Steward Casar grimaced and gave a wry smile.

Maia stood by the door holding a water pitcher, scanning the round table for any empty cups. The silver cups of the Quartermaster and the Chief Steward, who were exchanging chuckles, were still filled with lemonade.

Lord Bouma continued his explanation.
“One more thing. Dahl Peatpot is the head of the |Peat Pot| trading firm, but he is not the man his predecessor was. He is a man who cannot stand up to his older sister. And that sister is one of the few people who can keep Mervin in check.”

“...Even so, that former mercenary and those two are friends. To prevent the Small Council from being monopolized, we need the other four to be reliable pawns who will never betray us.”
Lord Crestle pointed out in a low voice.

“Hmph, are you looking for merchants who 'will never betray us'? What can you expect from people who are busy chasing money?”
Lord Burke turned away and spat out.

“...Why not invite the 'Charcoal Guild' that deals in timber and fur? They are also close to the Princess.”
Lord Bouma nodded with a grimace at the question from Casar Doggett.

“Actually, I am hesitant. If we invite the 'Charcoal Guild,' it will provoke the 'Gold Guild.'”
Lord Bouma sighed and added.
“For now, it is still just 'wall repair work.' I want to keep overt movements suppressed a little longer.”

The Princess nodded and made the decision.
“There is no rush to establish the Small Council. Let the three mentioned earlier be a given, and let us take our time to identify candidates for the members who will serve as the weight to balance them.”

Lord Bouma bowed deeply.
“I will also look into regional trading firms that will be doing business with the southwestern harbor in the future.”

Steward Casar responded.
“The council may not be pleased, but I believe it is possible to bring in trading firms that are branches of the nobility.”

“...And then, there is no representative from the |Cloudy Pier|.”
Lord Estren said, counting on his thick fingers.

“Harwood, what is the point of inviting a representative from the |Cloudy Pier|? This is about binding a fellow like Mervin, who we don't know what he might do.”
Lord Burke tapped his finger on the |Alabaster| round table, which shone pale blue under the candlelight.

“In the first place, there are no decent trading firms there. It is just small-scale operators called rats.”
Steward Casar replied.

“If even rats can move ships, there must be a use for them.”
Lord Estren insisted that, regardless, they should keep sailors gathered at hand.

“Indeed, it is the role of a rat to bell the cat, after all.”
Lord Burke said, half-resignedly.

“...Come to think of it, I remembered.”
Lord Berian Bouma wore a smirk.

"I still had one mouse caught."

(010 Mya II End)

Sooty Stone Part 1 Lion Cub Chapter 1 Oath of the Cradle
010 Mya I (010 Secret Meeting Under the Starry Sky)
248 AC, Summer (Late) / The West, Casterly Rock
POV: Mya Hill

[This work is fan fiction of "A Song of Ice and Fire"]
It has no relation to the original author, George R.R. Martin, or any related publishers, production companies, or other rights holders.
This is an unofficial spin-off work based on the world of "A Song of Ice and Fire," depicting the Seven Kingdoms | The Westerlands fifty years before the original story (from 248 AC onwards) through a unique interpretation.

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