Chapter two (LBHP)

## **296 AC, Kings Landing.**

Lyonel's return was celebrated... mostly. Joffrey outright stated his wish that his brother would die. Lyonel told him to try making it happen if he was man enough. Joffrey had proven to be a craven so far, but Lyonel was amused by it.

With Lyonel back home, he began working on the next phase of his 'life plan'. He was going to make himself the Master of Coin and usurp his uncle Renly's powers as Master of Laws to gain greater power and begin shaping Westeros for his eventual rule. If necessary then Lyonel would threaten to expose his stupid uncles relationship with Loras Tyrell, but it would be an empty threat. Lyonel desired Margaery Tyrell as a wife to bind the Reach to the Iron Throne and gain their army and navy and deny Renly the backing he needed to claim the Iron Throne. It was essential to his plans for a peaceful transition of power when his father died.

That and the dragons that he secretly hatched would put Lyonel into power and help keep him there.

It took some manipulation, but Lyonel had convinced his father to remain sober and attend a meeting of the Small Council.

"Alright, Lyonel, get started," Robert said.

"Thank you, father. Recently I took a look into the Iron Throne's finances... and the crowns income has increased by ten times what it was under the Mad King and yet the crown is still strangely under immense debt.... I have acquired proof that Petyr Baelish has stolen from the Iron Throne and the Vale." Lyonel handed Baelish's files to Grand Maester Pycelle who looked them over.

"Well?" Jon questioned angrily.

"He's stolen hundreds of thousands of dragons!"

"Selmy, take his traitor to Payne and make sure that he dies," Robert ordered. Ser Barristan nodded and took the now bound Petyr Baelish to his execution. "Well done, Lyonel."

"Thank you father."

"Now we must replace Baelish and clean up his messes," Jon commented with a frown.

"I humbly request the position as Master of Coin, father, Lord Jon," Lyonel said. "I discovered the theft and I have a clear idea of how to not only clean up the mess, but perhaps even turn a small profit. I also have ideas for reducing the Iron Thrones debt in record time."

"Done," Robert replied, to Jon's anger and concern.

"He's still a boy, Robert," Jon said, to Lyonel's annoyance. Jon Arryn was a child compared to Lyonel's life experience.

"He's gonna be king someday and he's already proven himself mature and smart enough. Besides, Lyonel is always creative with his solutions and it's fun to see the looks on peoples faces when they see them." Robert replied, to Jon and Stannis' irritation, and Renly, Varys, and Pycelle's amusement.

"You'll like my solutions..." Lyonel said in reassurance.

"Then it's done," Robert said, raising from the Iron Throne.

"I won't disappoint you, father," Lyonel said as his father left the room.

Lyonel quickly proved himself as a great Master of Coin by purging Baelish's influence from his new domain and by having them all charged for any crimes committed. Baelish's brothels and assets were seized and several were auctioned off and most would be in the near future. Tyrion Lannister was appointed as King's Counter, managing taxation in Westeros, and the other positions were filled with those who had the skills to perform them. Tyrion was being prepared to succeed Lyonel as Master of Coin when he inevitably decided to quit or got bored.

But the debt, that was where Lyonel truly shined.

The Faith was compensated with land grants and minor tax reduction and the debt owed to it was cleared in a record three months. They were denied grants in the North due to strongly held belief in the Old Gods there.

The debt to House Tyrell was paid off in a half a year with compensation with legitimization for bastards, tax reduction, and some charter approvals for more tax earning towns, ports, and cities.

It took some hard work and a couple targeted actions, but the debt to the Iron Bank was slated to be paid off by 302 AC. If Lyonel had his way then it would be paid off two years early. Lyonel had also become the defacto Master of Laws and then got some laws passed and had the City Watch de-corrupted. Janos Slynt was executed and replaced with someone far better; a hero of Greyjoy's Rebellion, Ser Jacelyn Bywater, taking his place and several others were dismissed and then forced to take the black.

Between that, building a merchant fleet, mining company, logging company, and overseeing repairs and upgrades to King's Landing Lyonel was incredibly busy. King's Landing was being expanded, having its waste management improved, and would eventually be a much better and more secure capital.

## **297 AC.**

Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen had been invited by Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos to stay with him. The Magister would be funding a war against Westeros and House Baratheon and Lannister.

"They are no threat Robert and the realm needs stability. Informing people of the Targaryen's intentions would only give them more support." Jon said.

"Do nothing?! That's your wise advice, Jon?!" Jon's response was cut off by Robert continuing. "What about the rest of you?!"

"Jon's assessment is accurate, but only for the current situation. Soldiers can be recruited, ships can be built, and alliances built, but this collaboration between the Targaryen's and this Magister is quite recent and is weak. We have the advantage of being the defenders, and have more soldiers, ships, and resources, but that can change with more time. Starting a war with Pentos would cost us more lives, but perhaps we can explore the possibility of backing a rival of Mopatis and I can weaken Mopatis from the shadows." Lyonel replied, showing that he inherited his fathers, uncles, and grandfathers strategic ability. Well, that was what the council thought.

"Why strengthen a rival of Mopatis?" Renly asked.

"So they can do the work for us and give us Viserys and Daenerys. In return they get support and power."

"How can Mopatis be weakened?" Varys asked, privately intending to warn his ally of Baratheon's intentions.

"Many ways, Lord Varys. Trust me, you'll like it. I'm feeling creative... it's gonna be very bad for him." Lyonel replied, not trusting Varys. Lyonel's creativity was always interesting... the Iron Thrones debt was greatly reduced because of it and King's Landing was better for it. "I would like to remind you all that Westerosi laws do not apply in Essos... for no reason at all. That's obvious actually."

"Okay..." Renly stated in confusion.

"Back a rival while weakening our new enemy?" Robert questioned in disdain.

"Jon was right about possibly driving Targaryen supporters over to the Targaryen's. This way would save thousands of lives and a lot of money. A war could keep us in debt longer. I know that you dislike it father, but it's time for House Targaryen to finally end and then we can continue House Baratheon's stable and prosperous reign. Who cares about House Targaryen? Half of them were mad and were a curse upon Westeros. They're only a novelty now and eventually their loyalists will realize that they're better off without that Degenerate House."

"Degenerate House?" Robert asked. "I like it! The Degenerate House of Targaryen!" Robert said, to the amusement of the council. "Lyonel, you can enact your plan, but I want results."

"You will have them, father," Lyonel replied. "I also wish to speak with you and Lord Jon after this... Stannis might want to stick around too. I'd rather that he hear it from me face-to-face."

"Very well," Robert replied. "You're all dismissed."

Once they were alone, Lyonel spoke. "There are few houses that I believe would support the Targaryens, but the biggest threats would require incentive. I wish to marry Margaery Tyrell, a protege of Olenna Tyrell, who's the real power behind House Tyrell and the reason Mace hasn't been killed on his own seat. It would bring House Tyrell's might under our control and gain us the Redwyne fleet."

"A Tyrell?" Stannis asked.

"Yes, that's why I wanted you to hear it from me. Plus they've targeted Renly and have begun to build a relationship with him through Loras.... It's obvious what they intend to do."

"Indeed," Stannis said with a frown.

"The marriage would be a good match," Jon mused. "It would secure House Baratheon's rule for centuries and deprive the Targaryens of an ally and would just leave the Dornish as a major threat. It's a great idea, Robert. I advise you to agree to it."

Robert sighed. "You want this girl and need her to secure House Baratheon's rule?"
"Yes."

"Fine, but don't fill the court with a bunch of damn Tyrell's."

"I wasn't going too," Lyonel replied with a smile.

"I don't like the idea of being tied to the Tyrell's or rewarding them for their attempts, but it is necessary. It seems that Renly might fancy himself a king... doing this would destroy a lot of his support base." Stannis said.

"Fuckin Tyrell's, turning my brother against us," Robert spat angrily. If it weren't for Lyonel then Robert would have already declared war on the Tyrell's and would already have Renly locked in the black cells... if he ever found out about them on his own.

"They're doing exactly what I would do in their place; just far less skillfully. I can't really judge them, but I do need to divert their efforts to me and further secure my eventual rule and prevent or lessen any infighting." Lyonel replied.

"I'd hoped to betroth you to one of Ned's, but I trust you enough to let you make this decision," Robert said.

"There is Tommen and Myrcella that you can still marry off. Funding the restoration of Moat Cailin as a seat if they're married to a second or third child is also possible. There is Summerhall or we could even build them a new seat. You still have plenty of options available to unite Houses Stark and Baratheon." Robert, Jon, and Stannis liked those ideas. "Anyway, I have a Magister to ruin and a power base to purge. You should see results within as few as three months, father."

## **298 AC.**

Lyonel absolutely abused his magical advantage for months. The vaults of Illyrio Mopatis were completely emptied and Lyonel took dragonbone, rare objects, three dragon eggs, the Targaryen and Blackfyre families ancestral sword Blackfyre, dragonbone bows, Valyrian steel daggers, gemstones, gold, silver, and poisons.

The ships of Illyrio Mopatis were seized, product and all, and Lyonel sold everything but the slaves for more money for the Iron Throne. All the Iron Throne's debt was paid off with Illyrio Mopatis' former wealth and now had a surplus. Lyonel was pleased that he wasn't forced to use his own wealth to fix his fathers mistakes.

Lyonel's various interests had made him a great deal of money and had gained him further influence and he had rapidly built up wealth comparable to House Tyrells.

While attacking and weakening Illyrio Mopatis, Lyonel had discovered something concerning.... Mopatis was associated with House Blackfyre, his son was Aegon Blackfyre and the son of Serra Blackfyre and Mopatis. Furthermore, Varys was associated with House Blackfyre and secretly aiding them.

Lyonel was forced to act. He took Mopatis, Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen, and Jon Connington prisoner, and had the same done for Varys. Once his father had sobered up, he asked him to remain sober and attend a meeting of the Small Council.

"Once Varys is here we can begin," Pycelle said.

"Varys is a Blackfyre supporter and will be attending later in chains," Lyonel announced. "Furthermore, I was forced to take Mopatis and both Targaryens and the Blackfyre they intended to claim was a Targaryen as prisoners." Jon became angered. "Varys' spies were everywhere and I had to act first. Otherwise he would have escaped."

"Continue, Lyonel," Robert said seriously.

"Illyrio Mopatis and Varys are longterm friends and together Mopatis became extremely wealthy and Varys became a great spymaster and ally of him... as you all know the Mad King recruited him as his Master of Whispers, but Varys was poisoning an already Mad King further and according to what I've learned he even poisoned Elia Martell. Had he not poisoned her then she may have been able to bear more children. Part of Aerys' madness, Harrenhal, Lyanna Stark's abduction, corruption, instability, and even delaying reports of our enemies has weakened Westeros for House Blackfyre. Originally they intended to defeat House Targaryen, but when House Baratheon took over they decided to claim a Blackfyre was a Targaryen and exploit House Targaryen's support base to their advantage. Daenerys Targaryen was intended to reinforce their dubious claim."

"How did you learn all of this?" Jon asked.

"For every lie or half-truth Mopatis told me or for every secret that he kept I tortured his son. Eventually he would have been force to watch his son; the last remnant of his beloved wife, die. It was cruel, but also necessary." Jon looked shocked. "Shall I have them escorted in?"

"Yes," Robert said.

Lyonel gave the order and his Blackcloaks escorted Viserys, Daenerys, Varys, Illyrio, Aegon Blackfyre, and Jon Connington inside the throne room.

"Your enemies, Your Grace," Lyonel said with a smile.

"You have done well, Lyonel," Robert said, as Viserys whimpered. "This fat fuck is the one backing House Blackfyre?" Robert asked, to Viserys confusion. "Yes, you dumb bastard, Mopatis was using you to get your sister so that she could breed with his Blackfyre son and usurp your dynasty. You're gonna die boy and I'm gonna be the one to take your little head."

"I hate to interrupt, but I still need to interrogate Varys, Connington, Mopatis, and Blackfyre further..." Lyonel said.

"You can still do that," Robert reassured.

"What of the girl?" Jon asked.

"She can be sterilized and possibly made to join the Silent Sisters. It would remove the threat of her bearing children to oppose us and remove her from play while sparing us from the shame of killing a girl. She could be betrothed to a strong ally, but we would risk her poisoning them against us. Those options or keeping her under lock and key would be our best options... I do have a few secret prisons for people from Essos. They would keep any potential allies away from her." Lyonel said.

Jon began to object to secret prisons, but Robert cut him off. "Sterilize her and lock her away." Robert said, before cutting off Jon's objections. "Get all the information that you can from the others and then execute them all. Any other business?"

"We need a new Master of Whispers," Jon said stiffly.

"I have an advisor who has helped me manage my own spy network. I suggest Qyburn for the position. He's proven his competence to me and can fill the position immediately."

"I object! Qyburn is a disgraced former Maester!" Pycelle said.

"And a more skilled healer than Archmaester Ebrose... he can reattach limbs without magic. Besides, your point is moot, Qyburn can do the job and if he can't then he can just be replaced. I'll vouch for him." Lyonel said.

"Fine," Robert said, eager to finish and go kill Viserys.

Jon sighed and dismissed them.

Lyonel had his Blackcloaks and his sworn swords Ser Guyard Morrigen and Ser Robar Royce escort his prisoners away. He needed more information and he would get it.

"Now then. Who wants to talk first... strategies, weaknesses of Essos and its people, people within the Seven Kingdoms and Essos who were backing your efforts or were aware of them, and any known or any suspected Blackfyre's."

Jon Connington spat at Lyonel, but Lyonel caught with telekinesis and sent it back at him and used the Cruciatus Curse on the prick for good measure.

"I asked nicely, but perhaps I should try rudeness...." With that, Lyonel just ripped the knowledge that he wanted from Jon Connington's mind. "Don't worry... you betrayed your beloved Silver Prince out of stupidity and not willingly. I'll kill you quickly... but you get to watch Blackfyre die first. You can tell your prince that the threat to his house died shortly before his own house. House Baratheon shall rule far longer than House Targaryen and if I have my way then House Targaryen will be forgotten entirely."

After confirming that Aegon had no information of value, Lyonel took everything that he needed from Varys' and Illyrio's minds and placed Aegon under a version of the Cruciatus Curse that fed upon the victims life-force while torturing them to death.

After Illyrio Mopatis was broken from watching his son die, he suffered the same fate.

Varys went next, but only after Lyonel promised to purge his powerbase of those loyal to him.

That done, Lyonel had his sworn swords and servants help him move the bodies.... Lyonel carried Illyrio out of consideration. Varys, Illyrio Mopatis, Aegon Blackfyre, and Jon Connington's heads would all soon join Viserys' own on spikes. A letter was sent to Sunspear to inform them that it actually was a Blackfyre who was intended to pretend to be Elia Martell's son and the Martells nephew with Jon Connington intended to add credence to the story and with the marriage to Daenerys Targaryen legitimizing him further and legally securing House Blackfyre's dominance over the Iron Throne. It would thankfully and very surprisingly be believed. Lyonel suspected that him deigning to explain that to them and that his known desire for peace between Dorne and the rest of Westeros had convinced them.

Lyonel went to visit the lovely Daenerys Targaryen next and she was visibly afraid of him.

"W-will being sterilized hurt?"

"No, but we could avoid sterilizing you. You could even be taken care of, have a nice home, pleasure, and will never want for anything." Daenerys looked hopeful. "I want you to be my paramour... bear my children. I have goals and I require many children for that... and you deserve better than to waste away as a Silent Sister. Were it not for my fathers hatred for Targaryen's then I would have suggested marrying you to bring peace and unity to Westeros, but we're close to achieving that now. Perhaps your children could even be lords or ladies once my father passes on."

This strategy of Lyonel's served several purposes.... If his children were somehow deposed by Targaryen loyalists then his other children by Daenerys would be heirs. He gained children with greater Dragonlord potential and he could use them all for his eventual conquest of Essos and reward them. It would win over Targaryen loyalists when he revealed his taking of Daenerys as a paramour. He also sympathized with Daenerys, he was once downtrodden in his first life, and he wanted to heal her and maybe even give her some happiness. Lyonel was also very attracted to her and felt that he could bring her some happiness and himself some pleasure while fulfilling some goals. Finally, should Margaery prove to be infertile then he could marry Daenerys should she prove stable and legitimize their children... that would gain him House Targaryen's supporters.

Lyonel liked this plan of his and he could control Daenerys and possibly even make her fall in love with him.

Daenerys was scared, but she was being offered a home, warmth, security, and he was surely better than Viserys.... If he wanted to then he could just rape her or kill her, but he hadn't.

"Yes... I'll be your paramour.