Chapter 50: For The Reach!

The dawn brought with it a chill that seeped through the stone walls of Bitterbridge, a stark reminder that winter was ever so slightly creeping upon them. Paxter Redwyne stood in his chambers, gazing at the flickering flames in the hearth. Despite the warmth of the fire, a cold knot of tension settled in his stomach. The recent news of an unknown benefactor funding the pirates in the Redwyne Straits troubled him deeply. Someone was trying to destabilize House Redwyne's trade, and that could not be allowed to stand.

As he brooded over this, a soft knock came at the door. It was Mina, carrying a tray with two steaming cups of tea. She set the tray down on the table and handed one cup to Paxter.

"Morning, Paxter," she said, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of concern. "You've been up all night again, haven't you?"

Paxter accepted the cup with a small nod of thanks. "Too much on my mind," he replied, taking a sip of the warm tea. "These pirates aren't just a nuisance; they're part of a larger plot. Whoever is behind this has connections in King's Landing, and we need to find out who they are and what they want."

Mina took a seat across from him, her own cup cradled in her hands. "We have agents in the capital, but it might be time to send someone we trust implicitly. A direct approach might give us more information. We need to know if this is the work of a single house or a faction."

Paxter considered her suggestion. "You're right. We need someone who can blend in, gather information, and remain unnoticed. Someone who knows the streets of King's Landing and can navigate its dangerous politics."

Mina thought for a moment. "There's Ser Kevan. He has experience in the capital and a good head for discretion. He's also not so well-known that he'd draw attention."

Paxter nodded. "Ser Kevan is a good choice. Have him prepare to leave immediately. He's to report directly to us and keep a low profile. We don't want anyone knowing that he's there on our behalf."

Mina stood, setting her cup down. "I'll see to it. And what about the wine shipment to King's Landing? It's ready to go, but with this new information, do you want to delay it?"

Paxter shook his head. "No, send it as planned. But increase the guard detail even further. And make sure our best men are on that convoy. We can't afford any slip-ups. The Tyrells are counting on this, and so are we."

Mina nodded and left to carry out his orders. Paxter returned to his seat by the fire, his mind turning over the possibilities. If there was a plot against them, he needed to stay one step ahead. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard, not with so much at stake.

Later that day, the convoy of wine began its journey to King's Landing, escorted by a heavily armed guard. Paxter watched from the battlements as the procession wound its way down the road, the barrels of Arbor wine carefully secured on the wagons. This shipment represented not just a fulfillment of their obligations to the Tyrells, but also a statement of House Redwyne's resilience and strength.

As the day wore on, a rider approached Bitterbridge, bearing the colors of House Tyrell. Paxter met him in the courtyard, where the man dismounted and handed him a sealed letter. "From Lady Olenna, my lord," the rider said, bowing respectfully.

Paxter broke the seal and read the letter quickly, his expression tightening as he took in its contents. Olenna's message was brief but clear: there were rumors in King's Landing of a conspiracy against the Tyrells, one that involved several powerful houses. The Lannisters, stretched thin by their wars and debts, might not be able to protect them if things went wrong.

Mina joined him, her face reflecting his concern as she read over his shoulder. "This isn't good. If the Tyrells are in danger, we could be next. We need to be ready to act."

Paxter nodded. "Olenna is warning us, but she's also asking for our support. If this conspiracy is real, it could mean open conflict in the capital. We need to decide where we stand and how far we're willing to go to protect our interests."

Mina looked at him, her expression serious. "Do you think we should pull our support from the Tyrells? If they're in as much danger as Olenna suggests, staying aligned with them could be a risk."

Paxter thought carefully before answering. "Not yet. The Tyrells are still powerful, and Olenna is shrewd. She wouldn't be sending this warning unless she thought she could turn the situation to her advantage. But we need to be cautious. We'll keep our options open and be ready to pivot if necessary."

Mina nodded, agreeing with his assessment. "I'll instruct our agents in King's Landing to increase their surveillance. We need to know who's involved in this conspiracy and what their endgame is."

Paxter glanced at the setting sun, casting long shadows across the courtyard. "Do that. And have Ser Kevan report back as soon as he arrives. I want to know everything that's happening in King's Landing—every whisper, every rumor."

As the rider from Highgarden was escorted to the stables, Paxter and Mina returned to the great hall. The atmosphere was tense, and Paxter knew that every decision they made from this point forward could have far-reaching consequences.

The night was still young when another messenger arrived, this one bearing the seal of House Redwyne. Paxter took the letter and read it quickly, his face darkening as he did.

"What is it?" Mina asked, seeing his expression.

"It's from Ser Berric," Paxter said, his voice tight. "The pirates have struck again, this time targeting one of our supply ships bound for Braavos. They were well-armed and well-coordinated, more than just a rogue band. This confirms that someone is funding them, and they're getting bolder."

Mina's expression mirrored his concern. "This is escalating quickly. If they're targeting our trade with the Free Cities, it's more than just a local threat. They're trying to undermine our entire economic base."

Paxter slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "We need to strike back, and hard. No more waiting. I want those pirates found and destroyed, and I want to know who's behind this. We can't let them continue to threaten our livelihood."

Mina nodded, her face set with determination. "I'll organize a fleet to sweep the area and hunt them down. We'll root them out, wherever they're hiding."

Paxter took a deep breath, trying to calm his anger. "And we need to consider what this means for our position in King's Landing. If someone is trying to destabilize us, they could be using these pirates as a tool. We need to find out who's pulling the strings."

As the night wore on, Paxter and Mina continued to plan their next moves. The game was growing more dangerous, and every step had to be taken with caution. House Redwyne's future depended on their ability to outmaneuver their enemies and secure their place in the ever-shifting landscape of Westeros.

The days ahead would be filled with challenges and uncertainty, but Paxter was ready to face them with the same determination and resolve that had always defined House Redwyne. They would not be intimidated, nor would they be outmaneuvered. Whatever came, they would meet it head-on, with courage and strength.

For the Reach, for their people, and for the future of House Redwyne, Paxter would see them through this storm. The winds of change were blowing stronger than ever, and he was ready to guide his house through them, toward a future of power and prosperity.