Chapter 56: Ripples of the Royal Wedding

The Redwyne ships sliced through the calm waters of Blackwater Bay as they left the chaos of King's Landing behind. The air aboard the Arbor Queen was thick with tension, and although the panic from Joffrey's sudden death still clung to Paxter's mind, he forced himself to focus on the next steps.

Paxter stood at the bow, the salt wind whipping through his hair as he gazed out at the sea. The echoes of the wedding feast still haunted him—the sight of Joffrey gasping for breath, the screams of Margaery, and the panicked frenzy that followed the king's death. He could still see the pale faces of the nobility as they realized that the realm had been thrust into yet another storm of political upheaval.

Ser Martyn Harte approached, his face as grim as Paxter had ever seen it. "The men are uneasy, my lord. They know Joffrey's death will bring more than just rumors and whispers—it will bring war. The Lannisters will want revenge."

Paxter nodded slowly. "The death of a king doesn't go unpunished. We'll need to be ready for what comes next, but for now, our priority is protecting our house. The Reach is stable, but if the Lannisters turn their wrath southward, it will become a battlefield."

Ser Martyn hesitated before speaking again. "And the Tyrells? Lady Olenna… she didn't seem surprised by the events at the feast."

Paxter turned his gaze away from the sea, meeting Ser Martyn's eyes. "She's playing a deeper game, one I'm not sure we're meant to understand. The Tyrells are as cunning as they are powerful. If Olenna had a hand in Joffrey's death, she's already several steps ahead of anyone who might accuse her."

Ser Martyn's expression darkened. "Do you think we should distance ourselves from the Tyrells, my lord? With Joffrey dead, their position might weaken."

Paxter considered the question carefully. "No, not yet. The Tyrells still hold considerable power, and Margaery's marriage to Joffrey—though short-lived—places her in a critical position. The Lannisters need the Tyrells more than ever now. But we'll need to be cautious. If the alliance between the two houses shatters, we'll have to rethink our strategy."

As the ship continued its journey, Mina approached, her steps light but purposeful. Her face was calm, but her eyes held a sharp intensity that told Paxter she had been thinking as deeply as he had.

"We need to prepare for the chaos that will follow Joffrey's death," Mina said quietly. "The capital will descend into turmoil, and the other noble houses will start making their moves. The Iron Bank is watching closely. If they decide the Lannisters are too weak, they'll back a rival claimant."

Paxter nodded, his brow furrowing. "And we need to be ready for that. If the Iron Bank shifts its support, it could open up new opportunities for us—but it could also throw the entire realm into civil war. I want you to continue monitoring our contacts in Braavos. If there's a change in their attitude toward the Lannisters, we'll need to act quickly."

Mina leaned on the railing next to Paxter, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "The Free Cities are already growing uneasy about the instability in Westeros. Our trade routes are still intact, but if the war spreads, we could see disruptions that will hurt our position. We need to start fortifying our defenses in the Reach and ensuring that our trade networks are diversified."

Paxter glanced at her. "I've already started working on that. The emissaries we sent to Braavos and Pentos are negotiating favorable terms for future wine shipments. If we can secure those agreements, we'll have a safety net if the situation in King's Landing gets worse."

Mina nodded, her expression thoughtful. "We also need to consider our relationship with the Tyrells. If the Lannisters turn on them—or if the Tyrells decide to make their own move against the Crown—we need to ensure that we're not caught in the middle."

Paxter let out a slow breath. "I'll send a message to Lady Olenna. We'll reaffirm our support for the Tyrells, but we'll make it clear that House Redwyne will protect its own interests. If they need our help, they'll have it—for a price."

Mina smiled faintly. "Always thinking of the future, Paxter. It's what makes you a formidable lord."

As they sailed farther from King's Landing, the tension began to ease slightly, but the weight of what was to come still pressed down on Paxter. The game of thrones had taken a deadly turn, and the ripples of Joffrey's death would spread far beyond the capital.

***

The following days saw the Redwyne fleet reach the shores of the Reach, docking at Arbor's grand port. The men disembarked, relieved to be home, but the air of uncertainty lingered. The news of Joffrey's death would soon spread across Westeros, and Paxter knew that the chaos would follow them back to their lands.

Paxter met with his advisors in the main hall of the Arbor, the room dimly lit by the late afternoon sun filtering through the tall windows. Mina, Ser Martyn, and several key captains were gathered around the large table, a map of the Reach and surrounding regions laid out before them.

"Joffrey's death will throw the realm into chaos," Paxter began, his voice steady but serious. "The Lannisters will be looking for enemies, and the Tyrells will be maneuvering to keep their power intact. We need to make sure House Redwyne remains strong, no matter what happens next."

One of the captains, Ser Gawen, leaned over the map. "If the Tyrells are weakened, we could see raids along our trade routes. We should increase our naval patrols around the Arbor and along the Redwyne Straits."

Paxter nodded. "Agreed. We'll double our patrols and ensure that any threat is dealt with swiftly. But we can't ignore the larger picture. If the Iron Bank decides to back a rival claimant for the throne, we could see a shift in power that will affect the entire realm. We need to be prepared for that."

Mina spoke up next, her tone calm but direct. "Our contacts in Braavos are still negotiating, but they're wary of the instability in Westeros. They've seen kings rise and fall before, and they're not eager to invest in a losing side. We need to position ourselves as a stable partner, no matter who holds the throne."

Paxter considered her words carefully. "Then we'll offer them more favorable trade terms. House Redwyne has always been known for its wine, but we have other resources. If we can diversify our exports and offer the Free Cities something valuable, we'll secure their support."

As the discussions continued, Paxter felt a growing sense of determination. The events in King's Landing had been a wake-up call. The realm was on the brink of collapse, and only those who were prepared would survive the coming storm. House Redwyne would not be caught unprepared.

"We need to secure our future," Paxter said, his voice resolute. "The Tyrells may falter, the Lannisters may fall, but House Redwyne will endure. We'll protect the Reach, safeguard our trade, and ensure that we remain strong, no matter what happens to the Iron Throne."

The advisors nodded in agreement, their expressions serious. They knew the stakes were high, but they also knew that Paxter had guided them through difficult times before. With him at the helm, they would weather the storm.

As the meeting concluded and the captains dispersed, Paxter remained at the table, studying the map. The winds of change were blowing through Westeros, and the game of thrones had entered a new, deadlier phase. But Paxter was ready. He would protect his house, his people, and his legacy.

Whatever came next, House Redwyne would be ready.