King's Landing – Mud Gate Docks
Ten days later, on a crisp morning, a heavily laden merchant ship eased into the Blackwater River and docked at one of the crowded wharves near Mud Gate.
The hull still carried the chill and salt of the northern seas—it had clearly seen a rough voyage.
A woman stepped down the gangplank, wrapped in a thick gray travel cloak, hood pulled low to shadow most of her face. Her posture was straight and confident, steps sure.
This was the envoy sent from the North by the Amethyst Lord—Jenny Locke, a minor branch member of the Locke family from Oldtown. Hardly high nobility, but loyal and capable.
Jenny frowned as she scanned the docks. The prime berths they had reserved were now occupied by several massive barges. Workers swarmed like ants, unloading huge blocks of stone and thick timber, all heading toward the River Gate.
The air smelled of dust, sweat, and the ever-present fish-stink of the harbor.
"What's going on? Where's our reserved berth?" Jenny's voice carried the hard northern accent even through the hood.
The Locke family steward who had been waiting—Harris, a lean, weathered man with sharp eyes—hurried forward and bowed.
"Miss Jenny, you wouldn't believe it. Just two weeks ago, that Pierce Celtigar from Crackclaw Point rented every decent berth along the fish market long-term. They're all being used to ship stone and timber for his Dragonpit renovation and the new arena. Look at this chaos…"
Harris gestured at the frenzied activity. "The dockworkers now consider it an honor to get Celtigar's jobs. Pay's always on time and generous. They say the gold dragons pouring out every day for berths and labor alone could float a warship."
Jenny's hidden eyebrows rose. Pierce Celtigar… The name had been circulating in northern trade circles lately, especially his Golden Port goods. Everything from cheap everyday items to luxurious pieces was flying off shelves. Northern nobles loved them because even the fancy stuff was surprisingly affordable.
Seeing the scale of his operation in King's Landing with her own eyes, she felt a spark of genuine interest in this mysterious southern lord.
Their own ship had to squeeze into a cramped, second-rate berth. Unloading would be slow and annoying.
Jenny felt a flicker of irritation but knew there was nothing to be done. In this world, money and power talked loudest.
Once on solid ground, her party pushed through the chaotic but lively dock district.
Passing the customs shack, a huge wooden sign caught her eye. Clear Common Tongue lettering read:
TONIGHT! Silk Square! "Golden Tassel" proudly presents—Stage Play: The Siren's Love! Starring Miss Nia! Witness a legend of love and sacrifice!
(Show your stage-play ticket at Golden Tassel for a complimentary cup of our special Summer Wine!)
"Stage play?" Jenny asked Harris. "What new nonsense is this?"
Harris scratched his head. "Something Lord Celtigar and Lord Baelish cooked up. Kinda like those Braavosi theater things where people act out stories on a stage, but different. They were building the platform a few days ago and crowds were already gathering. Tonight's the premiere—tickets sold out instantly. Half the nobles and their ladies are dying to see it!"
A glint of curiosity flashed in Jenny's eyes. This novel entertainment had definitely piqued her interest.
They made their way along Riverside Street to the "Riverside Inn"—a relatively quiet establishment that also served as one of the northern fur guild's discreet safe houses in King's Landing.
It was actually a very good option. The city's power was already carved up among the great houses; places like the Iron Islands or Dorne had no real foothold here.
In the inn's most secure room, Jenny dismissed most of her guards and kept only Harris for the report.
"Tell me everything happening in King's Landing lately—especially about this Lord Celtigar," she said, pulling off her cloak. Her face was not classically beautiful but strong-featured, intelligent, and resolute.
Harris perked up and launched into a detailed summary: Pierce winning the tourney championship, taking over the Dragonpit and new arena projects, his betrothal to Shireen Baratheon, the wildly successful "Star Selection," and the upcoming stage plays. He covered it all with the right balance of detail and brevity.
Just as he was hitting his stride, a guard knocked softly and delivered a plain gray envelope sealed with red wax stamped in the shape of a perfectly cut gem.
Jenny's eyes narrowed. She waved Harris silent, examined the seal, then carefully opened it.
Inside was a blank sheet of parchment. But in the bottom-right corner, written in tiny script, were the words: "Tides rise and fall…"
The first half of the Rising Tide passphrase! A nearly invisible mark indicated the method to reveal the full message.
Jenny immediately cleared the room. From a seemingly ordinary cosmetics case she took a small porcelain vial, poured a few drops of colorless liquid onto a quill, and brushed it evenly across the blank parchment.
Words bloomed into view: the complete passphrase "Equivalent exchange, tides eternal" plus an address near Silk Street and a meeting time—tonight, just before the stage play began.
...
...
King's Landing – A Hidden Mansion
At the same moment, in the same discreet mansion where Pierce and Cersei had met many times, the air still carried the heavy scent of passion and rose oil.
Cersei lay draped across Pierce's sweat-slicked chest, golden hair spilling like a waterfall. Her face glowed with satisfaction, emerald eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Pierce… you have no idea. That red priestess Melisandre… her power is incredible."
Cersei's voice was husky from their recent exertions. "She only needed a tiny trick and Jaime mistook her for me. I slipped right out of the Red Keep under his nose. Maybe the Lord of Light really is real."
Pierce's hand idly traced her smooth back. His tone was calm but carried a warning. "Faith is powerful, my queen. Gods—or whatever forces are stronger than mortals—may be real. But the stronger the power, the more carefully you must wield it."
"Get lost in it and you lose yourself. Look at Aerys. The 'Mad King' was destroyed by his obsession with fire and wildfire. Pride is the deadliest of the Seven Sins."
Cersei lifted her head, gave him a playful glare, and kissed him possessively. "Don't worry, my dear Pierce. I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm only using the power and convenience she offers…"
Her fingers trailed down his chest, teasing. "But I will never be controlled by anyone—man or god. I am Cersei Lannister."
Pierce hid a private smile. Cersei's words perfectly revealed her hunger for power and the dangerous arrogance growing inside her. She believed she could master everything, never realizing she was sliding deeper into dependence.
But that was fine with him. Let her run wild in front. It only gave him more room to maneuver and profit.
"The other day behind the Iron Throne… that was thrilling!" Cersei suddenly giggled, eyes gleaming at the memory of the risk. "And now… Melisandre's spell has Jaime sleeping like a baby while I'm here with you. The feeling is… unmatched."
She kissed him again, growing urgent.
Pierce returned the heat, but just as things were about to ignite once more, a soft knock came at the door.
"Master, your guest has arrived…"
Both froze. Cersei let out a frustrated little moan but quickly rose. Pierce sat up as well.
With practiced efficiency they straightened their clothes and the bed. Cersei pulled on the deep hooded cloak that completely hid her face and figure. Pierce simply smoothed his appearance—he would meet the envoy openly.
The door opened. A servant ushered Jenny Locke inside.
Her eyes first landed on Pierce, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face—she clearly recognized the new star of King's Landing.
Then her gaze moved to the hooded figure in the central seat.
Cersei said nothing. She simply reached into her sleeve, produced a twisted glass candle, and focused. A blood-red flame—completely cold—sprang to life at its tip.
The moment Jenny saw the unmistakable sign of a high-ranking Rising Tide member, all doubt vanished.
She bowed deeply and respectfully. "Greetings, honored Ruby Lord."
Her voice carried the hard northern cadence, respectful yet edged with tension.
Cersei gave a slight nod and spoke in the altered, low, commanding tone she used for these meetings. "No need for formalities, child of House Locke. Sit. Revealing my gender to you is already a great show of trust."
Jenny sat across from them, her eyes flicking briefly to the calm, smiling Pierce. She had many guesses about his connection to the Ruby Lord.
"First, on behalf of the Amethyst Lord, I thank you for the help with trade routes and pricing," Jenny said, getting straight to business.
"As fellow members of the Rising Tide, mutual aid is only natural," Cersei replied with queenly grace. "Now, what exactly has the Amethyst Lord sent you to discuss?"
Jenny sat straighter. "Two main matters. First, regarding northern timber. We've developed a new modular bed system that's easy to transport and assemble. We hope to open the market here in King's Landing…"
Cersei interrupted. "What about preservation? You know this isn't the North. Even in Dorne things rot in the humidity."
Jenny smiled confidently. "Our lord… obtained an extremely effective anti-rot and insect-repellent formula through certain channels. Once treated, the wood stays sound for a very long time even in damp conditions."
She had no idea the original formula had come from Pierce's "technical exchanges" with the North.
Cersei nodded. "Golden Tassel can help promote it and find suitable shop space for you… What's the second matter?"
"Leather goods," Jenny continued. "We want to open a shop specializing in premium northern leather here in King's Landing. I understand Golden Tassel also deals in leather…"
She glanced at Cersei a little hesitantly. Even knowing Golden Tassel belonged to the Ruby Lord, she still needed permission to enter the market.
Cersei gave a light laugh, full of effortless authority. "No need to worry. Golden Tassel's leather business isn't essential, and its style doesn't clash with the sturdy, practical northern look. If anything, they'll complement each other. Open your shop freely. It may even help drive business for both of us."
Jenny's face lit up with delight. Both key issues had been resolved far more smoothly than she'd hoped.
She rose and bowed again. "Thank you for your generosity and support, honored Ruby Lord! I will send word back to the North by raven immediately!"
"My lord the Amethyst Lord instructed me to tell you: if these two matters are settled successfully, then from now on, in the Rising Tide Council, she and all the northern power she represents will firmly follow your will and stand with you through every tide."
Beneath the hood, Cersei's lips curved in a triumphant smile.
She could already see her authority inside the Rising Tide growing rock-solid now that she had secured the North's Amethyst Lord.
She waved a graceful hand. "Excellent. Tell the Amethyst Lord I look forward to sailing the tides together with her."
Jenny Locke left the room satisfied, a weight lifted from her shoulders.
She had no idea that the silent, smiling man who had watched the entire meeting—Pierce Celtigar—was the true puppet master behind everything in King's Landing… and that Cersei's "victory" was simply another carefully placed piece on his board.