I didn't sleep that night.
Lothar had accepted my report, but I knew he didn't trust me—not completely. Men like him never trusted anyone. And Bracken? They saw me as nothing more than a useful tool.
I needed something more.
A third path.
Someone outside of Lothar's control, outside of Bracken's reach. An ally—or at least a piece on the board that I controlled.
But who?
A Study in Freys
The Freys were many. Walder Frey had filled the Twins with sons, grandsons, and bastards like me, each one vying for whatever scraps of power they could seize.
Most of them were worthless.
But a few? A few were players.
I needed to start there.
The Unruly Cousin
That morning, I found my target.
Ser Aenys Frey.
Aenys was one of Lord Walder's grandsons, but unlike Lothar or Black Walder, he was known for being restless. Impatient. He had spent years fighting in the Westerlands and the Riverlands, always seeking a warband of his own.
And, most importantly, he was frustrated.
A man like that? He could be useful.
The First Meeting
I found him near the training yard, watching his men spar. He was tall, with a soldier's build and sharp blue eyes, his sword belt hanging loosely around his hips. He wasn't as dangerous as Black Walder, nor as cunning as Lothar, but he had ambition.
And that was enough.
I approached, making sure he saw me coming.
"Aenys," I greeted, keeping my tone casual.
He turned, raising an eyebrow. "The bastard."
I grinned. "The very same."
He studied me for a moment, then smirked. "What do you want?"
Direct. Good.
I met his gaze. "I hear you're looking for an opportunity."
Aenys chuckled. "Are you offering one?"
I shrugged. "Depends. Are you tired of waiting for scraps?"
His smirk faltered. Just a fraction. But I saw the spark in his eyes.
I had his attention.
The Bait
"I know you," I continued. "You've spent your life following orders, fighting wars for other men. You want your own command."
He said nothing, but I could feel his interest.
I took a step closer. Lowered my voice. "I might be able to help with that."
Aenys scoffed. "And how's a bastard going to help me?"
I smiled. "Because I have something you don't."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Information."
His eyes narrowed. "Go on."
I leaned in slightly. "House Bracken is moving. I know why. I know how. And if you're smart, you'll want to be ahead of the storm before it hits the Twins."
Silence.
Then, slowly, Aenys grinned. "You're playing a dangerous game, bastard."
I smirked. "Aren't we all?"
For the first time, I saw genuine interest in his eyes.
And I knew I had just placed my first piece on the board.
The Next Move
Aenys wasn't Lothar. He wasn't Bracken.
But he was a man I had chosen. A man I might be able to shape.
And if I played this right…
I wouldn't just be someone else's pawn.
I'd be building my own game.
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