The news of Rodrik becoming the master of constructions has spread to the whole kings landing. Nobady was envious of him for this position because they knew what state Kings Landing is in- paths were narrow, There was no proper water storage & transfer system other than some wells, there is no proper seawage system so people just throws their filthy on the roads, crime rate is very high so there would be obstacles in whatever he does & Rodrik needed to resolve this with his money & time. If he fails in the project by the crowns order he neither can recover his spending in the kings landing neither can he leave kings landing.
Rodrik was sitting silently in his chambers gazing outside of the window. Jaymee was walking back & forth in great tension " How could His Grace give you this severe punishment? For seven'sake you are Lord of Vale does this make sense?"
Rodrik replied " It doesn't have to make sense he is the King"
" But this will take how many years have you seen the condition of kings landing? it can't be done" Jaymee said to Rodrik in frustration.
Rodrik " Do not worry I will complete this in two years maximum till then I am giving you particular instructions what needs to happen in Vale. You have to make sure Jeyne is safe & Vale is protected".
Jaymee shoked " Are you mad you want me to leave you here in this snake pit alone, they will kill you"
Rodrik knew whatever he said Jaymee won't listen but he needed him in Vale there are many things which needs to be done & he is the only one who Rodrik can trust besides Yobert to get them done"
" This is an order from your Lord" Rodrik
Jaymee stood still for some time & sadly " as you command my lord"
The next day Jaymee left for the Vale with some detailed plans for Vale. Rodrik requested for an audiance with the king. In the kings chamber " Your Grace I hope you are doing well." Rodrik asked Viserys.
" I am fine Lord Arryn thank you for asking. Now what was this private meeting needed for do you want me to take back my orders & free you from this task" Viserys laughed.
" No your Grace, I just wanted to confirm few details if you would allow me" Rodrik said.
Viserys just nodded him to continue.
" Two details which I need to confirm is- How much money will the crown reimburse me when I complete this project, is it a maximum number or there is no limit & What would be the final confirmation of the project completion? " Rodrik asked very meticulously.
Viserys said " Regarding the limit in money Lord Beesbury will notify you & When the streets stop smelling of shit I will consider it completed"
Rodrik also added a point " I am also going to start few business in the kings landing as to recuperate my investment & time which goes into it. I hope that's okay with you Your Grace?"
" Do whatever you need to do" Viserys said as he wanted to get back to his Model of Valeria & be done with these talks.
The project Lord Rodrik Arryn undertook in King's Landing was the complete sanitation overhaul of Flea Bottom—the most densely packed, foul-smelling, disease-ridden district in the capital. It had long been a problem that past rulers ignored or barely touched, but Rodrik chose to face it head-on. He knew it would be the hardest to fix—and the most symbolic.
The Initial Survey
Rodrik began by mapping the entire district with the help of engineers and urban planners from the Vale. They recorded narrow alleys, collapsing tenements, choked drains, and shanty homes stacked like precarious towers. Diseases like pox and rot ran rampant, and open sewage channels lined the streets.
Rodrik set up his central office in the old granary near the Street of Flour, where he converted it into a war-room-like command center. On a wall-size map, he divided the zone into four sectors and assigned teams to each. His first decision: not one building would be demolished without a replacement ready.
Convincing the People
Convincing the locals was a nightmare. When his guards and engineers arrived with orders to evacuate certain sectors, they were met with outrage. People feared they'd be thrown out without homes or food.
Rodrik, understanding their fear, arranged daily meetings with community elders. He promised housing in temporary wooden barracks to be set up just outside the Dragonpit grounds, complete with kitchens and bathhouses.
He didn't stop there. He announced that every able-bodied person from the district would be employed on the project—whether in clearing rubble, hauling stone, cooking for workers, or stitching tents. They would be paid fair wages daily. Skepticism turned to cautious hope.
Execution Begins
The first three months were focused solely on relocation and building the temporary settlement. Then the real work began.
All buildings in Sector One were carefully demolished.
Underground sewer systems—imported in design from Braavos and adapted by Vale engineers—were laid with massive ceramic channels.
Drains were planned along every alleyway with inclined paths for natural flow.
For the first time in city history, latrines connected to a flushed system were built.
Rodrik faced problem after problem:
Old tunnels collapsed unexpectedly.
Water tables flooded some deeper areas, requiring pumps and diversion canals.
Sabotage from criminal gangs who thrived in the chaos of Flea Bottom forced him to bring in the two mercenaries from Braavos.
Things went a little smoothly because of his hired swords from Essos
Ser Vaeron Corth, a rogue knight with the smooth charm and precision. He dressed flamboyantly, loved songs and gold, but was deadly with his curved blade.
Lady Nyra Vex, quiet, calculating, beautiful in an untouchable way. She kept order among the relocated camps with silent efficiency. No theft, no assault, no disappearance happened under her watch.
They worked under Rodrik's personal command. Vaeron handled troublemakers among laborers and ensured noble contractors didn't cheat. Nyra focused on maintaining discipline in the camps.
The Unveiling of Sector One
At the end of 9 months, Rodrik personally walked Viserys through Sector One.
Paved stone lanes.
Public water fountains.
Underground drainage.
New three-story tenements with shared courtyards.
A public bathhouse.
Viserys was stunned. Otto Hightower's snide remarks faded in the air as the King smelled the jasmine-scented streets. No rot. No waste. Just cobbled roads and thriving life.
Scaling Up: The Remaining Sectors
The same process continued for Sectors Two, Three, and Four over the next 18 months.
Temporary camps rotated in groups.
Food was provided from Vale stockpiles.
Jobs were offered even to those who'd previously been criminals.
Training centers for carpentry, stonework, and plumbing were introduced.
Rodrik even created a local sanitation corps—people from Flea Bottom trained and paid to maintain the new facilities.
By the end of Year Two, the entire project was complete. The people had homes. The air was clean. Flea Bottom, once the bane of King's Landing, was now called New Hollow.
Viserys officially declared it: "The streets smell of flowers. And they smell of hope."
Rodrik had passed the hardest test.