Chapter 35 - 34 - The Trial of Lord Loreon Lannister (2)
Credit for the second Chapter goes to "Kuro_doragon519364," who discovered the origin of the horse’s name
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Maekar’s words placed Loreon at the edge of the cliff, needing only one step to fall into the abyss of death. However, Loreon’s face remained calm. "It’s hard to accept, but I harbor no resentment, my prince."
"I understand, but you must also understand that you have the resources, the power, and, above all, the motive," Maekar replied in a helpless tone, as if he were truly powerless before such a situation.
Shaking his head, he let out a sigh and said in a sorrowful tone, "There is also the testimony of the Faceless Assassin; she claims you hired her for three million golden dragons. Curiously, about three days ago, a large caravan of carriages was secured onto House Lannister’s merchant ships."
Loreon’s eyes betrayed Maekar’s words; for the first time since he had been on trial, his expression changed drastically.
Even Jaehaerys looked at Maekar with a surprised gaze, but his look deepened. The boy had a spy organization, just like his Master of Whispers. This caused Jaehaerys’s caution regarding Maekar to increase significantly, levels higher.
The boy did not seem like a fourteen-year-old at all.
"My prince must be mistaken; that money was delivered to the Iron Bank for the purchase of more warships for House Lannister’s fleet," Loreon spoke in a calm tone, but his eyes were narrowed. The thought of spies being in his city made him furious.
"Then that’s great; it will exonerate you. Let’s call a representative of the Iron Bank, and you can allow him to explain the purchase of the warships to the entire Court." Maekar’s smile grew; he looked at Loreon with a quite amused gaze, as if a wolf were looking at injured prey.
Loreon’s face changed drastically at Maekar’s words. If he truly allowed the Iron Bank messenger to come before the court, he had no doubt he would be unmasked at that very moment.
It was true that the money was going to the Iron Bank, but it wasn’t payment for the purchase of ships in Braavos, which was famous for its shipbuilding, but for the House of Black and White!
However, if he refused, no trial would be necessary; even a commoner would know he was lying, let alone the flesh-hungry hyenas of the court.
Clenching his fists, Loreon knew at that moment he was cornered; his only alternative was to request a trial by combat. This made him furious; all his plans vanished with Maekar’s words.
If Maekar didn’t know about the gold, he could proclaim himself innocent no matter how many times, but that amount of gold could be traced by anyone. What would happen if the Iron Bank transferred all the Lannister gold to the House of Black and White? It was practically a guilty sentence.
As for saying there was no gold on the ship, that was even stupider, as it could only be discovered when it arrived at the port of Braavos. After all, the ship had to be searched to actually dock in Braavos.
Looking at Maekar, sitting beside the Iron Throne, he could notice that Maekar was looking at him with amusement and provocation. This made him furious. He felt like a toy in Maekar’s hands, almost as if all his movements were being manipulated and watched.
And that scared him. It was as if a massive cage were becoming increasingly narrow. However, the more panic he felt, the calmer he became. Panic served no purpose other than to provoke his enemies.
"Lord Loreon, you haven’t answered whether we can summon the messenger of the Iron Bank," Jaehaerys spoke at that moment; his voice sent chills through Loreon’s body.
Raising his head and looking at the king sitting on the Iron Throne, he grit his teeth and spoke in a calm tone.
"You may summon the messenger of the Iron Bank."
In the end, Loreon still wanted to delay the trial as much as possible. However, Maekar’s next words caused his expression to change drastically.
"My king, I had some business with the messenger of the Iron Bank, and as it happens, he is in the Red Keep," Maekar spoke in a calm tone, but his words made Loreon turn pale.
Jaehaerys looked at his grandson with a touch of admiration and a pride he didn’t want to admit having for Maekar. If he had possessed such political shrewdness and such elaborate plans when he became king, he wouldn’t have suffered any setbacks at the hands of Rogar Baratheon, his mother’s second husband.
However, he understood Maekar’s plan the instant he spoke those words.
"Since he is in the Red Keep, the crown summons him to participate in this trial," Jaehaerys said in a calm tone, and one of the royal guards walked toward the exit, but Loreon’s next words made his steps stop.
"There is no need; I demand a trial by combat." Loreon’s voice reverberated throughout the Great Hall; even Myria looked at Loreon with a touch of surprise.
Jaehaerys looked coldly at Loreon and spoke in a calm tone. "If that is your wish, Lord Lannister, you may choose whether you will fight personally or choose a representative to go in your place during the duel."
"I choose a representative." Loreon did not hesitate to speak. Even a blind man knew that Maekar’s skill with the sword was terrifying and deadly for anyone, let alone for him, who was already middle-aged.
"And who will represent you, Lord Loreon?" Jaehaerys asked in a still calm tone. "If you cannot find a representative, you will have to fight personally or you may choose to forfeit the Trial by Combat and choose to take the black and depart for the North, where you will join the Night’s Watch."
"I ask that you wait until I find a representative, my king," Loreon said in a calm tone.
"You have three days," Jaehaerys said in a cold tone. He turned and looked at Maekar; the king’s voice sounded again.
"Is the Messenger of the Iron Bank truly in the Red Keep?"
"I think I was mistaken, Your Grace; I confused him with the Messenger of the Bank of Oldtown," Maekar said with a smile, a smile full of sarcasm and irony, especially looking at Loreon, whose face was livid with rage.
The court looked at one another and saw the shocked expressions of each other. At the same time, they saw another facet of Maekar. Besides being a great warrior, Prince Maekar was shrewd, almost like a younger version of King Jaehaerys.
Loreon’s face was livid with rage, his body trembled from head to toe, and he looked at Maekar as if he wanted to devour his flesh and blood.
He couldn’t believe he had been manipulated by a fourteen-year-old boy. Underestimating Maekar had caused his ruin; he should have been more attentive and calm, not letting his panic influence his decisions.
A laugh escaped his lips. All his life he had escaped the court’s ruses, but he had truly fallen for a boy who hadn’t even reached adulthood (sixteen years). However, Loreon quickly calmed down and showed a calm expression.
In this world, there was no lack of people skilled with the sword or any other weapon; as long as he set a price, he could fill the Great Hall with Knights!
How could Maekar not know what Loreon was thinking? He knew, but he didn’t care; as he had said before, he was a monster with any weapon.
There was no man alive who could fight him beyond a few hundred strokes, and that was considering Ryam Redwyne, the deadliest and most experienced knight in the Seven Kingdoms.
Watching Loreon being escorted by the Royal Guard, Maekar looked at the king and said in a calm tone, "Our little game should stop for a few days."
"Only if Alysanne stops causing trouble," Jaehaerys stated his terms.
"Very well, but I want Blackfyre for the duel," Maekar agreed and also stated his terms.
"I accept," Jaehaerys spoke in a calm tone.
Maekar was satisfied with the outcome of the trial. Everything had gone according to his plans; he only hoped nothing would go wrong.