Chapter 102

You weren't entirely sure what your little mistress had in mind when she so casually offered to half the troop commitment, as the Hosts in question were under the command of Lord Tywin and so far beyond her reach. But since you had no wish to be ripped apart once your colleagues learned that you turned her down after she offered to lighten their workload, you decided to go along with it and so answered her questions truthfully. Though despite how much you braced yourself for the madness that was sure to come, you nevertheless found yourself stunned by what she casually, and with a straight face, proposed a moment later.

"So, what do you think, Dallin?"

"Well, I'm quite sure it will get Lord Tywin's attention, though do you truly believe it's possible, my Lady?"

"Maps while always useful are often far too small to properly show a single person even if the creator included every little detail of interest the region has to offer."

"The areas such high quality maps like the ones you're talking about usually encompass far too much land for that, entire homesteads can end up smaller than a splotch of ink."

"I suppose that's an obstacle, but it isn't one that a bit of gold can't solve, our newest vassals should already have some pretty good maps for the more important parts of their lands, right?"

"Hmm, that seems like a fair enough assessment, at least for the major towns, but there would also be the increased logistical strain of creating and then distributing these Vambraces."

"I quite plainly doubt you could create enough of them within the allotted time, my Lady, nor could we transport them all to Rose Hold in the near future as things stand."

"And all of that leaves out the issue that most of the Smallfolk will be unwilling to wear them, since doing so might draw the attention of the rebels unto them."

"It would essentially show who does and who doesn't bend to the Rock, at least in the eyes of the rebels and the Crown, so we could probably pay them, and they would still be reluctant depending on the region."

"Sigh, you seem quite reluctant yourself, Dallin."

"There's no need to create tons of them just yet, and while the Smallfolk might not play along as well as they could, I imagine few would risk to outright deny House Lannister anything."

"Then what of yourself, my Lady, you said a number of times that these creations of yours can be difficult to use with precision once too many of them are in one place, that doesn't sound ideal for the vital towns and cities we could actually get maps for."

"There is no need for me to do much of anything, Dallin, the little ones should be more than capable of showing their positions on the map once I instructed them."

"It's not like I'm mad enough to continuously check all of their positions myself before I adjust the map, they can feel one another, so your worries are unwarranted, my Friend."

"At the end of the day everything that would stop this from working can be solved at a later time, as long as my father sees the potential I'm confident he won't mind sending half of his troops back home."

"If you say so, my Lady."

"Come now, Dallin, what do you dislike so much about my idea, a map that can actually track the people in the region seems like an awesome idea to me, even if it takes a few weeks to fully mend whatever quirks will show themselves."

"I suppose you're right, it's as you call it, an awesome idea, and I'm sure your father will be proud of you for coming up with it, my Lady."

That much was undeniable, as you knew Lord Tywin would understand the potential of what the young lady offered in the blink of an eye, as long as it actually worked. Though despite your best efforts and the fact that you served the Rock willingly, the mere thought of how powerful House Lannister and the girl before you would become once they could track everyone under their banner was beyond terrifying. Something you knew was just a silly notion, since the monster in human skin was already as abnormal and terrifying as they came the moment you had first met her.

But much to your chagrin you were just as swiftly reminded that there was still a little girl in there as well, one that innocently smiled at you at the mere prospect of her father's praise. And despite the massive workload and the madness she happily threw at you, moments like this one were what actually troubled you more than anything else, as there was no way to safely argue with that side of hers since she didn't actually change. It was one of the few things you always needed to look out for, as that unbreakable skin of hers that normally just shrugged off any comment simply vanished, despite how cute she might have looked.

"It's great that you agree, I was worried there for a second if everything was okay with you, Dallin."

"No need to worry, my Lady, your wish is as always my command, when should I inform Lord Tywin that the first demonstration can begin?"

"Hmm, you're still not fully onboard, are you?"

"Well, I honestly worry a little for your soul, my Lady, if it works as intended your new project might push you into insanity and paranoia in no time."

"Paranoia?"

"Hehe, Dallin, if I got the chance to put one of those Vambraces on someone that's an actual threat to my family, you can be sure precautions against paranoia won't be needed."

"I'm not foolish enough to believe in peace and the complete dominion of my House over the realm, that would simply multiply the corruption as you have seen with the Targaryens, my Friend."

"But that being said, I have still not the slightest intention to allow any true threats to exist, and there is no need to be paranoid about the dead."

"I suppose I will simply have to trust your judgement, my Lady, is something wrong?"

"I just got a feeling when I said that, a feeling I don't like the implications of, can you get Marie for me, Dallin?"

"I don't see a reason why I couldn't, are you displeased with her?"

"..."

"Is it that obvious?"

"You aren't really the type to show much in the way of emotions as long as your family isn't involved."

"Hmm, don't worry too much about it, Dallin, she won't lose her head if that's what you're concerned about, I just need to squeeze her a bit, she's currently with the boys by the docks."

"Then I will take my leave, my Lady."