The raids continued for the next few weeks, occurring randomly with no pattern to hint at when they were going to happen, His Grace had sent a rider a week or so after they had arrived, who carried a letter and a package. The letter telling him to utilise what was in said package and to continue the raids until further orders were given. The package contained poison; he was to lace the food stores with the poison.

The food that had been destroyed previously had promptly been replaced by new shipments that were constantly being brought in from the Reach, which seemingly made what he was doing pointless, little damage was being done. Sure morale was low for a few days but soon any shortage of food was fixed when a new shipment arrived. Robb had told the messenger such and ordered him to relay the message to the King.

Now, he thought, as he stood up. Let's see what damage we can do today. He ordered his men to suit up.

POV CHANGE

Lord Regent Tyrion Lannister was holding court, and he listened with worry as a member of the smallfolk petitioned him.

"My Lord, ever since the war started, the building of our houses has stopped and now people are saying on the streets that there's not a lot of food left. When are we going to get our homes back, and are we still going to be fed?" The woman, Mysa, if he remembered correctly, asked.

"My Lady," he started, politely, "as I'm sure you're aware, His Grace is fighting to defend this city from the ineptitude of the pretender Renly Baratheon who, frankly, doesn't care about your welfare. Now, because of this, many of the resources are being diverted to support the war effort. Rest assured however that as soon as the armies have everything they need, then we shall restart the reconstruction of the city. Of course, we shall allow you to remain living in the Red Keep for now, and the Faith have also now opened the Great Sept for anyone who wants to move there. The food situation will temporarily become a bit short, as the Reach has stopped sending food to the city but thanks to the foresight of King Joffrey, the glass houses will soon begin producing food and as I'm sure Prince Tommen will tell you, the people are hard at work there ensuring the food will soon reach you."

It had been quite the sight for Tyrion when his sweet sister had actually left the Red Keep with her son and they had taken a trip to the glass houses. Tommen had found it fascinating whilst the Queen Dowager had seemed much less enthused. Tyrion was sure that Cersei had only gone to shut Tommen up -though it hadn't worked, Tommen still went on endlessly about how great the great glass structures were-. Nevertheless, the lowborn had found Tommen's enthusiasm heartwarming, raising his standing with them.

Some in the court laughed at that. Tommen, who was sitting behind him, (at Joffrey's orders, despite Cersei's protests) blushed but smiled at the same time.

Mysa nodded, said her thanks, bowed and then walked away.

"And that, my Lords and Ladies, is the end of court for today." He stood up from his cushioned chair (as he was not the King nor the Hand of the King he could not sit upon the Iron Throne) and walked out of the throne room, heading to the Tower of the Hand and whilst he did so, he thought about the situation in King's Landing. Frankly, it wasn't good. The smallfolk were already running out of patience with the fact that their houses weren't being built and now with food supplies running low they were likely on their last nerve. He had done everything he could to try and keep them appeased, but he knew that small gestures wouldn't placate them forever. He just hoped the war would finish up quickly, before the smallfolk became uncooperative. Cersei's incessant complaining about the 'filth' now living in the Red Keep didn't help his mood. He couldn't understand her distaste for the situation, they weren't even in Maegor's Holdfast for Gods' sake. Nevertheless, at the moment he had bigger concerns than the peasants living within the grounds of the Red Keep.

He found two Goldcloaks guarding the Tower and they lead him up to Stannis' solar which, after knocking and being called in, he entered.

"Lord Stannis." He nodded.

"My Lord Regent," Stannis bowed his head. "Why are you here?"

"As blunt as ever, I see." Tyrion responded, his reply was the sound of Stannis' teeth grinding. "To answer your question, I needed to talk to you about a delicate matter. I have suspicions about the Spider."

"Lord Varys?" Stannis questioned.

Tyrion nodded. "The very same. I find it hard to believe that his 'little birds' did not know about Renly mustering 100,000 troops. But after having him followed, he doesn't seem to be doing anything out of the ordinary. I came to ask for your advice and assistance."

"Well, he's slippery and nowhere near as arrogant as Lord Baelish was, he won't leave evidence lying about. What exactly does he do?" Stannis asked him.

"He has a routine that changes little. He dines at the same time and visits the same people at the same time every week, then returns to the Keep at the same time everyday." Tyrion replied, before pouring himself a goblet of Dornish Red.

"Well, I will look in-"

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Stannis sighed before he called the interrupter in. The person who had attracted Stannis' ire was in fact a messenger who handed them both a scroll each, both baring the Royal Seal.

Tyrion broke the seal and read his message.

Lord Regent Tyrion Lannister, Royal Steward for the Infrastructure of the Realm,

Uncle, I ask that you meet with the High Septon; I imagine that the food situation is likely not good. Request His Holiness to call for a daily fast, so that food stocks can be managed.

If you feel like this is not necessary then of course do not meet with him, you are my Regent after all, and you're actually in the city.

I hope all the ruling you're doing is distracting you from all the wine and whores available to you!

Your loving nephew,

Joffrey Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

The dwarf smiled at Joffrey's handwritten signing off before he looked up at Stannis, who too was smiling.

At his quirk of the eyebrows, the Hand of the King said, "I knew Joffrey hadn't passed me over, that stupid priestess doesn't know what she's talking about."

"What priestess?" Tyrion asked.

"Melisandre. She came to me a week or two ago, claiming I was the 'prince who was promised', or some other rubbish. I kicked her out of the Keep but she accosted me when I was in the city, proclaiming that His Grace had overlooked me by appointing you Lord Regent. I am ashamed to say these words resonated with me, likely due to Robert constantly ignoring my accomplishments, but here this letter proves that Joffrey had a plan all along!"

Stannis then handed the letter to the Royal Steward.

Lord Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, Hand of the King,

Prepare the Royal Fleet, then travel to the Iron Islands, there you shall find new ships have been built. Whilst you are there, try and convince Lord Harlow to raise his banners, you have my permission to negotiate fully in my name, with all the authority that comes with it. I trust you to do me proud, Uncle.

Whether or not you are successful, sail towards Lannisport and join up with the Lannister fleet and await further instructions.

I hereby name you Lord Admiral of the Royal Fleet.

Signed,

Joffrey of the House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm

"Congratulations, my Lord Hand. I must ask, who will you place in charge of the investigation now?" Tyrion enquired, he was curious to see who Stannis trusted enough with this, and anxious to get news to Joffrey about this priestess causing dissent in the capital.

"Ser Davos Seaworth. He is one of my bannermen." Stannis replied.

"Aye I know of him, the onion knight."

"Yes, I know he will do a good job."

"We will see, my Lord, we will see."

A day later Ser Davos arrived, having been called to King's Landing by Stannis before Tyrion has talked to him. Tyrion instantly took a liking to the man's honest nature and endeavoured to talk to him as soon as he could, outside of the spying he was doing, preferably with several jugs of wine nearby.

They had talked some about Tyrion and Joffrey's suspicions and Davos had confided in him his dislike of the Spider.

"I don't like these secretive types; they're slimy and they'd do anything to get what they want." He had told him, and Tyrion agreed. Unfortunately, it was these types who were everywhere when you played the Game, which he had said to Ser Davos.

"Bah." He exclaimed. "Screw the Game, why anyone would want that blasted throne is beyond me."

Tyrion had simply chuckled.

After a brief discussion, Davos had set off. He had been given a room in the keep and he had told him that he would get some rest before he started, he had also wanted to visit some 'old friends' as he had put it, though Tyrion had been worried that they may have died in the explosion.

"They were from Flea Bottom. Lord Stannis told me that those from Flea Bottom had been housed elsewhere because of the work."

"Some were, yes."

With that, the knight had stood up and left, and it was not for a few hours that Tyrion saw him again, whereupon he found a relieved knight; it turned out his friends had not been caught up in the explosion. Tyrion had bid him farewell, so that he could catch up with his friends.

He had then called for a servant, whom he asked to summon the High Septon of the Faith of the Seven to his office.

His office was not decorated very richly, mainly because he didn't use it very much. He often held large meetings with numerous 'section managers', for which he usually used the Small Hall in the Hand's Tower. Most of the details for what he did were hashed out there, hence he rarely used his office. Inside was a plain wooden desk, and the floor was furnished with a simple rug. A bookshelf with a few books on it was all else that furnished his office. On his desk was a jug of Dornish Red, which he poured as he sat down.

A few moments later and the same servant appeared again and announced the High Septon, Tyrion stood up as he entered.

"Your Holiness, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." He said with a slight bow. In all honesty Tyrion (who cared little for the faith anyway) did not like the High Septon; he was a greedy, corrupt man, and Tyrion had seen more devout sheep. But, Tyrion supposed the man had his uses, and Tyrion hoped he would pull through for him now, when he and his nephew needed the man most.

"And you too my Lord Regent. May I ask why you summoned me?" He responded, sweat gathering at his brow simply from the walk from the bottom of the Red Keep to his office.

"Well, Your Holiness, I had been thinking during my prayers about how to get the Seven on the side of the King. The numbers His Grace are facing is worrisome and I feel like all the might that the Gods have will be needed for victory to be certain."

"A noble and holy cause, my Lord Regent, what idea had you thought of?"

"Well, I know that this is really your territory, but I was thinking that there is no better way to show devotion to the Gods than personal hardship. I was thinking that a daily fast from dawn 'till dusk would show the Seven how much we are in support of the King. I'm sure His Grace would appreciate the support of the Faith and the people." Tyrion said, a lilt in his voice towards the end.

"Of course, an excellent suggestion my Lord Regent, I shall see it enacted right away. I'm sure with His Grace's support, the Most Devout will agree that this is the best course of action for securing victory for our King." The High Septon enthused, his face jiggling.

"I'm sure they will, Your Holiness." He stood, "thank you for your support."

"Any time, do tell His Grace that the Faith is always ready to support him." The High Septon bowed and left the room.

Tyrion drafted a letter telling his nephew just that, and also of a troublesome Red Priestess, that threatened to ruin his reign, before it had truly begun.

A/N

Thank you to Joe Lawyer for giving me the idea for poisoning the food. Yes, I somehow didn't come up with that myself. Once again thank you! Let me know any ideas you may have, I will credit you if I use them!