[King's Landing - Red Keep, Small Council Chamber]
Cersei and Qyburn entered the room, taking the open seats on the small council. Cersei sat at the head of the table.
"You're the Hand of the King?" Her uncle, Kevan Lannister, asked.
"No, Uncle. Clearly it would not be appropriate for a woman to assume that role. I'm merely advising my son until he comes of age and chooses a Hand for himself."
"Your Grace, I would be willing to serve provisionally as the King's Hand until he becomes old enough-" Mace Tyrell began to suggest.
"You're a good man, Lord Tyrell, but I don't imagine you'll have the time. In addition to being Master of Ships, the king has appointed you Master of Coin."
She would much rather have named Aurane Waters as Master of Ships. Though he was a bastard, his family, the Velaryons, were legendary sailors. Mace Tyrell is an oaf.
Besides, he was a young man, only twenty-and-two. A welcome sight amongst all the wrinkled, balding and greybeards that currently sat the council.
He had been captured at the Battle Of The Blackwater, but quickly swore obeisance to Joffrey. After which, she had kicked Lancel from her bed and replaced him with the young bastard.
But, the Small Council was already resistant to her sitting among them as a voice for their young King.
No doubt, they would strike down installing a bastard of House Velaryon to an important title such as Master of Ships.
"Oh, Your Grace."
"He called your experience and wisdom in financial matters unparalleled. He said he would be honored to have you represent the crown's interests in the same."
"The honor is all mine, Your Grace."
"Your Grace, in the past on several occasions, a Grand Maester has served as the King's Hand." Maestar Pycelle inserted.
"The King has named Qyburn the new Master of Whisperers."
"Your Grace, him? This man? This embarrassment to the Citadel? Your Grace, what qualifications can he possibly have for this post?"
"The qualification of loyalty, Grand Maester. That's far more than the eunuch ever had. Far more than many ever have."
"I must say I cannot see-" Maestar Pycelle began.
"Uncle Kevan, in light of your position as commander of the Lannister armies, it would please the king if you would serve as his Master of War. No man living better deserves the title." Cersei cut him off.
"That is kind of you to say. I would like to hear it from the king himself." Kevan responded.
"The king is very busy at this moment."
"He should be here, learning what it means to rule."
"He is learning. On this occasion, in his capacity as ruler, he's asked me to speak on his behalf."
"I returned to the capital to pay my respects to my brother. And to you. And to serve the king. I did not return to the capital to serve as your puppet. To watch you stack the small council with sycophants." He looked to Qyburn. "Sending your own brother away so he wouldn't be-"
"My brother has left the capital to lead a sensitive diplomatic mission."
"What mission?"
"That is not your concern as Master of War."
"I do not recognize your authority to dictate what is and is not my concern. You are the Queen Mother. Nothing more." Kevan rose from his seat.
"You would abandon your king in his time of need?"
"If he wants to send for me, I will be waiting for him. At Casterly Rock."
He exited the room, closing the door behind him.
Shortly after, the meeting was called to an end.
[King's Landing - Brothel]
The High Septon knelt in the center of a room. Seven prostitutes, dressed as each of the new gods, circled around him. Olyvar stood behind the High Septon, wearing a fake beard and holding a scale. The prostitutes giggled as the High Septon eyed them all.
"You have served us well, my son." Olyvar stated.
"Thank you, Father." The High Septon responded.
"Which of the Seven will you worship today?"
"The Maiden."
"Where is the Maiden?"
"And the Stranger."
Olyvar leaned forward. "Two is extra, you realize?"
"Yes, yes."
Olyvar snapped his fingers. He and five of the prostitutes stepped aside. The two dressed as the Maiden and the Stranger remained and approached the High Septon, who smiled.
Suddenly, some men led by Lancel Lannister barged into the room. The High Septon gasped and turned around.
"What are you doing? This establishment belong to Lord Petyr Baelish. You can't -" Olyvar began.
The men forced the High Septon to his feet. One of the men ripped off Olyvar's fake beard, knocked him to the ground, and began kicking him. The prostitutes ran out of the room.
"You have profaned our faith. The faith of our fathers and forefathers." Lancel recited.
"I am the High Septon of the -"
Lancel grabbed his neck. "You are a sinner. And you shall be punished."
The men dragged the High Septon out of the room. He was forced out into the street naked, and began walking. He tried to cover his penis with his hands, but one of the men hit him with a stick. People gather on the sides of the street to watch, and began chanting.
"Sinner! Sinner! Sinner!"
"Repent!"
"Sinner! Sinner! Sinner! Sinner! Sinner! Sinner!"
"Shame on you!"
"Sinner! Sinner!"
[King's Landing - Red Keep, Small Council Chamber]
The next day, another meeting was being held.
Mace opened the door for the High Septon who approached the table. In better light, it was clear that his face was heavily bruised. Mace closed the door and walked over.
The High Septon addressed each of the members present, but was stuck when he arrived at Qyburn.
"Your Grace, Princess, Grandmaester, Lord Tyrell, uh..."
"It doesn't matter." Qyburn told him.
"As the High Septon of the Faith of the Seven I give voice to the will of the Gods and am their foremost servant in this world. An insult to me is an insult to the Gods. An assault on my person, is an assault on our very religion."
"You were assaulted?" Cersei asked.
"I was, by those fanatics who call themselves 'sparrows'. They humiliated me, they they beat me, they left me naked and bleeding on the cobblestones. I am lucky to be alive."
"I heard this all began in Littlefinger's brothel." Qyburn informed them all.
"High Septon, this is a rather shocking thing to hear." Mace said.
"I tend to both the highest born, and the lowliest amongst us. Even prostitutes may earn the mercy of the Mother."
"So you were administering to the needs of these devout prostitutes?" Qyburn asked.
"A man's private affairs ought to stay private" Pycelle protested, though Aelinor knew it was likely due to his own sordid history with women, in the Keep, and out.
"What do you want from us, High Septon?" Cersei asked.
"Justice! I ask that you protect our Faith by arresting these criminals and throwing them in the black cells. I ask that you execute their leader, this so-called High Sparrow. He's a threat to everything we hold sacred. If he goes unpunished-"
"And where do I find this man? This High Sparrow?"
[Streets Of King's Landing]
A soldier helped Cersei out of her carriage. She began walking forward. Ser Meryn stood ahead of her.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Your Grace." He said.
"Nonsense, Ser Meryn. These are deeply religious people." She approached a man who stood at the bottom of some stairs. "Where can I find the High Sparrow?"
The man pointed up the stairs, which was crowded with people. Cersei and Ser Meryn ascended them.
She was receiving a lot of attention. By her outfit, it was clear she was well off. Not only that, the ones who recognized her were surprised to see the former Queen among them. She had nevr shown an interest in them.
"Seven blessings." A man greeted.
Cersei covered her nose. At the top of the stairs was a large room. She watched as many people ate at tables.
"Thank you."
"Just a little more..."
"Thank you ever so for the soup!"
In the center of the room, an old man was giving soup to people in line.
Cersei approached him. "A young man said I would find the High Sparrow back here. Where is he?"
"High Sparrow? Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Like Lord Duckling, or King Turtle." The man laughed. "So, it's meant to. We're often stuck with the names our enemies give to us." He prepared soup for the next person in line. "The notion that we are all equal in the eyes of Seven doesn't sit well with some, so they belittle me.
"Seven blessings to you." The woman said as he handed her the soup.
"Seven blessings to you, my dear." He returned. "It's only a name, quite an easy burden to wear. Far easier than hers." Again, he prepared soup for the next person in line.
"Why no shoes?" Cersei asked.
"Because I gave them away to someone who needed them more. We all do that. It stops us from forgetting what we really are."
"Is that why you came to King's Landing? To remind everyone?"
"Everyone? I have a hard enough job reminding myself. Oh, I tell them no one's special. And they think I'm special for telling them so."
Cersei smiled. "Perhaps they're right."
"It would be comforting to believe that, wouldn't it? The Gods sent you here to tempt me? I hope not. I had assumed you'd only come here to arrest me. For that incident with the High Septon."
"An unacceptable way to treat the chosen representative of the Gods in this world, wouldn't you say?"
"Hypocrisy is a boil. Lancing is nevr pleasant. Although, they could have been more careful with the blade."
"The High Septon came to speak to me today. He doesn't want me to arrest you, he wants me to execute you." Cersei informed the man.
"I wouldn't presume to know your thoughts on the matter."
Cersei thought for a moment. "My thoughts on the matter align with your own. The High Septon's behaviour was corrosive, as was his attitude. Having a man like that reside in the Sept eats away the Faith from the inside. So now he resides in the Red Keep's dungeons instead." The High Sparrow looked up at her surprised. "The Faith and the Crown are the two pillars that hold up this world. If one collapses, so does the other. We must do everything necessary to protect one another."
Thus was the beginning of what Cersei believed would be a mutually beneficial partnership.
[King's Landing - Red Keep, Aelinor's Chambers]
In the grand and opulent chambers of Princess Morgana Baratheon, the young royal lay on her bed, surrounded by soft pillows and plush fabric, her swollen belly pressing against the soft fabrics of her nightgown.
The closer she got to giving birth, the more restless and exhausted she felt.
She had received word that her mother, Queen Cersei, had paid a visit to the High Sparrow, the leader of the recently reformed Faith Militant. The news sent shivers down Morgana's spine. In her dreams, her spirit guide had warned her that the High Sparrow would lead a religious uprising and that she must keep her powers hidden.
Morgana knew that her mother was cunning and ruthless, but she nevr expected her to seek out the High Sparrow for any reason other than political gain. But why now? And what did he want from her? The thought of the High Sparrow and his followers discovering her true nature made her blood run cold.
The meeting had been shrouded in secrecy, but rumors of their conversation had reached Morgana's ears. It was said that the High Sparrow had promised Cersei his support in exchange for something... unknown.
As she rose from her bed, a knock came at her door. It was her handmaiden, Elara, bearing a tray of refreshments. "My lady," Elara said, her voice low and respectful. "I have brought you tea and biscuits, as requested."
"Thank you, Elara," Morgana replied, taking a seat at her vanity. "But I must speak with you of something else. Have you heard any whispers of my mother's meetings with the High Sparrow?"
Elara hesitated before answering, her eyes flickering towards the door. "Only that the queen has been seen entering the Sept more frequently of late, my lady. Some say she seeks the High Sparrow's counsel on matters of state."
Morgana nodded thoughtfully. "And what of the Faith Militant? Has there been any talk of them rising again?"
Elara leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "There have been rumors, my lady. Whispers of the High Sparrow gathering followers, calling for a new crusade against the corrupt and the faithless."
Morgana felt a cold dread creeping up her spine. It seemed her premonition was not just a figment of her imagination, but a harbinger of something much darker. She knew she needed to keep her powers hidden, to avoid drawing attention to herself. For if the High Sparrow discovered her abilities, it would only be a matter of time before he turned his zealous followers against her.
With what she knew was coming, Morgana knew her mother would come to regret this 'alliance'.
Her mother alwys said, "Everything I do is for my children."
Morgana had no doubt about it. If there was even a sliver of herself that allowed her to feel love, it was for her children.