Petyr III

The past five months went by in a blur. So much progress, so much change but so much ruffled feathers. He ran around like a maniac stamping down fires whilst juggling a house of cards. Shuffling various interests, ulterior motives and shoving gold down their throats were, at best, annoying and at worst, deadly.

He remembered negotiating with the Gulltown Arryns and was grateful for Rydan’s ‘donation’ of dockyard guards serving as his chaperone. On his way to the Falcon castle, he was attacked by brigands all equipped with shoddy tools, to which he was forever grateful for the guards saving his life. Petyr could’ve made the incident an outcry and called for the pacification of the Arryns to which Gerold, the ever-dutiful teenager, would gladly order despite the lack of proof.

Baelish was tempted. He knew the Arryns were a threat and had to be defanged or even better, disappear entirely. The ensuing chaos would give the Customs Office the perfect opportunity to move in and replace the void caused by their untimely destruction. Yet such a move would shake the ship too much and the infancy of the Office meant it didn’t have the overreaching positive presence in people’s lives. Not yet anyway. To rectify this, he and Naerys organised many public relations campaign involving the advertisement of zero per cent loans in the guise of welfare. Loans are given to them so they can purchase ploughs, cattle, crops and treat themselves to luxuries that are beginning to accumulate in Gulltown. Given time, their loyalty to the burgeoning Civil Service of Gulltown – I like the name! – will pay dividends.

Petyr couldn’t help shudder at the growing pile of unused gemstones, diamonds, trinkets and other luxuries. At least gold and silver can be minted into coins to decrease their market circulation causing their price to stabilise. However, the wealthy primitives decided it was a good idea to reinvest their golden dragons in pointless egoism and brought so much jewellery. One major problem for this is due to the war and the hostile seizure of assets like merchant ships, supplies, and carriages. This caused many merchants, in desperation, to sell their gems. The circulation of it increased so much, that the demand for it decreased causing the price to lower. This was one of the first things he noticed when scanning the ledgers provided by Maester Stephas. The taxes from jewellers and lapidaries were decreasing fast.

It seems counterintuitive to place a tax on industries that are clearly dying yet it was important to induce a temporary illusion of demand. Petyr hummed and whistled to himself as he tried to spin in his chair only to groan in frustration. I shouldn’t be using the tools of the state to fill my pockets but it’s technically not mine – it’s the Civil Service.

He stood up and grabbed the Braavosi contract, which he and Aleqqo agreed to. It wasn’t just a ‘good word’ with the Sealord he asked for. He also asked Braavosi ships to dock in Gulltown in return, Aleqqo wanted the dock fees halved which he negotiated down to 15%. The increased volume of trade should offset the short-term loss which calmed the harbourmaster by a ‘bit’.

Fortunately, the end of the war signified by the Lannister looting of King's Landing, a month ago should cause foreign traders to once again ply their merchandise in Gulltown. With that, he hoped they would buy the useless pieces of jewellery. If negotiations with the Arryns and their allied merchant families didn’t go so ‘well’, the Civil Service wouldn’t be able to pocket five per cent of the tax. At first, Gerold and Stephas were against it but I argued I needed the money to help them in their power struggle against the Arryns. He was telling the truth when he said that but they didn’t know he was working for the Arryns. Well, obviously he was! The Civil Service is a politically neutral body that serves EVERYONE.

Instead of ranting and accusing the Arryns he ‘forgave’ them. Forgiven but not forgotten. He remembered when he put the Department of Marketing into overdrive to investigate the attempt on his life. The department was made up of people who were pardoned smugglers, bandits who rotted in dungeons desperate for lenient sentences and unemployed mercenaries who ‘passed’ their exams. All had something in common – loyalty to Petyr. They would listen to anyone he appointed as the Secretary of Marketing but they knew who brought them out of their gutter.

That was his peak hustle – being the head of the Customs Office, the Secretary of Imports/Exports and Marketing. He was glad he was finally able to give the Marketing department to someone competent. Maribelle Arryn nee Vantery was a good choice. She had spies of her own who would sadly ‘fail’ their exams and had a good head above her shoulders. The Civil Service needed to maintain the mummer’s farce of being politically neutral so her appointment was also a testament to neutrality. He hoped this would soothe the bad blood between him, the merchant families and the Arryns.

After weeks of investigations, he figured something chilling. Maester Stephas was an Arryn spy. His people found signed scrolls with specific orders. It was encrypted with weird hieroglyphics but nothing his loyal vagabonds couldn’t handle. They figured out the orders were from Lord Isembard, the head of the Gulltown Arryns. It seems Stephas was the one who leaked the plans for a luxury tax, prompting them to order his assassination. Such shortsightedness. In their drive to preserve their substantial wealth, they ordered such a clumsy attempt on my life. It was only a five per cent tax hike! Petyr shook his head in exasperation.

He always suspected the Arryns for the attempt at his life but now – he shuffled the parchment to render some organisation – he had evidence. He shivered at his death-defying gamble to enter the Falcon castle despite his innate fear and paranoia. But it worked out in the end and for some reason, they chose to recruit him as an ally. Wanting to leave the castle alive, he said yes.

The shift in strategy from killing to co-opting Petyr at a flip of a coin frightened him. He expected these primitives to be slow in adapting to the changing tides of Gulltown. Hence why he ruthlessly trudged forward and made as much change and progress as possible. But, Lord Isembard was unfortunately cunning enough to figure out the increasing importance of the Civil Service and the person who runs it.

Thoughts and ideas came to him like lightning. It would be advantageous to pit the Grafton with the Arryns yet he was worried for the boy lord. He was young with a refreshing but naïve view of duty and honour. The perfect recipe for a puppet. Petyr wasn’t sure he could do the same for Lord Isembard, though he can try. Baelish just needed more hard power as he couldn’t just rely on Rydan’s men. He needed more than vagabonds. He needed a disciplined force that was loyal to the people. Loyal to the State. Loyal to him. Unfortunately, the savages had a negative opinion of a standing army. Which made sense since it would need to be fed, in summer and in winter and would decrease the number of hands available for planting and harvesting. It would also warrant unnecessary attention from the Iron Throne, especially from Lord Jon Arryn – the Hand of the King. Rumours suggest he’s indifferent towards his cousins but was honourable. If Petyr were to make a standing army which is against the interest of the Gulltown Arryns then he fears the Hand may side with his cadet cousins. Even if he didn’t then such scrutiny would hinder his efforts at reforming Gulltown.

He picked his quill and dipped it into an inkwell and detailed his plans into parchment.

Human resources. He had money galore but the people who were literate, loyal and competent were insufficient. Though, he made great strides addressing this problem in the past months by setting preparatory schools up across the city and its subsidiary villages and hamlets. The school would teach literacy, numeracy and ethics. After that, they can choose which course to advance to. Economics was compulsory – Most of this course was made by yours truly, though I wouldn’t say I’m the best at it. Sampling and Advertisement if they wanted to become spies, obviously they didn’t know the full extent of their future duties. Law and Weapon Mastery if they wanted to work for Regulations and Enforcement. Accounting if they wanted to work with Petyr in his Department of Imports and Exports. Making a course related to investment proved challenging because Petyr’s rising prominence in Gulltown has prompted the local Septon and Septa to visit.

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Speaking of which, they should be arriving any second.

A knock on his door alerted him but he felt relieved when he saw his guards, Derrick and Edgar, escort a silver-golden-haired lady with people dressed in grey rags. That must be Naerys and the Church’s priests. I really need a new assistant since Naerys is going to be busy with her Welfare department if the negotiations between the church – Septs – proved productive. Currently, her department is running on huge losses. I should’ve given a budget to limit the number of loans she’s giving out.

Petyr stood up and immediately kissed the Septon’s and Septa’s rings. “Septon Qarlton and Septa Dennise.” He bowed reverently. “It honours me that you’ve taken up my invitation. It’s always so pleasing to be in the presence of the Seven's representatives.”

The elderly Septon grabbed his necklace depicting the sign of the Seven, a seven-sided polygon, he held it up to Petyr. “The Seven are pleased by the deeds you’ve done to the good people of Gulltown and its surrounding settlements. You’ve done more for the smallfolk than any other lords. Dare I say, the amount of charity you’ve given surpasses that of Late lord Grafton. Thanks to you I’m hearing prayers of hope and praises. The people have suffered due to the siege, thankfully King Robert and Lord Arryn refused to condone pillaging. Though, the embargo forced people to ration their food. Once cheerful children were reduced to gaunt-looking beggars.” He looked up at Petyr and fixed him a grateful look.

“But you, Lord Baelish came into this city just three weeks after the siege and within the first week, the changes you’ve done were remarkable. Empty streets were now bustling with traders and carriages once again. You’ve accomplished this despite the war raging on.”

Actually, the war was nearly ending. After the battle of the Trident and Prince Rhaegar’s death, Robert’s victory was assured. Though, I’m not going to tell him that. “I didn’t expect this coming from you, you’re excellency.” Petyr humbly bowed to hide his smirk.

“How so, Lord Petyr?” A sweet-sounding voice came from the Septa. “The Sept looks after the poor and needy and it is only right for the good Septon to praise you for your charity.”

“I thought the influx of trade, especially the ones with false beliefs of the Braavosi will insult the Faith. Though, I’m grateful with the praise, your excellencies.”

“As long as they’re not proselytising then I see no problem.” The old man nasally reassured him.

“It’s good to hear that.” He pulled a drawer and picked up a parchment. “As you see from my ledgers, the amount of money the Customs Office can provide for charity is running out.”

Both nodded grimly.

“Of course, some of these aren’t donations but loans. Loans for them to buy equipment to increase their productivity in farming. In time, this will pay dividends by itself. However, this body needs to monetise the loans to sustain its charitable spending.”

“I hope you’re not suggesting usury, are you?” Septa Dennise said quite forcefully causing the elderly man to sit up. Both frowned at Petyr but giving him a benefit of the doubt, they waved for him to explain himself.

“Of course not, your Excellencies! I’m not one of those godless heathens across the Narrow sea! I’m not a perfect man, I sin but I wouldn’t stoop that low.”

Qarlton and Dennise relaxed at that. “All men sin. Some that claim otherwise are lying. It’s reassuring personally telling us of your views. It shall be noted.”

“However, I’m curious how you can monetise from loans. Last I heard you’re offering zero parts-hundred interest,” Dennise added.

“We plan to give zero per cent interest to everyone, my lady. The Department of Welfare sets the time to which they have to pay it back.”

The Sept’s representatives narrowed their eyes. They knew where this was going and shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. “What happens when they fail to repay in time?” Qarlton snapped.

Petyr sighed and slumped in his chair. “Lord Grafton and the Arryns aren’t pleased their taxes are being used so much on the smallfolk.” Deflecting blame is a go-to method if these negotiations fail. The Septs ire would be aimed at the two houses and not on the Civil Service and me. I win regardless of the outcome.

“They asked you to put interests?” Dennise asked. “I’ve tutored Gerry since he was little. He’s a sweet boy. Honourable and highly chivalrous. He wouldn’t agree with interests.”

Petyr threw a party in his head. It was a good idea bringing her into this. At least Gerold would be blameless. He smiled proudly. “Gerold hasn’t approved, your holiness. But a compromise was made and I had two choices. Cut the charitable loans or monetise them. Monetising zero per cent loans is possible without disobeying the Sept’s law on usury.”

“You’re putting us in a tough spot, Lord Petyr. I understand you are merely the messenger but there can be no compromise with sin.”

“Septon Qarlton, I worded that badly. There is no compromise. The Sept’s laws are clear.”

The elderly man stroked his beard and coughed before straightening his back, causing it to creak though it did not cause him discomfort. “Many have tried before you to add a time limit when issuing loans. Defaulting on it causes a fine. Commonly thirty to fifty parts-hundred increase compared to the original loan. I’ll agree on it if the fine is reduced to ten parts-hundred.”

He’s attacking and has already drawn his last straw. Despite his pious and grandfatherly image, he seems to be experienced in the arts of negotiation. Petyr held his palms open and sagged in relief. “I’ll best you on that, your holiness. The Customs Office can reduce the fine to five per cent, but only to the hardworking farmers and people that are less well-off.”

“And the more well-off?”

“We’ll need to calculate their assets like the number of ships they own. I wouldn’t be able to tell you the exact value but I’m thinking a max fifty per cent increase. With a shorter time to default.”

Qarlton laughed heartily at that causing Dennise to jump in confusion. “You’re a devious man, Lord Petyr. I shouldn’t be shocked as people connected to the upper management of the statecraft tend to wade through muddied waters.”

“You’re right, your holiness. But I’m nothing but a servant for Gerold and our people.”

“Well said. Now is this meeting over or do we have to stay for your infamous parchment signing?”

“Not yet. Are you aware of my ambition for the Customs Office?”

“We’re aware you're trying to expand its responsibilities away from imports and exports and more towards aspects of statecraft. In fact, this is already what you’ve done and I’m confident you’re not satisfied with your current responsibilities. You’re trying to expand even more, right?” Qarlton’s smile curved ever so slightly to the right.

Petyr’s cheeks and ears reddened. “You…” He was stumped. He was sure he did everything he can to look as harmless as possible. Qarlton figured him out in just one meeting. How long as this old geezer lived! Damn. Gotta gamble for now and hoped he wouldn’t blackmail me. “You’re right.” Dennise flinched but Petyr continued. “I desire power, not for power's sake but because it is necessary to ensure everyone in Gulltown, lives their life to their fullest. I don’t want to have much power as I have no interest in becoming a tyrant. Because of this I always stressed, despite its impossibility, that the Customs Office were to be politically neutral with representatives from across society. This is necessary to check on my power and to ensure this August Body remains impartial.

“That’s why I’m offering the Sept a significant voice and power in my plans for creating a Civil Service.” Petyr cringed at this. He was a devout Catholic in his original life and maybe in this life too but he was a secularist to a fault. He believed in the full separation of Church and State, which was impossible in the UK due to the presence of the Church of England and will remain impossible here in this world. Sacrificing your principles was never easy but eventually, pragmatism won out.

“I’m curious, what role shall the Faith play?”

“The Faith is the centre of learning, second only to the Maester’s Citadel. It is awe-inspiring how, instead of jealously guarding knowledge, the Faith spreads it. Different to the Citadel.” Petyr couldn’t help leak out his contempt for the Citadel. Knowledge should be spread to ensure progress, innovation and prosperity!

“Of course. The Sept must spread the Faith’s teachings by hand and by brain.” Dennise quipped in.

“That’s why the Sept has a huge role for the Civil Service. We don’t have enough people who are literate to fully make the Civil Service efficient. The current Customs Office is understaffed.”

“I guess the Gulltown Sept has enough scribes that are more than adequate with their sums and words to teach in your ‘Preparatory Schools’. A nice and simple term by the way.” Qarlton cheekily replied.

“I’m glad you like the name, your holiness. However, I want to focus on Welfare. If your scribes can teach compound-intere – part-hundred-gains. We plan to provide loans to many people to stimulate the Gulltown’s post-war economy.”

“Of course, of course. I can guarantee you that they’ll succeed. They’re highly educated.”

“Perfect! The future is looking bright today. I shall relay your approval to Lord Gerold. And if Septa Dennise can stay for the draft of our agreement to be ironed out by my clerks.”

Dennise brightened at that and jumped in her seat. “It’s been a while since I last saw Gerry. He has grown into a remarkable young man. I would be glad to accompany you, Lord Petyr.”

“Ah… Your famous parchment signing. Septa Dennise will be my eyes and ears for the event. As for me, I need to sleep.” Qarlton laughed and toddled out of Petyr’s solar.