GOT the silence before the storm

Chapter 3: The Art of the Hidden Hand

Year: 275 AC

The wind howled through the Stormlands, sending cold gusts that stung Marcus's skin as he stood at the edge of Whitehead Keep, gazing out across the sweeping hills. He wasn't bothered by the cold in the way one might expect; the small body of a ten year old didn't feel much of the chill. However, that didn't mean he was comfortable. His thoughts were far removed from the weather, preoccupied with much more pressing concerns.

In the distance, the jagged cliffs of the Stormlands rose up, imposing and untouchable, reminding him of his noble blood. House Whitehead, while not as powerful as the great families of Westeros, still held more sway than many realized and that was something Marcus intended to use to his advantage.

"Master Tzu," he called out, his voice rising above the wind. "You once said that a good strategist sees beyond the obvious, but I'm not sure I understand what lies beyond 'the obvious.'"

Sun Tzu appeared at his side without a sound, as always. The man had a way of blending into the surroundings, like a shadow, only present when needed, and gone before one even realized he was there. His presence was always a mix of comfort and unease, as though he could see into Marcus's very thoughts.

"Is it the wind that bothers you, Marcus?" Sun Tzu asked, his voice calm and neutral. "Or is it something deeper?"

"Both," Marcus admitted with a wry grin. "But mostly the future." He turned to face Sun Tzu, brows furrowed in thought. "You've taught me how to fight, how to prepare. But I feel like this game goes beyond just swords and plans."

"Indeed," Sun Tzu said, his eyes narrowing as he stared out at the distant horizon. "You have the skills, Marcus. Now, you must learn how to use them. The game of power, the one played by kings and lords, is not won through brute strength alone. It's won through influence, secrecy, and subtle manipulation."

Marcus blinked, caught off guard by the shift in tone. "Manipulation?" The word left a sour taste in his mouth. "I thought we were talking about strategy, not… trickery."

"Strategy without manipulation is like a sword without a blade," Sun Tzu replied, meeting his gaze. "To win, sometimes you must work from the shadows. Power is rarely as it appears. People in positions of authority are bound by their desires, weaknesses, and pride. The trick is to identify those weaknesses and exploit them without them ever realizing it."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That sounds like a lot of work. And kind of shady."

"Shady? Perhaps. But that is how the world works. Those who rise to the top do so not just by strength, but by the strength of their minds by their ability to see beyond the obvious and recognize the hidden forces that drive others."

A grin tugged at Marcus's lips. "I think I understand now. The first step to playing the game is seeing it differently from everyone else."

"Exactly," Sun Tzu nodded. "You must learn to see from above, to maneuver with a delicate touch, avoiding direct confrontation whenever possible."

"So, how do we begin?" Marcus asked, eager to learn more.

"By gathering information," Sun Tzu said. "The world is full of opportunities. Use them. Use your land, your resources, your people. A strategist without spies is like a king without a crown."

Marcus paused to think. Spies. He had read about them in books, but using them? That was something entirely new. "Spies, huh? That sounds like people whispering behind my back."

Sun Tzu smiled faintly, the corners of his mouth lifting just enough to hint at something more than amusement. "Exactly. And if they're good, you'll never even know they're there."

Marcus chuckled. "Well, I think I'm starting to get it. Alright, where do I start?"

"Begin with the small things," Sun Tzu advised. "It's not the grand secrets that tip the scales. It's the little, seemingly insignificant details that others ignore. A letter sent too quickly, a rumor that spreads too far, a glance held for just a moment too long. If you can catch those moments, you'll begin to understand the forces at work."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully, his mind already turning over the possibilities. This was a whole new realm for him. Strategy he understood, but this this was something different. Learning to move in the shadows, to manipulate unseen, was a skill he had never thought to acquire.

Later that day, Marcus sat in the library, his usual sanctuary. The stone room smelled of old parchment, ink, and knowledge, its silence broken only by the faint rustle of pages turning. He'd spent many hours here, but today felt different. This wasn't about learning history or old battles. No, today he was learning to wield power.

The books before him were filled with tales of espionage, of spies who had swayed the fates of kingdoms with nothing more than carefully placed words. He felt a surge of excitement, his fingers racing to scribble notes as his mind danced with new plans.

The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside.

"Lord Marcus?" It was Nina, the young servant who had been assigned to assist him. She was usually cheerful, quick to laugh, but today her demeanor was different tense, cautious.

"Nina?" Marcus asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I… I don't know how to say this, my lord," she said, glancing nervously over her shoulder. "I've heard things. About your father."

Marcus's expression hardened, his mind racing. "What things?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"I'm not sure, m'lord," Nina stammered. "I heard… things about him, that he's upset about something to do with your mother."

A chill ran down Marcus's spine. He knew the pain his father carried the bitterness, the distance between them. But this was new. Rumors like this were dangerous, and they could undermine everything.

"Who's saying this?" Marcus pressed, his voice low but sharp.

"I don't know, m'lord. Just whispers from the kitchen staff. But they're worried. About you."

Marcus rose from his seat, his thoughts already churning. "I'll handle it. Thank you for bringing this to me, Nina."

She hesitated before nodding, relief flickering in her eyes. "Thank you, my lord."

As she left, Marcus sank back into his chair, the wheels in his mind spinning faster. Spying. Intrigue. Secrets. This was nothing like the history lessons he had once known, but in the world of Westeros, this was the true game. And he had just been handed his first move.

By nightfall, Marcus had already started laying the foundations for his network. He knew the keep well enough by now to identify who could be trusted, and who might be useful in the right circumstances. The kitchen staff, the guards, the servants each one had their own secrets, and most could be persuaded to share them if the price was right.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. It was time to play the game. But this time, he wouldn't just be a passive observer.

He had a role to play now one that was far more complex than any lesson he'd ever given.

Later that night, as Marcus lay in his bed staring at the ceiling, a thought struck him. What if his ability to manipulate people his ability to move in the shadows wasn't just a skill? What if it was something he was born to do?

The thought didn't terrify him. On the contrary, it exhilarated him. It was time for Marcus Whitehead, the boy with no past, to begin shaping his future.

And in this game of shadows, no one would ever see him coming.