The entourage of Lucas and Margaery took around half an hour to reach Flea Bottom.
And though Lucas had expected the worst, the reality was still beyond imagination. The condition of Flea Bottom was inhumane. Not only by the standards of the modern world but even by those of a medieval one.
The houses and buildings were cramped together, stacked as if trying to override one another. Poorly constructed, they looked as though one strong bout of rain or a single storm would send them crumbling into the streets. The roads were clogged with sewer water, piss, excrement, and every kind of waste imaginable.
The stench was overwhelming so foul that it made them nauseous. Compared to this smell, the one in the Red Keep was smell of flowers.
Homeless people, beggars, and drunkards lay on either side of the street. Most of the people were so dirty as if an additional layer of dust and soot had formed on their skins.
Margaery, who had never witnessed anything remotely like this, was shocked. Lucas could tell that her reaction was genuine. A deep crease had appeared on her forehead, and the sheer stench of the place was becoming too much even for her delicate self. Even so, she tried to keep herself as compose as she could be.
Their arrival drew immediate attention. It was not every day that a luxurious convoy rolled through the slums of King's Landing.
The convoy halted in a relatively open patch of ground, and Lucas and Margaery stepped out of their carriage.
The people in the area had a fair idea of what was happening. They were about to receive free goods. Doring charity in the slums of the King's Landing was quite a favourite hobby of the novels.
Word spread quickly, and the locals began crowding toward the carriages.
The Tyrell guards busied themselves unloading the goods from the wagons, while the City Watch soldiers began organizing the growing crowd into a single line.
Margaery, very soon after recovering from her initial shock, began distributing the goods. Each person was handed a prior prepared bundle containing a blanket and some food rations.
Lucas stood silently beside her the entire time. The distribution continued for more than an hour, and over 500 people benefited from her charitable act.
"I am done, Ser Lucas," Margaery smiled as she handed over the last bundle.
Lucas nodded and stepped forward. With a quick gesture, he signalled to his men, who dragged over a broken piece of stone that had been lying at the side of the street.
It was not large or tall, but it was enough to give Lucas a bit of elevation just enough to loom over the clearing and make himself visible even to the people farther away.
"Hello there, everyone," Lucas' loud voice echoed across the narrow street, bringing about a sudden hush.
A noble looking man giving a speech in Flea Bottom? It was not something most of the people had ever seen in their lives.
"I am Lucas Lannister," he bellowed. "And though I hold many identities, for you, I am the new Lord Commander of the City Watch."
A wave of murmurs ran through the crowd. They may not have seen much of Janos Slynt, but they definitely knew who he was. He had been the most relevant official in their lives, for better or worse.
Lucas waited for the murmuring to settle before continuing, "I know this might come as a surprise to many of you, but you need not concern yourselves with the political intricacies. Just understand this. Change is coming."
"Now," he said, his voice ringing with authority, "I have received this position through an agreement with the King himself. My part of the deal is to redevelop and expand King's Landing."
"A new city will be built beside King's Landing, and the old city will be revamped as well."
A hush silence fell in the clearing. They did not understand in fully but whatever they understood was enough to shock them.
"In simpler terms. New homes for all of you, cleaner and wider streets, and many other improvements."
"If you are wondering about the cost," Lucas boomed. "Do not. You would not have to pay a single copper."
He paused.
"But I expect something in return," Lucas added, and his tone turned serious.
"What has happened in Flea Bottom over the years, I do not care," Lucas declared. "What I care about is what will happen from now on."
"There will be no more unchecked crime," he boomed. "If you are a criminal, give it up. There will be no mercy under my watch. If you are a victim, stand tall and prepare to welcome change."
"I will not hold you accountable for the things you have done in past unless and until it was something too heinous but if you do something now, then be prepared to face my wrath."
"I may sound laughable to you," Lucas admitted. "I know well that the soldiers of the City Watch have long been the biggest enablers of crime. I am aware of the corruption that has rotten deep inside the City Watch."
"So, the question surely arises; can you trust my words?"
He let the silence settle for a moment and continued, "Yes, you can. Because I will root out every last trace of corruption from the City Watch."
He turned to Gary and gave him a nod. The sworn sword stepped forward, his armour glinting slightly in the light.
"This is Ser Gary," Lucas announced. "My sworn sword and personal guard. Look closely at the colours he wears. Remember them. These colours signify my personal guard."
"If there is a City Watch soldier you know to be corrupt, report it to anyone wearing these colours. If there is a crime you are aware of, but are afraid to speak about report it to these men. If there is anything you deem important, do not hesitate. Come forward."
"Trust me," he said. "You will be protected. Justice will be delivered. An example will be made of any corrupt soldier."
The City Watch soldiers standing nearby, unaware of these new protocols, began exchanging uneasy glances. Their grip on unchecked power and wealth was being loosened, and they knew it.
"50 men will roam the city," Lucas continued. "It may sound like a small number, but they will be enough. Their sole duty will be to hear your concerns. A simple gesture, a quiet glance, even an eye blink will be enough to draw their attention. Approach them. Speak without fear."
"Change is coming and no one can stop it," he thundered.
For a moment, silence hung over the crowd then, as realization took hold, a loud chorus erupted. Cheers rang out from the slum. For once, hope had touched the dirt-stained streets of Flea Bottom.
A wide smile spread across Lucas' face. But he knew, it was only the beginning.
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