7th Month of 284 A.C. King's Landing
Lord Rickard Stark
King's Landing was always bustling with activity, filled to the brim with something or the other going on. Even with a war raging in the west, activity in the capital continued to soar and grow. In some ways this was what Rickard had been dreaming of ever since he was a young lad, growing up hearing tales of the south from his great uncle Rodrik. King's Landing thrived and hummed with activity whilst Winterfell was somewhat dull and slow in comparison. He had always felt somewhat constrained in Winterfell, yes he had enjoyed it and it was home, but King's Landing was another realm, it was where all the action was and it made him feel alive. So much more alive than anything else, other than his wife and children did.
The small council was of course the main thrum of activity, the politicking and manoeuvring was something that Rickard had long waited for. The council members, were of course himself as Lord Regent, Lord Wyman as master of coin, Simon Staunton his own man as master of laws and Prince Oberyn as master of whispers as well as Ser Gerold Hightower as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Lord Paxter the master of ships was away sailing to deal with the Ironborn threat, and the citadel were still deciding the matter of the Grand Maester. There were many things that needed to be discussed. "My lords, we all have very busy schedules and as such this meeting will be a somewhat fast pace discussion. I would hear firstly how the war is going."
Prince Oberyn spoke. "Well my lord, news coming from our sources across the West report the Ironborn have begun moving more inland. Maron Greyjoy has progressed from Castamere towards Sarsfield and Oxcross. It seems that the man has received orders to begin a burning campaign. As for Rodrik Greyjoy, well your son Lord Eddard Stark and his men came into battle with Rodrik Greyjoy and his men at Nunn's Deep. A fierce battle was fought, and at the end of it all Greyjoy was slain and the men left to hold the Deep and Pendric Hills were slaughtered."
Rickard nods upon hearing this and asks. "And what of the Lannisters? What has Tywin Lannister done to aid us in this cause?"
Prince Oberyn's face descends into a sneer at mention of the hand, his voice barely conceals his anger. "The man and his army are laying siege to Lannisport. It seems he is trying to starve the Ironborn out of the city."
"So it seems that Tywin Lannister is indeed trying to starve out the Ironborn and make them pay for their laxidasical approach to conquering. It should not take too long for the Ironborn to bend their knees, considering just how badly they supposedly damaged the city they are now residing in. When Lord Redwyne brings the royal fleet up towards Lannisport, the Ironborn shall be trapped and unable to move by land or sea." Rickard says.
Prince Oberyn nods and then says. "Aye, that is true my lord. And yet Maron Greyjoy continues to remain a threat in the Westerlands. Whilst I am sure Lord Eddard will continue to pursue whatever Ironborn are left of Rodrik Greyjoy's party, there must be concern put forward for dealing with Maron."
"What you say is true. And yet from the report you have given Prince Oberyn, it would seem that there is very little of Rodrik Greyjoy's force actually left. This should mean that there is not too much for my son to do in regards to clearing up what mess they have created. Leaving him free to pursue Maron Greyjoy and his band of squids." Rickard responds.
There was silence after that in the council as the members considered this, and then Lord Simon spoke. "What will be done once the Ironborn in the Westerlands are dealt with? Will you order the forces to engage with the Islanders on their own islands?"
Rickard nods. "Aye it would seem that would be the only reasonable course of action. After all we all know what Balon Greyjoy's response was when I asked him what his bannermen were doing. It is time that the Ironborn learnt what it means to be truly subservient to a power greater than them. In the past we as a people have been too lenient on them. This time that shall not happen."
All eyes are on him and then Lord Simon asks. "What do you plan on doing my lord regent?"
Rickard looks at the lords in turn and then says with a deep severity to his voice. "I intend to show them a harsh lesson. Balon Greyjoy shall loose his head and all those who do not bend the knee when we come calling shall also bend the knee. Those houses responsible for the travesties at Fair Isle, Kayce and Feastfires shall meet similar fates if they do not bend the knee. Hostages shall be taken and the islands shall experience reprimands the like they have not seen since the days of Dalton Greyjoy."
There is silence that follows this and then Lord Wyman speaks. "A fine plan my lord regent. Now if it is okay with everyone else here, I wish to take talk to the matter of the Free Cities. As you all know there has been some disruptions occurring in trade due to the political climate in Braavos with the Sealord's election, as such we have seen a slight fall in revenues from that particular venture. However, it should not be too serious as the candidate who we are backing for the Sealord's post has a vested interest in ensuring that trade between us continues. As for the Stepstones many of the traders coming into port here have been complaining of the tolls be extolled on them by Lys and Tyrosh."
Rickard looks at his old friend then and asks. "And what sort of tolls have the two daughters been exacting on them?"
Wyman looks down at his notes then looks at Rickard and says. "Excessive fares for allowing ships to pass through, taking some of the property on the ship off of it, for their own use. And asking for any girls or boys on the ships of a certain look and age to be given to them for their own uses. Any captain who refuses to pay these tolls is denied passage or is left for pirates to come and pray on."
Rickard considers this and then asks. "And is this happening to all captains from everywhere who wish to come to King's Landing? Or just Westerosi captains?"
His old friend looks down at his notes once more and says. "All captains who wish to come to King's Landing my lord regent. It appears the rulers of Tyrosh and Lys are more than happy to get their toll from the ships, as it seems the regime here is looked upon unfavourably there. This could have seriously negative consequences for King's Landing trade my lord regent. And could lead to more ships refusing to come to King's Landing unless something is done about it."
"Very well, send a raven asking for talks between us. When the war with the Ironborn is done I shall consider whom to send as an envoy." Rickard says, his friend nods and then Rickard turns to Prince Oberyn and asks him. "My Prince what news on the conclave, have the citadel reached a decision yet?"
The Prince is silent a moment and then says. "My sources tell me that the sheep in the citadel continue to dither and worry over this and the other. Lannister holds great sway in the citadel through the numerous spies and such he has there. And as a result they are considering more than one Lannister candidate, though there is a source that says Gormon Tyrell could well be considered for the position as well. The man is good with the arts and with healing. Personally, if I were there I would go for Ebrose, the man is smart and does not have as much political baggage with him. Furthermore, with the king being an infant at this point it would make sense for him to be here."
Rickard nods, a very valid point and then says. "You have your own influence amongst the conclave do you not Prince Oberyn?" the man nods. "Very well, use that influence to see Ebrose given the chain of office. I will not have a man with a loyalty to anyone other than the King and the throne here."
The Prince nods and then says. "There is the matter of the eunuch that you asked me to look into as well my lord regent. My sources have reported that man matching his description was last seen here in Westeros boarding a ship for unknown locations on the eve of the duel between Robert Baratheon and Ser Arthur."
Rickard considers this a moment and then asks. "Any suggestions as to where he could well have gone?"
There is silence and then it is Simon Staunton who speaks. "The man was said to be from Myr or Lys. It is very possible that he went back to one of these two places and is behind the tolls on the ships. It would not surprise me, he was the man who caused the most damage during Aerys' reign and allowed poison to take root."
"But what cause would he have for doing such a thing? He bent the knee to Robert Baratheon, but was the one who asked Aerys not to open the gates." Ser Gerold says.
Silence follows this as they all consider the implications of where the eunuch could be. Eventually Rickard says. "Use your contacts in Myr and Lys to asses where the man is and if he ever was there. And if not there, then look to Pentos. I have a feeling he might well be there my prince." Prince Oberyn nods and after that there is some more mundane discussion before the meeting comes to an end.
Once the meeting ends, Rickard accompanied by Ser Gerold and Ser Jon walk back to his rooms in Maegor's Holdfast, where his wife Lyarra, who had recently arrived in King's Landing is sat playing with their grandson the king. Rickard stands in the doorway a moment just watching the two of them his grandson is tottering towards his wife laughing and giggling, his curls beginning to show more evidently. He looks so much like Lyanna that it hurts sometimes for Rickard to look at him. He thanks the gods he does not look like Rhaegar Targaryen. The less reminders Rickard has of that man the better. His wife looks as beautiful at forty as she did at sixteen when they were wed. Oh they had known each other for long before that day, growing up together in Winterfell, and sharing ambitions.
"Are you going to keep standing there and staring or are you going to come over?" his wife asked teasingly.
Rickard shook his head and smiled, walked over to sit next to his wife on the edge of their bed whilst his grandson tottered over to him and smiled before running away again on steady legs. "He is growing so quickly." Rickard says in wonder.
His wife nods and replies. "They always do at this age. Remember how it was with Brandon? He shot up so suddenly and then never stopped moving. Lya as well." There is a sadness in his wife's voice, and Rickard pulls her to him.
"Aye, Ned and Benjen seemed to take more time about it. They were always the more quiet ones." Rickard says.
His wife laughs softly then as Jonothor continues to run around laughing happily. "That they did my love. That they did. I suppose it was because they were never trying to be seen. Ned at least was not, and now he is your heir with a family of his own. And Benjen, gods Benjen wants to join the watch my love."
Rickard is somewhat taken aback by that but says. "There is honour in joining the Watch my love. And Starks have manned the wall for thousands of years."
"You know the Watch is not what it once was. It has not been an order of prestige or honour since the days of our grandfather. There is little we can do to change that, not with that goat worshipping Qorgyle in charge. I will not have our son throw his life away from some misguided sense of trying to make amends." Lyarra responds.
"What amends?" Rickard asks. "Benjen does not truly blame himself for Lyanna running away does he? He was just a boy who she took advantage of."
His wife sighs and says. "They were close Rickard. Very close, and now she is gone and Benjen knows not what to do with himself."
"He will stay and continue the family that is what he shall do." Rickard says. "The town on the Western coast on the mouth of Sea Dragon River will soon be built, and once it is done, he shall be its lord."
His wife looks at him then and says. "You are going to have to convince him of that my love. Simply ordering him to do it will not work."
Rickard sighs and kisses his wife's head and looking at his grandson says. "It appears we have a lot of work to do my love a lot of work."