8th Month of 288 A.C. The Red Keep
Lord Rickard Stark
"It has been too long since we were last in the north my love. I do not want my lords thinking that I have forgotten them." Rickard said, beginning an old argument.
"So you would travel to Winterfell in the midst of winter, leaving Tywin Lannister alone to rule as Hand? I did not think you were so naïve Rickard." His wife countered.
"Tywin Lannister does not have a base of power strong enough to truly undermine all that we have worked on. Besides he has his own problems to deal with in the Westerlands. I do not want to end up like him or my father. My bannermen must know that I still remember them." Rickard argued.
"And they do my love truly they do. There has not been a single complaint from them since we have been here. Ned has done well in ensuring that they do not feel as if they have been forgotten." Lyarra responded.
Rickard looks at his wife then and sighs. "Aye, even if they do not feel slighted by just how long it has been one of us must go north with Jonothor. They must see their king to know that what they fought for is being well raised and guarded. They must see that he is as much a northerner as he is of the south."
His wife looks at him with some amusement in her eyes. "I had thought you did not wish for him to become too much of a northerner my love. Something about being concerned as to how the southerners would react to him?"
Rickard snorts then. "Aye, tis true. But I feel myself missing home somewhat. The godswood and the people are much friendlier than they are here. Even if half the court seems to be northmen. I know they hunger for home and true snow. Besides it would do well for Jonothor to know his heritage."
Lyarra looks at him with her perceptive dark eyes and says. "You want to get him out of King's Landing so that when the time comes to remove the hand, nothing can be done to harm him. A smart move my love. But will people not come looking for the king?"
Rickard shakes his head. "No there is one place that I am confident that none can enter without our knowledge and that is Winterfell. He will be as secure as he can be there. Furthermore he will get to know Ned's two little boys. Family is important, I learnt that the hard way."
His eyes go down then as he remembers his daughter and son both gone now, Lyarra squeezes his hand then and says. "I am sure he will enjoy it thoroughly from what Ned's letters say Robb is a good and kind child whilst Rickon is supposedly quite wild. Should the other two boys go as well?"
Rickard considers this for a long time and then finally says. "I believe it might well be good yes. It would give Harwyn Greyjoy a chance to know his uncle as well as to develop closer relations with young Robb, though it does mean that brute Ser Harras shall have to accompany you. As for Loras he venturing to Winterfell could well knock some sense into his head. The boy is too arrogant even at his young age."
His wife laughs slightly at that and then she asks. "What of Viserys and Daenerys, they will want to go as well. You know how protective Viserys is of Jonothor."
Rickard ponders over this and says. "No the lad must remain here as should the princess. Stannis Baratheon's brother is likely to come foster here given the trouble in the Stormlands, he should have company soon enough."
His wife nods then and says with a note of finality in her voice. "So whom should accompany us from the guard?"
"Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell and Ser Mark will accompany you from the Kingsguard. As for the other guards, well I shall leave that to you." Rickard responds. His wife nods and then he stands and says. "And now I must go and face the council and try to ensure nothing happens to give away our plans." He kisses his wife on the forehead before walking out.
He walks toward the council chamber, Ser Gerold a silent white shadow behind him, the journey passes in silence as Rickard ponders the various things that shall need to be discussed in this meeting. He nods to Ser Jon Redfort who is guarding the door this time, and then once he has entered the room and sat down the council meeting begins. "Last we met, there were issues in Tyrosh and Lys, and I would begin by speaking of those matters."
The hand Lord Tywin spoke then. "Thank you for bringing that matter up first my lord regent. With regards to Tyrosh, the Archon with whom the alliance was negotiated has since been removed from office. It would appear the council of magisters feel he has not done enough to ensure the development of Tyroshi interests here in Westeros. They have since elected a man whom has some questionable motives who has begun pushing for a harder line in negotiations."
Rickard looks at the hand then and asks. "Will this threaten the alliance?"
Tywin shakes his head. "I believe not my lord regent. This man is no fool, he knows what will happen should he seek to question the alliance or even seek to challenge it. And yet there are some concerns I have." He pauses then and Rickard nods for him to continue. "From what my own contacts in Tyrosh have told me, the man claims descent from a female of House Blackfyre and could well be working towards something more obtuse. I know that it does not seem a very relevant concern now considering the Blackfyres having been dead for some time, but still it is a matter that does need addressing."
Rickard nods at this. "Have one of your sources gather all the information they can and present it to Prince Oberyn's sources and then have them work together to remove the Archon before he can negotiate any stringent terms. What are the other concerns you have?"
The man is silent a moment then responds. "Tyrosh is clearly burning with activity after this recent election, if we remove this Archon, another Archon will need to be chosen. One who is more compliant to our terms and conditions? There is one man I can see as relevant for this, his name is Mago and I do believe he has the credentials to be a good Archon."
Rickard considers this and then says. "I shall take a look at this man and then decide. Now what is the news of Lys?"
The hand is silent once more before speaking. "The situation within Lys has settled down considerably. The nobles who fled the purge in Volantis have been accepted into power with some ease. And now the magisters are looking towards instead of becoming a protectorate looking to become part of the Iron Throne's complete dominions. To prevent the growth of the Red God and the power of Volantis. It would be a very good idea I believe my lord regent. Lys has access to trade routes across the narrow sea and would also give us a strong foothold on within the Free Cities."
Rickard considers this for a moment and then responds. "I agree with you, but I want more correspondence with the magisters before I reach a full decision. Ebrose send word to the magisters and ask them to send someone with which talks can be held." The man nods and then Rickard asks. "Now what news is there from the Stormlands?"
At this Prince Oberyn speaks. "More word of discontent and oppression comes from Nightsong my lord regent. Lord Caron writes that Stannis Baratheon's laws and reforms are beginning to impede on their way of life to such an extent that they know not what course of action to do. Appeals to Storm's End seem to fall on deaf ears or responses telling them to accept that this is the way things go."
Rickard sighs, and runs a hand through his thinning hair. "Has Baratheon had anything to say on this? Is he even aware of the trouble these reforms and laws of his are causing him?"
Prince Oberyn nods. "It seems he is aware of some of the trouble his laws are causing, but all the reports suggest that he merely wishes to get on with things. He has said numerous times that if they do not like his laws then it is tough for them for it is winter, and these are the laws that are needed."
Rickard sighs once more. "That man is more like his father, than the oaf who led the rebellion. It seems we are going to be seeing more trouble in the Stormlands than first thought. Who are the lords who are creating trouble for Baratheon?"
"Dondarrion, Swann, Selmy, Caron, Bolling, Buckler and Errol my lord regent. They have all signed the petition which you see before you. Demanding that their rights be protected and looked at." The master of whispers responds.
Rickard looks at Staunton then and asks. "Simon you are master of laws, tell me does this document have any validity?" he holds up said document.
Lord Simon Staunton a man who seems to be fading before his own eyes, takes his time to respond and when he does his answer is uncertain. "I am not sure my lord regent. I would need to have a closer look at the document before giving any conclusive judgements."
Rickard nods and hands the document over to the man saying. "Spend as much time as you wish looking over the document Simon, Ebrose send a raven to the lords mentioned and tell them to be patient soon this problem shall be solved. Send one also to Storm's End to inform Baratheon that his younger brother Renly I believe the child is called shall be fostering in King's Landing as agreed."
There is some murmuring then but it is relatively quiet after a while. Eventually Lord Monford Velaryon speaks, his voice hesitant. "My Lord Regent there is one other matter that I believe must be addressed before we move onto other matters. And that is the matter of Lord Massey. It has been moons since he was last seen and none have heard word from him. Is there anything that should perhaps be done to find him?"
Rickard keeps his face completely calm and expressionless. "Lord Massey returned to Stonedance to attend to some matters there some moons ago. He mentioned that he might not be able to return immediately, and indeed he did say that he would not be able to come back soon. He sent a raven did he not Ebrose?"
The maester nods and then Lord Monford says. "Very well then my lord regent." The matter dropped Rickard breathes an internal sigh of relief.
The final matter to be brought before the council is raised by Prince Oberyn. "There is the issue of the High Septon's increasing demands for a more militant response towards this new brand of the faith who are calling themselves Caustarians after their leader. He demands to know why the crown has done nothing to shift the focus of its agenda. And it seems some lords are beginning to support him."
Rickard sighs. "Which lords are these?"
"Bracken, Deddings, Charlton and Paege. As well as Kyndall, Ruttiger and Plumm. It seems the High Septon has offered them all something in return for their support." The master of whispers says.
Rickard sighs once more. "And sort of things is this man offering?"
"Gold, land, and most out of all a chance to bask in the glory of defending the true faith from heretics and heathens. It seems he is playing on old age hatreds to rally these houses to his cause." The prince says.
Rickard nods. "Very well, let us arrange a meeting with this man. And should that not go according to plan then we might well need to look elsewhere for the faith."