Chapter 4: Changes in Court
With the successful launch of the first few new industries under the crown, Arthur knew many would want a slice, not just out of the businesses, but him too. So he called for a meeting of the small council to offer some new views before Ned's arrival in a few weeks time.
As the council gathered most were shocked to find 3 people behind Arthur, 1 they knew as it was Tywin Lannister, but the other 2 one dressed in white crystalline armor the other in dark grey foreign clothing with a hood stood at attention on either side of Tywin.
As everyone took their seats some were more shocked that even Renly had shown up, than at the appearance of 2 unknown soldiers, and they began to realize whatever was to be said in this meating was important. Soon after Robert appeared walking through the door, Varys found himself slightly shocked as the letters he'd received from his little birds had understated the change the King had experienced. When Varys had last seen him, Robert had been overweight and still lazy, though his occasional outings to brothels had fully vanished, in the last 4 months Robert had lost much of his weight, and he even looked like that of a true nobleman from the peak of Targaryen rule.
To note Arthur had started supplying his family with new soaps, instilling healthier habits, and had even tricked his father into a bet. His consequence for losing was to start training again and to motivate him, Arthur told him 2 of his plans, the first to strengthen his right to the Iron Throne by marrying Daenerys, and the second to institute public education subsequently offending the Citadel.
As Robert took his seat at the head he noticed the table had changed, his perception of his surrounding having been improved by his son's tests of strength and knowledge, but he put the table aside for now figuring it was either just a refurbishment or he'd learn soon enough.
Arthur sat opposite of his father, he then spoke up. "With your permission your grace I'd like to make some adjustments, as I am heir to the throne, I feel we should begin preparing for the changes I plan to bring." He said awaiting Roberts agreeance to his proposal.
"You may, I see no problems with handing over the crown today anyway, aside from your age." Robert spoke in full honesty as he had full faith in his son, who seemed to surpass all those who surrounded him.
"I would like to first reintroduce Jon Arryn Right Hand of the King, as well as reintroduce Tywin Lannister Left Hand of the King." He spoke gesturing for Tywin to move a chair to the empty space on the left of the King, Jon Arryn having already known through his discussions with Arthur, already sat on the right.
"Next, Ser Barristan Selmy, please stand." Berristan instantly stood and walked before Arthur, his heart heavy with the unlikely possibility that the man in white may replace him, but as is his duty he did what was asked.
"I hereby reintroduce and title you, Ser Barristan Selmy Lord Commander of the Imperial Guard, you are now released of your oath of celibacy, you may marry and father children, you are charged with protecting the royal family and the realm they rule, we will not order you to enact any action that tarnishes your honor, do you accept and swear to uphold the honor of both the royal family and that of their realm, before the new gods and the old?" Arthur asked at length his head high and eyes fixed on the man before him, feeling a prick of sympathy for the man as he may not have the ability to father children in general, but given he's in his 50's he should still be fine it's just a matter of not dying atop his future wife.
"I, Ser Barristan Selmy do swear, to uphold the honor of the royal family, and the honor of their realm. I swear this before the new gods and the old." Barristan spoke trying not to tear up as he realized the care behind Arthur's intent.
"You will shed your white armor and cloak and in return accept your new armor." As arthur spoke the man in foreign armor moved presenting a set of leather armor? Barristan accepted and found that the armor wasn't exactly leather, it had armor plates inside, light like valyrian steel, and finally noticing a new set of blades being held by the same man as he gestured for Barristan to change in the adjoining room. As the still unnamed man and Barristan walked out, the members of the council marveled at the design of the armor, light and discreet, the design a black with white inseams and white patterned designs, but if anyone else had been from Arthur's old world they'd just see highly decorative and sturdy assassins creed armor resembling Jacob Frye's outfit.
The room had a few murmers in appreciation for the design but they all fell deathly silent when Arthur spoke again. "It's tailored leather with plate inserts inside that house valerian steel protective plates for maximum protection and movement."
The idea of using valyrian steel for armor making everyones eyes twitch in pain before noticing the swords on Barristan, 2 dual short swords at his waists, 4 daggers at his rib holsters, and a greatsword strapped to his back.
Tywin was the first to speak, "Boy, why does he have so many blades wouldn't that slow him significantly?" He asked afraid of the answer, but if his idea was correct it meant something far greater for the realm.
"They would, if they weren't valyrian steel blades, the greatsword alone barely weighs 8 pounds, and in case anyone hasn't caught on yet, yes I can craft valyrian steel armor and weapons. Oh, I nearly forgot, it's off topic but now's as good a time as any, I'll mention it again later, but Jon I plan to ask for Oberyn Martell's daughter Tyene to be my 3rd wife, in return I have made him a valyrian steel spear, I will not only personally hand over Gregor Clegane and Amory Lorch to him, but also publicly denounce their actions against Princess Elia Martell and her children. He may do with them as he pleases."
Most of Arthur's words didn't shock Jon unlike the others in the room, as for Robert ever since his son mentioned the marriage of Arthur and Daenerys he'd felt a minor regret for how he handled the Targaryen women and children, so he had been thinking of reinforcing relations with Dorne by handing over those 2 anyway, as for Jon though he wondered 1 thing, "Prince, why marry Oberyn's bastard daughter? Why not Doran's true born daughter Arianne Martell?" He asked confused.
"Honestly? Because I will have a different strategist among my wives, I need a viper that will slaughter thousands should need be for me, Tyene is that viper, plus from what I've been told she's immensely beautiful, but more importantly because Arianne has no desire to be Queen. She only desires to succeed her father, who is highly against letting a woman rule Dorne, but should she become my concubine and have my son he will be pressured into leaving her as heir. She cannot be both Queen and ruler of Sunspear thus she will not marry the next King." Arthur explains giving his full thought process for a change and shocking everyone with not only his intelligence gathering ability, but his foresight able to see the thoughts and actions of others at least a decade ahead.
"Now back to the changes, I would like to introduce, Lucerous Morningstar Lord Commander of the Rounds, a new order of 12 Knights trained to surpass the prowess of Ser Arthur Dayne with the strategic mind of Tywin, and they will become the Generals of our future military. Next is Ezio Auditore Grandmaster Assassin of the Hidden Brotherhood, an order of assassins, just as skilled as the Rounds, and even better at assassination than the House of Black and White. They have their own skills on top of knowing those of the Faceless Men." Arthur spoke as the man stepped forward removing his hood.
No it wasn't actually Ezio from his previous life, but he does look Italian, and Arthur thought about using the template of the Templar Order originally, but he always loved Assassin's especially Ezio. So he brought him to life in this world, using an Assassin Egg, another special egg type that spawns Assassin's Creed Assassins with ranged skills, and the man he named Ezio just so happened to be the Mentor for an entire order.
It's important to note that the special eggs spawn dead souls, though they only keep the memories relative to their professions, and all else is blank and filled with loyalty towards Arthur and his bloodline.
"Varys, you will work rather closely with the Hidden Order, while they have their own spy network, having an outside second network to confirm or oppose will help greatly with insuring we take steps towards the greater good. While I'd like the Rounds to work closely with the 2 Hands, they are more than just swords, each Knight of the Round has a small platoon of 50 men, a single platoon could take Winterfell in a day, so make use of them wisely." Arthur warned gently.
Both Tywin and Jon spoke the same word, "Understood.", though they were shocked at the level of skill the man before him held.
"I plan to advance Jaime Lannister to the Imperial Guard, renaming him heir to Casterly Rock, and at the same time I'd like to invite Tyrion Lannister and Olenna Tyrell to the Small Council, Tyrion as the Master of Public Relations, he has a brilliant mind, and his personality is liked by many commoners. Olenna or her grandson Willas if she truly insists as Aid to the Master of Coin, as I will have to step down when I'm crowned King in a number of years, and we will need someone trustworthy to hold the position of Master of Coin." He spoke but stopped to take a drink due to all the talking today.
"And lastly. King Robert Baratheon the first, I hereby petition the divorce of Jon Arryn and Lisa Tully, for the crime of adultery, I at the same time petition Robin Arryn be disenheritted of the name Arryn, as he is the bastard son of Lisa Tully and Petyr Baelish, and as proof I offer these documents seized from Petyr's manor. These are letters kept by Petyr from both Lisa and Robin, where they speak of the affair, and even mention multiple times of the true or at least suspected paternity of Robin." As Arthur finished speaking he handed over a stack of letters, when reading them should you not know the situation you'd suspect nothing but a wholesome family exchanging letters, but looking at it with the truth you can see the betrayal.
Surprising to no one Robert was the first to react while reading, calling for Lisa's head, Jon sat there with rage boiling behind his cold eyes, and Renly noticeably looked smug likely thinking *This is why I don't like women they'll betray you for lust everytime*. Forgetting that men do the same gay or straight, man or woman there is no difference.
"Oh right, Ezio also has a new valyrian sword for each of you, except for my father the King, for you he has a hammer, as for armor you'll each have to be fitted, but I currently don't have the time for that. My builders are currently finishing Kingsman, it should be available for operation in a week, and should you ever need to get in contact with the Hidden Order you may go there and ask for a blade. A Hidden One will meet you shortly after." As Arthur finishes speaking he prepares to leave giving everyone time to ask questions or mention their own matters, but no one speaks as they scurry toward Ezio to receive their weapons.
Arthur stood at the door with Lucerous, he waited as each member of the council even Varys excitedly got their blades, seeing the brightest smile on his father as he received his hammer, equivalent to when he held Tommen the first time, and he even thought he saw a tear form in Tywins eye.
"Varys, Tywin, and Stannis would you step out with me? I have subjects to talk about with each of you." Arthur spoke as he walked out while Lucerous walked to Jon and Robert to discuss how to deal with Lisa and Robin.
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Arthur leaned on the balcony railing as he waited for the others, Tywin approached before the other 2 followed, and he even spoke first finding that Arthur had no intention to start the conversation.
"So, what exactly did you want to talk to us about?" Tywin asked skeptical of what the 3 of them could have in common.
"Well, it's more of an individual talk for each, but ultimately they'll come out in the Council anyway. So to start, Varys, I need those eggs within the year, at least the ones from Illyrio and Hightower, and I mean it. They need to be grown by the time I'm crowned. Uncle, this is a 2 parter, first I plan to open a new ship factory on Dragonstone, it'll make 2 ships a cargo Frigate, and a Man-O-War. These are large ships that can hold hundreds of men. Second, I will visit your daughter and cure her of Greyscale, it will remove all scars during treatment, but in return I plan to betrothe her to Jon Snow Neds bastard. He's a good kid, talented, and I plan for him to join the Imperial Guard and even have Lucerous train him." Arthur spoke quickly, as he has a lot to do today, and needed to get moving before long.
"As for you grandpa, I know about the mines, they'll dry up within 20 years, maybe even sooner. So, to fix the possible issue of Westeros bleeding money, I plan to build and gift an industry to your lands, but it'll take some time before I can send builders over." He finished, once again shocking Tywin and Varys with his intel, Stannis found himself shocked by Arthur's ability to heal Shireen, but then he broke down after learning his daughter could be cured of that curse.
Shireen had been infected when she was much younger, he couldn't find a cure though he found something else, and it was enough at the time. A priest managed to halt the spread of the disease, though it didn't hide the scars caused by it, and thus everytime he saw them he only saw his own failure. This had been affecting him as of late as he noticed himself starting to hate his daughter slowly but surely.