Aerys I

Sometimes he would come up here just to escape from the clamour of ruling, to hear the sea rage against the small island in Blackwater Bay and smell the brimstone that came off the mountain just behind him. Looking down from the turret Aerys could already see how his sister Rhaella was mounting her young dragon Meraxes as she normally did at the crack of dawn and take off. Their really was something majestic about seeing a dragon in flight, how it soared through the air gracefully knowing it was the most fearsome beast in the known world. However it was more than just a beast it was a companion, a warrior and the most loyal of friends. Aerys once he had turned slightly and squinted his eyes could see how far away perched in one of the cavernous caves on the mountainside was a large black dragon.

"Balerion" Aerys whispered, the very name gave most men a look of dread for that was what he was the black dread. But to Aerys he was a shield that made the Targaryens more than just men, that made them gods.

Finally leaving the castle battlements he descended through the sea dragon tower, being careful not to trip on the seemingly never ending staircase as his deceased mother had done which had caused her unfortunate and untimely death. Finally coming to the bottom he then proceeded to the council chambers which of course took him through the maze that was the castle of Dragonstone.

After a while he eventually arrived outside the stone doors which as always was manned by two of the guardsman who bowed and opened the massive and elaborately chiselled stone doors that like everything else on Dragonstone were depicted with Dragons. Entering the room Aerys took a few moments to let his eyes adjust to the gloom before he noticed the six men conversing with each other beside the painted table. When the doors closed behind him they all instantly looked up and their chatter ceased before they all bowed and murmured "Your Grace".

Aerys gave a short curt nod before beckoning the lords to take a seat round the ornate table that was most likely the greatest map of Westeros ever created. Every river, every lake, every hill and every castle was all taken down on the table which had taken a good few years out of his fathers reign to carve and mould to perfection. Once they had all sat down Aerys too pulled up a rather plain looking seat that's only defining feature was it was inlaid with gold. Sitting himself down upon its hard surface he look round the table to see who of the council had answered his summons.

There always at the exact opposite to Aerys was Lord Monterys Velaryon, his Chancellor and greatest friend and ally. From a long and ancient lineage the Velaryons came from and so the Targaryen family often wed into their house thus further sealing the friendship between Monterys and Aerys. Seated next to Aerys on the left was Lord Adrian Sunglass a pious and loyal man he was the Master of Coin to the Kingdom of Dragonstone. Also possessed of Valyrian blood the Lords of House Sunglass had always held themselves in high regard. Even though they had never wielded any sort of power in the freehold. Seated next to Lord Sunglass was the Lord Robert Durrandon Master of War, quite possibly the most troublesome of all Aerys vassals and definitely the quickest to anger.The House of Durrandon had not a drop of Valyrian blood in their veins but still held enormous amounts of power since they had once been the Storm Kings. On Aerys right sat the Lord Raenar Celtigar the Master of Whispers, he was definitely the most cunning out of all the lords in the council. The House of Celtigar is what you might call a minor house of Valyrian blood however due to their position on the narrow sea it has swelled their coffers, thus making them one of the wealthiest houses in the realm. However in the case of Lord Raenar he was most annoying about his Valyrian blood, a month did not go by when he was not petitioning for a dragon egg to be given to his house. Next to Lord Celtigar was the Princess Meria of Dorne heir to the Lord paramountcy of Dorne and also the Master of Laws. The House of Martell had been at war for nearly twenty five years with the Kings of Dragonstone until Aerys father had finally brought them into the realm with the offer to keep the title of Prince and to not pay the Dragon Tax. Finally seated next to Lord Monterys was Maester Wilkes who had served Dragonstone for well over forty decades and was just approaching his seventies.

Clearing his throat Aerys nodded towards Monterys who placed onto the table a long piece of parchment and then began to read from the top.

"My Lords the first matter of business is what to do about the Pentoshi struggles, they are seeking aid to help them in their war against Bravvos but none will help them" Monterys said quietly looking to Aerys to see what his decree would be.

"First the Pentoshi seek aid from our enemy's the Lannister's and Gardeners by terms of an alliance to help them and to attack us, now they seek aid from the very Kingdom they sought to destroy" Aerys glanced at Lord Robert and saw the eagerness to fight the Pentoshi and tear down their realm. "Well to this I say let them be conquered by Bravvos or some other petty realm for we shall not get involved".

With that decree most Lords nodded in agreement however the Lord Robert looked most furious as his way was whenever the offer of war was turned down.

"Then we have the matter of the Arryn's, they are asking for another break from taxes as well as the removal of the Dragon Tax altogether" Lord Monterys looked up nervously at Aerys as he began to read the final bit. "And for their loyal service over the years they request a royal marriage, namely between the Lord Artos Arryn and the Princess Rhaella".

Aerys was about to reply when the Lords Celtigar and Sunglass did it for him.

"A Princess of the blood marrying the Andal savage, despicable" Lord Raenar said going bright red as he spoke, knowing that he might have gone to far.

"I quite agree with Lord Celtigar, Princess Rhaella cannot marry one of such...such dirty blood" Lord Adrian replied nodding all the while at Lord Raenar who had sunk lower into his seat as he noticed the look of wrath that appeared on Lord Roberts face.

"IF YOU TWO SPINELESS INBREDS HADN'T NOTICED THEIR IS A ANDAL SAVAGE SITTING ON YOUR COUNCIL " Robert roared as he leaped from his chair and pulled out his sword, holding it threateningly towards both the lords.

Both Lord Sunglass and Lord Celtigar almost immediately sunk down into their seats. Lord Raenar went the step further by grabbing off the table a letter opener which he then proceeded to hold up to Lord Robert in a laughable manner.

Aerys rose from his chair and said calmly "Enough, Lord Durrandon I will request that you leave this council and return to Storms End" Aerys then giving him a cold look stood up and called for the steward who came running through the door.

"Your Grace you called" the steward said looking worried as he noticed at least two of the Lords at the table hiding from a third brandishing a sword.

"Please escort Lord Durrandon to the docks and make sure he gets the fastest ship to Storms End" Aerys said as he once again sat down in his chair and ignored Lord Durrandon presence.

With those commands Lord Robert pushed past the steward muttering curses all the while, with the steward following him and constantly staring at the weapon he was clutching in his massive hands. Once the stone doors had once again closed the room was silent for a moment as Aerys contemplated his actions. Was it wise to just dismiss him over such a petty grievance, but it had been building to this anyway after all the man craved war and Aerys would not give it to him.

Deciding that no doubt his decision would come back to haunt him Aerys shook off the feeling that he had forced his family onto the path leading towards much conflict. Turning round to face the Lords who had remained silent through the ordeal he cleared his threat once more. "Get up off the floor Raenar and Adrian before I send you back to Sweetport Sound and Claw Isle" he said with disgust at the cowardly Lords still hiding under the massive table. Looking to the few Lords who remained in their seats he said "Shall we begin again".