Jon Arryn's POV
Being IN The capital as news of constant defeats and setbacks was bad but he could just imagine Robert getting madder and angrier in his tent, his brother had failed, not Stannis's fault he was out numbered but Robert wouldn't see it that way, Ned had always been more of a brother than Stannis. Paxter had survived which almost would cement in Roberts mind that the Tyrells and their allies were treasonous cowards.
There were already whispers in the capital that Robert did not have support of his lords like the Targaryen's did, even though the Targaryen's support had wavered long before the rebellion back to when dragons had died out. Robert wasn't a ruler, even Robert himself knew it, but wouldn't admit it. He was a warrior, a womanizer and loved his feasts and wine and the smallfolk knew it as well and rumours of how much the crown was in debt because of the expensive tourneys and lavish feasts.
Now Robert was riding back to the Capitol it would seem as with no fleet, they had no way to reach the Iron Islands, they could try hiring sellsails but they wouldn't be much use or want to risk their lively hoods against the whole of the Iron islands fleet. As he looked at the charts and papers of the latest record of military strength each of the Kingdoms had, if they pulled all remaining battle worthy ships from all ports they would have about 80, but some barely could be called warships. It didn't help that he had just received word that the Shield Island shad been taken meaning the last defence fleet on the west coast Westeros was destroyed.
Deciding the new Master of Ships was another problem he was trying to solve, Robert would leave it to him to suggest candidates but Robert would have final say. The obvious choice would be Paxter Redwyne, but the King refused to have any Tyrells or their supporters on the council, another choice would be a member of House Velaryon whom had held the title in the past but they were tied to closely to the Targaryen's, even looked like them, Robert would consider them offshoots of dragon spawn. Another option was House Graffton, whom held a small fleet in to defend Gulltown but the King would probably have a problem with them as they supported the Targaryen's and defied his own wishes to support Robert. There was only one real choice but he wasn't happy about taking the one person who had defended the coast successfully from the Iron Born away from the west to sit on a council at King's Landing- Jason Mallister.
Randyll's POV
This meeting could be classed as treason but treason seemed to happening quite a lot these days and succeeding, The rebellion would have been treason if it had not succeed, he himself and all the Tyrells bannerman committed treason by not supporting Robert. The Greyjoys committed treason against Robert and were already gaining ground. Now in his tent far away from Lord Tyrells in the camp they ahd set up outside Highgarden, ready to defend incase of an Iron Born invasion , he met with some Lords who knew changes had to happen.
To his right sat the cloaked figure of Lord Rowan, a wise lord, he ahd always considered him one of the more level headed and reliable Lords of the Reach, next to him was the battered and bruised but still respected Lord Redwyne along with the humiliated Lord Serry, who's lands had apparently been compeltyl destroyed by the Iron Born, Lord Ambrose was next to enter the tent followed by Lord Merryweather, who's house had suffered under Aerys's rule but only risen slightly under Robert's. the final 2 Lords whom had been invited were Ser Baelor Hightower, heir to Highgarden, and finally Lord Tommen Costayne, who was sworn to House Hightower.
Once everyone had seated, he was about to adrres them all, when Lord Ambrose spoke first.
"Why have you asked us to come here in secret, what is so secret that you have not invited our liege lord or other noble Houses like Florent."
At that, he chuckled to himself, Lord Ambrose never thought things through before speaking. "I did not invite you all here!" he explained quietly, and stepping slowly to the side to reveal a short cloaked figure, whom pulled off her hood to reveal a small elderly figure with white hair, a grin of no teeth.
The Queen of Thorns.
A surprised gasp sounded out from the tent, mirroring his reaction when he had been asked to organise this meeting.
"I have asked you all here, as I am concerned about my family, there is no denying it, my son is a buffoon, he wants to rules and has the right but no idea how to, he claims victories that are not his. Although he has loyalty from his lords because he is a Tyrell, then our new king is a warrior and can fight and lead battles but cannot rule on a daily basis and does not want to. Neither of them know how to play the game or let their advisers sway them." She turned to Paxter, "You urged Mace not to make you send all the Arbor fleet plus most of the Reach fleet to Fair Isle but he wanted the Reach involvement to be huge to try and gain Robert's favour, Lord Tarly you won the battle of Ashford not my son and both you and Matthis advised him not to take son many North to the Iron Island leaving out coast undefended."
"What you propose we do, you can't possibly be suggesting what I think your suggesting? The Tyrell are the lords of the Reach and have been since the time of dragons," inquired Baelor Hightower.
"Yes we are, much to the Florents dismay what I am suggesting is we make my son Martyr!"
He knew where this had been leaving, Olenna wanted him to help her grandsons rule after their father's death, Wilas was a wise and determined young boy and Garlan was a natural leader and fighter, together they could be great, with an experienced hand.
Vary's POV
"His kingdom is collapsing faster than we had thought, neither of them are ready , you birds say Viserys grow angrier and madder every day, Deanery's is a scared and bullied girl and our other plan is still basically a babe, the realm will not choose them over Robert no matter how badly is destroying the real," he explained to Illyrio his good friend as they walked in the tunnels beneath King's Landing.
"She is too young for the Dothraki yet and the boy still needs to learn his duty as King," Ilyrrio agreed.
"If the kingdom breaks now, it could repair by the time we are ready!"
Both of them knew what that meant, they had to change the game of thrones!
Tywin's POV
He was angry, furious, mad but for the first time at himself, the Lannister fleet was destroyed his lands from Kacye to The Crag were being raided and pillaged and Fair Isle was under the control of the Iron Born because he had put a Warrior on the throne rather than a wise and well-loved prince who would probably have made a fine ruler. Jon Arryn was a fine hand but he didn't have the fierceness, fear and respect that he himself had when he was Hand. For that reason Robert had called him personally to come see him at his camp in the Riverlands.
"Your grace," he bowed slightly as he entered Robert's tent, behind the king stood his own son Jamie Lannister and the Lord Commander Barristan Selmy.
"Ah Lord Lannister, you came, wine bring in some more wine," Robert bellowed raising the jug next to him, as servants rushed into to fill it up.
He could smell the stench of wine coming from Roberts mouth and see it staining his beard.
"Well what are you going to do Lannister, the Iron Born are raiding my coast, taking my islands, you let your fleet get burnt, were you napping. You are my warden of the West, protect it or I will find someone who will."
"I'm sorry, Your Grace but is my army expected to swim to the island now your brother lost yours ships, did he misplace them or were they destroyed?"
"Don't take that tone with me, we are a long a way from Castamere. Think of something, take the Greyjoys out, anything you need Lord Renly will arrange it for you, now leave my tent"
He hated that fat oath but he was his son-in-law and his grandchildren will soon sit the throne, he had to preserve his families legacy, which meant making sure that man sat on the throne until his grandchildren were ready.
He needed the to get someone to Pyke, for that he needed a smuggler!
