2nd Month of 287 A.C. Winterfell

Lord Eddard Stark

Work on the canal was going well, it seemed the thing would be complete sooner than Ned had thought, and already they were experiencing the benefits of having it being built. Trade envoys had come from the free cities, and more and more representatives were coming from the south. The south, Ned did not know what to make of that, Robert and Jon Arryn were desperate for him to answer their pleas for assistance in dealing with some issue or the other, and if he was being honest with himself, he did not think he really wanted to assist them, there was still a lot of anger within him at their actions, and he just wanted to ignore the south, but he could not. He knew he could not and that was why he had called a meeting with his lords, he wanted to make them aware of the new order. Looking around the solar, he notes how many of them look expectant and how many of them seem nervous, there had been some murmuring beforehand, he knows, but that seems to have died down now, thankfully.

He clears his throat and begins. "Thank you all for coming. I know that this might appear a sudden decision, calling you all here, but there is reason for it. As you all know, the north has been undergoing some vast improvements as of late, as decisions that should have been made many years ago are now being made. For this improvement to continue and be sustained, we must discuss how it shall be balanced." He pauses a moment and then looks at Lord Wyman. "Wyman, I believe you have some figures you'd like to mention."

The Lord of White Harbour nods. "Thank you my lord. Yes, as we all know the north is seeing an increase in commerce and activity relating to commerce, and as such, I propose we modify the laws that Jaehaerys the Wise instituted regarding such things. We are currently paying around ten percent of all profit to the Iron Throne, and considering the rather frosty relationship between the north and the throne at moment I suggest we reduce that down to around eight percent. We can do this by one simple measure, we keep some funds back, and send blank payments to them."

Ned feels slightly uncomfortable at this, he does not like holding back money or making blank payments but he suspects that such things will become necessary as time moves on. "And what exactly do you mean by blank payment Wyman?"

The Lord of White Harbour smiles then and says. "We send some money, old money, I know the man who serves as Baratheon's master of coin, and he is not a sound collector. And regardless, the money collectors here are under my sway. One word and they will look the other way."

There is a moment's silence and then Ned asks. "And what do the rest of you make of this?"

Jon Umber, Lord of Last Hearth speaks then. "I think it is a damnably good option. I say anything that lessens our ties to the throne is a good thing. The dragons are gone, there is no need for us to kowtow to the stag."

Lord Karstark voices his agreement. "Aye, I think this is a swell plan. The less we need to give over in coin, the less need these fools will have to come looking at us."

Lord Bolton however, speaks reason. "And what of the oath we swore to Robert Baratheon? Does that not refer to making full payment to the throne as well?"

Ned looks at the man a moment and then says. "I do not think that will be too much of an issue. Robert is already considering moving against the Stepstones, he will look toward raising men soon enough. He and Jon Arryn will not look toward the collection of coin." He looks at Wyman then and asks. "How certain are you that the man in King's Landing is yours Wyman?"

The Lord of White Harbour laughs then. "Oh I am very sure my lord. The man is most definitely mine, and he will not mention this if I tell him not to."

Swallowing, Ned takes a deep breath and then decides. "Very well, it is sorted. We shall do as Wyman suggests. If anyone has issues with this, voice them now." He waits a moment and when none say anything he looks toward Benjen. "Now Lord Stark, what word do you have for us from across the sea?"

Benjen looks at him a moment and then says. "Lord Harlaw and his allies are preparing to make their move against Balon Greyjoy. They just need a little bit more time and then they shall be ready to move."

"And you are certain they mean to remain true to the terms by which they agreed?" Ned asks.

"Aye my lord, I am." Benjen responds. "I do not think they will think about turning back now, they are too far gone for that."

"Very well." Ned says. Turning to look at Jorah Mormont he says. "What word have your own scouts brought back Jorah?"

The gruff bear of a man looks at him a moment before responding. "They report the same as Lord Benjen has my lord. It seems the Ironborn are preparing for their own events, and as such are looking for that final push over the edge."

At this point Galbert Glover speaks. "Are we sure we can trust them, these Ironborn? They might be led by a nephew of Quellon Greyjoy, but Quellon's own son is mad, we can all agree on that. How do we know that this is not a trick?"

Ned looks at Benjen then, and his brother says. "Because they have sworn by the most holy of orders that they will not break this promise."

"And what promise is that?" Lord Umber asks.

Taking a deep breath, Ned looks at the lords gathered in his solar and says. "The promise of the dragon."

5th Month of 287 A.C. Goldengrove

Lord Mathis Rowan

It had been four years since the rebellion had ended, four years since he had bent the knee to the usurper. By the gods it was a long time, and every day he got up knowing his father was probably turning in his grave wherever he was. Bending the knee to the Baratheons had been something he had regretted almost from the moment he had done it, and the fact that Baratheon seemed to be little more than a puppet, well that was just adding salt to the wound. Mathis was angry, he was angry with himself for bending, to Mace Tyrell for refusing to fight on, and for capitulating so easily. Mathis wanted revenge, and he had found likeminded lords in the Lords Florent, Osgrey, Appleton, Fossoway and many others, Mathis had hope, they had had word from their king and soon enough the time would come. He looks at the lords gathered in his solar now and smiles.

"My lords, it has been an interesting year thus far. The Ironborn are preparing for something on a grand scale that we know. Mace Tyrell continues to flounder in his castle, unable to deal with the questions asked of him by the King. And furthermore, we have had word from our king. Though the rebellion has not begun, it is on its way." Mathis says.

Lord Appleton speaks then. "If the king wrote to us, why then did he make it so difficult to ascertain what he means to do? I know he is a man of letters, but to make it so hard to understand? Surely that is not reasonable."

Mathis sighs then, Appleton is many things, but clever is not one of them. "We do not know how the Spider knows things, we must remain careful, otherwise our king's plans shall be foiled. You saw just how active the usurper became when he learned of Oberyn Martell's departure from Sunspear. The king must make sure all is secure."

"And how do we know that it was truly the king who sent the letter? It could well have been the spider. Its elusiveness is somewhat more revealing, than I think you'd like it to be my lord." Lord Osgrey says.

Mathis looks at the man then and feels some old resentment beginning to stir. Osgrey is a cousin to Tywin Lannister, that lion who fought on the plains of battle many years ago, and there have been times when Osgrey family allegiance has come back to the days of the black dragon. "I am quite confident that this letter is a real thing. The king would not allow a forgery to be sent, nor would I be foolish enough to allow such a thing to be believed."

"Are you entirely certain of that my lord?" Osgrey asks then, a slight mocking tone to his voice. "You desire that which was taken from you, and as such might well cling to something that is not there. Just like your lord father did."

Rowan feels his anger grow then. "I will not tolerate being insulted by a subordinate Osgrey. Remember what happened to your own father, when he dared voice such a complaint to mine."

Osgrey looks bemused then. "I do not regret what I said, I merely think we should consider the authenticity of this letter, and whether or not we can trust its contents."

Mathis looks at the man, and feels the deep urge to hit him, hard. However, before he can do that Lord Florent speaks. "Enough of this. We are not here to trade insults with one another, we are here to make sure that the plans are all in order for when the king returns. I have had my own sources check the letter, and they confirm that it is authentic. This was writ in the king's own hand. And as such, we can move on from this argument. Now, we must discuss fighting instructions. Highgarden is under pressure, the recent bad harvest has caused some to wonder what is going on. Tyrell is dithering, we can move now and act quickly."

"And when will the king bring his own forces? Does he have his own forces to call to his side?" Appleton asks.

"Yes, he has raised men from the exiles into a fighting band, and he has begun training them. He has entered into negotiations with the Golden Company as well." Florent says.

"Ah, that old thing. I would question its reliability. No doubt they will do this to come home and gather their old lands. Motives that do not entirely allow them to become partial to the king's true cause." Osgrey says. "Furthermore, how will he pay them?"

Mathis speaks then. "With the monies taken from those who were foolish enough to rebel against him in the first instance."

"And will that be enough to soothe his consciousness?" Osgrey asks. "After all, these companies are known for rampaging through the land, even the company has its own limits."

"The king will keep them under control. He knows how to." Mathis says confidently

Florent speaks then. "So yes, now we have gotten that out of the way, what of the rest of us here. We shall need to prepare for when the king invades. We must give him enough space and leverage. I say we go for the throat."

"You want to go straight for Highgarden? They will flock to the rose banner if we do that. We need to draw Tyrell out and make him make a mistake first." Mathis counters.

Florent looks at him then and asks. "What do you suggest then?"

"Go for Horn Hill and Tarly. Remind him what it was Tyrell did at Ashford, and remind him what he lost. Remind him and Tyrell will fall and the end will come for him." Mathis says.

Florent considers this then for a long moment, and then he says. "Very well, let us go with that."