Sixth Month of 288 A.C. King's Landing
Lord Jon Arryn
The Greyjoy Rebellion had left things fairly quiet in King's Landing, Jon was too old at sixty eight to head off to war and fight. Not when the kingdoms needed to be run by a strong and steady hand. Gods knew Robert was not going to do it whilst on the campaign, there was something about war that seemed to ignite a passion and a desire in the King that worried Jon, and he thought that perhaps it was the king's Targaryen blood that made him crave war. He deeply hoped it was something that would fade with time as the realm truly could not afford another war, and yet with recent developments it did seem as though such a thing was likely to happen.
"So has anyone been able to find Euron Greyjoy? Or has the man disappeared of the face of the earth?" Robert thundered, his face flushed from wine.
Jon sighed and said. "So far the reports from our scouts have not placed Euron Greyjoy anywhere close to King's Landing since his escape three days ago. It is very likely that he simply boarded a ship and left."
"Then how the buggering hells did the man manage to break free from the Black Cells? I had thought it was impossible to do so?" Robert thunders.
Jon looks to the eunuch who says in that simpering tone of his. "It would appear that Greyjoy had some help Your Grace. Someone within the actual guard system became a Greyjoy man and allowed him to escape during the changing of shifts."
"And how the devils did the man get coin to buy of a guard within my prison? I had thought everything was taken off of him when he was thrown in there?" Robert roars.
The master of laws old Lord Jon Roxton says. "Everything was taken off of him Your Grace. But it appears Euron Greyjoy is quite glib of tongue and managed to enchant the guard in question with promises of gold and women if he allowed him to go."
"And where is the guard in question?" Robert asks a glint in his eye that worries Jon something serious.
"He is dead Your Grace. He hung himself after confessing to his wrong doing." Roxton says.
"Dead? The bastard allowed a criminal to get away scot free and then hung himself? By the gods it seems as if everything is getting away from me. Has word been sent to Maron Greyjoy? And if so what has the buggering lord had to say about it?" Robert thunders.
"Word has indeed been sent to Pyke Your Grace. And Maron Greyjoy has been quick to respond. He insists he had no part to play in his uncle's release and would have been thoroughly content to allow his uncle to rot in the black cells for all eternity. That he has escaped worries Maron Greyjoy beyond measure as he knows his uncle to be a mad man." Jon says.
"Pah, reassurances that are done on the wind, are not the reassurances I want. Send word to Maron Greyjoy that he is to scour the islands looking for his uncle and if he finds him, he is to kill him, or better yet deliver him to King's Landing himself. I do not trust these squids, their loyalties are very fluid." Robert says taking another deep sip of wine.
"You think Greyjoy might have aided his uncle?" Lord Roxton asks, as if desperate to cease onto something, anything that will free him from the blame.
Robert snorts in his wine cup and then bangs it down on the table. "I don't bloody well know Roxton. But if I had to wager I would that Maron Greyjoy aided his uncle or his uncle had help from the Ironborn."
"There is another possible explanation for how Euron Greyjoy came to be freed from his cell." Lord Wylde the master of coin says. "Whilst it is true that it takes only one man to open a cell, to cause a distraction needed for such a man as the crow's eye to escape one will need many allies and spies to alert the way."
"What are you suggesting?" Robert asks his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I believe the old enemy is behind this Your Grace. Why else would Greyjoy flee?" Wylde says.
Jon sighs then and asks. "You cannot be serious Lord Wylde? The Targaryens have no reason to have Euron Greyjoy freed. What reason would they have? He has no fleet, he has no men and he has no allies. He is worthless to them."
"Not necessarily, it was Euron Greyjoy who brought the pirates and the sellsails to fight at the Gullet under his brother's banner during the Greyjoy rebellion. Euron Greyjoy still has allies amongst the pirates and other cutthroats in the Stepstones. With him freed the Targaryens could look to bring these men under their sway by having Euron Greyjoy lead them and promise him the Iron Islands." Wylde says.
Jon shakes his head in disbelief but Robert turns to the eunuch and asks. "How likely a possibility is this Lord Varys?"
The eunuch pauses for a moment as he so often does for effect and then he says in that simpering tone of his. "Well Your Grace, from what my little birds have told me, it does appear as though Daeron Targaryen and his mother, more specifically his mother have been making overtures towards those in the Stepstones. Seeking their aid in destabilizing trade in Westeros and between the Iron Throne and the Free Cities. So far they have received little attention, but with Euron Greyjoy escaped and on the loose it is possible this all could change."
Before Robert can get all excited Jon cuts in. "But this is all of just supposition of course Your Grace. If Daeron Targaryen's overtures have been rejected beforehand, what is there to say these pirates will accept his overtures with the release of Euron Greyjoy? The man has nothing and these pirates are not so stupid as to go against the Iron Throne."
Robert's eyes glisten momentarily and Jon is concerned when his former ward says. "Still perhaps it is time those pirates were taught their place and cleaned out once and for all."
Jon sighs and says. "You cannot be seriously considering this Your Grace. A war has just ended, marching to yet another war, this time without the actual justification that the Greyjoys gave you would not go over well with your lords."
"They would understand if the King called his banners to remove the threat of a future and much longer war now. And besides it is their duty to respond when their king calls the banners." Lord Wylde says.
Robert looks to the eunuch and says. "What do you think master of whispers? Will my men come calling if I ask it of them?"
Varys seems to consider his answer for a very long time before answering and when he does his voice is certain. "I do believe they would. But they would begrudge you that decision Your Grace. They need time to recover from the Greyjoy rebellion, marching off to war on a thin pretext will do you no favours. And there is other news that should be of interest."
Before Robert can interrupt Jon asks. "And news is this Lord Varys?"
The eunuch smiles at him and says. "There is word from across the narrow sea that trouble is brewing in Tyrosh. It would appear that the Archon has begun collecting the debts that his old predecessors failed to enforce and this has made him largely unpopular with the masses. Such things are also meaning that another election could be called one in which a much more pro Westerosi Archon could be chosen."
"And how would that come about?" Jon asks praying that the need for more war is not there.
Varys smiles as if sensing Jon's fears and says. "Why gold would need to exchange hands of course. For though my sources have influence they do not have enough sway to influence the outcome with words alone. Gold will need to be paid for the magisters to select Salim Rogare. Otherwise another fool will come to power and trade shall suffer."
Jon looks to Lord Wylde and asks. "Does the treasury have enough money in it to ensure for sufficient briberies to be made?"
Wylde begins counting in his head and eventually nods and says. "Yes my lord hand. There should be sufficient funds. Though in the likelihood that there is not, some taxes will need to be raised."
Robert waves a dismissive hand and says. "Do it if it is needed. Now what other issues do you have for us Spider?"
The eunuch considers for a moment and then says. "Daeron Targaryen has joined the Golden Company."
There is silence for a moment and then Robert asks. "And how did this come to pass? Last we heard the boy was fighting somewhere in the disputed lands."
Varys is silent for a moment and then says. "It appears that he has since left the Second Sons for a more favourable rate of pay that the company offers. Both him and his brother."
"And what of his mother and other siblings? Have your little birds found them yet?" The king asks his tone demanding.
The eunuch has the good grace to blush somewhat. "Unfortunately not Your Grace. Wherever they are hiding, they are being kept hidden masterfully well for even my own eyes cannot find them."
The eunuch is hiding something but what it is he does not know. The man manages to cover up the awkward silence by then saying. "There is also word from Volantis. It appears Triarch Maegor has died in his sleep opening up a position for another election. The tigers it seems are the favourites to win this election, though the elephants are doing all they can to prevent an actual physical election from happening."
"And how would they go about doing that?" Jon asks intrigued.
"Bribes and pay offs. They have many allies amongst the merchants of the city, these men are central to ensuring either an election or not. Plus we also have Braavos becoming more involved in Essosi politics whereas before they remain neutral. That is another factor to consider." Varys says.
"How will this effect trade Lord Wylde?" Jon asks.
The master of coin is slow to respond but when he does he speaks in such a way that makes it easy for Jon and everyone else to understand. "Essentially, incomes will fall from Volanteene trade, and mercantile revenue will also fall. But unless the tigers come to power with a majority or with three triarchs trade should recover just fine."
"And what are the chances of the Tigers coming into power completely Varys?" Robert asks suddenly interested.
Silence and then. "Quite high Your Grace. It seems that the people of Volantis have grown bored of remaining out of the wars in Essos. It appears that they hunger for glory and for the return of Valyria of old. Lead by the Maegyrs they seem to be beginning to colonize the military and the navy and are looking for expansion. Their agenda it seems has become quite popular with the young of Volantis and even some of the old."
Robert looks at him then and asks. "What were the terms of the treaty we signed with Lys and Myr at the end of the war of the ninepenny kings Jon?"
With an inkling of where this is going Jon says. "Trade would flow unhindered between the throne and these two cities. And should any outside power bar the three daughters begin hostilities towards them then the throne would come to their defence. As would they should someone come to aggress us."
Silence and then Robert says. "Keep an eye out on what happens there. And find me those bloody dragons."