Sixth Month of 245 A.C. Riverrun

King Daemon I Blackfyre

It had been five months since Ser Aegor Rivers, known as Bittersteel and the only true father figure Daemon had ever known had died, murdered by some nut job who harboured a grudge about deaths in war. It still surprised Daemon that the man was dead, he remembered thinking as a child that Ser Aegor was invincible, he always seemed to be so strong and in control of everything, that was Daemon supposed that himself and his fellow former exiles were all so lost and confused. Daemon had spoken to those families who had first followed his uncle into exile, and none of them could ever remember a time where the man was not there, standing strong through defeats and victories and always, always doing his part to ensure the Blackfyre caused continued to burn bright. Daemon missed him, and he always would, but there was no point constantly mourning him, he was the king after all. Besides Aegor would not want him mourning him too much.

Right now though, he was in Riverrun and was trying not to snap as he watched two grown men argue over something as petty as a hill shaped like a tit. "My lords Bracken and Blackwood, you both claim Missy's Teats as yours. And yet the maesters here in this court have said that the land has always been contested and never at one point in time solidly belonged to either of your houses. Now would you care to tell me what this is truly about?"

Lord Bracken burst out then. "The man's son has no honour or pride. A true savage, he has taken liberties with my daughter and has refused to wed her!"

"Lies, Your Grace. This man speaks in falsehoods! My Ben would never do something like that. I raised him to be a good an honourable man. More than likely it is the Bracken whore who has entrapped him, she has a reputation for being a harlot." Blackwood responds.

Daemon sighs. "So this is what your argument is truly about? Whether or not Ben Blackwood has had his way with your daughter Lord Bracken? And this argument got so heated you felt the need to come and bring it before myself? Truly? Bring the two people in question here and let us have done with it."

When both men hesitate, Daemon's eyes narrow. "Why are you so hesitant to have this put to an end my lords? Unless there is something more that you wish to speak on?"

When both men look at one another and then Bracken speaks. "There is actually Your Grace. Whilst we know that there has been some lingering tension since the end of the war, we would like to know what is happening to Harrenhal. House Whent died in the fighting and since then the castle has sat empty and barren, and it is not good for us or for trade."

"Are you suggesting that I put one of you two as Lord of Harrenhal, and charge you with repairing the damn thing?" Daemon asks.

Both men look aghast at that and say. "No Your Grace that is not what we are asking at all. We were just wondering if you were going to place one of your allies here in the Riverlands in the castle or if you were going to place someone from the Golden Company there."

Daemon's eyes narrow once more and he asks. "What business is that of yours my lords? Whom I name there is none of your concern. Now tell me is there anything else you wished to discuss?"

At this Lord Blackwood speaks then. "Yes, as a follower of the Old Gods, I know the importance of the Isle of Faces, and I wish to know what sort of things are going to be done to ensure that the Green Men continue to serve and protect the isle's secrets as they have done since the pact."

A curious request and one that Daemon is not sure how to respond to, thankfully Lord Oscar comes to his rescue then and says. "That is a matter for another time my lord of Blackwood. I am sure you can understand that the King needs some more time to truly understand the way the Isle of Faces run, perhaps you can be a guide for him at some point?" Blackwood nods, and then Lord Tully turns to him and asks. "There is one thing that all the lords of the Riverlands are wondering. What is to happen to Willow's Wood Your Grace?"

At this Daemon takes a sip of wine and then says. "I can indeed. First I will say that the next house to rise up against the crown will not be afforded the luxury of a quick death as House Ryger and House Darklyn were. Instead they will be captured and every member shall be given over to the King's Inquisition for questioning, in a manner that would leave even myself most appalled and uneasy. There will be no leeway this time round. So keep that in mind my lords. As for Willow's Wood, well I intend to hold a tournament within the next year or so to decide who should get the lands, incomes and the titles of House Ryger. All of these things would of course go to the winner of the tourney. And all those not the most direct heir of their house are willing to compete for the honour."

There is some murmuring then and then Lord Tully says. "Very good decision Your Grace. A good way of ensuring loyalty as it will mean that those competing will be doing so for the right reasons and for nothing else. But Lord Blackwood and Bracken were right, what of Harrenhal?"

Daemon sighs once more and says simply. "As of just now I am not sure. House Whent proved themselves disloyal to the crown when the Rygers refused to surrender. And just now there is the matter of other things to settle. Perhaps when the time is right the castle may go to my son Gaemon, until then it shall remain under the care of a castellan."

There is some murmuring at that and then Lord Walder Frey speaks. "And what of trade? Since the Darklyns have been taken out, and Lord Mooton is too old to do anything, trade is slowly falling here in the Riverlands. What are we to make of that Your Grace?"

Daemon sighs he does not like Walder Frey, remembers hearing stories about the prickly old bastard from when he lived in Tyrosh and he merely says. "Seagard is still seeing a lot of trade with the Iron Islands and King's Landing is seeing trade from the Free Cities. SO unless you wish to personally do something about Lord Mooton, you shall just have to be patient Lord Walder."

The man snorts then and replies. "So you are going to do nothing for now? What good is that, if I have a family to feed that requires more than just relying on northern savages."

At this Daemon finds his patience beginning to wear thin. "Then stop fucking anything that moves and keep your cock within your trousers. And the next time you speak out of turn, I might just remove your tongue."

The lords laugh at that and Walder Frey turns red and sits down. Lord Darry speaks then. "Your Grace, I was wondering what you intend to do about the Vale? They still harbour the Targaryen pretender and it seems they are mobilising."

Daemon sighs and asks. "Has there been any sign that they mean to descend from their path in the Mountains?"

Lord Darry shakes his head. "No Your Grace. But the signs are there, in the days before the conquest, it always started off with a mustering of men and then the mountain clans were sent raiding. Sooner or later that will happen."

There are murmurs of agreement, and Daemon looks at the Lord Commander of his Kingsguard Ser Davos Redtusk stood just a bit behind him and then he merely says. "Then, take heart from the fact that soon enough the Vale will not have the strength to convince the mountain clans to raid the Riverlands. For they will face rebellion and an invasion from the north."

At this Lord Blackwood asks. "You have convinced the Starks to raid the Vale? I would have thought they would have not have anything to do with the south?"

"They remembered who it was who fed them through the winter." Daemon replies. And then he says. "Still whilst that is going on, I do want all the Riverlords to be ready in case the Valemen decide to play rogue. Now if there is nothing else, I wish to retire."

Much later he is sat in Lord Tully's solar drinking wine with the man, when Lord Tully says. "That was a bold thing you did Your Grace, keeping Harrenhal open and free like that. Not many others would have done such a thing. Especially not Aegon the fortunate."

"Then it is a good thing I am not he. Harrenhal is a burden that the realm cannot afford just now. There is too much going on at the moment for me to truly feel comfortable allowing it into anyone else's hands. Besides with the Targaryen boy still alive, we need him dead and the resources from the Vale before I look towards anything else." Daemon responds.

"A wise move Your Grace. Though if I might be so bold, do you not have one Targaryen serving as your squire?" Tully asks.

"Daeron? Yes well I did. The boy has earned his spurs against the Darklyns, he is loyal to a fault but he will not leave King's Landing. Nor do his interests span to the opposite sex." Daemon responds.

"What do you intend to do with him then Your Grace?" Oscar asks.

"He wishes to join the Kingsguard, and when the tourney for Willow's Wood is held he will join the order. That is all that there is to that my lord. Now there is something I wished to speak with you about. You have two sons do you not?" when the man nods Daemon goes on. "Good, I want them to foster at court. It is time my heir came to know those who will one day by his lords bannermen. Time to foster closer relations between the throne and its lords paramount."

"This is an honour Your Grace, truly it is. Would the boys leave with you as well when you travel to the Westerlands?" Oscar asks.

Daemon nods. "Yes, it would be best that they begin learning things from one another as early as possible. And when the time is right, we might have the bonds of friendship to see this kingdom into the age of peace and prosperity that the Targaryens failed to bring."

Lord Oscar nodded and then said. "I must say that though I appreciate you bringing down Walder Frey, I fear the man might have taken greater offense to it that one might normally do. The man is prickly and though he will not do anything of note now, in a few years there might come a time when he holds this over you and yours."

Daemon sighs then and says. "The man may do what he wishes. If he ever tries to threaten me or mine, he and his will die a painful death. Now what do you know about Lord Lefford?"

"Lyman Lefford?" Tully asks. "A prickly man with a deep sense of right and wrong. He has many children, some of whom he wishes were elsewhere. Be careful of that, he might well try and foist them off on you and accept no word of denial for it. Then there are his daughters, he might very well look to wed one of them to your eldest son and heir. He is also someone who can stem the tide against any Lannister sentiment returning with the lords and common folk. He knows how to play the game and play it well."