12th Month of 297 A.C. Nightsong
Lady Rhaenys Caron
It was done, she was a married woman now. The vows had been exchanged in the Sept at Nightsong, an old wrinkled Septon officiating, and whilst Rhaenys heart had ached at the sadness on her brother's face, she had been relieved that one part of their plan was finally coming together. With this marriage now done they could begin moving on toward reclaiming the throne, and ensuring that Baratheons were removed for good. This would make things more level and interesting she felt. Her husband was an affable sort of fellow, though she knew his interest lay in other places, just as hers did, in fact, their wedding night itself had been an interesting affair. Aegon had entered shortly after all others had left for the continuing revelry, bringing with him their brother Jon, and from there their love making had been wild and erratic. It was a good thing, her brothers loving one another and Caron, a sense of something that would no doubt make the Faith quake in their shoes.
The lords who had come for the wedding were slowly moving back to their own lands, or were summoning their men here to Nightsong, now that the marriage had taken place, the time was coming for war. The usurper was dead, but his get still sat the throne and it would come time to remove them soon enough. Uncle Oberyn had arrived with some seven thousand Dornish spears with more to come soon enough. It was an interesting time, and this was something that had led to many an interesting discussion. Rhaenys looks at her brother, and feels her loins ache, it had been too long since last they had coupled, Aegon looks every inch a king, and as he speaks he sounds it. "The Lords of the Marches have done their bit so far, they know just where their king is, and what is expected of them. It is more than they ever got from Renly Baratheon or the usurper, I am certain they shall remain loyal."
"Undoubtedly Sire. The men of the Marches know when to hold true, and this is just one of those examples. You can be sure that we shall fight to the bitter end for you." Says Lord Swann.
"Good, very good my lord," Aegon replies. "How soon would Summerhall be completed?"
Rhaenys scrunches her face at that slightly, her brother had ordered that Summerhall be completely rebuilt, but not into a mere summer palace but into a full fortress for their brother Jon. It was not that she did not trust their brother, but she was wary. The Lord Swann speaks then. "It shall be done soon enough. Baratheon did us all a favour when he saw to it that it was partially rebuilt, he had some desire to see it rebuilt, gods above know why."
Rhaenys looks at her brother and sees the same look in his eye as is undoubtedly in hers, they know where such an incentive came from, but they will not speak of it. "Tell me my lord," Rhaenys begins. "What of your sons, you have three do you not, and yet only two have come. Why is that?"
The Lord of Stonehelm looks slightly uncomfortable at this, but says. "Ah yes, well one of my boys needed to be left to hold the castle. Could not have my cousins coming in whilst I was away fighting the rightful fight."
Rhaenys nods and then asks. "And what of your wife? Do you not think she could hold the fortress just as well?"
Lord Swann's face falls into a shadow then. "My wife, well she is many things, but I do not think she knows the first thing about holding a castle. She is not like you my lady, she does not know where to fight."
Rhaenys looks at the man and says. "Very well, a shame I would have very much liked to have met Lady Swann."
Aegon turns to Lord Cafferen then and says. "Tell me Lord Cafferen, how many men do you believe Baratheon could must without the Lords of the Marches as well as the lords of Summerhall?"
Lord Cafferen is a big fat man, who was once a great warrior, but now is nothing but a shadow. His voice is soft when he says. "Not many Your Grace. The force that is gathering for you here will be some fifteen thousand strong, Baratheon might only summon ten thousand of that number. Though of course the Tyrell scum will look to aid him."
"And how do you think that will come about my lord?" Rhaenys husband asks. "Considering the Tyrells will be busy trying to quell insurrection within their own lands?"
"It is an open secret that Loras Tyrell and Baratheon are lovers, there will be something done there to ensure that a force comes from the Reach to aid the squalling wreck of a Stag. You can count on it." Lord Cafferen replies.
"Even if Baratheon is being slaughtered here?" Jon asks, speaking for the first time.
"What do you mean my prince?" Lord Grandison asks.
"Baratheon, if he is anything like his brother will be charging towards Nightsong once he learns of this wedding, and seeing as he is Lord of Storm's End and we have done nothing to keep this thing a secret, I would not be surprised if he does come charging here. He will not have had enough time to gather his fully strength, he will not stand strong here." Jon says.
Rhaenys sees what her brother is saying and takes up the thread. "It means that even if they want to, the Tyrells might not even be able to help their supposed ally. Renly Baratheon might well be dead and his army broken by the time they get here. There will be no chance for them to come to the rescue."
There is a lot of murmuring at this and then Lord Hasty speaks then. "Are you sure that that is what you wish to do my king? Having Baratheon as a prisoner could be very useful."
Rhaenys looks at her brother, and sees him shake his head. "Renly Baratheon is many things, but useful is not one of them. From what you have all told us of him, he is nothing more than a snake. A snake who would try to get the biggest advantage from some treachery or the other. He is better off dead than alive."
"Keeping him hostage could possibly mean that the Tyrells bend the knee though Your Grace. After all Mace Tyrell is known to follow his third son's lead more than anything. And they do have a daughter for marriage." Lord Grandison says.
The room falls silent at this, and Rhaenys feels her heart ache as she sees the dark look forming on Aegon's face. His voice is calm when he replies. "If that were the case then there would not be rumours about the girl. But regardless, I shall get the Tyrells one way or another, there are other more powerful houses with a better claim to Highgarden that one could ally to."
There is a moment's silence and then her husband speaks. "A wise decision Your Grace. On the topic of Baratheons, with the usurper dead and his little brat of a son in power, the Lannister monopoly only grows stronger. There has been a lot of disturbing news emerging from there as of late."
More interested murmuring picks up at this and Rhaenys shoots her husband a grateful glance, and then asks. "What things have you heard my lord?"
"It seems that Joffrey Baratheon has begun imposing all sorts of taxes on the people of King's Landing and the Crownlands, as well as imposing a tariff on trade that is so ridiculous the merchants of the realm are beginning to rebel." Her husband replies.
"And how is it that Jon Arryn is allowing such a thing to happen?" Jon asks. "One would think the man would do something about it."
"That is the thing though my prince. It seems that Joffrey Baratheon has gotten rid of Jon Arryn, as well as his uncle Stannis Baratheon. It seems that the young man was planning a coup of sorts and decided to get rid of some of the old guard from his father's council. Arryn's head adorns a spike along the Red Keep's walls, and it seems Stannis Baratheon is being held a prisoner." Her husband says.
A ripple of shock runs through the room then. "He actually executed Jon Arryn?" she hears Lord Grandison ask.
"Yes." Comes the response from uncle Oberyn who has been silent for most of this time. "Word came from our sources before we left. It seems the young Baratheon is doing this of his own volition. Nothing his mother says or does can stop the reign of terror. It also seems his grandfather Lord Tywin has finally moved into place in King's Landing with some men."
"It will not last. It cannot last, the Lords of the Vale will not stand for such a thing, nor will Winterfell. The boy has brought war upon himself by doing this." Rhaenys says confidently.
There is a murmur of approval there. "The Lady is right," Lord Cafferen says. "There is not a chance that the Lords of the Vale will remain neutral with such a crime committed against their liege lord. They will have to march, and if Stark needed any more reason to rouse the north, then now he has it."
Jon speaks then. "Lord Eddard would have called his banners regardless of this. He swore an oath, and my uncle is the sort of man who keeps his oaths."
Rhaenys closes her eyes then for she knows what is to come next, and it is not a pretty sight. "Forgive me my prince," begins Lord Grandison. "But Lord Stark was one of the usurper's most loyal men, it is right that we voice some question of his dedication to the king's cause. After all we would be fools not to be suspicious."
"The same could be said for you, my lord." Jon says heatedly. "After all you bent just as quickly to the usurper, my uncle at least had cause to."
Before things can get too heated, Rhaenys speaks. "My lords, my prince, come now. Now is not the time to begin making accusations at one another. Mistakes have been made, but new oaths of fealty have been made. None is questioning anyone's loyalty to King Aegon's cause. We must stand united to ensure that there is no gap for our enemies to exploit."
There is a long silence following this, and Rhaenys sees Jon and Lord Grandison looking at one another intently, eventually they both look away when Aegon stands. "Well said my lady, well said. Now is not the time to begin falling apart and making accusations. Lord Stark and the north will fight for us, and we shall end this war quickly. The Baratheons and the Lannisters are good at one thing and one thing alone, and that is making enemies! This action of the boy king has done just that." A cheer goes up at that, and her brother goes on. "It is time for us to show Tywin Lannister that no matter what game he tries to play he will always fail. And why is that? Because he is a dishonest man, and there is no place for such people here. The ghosts of his past will come to haunt him, and we shall end all he holds dear. Now are you with me?"
A loud cheer sounds in the room at this, and Rhaenys joins in when the lords cry out their approval. "Death to the lions and the stags!" is the call going out, something Rhaenys joins in with relish. She notes Jon looking slightly uncomfortable, but disregards it.
The joviality is somewhat dampened when the door opens and the maester of Nightsong enters the room and panting says. "Riders have been seen Your Grace. Flying the Baratheon banner. They are coming this way!"
