5th Month of 285 A.C. King's Landing

Lord Rickard Stark

King's Landing was an interesting place, Rickard had quickly come to realise that. It was a place that never truly slept, there was always something going on, some intrigue or plot was always being brewed and being put into action. It was something that gave Rickard purpose and allowed him to wake up in the morning knowing that he was doing something good. Well that and the fact that his wife was with him. Lyarra was his companion in everything that he did, the ambitions to bring their house into the game good and proper and to wipe out the stain that his own father had left them with. They were one of the powers in King's Landing but there were things that needed to be done to ensure they were the only power in King's Landing and for that Tywin needed to go.

As it were right now there was the issue of the Ironborn that needed to be dealt with. All of the nobility of court were present for this, the lords who had fought in the Greyjoy war were here as well. The lords of the Iron Islands who had come as summoned were Lord Rodrik Harlaw, Lord Joron Blackktyde and Lord Beron Saltcliffe. Rickard sat on the Iron Throne as regent looked down at them all a feeling of true disgust echoed throughout his being. His voice was hard as iron when he spoke. "For many centuries the Ironborn caused nothing but havoc and terror for the people of the mainland. They raided and raped and pillaged their way through Westeros, leaving destruction and bastards and broken homes in their wake. Then the dragons came and this came to an end. Balon Greyjoy broke that understanding and caused more destruction than we all thought possible. Never again shall this happen, never again shall the Ironborn have the chance to cause such chaos." There are loud shouts of approval and then Rickard says. "In order to atone for what they have done the Iron Islands shall forfeit the right to build anymore ships be they longships for war, or trade without the express permission of the throne and the master of ships. Furthermore, in order to aid redevelopment of the Westerlands, all houses who took something from the Westerlands be it gold or thralls or salt wives, they shall return them immediately. Failure to do so shall result in instant death."

There are some nods of approval and voices that come up in support of this. The lords in front of him look somewhat satisfied, all apart from Lord Kyndall who steps forward then and says. "What of those whom they hurt and killed. What of Houses Kenning, Farman and Prester. How will they gain recompense for the actions of the Ironborn?"

There were murmurs of approval at that question, and Rickard considered this for a moment and then said. "Nothing shall ever be able to remove the horror of what happened to those three houses. But there can be a chance to allow others to try and rebuild from the wreckage. An issue that shall be discussed at a later point during this court session."

Lord Rodrik Harlaw spoke then. "My Lord Regent, whilst I can accept the terms of reparations towards the Westerlands, I do take issue with not being allowed to build any sort of ship whatsoever without the crown's permission. The Ironborn are a sea faring people and as such we depend on the sea for a living how are we to continue to survive without this?"

Rickard looks at the man and responds his voice as cold as ice. "You should have thought of that before you began raiding the Westerlands and burning the coastal regions. What ships are left to the Ironborn may be used for trade but there will be sever checks in place and should one word reach me of the ships being used for anything other than trading, the crown shall come and give fire and blood to the Islands."

A chorus of approval echoes from the court, and Lord Rodrik Harlaw looks at a loss as to what to say. Lord Beron Sutcliffe named Lord given the apparent death of his brother speaks. "And what about when Euron Greyjoy comes back to haunt us? A body has not been found for the man and as much as I dislike him, I must admit should he return the Islands might well rally to his cause. How do you suggest preventing that?"

Rickard looks at the man then and though he loathes to say it he knows it must be said. "Hostages and wards shall be taken from the houses of the Iron Islands, to grow up in the Reach and the Riverlands. Should any house side with Euron Greyjoy should he ever return, they will be killed and the Iron Islands will know why we do not tolerate rebellion."

A silence follows this statement, and stretches on for a very long time as the three Ironborn lords look at one another in silent communication. Eventually, Lord Rodrik Harlaw stands forward and gets down on bended knee. "Then please Lord Regent, accept my oath of fealty as the Harlaw of Harlaw, and please know that I accept the appointment as Regent of the Iron Islands until my great nephew Lord Harwyn is to come of age." The other two lords also get down on one knee and offer their oaths of fealty.

Rickard accepts them and then says. "we have looked at your suggestion of having someone from the islands guard Lord Harwyn whilst he is here in King's Landing, and as such we have decided to accept your suggestion of Ser Harras Harlaw. Now there is one more important matter that must be discussed during this court session. The issue of the succession of Kayce, Fair Isle and Feastfires. There is no clear cut successor to either of these places and as such much consideration must be made. Grand Maester Ebrose if you could please state which candidates have the best claim out of all."

Ebrose was a genial man, but he had a backbone of that Rickard knew, and that he genuinely cared for King Jonothor was something of a relief as well. When he spoke the whole hall went silent. "Thank you Lord Regent. Regarding the succession of Kayce, there have been many families who married into House Kenning over the many centuries, but as of late the only house that had a sufficient claim on the place through blood is House Crakehall. Lord Summer Crakehall's grandmother was a Kenning from Kayce giving them the best claim."

Rickard considers this, the Crakehalls are fierce fighters and men who could very well play an important part in the struggles to come. "Very well then Ser Burton Crakehall please step forward." The knight a big towering giant of a man steps forward and gets to one knee. "In the name of King Jonothor Targaryen I ask do you accept the lordship of Kayce and its lands and incomes."

"Yes my lord regent I do." The knight responds.

"Then I do name you Lord of Kayce, may you know peace and happiness." Rickard responds before looking towards Ebrose for the next succession issue.

Ebrose speaks slowly. "There are no clear claimants for Feastfires my lord regent. There are several lords all of whom can claim descent from the sisters of Lord Garrison Prester's grandfather. And as such there are even more tangled webs and blurry lines."

Rickard considers this and then asks. "Lord Tywin, you had a potential claimant did you not?"

The snake steps forward then and his voice smooth as silk speaks. "I do my Lord Regent. My brother Ser Tygett fought bravely and honourably against the Ironborn. And if the lord regent would be so willing I would like to see him rewarded accordingly."

Rickard considers this, seeing more cadet branches of House Lannister appear is not something he is overly keen on, but it could also mean more trouble for Lannister, especially considering the known fact that Tygett Lannister despises his brother. Eventually he says. "Very well, Ser Tygett may claim Feastfires and become its lord." Lord Tywin bows.

Ebrose speaks then. "Finally there is the matter of Fair Isle. There are very few claimants for Fair Isle my lord regent. House Farman was beginning to die off, with babes dying in childbirth and many other issues becoming apparent. As such there are only two competing claims, one from House Hawthorne, and one from House Terrick from the riverlands."

Hawthorne it seems could well be an ally to Lannister, whilst Lord Benedict Terrick is a man who gave Rickard some very valuable information during the Great Council and before that on Lannister. He wonders, about the man, he could become very wealthy on Fair Isle, and when that wealth comes in, he will owe it all to Rickard. That is something he could well do with. "Very well. Lord Benedict come forward please." Benedict Terrick is short man, but muscular, with a crop of fiery red hair. "In the name of King Jonothor Targaryen, I ask do you consent to defence of Fair Isle?"

The man looks at him and then says in that deep voice of his. "I do my lord regent."

Rickard nods and says. "Then in the name of King Jonothor Targaryen I do name you Lord of Fair Isle. May you know peace and prosperity."

With that the court session comes to an end, and all gathered in the throne room for court make their way down to where the tourney of King's Landing, the tourney he had been planning since word of the taking of Pyke had reached them, is going to take place. Lords and ladies from across the realm have come despite the snow, or maybe because of it to watch the knights and lords of the realm compete. The first day of the tourney sees four rounds of jousting, in which Ser Jaime Lannister advances through beating Ser Brynden Tully in his first joust after breaking some ten lances against him, the man has an easier time of it beating Ser Jon Redfort in five lances, seven against Jorah Mormont, and finally four against Lord Monford Velaryon. Other competitors who advance through to the next round include Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan of the Kingsguard, as well as Ser Marlon Manderly a man in his prime, then there is Ser Garth Hightower, Ser Lyn Corbray, Prince Oberyn Martell and Lord Bronze Yohn Royce.

The next day there was even more action and excitement as the jousting soon came to a close, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Barristan engaged in a near fifteen tilts before the Sword of the Morning finally broken the Bold's lance and knocked him his horse to the cheers of the crowd. Ser Marlon went against Ser Jaime but never stood a chance given the determined look the young lion of Lannister had on his face, and their tilt lasted only four lances before Marlon was knocked from his horse. Ser Garth and Ser Lyn was another fierce competition, lasting some twelve lances before Corbray knocks Hightower from his horse. Martell and Royce is a fierce competition, and the whole audience is held captive as they break one lance and then another against one another. It takes something close to an hour before Royce manages to knock Martell from his horse eliciting cheers from the folk from the Vale.

Lannister steams through to the final round by smashing Yohn Royce in five lances. And Arthur and Corbray lasts only three before the final round begins. The whole ground is silent with anticipation as both men go to their marks, Lannister has a favour tied round his armour, and if Rickard has guessed correctly he knows who that is from. They begin and they crash lances, breaking one, then a second, then another. They continue to break lances against one another, as though there is some sort of spell on all of them unable to move away and unable to find a clear winner. An hour later and this is still the case, some fifteen lances have been broken, and the tension is growing, when the sixteenth lance is broken, the whole crowd senses that they are in for something special. The seventeenth lance breaks and the crowd begins to whisper wondering what could happen next. Finally on the eighteenth lance, Ser Jaime angles it towards the left before switching to the right at the last minute catching Ser Arthur unawares and knocking him from his horse. The whole crowd cheers, and when Rickard hands Ser Jaime the wreath, the crowd begins whispering wondering who the Lion of Lannisport is going to choose as his queen, the man does a round of the ground before placing the laurel firmly on Ashara Dayne's head and Rickard smiles.

The rest of the tourney passes by in disinterest for Rickard the melee is one by some knight known as Strongboar, and the archery won by some knight from the riverlands. Once it is done and dusted five days after the court meeting, Rickard breathes a sigh of relief says goodbye to the various lords and ladies who had braved winter to come to King's Landing and then settles into prepare for another council meeting. The council meeting takes place some two weeks after the court session and there is much that needs to be discussed. Rickard starts with the most pressing issue. "Tyrosh and Lys continue to exact tolls on our ships and those willing to trade in King's Landing. This is growing unacceptable. Word was sent to both places and the response has not been positive. I would get your suggestions on the matter."

Lord Tywin spoke then. "Diplomacy is the most beneficial method for us at this point in time my lord regent. More war will cost the kingdoms greatly and will not bring much benefit. Lys and Tyrosh have always been traditional enemies we just need to remind them of that."

"And how do you suggest we do that my lord hand?" Rickard asked. "They are working together for a common cause and right now, there does not seem to be much that could separate them."

"Unless you would consider reaching out to your cousins in Myr my lord regent. They are the ones who could well hold the cards for ending this alliance." Tywin responds.

Rickard considers this a moment and the looks to the master of whispers and says. "I want a message to get to Rodrik. Let him know of our situation and tell him that it is time he repaid an old debt."

Prince Oberyn nods and takes note of that. The next matter that is brought up also concerns issues beyond the narrow sea and it is the Prince who brings them up. "My sources have brought back news of a man who calls himself Larys and looks like the bald headed eunuch but without the bald headedness. It seems he has begun working alongside someone in Pentos and has been creating a situation of turmoil there. For what reason I know not."

Rickard considers this and then asks. "You are certain that this man is Varys? I admit the use of the master of whispers name from the dance of dragons does seem a big clue, but then again I have not known the man to be so sloppy. What reason could he have for creating trouble in Pentos?"

The hand responds to this. "Varys is a man who likes causing trouble and chaos. For chaos is a ladder, and the faster you climb the further you are like to fall. But he has been climbing for many years now. He has some grand plan prepared. It is only a matter of time before we see what it is."

"I want eyes on this man and on Pentos. Should something unusual occur there I want to be the first to know." Rickard says looking at the Prince who nods.

The man nods and then speaks once more. "There has also been word from Volantis. It would appear that the slaves within the city have begun revolting against their masters. Some thirty members of the old blood have died already within the past three moons. It is said they are being led by someone called Moqorro."

Rickard considers this and says. "Is he not a red priest?"

"Aye from a very old blood line." The prince responds.

"So long as this trouble does not affect trade too much I do not truly care who sits in power." Rickard responds.

A quick meeting to discuss very few things, and soon enough Rickard is freed from his obligations and manages to catch his son just before he heads out to return to Winterfell. Ned has grown taller and much stronger in the past four years. Rickard is proud of his son and tells him as much. "You are a true Stark my boy. Look after yourself and your family. Raise Robb and Rickon to be true Starks, and next time I see you we shall talk some more. There are important things you must know about our family that must be spoken of in Winterfell."

His son nods and says. "Take care of yourself and mother as well father." They hug briefly and then his son is mounting his horse and riding out of King's Landing leading the northern army back home. Rickard's heart feels heavy and he wonders when he will next see his son, he hopes it is in more peaceful circumstances and that the demons of their past do not come to haunt them.