"Sometimes the world throws up something quite deplorable. Most will shy away from it, for who wants to be associated with such a thing. But a small minority will get to know the thing that brings revulsion to everyone else. This is one such time, and I am one such person. There is far too much at stake here, for common courtesy. We must act, act quickly. The world depends on it."
Lord Renly Baratheon
"Wyman Manderly is dead." Renly says, repeating the news he had heard from one of his own men, to Loras. The words come out sounding surprised, but they should not be. The man was fat, he was grossly fat, that he had lived for as long as he had was an achievement in of itself.
"You sound surprised. Why are you surprised?" Loras asks. "The man was called Lord Too Fat To Sit A Horse for a reason."
Renly laughs, the sound comes out more strained than he thought it would. "I know Loras. But still, it is surprising. Pycelle claims the man died of a heart attack."
"And you do not believe Pycelle is being honest?" Loras queries.
Renly sighs. "I do not know. Manderly was Stark's man, he was doing things to reform the crown finances that would have made Pycelle uncomfortable, and therefore would have made Tywin Lannister uncomfortable. Robert also died from a heart attack, and he was nowhere near as fat as Wyman was. I just think there is something more going on here."
"Like what? Robert being killed off I can understand; it gets Joffrey on the throne. But Wyman? The man was working for the crown as you said. What benefit does Pycelle or Tywin get from his death?" Loras asks.
Renly runs a hand through his hair, he is not sure how to express the concerns he has, without sounding paranoid. "I just think that Tywin Lannister accepted the fact that it was his son and not him who was named Hand when Joffrey ascended the throne, because he knew or he hoped he would still have some form of influence." He takes a breath, takes a sip of wine then keeps speaking. "Then Stark brought Manderly in, and started having more of an influence over the King. I think Tywin got a bit worried. His hold over the crown and everything associated with it was beginning to falter. I don't think he would have liked that."
"So he would have had Manderly killed? That doesn't make sense Renly. If anything, surely he would have known that such a thing would lead back to him?" Loras points out.
Renly shakes his head. "Once perhaps that would have been the case, but now, now there is someone else who will lead the suspicions. Braavos is at the head of the list for most of those who think there was something wrong with these deaths."
"And what does Stark think?" Loras asks.
"Stark believes Manderly died because of his weight, nothing more. Perhaps he is right, and perhaps I am over thinking this. But there is something happening elsewhere. I think there has been too little from Braavos, considering how proud they are. Something is going to give soon enough." Renly states.
"Why?" Loras asks. "They were destroyed when the war happened, they will be destroyed if something happens again."
"That was then, when we surprised them with the attack. Now they would expect something like that, perhaps they would even welcome it. Whatever happens, they would be prepared for it. They might even instigate it. And I do not think we have a chance to stop them." Renly replies.
"Why? Who is being considered for the role of Master of Coin?" Loras questions.
"Kevan Lannister seems to be top of the list, alongside Lord Mooton. I imagine though that Lannister will get it. Regardless neither man has the will or the power to continue the reforms that Manderly was planning, nor do they have the stomach to go toe to toe with Braavos." Renly states.
"Why not nominate someone yourself?" Loras asks.
"Who would I nominate? Your father is a buffoon. Willas does not seem to want the role." Renly states.
"The last time you asked Willas, you phrased it as a demand, not as a request. Phrase it as a request and I am sure he will be more inclined to listen." Loras points out.
Renly thinks over this, admittedly, it would be good to have someone who is an ally and a friend on the council. Stark is a friend, but not an ally, and well the others are merely there as Lannister stooges. Perhaps the time has come for him to show more of his hand. He looks at Loras and says. "Very well, I'll write to Willas, if you do so as well. He will be more likely to listen to us both, than just me."
Loras nods, and kisses his cheek then. "Alright I will." His lover pauses for a moment, then asks. "What about Margaery? What should I tell her?"
Renly sighs, that part of his plan seems to have been derailed, there was so much that he still needed to do, and he was not sure if it would be achieved. Still, it needed to be done. "Write to her and tell her to be ready. Soon we shall have what we need. I think the King might be more amenable to marrying someone who he considers an equal, rather than someone who is less than him."
"You think?" Loras asks.
"Yes. The Stark girl is that; she is just a girl. Whereas Margaery is a woman, I think the King will appreciate her more. And if he does not, well there is always Tommen." Renly states.
Loras nods. "I will write to her."
"A piece, or two. No more. I promise. Please I promise no more. But I do not know where to go from here. Do not kick me out of here. I have no home. You are my home."