Ninth Month of 297 A.C. King's Landing

Queen Regent Cersei Lannister

For fourteen years she had been wed to that oaf Robert Baratheon, and she had suffered through his embraces and his jibes and other such nonsense. When she had learnt of his death during his campaign in Myr, she had laughed aloud and danced and sung. Jon Arryn's death had also been a useful bonus Littlefinger doing his job properly, Jaime had been sent off to Casterly Rock to join their father in preparation. Joffrey her son had come to the throne and as his regent she ruled the kingdoms with an iron fist, that there were rebellions sprouting up was something of a problem, one she hoped her father could deal with.

As it were she now had to deal with the small council the oafs and fools and others who sat and talk about her son's kingdom and see how she could benefit from this chaos. "Tell me my lords, to what extent will this war affect the kingdoms and how much should the crown expect with regards to levies and such to fall through?" she asked.

As expected Petyr Baelish spoke up first, the master of coin ever eager to voice his thoughts and be of use. "Well Your Grace, the Riverlords and the north have refused to pay their allotted taxes and fares resulting in a depletion of some sort. And with the reach and the Stormlords so firmly behind Renly Baratheon, it would seem that the throne's coffers are greatly lacking in the funds needed to continue this war. Already the lords of the crownlands are beginning to lament their lack of ability to do as they once pleased, and the higher taxes they are being forced to pay grate on them."

Cersei snorts then. "Do they not understand that in order for them to have their lifestyles and the pleasures they have enjoyed since the Dragons ruled, they must pay and aid in the war effort. For one thing Renly and Stannis both would disparage them and leave them in the cold. We are trying to ensure they do not suffer that fate. Besides as they are sworn to the throne it is their duty to pay such incomes as we ask of them."

The master of coin spoke up once more. "This is very true, and it is something I and my colleagues in the treasury have been reminding them a fair amount. And yet it seems some of them are not willing to listen to reason and instead seek to look for choicer positions in ensuring their own strength and such."

Cersei grits her teeth in frustration and takes another sip of wine. "And with regards to the treasury how much does the throne have left to continue this financing war?"

The master of coin looks down at his ledgers and then says. "There is about enough to keep going for another half a year at most Your Grace. If the war lasts longer than that, then it is likely that the throne will have to begin looking towards Essos for funds, and with the political situation in Essos being so fragile it is likely such funds will not be in vast supply."

Cersei takes another longer sip of wine and then asks. "And what of our debts to the Iron Bank and to the Rogare bank? Have there been any developments there? Will they agree to extend the grace period?"

The master of coin looked at his ledgers once more and then said. "Yes it would seem so Your Grace. Another three months for the Rogare bank and another year for the Iron Bank. Considering Braavos is going through an election at the moment it is perhaps for the best that we use this for the throne's full advantage."

Cersei takes a swig of wine and then asks. "Are you sure it is wise to continue to trust the Rogare bank? That Robert was fool enough to take a loan from the allies of the Targaryens speaks of the error of his reign that my son's reign will not be."

The master of coin is silent for a moment and then says. "The Rogares have told me that they are willing to look past certain animosities in order to further their business. And the fact that they are not lending financial support to the Targaryens speaks of the limit of that alliance. We need not worry about them for the time being."

Cersei nods and then turns to the other matters at hand. "Tell me Varys what news do your whispers bring you? What are our many enemies doing and plotting, and where do their weaknesses lie?"

The master of whispers was silent for a moment and then he spoke in that silvery voice of his. "Eddard Stark's death has left the northmen confused and at a loss as to what to do. His son the new Lord Robb Stark sits in Riverrun and dithers unsure of where to go and whom to turn to. His bannermen and his uncle's bannermen begin to grow impatient. Meanwhile Lord Tywin sits in Harrenhal gathering more strength."

Cersei smiled somewhat at that. "The pup is terrified and too scared to act without his father's guidance. But what of the men that Stark sent for to come from the north after he came to the Riverlands? Where are they and whose command are they under?"

"They have added to the northern force Your Grace, 10,000 men under the command of Lord Rodrik Ryswell. It would seem Robb Stark hesitates, between marching west and holding the riverlands. And then there is the issue of Renly Baratheon." The eunuch said.

Cersei took another large gulp of wine and asked. "What of the Baratheon brothers? Does Renly continue to dally and play at war whilst his own brother sits and broods?"

The eunuch nodded. "Renly Baratheon has moved further and further towards King's Landing Your Grace. Last my scouts had heard he was at Bitterbridge feasting and enjoying the hospitality of Lord Caswell. Meanwhile, Stannis Baratheon has set sail from Dragonstone."

There was a moment of silence and then Cersei asked her tone panicked. "Where has the man set sail to?"

The eunuch smiled then and let loose a chuckle. "Storm's End. It appears he means to take the castle he always firmly complained about. And he means to get the boy that Renly has named his heir should he die."

Cersei begins laughing and the rest of the council with her, she raises her cup of wine and says. "To brotherly love, may they smash each other to pieces. No doubt Renly will hurry back to Storm's End to try and sort out his brother. He always had more skill at arms than sense, much like Robert. But pray tell me Varys, what of the bastard? What is he?"

The eunuch is silent a moment and then responds. "A point of rallying for Renly Your Grace. Whilst he himself is loved within the Stormlands, in the Reach as well by association with the family, the boy serves as a reminder of what the Baratheons were before the former King wed you. Many within the Stormlands believe that the king and his siblings are no true Baratheons, they worry about that and Renly Baratheon is using that fear to justify his use of the boy."

Cersei's grip on the goblet tightened, the fools, the fools. And trying her best to keep her voice calm she said. "We still have spies within Storm's End do we not?" the man nods and she goes on. "I want the boy removed from sight for good. No one shall see him or hear from him again. Renly Baratheon is never like to consummate his marriage or any future marriage. It is time for this to be done."

The eunuch nods and then turns his attention to other matters. "The Vale has remain suspiciously quiet as of late Your Grace. Whilst we all know there was no love lost between Lysa Arryn and her lord husband that she has not decided to call the banners and aid her father and her family, is somewhat surprising. It does leave me to believe that there is something more going on in the Vale. Something that might be beyond my own understanding."

That does not sound good, Cersei thought, but looking at Littlefinger she thought she might have a chance to remove one more viper from this den. "That is understandable after all my lord Varys, you do not have the ear of the lady Lysa as our good master of coin does. Perhaps it is time for you to pay her a visit. Did you not say you once took her maidenhead?"

Baelish smiles a cat like smile and nods. "Indeed I did, I took both Tully sisters maidenheads. And as such I have always been able to sway them round to a particular way of thinking. If you wish it Your Grace, I shall go to the Eyrie and speak with Lysa and make her see the sense in remaining neutral. Furthermore if you so wish it I could go to Riverrun and speak with Ser Edmure I have had a good relationship with the man for many years as well."

Cersei considered this but such a journey would require months of Littlefinger being gone and she was not sure the throne could stand such a long journey. Instead she said. "Visits might be well and good, but your letters will have to do for now. Send them to both the Eyrie and to Riverrun. And let us see what sort of response we get. Now has the Stark boy considered the terms of our latest proposal?"

Grand Maester Pycelle who until that point had looked as though he were about to be drifting off shook himself awake and said in a dry ponderous tone. "He has sent a raven back that arrived this morning just before council Your Grace. Once more he has refused to accept the terms, unless there is justice for his father and for the people of his grandfather's lands. He has lain the blame for this war squarely at Lord Tywin and King Joffrey's feet."

Cersei snorts then and says. "Of course he does, the boy is too young and foolish to know that his father caused this mess for himself by calling his banners and siding with Stannis Baratheon. No matter, soon enough we shall have his head on a spike and then we can finish the rest of those insolent family off as well."

With that the council meeting ended and Cersei retired to her chambers where she found her cousin and Robert's former squire waiting for her. Not waiting for him to speak, Cersei pushed him down onto the bed and began undoing his breeches when his cock was loose she began riding him like her life depended on it. She pretended that he was Jaime, that it was Jaime fondling her breasts, that it was Jaime spewing such sweet things to her. When she came, she screamed her pleasure loudly, and then slapped Lancel when he tried to come as well.

Sated she lifted herself off of her cousin and then turned to look at him. He had that revolting love struck look on his face and so she said simply. "I have need of you cousin."

"What would you have of me sweet Cersei?" he asked.

"You still have contacts in Myr do you not? From your time travelling the free cities?" she asked.

Her cousin nodded and then asked. "What would you have of me?"

"I would have you bring me a bride for my son. And make so that anyone who wishes to support the dragons will have more reason to stick by my son. Bring me a dragon and you shall be named a Lord." She said.

Her cousin looked at her hungrily then and said. "I will do all this, but I only want one thing. You."