2nd Month of 299 A.C. King's Landing

Ser Kevan Lannister

Mace Tyrell had gotten what he wanted. His daughter was now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Her marriage to King Tommen had occurred some three days ago, and though the queen and the king had not shared a bed, they had been spending a fair bit of time together. In a sense Kevan was happy with that, it would do Tommen good to know a woman other than his mother as king, but at the same time he was somewhat nervous. There was something about Margaery Tyrell that made him sweat, something predatory about her, something in the way her eyes moved and the way her smile never truly reached her eyes. Yes it was a big concern for him, and yet they needed the Tyrells, and they needed the Tyrells happy, and so Kevan kept his mouth shut, though his niece did not and almost every day was a constant struggle to keep the small council and the court working.

As for the family, well that was another headache that he had to consider. Cersei was growing more and more erratic, whispering and muttering about shadows on the walls and hired knives and all kinds of nonsense. The thing was, Kevan was not entirely sure she was making these things up. He would not put it past Mace Tyrell to try something like that, to take more control of the small council and the court. And yet, whilst he kept his fears to himself, Cersei talked about them out loud and in places where Mace Tyrell and his family could clearly hear her. There had been more than one incident where Kevan had had to use all the good intentions he could muster to stop something from getting out of hand. The king was a sweet lad, but he would need to learn to toughen up otherwise he would be eaten alive, and yet he was but a boy and Kevan was hesitant to do more to toughen him so. Tyrion was ailing, his nephew, the one who had kept King's Landing together before the Blackwater was dying that much Kevan knew, and he despaired over it. Without Tyrion there, they would be lost, just as they were without Tywin. As for his own son, Lancel was an idiot, someone who had decided he would turn to piety instead of fighting for his family.

His mind was clogged with so many worries that today's council meeting was just another burden that he had to attend. The other members of the council all looked tired and haggard as well. His niece attending as regent seemed worn out, Pycelle looked as if he might well die there and then, Varys seemed exhausted, and Baelish, Baelish looked scared, as he should do. And then there was Tyrell and his men, they seemed the more jubilant, confident that Tarly could achieve what Tywin could not. He took a deep breath and then spoke. "My lords, we are at an interesting point in this war. The riverlands are once again vulnerable and with Lord Tarly riding out in considerable force they should be put under significant pressure once more. And news has come from the Westerlands, that Eddard Stark is nearing death's door. It seems the taking of Lannisport grievously affected him and his men."

There was a lot of murmuring then and his niece asked. "What happen to Ser Daven? I had thought he was raising men to deal with Stark and the men he had with him?"

"Ser Daven did Your Grace. But what he did not expect was to be faced with an army of combined northmen and rivermen. Lannisport fell well enough and his army was routed and slaughtered. Ser Daven himself was killed but not before he severely wounded Stark." Kevan responds.

"Do we have any more men that could start an offensive on the northmen?" his niece asks.

Kevan considers this a moment and then shakes his head. "Unfortunately not. Most of our forces were engaged in the fighting either in the riverlands, or during Stark's raiding of the west. What little men we have left is not enough to mount a significant challenge. Unless we wish to leave ourselves completely vulnerable."

His niece's shoulders sag in disappointment. But Tyrell's booming voice rings out then. "Surely when Tully learns that his home is under attack once more, he shall have to retreat back like a dog with its tail between its legs. That will leave Stark with what some two thousand northmen? Surely there is enough men in the West to deal with two thousand savages."

Kevan looks at the Lord of Highgarden and considers what he has said for a long time. There should be enough men within the foothills of the mountains of the West that could be rallied. But the question is whom would rally them. All the possible Lannisters are either dead or captured. It is then that an idea strikes him. "Lord Tyrell how many men do you have left in the Reach that could be called upon quickly?"

Tyrell looks somewhat surprised by the request but after a moment of thinking responds. "Around three thousand. Why Ser, what do you have in mind?"

All eyes are upon him now, and he takes a moment to get the idea sorted in his mind he then looks at Tyrell and says. "A march up from the Ocean road would take your reachmen straight to Lannisport. Stark and his men would not be expecting that. It is possible that a surprise attack could be sent their way. But there is too much risk there. Varys where did you say that Stark had kept Tywin?"

The eunuch moves as if jostled from sleep. His voice suggests as much. "They kept him in the Lion's Prison my lord. Heavily guarded with rotating shifts of men guarding him. They do also move him from time to time my lord."

Kevan nods, a smart move by Stark, keeping a prisoner on the move unsure where they were directly, but keeping him at the Lion's Prison, that would be costly for Stark he would make sure of that. He looks at Mace then and says. "Send word to your son at Highgarden my lord, tell him to raise men as many as he can, and to send them toward the Lion's Prison. We will get our commander back."

There is a moment's silence then as they all process what he has said and then Tyrell asks. "Do you think it is possible to do so? We all know what the Lion's Prison is like, it is a damn sight near impenetrable, unless you have people there to show you how to enter and leave. Where would such people come from Ser?"

Kevan looks at the Lord of Highgarden for a moment and then says. "My son Lancel is one person who knows the land as well as anyone near the prison. I took him there to visit once or twice. Or failing that, there is Ser Lann Hill, the bastard of the Hills, who could very well show you. He has a collection of clans under his command that would be very useful towards breaking in and out of the prison."

Kevan can see his niece smiling, and he knows why. Lann will help Tyrell get Tywin out of the prison and then proceed to butcher Tyrell's men. A very useful way to weaken Tyrell's strength and possible hold over them. Tyrell himself however, does not consider this, how could he when he does not know Lann's reputation. "Very well then. How will you get in contact with this Lann fellow?"

"There is no need to get into contact with him my lord. You need merely march up the ocean road and he will be there waiting for you. He knows that we are allies and so he will aid you as best he can." Kevan responds.

The Lord of Highgarden nods and then turns the attention of the small council to the Vale. "That is all well and good, but with the Vale being independent now, what is there to say that they will not come down south to stop Randyll from causing damage in the Riverlands?"

There is a moment's silence and then his niece speaks. "The Lords of the Stormlands swore fealty to King Tommen after the blackwater. It is time we tested just how loyal they are to their king and their liege lord. Let us send them into the field and see how well they fare."

"A good suggestion Your Grace," Kevan says. "But as King Tommen is Lord of Storm's End and thus Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, custom would dictate that he come into battle with his lords. However, as he is but a child, that does negate that. This does therefore leave us with a slight problem as to whom to name commander of the Stormlands force."

His niece is silent a moment and then says. "Ser Balon is from the Stormlands, he should be given command of their forces. Not only that but he is a knight of the Kingsguard, and therefore may speak with the king's voice."

There are murmurs of agreement at this and Kevan says. "A good choice Your Grace. If Lord Tyrell has no qualms with this, then the Stormlords will be led by Ser Balon."

Lord Tyrell nods and the others of the small council voice their agreement as well. Kevan happy with this turns to Varys and asks. "Tell my Lord Varys, what news is there from the north?"

The eunuch is silent a moment and then responds. "Word has come from my sources amongst the northern army that Robb Stark has managed to take Deepwood Motte back. A slaughter, the Ironborn that were there with Asha Greyjoy were all killed including Greyjoy herself. It seems that Stark has become somewhat like his ancestors of old, and demanded that Theon Greyjoy kill his own sister."

A ripple of shocked whispering follows this pronouncement, and Kevan feels sick to his stomach. "He….he truly demanded that?"

"Yes Ser he did. It seems Robb Stark wanted visible proof that Theon Greyjoy was no longer an Ironborn and was indeed his man. And it seems Greyjoy did the deed, rather willingly. Though according to my sources, this has caused some tension between the two. And even some muttering amongst the northmen." Varys responds.

At this Cersei speaks. "What sort of muttering? I thought the savages would approve of something such as this?"

Kevan does not like the way his niece's eyes are wide when she speaks. But he pushes his fears down to listen to what the eunuch has to say. "It seems that some approved of the action. Whilst others believe Robb Stark went too far in demanding that Greyjoy do the deed. They believe he should have done it himself. No one is as accursed as the kinslayer, but the man who makes one a kinslayer, well he, he is someone who doubt is cast over. That is what my sources are saying."

Kevan leans forward then and asks. "Is this something that could be used against Stark?"

The eunuch sighs then and says. "I do not know my lord. The northmen are fiercely loyal to the Starks, but even they must have limits. I shall see what my sources say and state what my findings bring. If there is a chance that it could be used I will say so."

Kevan nods and then turns to Pycelle and says. "Maester you said you had some interesting news from Oldtown."

The Grand Maester looks as though he is about to fall asleep but he snaps awake at the mention of Oldtown. Mumbling something or the other to himself he clears his throat and says. "Yes….Yes news from Oldtown. My old friends there have been writing to me speaking of strange occurrences that have been happening in the city as of late. It appears as if the Hightowers are preparing for something or the other. Though they did not bring much might to the capital, they are arming their people and their ships are getting armed. Furthermore Lord Leyton continues to delve deep into the archives of the citadel looking for some book or the other. Why he does not say, but it is clear he desperately wants the book."

Kevan looks sharply at the maester and then looks at Lord Tyrell. "Do you know what could have caused this?"

The Lord of Highgarden looks flustered as he replies. "I…I do not. My goodfather is an eccentric man Ser. I shall send a raven and ask what he is doing."

Kevan nods. "See that you do my lord. We do not want anything strange occurring in our own lands now."