7th Month of 298 A.C. Sunspear

Princess Arianne Martell

Her father was dead, the raven had come two days ago, but in truth he had been dead to her for nearly five years, for that had been how long it had been since she had seen him. She would not have gone to see him even if he had asked her to go, that he had not, she felt was just indicative of the type of person he was. There was no time to brew on the dead though, her father had been weighed down by all of that, and they were gaining nothing from Westeros, and that was why she had called her supporters to the Sun Palace to discuss their options.

"My lords and ladies, I thank you for coming. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my father. He has done all he can to ensure that Dorne is strong and secure. His pathway to isolationism helped us heal after the cruel blow we were dealt during the rebellion. And yet I believe that such a thing did not go far enough, we should have gained more from the usurper than what we did. And now we must look at our options. Lady Ladybright if you would be so kind as to offer your findings before the assembly." Arianne says.

Lady Alyse Ladybright treasurer of Sunspear and Arianne's friend and ally takes a moment to collect herself before speaking. "Since Prince Doran introduced the policy of closed door dealings, we have seen a wide growth in trade with the Free Cities. Braavos, Lys, Myr and Tyrosh are all our allies, more so than they are the Iron Throne's. We have held things together and meanwhile a rot has set into King's Landing. We are richer now, than we have been at any other point since we joined the seven kingdoms. It is my belief, and that of the treasury that we would be better off leaving the kingdoms."

There is a moment's silence and then Ser Manfrey speaks. "Is that a wise idea? We do not know just how true some of the other lords within the realm are. It has yet to be the inauguration ceremony, perhaps we would be better off waiting until we have some more solid support."

Arianne snorts. "I am not just a girl anymore Ser Manfrey. I am the ruling Princess of Dorne, and I know that we cannot just declare independence without the support of all of our lords and ladies, that is why when the time comes for the inauguration ceremony, I intend to see it presented before the council then and there. We shall see what the mood is within the kingdom and then make the decision."

Ser Manfrey looks at her uncertainly. "You would force the issue though. You know that there is a feeling that we were hard done by during the rebellion. I know you Princess, sooner rather than later, a time will come when you will need to make that call, and I think you already have. What of the plans that your father made?"

Arianne looks at the man suspiciously. "What plans do you speak of? The ones where he wanted me to marry a mad prince half way across the sea without ever informing me of this course of action? Or the one where he wanted to restore a false dragon to the throne? No enough of those plans. The Targaryens have brought us nothing but pain and suffering, it is time we broke free."

There is some murmuring at that and Lady Alyse speaks. "Princess Arianne is right, the dragons bring us nothing but more bodies to add to the body count. More orphans, more widows and more dead children. It is more prudent to become independent."

"And what of those that might day when whoever sits the throne turns to look at Dorne. You know what these Westerosi are like, they will try and impose their ways on us, regardless of whether we want them to or not. We cannot win." Ser Manfrey responds.

Arianne looks at her cousin then, a sense of irritation brewing within her. "The Iron Throne will not look towards us for some time cousin. You forget the Baratheons are fighting amongst one another, and as such by the time they are done killing one another, we shall have our borders secure and our men and women prepared. Furthermore, overtures for alliances can be made. And they shall be."

"Alliances with who Princess? Essos will remain neutral unless you manage to bring back the three daughters. Furthermore, Volantis is more likely to side with the dragons than with us. Westeros will side with whichever king wins this war." Manfrey responds.

"Not if they are too divided amongst themselves. Just because one king wins, does not mean the other king's supporters will immediately give up their struggle. We can play the game in the shadows, in fact we would be foolish not to do so. But this time, we shall not recognise the authority of the iron throne. Dorne shall be free once more." Arianne says passionately.

Maester Myles speaks then. "House Dayne of Starfall and House Qorgyle have already shown that they will stand by the Princess, as have the Ullers of Hellholt and the Allyrions of Godsgrace. There is more than enough support there for any vote at the council to work within the Princess' favour."

"And what of the Wyls, are they not willing to come to this party as it were? They have always wanted independence and furthermore, the Ullers are not a house to trust fully. Oberyn might have Ellaria Sand as his lover, but the Ullers, they will be playing their own little game you can be sure of that. Furthermore, you need to worry about a marriage as well." her cousin says.

"All of which I have considered cousin, a marriage shall be announced soon enough. But we shall become independent, and no more slaves to the throne." Arianne says fervently.

Ashford

King Renly I Baratheon

There was a chill in the air, something was stirring within these lands, within the kingdom as a whole. His nephew was marshalling men that was what his spies within the capital told him, he did not doubt that was the fact. And yet there was a part of him that felt sad about that, the boy was just that a boy, he would be no match for the forces coming on his doorstep. Even if Renly were to die during the fighting to come, his line would continue, either through Edric or through the child that was lying in Margaery's womb, the child that he would see born, he was determined to see that happen, he would not fall for the death again.

"Tell me what word there has been from the west? Does the old lion stir?" Renly asks.

Lord Tarly the man in charge of the scouts and the van nods. "Yes Your Grace. Tywin Lannister is coming this way with some twenty thousand men. But more to the point, there is a second host gathering at the Golden Tooth, it seems that he intends for the Kingslayer to lead that host."

Renly considers this and then asks. "What direction is Lord Tywin's host coming from? Does he intend to march for the capital, or does he mean to strike us hard?"

Tarly is silent a moment, considering his response. "From what I have been able to gather Your Grace, Lord Tywin intends on marching down the Ocean Road and then heading off close towards Goldengrove, he intends to force us to look in one direction whilst something else occurs in another."

Renly looks at the man and then asks. "And how likely is it that he will actually be going this way? This is Tywin Lannister we are speaking of, there is not a chance in hell that he means to go through with the plan he has outlined so clearly for our scouts."

The Lord of Horn Hill nods and then says. "I believe that Lord Tywin will go in another direction Your Grace. Most likely to reinforce King's Landing, as the city is at present under manned and under prepared. With the might of the Stormlands and the Reach behind you, there is little that they can do unless they wage a hit and run strategy."

"Not necessarily." Lord Cafferen says. "The boy who sits the throne knows the numbers aligned against him and as such might well be preparing to strike hard and fast. Or he could be willing to bring us to him, luring us in with the weak defences. He has Lord Eddard guiding him, and as such that is something we must consider."

Renly strokes his chin, where a small bit of stubble is growing. "An interesting thought that. Stark knows more about battle then most anyone within that city, and yet from what we know it will be his son leading the northmen down south." He pauses a moment and then looks at his goodfather. "Lord Mace, you said that there were Riverlords willing to fight for us, who were not keen on paying the boy's strenuous taxes?"

"I did Your Grace. Lord Bracken and his allies, who number some twenty thousand men." Tyrell responds.

"And they have been arming themselves and their men in preparation for the call to arms correct?" Renly asks.

"Yes Your Grace. You need only say the word and they will begin the march to war, and give the false king something to worry about." Tyrell says.

Renly looks at the man and then says. "Send the word then. Let Bracken and his men show their loyalty and let the riverlands see what the boy king is forcing onto them. My nephew will have to use tyranny, that is all he knows, and it will hurt him. It will hurt him badly."

"It shall be done Your Grace." Tyrell says.

There is a moment's silence and then Lord Estermont asks. "What of Lord Stannis? He has remained silent and yet he holds the royal fleet at Dragonstone. Given enough time that could cause trouble for us. Especially as Lord Redwyne has been removed from the fighting because of the boy holding his sons. What do you intend to do there Your Grace?"

"Stannis will dig his own grave. Furthermore, I do believe the tyrant sitting the throne right now will deal with him for us. Word has come that he intends to sail to Dragonstone and take it himself. If the boy dies during the attempt then the way toward King's Landing is clearer for us. And knowing the boy as I do, I have to admit, that the likelihood of him going to fight in Dragonstone is very likely." Renly says.

Another silence and then. Lord Rowan speaks. "When the time comes that you are sitting the throne, what measures will you bring forward to combat the boy on the throne?"

Renly looks at the man and asks. "You might want to be more specific, the boy has implemented many things, and there is a lot that will need to be changed."

Rowan looks at him his eyes glinting within the light. "The measures of increased tax, such a thing has been used to repay the loans and the debt that the crown has incurred. How will you see to them Your Grace?"

"I do not think that is something that needs to be discussed now. Not when we have a war to fight and win. Surely we must consider other things, such as strategy and direction, before we even think about the throne and policy." Lord Tyrell jokes.

"But this is an important thing to discuss. We must see what we are fighting for, otherwise we are fighting for nothing but greed. That is why we are fighting is it not? To bring an end to the boy's greed?" Rowan asks.

Renly feels nervous, now, but keeps a smile on his face. "Of course it is, but Lord Tyrell is right, we must focus on the war for now, and when the time comes, why then we shall discuss what must needs be done to sort out the mess my brother and the boy have brought."