2nd Month of 288 A.C. The Red Keep
Lord Rickard Stark
It was a nice feeling knowing that the dynasty he had worked so hard to stabilize following his father's madness was now secure enough that he no longer needed to spend nights where he could not sleep worrying about whether or not the house would remain strong. Ned and his wife had done their duty and had two sons who were according to reports and letters both strong young boys who were curious and inquisitive, as well as a daughter who was said to be the perfect little lady. Benjen, the son whom Rickard had often wondered what to do with was now married as well with a child on the way. Yes, the dynasty was secure for now, and with the king growing up to be a fine young man he was certain that House Stark would be a presence to be reckoned with for many years to come.
At present Rickard was with his grandson listening to the boy speak of the things he was learning. "Maester Marwyn has told me of the Kings of Winter, grandpapa. He says that they were scary men who did the things needed for their kingdom. Is that true?"
Rickard looked at his grandson, who with his curls, grey eyes and long face looked so much like Lyanna sometimes it took his breath away sighed and said. "Yes Jonothor, they were hard men from a hard land."
His grandson looked at him then with curiosity. "There was a King of Winter called Rickard was there not grandpapa? What did he do?"
Rickard had to strain his memory to recall his own lessons from a long time ago, and then called up the memories his own father had taught him before the madness had overtaken him. "King Rickard Stark was known as the Laughing wolf Jonothor. He was a good natured lad, who knew his duty and was also the King who brought the Neck and the cranongmen into the north. Do you know who the cranongmen are Jonothor?"
His grandson nods. "Yes grandpapa, they are the lords who guard the neck, who live in its swamps and defend the north from intruders. They are brave men grandpapa."
Rickard nods and then says. "They guard the neck, they preserve our traditions and they ensure the secrets of the north never leave. One day when you are old enough you shall learn those secrets just as your cousin Robb will one day also learn them."
"I am five namedays old now grandpapa, am I not old enough?" Jonothor asks.
Rickard smiles slightly at his grandson and king. "You are old enough to defend your grandmamma are you not my king?" his grandson puffs his chest up then and nods. Rickard smile widens. "Ah that is good to know for I am an old man, but this secret is something kings should learn when they are men grown and know their way around the red keep. And…" he trailed of as he began tickling his grandson. "Know how to avoid stealing lemon cakes from the kitchens."
His grandson laughs. "But grandpapa I was hungry…."
Rickard continues tickling his grandson before lifting him up and as he had so often done with his children picked him up and brought him to eye level before saying seriously. "Aye, you were hungry but you are also the king. If you steal from the larder what sort of example are you setting for the rest of the kingdoms? Is it right to steal?"
His grandson shakes his head solemn now. "No grandpapa. I am sorry grandpapa. I won't do it again."
Rickard looks at his grandson then and sees all of Lyanna's innocence and he relents. "Very well then. So long as you apologise to the cooks I see no reason for you to be punished." He puts his grandson down then and then asks. "Now tell me what do you know of your uncle Eddard?"
"He is you and grandmamma's second son and he is guardian of the north. He is a good and kind man, and is married to Lady Cat…cat. Catelyn Tully and has three children." Jonothor responds.
"Very good my boy. Soon enough you shall meet your uncle and his family. For now though I do believe your grandmamma wished to see you." Rickard says as he sees Lyarra enter the room.
His grandson sees Lyarra and bounds off to her, and Rickard nods at his wife as she begins answering their grandson's rapid succession of questions. He walks out of the room and towards the council chamber where he nods at Ser Gerold before whispering. "It has been found?" the man nods and then Rickard says. "Very well, you and I shall meet with Ser Oswell once this meeting is done." The man nods again and then they both enter the small council chamber, the other members of the council are already seated and once he is sat the meeting begins.
Lord Tywin is the first to speak. "My lords, Lord Regent there has been word from my son in the Rock, it would appear as if there are members of this new sect appearing within the Westerlands spreading their tales and songs. Jaime reports that members of the Faith in the Westerlands are growing increasingly discontent with this and wish for the throne to intervene."
Rickard considers this a moment and then asks. "And what sort of things have these men and women been doing that has caused such great problems for the Faith?"
The hand is silent a moment before he says. "It seems they have been preaching much the same as they are in the Riverlands. That the seven who are one, are in fact seven complete separate deities, and that in order to truly worship them and accept their grace, worship must be done in a very stripped back manner with no pomp or ceremony. The septons argue that this counters the seven pointed star, and that ceremony shows just how highly the Seven who are one are valued."
Rickard sighs. "So they are going for vanity and show rather than a claim of a breach of faith?"
Lord Tywin nods. "Indeed, it does seem they are my lord regent. The faith has often been a sect of imagery and ceremony. Taking that away from them does seem to be the best way to ignite their anger. And these people who are following that man Causter it seems are only making it worse. Jaime reports that there are men and women taking up arms amongst the smallfolk who are beginning to cause trouble for the septs within the Westerlands. They claim to be doing this in the name of the true faith."
Rickard runs a hand through his thinning hair and says. "What response have the septons in the West given to these smallfolk?"
"They are pleading for clemency and peaceful talks. The Sept near Tarbeck Hall was sacked and the Septon killed. And now the septons have put in an appeal to the High Septon who has demanded the throne now do something to rectify the situation." The hand responds.
Rickard sighs once more and ponders this issue, he supposes it would not be too much of a hit to his plans to settle this matter. "Very well, send word to your son and ask him to begin speaking to the smallfolk to get them to put down their weapons and return to their villages. More work shall be coming to the Westerlands with Wolf's Port nearly complete. I shall arrange to meet with the High Septon to reassure him of my continued defence of the faith. Now what more is there?"
Lord Wyman speaks then. "There has been word from Volantis my lord regent. The new King of Volantis Moqorro wishes to renew a trading alliance with the Iron Throne. But having spoken to several nobles who have come to Westeros after fleeing the carnage that became of Volantis, and several contacts across the narrow sea, I do have to advice against doing so. The King is a zealot, who will most likely attempt to use trade as a means of converting us all to his red god."
Rickard considers this. "Prince Oberyn how true are Lord Wyman's fears? Will this man try to use trade as a means of converting us all?"
The prince is silent a moment and then responds. "I do believe so. The Red God has never been as powerful in Volantis as it is now. They are looking to increase the number of people who follow this red demon, and as such would not hesitate to use trade as a missionary attempt."
Rickard nods and then says. "I want that red priest what is his name Thoros?" Oberyn nods. "I want him watched. And Wyman send word to Volantis that we shall unfortunately need to reject his offer. It is time we began using the allies we have to our advantage. Tyrosh and Lys are growing in power under our direction should we ask them to defend the shores they will do so. Especially after we have allowed so many noblemen and women to come to Westeros from Volantis. The old blood is in our debt." The others nod and then the meeting comes to an end as there truly was not much more to discuss.
Rickard waits with Gerold as the others get up and leave and once the last of them has gone, Ser Oswell who had been standing guard outside walks in and sits down. Rickard speaks then. "Last we met, I had asked you both to discover more of the content of the vault. The scroll you brought forward Gerold was not the letter to which we are looking for but was rather a letter of an alliance between Blackfyre supporters and some very prominent lords here at court including Lord Ambrose Butterwell. But I would know what developments have come since then."
Ser Oswell speaks first. "Well my lord regent, since last we met, I ventured down to the vault and discovered the original scroll that was originally being looked for." The man holds it up and Rickard takes it before reading it quickly, his heart beginning to sink.
He keeps a hold of it. "The man truly deserved his name, doing that to the kingdoms was pure idiocy. No wonder Blackfyre got so pig-headed. Is there any proof the eunuch knows this exists?"
Ser Oswell speaks once more. "It would appear not my lord regent, we know Massey was in the vault looking for something. But he knew not what he was looking for. That would suggest the eunuch is grasping at air hoping for something that will add legitimacy to his cause."
Rickard looks at the scroll in his hand and then hands it to Oswell. "Burn it, it never existed." The man takes the scroll and nods.
Ser Gerold then speaks. "What of the Vault my lord regent? There are some very valuable items there that the eunuch could try and get to again."
Rickard nods. "I have considered this and from what you both have told me, I have thought about placing guards there. But there is the risk of them being bought off or even killed. We cannot afford that, and therefore knowledge of the vault must remain between us three. Even Prince Oberyn knows now where it is exactly and that must remain the case. We cannot have anyone else knowing for the more who know the secret, the more likely people will try to make a name for themselves. As for the goods within the vault they should be protected by the dragons guarding them. Soon enough though we shall need to move them from there, and to Dragonstone."
The Lord Commander nods and then asks. "And what of the book?"
Rickard hesitates over this and then he says. "Leave it there. No one will go looking for something they believe does not exist anymore." The lord commander nods and their meeting comes to an end.
