Author's Note – Sorry for the long pause but a combination of real life problems and the imposition of COVID-19 left my muse in something of a shambles. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Author's Note 2 - Apologies for the delete/re-upload. Got a name mixed up and forgot that I could update a chapter without needing to delete it.
There are already jokes about the Small Council not being so small any more. With the addition of the head of the Alchemists Guild, the upgrading of the Chancellor of Roads to a Master's position on the Council and offering the Dorne's a representative, we were getting slowly bigger. It was my eventual hope that the organisation would form as a viable Cabinet with the Iron Throne and/or the Hand of the King providing policy directions and oversight/coordination. Not particularly likely, given the circumstances surrounding Westeros, but, as always, a dude can dream couldn't he?
I asked Varys to keep an eye on Renly for the moment, as he seems the most likely to stir up trouble of late. Given that I'm marrying off his lover Loras to my mother in order to solidify a political alliance I'm not surprised. It's why he went home in a sulk no doubt. Or so I'm assuming, and I could be wrong there. Hopefully uncle got to whatever evidence out there before Renly got a hold of it and decides that it's his time to take a pot shot at the Throne. Given all the work I've put into keeping the stupid thing, it'd be sad to lose it. Though it would be fun to see the Seven Kingdoms have its first possibly openly gay ruler.
Back on topic though - as part of the deal with the Tyrell's, we will be travelling to Highgarden for the marriage between Loras and mother. Loras, has remained in town after the recusal of his lover, probably at the insistence of his grandmother, and will be using the trip home to get to know his future bride. This because Cersei has been kept locked up in her rooms as a virtual prisoner since I assumed the Iron Throne. Publically this is to ensure that those who were unhappy with my father's don't take the chance to revenge themselves on his widow. Privately, it's because mother thinks herself a proper player in the game of thrones when she's really just a gift amateur with no real goals beyond her own amusement.
If I could think of a way to execute her without pissing off Tywin and the Lannister branch, I would at this point. However, the best I can do currently is pawn her off on the Tyrell's and pray that she keeps her trap shut about her relationship with Jamie and my lineage. Mostly 'cause any war with Highgarden and the Reach isn't what I'm wanting for the Kingdoms right now. The realm is looking like it might slowly start to heal and I don't want it to fracture.
Once I pawn off mother, the three major challenges are going to be: the coming long winter, the encroachment of the White Walkers, and the threat of Daenerys Targaryen and her fucking dragons. That's where having the Alchemists Guild working on gun powder will hopefully be handy, along with the secret stash of wildfire not too far from King's Landing.
I've made a point of taking a few days off from my duties to spend some time with my lady-wife Sansa, while I've been stupidly ignoring of late. My grandfather Tywin is a capable administrator and leader, having served as Hand of the King previously with great success. After a number of early reign hiccups we're slowly developing a dialog so that we are both aware of all major projects going on at the moment. That was continuity is ensure and I can spend some time with my beloved without worrying about the heavy weight of my responsibilities for a little while.
Our time together was a continuation of our getting to know each other and the histories of our respective families. Alongside this was a healthy dose of teenaged making out and screwing each other's brains out. While Milady Stark had dreams of being the perfect Queen to the perfect King, she was also aware of the other responsibilities involved in being Queen. Which included producing at least one male heir to the throne. As much as I loved Tommen, he wasn't the kind of person I wanted on the throne. So if I could produce an heir myself, and at least a couple of spares if possible, I would be training them to continue in my efforts to modernise the Seven Kingdoms.
Or at least as modern as I can make it within the context of a medieval-level society. Improving roads and the printing press is about my limit thus far, but I'm dredging up as much SCA and LARP knowledge as I can to see what else I can do. I'd consider introducing rudimentary education, but the lords are bound to laugh me out of town and the Maester's are equally as likely to shut me the hell down. They've been somewhat resistant so far to the idea of the printing press as they believe it would give too many people access to their precious, precious information. I'm tempted to just issue a decree or two on the subject if they resist much further, but I'm having my Master of Laws look at whether or not I can.
Speaking of that, the compilation of laws I requested many months ago is finally finished. I will be sitting down with the Small Council at some point and going over it, with an eye on revamping a lot of what's on the books before sending out copies to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms. If we can all act from the same playbook law-wise that would be nice.
Other things being sorted out include the fact that we have a new Lord of the Iron Islands – Sawane of House Botley, Lord of Lordsport. Apparently he has a modicum of respect among the islanders and the captains. I have sent word up north that Theon may return to his ancestral home and assume the role as head of his house. His sister will surely rule through him as she has the greater respect, but it should allow the House of Greyjoy a chance to regain their lost glory. Besides, with the rest of the House dead I see no reason for the teen to be held hostage in the North.
After the decimation I inflicted upon them, they seem to be a broken people if Stannis is to be believed. He was apparently none-to-pleased about the duty I foisted upon him but understood the brutal duty nonetheless. Hopefully the lesson sticks as I really don't want to have to do anything of its like again in the future. Perhaps if I continue in the Roman tradition I could try crucifixion next? Or burning alive? A little violent, but a possible deterrent if we get any other flare ups across the Kingdoms.
Second-to-lastly, it would appear that the printing office I set up in Braavos has begun operation. It was a bit more expensive than expected, but then again getting most start-ups off the ground usually are. There was also the problem of the Iron Bank sticking their curious little noses into the mix. Given what the Iron Throne owes them, I do not blame them in the slightest. Dyer managed to negotiate a deal with the Bank in one of his last acts as Acting Master of Coin, with a large portion of the income derived from the office's printing operations going to service our debt. Along an added percentage going to them to ensure that the Bank protects our printing presses from industrial action and spying. Nothing like a two-for-one deal I say as it means slowly chipping away at our debt (which had been the plan to begin with) along with ensuring that the development of opposing printing presses should hopefully be delayed.
In a final bit of news – it would appear that my Uncle Tyrion has returned to Kings Landing. Or so Varys' little birds are saying. He's taking his time returning to the place and his duties, but after the months of freedom and what have you, I don't mind a little delaying. So long as he returns to his duties soon enough.