Chapter 19: Robert

"He's done what?!" Robert yelled.

"He's left with the fleet to Dragonstone, Your Grace." Grand Maester Pycelle said in that timid voice of his that Robert didn't believe for an instant.

"Why?!" Robert demanded.

"He claimed that he had a direct order from Your Grace to do so." Pycelle said.

"And do you have this order in writing?" Robert demanded.

"No, Sire, we don't." Pycelle said.

"So, YOU JUST TOOK HIS WORD FOR IT?!" Robert yelled, his patience snapping.

"Your Grace, it's Stannis that they're talking about. It's hardly as if he would lie about something such as this." Ned said.

Robert whirled around to look at his friend and his new Hand. Was Ned implying that Robert had given his brother permission to take the entirety of the Royal Fleet to Dragonstone, leaving King's Landing unprotected? Robert wanted to laugh and say Ned was being an idiot, but as he thought about it, actually thought about it, he realised with sinking certainty, that he very likely had done that.

He turned back to look at Pycelle. "When did he say that I had given him permission?"

Pycelle's eyes widened as if surprised he wanted to know specifics. "Just before Your Grace left for Winterfell, Sire."

Robert nodded, grief at Jon Arryn's death had prompted him into an orgy of drinking and whoring such that he had actually been worried he might die. Stannis choosing that time to ask for such a request was highly unusual. But it was Stannis.

"Send word to him that he is to return with the fleet at once." Robert commanded.

"Yes, Your Grace." Pycelle replied, making a note of it.

Robert then looked at Baelish, the man had been Jon's creature. A good hand with coin and with keeping the mealy-mouthed opportunists at bay. "You said you had a concern to raise?" Robert said.

"I do, Your Grace." Baelish said. "The Iron Bank has sent another representative to address the issue of the debt the Iron Throne has to the Bank."

"And what is the debt we owe to them?" Robert asked.

"Roughly half of the total debt." Baelish said.

Robert nodded, that was not an inconsiderable amount then. "How long can we put them off for?" He asked. He had no idea where he was going to get the money from.

"Maybe another month, Sire. But eventually, they will want an answer." Baelish answered.

"You should address this issue, Sire." Ned said, all seriousness. "It is not good for the throne to be in debt."

"I know dammit, Ned!" Robert growled. "But the money from the Crown Estate is not enough, and raising taxes will be unpopular." Taxes were always unpopular.

"Assets will need to be sold off then, Your Grace." Ned said simply.

"Like what?" Robert demanded staring at his friend.

"The jewels that the Queen has for instance. They can go at a pretty penny." Ned said. "Then there are other items that exist within the Royal Vaults that can be sold."

Robert wanted to protest, selling such things off would be an embarrassment. But his friend was right.

He exhaled. "Baelish, have a look at what is there in the vaults and audit it."

"Yes, Your Grace." Baelish said.

Robert then looked at his friend and said. "You're not going to like what I have planned now that you are here."

Ned frowned.

"To celebrate your becoming Hand of the King, I wish to host a Tourney." Robert said.

Ned's mouth dropped open, briefly. "Sire, I do not think that is wise."

"It might not be wise." Robert admitted. "But it must be done."

"Why?!" Ned demanded.

"The people expect a Tourney to celebrate your appointment and I wish to host one to celebrate you. You are going to be working hard." Robert said. Much harder than I think you can appreciate, Ned.

"And the debt?" Ned asked. "To fund all the prizes needed for this thing, we will need to take on more debt."

"It will be handled." Robert said, glancing at Baelish who nodded.

"Sire, I do not think that this is a good idea. The people can go without a tourney; the throne cannot go with more debt." Ned said.

Deep down, Robert knew his friend was right. He knew that they shouldn't have a tourney. But by the Seven, he wanted a tourney. He wanted to see what would happen. He wanted to celebrate his friend. Was that so wrong?!

He firmed himself. "I have given the command, and I expect it to be obeyed."

A moment passed, and Robert worried that Ned would refuse, but his friend bowed his head. "Of course, Your Grace."

Satisfied, Robert nodded, got up and left the chamber. He had other things to worry about now, other than the debt and the tourney. He made his way down the hallway, turning one way and then another, Ser Barristan and Ser Mandon of the Kingsguard accompanied him as a set of doors opened up for him and he descended down the steps that those doors led to.

This staircase had been built during the reign of King Aerys the Mad, apparently on the order of Tywin Lannister. Robert got a kick out of that, especially considering where the staircase led. He opened the doors and stepped right into a Brothel. The women all looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Usually he would stop and talk with them, but right now he had other important matters to deal with.

He walked down the main room of the brothel until he came to a door, he opened the door, and stopped before entering. "Let nobody in." He commanded gruffly. Ser Barristan gave an affirmative answer, he walked in and shut the door.

The woman got up and kissed him on the lips.

"My Robert." She purred.

"Love." Robert said back.

"I've missed you." She said.

"And I you." He grabbed her then and started peppering her with kisses, then he threw her onto the bed and undid his shirt and his trousers.

He made love to her then and forgot all his troubles.