"They're like vultures." Lemore commented as she watched another woman flutter her eyelashes at the King.
Arthur snorted. "It's no different to what King's Landing was like. Or Dragonstone."
Lemore sighed, her brother spoke the truth. It seemed no matter where you were in the world, when you had power, even assumed power, like the King, people would congregate to you, and try and get whatever they wanted from you. "Qoherys at least seems decent." She said, referring to the man who was speaking with the King.
"He should be." Arthur replied. "I had Duck look into him."
Lemore glanced away from the scene for a moment to look at her brother. "And?"
"He is a decent sort. Served as a solider in the army of Volantis, fought against the Dothraki, then took control of the family estates." Arthur said.
Lemore nodded. Arthur was always looking into people, especially if they were like Qoherys and were going to be spending a lot of time around the King. "And is he part of the Tigers or the Elephants?" Those factional names sounded ridiculous to her.
"Neither." Arthur replied. "Indeed, he spent some time on his estate in Volon Therys recently for arguing that Volantis needed a King."
Lemore felt her brows rise. "He did?"
"He did. Indeed, he seemed to be of the view that Volantis needed the oldest surviving family of the Old Blood to be their King." Arthur replied.
Lemore looked from her brother to where the King was speaking with Qoherys. "He wants to crown the King."
"It seems so." Arthur replied.
Lemore felt panic grip her then. The people of Volantis were a proud people, they had not been ruled by one family since the Century of Blood, when the dragonrider Aurion had crowned himself their Emperor. His reign had ended when he had disappeared with his dragon. Since then, the families remaining had jockeyed for power, ending with Volantis becoming an oligarchy.
"They will not appreciate that." Lemore said then.
From how her brother answered, it was clear he knew who she meant. "I know. That's why I have instructed Duck to send word to Ser Aurane to return."
Lemore looked back at her brother and asked. "You think it will get that bad?"
"I do not know." Arthur admitted. "But we must be prepared for anything."
Lemore nodded, then turned back to where the King was, and found that he was off walking with that Maegyr girl. Lemore frowned. She did not like Talisa Maegyr. There was something about her that rubbed Lemore the wrong way. Something that suggested she was not completely who she claimed to be. Perhaps it was wrong of Lemore to judge her so, given that they'd barely spoken to one another. But then again, her gut was saying something was not right about the girl, and her gut was usually right.
"You're doing that thing again." Arthur said.
Lemore looked at her brother. "What thing?"
"The judging frown." Arthur answered, smiling.
"Judging frown?" Lemore asked. "What judging frown?"
Arthur pulled his mouth down and his brow crinkled.
Lemore laughed. "That's my judging frown?" It looked ridiculous.
"Yes." Arthur replied. "And based off of who we were looking at, I'm assuming you were judging Lady Maegyr?"
"I was." Lemore answered, she saw no point in lying to Arthur, he always found out what he wanted, one way or another.
"Why?" Arthur asked.
"I don't know, there's something about her that I do not like." Lemore said. "I cannot place my finger on it, but it makes me very suspicious."
Arthur burst out laughing then.
"What?" Lemore demanded.
"You sound just like Mother did when Ulrick started courting his wife." Arthur replied.
"I do not!" Lemore replied outraged.
"You do. She also didn't trust Ulrick or his wife, and well, it's understandable." Arthur said.
Lemore frowned. "What do you mean?"
Arthur became serious then. "Well, since Elia died, you have raised the King, you are his mother in every sense, essentially. It is only natural that you would be suspicious of any woman who would try and come into his life now. Especially given his position."
Lemore thought on that, it was true, she supposed. Maternal protection was a large part of her desire to keep the King safe, but there was something about the Maegyr girl she didn't like that had nothing to do with being the King's surrogate mother. But she didn't think Arthur would understand that, so, she simply said. "I suppose you are right."
Arthur nodded and said. "The King is old and wise enough to know his own mind."
"I just hope he doesn't do something he will regret." Lemore said, and at that moment she turned and saw the King walk away from the Maegyr girl.
