"They're coming," Sibyll said, turning from the battlements at the top of Storm's End's drum tower to look at her. The blue sky framed Sibyll in a glorious light.
Shireen gripped her cup tightly. "I see," she said, bringing it to her lips and sipping. They hadn't been up here long, an hour perhaps, so she hadn't lost too many working hours. "I suppose this is it then."
"There's no need to sound so downhearted, princess," Alwyn assured her. He was beside Sibyll, but unlike the lady of Fossoway, he was staring out over the lands around Storm's End. "This is nothing bad."
"Well something went bad," she replied stiffly, her throat dry. What had she done wrong? She thought she'd been doing well. None of the complaints she was receiving were about her conduct, all were about the usual things vassals liked to complain to their lords about. So why?
"You don't know that, lady," Sibyll assured her, tentatively reaching out. Shireen pulled her arm away. She didn't need to be coddled, not now. "I'm sure there is a good reason."
"A good reason that my father couldn't even be bothered to tell me." She wasn't even angry. She was surprised at that. She recalled the anger she'd felt when she'd seen her father for the first time after her hike down the stormy coast, the fire of it. But this time there was no anger. When the messenger delivered her father's message there was only shame. How had she failed? What had she done wrong that she was to be removed as castellan of Storm's End?
Alwyn turned to her, his expression serious. "Do not assume the worst. Keep an open mind until you know for certain. Your father is the king, I do not doubt he has a reason for replacing you as castellan. Nor should you."
"I don't doubt it, septon," Shireen reminded him. "I just wish I knew what I'd done." She drained the rest of her drink. "I suppose we should go and find out."
Part of her wanted to be seated when Lord Buckler entered the main hall of Storm's End, to hold on to her power as best she could. But she was a princess, she was above such pettiness. Lord Buckler was here on orders of her father to take over her position, she would not give him some symbolic resistance. She, Aeriel, ser Richard and Allard were all there, of course. Then there were her advisors, her cousin Edric, Lord Elwood, maester Jurne, and grizzled ser Gilbert, each standing tall beside her. Behind them were her later hangers on, Lady Sibyll had been a source of great joy for her, and Ser Lynas had devoted himself to her protection nearly as much as ser Richard, and Alwyn's advice was always well meant and given, even if he looked out of place in his plain septon's robes.
Lord Ralph entered, flanked by a pair of knights, the rest of his escort remaining outside. He stepped up smartly and bowed halfway across the room. "Princess Shireen. It is an honour to see you again, thank you for greeting me."
"Of course, Lord Ralph," she curtsied back. "As my father commanded, I willingly pass control of Storm's End and the Stormlands to you, for I only live to serve my king."
"Thank you, princess," he said solemnly. "Your father was full of praise for your performance so far, I can only hope to do so well in your absence."
Shireen swallowed. "Yes. But if my father chose you, I have complete faith in your abilities, I will pray for your success from Dragonstone. Hopefully you will not have failed as I have."
"Failed? Princess, has something happened?"
"Of course. I must have failed my father somehow, or else I would not be being replaced. No, Lord Ralph," she raised a hand to stall his interruption. "I am only a girl, I know I was out of my depth with this. I do not need your sympathy."
Ralph paused to make sure he had an opening, then spoke. "Princess, I assure you, if you have failed, your father is unaware of it, he did not send me to you because he was dissatisfied with your performance."
Her heart curled in her chest, ready to pounce for joy. "He didn't?"
Ralph shook his head. "In fact, he bid me deliver you this letter, and told me in no uncertain terms I was to govern the Stormlands as ably as you have done, to follow your example if I must. He only had praise for you."
"Then, why…"
"I will explain of course, princess," he said, passing over the letter. "I'm afraid he did not put the words to paper as he feared it being intercepted, but," he cast his eye over the people at Shireen's back, "perhaps best done in private, these are the king's words."
What had happened then? She split her father's seal and read his letter, blinking away the tears as she saw how he thanked her for everything she had done, from the establishment of Summerhall to the supplying of his armies, and his apology that he had to replace her, but that it was necessary, and would be explained by his messenger. "Very well then, this way. Ser Richard, with me please. The rest of you, we will reconvene afterwards, please make sure the final preparations are ready for our own departure."
The council room was immaculate. She had arranged it neatly with clearly labeled reports and resources. The windows were open to allow a brisk sea breeze in and the cabinets lining the walls were filled with all the information that might be needed in a council setting. Maps, financial records, copies of charters of liberties awarded to ports in the hundreds of years of Storms End's history, planting records for yew trees, to ensure a ready supply of wood to make bows and arrows from, the works.
She made for her usual seat at the head of the table before diverting and pulling out one of the ones along the side. She sat down, Richard standing at her shoulder. Lord Ralph glanced around and then took the seat opposite her. "So," she said awkwardly. "Why am I being removed," gods she hated how that sounded, so bitter. Lord Ralph glanced at Richard. "Ser Richard is my sworn shield and advisor, he has my full confidence."
"Very well then," Ralph sat up straight. "His Grace has asked me to take command because the risk that the Stormlands will be invaded has just increased drastically."
"Why?"
"The commander of the Scarefield castle surrendered to the King not long ago and revealed troubling information. It would appear that the Lannisters and the Starks are negotiating peace."
She sat back, unsure how to reply to that. Thankfully, Richard had a response. "This war began when Joffrey cut off Eddard Stark's head, is King Robb ready to forgive that?"
"I doubt it will be forgiven," Lord Ralph said. "It will be revenge, he'll be taking two kingdoms away from Joffrey and call it a fair price."
"So this is Robb Stark's victory?" Shireen asked. She hadn't considered that there was another war being fought concurrent to their own. If it ended...
Lord Ralph continued, "it's what your father believes. He doesn't think that the Lannisters have achieved anything worth him returning to the fold, and have nothing worth that to offer. No it looks like the Lannisters are folding, they've decided half their lands are better than none."
"Which is what they'd have if my father wins," Shireen added, sighing. "And now they can send all their soldiers against us," and then there was the reason. "And I don't know how to fight a war."
"Yes, princess," Ralph finished awkwardly.
Shireen smiled. He wasn't angry with her, she hadn't let him down. She re-read his letter again, he was proud of her. "Well then, Lord Buckler," she said, getting to her feet, I shan't interrupt you, I'm sure you wish to settle in to your new position here after your journey."
"Before you go, Princess," Ralph interrupted her.
"Yes?"
"I would appreciate your advice. What's been going on here since the army departed? It would help me better fulfil my duties to your father."
She smiled and nodded. "Of course."
The next few hours were taken up by an endless stream of questions and answers. Ralph had not come unprepared and wanted to know how things were at Storm's End, the attitudes of the lords and ladies remaining in the Stormlands to Storm's End's direct control. He had come through the new fortress built in the ruins of Summerhall and so was aware of the numbers were, but wanted to know more about the supply situation, how were they being convoyed, where from. When she told him about the raiders that Ser Richard had driven off, he wanted to know more about that, so she told him. She didn't miss a beat and answered every question. She had long since stopped being surprised at how well she could recall the information. That had thrown her at first, but by now it was easy.
"I see, thank you princess," Ralph said, after she explained that the quarrel between Lady Estermont and Lady Errol had been resolved.
"Is there anything else?"
"No, I should be able to handle the rest. When do you leave?"
"As soon as everyone is ready," she replied. She'd been ready since receiving the message, telling her to go back home when Ralph arrived, not wanting to remain behind and see him fulfil the tasks that had been hers. But she was not the only one going. She had offered to bring all the noble refugees from the Reach with them to Dragonstone, they would be safer there than they would here. Now that her brother had destroyed the Redwyne navy, Dragonstone was possibly the safest place in the world. She couldn't wait to see him again.
They were ready that evening. Lady Sibyll was fussing with Raymun, trying to get him into the wagons that were taking them to the ships. She smiled at Shireen when she passed, but had no more time to do anything else as Raymun, who had never been to sea before, was sprouting a litany of worries. Shireen couldn't help but giggle at the sight. She found Alwyn and Richard at the head of the column, Aeriel coming up behind, riding a tame mare. She wasn't a perfect rider by any stretch, but this short ride should be suitable for her. "Richard, any word?"
"Allard should have arrived at the ships by now, princess," Richard said, dismissing one of their escort with a wave of his hand. "Which means we're ready to go whenever you are."
Shireen nodded and hauled herself up onto her horse, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Are you sure you wish to come, Alwyn?" She asked the septon, who sat very comfortably on his own horse beside her. "Do you not wish to carry on your history? I fear there won't be much to find at Dragonstone."
"Perhaps," Alwyn said with a shrug. "But I won't know until I look. Besides, seeing more of the world is a wonder for those of us so lucky to do so. It would be ungrateful to squander the opportunity you have provided me."
"I'm glad, I hope I can still count on your council while you're there."
Alwyn bowed his head. "If there is any advice I can offer you, then I will."
"Thank you Alwyn." She waited patiently until the small convoy was ready. "Ride," she ordered, and the portcullis of Storm's End rattled upwards and Shireen led the convoy out.
