11th Month of 230A.L. King's Landing

King Maekar I Targaryen

It was true what they said, a parent's worst nightmare was losing their children before they themselves died. Maekar had known that pain when Daella's body had come floating before him, and now he knew that pain twice over. Aerion had died in battle just as his sanity had seemed better, and now Daeron had died of a pox he had caught from a whore. Maekar felt like the gods were punishing him for the sins he had committed, or that his family had committed and he ached with sorrow everytime he saw Naerys walking around with a vacant look in her eyes. Her pain was amplified in his own eyes and mind, and yet his grandson by Aerion, Maegor was now his heir, the boy was but a babe, and so far seemed a sweet babe, but there was a worry in Maekar's mind, he was old now and he knew that he had not long to live, he worried what would happen should he die and Maegor became king as a child.

It was an issue that plagued him most of the times, and it was something he thought over and rapt his mind around almost daily. It was also something his council discussed at great length as they were doing now. "A council might need to be called to settle the matter once and for all." Lord Daeron Velaryon said. "After all Bracken is more than likely going to want his grandson on the throne but then again the Massey family might want Daeron's daughter on the throne as well, after all they do not seem to want to give up the power they have accumulated."

Aegon spoke then. "Little Baela cannot become Queen, not whilst Maegor or myself and my children remain alive. But I can see Lord Massey trying something like that. He is nowhere as honourable as his father was, and as such he might ally with those men who Aerion angered during his life."

"What would you suggest then? A great council would do more than just settle the matter, it would bring the Blackfyres into consideration and there are those who do believe the black dragon is the rightful ruler of Westeros still." Lord Beesbury said.

Maekar saw his son run a hand over his head and heard him sigh. "Exactly which is why I fear what could happen. A great council need not be called, but Maegor is a babe and as such he might be challenged, and the Blackfyres will cause havoc the minute they realise Maegor is on the throne. I suppose we can only hope that you live to see Maegor a man grown Your Grace."

Maekar looked at his son then and smiled wryly. "And here I was thinking that I might finally have earnt some rest. But no, what you say makes sense, I will endeavour to stay alive long enough to see Maegor a man grown. Of course Bittersteel is more than likely plotting another invasion right around now. Lord Osgrey what news do you have of the war in the north?"

Osgrey was silent a moment before he said simply. "It would appear that Donnor Stark continues to hold the advantage Your Grace. Though Brandon Stark managed to repel the Riverlords back to behind the neck and back into the Riverlands, the Valemen under Jonos Royce and Jasper Arryn have launched another invasion from the Sisters and this time it seems they are gaining some footway."

Maekar nodded and then asked. "What have they taken in the north and who are they fighting for now?"

Osgrey looked down at his notes and then said. "Oldcastle has fallen to the Valemen, and House Locke is down to two girls, the daughters of Lord Locke. Widow's Watch is under siege now and another force of men is heading towards Moat Cailin from the east. Brandon Stark will find his forces stretched very thin. And of course they fight for Benjen Stark son of Artos Stark. They continue to deny the existence of Edwyle Stark or his sister Branda."

Maekar sighed then and said. "Would that this had never happened. Edwyle Stark I fear must grow up in exile in Riverrun or Raventree Hall. For the throne cannot afford to send more men northwards at this moment."

"Will you give the throne's blessing to the Vale's war for Benjen Stark then Your Grace? After all after Edwyle, the boy has the best claim to Winterfell." Aegon asked.

Maekar shook his head and said. "No, the throne must continue to support Edwyle Stark otherwise a very dangerous precedent will be set and we will find more war being waged in Westeros than would be healthy. Besides, I am beginning to think that perhaps Donnor Stark might be the only preferred victor of this conflict for the throne."

There was a shocked silence and then Aegon spoke up. "Surely you don't mean that Your Grace? If Donnor Stark wins, the north will become independent and we will be forced by duty to have to actually get involved to fight to make it part of Westeros once more. And then the Blackfyres will most definitely invade and we shall be stuck on two fronts."

Maekar sighed and took a sip of wine before he replied. "Aye, but Donnor Stark would give us a moment's respite and allow us to collect our thoughts. Also the man is by all accounts a Tyrant, and so should he become King, it would not take long before his people realise what a bad choice he is as their ruler, and they should turn back to the throne and that would be when Edwyle Stark shall return as victorious."

Aegon looked at him then and asked. "And what if they don't? What if they keep fighting behind Donnor Stark even when it would be better that he be removed for the good of the north?"

Maekar sighed then and said simply. "Then we shall have to let the north go."

12th Month of 230 A.L. Starpike

Lord Matthew Peake

His family had once been great, House Peake had been one of the foremost houses at the court of King Aegon IV and King Daeron the Young Dragon. Their decline had begun under the reign of the Falseborn and when Matthew's great grandfather Gormon had sided with Daemon Blackfyre the true Dragon, they had lost pretty much everything when the black dragon had died. The second rebellion had cost them Lord Gormon and even Matthew's grandfather had lost his own life, to Bloodraven's harsh justice. And so Matthew's own father Damon had remained neutral when the Black Dragon had invaded eleven years ago, determined to preserve the one thing that they had left Starpike. But it was a bitter pill for Matthew to swallow, growing up he had heard all the tales of the brave deeds his ancestors had done, and now he looked at his house and saw nothing but ruins and decay and it angered him.

His own family, was beginning to see the rise of the family once more. His wife Saera was beautiful a woman from Volantis with connections to wealth, wealth he had used to repair Starpike to its former glory and to buy back one of the castles they had lost during the first rebellion. His three children were also growing into strong and proud warriors, his eldest and heir Arthur was a good lad, with a good head on his shoulders, smart and good with a sword he would make a fine lord when the time came. His second son Berros was a quiet lad, grim and solemn but someone who as a squire to Lord Corbray was getting battle experience in the north and was slowly learning the weaknesses of the both the north and the Vale, something that could be useful when the time came. As for his third son Alton, Alton was a quiet sort who barely said anything and when he did usually it was to his mother, and that was that. All in all Matthew was determined to see his house rise from its decline, stronger and better than before.

The first step of that plan involved exposing the frailties within the Reach and the Throne's hold on the Reach. As such Matthew was meeting with Lords Appleton, Costayne, the red apple Fossoways, Rowan and Ser Malcolm Tyrell who was there on his brother Lord Otto's orders. Matthew looked at them all and spoke. "Welcome to Starpike my lords, I hope you find it to your liking. Now we are here to discuss the Iron Throne and its preoccupation with the north. Now war has been raging in the north for nearly three years now, and as such the north will be nothing but a shell when all the fighting is done. Furthermore King Maekar has aged several years during this conflict and his heir is but a child. Now there is a chance for us to get something out of all of this, and if we are to do that we must discuss the most effective way of doing so."

Lord Rowan spoke then his voice clipped. "What would you suggest Lord Matthew? Rebellion might serve well but it depends on what form it comes in."

Matthew was silent a moment and then said. "We start by refusing to pay taxes to the throne. We pay those we owe to Highgarden but whatever due to the throne we refuse and we shall refuse and refuse."

Lord Rowan nodded, and Lord Appleton spoke. "That should be easily done, after all I doubt the king even looks at the bills from the taxes. Nor does that fool Beesbury. But what then, when they do eventually realise what we have been doing?"

Ser Malcolm spoke then. "Well King Maekar will demand an answer for this, and my brother will tell him that he has been trying to get one from you lot, and that you have been refusing to pay these taxes. And then should all go accordingly the king himself will march for the Reach and that is where the battle begins."

Lord Costayne spoke then his voice high and reedy. "That is a very risky move my lords. First of all it puts us in grave danger of actually bringing attention to ourselves, secondly there is no guarantee that Lord Tyrell will do as you say Ser Malcolm. Forgive me but your brother has been known to flit between plots like a whore flits between lovers. It could all end up in smoke with all of our heads on spikes."

Matthew feared for a moment that Ser Malcolm would bristle with anger but he merely laughed then and said. "That is a fair enough comment my lord. But trust me when I say that Otto is committed to this cause more now so than ever before. After all King Maekar has given the Reach Many slights, as has House Targaryen over the years and it is time that those slights were addressed. We shall stand behind you and your plot."

There was a murmur of agreement then, but then Lord Peter Fossoway of the red apple Fossoways spoke up and his voice held a sneer in it. "And what has brought about this sudden change in loyalties from Highgarden Ser? What insults have the Targaryens dealt you that they have not dealt houses of higher repute?"

At this Matthew did see Ser Malcolm become taut, but his voice was eerily calm when he said. "I will not share family matters with you Fossoway. But know this, House Tyrell wants what is best for the Reach and at this present time that is to support its bannermen in their reluctance to pay taxes to the Iron Throne. When the time comes, you shall be grateful for our support in this matter."

There was silence then and then Matthew spoke up. "Now that that is settled, are we ready to agree to this?" Once the lords nodded, and had signed the document brought before them, Matthew felt much more at ease. Step one in his plan had been done, now it was up to the gods to see what happened next.