Ninth Month of 279 A.L. The Eyrie

Lord Jon Arryn

The Vale had been a largely peaceful land for some time now, the mountain clans had not done anything to bring about the wrath of the Eyrie in nearly twenty years. Something that Jon was very grateful for, for he was no longer a young man and though he knew that he could likely best the mountain chiefs in negotiating and planning, he doubted he could beat them in open combat, his skills with a sword were not what they had once been. Still there was peace and plenty for the people of the Vale and for that he was happy. Furthermore, it seemed that the potential crisis of succession that had threatened the Arryn line for some time, what with Jon's first two wives dying without issue and his brother Ronnel dying as well was now resolved. Elbert, Jon's nephew and the knight of the gate had grown into a fine young man, a calm and collected man and a man of honour, Jon knew Elbert would make a fine Lord of the Vale when his time came, and the fact that he was now betrothed to Catelyn Tully as well only served to make Jon hopeful that perhaps one day they might be able to insert more influence at court.

As for his two wards Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark, Jon also held a certain sense of pride for them both as well. Having never had children of his own, he often viewed his two wards as the sons he had never had, and just like any father whenever they achieved something he felt a twinge of pride for them. Their friendship was something that surprised him daily, for they were such different people. Robert the first born son and heir to the Stormlands was a loud, brash and confident young man whilst Eddard the second born son of Winterfell was quiet and shy and could often be quite grim and cold unless you actually knew them. They were both men now though and Ned had returned to Winterfell on the order of his father to attend to some business in the north and Robert, well Robert had had his own situations to deal with. The trouble in the Stormlands had threatened to escalate into a kingdom wide conflict and though Jon had insisted that Robert remain in the Vale until they ascertained a better assessment of the situation once it had become clear that Randyll Tarly would not leave the Stormlands, Jon had thought Robert being the hot blooded young man he was would have wanted to go south and deal with the conflict with his hammer, that he had not had been a worrying thing.

Of course just now that was not the main issue that Jon had to face and as such he had called a meeting between himself, Maester Coleman and Elbert to discuss the latest news from King's Landing and around the kingdoms. "Dark tidings from King's Landing, it would seem that King Aerys paranoia has grown and grown manifold. The burning of Lord Rykker itself shows that the man has lost any sort of stability he might have had after Duskendale." Jon said.

"But these charges of treason, why would Rykker want to do anything that could harm his position at court?" Elbert asked. "As far as we know the man was doing well in court and as a member of the council he could have brought significant gains to his house, why do whatever it is the king thought he had done?"

"Well who knows what Aerys thinks or believes nowadays? It does seem that there was something going on though, Rykker always did seem to be a bit of a slippery customer. It would not surprise me if the man was actually plotting something. But of course we must also be aware that it was the Spider who was the one who found out what Rykker was doing, and if one is to put two and two together there is the fact that the Rykkers came to power around the same time Varys came to King's Landing. That Aerys has not seen to question his master of whispers about why such a thing only came to light now suggests that there is something foul going on." Jon said.

Maester Coleman spoke then. "You believe that Lord Varys had something to do with the plotting that Rykker was doing my lord?" Jon nods and then Coleman speaks. "But then why do that when he already has the ear of the King? Why risk his own position when it seems so secure?"

"He could be operating for another cause, or working steadily to unseat the King and put Prince Rhaegar on the throne. After all it has all but been confirmed that the Starks, Tyrells and Lannisters have given their support to the Prince should he attempt a coup. Varys could be working towards that end." Elbert says.

Jon considers this a moment and then says. "If Prince Rhaegar were to hold a great council and assume power through that method then that would make more sense. But this reliance on whispers and rumours is most unbecoming and dishonourable."

"What are you suggesting the prince is trying to do then uncle?" Elbert asked.

"The Prince has very powerful allies in the Starks and the Tyrells, Tywin Lannister holds the keys to the throne in King's Landing, and Aerys is growing more and more isolated. Ever since Steffon Baratheon died on that ill fated quest, the council and the court has been filled with people who seek to gain favour with Rhaegar. The king has grown isolated and more paranoid. We may very well have a war on our hands." Jon said.

The room is silent for a very long time and then Maester Coleman speaks his voice surprisingly steady. "And if it comes to war, which side will you take my lord?"

"The right one, the honourable one." Is all Jon says.