Edwyle Stark

With the realm at peace, and there being no significant threat to the throne or the Targaryen rule, King Brynden had decided to take the royal family away from the capital for some time and venture to the Eyrie, for them to meet the Queen's brother and his family. As such Edwyle, as hand of the king was left in charge, to oversee the running of the city and the kingdoms and make sure that all went smoothly. Things were still tense between Edwyle and the king, there was not the same sort of camaraderie that they had had before the king had learnt the truth of his parentage, and though Edwyle would never admit it out loud, he did miss that. He had never truly had friends growing up, he had been too grim and solemn, had been too shy for such things, but his friendship with the king had been what had made living in this pit of vipers bearable, and now with that on the rocks, Edwyle felt his patience beginning to run out. It was only his sense of duty that was preventing him from returning to Winterfell now.

Yet he knew not how to get through to the King, and end the tension between them, he knew not what words he needed to say to make the King see that all that had been done, had been done for his own good and to protect him and the realm. The king was a proud man, with a deep sense of honour and justice, and yet when it came to family, he was very, very protective, and Edwyle knew Brynden felt as if he had been wronged, not that he could blame him, but still it was not right for the king, a grown man to act so cold towards himself as well as his own mother, though Queen Aelinor received the silent treatment to a lesser extent. Edwyle shook his head then slightly as the council doors opened, though the king was away it was still necessary to conduct business as usual which meant the small council had to meet, and meet regularly.

The doors opened to allow, master of laws Prince Aegon Targaryen, master of coin Lord Garon Lannister, Grand Maester Derryck, master of whispers Prince Maron Martell, and master of ships Tyrek Baratheon into the room. These were the men who helped rule and keep the realm together, a good lot, and an honourable and loyal lot. Prince Aegon was the king's second closest advisor the one whom he paid the most attention to after Edwyle, and though the Prince did sometimes have a few funny notions about what ruling entailed, generally Edwyle appreciated what the man had to say. Grand Maester Derryck was another person whom Edwyle trusted in the council, old and loyal and cunning as well, the man knew the intricacies of court politics as well as anyone Edwyle had ever met. Tyrek Baratheon was a lout though, a drunken brute who lived in the shadow of his father, the old and strong Robar Baratheon, the man was pushing thirty now, and his hair was beginning to thin and his belly was beginning to expand, why Prince Aegon had thought to wed his daughter to this man Edwyle knew not. All he knew was that when Lord Robar's day came, the Stormlands would suffer for it. Prince Maron Martell was an enigma, though he had served on the council for a year now, Edwyle still did not know all that much about him, and that was something he did not quite like. The man did his job well, providing the king and council with the whispers from across the narrow sea and throughout the realm, but of course his skills had yet to be tested what with there being no true threats to the realm.

Edwyle spoke once the rest of the council were seated. "My lords, I thank you for coming. With the King away in the Eyrie, it is up to us to make sure that the realm continues to run smoothly. As such I would hear what matters there are for us to discuss."

Maester Derryck spoke then. "There is the issue of this raven from the Night's Watch. It appears that there has been movement from beyond the wall, of Wildlings congregating. Lord Commander Sand wishes for some aid from the throne."

Edwyle knew that most of the council did not take the Watch seriously, and saw it only as a institution to send those who were troubled, or did not conform to society. Edwyle however, knew that the Watch was important and the throne would do well to heed whatever words they had from the place. "What sort of aid does Lord Commander Sand wish from the throne?"

Maester Derryck peered at the letter once more and then said. "Men and gold for buying weapons. He writes that he worries that there might be another incursion."

At that Lord Garon Lannister, Edwyle's goodbrother snorted. "An incursion? From those savages beyond the wall? When have they ever been able to succeed in doing anything? The last time they got beyond the wall in any great numbers Artos Stark through them back. Why should we waste our money and men on a non threat, when there are more present threats here?"

Edwyle, grimaces, he truly does not like his goodbrother, and can understand why Brynden despises the man. His tone is cold when he replies. "Because the Watch is what stands between us and those savages Lord Lannister. Were it not for them, we would likely be infected by wildlings as of now. The royal coffers are full to bursting, you yourself said as much last time we met. Surely you can spare some gold to have it shipped off to the north? As for the men, I will speak with Loren and see who wants to join, and what people from the dungeons are fit for service." There is some murmuring of agreement; they all fear him too much to object, no matter their own personal beliefs. "Now what else is there to speak of?"

Tyrek Baratheon, the lout speaks then. "I have spoken with Torreg Grimstone the shipbuilder about those extra ships that the King asked about. He has said that he would be willing to have his men build them for his grace. He says it would take roughly a year to build the three ships and would cost roughly 20,000 dragons."

Edwyle nods, before he had left for the Vale, the King had spoke about wishing to have three new ships built in order to supplant the royal fleet, a matter of pride Edwyle thinks, to show that the throne is better than the Lannisters and the Greyjoys with regards to naval power, though there has not been a naval battle since the Dance. Still when he speaks he directs his question toward Garon. "Lord Garon see to it that this Grimstone is paid the amount he wants, try and haggle it down if you can, if not then pay the amount. Now what more is there to discuss?"

Prince Aegon speaks then, his voice tired sounding, as of late the prince has been sounding very tired, and Edwyle wonders what it is that has been causing such increased tiredness for the man, considering they are of the same age and Edwyle has never felt so alive. "The training of the new recruits for the City Watch has been completed, yet there is not enough space for them to live. There are also people preaching in the streets against you my lord hand. Some have been arrested for graffiti some of the more local monuments including the monument put up for Prince Maelor and Prince Baelor."

Edwyle sighs then. "The barracks of the city watch are being expanded, we all know that. As for these fools, either send them to the Watch or have them suitably punished. I will not have them graffiti the monument to the princes." Aegon nods his head, and Edwyle then directs his next question to Prince Maron who has remained rather silent throughout the whole meeting so far. "Prince Maron, what news from across the narrow sea?"

Prince Maron, a salty Dornishman, with a glib tongue, smiles slightly and then says. "Oh much and more my lords, much and more. If only His Grace was here, he would delight in hearing what I have to say." The man pauses for a moment and then begins speaking once more. "Of the Blackfyre pretender and the Golden Company, I can tell you that they remain in Tyrosh, the two headed monster sits and broods thinking of what to do next, as some of his generals those who have stood behind his father and his family for years, leave or die. Soon enough the Golden Company will be made up of green boys and old men. But the more interesting news is that of the Brightflames." At this Edwyle's ears perk up, the King had after learning the truth of his parentage had discreetly told Maron that he wanted Aerion Brightflame's children found and brought back to Westeros. "Yes, they reside in Pentos and Myr. The bastards in Pentos and the true born in Myr. It seems the Brightflame liked to spread his seed around."

"What of his son Aenar?" Edwyle asks. Aerion Targaryen had wed some Blackwood girl not long before his death, the boy had been but a babe, the girl had died under strange circumstances not long after, the babe had disappeared. Searches had turned up fruitless.

Prince Maron smiles then. "Aenar is the one holding his brothers and sisters in Myr. He holds onto them tightly, and someday wishes to claim back Summerhall from his uncle."

There is a long silence and then Edwyle says. "Very well, keep an eye on them. Both sets, and then once you know more we shall talk about what needs to be done next." With that the council meeting comes to an end, and Edwyle breathes a sigh of relief and makes his way to the godswood, followed by Ser Gerold Hightower of the Kingsguard. He sits by the heart tree and closes his eyes and begins to pray.

He is not sure how long he has been before the Heart Tree when he hears a sword being unsheathed, he is about to berate Ser Gerold for drawing his sword in such a setting, when he hears a voice, a cold voice. "Move aside Ser, and let me get to the heathen."

He remains silent, his eyes closed and listens as Ser Gerold says. "I cannot do that. Now leave or I will kill you."

"You would abandon the faith to protect this traitor? Pah you are no knight." The man says once more.

He hears a rustling and knows that Ser Gerold has advanced closer to the man, that is when he speaks. "Ser Gerold, let the man past. I would hear what he has to say." Ser Gerold steps back and when Edwyle opens his eyes there is a man with thick auburn hair standing before him, a dagger drawn. Edwyle smiles slightly then and says. "Now tell me good man, what have I done that warrants you attempting to kill me hmm?"

The man looks at him as if he has grown a second head. "You, you are a heathen and a blasphemer. Not worth the air you breathe. You have lead the King away from the true path of dedication, and have made him believe in the words of evil. I am here to do the realm a service and remove you from this world."

Edwyle laughs slightly then and says. "Truly now? And how do you plan to do that?"

The man looks affronted, and it shows in his voice when he says. "I have a dagger in my hand. I plan on killing you now, and I will not hesitate to do so. The Faith must have more power in this city of sinners."

Edwyle laughs once more and stands up then, to his full height, and he notes with some grim satisfaction that the man cowers back almost bumping into Ser Gerold. "No I think not. For if you truly meant to kill me you would have done so by now. No I think it is time to end this farce." With that he takes the dagger from the man's hand and then coldly says. "Ser Gerold hold the man if you please." Once the man is secure in Ser Gerold's grip he plunges the dagger deep into the man's gut. Once the man's has stopped moving he pulls the dagger out, cleans it and then places the dagger back into the man's hand. "Put his body in the grove near the bushes. Let the birds and other vermin get to him." Ser Gerold nods and then does just that, once that is done Edwyle walks back into Red Keep, but does not go to the Tower of the Hand, instead he walks towards Queen Dowager Aelinor's chambers. He must speak with her, he needs to ask her advice on a few things.

He knocks twice, on the second knock she opens the door. Aelinor Targaryen had always been a beautiful woman, Edwyle remembers that he had a crush on her when he was a boy squiring for Prince Maekar, and now he still sometimes feels slightly tongue tied around her. She smiles at him and then asks. "Lord Edwyle, is aught a miss?"

Edwyle taking his cue from her, simply says. "The king and I, we must talk about that."

Aelinor nods and then leads him further into her chambers, once they are away from the door and safely ensconced somewhere where none of the spies that wander the passageways of the Red Keep can hear them she speaks. "Has my son still not spoken to you? Not even a letter?"

"No he has not. I do not mean to sound a child, but it is beginning to worry me. The King and the Hand are supposed to work as a team that cannot happen if one does not speak to the other, or refuses to do so." Edwyle says.

Aelinor sighs then and she replies. "Brynden has always been a proud person, even as a boy. His pride was hurt as was his belief in what was real and not when we told him the truth. He will come around eventually though. Fear not Edwyle, my son is stubborn not stupid. He knows that you two need to be speaking with one another for the kingdoms to work properly."

Edwyle nods and then asks her. "Has there been any word from the Rock? I had been told by Myriah that Daenys meant to come and visit. Will she be able to come?"

As so often happens when discussion turns to the eldest of her children Aelinor's eyes go sad, and her expression changes. "No, she shall not be able to come. Lord Garon has told her he does not wish for her to come. No doubt so he can keep whoring and drinking, and waste away whatever life he has left. Daenys does not wish to come anyway, I believe there were threats issued by Garon in his letter to her."

Edwyle is shocked. He has never been able to understand why Garon Lannister mistreats his wife so, Daenys is a wonderful person, sweet and caring, she deserves nothing but happiness, not the beatings and fear that Garon Lannister gives her. "I take it Brynden does not know this then? That he never even knew?"

Aelinor shakes her head. "No, I thought it best he did not know. Otherwise he would have killed Garon Lannister long before, and relations with the Rock are already strained as it is."

Edwyle nods and then says. "I shall look into it; I shall make sure Daenys can come for the tourney. It is only right that she be here." With that he bows and leaves the Queen Dowager's rooms. The King remains in the Vale for two moons, in which time Edwyle holds court, and council sessions oversees the building of new barracks for the gold cloaks and the building of the three new ships for the Royal Fleet as well as listening to more reports about the movements of the Blackfyres.

When the King returns, it is during one warm sunny day. Edwyle is surprised when the king calls him to his chambers; he had thought the king would wish to rest, he is even more surprised when he finds Ser Oberyn Dayne, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard present as well. "Ah Edwyle, sit down please. There is something I wish to discuss with you."

Edwyle sits down and then waits for the king to begin speaking. When he does, the King looks quite sad, and for a moment Edwyle fears something has happened. "I would like to apologise for the way I behaved the months before I left for the Vale. It was not right nor very kingly of me. I hope we can put it behind us and continue to work as the effective team that we are."

Edwyle is quite surprised by this; still he merely nods and says. "Of course Your Grace. It would be my pleasure."

The king smiles then and says. "Good, now that that is out of the way. There is something more pressing that I wish to discuss with you. The issue of Garon Lannister."

Ah, so that is what has drawn the king away from his rest. "What of Lannister Your Grace?" Edwyle asks.

"I know what he said to my sister, what he has said to Daenys and what he has been doing to Daenys for some time. Even if my sister did not wish for me to know, I have my ways of knowing. This has gone on long enough. The man has mistreated my sister for long enough, Tytos Lannister is a man grown with children of his own now, it is time he became Lord of the Rock." The King says, anger colouring his tone.

"How would you like for us to deal with him Your Grace?" Edwyle asks though he has a vague idea of what the King wishes.

Ser Oberyn Dayne speaks then. "A white hart has been spotted in the Kingswood, I suggest to His Grace that we organise a hunt for some of the members of the court including Lord Garon."

Brynden nods. "The man is fond of hunting, and it shall be his downfall. I want you to organise for it to happen Edwyle."

"Of course Your Grace." Edwyle replies, he knows just the person to turn to.