King Aegon V Targaryen
Winter had come to Westeros, on white wings and white snow. Winter had come two years ago and with it had come a host of problems for Aegon Targaryen, fifth of his name and King of the Seven Kingdoms. Winter had seen the Blackwater frozen, for the first time since the Targaryens had landed in Westeros, with the Blackwater frozen it was hard for trade ships to enter and leave the city and port. As such Aegon had been forced to divert traffic to Maidenpool and then have the goods transported from there by cart, something that had left him feeling very nervous, after all the Mootons had been rather meek and submissive during the last war to have engulfed Westeros, and he was not sure whether they could be completely trusted.
There had been other problems as well, bandits had emerged in the Kingswood and had been harassing the nobles close to Fawnton and Haystack Hall, Aegon had been unable to ride out and deal with the bandits himself, he was the king now and could not afford to tarry with such things, and so instead he had sent his first born and heir Duncan. Duncan was twenty seven now, and was still unwed, something that worried Aegon somewhat, the vultures where still circling trying to get their hands into the heir to the Iron Throne. The bandits had been dealt with swiftly and efficiently, their leader hung, drawn and quartered. Duncan had proven how effective he could be and as such Aegon was considering giving him more responsibility.
Something that perhaps might actually do his son some good, Duncan was a carefree lad with an easiness that Aegon had never truly possessed. He had a gift of making everyone like him and as such that gift had made him think that life was easy, easier than it should be for the heir to the throne. Duncan had never truly taken any of his duties seriously, even when it came down to the issue of marriage. There had been offers from Lords Tyrell, Redwyne, Arryn and Whent for Duncan's hand, all of the lords were proud men who would do well for the throne to have more closely aligned to the throne, and yet Duncan had hesitated on whom to marry, some had questioned Aegon's decision to give his son the choice of choosing his wife, saying that he should simply make the match, and yet Aegon did not want his son to be saddled with a wife he would not atleast care about. Aegon had wed for love himself, and as such wanted his sons the chance to get to know their possible betrotheds before making a decision. The problem was that Duncan as with most things in his life, had tarried for so long that Lord Tyrell's sister had died from a fever two years ago, Lord Redwyne's daughter was now betrothed to Luthor Tyrell and Arryn and Whent continued to wait patiently for Aegon to give them a response to their offer. Yes, Duncan would most definitely benefit from some increased responsibility in the council meetings.
Rhaelle had done her duty, his daughter had always been very dutiful doing as she was told and never failing to exceed her parents' expectations, it was pure luck Aegon supposed that she actually loved her husband Lord Edric Baratheon, and that they now had a son named Steffon who was seven years old. Baratheon was like all of his family, black of hair, blue of eyes and fierce of temper though Aegon had seen how he doted on Rhaelle, and that made him happy, he had bad memories of a previous Baratheon lord and how he had treated another dragon princess. Still one good marriage had not removed the headaches that Aegon faced from his lords due to the choices of his other sons. Jaehaerys, his second son, frail of health but sharp of mind had married for love, wedding Alysanne Osgrey, a ward for her father's good behaviour, and as such as his son was not the heir, Aegon had consented, and so far the couple had two children Aerys and Rhaella, who were both five years old. Jaehaerys wedding had caused a bit of a stir in the Reach Aegon knew, for there were those who thought the Osgreys traitors a family that needed to be taught a very sharp lesson, and though Aegon agreed with them, he also knew that with his daughter wed to a prince of the blood Harrold Osgrey was not like to side with the black dragon ever again, thus removing a major obstacle to any further wars that might be waged. Aelix his third and youngest son who had been knighted by Aegon's goodbrother Lord Maegon Velaryon, had wed Desmera Charlton, a girl he had met on his travels through the riverlands. Aelix was the third son and so Aegon had seen nothing wrong with the wedding taking place and though the Charlton girl had not yet given his son any children, Aegon was not too concerned about that, Aelix had always been able to look after himself. If anything Aegon was more concerned about whom Duncan was to wed.
There were other matters that Aegon had to think on as well, another Vulture King had arisen in the marches, nothing like the first Vulture King who had been a Toyne. This man was some lowborn bandit who had begun preaching against Aegon and his family and had developed quite a following within the marches. Aegon had sent word to Lords Dondarrion and Cafferen and had ordered them to deal with the man and his followers, and though there had been battle the Vulture King had escaped and had been traipsing around the countryside before Aelix had found him near his home in the Riverlands and had him hanged. His followers continued to plague the marches though and Aegon was beginning to think that perhaps a much more serious course of action might need to be taken.
He was sat in the council chambers, Dunk sat on his left, Lord Domeric Bolton sat to his right, Ser Edrick Lannister the master of whispers sat to Bolton's right, Lord Maegon the master of ships, Grand Maester Justin, Aegon's son Duncan was present as were Lord Boremund Swann the master of laws and Lord Matthew Bracken the master of coin. Aegon sighed deeply and then spoke. "Thank you for coming my lords. Now I would hear what news you have for me."
Lord Bracken spoke first. "Despite the freezing of the Blackwater, trade continues to flourish Your Grace. The goods coming and going from Maidenpool have seen the crown's coffers rise in gold by thirty percent compared to what they were three years ago. The loans from the Iron Bank have now all been paid off."
Aegon nodded. "That is good my lord. We must make sure that we do not need another loan from the bank for some time. Are our coffers full?"
"They are Your Grace." Bracken replied.
"Good," Aegon said. "I want some money set aside for when we must begin repairing the trade bridges from the river out into the docks for when the Blackwater thaws. Maester Justin has the citadel said when the winter will end?"
Maester Justin was an old man his days were numbered but still when he spoke all listened. "They believe that this winter will end soon enough Your Grace. When they could not say, but there are reports from Oldtown of the Whispering Sound beginning to thaw, and so they believe that it will be another year before this winter is finally over."
"Very well then," Aegon said. "I want a raven sent to the citadel saying that the minute they see any movement on the Whispering Sound they are to write here, and let us know so that suitable arrangements can be made."
Ser Edrick Lannister spoke then. "Your Grace, I have news from across the narrow sea pertaining to Haegon Blackfyre and the Golden Company's movements that will be of significant interest to yourself and Prince Duncan." Aegon looked at the man and then nodded for him to continue. "My sources across the sea tell me that it appears that Haegon Blackfyre has broken his alliance with Aerion Targaryen and Volantis. It seems the two had an argument about the direction Blackfyre was heading and as such Blackfyre has taken the company back to Tyrosh and sits plotting his next move."
So it seems you can still make people hate you brother. Aegon thought with some satisfaction. Aloud he said. "This is good news. Was there any clear indication over what they fell out over? And do your sources know how guarded the King of Volantis is?"
Ser Edrick was silent for a minute and then he replied. "There are no clear indications over what it was that they exactly fell out over Your Grace. But I do know that without the Golden Company in Volantis there is no significant strength there preventing some of the minor nobles from rebelling against Aerion Targaryen. Furthermore the king is guarded by some twelve fire cloaks night and day, as are his wife and children. It is said he also consorts with the priests of the Lord of Light who are supposed to be more effective at seeing threats than his own spymaster."
"Very well. Still there will be those within Essos who will want him dead just as badly as we do. Use your contacts across the narrow sea to get in contact with the Faceless Men. We shall be needing their services soon enough." Aegon said.
"The faceless men Your Grace?" Lord Bracken stammered. "Do you not think that is a bit much effort to go to remove someone who might not even be a threat anymore?"
Aegon stared at the man and merely said. "So long as Aerion lives, those who do not like my reign or my family will have him as a beacon to use against me. I will not suffer him living. Though he is my brother he must die, and so must his son and grandson. There is tension in Volantis and it must be done. Edrick I want you to also keep an eye on Tyrosh, perhaps we can use the new tension between the two to our advantage."
Ser Edrick nodded and then said. "There has also been word from our contacts in the north. Prince Daemon Stark wed Samaira Dustin two moons past and the girl is now pregnant. It also seems that Daemon Stark is working to have the council legitimise his bastard brother Gyles as a Stark as well."
"Very well. Tell our contact that he should continue doing as he is, and that he shall need to act soon enough. There will not be much time before another wolf brat is born. Did he say anything about Daeron Stark and whether the mad man takes part in the council sessions?" Aegon replied.
Ser Edrick smiled and he had never looked more like a lion then he did then. His voice was soft but full of glee when he replied. "Daeron Stark remains isolated from his council and form most of the northern court. Daemon Stark does most of the ruling, and the northern lords continue to grumble about that. Furthermore though, Stark is building weapons for war, and continues to listen to whatever prattle his grandson Lucerys Blackfyre whispers in his ear."
Aegon smiled then as well. "That is good. Maester Justin I want word sent to Lord Mallister, he is to begin preparing his men, soon enough they will need to march. I want word sent to Lord Arryn as well, he is to begin training his men as well.. I will also want word sent to our contact in the north, soon enough he will need to begin mapping the north and its weak spots, and this time they will not get away with their treachery."
Prince Daemon Stark
He bore a dragon's name, but he was of the north. He knew that from the way he could walk through the cold and the snow and not bat an eyelid whilst his cousin Lucerys Blackfyre shivered and had snot gathered on his nose. He could never understand how someone like Lucerys who claimed to be fire made flesh, could continue to be so cold in the north despite having grown up and spent his whole life in the north. Daemon did not appreciate the fact that Lucerys did not even seem to be grateful of the fact that whilst his cousins in Essos had to continuously wander round and fight for their shelter and home, he had always had a roof over his head and was always provided for, food and shelter that could have been given to more deserving northerners, people who actually cared about their home. Lucerys was nothing more than an arrogant bastard, who took what he had for granted and constantly complained about the bleakness of the north, and Daemon knew that had he ever said something like that his grandfather would have beaten him for it, and Lucerys got away with it all the time. He resented that, just as he resented the Blackfyres continued existence in the north.
His grandfather the 'great' Daeron Stark was an old man who continued to live in the past, Daemon had been there when his great aunt Elaena had given his grandfather a talking to, and he remembered over hearing his grandmother and great uncle Donnel speaking about that afterwards and how both of them hoped and prayed that his grandfather would return to how he had been before the madness. Daemon had heard stories of the great man his grandfather had been, the skilled warrior, the compassionate father and husband, and yet the man he saw everyday in Winterfell was nothing more than a shell, a husk of a former great man driven by his desire to seat dragon scum on a southern throne. Daemon's grandmother Dacey told Daemon that his grandfather had improved from how he had been before, he was no longer so mad, and blindly devoted to one thing. But Daemon thought it was easy for her to say that. His grandmother had come back to Winterfell along with him and had known Daeron Stark both as he had been before and after the madness, and so had something to work with. Daemon had nothing; his grandfather paid him not the slightest bit of attention, devoting his attention to Lucerys Blackfyre. When he had been younger perhaps fourteen, Daemon had asked his grandmother if he had done something to displease his grandfather, and she had simply smiled at him sadly and said he had not. But then why would his grandfather never speak to him?
Daemon had first met his grandfather when he was twelve, the day his great aunt Elaena died, before then he had only known his grandmother Queen Dacey, his great uncle Donnel, his cousin Edwyn, his brother Gyles and his uncle Jorah. After his aunt Elaena's funeral he had not seen his grandfather again until a few days after his fourteenth nameday when he had arrived at Winterfell to be presented before the court of winter and officially named as the heir to the throne of winter. Later he had heard two of the guardsmen, winter's guard he thought, saying that the king had only summoned him to Winterfell because of the reports that had reached him about what Daemon had done to the pirates who had attacked Ramsgate. The pirates had raided and raped their way through Ramsgate and the coast before Daemon had led men from White Harbour, he had decided to do the task as a prince of the north it was his duty he had argued, and so they had smashed the pirates to bits and Daemon had flayed the captain of the pirates and then hung his entrails on the heart tree in the godswood. The guards he had overheard talking had said that the king had only summoned him to court because he was scared his grandson and heir was a monster, and not the perfect heir that Lucerys Blackfyre was, that had stung eve more when he had seen how much attentions his grandfather paid to Lucerys and how little he seemed to care about Daemon or Gyles.
What stung even more was that, despite his grandmother reassuring him that his grandfather did actually care about him, he never got any acknowledgement for the hard work he put in alongside maester Aemon in ruling the north whilst his grandfather built war machines and weapons for another southern war. His grandfather never attended council meetings and instead spent his time with either Daemon's grandmother or with Lucerys Blackfyre but never with Daemon or his brother Gyles. That stung and it hurt, and he hated that it did so, he should have been used to it by now, he was a man grown, wed and a father. Daemon Stark had wed Samaira Dustin, the eldest daughter of Lord Roger Ryswell a year ago today, and unlike most couples, Daemon had actually known his betrothed beforehand, having spent some time visiting the north with his grandmother and uncle Jorah. They had stayed at Barrowtown many time during their journeys and he had struck up quite a good friendship with the Dustins and Samaira in particular.
It helped he supposed that she was nice and easy to talk to, despite being the heir Daemon had never had the confidence in speaking with girls as his brother Gyles had, or even that bastard Lucerys. He was always worried that he would say the wrong thing, or something that would make them think him foolish and an idiot, and that was something he could not truly bear, not that feeling of pain and rejection, he had suffered enough of that already. Samaira though was a completely different story she was easy to talk to and he found he generally did like her company, and their daughter Jorelle was the light of his life, his everything, she was so precious to him and he never wanted to give her up.
As much as he wanted to spend all of his time with his wife and daughter, he had other duties to attend to and as such found himself stuck in the council chambers, with Maester Aemon, Lord Commander of the Winter's Guard Asphell Wull, High Steward Edwyle Stark, High Shadow Lord Donnor Reed, High Admiral of the northern fleet Lord Edrick Cassel and master of coin Lord Rodwell Manderly. There was much that needed to be discussed today, many important issues. Daemon cleared his throat and said. "I thank you for coming today my lords. I know my grandfather would thank you as well, but other matters have taken up his attention. Now what matters are there for us to discuss today?"
Grand Maester Aemon looked at the papers in front of him and spoke first. "There has been a series of disputes between Lord Dreadstark and Lord Hornwood pertaining to certain piece of land, that both claims are their own. Neither has backed down and neither is willing to bring the matter before court, and so the issue is here in council."
Daemon sighed, he knew both men, Lord Brandon Dreadstark known as ice eyes for the paleness of his eyes, was a proud man and stubborn and feared. Lord Donnel Hornwood was proud and stronger than he was smart. "Very what piece of land is it that they claim?" he asked.
Aemon looks at the paper again and says. "A patch of land big enough to graze sheep on my prince, on the SHeepstead Hills. Dreadstark claims that the land has always belonged to the Dreadfort from the days of old, whilst Hornwood claims that the land has been in his family since the time of his great grandfather."
"Show me the paper Maester." Daemon said. He looked at it thoroughly and then groaned. "That land is Dreadstark's it always has been, I learnt about if as a child in my lessons. Hornwood is grasping at straws. Tell him to give up his claim to the land, otherwise his lay off will become permanent." Aemon nodded and scribbled down what the decision was. Daemon then asked. "Now what more is there for us to discuss?"
Lord Edrick spoke then. "Reports have come in from Lord Greyjoy and from our contacts in the narrow sea, it seems that Aegon Targaryen has started manning his ships and building more war galleys to supplement the royal fleet. As of yet there have been no skirmishes but it does seem as if that will become a very high possibility soon enough."
Daemon nodded and then said. "Very well, I want you to keep Stony Shore on alert, and have the fleet ready should Targaryen strike first. Furthermore I want Lord Greyjoy to patrol the sunset sea, he is not engaging in any actual fighting without my grandfather's leave. I only want information, and Greyjoy will be the one to get if for me. Now what more?"
Lord Reed spoke then. "There are murmurings south of the neck, the Twins are arming themselves, and have engaged in some minor skirmishes with my people my prince. Nothing serious, we captured Ser Edmyn Frey, Lord Walder's brother, and he told us that these skirmishes were being used to give us information and signs about the south. It seems that there is a boiling point in the south that is about to be reached. The marriage of Aegon Targaryen's sons for love has caused some deep anger amongst the nobility. It seems that Prince Duncan's continued bachelorhood also offends many as well. Aegon Targaryen is losing allies faster than he can gather them."
"That is interesting indeed." Daemon muses. "But as of now that is not my concern. My grandfather builds war machines, but we will not need to use them, not now not with peace and winter. What word from the east Lord Reed?"
Lord Reed, wed to Daemon's aunt Elaena is cheerful where his aunt is solemn, smiling where she is grim. Sometimes when he was younger Daemon thought the man a fool, but now he has come to rely on him, perhaps a bit too much. Still the man has yet to fail him and proves his worthiness once more when he says. "Haegon Blackfyre and Aerion Targaryen have parted ways, and the Golden Company once more sits in Tyrosh waiting for another chance to invade Westeros. Aerion Targaryen continues to consolidate his hold on Volantis and so far faces no threats to his reign. None know what caused the separation and no theories have been provided as of yet. There has also been word from Dorne. It appears that Loreza Martell and the Yronwoods have completely reconciled now, after the birth of her heir, the Princess of Dorne has determined that husband's nephew shall foster with them, and that he shall be knighted soon enough. The Yronwoods will not fight against their won kin."
Daemon nodded, he did not particularly care about the south, and his grandfather was the one who would be interested in such issues. Daemon then asked Lord Edwyle. "What word from Skagos my lord? Has the dispute there been sorted out?" There had been a minor skirmish within Skagos for control of the island following his uncle's marriage to last surviving heir of Gorne Magnar.
"There has been my prince." Edwyle said his voice grim. "The fools remembered who they owed their allegiance to, and as such have named Donnor Bonebreaker as their ruler now. The man has promised to sent men to aid Lord Borros Reyne at Long Lake to deal with the wildlings who are threatening his lands."
"That is good. I shall need to speak to my grandfather about sending more aid to the Night's Watch we cannot have wildlings getting past the wall. Not now, not during winter." Daemon said. Grandfather will have to see me then, and this time I will not be refused, damn Lucerys to each of the seven hells.