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Post by Gandalf on May 22, 2023 8:31:54 GMT -5
The Small Council, moved to Dragonstone after the destruction of King’s Landing and the damage done to the Red Keep.
Hand of the King: Lord Tywin Lannister
Master of Laws: Lord Walter Whent
Master of Coin: Lord Harmund Lefford
Master of Whispers: None
Master of Ships: Lord Lucerys Velaryon
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard:
Lord Marshal: Ser Richard Lonmouth
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 18, 2023 7:36:23 GMT -5
A month or so after the fateful events at the Capitol, King Rhaegar summons the Small Council to meet within the Painted Chamber on Dragonstone.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 18, 2023 10:18:09 GMT -5
The Lord Marshal, Ser Richard of Lonmouth, made his way into the Painted Chamber. His steps were shy, hesitant. He was annoyed at his own nervousness, yet he could not avoid it. What would all these Lords think of him? Ser Richard. Would they heed his advise? Would they nod and then ignore him? Would they condescend him, as if he were a child who had mistankely taken a seat in the adults' table? He did not know and this upset him.
He had used his new incomes to purchase clothing, simple yet fitting. Richard wore a doublet, tailored to fit his form and made of fine wool dyed black. It was adorned with a simple embroidery, on the chest and sleeves, small or kisses sown into it. A burgundy chaperon with a long cornette hanging, dressed his head and, for the first time in his life, he wore jewelry: a silver signet ring with his arms and initials.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 18, 2023 11:34:53 GMT -5
Lord Walter had not been a fan of the rocking waters. Certainly, he was seen by the edge often, throwing up and into the sea below them. The Old Lord of Harrenhal thanked the Seven when he touched ground once more before realizing he'd certainly have to be on boat, again, when the time was to move back the capital. Seven above, be merciful on him!
Entering the Painted Chamber, dressed in his finest livery, Walter smiled at the sight of his youngest son, Damon, who served the King as a cupbearer and squire. He had had a pleasant sleep in Dragonstone and was quite fascinated with the place as this was where the Targaryens had landed and begin their history with Westeros. A number of great names walked within these halls such as Daemon Targaryen, Princess Rhaenyra, Aegon the Uncrowned, the Conqueror himself, and so forth. He took his seat at the table, not before bowing to the King.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 18, 2023 14:49:29 GMT -5
Lucerys Velaryon breathed in the fresh and salty sea air as his ship docked at Dragonstone. Despite his age, he moved with the grace and agility of a younger man on deck and down the dock. The trek up to the castle itself was less forgiving. The slow walk did give him time to observe the ships that had docked. The island certainly made Rhaegar's court more defensible, yet at the same time more isolated from the goings-on of the mainland Seven Kingdoms.
Dressed in fine livery of sea green and white lining, Lucerys strode into the Painted Chamber and took a seat among the other small council members. It was a special feeling to be seated here - Daemon Velaryon, the master of ships to Aegon the Conqueror had advised the king on the invasion of Westeros in this very hall.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 19, 2023 7:40:41 GMT -5
Rhaegar had seated himself on a throne of onyx and ruby, carved like the rest of the castle from the blackened rock of the Dragonmount. It rose from the floor to sit above the gigantic likeness of the Seven Kingdoms, and was the very seat from which the Conqueror had looked down upon the world to plan his conquest of it upon dragonback. At his side were several scribes and Maesters, the aged Pycelle amongst them. He and Lord Velaryon were the only members of the previous King’s court to remain in favour with his successor, for Rhaegar had done everything possible to distance himself from his father’s reign. The ornate, richly adorned crown of Unworthy Aegon had been traded for the simple circlet of beaten gold favoured by the last Aegon, Rhaegar’s great-grandsire.
”My lords.” Greeted the King. The chamber was warmer than the Red Keep, even with the four gaping windows that faced outwards towards the buffeting winds and salted spray of the Narrow Sea; this had been the home of dragons, and the mountain itself breathed fire and smoke. Rhaegar did not seem to be troubled by the heat.
”We have many things to discuss. The Grand Maester has taken the liberty of drawing up an agenda for those that are the most pressing.”
Pycelle duly cleared his throat, and then began to read;
”Before we can continue,” The King interjected sternly once Pycelle had finished, ”I shall make the council aware of my decision to take a second wife in the customs of my forefathers. While the Lady Elia is dear to me and a fine Queen, she can no longer bear me heirs of the body.”
Judging by the silent looks of surprise from Pycelle and the royal scribes, this had been an unplanned addition to the council. Barristan shifted awkwardly, the King’s white shadow aware of the tension that would surely boil with Elia’s own brother in the room.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 19, 2023 8:37:31 GMT -5
Richard's eyes did not widen when he heard Rhaegar's words, but rather he clenched his jaw until he felt ready to speak. "And your majesty is certain that this is an already made decision."
Lonmouth face reddened slightly. His breathing got a bit heavier: his hawkish nose stood out from all the features in his face. Was this about the Northern girl? "I wish not to be impudent, milord, but I think this not to be wise. Princess Elia has been a fine companion for yourself, she is beloved by the people. She will be a good Queen, for a good King."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 19, 2023 9:05:13 GMT -5
Rhaegar blinked in surprise that Lonmouth was first to break the silence.
”She is a good queen, and will remain so. I shall not be setting her aside.” He doubted that Lyanna would be suited to life at court, nor held the temperament that such a role required. ”This will not disrupt the place of the Queen or our children.”
Three children, three heads. There were no more obstacles now; he could follow the signs without obstruction.
”It is already made, yes.” He hesitated for a moment, as if to measure each word. ”I have already pledged to another woman, and she has borne me a son. There were several witnesses and a Septon, though there has been no written contract or open ceremony.”
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Post by poach on Jun 19, 2023 11:40:31 GMT -5
"Would this be the Lady Lyanna Stark, your Grace?" ventured Harmund. All knew of why the rebellion had been fought, and that Lord Stark had been allowed to leave Royal custody in seeming friendship. It would seem logical, therefore, that there was more to the stories than mere abduction.
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trot
Veteran 
Posts: 77
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Post by trot on Jun 19, 2023 16:42:08 GMT -5
Doran's eyes widen at Rheagar's words. "You have a wife your grace." There was a hint of venom in the Dornish man's tone. "No man can have two and my sister yet lives." Doran looked hard at Rheagar. His men had not fought and burned for this. Perhaps this is why Rheagar had been so reckless in attacking the capital and risking Elia's life. He wanted her out of the way.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 19, 2023 17:27:10 GMT -5
"Would this be the Lady Lyanna Stark, your Grace?" ventured Harmund. All knew of why the rebellion had been fought, and that Lord Stark had been allowed to leave Royal custody in seeming friendship. It would seem logical, therefore, that there was more to the stories than mere abduction. Doran's eyes widen at Rheagar's words. "You have a wife your grace." There was a hint of venom in the Dornish man's tone. "No man can have two and my sister yet lives." Doran looked hard at Rheagar. His men had not fought and burned for this. Perhaps this is why Rheagar had been so reckless in attacking the capital and risking Elia's life. He wanted her out of the way.
“I shall not pretend that my own feelings are not involved, nor that I am the conqueror reborn. This is not done as a slight. Neither Elia nor our children shall be displaced.” The King did his best to retain his patience. Doran was a tricky man to navigate when roused; his anger was rarely provoked, which made it all the more terrible when it surfaced.
“But you know as well as I that Elia cannot bear another child. I must have three.”
He finished, fervently. “The Dragon always has three heads.”
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 19, 2023 18:52:43 GMT -5
A few strands of Lonmouth's sand blonde hair escaped from underneath his chaperon and he constantly tried to rearrange them, but to no end.
"If the choice has been made, then this Council's responsability is to help make it a reality." said Richard, wishing to defuse the atmosphere.
"The future High Septon's goodwill on the matter would be an asset. It is important that the Most Devout elect someone who aligns with the King's vision. Prince Doran is a resourceful man. I suggest that he be entrusted to handle it."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 19, 2023 19:15:28 GMT -5
Walter Whent coughs slightly, clearing his throat a little before speaking.
I have already spoken with His Grace on the matter of the upcoming High Septon election back in King's Landing.
The Master of Laws would raise a small piece of parchment before turning to the King.
The support of the Hightowers has been secured for such an event. Lord Leyton seems most receptive, Your Grace. Their support will certainly provide us good leverage and insight into the elective process. With this, the Small Council will have an advantage in making sure a High Septon that will be of help to the Iron Throne is elected. We do not need a hardline and radical voice corrupting the people.
The Riverlander smiles before exhaling slightly, scratching his neck slightly. Recalling some of the books read thus far, a doctrine did come to his mind on the matter of the Faith and marriage.
At the dawn of the Old King's reign, Jaehaerys, the First of His Name, had a handful of holy persons promote the Doctrine of Exceptionalism. Its acceptance, by the High Septon and the Most Devout, was that given the difference of the House Targaryen's lineage with Valyria, and not that of Andalos, meant that only the gods could judge them, not man. They have wedded, in such a way for centuries before the Faith of the Seven. It was promoted to help the Faith and the people understand the extraordinary status that Valyrians had, given their history compared to that of the Andals.
The Master of Law taps his fingers slightly upon the Painted Table before looking at the rest of the Small Council and the King.
As the Conqueror was permitted to have two wives, the example has been set and was confirmed by the Faith at the beginning of his reign. For two Queens were crowned, not one. As such, I do believe that this matter might be best settled by whoever is elected. There are plenty of legal arguments, but so too are there religious ones. Religious ones that allowed the traditional marriage of the Targaryens to continue.
Lord Whent gestures to Rhaegar.
Certainly, His Grace would not have done what he did without reason. He is not Maegor the Cruel who simply killed husbands and stole their fertile wives all because he wanted sons. Nor is he Aegon the Unworthy who sold offices, land grants, and even dragon eggs to bed daughters, sisters, and nieces of the lords willing to get whatever they could from him. Nor is he Lucamore the Lusty who threw all oaths out the window to lie with three wives and have sixteen children rather than be the Kingsguard he had sworn to be.
Walter would then lower his hand, resting it upon the armrest of the chair. Marriage, he felt, was more a private affair after all. The last time marriage was so hotly debated was during the reign of Viserys, when Otto Hightower, the snake he was, snuck his daughter into the King's bed only to ensure conflict and civil war all for the sake of keeping power. After what happened to King's Landing, they did not need that.
We have a capital to rebuild, people to feed, refugees to keep safe, and more that demands our most vital attention, my lords.
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trot
Veteran
Posts: 77
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Post by trot on Jun 19, 2023 19:41:00 GMT -5
Doran ignores the words of Lord Whent and Lontmouth focusing on the last words of Rheagar. What dragon? What did he mean by three heads. Perhaps Aerys madness was already in Rheagar? Still he spoke.
"No Targaryen has had more than one wife in over a hundred years, and the Conqueror was not ruling over ruble." Doran gestures to the burned city. "If you want to take a paramour so be it, but to put her in the same place as your wife and to claim her children are equal to Elia's. Not only does it go against the gods, but you dishonor my sister and my house." Doran pauses looking around at the assembled lords. Whent and Lonmouth would not challenge Rheagar on this or anything, but perhaps the others would speak reason. Rheagar's rule was not that stable.
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Post by poach on Jun 20, 2023 3:51:06 GMT -5
"Much will depend on the stance of the Faith," said Harmund, "it would be unwise to proceed without their blessing on this matter. The election of a new High Septon is therefore, I would suggest, your most immediate concern over this proposal, your Grace."
Reviving what might legitimately be called a defunct family tradition was certainly unorthodox, and politically risky, but if both the Crown and the Faith supported it there would be little left by way of institutional resistance that might thwart the King's ambitions. The Realm was still reeling from the demise of Aerys and from Robert's Rebellion beforehand: Harmund did not believe there was much appetite left amongst the Great Houses for quarreling with the Crown.
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