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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2023 4:14:15 GMT -5
Rhaegar tapped a finger on the arm of the throne as he listened; Whent’s loquacious manner made every other man seem mute by comparison. The King too had read the histories of his own house.
”There is no debate to be had.” He grimaced and shook his head, exasperated at the lack of understanding. ”It has already been done. She is my wife, and our child is my lawful son to follow Aegon should the Gods will it thus.”
He sighed, rubbing the golden circlet where it met his temple. ”If you wish to take this as a slight, Doran, then I can only offer a salve to your wounded pride, not undo what has been already done.”
The king gestured to Whent.
“We will send Lord Whent to oversee the election of the High Septon and ensure that our position is respected. He has already demonstrated an impressive knowledge on the royal marriage traditions, so I can think of none better.”
Lefford was right; the Faith would be the only true obstacle that could muster any serious resistance, and even then it had been toothless for nearly two hundred years.
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trot
Veteran 
Posts: 77
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Post by trot on Jun 20, 2023 9:08:20 GMT -5
"If that is your decision." Doran stands from his seat and glances around the table. "I will take my leave. It seems my presence here is unnecessary." With that Doran exits the room not waiting for Rheagar's dismissal.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 20, 2023 9:08:46 GMT -5
Walter was in agreement with His Grace. This matter was best for the Faith and the Most Devout to decide, not for a council of noblemen. Besides, as he stated previously, there were certainly more important matters to deal with. The authority of the House Targaryen and that of the Iron Throne had been dealt a serious blow with the madness of Aerys reaching its peak and causing the destruction of King's Landing. A destruction not seen on such a scale since the Dance of the Dragons.
When the King gestured to Lord Whent, he bows his head slightly to Rhaegar.
I am only fortunate that the tomes and scrolls have been preserved. I have been doing my best to be better informed on how to serve Your Grace and the Seven Kingdoms.
Plenty of nights staying up late and using free time. Not that Walter had much else.
The Master of Laws watches as the Prince Martell departs of his own volition. A frown appearing on the Riverlander's face as his old gaze watched Doran leave the Painted Chamber. Only when the door was closed did Lord Whent turn to His Grace. House Martell had been linked to the Targaryens for a handful of generations now since Daeron II. They were never a house to be trifled with. It was doubtful he'd accept the decision of the Faith.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 20, 2023 9:31:15 GMT -5
"Fucking Dornish" Lonmouth muttered
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 20, 2023 9:57:52 GMT -5
The King appeared for a moment to give the order to stop the Prince; the slight raising of a hand prompted a tentative half-step from Ser Barristan towards the table.
”Godspeed, brother. You have my leave.” He let the hand fall as Doran left.
A long silence filled the room, and Rhaegar exhaled deeply before speaking again. He did not even appear to hear Lonmouth or Whent, staring down instead at the kingdoms that Aegon had brought to heel on dragonback.
”I cannot begrudge him his anger.” Rhaegar finally said, keeping his hardened gaze upon the table. Every word seemed strained, as if forcing itself to escape. ”Let him brood and sulk in Sunspear, if that is his wish.”
Lesser men would be honoured having their sister as Queen, but not Doran Martell. The man was as fickle as a cobra and made stones seem changeable.
”Let us return to the business of state.” Those lilac eyes shifted suddenly back to the councillors. ”Whent will treat with the Faith. That leaves the Iron Bank to attend to, and those lords who are yet to yield up their kinsmen as wards to the Crown.”
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Post by Grand Admiral Chesser on Jun 20, 2023 10:40:45 GMT -5
Sitting at the far end of the long council table, Lord Tywin uncrossed his fingers before sweeping a gaze across the room.
"The northerners like to jest that our warmer climate gives us a more fiery spirit. Perhaps there is some truth to that, for Prince Martell surely seems to be driven by the warmth of seven hells." In truth Doran's concerns had their merits, but his arguments were driven by emotion not logic and his audience was not in a position to lose face by backing down from a decision.
"In regards to the matter of the Iron Bank, perhaps we should rely on our Master of Coins, I know from experience that he is after all more than capable in the matter of negotiations." Tywin gives a nod toward Lord Lefford. "People talk of how us Lannisters have a golden touch, but House Leffford seems to have a silver tongue."
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 20, 2023 11:56:17 GMT -5
"The sum we'll need, for the city, is going to be rather big, no?" said the Lord Marshal
"It'd be good to send an important party for the negotiations. To make an impression. These Essosi care much about that, looks. Perhaps we should send the Lord Hand as well as Lord Lefford."
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 20, 2023 14:40:05 GMT -5
Lucerys Velaryon listened silently as the discussion went back and forth. The issue of the King's second queen he felt little need to voice his own opinion on - he was, after all, of Valyrian descent himself. It was a prerogative for the sovereign based on ancient traditions. If Rhaegar could get the next High Septon's approval, there was no issue. The Martells could sulk however much they liked, Dorne was not a threat.
The Iron Bank of Braavos was much more interesting.
"The Braavosi are a prideful people. Those of the Iron Bank no less prideful, yet they are also greedy. A proposal promising good returns offered by an impressive delegation should do the trick. I concur that the master of coin should go, accompanied by a kingsguard. I can offer a sizeable escort fleet as well."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 21, 2023 5:58:13 GMT -5
”Then let us impress them. Lord Lefford shall accompany Lord Velaryon and Prince Lewyn to Braavos.”
Replied the King, after a moment’s pause.
”As for the city, I intend to have the city rebuilt in brick and mortar rather than dung and timber. I have also prepared for charters to be written for both the capital and Duskendale, extending commerce rights and liberties on the merchants therein. A foreign quarter within the city might be a prize too rich for the Free Cities to ignore.”
It was vital that the wealth of the eastern trade was not sucked into Gulltown or White Harbour. He had learned that a King’s power was more dependent on funds than his predecessors had dared to admit. There was also the matter of the easterners and their Red God; a Priestess had already begun ingratiating herself on Dragonstone even before his arrival. Their supposed powers tickled his fascination for the esoteric.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 21, 2023 14:14:33 GMT -5
Ser Barristan Selmy stood silently as he listened to King Rhaegar and his small council debate back and forth. The anger and subsequent walkout of Lord Martell was unfortunate, but understandable. None but the first Aegon and Maegor the Cruel had had more than one wife. To break nearly two-hundred-and-fifty years of compliance with the Faith's doctrine... it was not his place to judge, but to serve. As he had served previous kings, so his duty followed to protect the king and his kin.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 21, 2023 21:08:30 GMT -5
”Let us return to the business of state.” Those lilac eyes shifted suddenly back to the councillors. ”Whent will treat with the Faith. That leaves the Iron Bank to attend to, and those lords who are yet to yield up their kinsmen as wards to the Crown.” Lord Whent nods his head to the King. I shall take a ship south for Oldtown as soon as the winds are favorable.================= As the talk of coin was heard, Lord Whent did have a bit of sour face. As much as we need coin to rebuild the capital, saddling a loan from the Iron Bank will be dangerous.Aerys may have left a surplus for Rhaegar, but it wouldn't last forever. We ought to be very careful. Too much gold and we will be drowning soon enough.Looking directly at the Master of Coin, Walter speaks further. Before his departure, perhaps the taxation records should be checked upon.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 22, 2023 14:31:58 GMT -5
"The peasantry are exhausted and have been sucked dry after years of war. If new taxes are levied, they should be carefully designed to aim at merchants and Lords. We have enough in our hands, me thinks, we cannot afford a peasant revolt." chipped in Lonmouth
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Post by Royal Joker on Jun 22, 2023 15:22:58 GMT -5
"Not all regions of the Seven Kingdoms were touched by the war. Most of the fighting occurred in the Stormlands, Riverlands and Crownlands. The North, the Vale, the West, the Reach and Dorne were all unscathed. Even if you count the men levied and dead, these regions should be able to take on some of the burden to rebuild the realm."
Lucerys spoke with a neutral, matter-of-factly tone. The money had to come from somewhere, after all.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 22, 2023 15:25:40 GMT -5
"I shall leave such matters to our Master of Coin."
The King gestured to Lefford.
"I am loath to impose ties on men that bled for my house when Baratheon sought to usurp us, however."
A tax on the defeated lords might well remind them of their loyalties.
"Speaking of which, Ser Lonmouth." Rhaegar turned his gaze upon his Marshal; his trusted sword. "Though I am loath to dismiss thee from my presence so soon, Houses Tully and Arryn have not yet yielded the agreed wards to the Crown as assurance for their loyalty. I charge you with recovering a son from each house."
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Post by Pinkerton on Jun 22, 2023 21:00:35 GMT -5
"I-I ..." hesitated Lonmouth.
"It shall be done" he finally nodded.
"I wish not to travel alone, your majesty. I would enjoy Ser Dayne's and Ser Mooton's company."
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