The Queen's Audience Chamber

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

Lord Oswyn stood off to the side, having come to update Her Grace, or likely just Lord Tyrell, on the progress of refitting the Royal Fleet as well as the expense incurred.

[Erik]

Eirek entered with a frown on his face. "Your grace. My lords. May I ask why my brother has been imprisoned without committing any crimes?"

[The Smith]

Lord Bertrem turned to Look at Bayard.

[Horas]

"We had thought you were better than this, Lord Eirek," Lord Bayard's demeanor is stern, almost paternal. "Your brother's imprisonment reflects on the crimes of your House. As Lord Manderly cannot rely on you for justice, and as you have kidnapped two of his sons, he has come to us for justice. Edric is being treated according to his status, and will be released so long as you comply with Queen Rose's commands."

[Erik]

"I have not kidnapped anyone. Timmett Manderly attacked me, his liege, and has been held for his crimes before he is sent to the Wall. He's lucky I did not remove his head. It was deemed wise to keep Lord Balthazar under guard until cooler heads prevailed, as well."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"You also deemed it within your powers to strip your banner lords of titles and lands based on their faith, a responsibility I do not recall the Crown granting the Starks." Oswyn spoke up, leaning against a wall absent-mindedly inspecting his fingernails for dirt or dried blood. "As you were not here to answer for this grievous offense, your brother had to serve in your stead."

[Horas]

"Nor is Ser Balthazar the lord of his House," Bayard replies. His next words are to the Queen. "Will you tell Lord Eirek what is required of him, Your Grace, or would you prefer that I do so?"

[Erik]

"Only the former Lord Manderly has been stripped of his title. Seeing as the Manderlys rule White Harbor by dint of an ancient agreement between my ancestors and theirs, it would seem to me that this is a matter to be settled between myself and them. It is beneath the notice of the Crown, as matters between my bannermen and their own vassals would be beneath me."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"If that had been all you had done, I doubt we would be having this discussion, my lord." Oswyn said calmly. "But you were charged with keeping the peace in the North in Her Grace's name. I fail to see how persecuting those that follow the very religion by which the Crown abides is keeping with that sworn oath. The Starks have not been Kings in the North for some time. You are merely a lord that serves at the leisure of the throne."

[Erik]

"I am keeping the peace. Sometimes that must be done through harsh measures. It is my prerogative to remove lords whom I deem unfit to rule, is it not? The Manderlys have not forgotten that they ruled the North not so very long ago. They must be kept in line. I fail to see how doing so is any concern to Southrons, so long as we keep paying our taxes and do not interfere in your games here in the Capital."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"The majority of this realm follows the Seven, Lord Stark." he replied sharply. "We tolerate your adherence to the Old Gods, not the other way around. Deciding on a whim that followers of the Seven are unfit lords is a blatant insult to your monarch. Her Grace would be well within her right to deem followers of the Old Gods unfit to rule, based on the precedent you have set."

"There is only one blind man in these chambers and it is not you. You must see that such an egregious offense affects all of us."

[Erik]

Eirek could not keep the anger off his face, and addressed Lord Royce. "Goodfather, do you hear this? They tolerate us, this lordling says. Because they hold a majority in this realm, they feel that any decision we make which does not benefit their foreign gods is unjust. I'd offer the man a challenge if I felt like sullying myself by killing a cripple."

[Horas]

"House Royce finds a way to honor gods both old and new," Bayard replies, his tone cold. "I wish you could have learned that lesson another way. But as you have made it clear that you will not tolerate any lords who worship the Seven in your lands, the Crown has seen fit to oblige you in this manner. Lord Manderly and his bannerlords no longer answer to you. You will not command his taxes, armies, or loyalty. His lands are no longer part of the North."

[Erik]

Eirek breathed deeply, considering his wife's father. "Those are my lands. They were granted to House Manderly after they were driven out of the Reach. I have chosen to grant them to a new Manderly. If the others wish to live outside my protection, perhaps the Tyrells or the Highgardens will take them back in."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

A ghost of a smile alighted on Oswyn's face as Lord Royce rendered the sentence.

"Wrong, Lord Stark, they are the Crown's lands entrusted to your care. Privileges can be revoked when abused, as you have done."

(OOC: Oswyn is no longer a cripple. Fully recovered.)