Summerhall

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"If you would place a crown on your head, I would have you create something of a new order. The old order is a tyrant in every realm. Each lord answers to no one, and abuses the smallfolk however they see fit. If you were to take the crown, it would be worth the bloody toll if you made a code of law that made men's lives fair. Give them some voice."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen mulled this over, after a while he finally answered. "Give power to the smallfolk? It has never been tried, not since the first laws were drafted by Jaeharys the Conciliator." He spoke to no one in particular, but continued staring at the stone he was so fond of. "It could be done," his face was suddenly illuminated with excitement, "by the gods, yes it could be done," and looking at Selwyn, "and will be done! What would you suggest?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Ha, I'm already finding myself over my head, your grace. I hardly know Jaehary's laws, much less have the wisdom to craft new ones. But I'd say protection of lives and properties, to start. And the right to property at all. A place on the council for merchants or tradesmen or someone who's not a lord. Or a large council, rather than a small council, that invites many voices."

[Deleted]

Aranya was shaken. It had only taken moments before she recognized the Captain of the Black Shields. Selwyn. And the way he had looked at her - shock and anger and something she couldn't understand. And what was Callen saying to him now?

"Nuncle," she said, taking Hodrick aside. "That Skag Snow is none other that Selwyn Stone, Breyn's bastard brother." She had Hodrick take her to the room where the two men were consulting. Then she broke open the door and strode inside.

"Selwyn," she said, trying to speak calmly. She tried a friendly smile. "I almost didn't recognize you. Why ride around pretending to be a northerner? We both know Vale bastards are the best."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Skag Snow's face, which had been growing more animated in his conversation with Callen, flattens when Aranya enters.

"The Bastard of Runestone is dead. I am Skag Snow."

[Deleted]

OOC:Sorry, I wasn't at the computer.

Aranya gazed at him for a few moments. "I'm sorry to hear that. Later I would like to hear why, if you would tell me."

She joined Selwyn - no, he was Skag Snow now, she would have to remember that - and Callen at the table. "Well, I can see that you know Vylarr Heaford isn't really a sellsword named Vylarr Heaford."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Snow grunts, and makes a slight nod. Turning back to Callen, he says "Your grace. You were correct when you said you would need to win the people if you were to win the throne. But you shall also need High Lords, despite my distaste for them. Men march at their call. Who do you think you can win to your cause?"

[Deleted]

Callen glanced at Aranya. "House Royce," she said. "Elane holds the power in the Vale now, since Breyn is on the small council. But...your brother..." she glanced at Skag (how odd if felt to call him that). "Have you spoken to the Redspear recently? What are his feelings towards the Targaryens and his kin?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I have not spoken to Rhodri...in some years now. Three or four, maybe five. He had liked Lord Dondarrion, and does like the Songlord, but at least back then he barely knew the Targaryens. I know he felt deceived by them, and by the Hand. But he took the prize they offered nonetheless."

[Deleted]

Aranya looked at Callen, whose eyes were glinting. "Whatever happens, I will not have harm come upon my kin, and especially not Selwyn's brother. We will have to take the Redspear's prize from him if there is a war, but surely we can award him other lands, another castle."

She turned back to Skag. "I've been away for a long time, but let me see...the Targaryens awared the riverlands to the Worm, and Lord Baldwin has succeeded old Dondarrion as Hand, and Breyn got nothing but a seat on the Council...and nothing else? I remember Elane saying he was in love with Princess Daena. But the Worm got Daena too."

She ran a hand through her hair, and then shook her head in disgust. "Bah, I'm no good at all this politics and diplomacy shit, but it looks to me as if those lizards weren't properly grateful to our family. Remember that time we saw Maerys lording around in the Market Square in King's Landing? Bloody lizard. And what did you get, Sel-Skag? I though Breyn would have you legitimized and made Lord Baelish. Or that you would succeed Rhodri in the Hand's tower."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Skag looks uncomfortable speaking of Selwyn. "The Royces were treated poorly, that was well known. Rhodri had thought Michael would be King and Breyn made Hand. Instead, Aegon was King and Baldwin Hand. Those were ugly times, but no longer my life or problem."

"Breyn would never legitimate me. Never. But did you hear he legitimized his own bastard son? After years of denying me?" Some small anger seems to be rising in Skag Snow.

[Deleted]

Aranya laid a hand on his arm. "Callen will legitimize you." She left the rest unspoken.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"He has already offered. I turned him down. Selwyn -- Stone or Royce -- is dead." Skag Snow shifts away from Aranya's touch.

[Deleted]

"I think you're full of shit," Aranya replied, growing angry. "What are you so pissed about, cousin? I've been away from home for four years, chased incessantly by hunters looking for Callen. We had no peace. When I returned I found out my mother died from grief and my friends and family think I'm dead. And then you come riding in here with a new name and sullen, angry words. You've been with the family, with money and safety and friends. What the fuck is your problem?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I've had neither money, safety nor family. Friends I have. You saw them in the courtyard. And why does your family think you dead?" Snow's words pour out quickly. "You fled with Callen, I assume? He was your family's enemy. You left without a word. I had to burn your clothes, you know. I could not keep them."