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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Sept 5, 2007 20:19:10 GMT -5
Emelia looked to Rhodri Arryn. "Actually, it is, and there is cause behind this request." She stood, looking over the assembled lords.
"My lords and ladies, Callen is not King by right of force majeur, as the Dragon Kings were. He is King by the election of the great lords, as one by one your houses swore to his service. And with this, it is time to look back upon the past, and apply its lessons as we build the future."
She looked around the room. "None living remember the mad king Aerys Targaryen, a man so foul and mad he was slain by his own sworn Kingsguard, for times had become so desperate that there was no way to save the realm else. But history must be remembered; the Dragon Kings' word to their subjects was meaningless, as they could take back whatever word they gave at will, when there were none with the strength to stand against them. I say that now, we have a chance to set a new precedent."
Emelia turned to Callen now. "While you have not yet broken any treaty or terms you have set, the possibility remains, and matters of law are being set in treaties of surrender and accession that are, that -must- be, above the King's momentary will. The King must be allowed to shackle himself. Even though I trust that -you-, Callen, are a man of honor...I cannot trust that your every descendant will be of such steel."
Emelia looked around. "I am sure that most of the Great Houses received some concession granted upon recognition of Callen's right to the throne. But what value this if the King cannot be held to account for them? The moment Randal's forces disbanded, he could place the Lady Sara instead upon the throne, or perhaps even one of Balor's kin should he choose, and who could stop him?" Emelia smiled calmly. "Similarly, any promises that Callen's grandson, for instance, made to the Starks could be broken on a whim."
"I merely seek to establish a law of right, as it were, that establishes a means of account that the King can be held to. If the Lords of the Six and One Kingdoms agree to defend each other against royal betrayals, then the excesses of Aerys can never be repeated."
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Post by swammeyjoe on Sept 5, 2007 20:25:43 GMT -5
"It was not stipulated, my lord. I intend to swear featly today, no matter what happens, but i would do so more comfortablely knowing that His Grace honors his agreements. No disrespect intended, Your Grace."
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Post by The Smith on Sept 5, 2007 20:27:20 GMT -5
Piers Bettley leans forward and asks, "Emelia as a leader of an independant nation who are you to say that? If you insist on this for Callen I would assume you plan on instating this plan in Dorne itself. I think it would be wise to see how this plan works in Dorne before commiting to it yourself King."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Sept 5, 2007 20:31:04 GMT -5
Emelia looked at Piers. "Who am I to say that?" she asked politely. "Someone who's a hair's breadth away from facing a broken royal word."
She grinned. "-That- is why I seek a precedent. As I mentioned, Callen is king by election of the Great Houses...and he was as much elected by House Martell as the others, truth be told. This creates a certain precedent; Dorne's independence is not complete in -all- aspects, and neither is that of the Six Kingdoms."
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Post by Horas on Sept 5, 2007 20:46:40 GMT -5
Warren sighs audibly, annoyed by the constant political manuevering. "Why don't you just rejoin the damned Seven Kingdoms, Emelia? It seems to me you come to our councils, live in our city, and generally like to have your say in our affairs. If you were part of the kingdom, you wouldn't have to pay any tariffs, and you'd be free to make demands like the one you just did. As it is now, you're an independent nation and I'm not even sure why you're here."
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Post by swammeyjoe on Sept 5, 2007 20:52:23 GMT -5
Randal rises once again, having made his personal decision.
"Your grace, Lord Rhodri, i shall take my oath now, if i may, under the terms we discussed at Casterly Rock, with no added stipulations. If that is fair, may it be done soon, so that we may deal with the Allard matter as well as Lord Balor."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Sept 5, 2007 20:58:41 GMT -5
Emelia looked at Warren and chuckled.
"Your idea has a measure of merit, but the reason I have my say as I have is because of the situation at the end of the War of Stag and Dragon. I don't pay tariffs because Aemon agreed that I don't pay tariffs, I was ready to stand against Balor because I was allied with Aemon and now with Callen. And we stood against Callen, alongside the Blackwoods, because of that same alliance with Aemon, even though we recognized no living King."
She shrugged. "Anyway, I have had my say on this matter. The tariff itself is a matter of trade which can be handled separately."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Sept 6, 2007 8:11:50 GMT -5
Balor yawned and stood up. "I agree with Lord Blackwood, amazingly. For an independant kingdom you seem intent on putting 'shackles' - to use your own words - on the king of a sovereign nation". He stretched and loosened some of the muscles which had tightened whilst he had been seated. "You have your independance. Anything else in addition is mere greed piled upon good fortune. If you feel threatened by Callen's tarrifs on your goods in the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, apply your own in exchange. And as for Callen being King by 'election'". Balor snorted at this concept "I doubt he would agree. He would merely see it as a restoration of the crown taken from him by the Dragons". He laughed and said "In any case, he seems to have shackled himself sufficiently with his own words with his 'laws' about the smallfolk, don't you think Princess?" He tossed an old copy of a parchment onto the desk. www.lordsofwesteros.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=stormsend&action=display&thread=1184561720&page=7 |
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Post by Percy Rivers on Sept 6, 2007 10:43:25 GMT -5
Callen remained calm, watching the lords argue, the hall was filled with them. A number of small lords from the Reach began to heckle the lords from Dorne. "Emelia, may I remind you that you are only at this council by invitation and courtesy, and though you have permission to speak, you don't have any say in any descisions we make. Regardless the Treaty of Sunspear shall be respected by me. I promise you I shall never invade Dorne unless invaded by Dorne first. As to my descdendents I cannot say, seeing as I doubt I'll be alive to sway them either way." He inclined his head to Randal. "You have my thanks Lord Randal, and you shall be named Lord Regent of the Rock. Although we had are disagreements before I am indebted to you."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Sept 6, 2007 16:09:02 GMT -5
Callen turned back to Emelia, he had clad himself in a black doublet and a fine cloth cape, the crown forged to look like two golden stags butting heads rested on his brow, "You say I am a hair's breath from breaking my vow. I have not moved any forces to Dorne, and the economy of the Seven Kingdoms was so damaged by the war that it was necessary for the presevation and protection of our business to institute the tariffs. If you feel the need to do the same feel free to do the same in Dorne."
He then turned back to address the many lords gathered in the rooms, they had gathered from every corner of the Seven Kingdoms. Outside a storm thundered against the stones of the famed castle of the Stormlands and home of Callen's family. "The trial of Allard Lannister shall be held before this council is out, in the mean time we have the matter of making peace with the lords of the Iron Islands."
He inclined his head to Balor, "Although you have been sent a Raven declaring the terms of peace I shall outlay them again for all to hear, you are to pay the amount of five hundred dragons every three months for five years to both the Riverlands, and the Arbor. Lord Mallister's son shall be released, and both of your sons shall be taken as wards, one to the Red Keep, and the other to House Blackwood."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Sept 6, 2007 16:19:19 GMT -5
Balor looked at Callen anger simming in his eyes, though his voice was calm enough.
"As I remember, it was you who sent the raven declaring terms. I came to discuss those terms not merely accept them. The reparations are too much, 4000 dragons a year? That would leave the Iron Islands destitute and I would not be able to stop my men from reaving to recoup those losses. That is no threat, just a statement of fact. Lord Mallister's son is not a problem. I have him in my tent, the snivelling craven, and I will be glad to be rid of him".
He sighed "As for my sons...." he paused "One of them is dead. Lost at sea. I will be satisfied to foster my other son Urri at the Red Keep if you so desire, but I will not place one of my blood in the not so tender mercies of the Blackwoods".
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Post by Percy Rivers on Sept 6, 2007 16:40:35 GMT -5
Callen kept his voice calm, "Yes I sent the Raven, and yes we shall discuss the terms. If four thousand dragons a year causes economic difficulties the tribute shall be reduced to ten percant, you may choose whichever suits you more. That is still an ample payment for reparations, and yet it doesn't not leave the Iron Islands poor. In the case of your son he shall be kept at the Red Keep then."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Sept 6, 2007 16:42:34 GMT -5
"Ten percent of what?" Balor asked curiously
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Post by syd on Sept 6, 2007 16:54:28 GMT -5
Barret inserted his own opinion into the argument, "I must insist that Urri be fostered in Highgarden, and Foster Redwyne be returned home. It is only fitting, given that Foster Redwyne still sits in iron chains, and his younger brother is dead. ."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Sept 6, 2007 17:20:21 GMT -5
Balor looked cooly at Lord Tyrell "Ah yes. Foster Redwyne. Of course he shall be returned as well. He must have slipped my mind"
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Hope you all are well and happy.