Lord Hightower's Solar

[The Smith]

"It is something that requires being down, so I do it." Tarly replied. "So you intend to have us aid Piers and Horas?"

[The Flint]

"I think it is the only responsible thing that we can do, unless we are content to be ruled from abroad. If we do nothing, Andry wins. We may be spared for a while, but eventually it will come to battle, and we must choose a side. I can't hardly side with those who have tried to kill me once already." Francis said. "I will not have us go alone Tarly. We must be clever and build friends, but I believe Andry must be resisted."

[The Smith]

"I am sorry but I disagree. True these men tried to kill you, but what is one life over the whole of our realm." Tarly looks him in the eye, his eyes are tired but determined, "If we enter this war alot of our men will be killed. Dorne may invade, and if we are on the losing side everything that we have worked so hard to build will be destroyed. There is nothing to gain, but a great deal to lose."

[The Flint]

"I understand your feelings Lord Tarly, I truly do. But that is in the short term. In the long, one or the other side must win. They will punish those who do not assist them. We must pick a side or we will be the victim to the winner no matter who the winner is. The only question is which side to support. I do not think you wish to see everything you've built at Horn Hill go to put food on the table of the Sealord did you? A puppet's puppet?"

[The Smith]

Tarly laughed, "How will they punish us for not helping? Not give us a seat on the small council? Not re-make you master of whispers? They will not attack us and they will not raise taxes, not when most Kingdoms are sitting out." He shook his head, "You want this war for your own position of power, you are not thinking of the People of the Reach."

[The Flint]

"I abandoned both my positions Lord Tarly, to bring the fight to the enemy, on his own soil. The Sealord is missing in the flames of his smouldering palace. They will be in disarray. A strong sign of unity now may bring this war to a swift conclusion, and we can have the good for the people of the whole kingdom, here in the Reach and the other lands. Sitting out only emboldens them to continue. In the Mander some lords are already rebelling against their Lord Regent to side with the Stormlands. I am not Emelia of Dorne, plotting for my own good, with some stupid scheme to enrich myself a dragon. I am talking about our duty to our people, our Gods and our King, Lord Tarly. You see only the illusion of safety in neutrality. Real safety is in decisiveness and action. "

[The Smith]

Tarly stands, "Decisiveness and action. You are one of those mad lords who tried to break away from the other Kingdoms because of the will of one young man. Do you truly think I should trust your judgement over my own."

Pointing his finger right at Francis he said, "There may be a time when involving ourselves in this mess helps our Land. But do not confuse deciding to exercise patience with indecision. I have weighed all the factors and I will wait."

[The Flint]

"You know nothing about my involvement in Fossoway's Folly Lord Tarly, do not loop me in with those fools. My men stayed at Stoatheart, just as yours stayed at Horn Hill. I know prudence when I see it, and you were prudent to wait. But you sent your messengers to Andry and Emelia, its a sign of weakness, cowering before them. It will only embolden them. My wife speaks with Emelia, she learns we intend to take no action, and she raises 20,000 men. You tried peace, and they saw weakness." Francis was rarely flustered, but he was here.

"I request permission to correspond with the Mander, the Iron Islands, the North and the Vale, to whom you did not send delegations. If I can convince them to move against Andry, will you follow?"

[The Smith]

"I also moblized men Francis. I feared Dorne might have attacked when we are weak." Tarly paused to consider the words. "I have spoken with the Mander already. You may speak with those others." He made a slashing motion with his hand, "But make no commitments. I will not have you drag us unwisely into war on some impulse."

[The Flint]

"You raised only an additional 2,000. At least let us match Dorne's numbers at 20,000." Francis said, practically pleading.

[The Smith]

Tarly sneered "I gave that order this morning. Irwyn is already gathering more men and postioning them across our border." Tarly nods, "That southern witch is too cunning by half."

[The Flint]

"As you say Lord Tarly. Well, I'll pray that you are right in this. And if you are not, than please pray that I am successful in raising the other Lords Paramount to fight in our stead." Francis frowned heavily.

"I have your leave?"

[The Smith]

Tarly looks at Francis a long time, "Do not think I do not appreciate the service you provided the Far Reach in negiotating our surrendor. You may be the Father of our little Realm." He puts his hand on Varner's shoulder, "But sometimes fathers do not always act in their child's best interest."

Removing his hand he adds, "You may leave."

But as Francis is about to walk out Tarly adds, "Francis if you want this seat back, convince me to step down. Do not go around plotting behind my back. The last thing we need around here are hare-brained schemes to bring down a Regent."

[The Flint]

Francis looked insulted.

"To be honest Lord Tarly. I never really wanted it. Once it was given to me, I feared stepping down would make me a target to some man I had offended while carrying out the duties. The only reason I would want it in your place, would be to lead this land to safety. But you and I disagree on where safe harbor is. But we do know that civil strife between us would prove us both wrong. If I know that my lands, family and possessions are safe in your hands, than you have nothing to fear from me."

[The Smith]

"I did not mean to insult you Francis." Tarly replied, "I do not particuarly want the position my self. And If I was not worried about where you might steer us I would be begging you to take it back. I just thought it was necessary to say."