Oldtown

[The Flint]

"You do not seem to be hearing what I am saying to you old man." Francis says, his voice never raising. "You know, I was looking forward to coming and seeing you. You seemed a pleasant and friendly type, and I thought you would help me make this easy for all of us. I was counting on your good will and your knowledge, and your love for my mother, if not for me. And instead, you attempt to intimidate me into giving you what I had intended to give you anyway."

[melon]

"I did not intimidate I was merely informing you. Truly Francis do you not think I am happy you were named Regent I couldn't be more happy. I was just telling you. Now enough of all this manly talk. The small amount of War Ships that Robert..." Garlan swallows hard at saying the boys name, "Had have been manned and are ready for anything that you would order of them, Regent."

[The Flint]

Francis waves the column forward again, into the tower.

"I shall put down your ill chosen words to grief Garlan. But please be more careful in the future. I am all too aware that Regents are rarely loved, and I am counting on you being supportive, both publicly and privately. The ships are fine right now where they are. Any decent ship worth calling a warship is already at sea. What ships remain are likely needed for commerce I would say. Whatever else happens the good people of the Far Reach must be fed and clothed and happy. There well being is our first priority. But if there is any idleness in the shipbuilders, they should be put to work restoring the the fleet to its proper strength. We lost too many ships off the coast of the Westerlands, its part of the reason we are in this position with the damnable Iron born "

Francis and his cohort dismount, Lady Varner trails respectfully behind, never out of sight.

"And as soon as possible I would meet with his young lordship and his mother."

[melon]

"Yes I shall use my links at the Docks to see that overtime and anything is paid so that the men will get more ships out or repair ships." Garlan stops for a second, "Francis are you truly embracing this two Reach thing I don't believe that it will work the Reach has been a nation for thousands of years, No piece of paper is going to change that."

OOC: It hasn't been said who the new Hightower is and with Smith away we won't be able to find out.

[The Flint]

"It's only what's necessary Garlan, for now. My Uncle Rindwynd is regent at Highgarden. Our nobles are all interrelated. A change in name will not change the connection between one Reachman and another. But this is what was demanded in order to have peace, and this will strengthen the Hightowers and Oldtown in Westeros. We can profit in the short term, even if we do not forget where we come from in the longer term.

[melon]

"That is true but even with one Reach Oldtown was a rich place. I believe it would be best if we went down the road of reuniting as quickly and quietly as possible."

[The Flint]

"Quietly yes, but not quickly. If we move suddenly to reunite the other Lords will Smash us. Perhaps one day when Lord Tyrell and our Lord Hightower have children, they can be betrothed. I am hopeful. Earlier than this may lead to more bloodshed."

[melon]

"I say there is a different way then marriage. The Hightower have not been Kings for a very long time. When they were they saw the might of the Reach and offered to become Bannermen now if this was to happen again then the Reach would be one."

[The Flint]

"And we would be torn asunder by the other Lords Paramount, in the same position we were just in. The treaty is signed, we must abide by it for now, however uncomfortable it makes us. That's the situation, and it won't be changed any time soon."

[melon]

"Oh no I did not mean we did the on the morrow I meant we could plan towards such a thing thats all." Garlan flashes that amazing smile again not only for Francis but for his Mother just walking behind.

[The Flint]

Francis and Lady Varner arrived at the wing of the tower they would be taking over. Varner men-at-arms replace those positioned in the apartments. After a brief inspection to insure everything is up to standard, Francis again approaches the Steward. "By the way Garlan, it is likely that I will be marrying soon. So perhaps we will have that double wedding after all. We shall see. Let me know when his Lordship is available. "

[melon]

"Of course." Garlan bows then. Looks at Ilisebeth and winks he then quickly walks off.

[The Flint]

The Great Hall of the Hightower is cleared except for Steward Garlan Rowan, a Guard Captain named Tarl, and Lord Francis Varner, who is sitting in a chair beside the Lord's chair.

"Steward Garlan Rowan, you are brought before the Lord Regent of the Far Reach on charges of embezzlement and bribery." Francis reads from a document prepared, than blinks several times.

"Embezzlement? You really aren't serious?" He says to the guard, who looks back with a vicious smile.

"Most certain milord. We've the bag of gold dragons, as well as the ledger detailing every transaction." He hands both items over to Francis, who examines them carefully.

"Steward Rowan, can you explain any of this?"

[melon]

"Francis why do you think I would accept bribery and Embezzlement I own half of what goes in or out of Oldtown one bag of Gold Dragons is nothing. I am not stupid and you know that. For love I have for you Francis for the LOVE I have of your mother see the truth to these claims."

[The Flint]

"I know it to be true that you are a rich man Garlan. But rich men can always desire to be richer. Can you explain the ledger the guard's found in your desk? It does seem to make clear reference to payments made for receiving merchant concessions. That would be bribery, and a crime. It also references excess charges added to many bills. That would also be a crime. Did you grasp for more than you wanted? Were my requests for Stoatheart and the road such that you had to take to stealing in order to find money? Tell me the truth and I will believe you." Francis says, with a calm, friendly face.