Chamber of the Painted Table

[Aerys]

"And what sort of 'mission' is worth 750 dragons?"

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"That is for you to decide Lord Velaryon." Baldric smiled, "its your money after all. For perspectives sake I was suppos'd to be paid 5000 Dragons for killing Blackwood, a princely sum no doubt but the cheap bastards never paid me or I'd be in Lys myself."

[Aerys]

Rhaegar beckoned to his uncle. Ser Ameron leaned close as Rhaegar said something low and fast. Ameron nodded and went to the door and speak to one of the waiting scribes outside. Ameron returned with a piece of parchment.

Rhaegar asked. "Can you read or write Baldric?"

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"I can read as long as they ain't any big words mi lord, best to draw pictures for any complicated practices you might want me to do," Baldric said humbly.

[Aerys]

Rhaegar nodded to Ameron who began scribbling down some words on the parchment.

When he finished Ameron handed the parchment to Baldric.

"So how much would each of the following be worth?" asked Rhaegar.

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Baldric whistles at the list. "That is quite the list you got there mi lord, could take me much of my natural life to finish it but everyone on that list would be worth at least a thousand dragons mi lord with the upper half," Alexander points at the more prominent names, "closer to 5,000."

Baldric hands the parchment back to Ameron, "and while I know you don't trust me as yet, I would need some seed money up front. . . a list like that is more then my band of six could handle."

Baldric yawns, "I'd also of course need to know your priorities and how quickly you need the job to be done. Took me two years to kill the Crow and no sense in me getting killed trying for a small fish when the big fish is the one you want to take to the fish fry."

[Aerys]

Rhaegar looked at the man steadily.

"You informed me that your band had high standards. I thought a list such as that would be well within your capabilities. Perhaps I was mistaken."

He paused.

"Perhaps you had better first prove to me just what your band's capabilities are."

"He pointed to the last two items on the list. Your mission is that...and that."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Baldric smiles at the rebuke, "I'se a sorry mi lord. . . I am yet only human and a commoner, perhaps in time I will learn to shit quarrels and be at seven places at once," the big Stormlander smiles his stupid gappy smile again.

"Which mission would you like first mi lord?" Baldric says pointing at the two on the parchment, "I'se think you mentioned the boy was traveling a far? Also if I be killing I don't want him in my way."

[Aerys]

"Young Lannister first I think Baldric. And then the other. You will be paid the half of the money for the first mission now. The balance will be paid as well as quarter of the money for the next mission when young Lannister returns."

He looked at the man steadily.

"I am a man of my word Baldric. I would hope that you are too."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Awl right," Baldric says with a groan, "but the boy better listen to me, it'll be 'ard to keep him alive if he creates trouble all the time," the man rubs his eyes.

"Where he be? The boy that is." Baldric says. "I hope he isn't a chatty fucker," the sell sword says picking his teeth with his finger nails.

[Aerys]

"I dare say you'll find young Lannister down at the Harbour. Ser Tristan of Tally Hill will also accompany you. He is a knight of some experience and will be of value to you."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"As long as he doesn't get in my fucking way, we'll be fine if he starts ordering me around like a serf we might have problems but as long as he knows I am in charge of security then there won't be any problems mi lord."

"I assume Ser Ameron will help me with my coins?" Baldric says getting to the subject that matters the most to him. "If there is nothing else mi lord then I'll wander down to the harbor if it pleases you," Baldric bowed his head and body awkwardly as if he was mimicking something he saw a mummer do in some sketch he had seen years ago.

[Aerys]

At Rhaegar's questioning look, Ameron nodded in affirmation.

"Very well Baldric. Ser Ameron will see that half of the fee is paid to you immediately, as per our agreement. The other half will be paid on your return, as long as Ser Daniel returns alive of course. As soon as that is done, please report to Ser Daniel and Ser Tristan who should be waiting for you down at the Harbour."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Pleasant doing business with you mi'lord," Baldric smiles as he moves to exit the Chamber of the Painted Table.