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Post by Aerys on May 15, 2008 2:08:15 GMT -5
Avery inclined his head towards Marei, accepting the fact that Andry would remain in his cell for the moment.
"I hope that Andry will not need to remain a prisoner indefinitely. I shall pray to the Seven for his eventual deliverance and his safety and good health.
He grimaced. "As far as the Black Cells will allow."
He leaned back in his seat, deep blue eyes meeting Marei's.
"Do you know if the Sealord plans on opening negotiations with the Regent on the release of his Mistress of Laws?"
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Post by Horas on May 15, 2008 12:54:34 GMT -5
"Lord Piers Bettley is acting as a mediator of sorts between the two groups; he wants a deal to be made. But eventually one must assume that the Regent will have to talk to the Sea Lord directly by sending an ambassador of his own."
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Post by Aerys on May 15, 2008 16:36:20 GMT -5
Avery nodded once again.
"Then we wait for those negotiations to be organised. If the Sealord continues to insist upon a royal Baratheon to deal with then the Regent may have no option but to approach me.
"In the meantime I have discovered that Breck Dondarrion and Grant Connington are plotting against me. My nephew is ambitious and would like nothing better to move up the line of succession by seeing to my removal by exile or death. Indeed I believe both have been discussed. The question is Mistress Marei, how do we negate this threat?"
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Post by Horas on May 15, 2008 20:33:57 GMT -5
"Present your claims for the Lord Sunglass, and your defenses against these kidnapping charges. If Dondarrion and Connington attack you before then, you will be the wronged party. If they are not so foolish, our position will become more difficult." Marei rests a slender finger on her chin as she thinks. "Your quandry here is one thing that my master and I cannot help you with -- you are, simply, not well liked by the Regent or his court. He will likely side with his favorites, and as long as you are friendless there will be no one to speak against it."
"You will win no friends staying here. My advice for you would be to travel. Visit the lords of the Seven Kingdoms, and befriend them. Once you have more allies to speak alongside you Lord Smith will not be able to trifle with you so easily."
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Post by Aerys on May 15, 2008 22:37:52 GMT -5
Avery rose from his seat and moved to the Painted Table and stood for a moment gazing down at the map.
"I have been consolidating my rule and developing my skills in Dragonstone since my appointment as Prince was confirmed. I felt, given my relative youth and inexperience, I was not ready to match strength and wits with the Great Lords of Westeros.
"However I am not prepared to travel to Kings Landing only to end up in the Black Cells like my brother Andry. I have representatives in Kings Landing already waiting to present Lord Sunglass' claims as well as defend against Dondarrion's charges.
"However I agree that I need allies. I have already sent emissaries to a number of lords and am waiting for their replies. My cousin has already married a Lannister as the beginning part of that process.
"Our best course of action would appear to be to defend the charges against me vigorously and have the Sealord demand to only negotiate with Westeros via an adult Baratheon. I also need a useful alliance with a powerful house, perhaps sealed with a marriage to dissuade my enemies. The Lannisters appear to be our best hope, but Sara Royce is hand in glove with Benfry. Cedric Lannister however may not be. The Blackwoods and the Tullys could be other useful allies.
"Claera Barclay's disappearance along with her son allows a vacancy as Lord Paramount of the Crownlands to be created. If Aranya Royce is detained or removed and the Sealord demands that only an adult Baratheon may treat with him then my remote odds of gaining either a seat on the Small Council or securing the Lord Paramounty are greatly reduced.
"Perhaps our best hope is the Sealord."
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Post by Horas on May 16, 2008 0:38:28 GMT -5
Marei nods. "I was not recommending travelling to King's Landing, but rather to the Lord's keeps across Westeros. If not the Lords Paramount, then their underlings. There are many ambitious lesser lords who could benefit from changing situations."
"With her recent actions, Lady Royce should not be allowed to retain her Paramountship or Small Council position, though I expect Smith will let her keep both. Be prepared to make a bid for one of those positions in the event that I am wrong, however."
"And be careful with the Sea Lord, my Prince. He and my lord have come to an agreement, and Lord Delinal is providing Lord Horas with funds in exchange for nothing at all. But nonetheless, he is a man who is not to be trusted. They call him the Eel for a reason."
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Post by Aerys on May 16, 2008 1:07:58 GMT -5
Avery continued studying the Painted Table.
"And do you or you Lord know of any lesser lords that might be willing to align themselves with our cause? Perhaps we should start working on them.
"What support does your lord still have in the Riverlands? Where does Francis Blackwood stand for example?"
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Post by Horas on May 16, 2008 1:18:50 GMT -5
"If my lord's current endeavors go as planned, House Blackwood shall rule the Riverlands once again. Francis Blackwood, however... I would not approach him. He is more likely to run back to Ser Benfry than to aid us."
Marei considers for a moment. "As for other potential supporters. Reed or Bolton in the north, perhaps. Qorgyle in Dorne may also look for a Baratheon who would be willing to allow him a freer hand in Dorne. The houses of Vale and Far Reach have traditionally been very loyal to their lords Paramount, but I shall make it a point to see if any have a bone to pick with Royce or Irwyn. And I think your idea about contacting Cedric Lannister is a good one. A clever man, that one, and it has never sat well with him that a mad traitor's daughter stands before him in the line of succession to Casterly Rock."
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Post by Aerys on May 16, 2008 2:01:33 GMT -5
Avery studied the Riverlands area of the map.
"I won't ask how, Mistress Marei, but given your comments I will assume that we have support in the Riverlands. I have sent emissaries already to Cedric Lannister with a proposal of alliance and friendship with Dragonstone.
"The Royces are also a concern. Roland, Sara and Aranya form a powerful triumvirate. Roland holds the Vale, Sara the West and Aranya, effectively the Crownlands. One of the three legs is tottering and we should make every effort to remove it completely.
Avery suddenly pointed at Sharps Point.
"Have you discovered the whereabouts of Claera Barclay and her children? My spies suspect Kings Landing and most likely she is with the Dondarrions. I would like her found and her children secured."
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Post by Horas on May 16, 2008 12:26:13 GMT -5
"Dondarrion hides her well. We still have not found Lady Barclay or her children," Marei says, "though our efforts continue."
She pauses for a moment. "The Royces are indeed too strong. Forgive me for bringing this unpleasant business to light, your Grace, but I do not wish to misinterpret your commands. When you said 'remove it completely'... Do you want me to kill Aranya Royce?"
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Post by Aerys on May 16, 2008 19:17:43 GMT -5
Avery shook his head.
"I don't think that so drastic an action is needed at this stage, but I'm sure you agree that it's imperative that Arayna Royce be removed from the Small Council as Mistress of Laws and her influence in the Crownlands curbed. It's also vitally important that she not be released from the Sealord's clutches, unless there is some advantage to both of us. If Benfry Smith negotiates for her release without...." he paused briefly, "......our input, perhaps it is better that she never returns to Westeros at all."
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Post by Horas on May 16, 2008 22:30:23 GMT -5
"I believe a deal will be struck soon, if it has not been already. Aranya Royce may very well return to the Crownlands. But she is notoriously rash and easily misled... should she happen to return, I am sure my lord can concoct some plan to keep her busy and away from the Crownlands."
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Post by Aerys on May 16, 2008 22:42:54 GMT -5
Avery looked puzzled.
"A deal will be struck? I thought you had convinced the Sealord to treat with no-one but a Baratheon?
"If that is correct, does the Sealord now conduct negotiations with eight year old boys?"
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Post by Horas on May 16, 2008 22:52:59 GMT -5
"He said he will treat with no one but a Baratheon. But as I said, I am already aware he is negotiating with Piers Bettley... I suppose we will soon see if Lord Delinal is as good as his word."
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Post by Aerys on May 17, 2008 0:00:23 GMT -5
Avery grimaced.
"As you say, Mistress Marei, the Sealord is a man not to be trusted. I will not hang my hopes on the keeping of his word."
"Very well then." he continued. "Let the search for Claera Barclay and her children continue. I suspect she is in King's Landing, although the Stormlands is a possibility. Sharps Point is a possibility, but my men report the ship she may have left Dragonstone on sailed in the direction of Kings Landing. If that is so, my representatives in the city are keeping an eye out for her and if they discover her whereabouts I will send a message to your followers in Kings Landing as previously arranged.
"Are my sellsails ready to sail to Dragonstone's defence if my 'trial'.." Avery rolled his eyes. '.......goes badly? I suspect that if it does and the blizzard ends that it will be quickly followed by a seaborne assault on Dragonstone."
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Hope you all are well and happy.