The Solar of the Eyrie

[The Smith]

"We can send out the Word, for the loyal lords to rise against Howland, but it will not be easy. Roland was respected, they are still angry about his death."Kenneth answered.

[The Smith]

Kenneth jumped from his seat and cried, "Yes we are!!"

[Horas]

Lord Ronald Waynwood sips his wine slowly as he listens to Brynden's words. He is a man of late middle years, respected if not renowned. One sleeve of his tunic hangs loose, from where he lost an arm many years ago.

"I read your letter," Lord Waynwood says. "There may be some sense to it, Lord Royce. But when the armies of the Vale surrendered, the King placed Lord Howland in charge, not you." He lets the statement hang in the air, waiting for Brynden's reaction.

[Horas]

Lord Waynwood frowns. "He was pardoned by the King, Lord Brynden. There were many of us who fought beside him. I cannot say that I am proud of my actions, or that what we did was just... but I can tell you that Lord Howland is no coward or weakling. What can you bring to the Vale that he cannot?"

[Horas]

"I have no quarrel with you, Lord Brynden. You are an admirable man, but there are many admirable men in the Vale. And we have peace now. If you want me to put my neck on the line for you, Lord Royce, I would expect to be justly rewarded."

[Horas]

Lord Ronald takes another sip of his wine, his eyes suddenly shrewd. "Yes, a dangerous precedent," he agrees. "Of course, with you as Lord Paramount of the Vale, you would be the lord of Runestone, the Eyrie, The Gates of the Moon, and Duskendale... So many fiefs for just one man."

He takes another sip of mulled wine. "I have two boys, Lord Brynden. I am quite fond of my second son. Sometimes I think it is a pity that Ironoaks must go to my eldest son and I can leave no inheritence to the younger."

[Horas]

The one-armed Lord smiles broadly. "I am sure the match will benefit both of our houses, Lord Paramount."

[Horas]

"Hmmm. Perhaps some of the smaller houses around Ironoaks. Beyond that I can make no guarantees, though I will meet with other lords of importance. When do you plan to announce your claim publically?"

[Horas]

"A majority may be difficult," Waynwood says, "Howland is well-respected, and he will surely catch wind of your plans if you wait too long. Lord Grafton is the most important of those left, however. Our navy may have been destroyed, but he can still call up more levies than any single man in the Vale."