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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 15:49:10 GMT -5
Rhaenys smiled.
"I agree, and thank you for understanding my position. I would have to be a fool to insist you take a position neither of us wants you to have. So you would you be the man that all others fear. What use will that be? I already have a headsman."
She stopped, paused, and remembered Maekar's arm.
"I will need a new headsman, actually, but I won't give you that task. How then do you propose to use your reputation whilst being a suitable husband for the sister of a queen?"
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 16:00:17 GMT -5
Talyn cleared his throat, "If you'll permit me, your grace. I've thought on this matter at some length, and I will present my idea. it's a little complicated, but if you'll bear with me." He cleared his throat, waited till he got a nod of agreement, and than proceeded.
"In our history, our kings have been plagued by disloyalty. We have weak monarchs, who have few troops of their own, but must rely on other lords, who can be easily bought off, or offended by some idle phrase. So too, actions against the Crown have been quick, and vicious, usually at or near King's Landing. Most wars in the past century have been fast and bloody, lasting less than two years. The Crown really can only count on the Kingsguard... well Queensguard in this case. Technically they have the Gold Cloaks, but they are easily purchased, and usually worse than useless since they are more for enforcing law than fighting.
"There are two cases of the Crown creating new forces, to alter this situation. The first, was the so called Westerosi army of King Callen. It offended all his lords, was undersized, and effectively useless. And the other was the King's Men, a band of guards who served King Rickon. They were good and loyal men, but two few in number to serve, not having enough men to even protect the Red Keep." He cleared his throat, raised his eyes to meet the queen, realized he was taking too long, and so sped up.
"I would propose something a little different. A force of sellswords, on permanent retainer. Professional soldiers, not a lords' small folk. But sellswords, are, let us face it, fickle, and untrustworthy. Or so they had been in the past. But I believe I can make something new. Free men, but who fight like the Unsullied of the far off East. Men who love their Queen and the Realm more than their own lives. I have a plan to find such men, if you would hear it."
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 16:10:23 GMT -5
The idea surprised and pleased her.
"That is interesting, Ser Ta...Lord Thatcher. I concur. I have my dragon men, though. My cousin Aegon commands one force, my brother Saenarys and Borcas Redwyne anonther. I assume you would keep your men separate from these forces?"
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 16:19:39 GMT -5
"I would Your Grace. Not to disparage Lords that I do not know, but I do not trust them. My plan calls for something a little different, such that, even were I to order them to harm you, they'd sever my head from my body before I finished the command. I got the idea from Lord Banefort, actually, in away." He pauses, chuckles slightly over that fact, and continues.
"Lord Banefort had suggested that i might open up an orphanage as a way to assuage my guilt over the actions of my father. it occurred to me, your grace, that there are thousands of children across your realm, whose parents must be dead, or lost to never be found again. Thousands of children, who are parentless, and alone in the world. My proposal would be, for us to build orphanages, to collect these children. When the boys reach the age of ten, take them and begin to train them in war. Tactics, weapons, strategy, honor, discipline, duty. Raise them so they know that Westeros is their father, and Queen Rhaenys as their beloved mother. When they reach the right age, form them into companies of sellswords, and have them ply the trade, under trusted commanders. This way you will have soldiers throughout the country, serving as caravan and house guards, all loyal unto the death, to you, their Queen. The largest contingent you could keep at the Red Keep, for your security. You would not need to hurt Prince Aegon, or your other brothers' feelings, by removing them from the command of the Crownland troops, this would be something... utterly different. All it requires is a little patience."
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 16:44:54 GMT -5
She listened carefully. It was a good idea, something she'd not considered.
"Your suggestion has merit, my lord, but it is something you will only be able to put into full effect once we have taken back the kingdom. I hope you would see that the children were cared for, and happy, as well as loyal?"
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 16:50:50 GMT -5
Talyn winced slightly, "Being happy, and being a good soldier, is not always something that goes together. Training would necessarily be tough, but it need not be cruel. They would obviously be fed well, and treated well. This would be important so that later they recognize themselves as repaying the debt to their Queen. Of course it would do no good, to have men trained for war, who serve, say twenty years, and than after that time, they are left to starve. So what I would propose, is that we take the girl orphans. Teach them dance, and sewing, and all the things necessary to be good women, and good wives. After a man has served for his time, he can find a wife among the girls that we have raised, and given a small plot of land somewhere, to live his life. I would recommend that this plot be somewhere where he would still answer to your grace, if ever called to war. Perhaps... Here at Harrenhal? It has amble land, and is yours directly. So after twenty years of good service, they will have a good wife, and good lands, and can go on being loyal and good subjects. "
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 17:02:18 GMT -5
Her enthusiasm cooled slightly.
"An admirable suggestion but what of the girls? Do you mean to force them to wed whatever man takes a fancy to them? And what if a girl is not suited to be a wife, or a boy a soldier? What will you do with them?"
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 17:10:10 GMT -5
"Forgive me your grace, that is not at all what I intended. Being a man who has until very recently been prepared to beg you for the right to marry the woman he loves, it would be hypocritical of me to force anyone to marry someone. But as orphans, these girls will have no dowries for a marriage, and having their pick of good freemen with a plot of land of their own is not the worst thing that could happen to them otherwise. If they choose to marry no one, than we will still need help with raising the new orphans, as well as teachers and the like. For the men, I imagine it would be much the same. They can serve as quartermasters, cooks, recruiters, and teachers. What matters is that they feel an affinity towards their comrades who are fighting, so that it is like a big loyal family."
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 17:18:23 GMT -5
"Like the Night's Watch, then, but with families. That sounds good, Lord Thatcher. I will give my consent to this scheme. ON one condition."
She smiled.
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 17:20:08 GMT -5
"Your grace?" Talyn asked.
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 17:35:57 GMT -5
"If any of the girls want to train at arms, you let them. I would not be myself if I could not wield a blade and shoot a bow. I will do my duty as a wife and mother, and yes, as a queen, but I am happier for having learned to fight."
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 17:43:36 GMT -5
Talyn gritted his teeth slightly. "Would your grace be amendable, if we had all the girls undergo some training with the dagger, and perhaps being taught to hunt, so the perhaps the bow or the like. I will not say that women should be unable to defend themselves, and such skills would better serve. As for.... special cases, and I have one in my own company at present so I know they exist... all I would ask, is that I may set the highest possible standard, and not be forced to take anyone who does not meet it."
He took a deep breath, "My other request, is the details a secret. If the lords are uncomfortable with such a radical proposal they may strangle it in its cradle. Perhaps simply announce that you have given me permission to run a Sellsword Company, and to carry a special certificate from the Crown atesting to skill and loyalty?"
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 17:57:10 GMT -5
She thought about his proposals and nodded.
"I agree, both to keeping it a secret and to training the girls in the use of dagger and bow. I will of course leave you to set the standards yourself. However, I do have one concern. It is not right for my sister's husband to be considered a sellsword in himself, so how do you propose to get around that?"
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Post by The Flint on Jun 22, 2009 18:02:07 GMT -5
"Well, technically, my father was Lord of Greycopse, a small holding in the Mander. I do not know if you would find that fitting enough for Kyma. It is not a very big holding. I... I do not know if it would be reasonable, but you could name Kyma Lady of Harrenhal. It has rich lands, and a rich history. Kyma loves fire, it may amuse her that it was basked in dragon flames, and has over 100 hearths. I would than be Lord Protector, and our children proper lords. at the same time Harrenhal has a dark reputation, and there will be many who will see it as a dig against us, for our previous offenses. That may suit you as well, since you can pass it off as not a benefit but a punishment to those who think we do not deserve much.
It also means that the North, Vale, Riverlands and West must all get past me, before they can march on King's Landing. You'd have a loyal subject always, blocking any who'd betray you."
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Post by Marie on Jun 22, 2009 18:15:55 GMT -5
"Clever," said Rhaenys.. "I agree then. I certainly don't want Harrenhal. If I spend another night beneath the roof it will be one night too many. But what of Greycopse? It's to far for you to rule it. I believe you will have to forsake Graycopse for Harrenhall, my lord."
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