Bronzehall

[The Stranger]

"The King should not have a Hand because he was bad?" Cyrus asked.

[House Dustin]

"No, that is not the case, Cyrus. The King needs a Hand and good counsel. But a man who allows himself to be trodden upon is no man at all."

To Brandon - "He seems to worsen rather than improve over time. I do not understand it, as I have seen him so wounded any number of times. It has not been an uncommon result though from that fight, as I think that running dog instructed his sellswords to poison their quarrels."

[The Stranger]

"Oh." Cyrus said, scratching his head vigorously.

"So we're mad at King Rickon now huh?"

[House Dustin]

Roland smiled despite himself. "I'm not sure mad is really the right term. I had hoped some, that a threat to resign might make the King realize just how poor of a decision he was making. But, another lesson, Cyrus: never, ever, make a threat or promise you do not intend to keep. I threatened resignation because I could not let the King dishonor me so. He sent me to Dorne to make his peace, and I did so at his direction and with his own guidelines in mind..." Roland trailed off.

He looked back at the boy, "But, I had vainly hoped for the sake of the Seven Kingdoms, that the threat of my resignation alone would keep him from his decision on the Martells. I believe his decision could well fracture the realm. It would appear though, that my counsel was not only disregarded, but scorned as well." Roland sighed.

"In any case, Rickon is still our King, and while I do not agree with some of the choices he has made, we are still sworn to him."

[The Stranger]

"But he's a bad King isn't he?" Cyrus asked, "should i resign too?"

[House Dustin]

Roland chuckled now. "No, no, Cyrus. Not now, though about the King being bad-- I fear that he could become so. This decision he made was totally arbitrary. A man of power has no room to be arbitrary. If he is not taught humility and wisdom before he comes of age then he will be a bad king."

[The Stranger]

"Oh." The boy was still clearly confused, but didn't say anything for a time.

"Do you think the King is sorry that Ser Osmund was hurt?"

[House Dustin]

"I'm sure he did not wish any harm beyond that which he'd explicitly ordered on Lord Hillcrest and his family."

[The Stranger]

"Mommy says that not wanting to do it, is not the same thing as being sorry."

[House Dustin]

"She is right. I could not say if he feels any remorse, and though I hope in some small way tht he does feel some... I am not confident that it is so."

[The Stranger]

"Oh." The boy said. "So are we not friends with the Irwyns anymore? Should I replace him as Regent? Is that possible?"

[House Dustin]

"I don't know what to make of Lord Irwyn. I will admit, I cannot understand his motivation in accepting the role. There are few others who should be as insulted by the King's decision as he. I fear it is blind ambition, which is both dangerous and dishonorable... but, everything I knew of the man tells me that does not fit."

Roland shook his head sadly, "He is much changed after Dorne."

He realized then that he was mumbling and then answered the boy's question directly. "No, no, he should not be replaced, and in any case you cannot do so."

[The Stranger]

"That's good. I like Loren and Corrine and Mommy likes Lord Irwyn, and she said Daddy liked him too. Was my daddy ambo-shus like Uncle Alex?"

[House Dustin]

"Your father was ambitious... but he always kept what was best for his House, his realm, and his king before his own interest. That is the key thing, Cyrus. A man's duty to others can outweigh his own self-interest. That is the cornerstone of bravery."

[The Stranger]

"House... Realm... King, self? Like that?" Cyrus asked.