The King's Chambers

[The Smith]

"I have asked Lord Manderly to temporarily fill the Hand position, and if he is successful then he may keep it." Daemon replied, "But I have not chosen the other positions yet."

[Marie]

She smiled at him.

"I'd ask you to consider Jon but he wishes to go back to Runestone so perhaps it's best not. Were I a man, I'd wish to be considered myself but I am not so I will not ask."

[The Smith]

"I did consider you Joanna, but the position is Master of Law, and I do not think you are the best candidate for that." Daemon replied, "You have no love of the law."

[Marie]

"True enough, but you should choose someone who is loyal and whose advice and opinions you welcome. For that post, at least. It's not the same as Master of Ships, for example. I could not handle that, obviously, since I have no knowledge of ships or naval warfare., but anyone may study the law."

She shrugged but it was clear that she had some interest in the matter.

[The Smith]

Daemon replied, "Any one can study ships and naval warfare, but I should not choose someone who has never studied them for the position of Master of Ships. I think the same applies to Law. I will always listen to you, and you are always welcome to attend the council, but I was thinking of naming Maekar to the position."

[Marie]

"Maekar sounds like a good choice," she answered. "I am sorry if I sounded too grasping but I will be content if you really mean that I may attend council if I wish."

[The Smith]

"Of course Joanna, you are my sister. There is no room barred to you in this entire palace." Daemon smiled.

[Marie]

She moved forward adn hugged him impulsively.

"Thank you, Daemon. That is sweet of you. What if your lords protest?"

[The Smith]

"If they know better, they will not do it when I am present." Daemon replied coldly.

[Marie]

Joanna nodded.

"Good. I wish to be of service to you but I do not wish to be ridiculed. I...um...I had a thought about the second part of the prophecy if you wish to hear it?"

[The Smith]

"I do... please go on." He smiled at her.

[Marie]

She lovered her voice automatically even though there was no-one to hear them.

"Do you remember when we were little there was a rumour that Lord Bettley's wife - he was Ser Milo then and she was the Princess of Dorne - had given birth to a child who was secreted away before the Princess was killed?"

[The Smith]

"I remember, Lord Milo is constantly looking for him. He is in Dorne now following up on rumors of the boy." Daemon replied.

[Marie]

"I think Dorne is the wrong place to look," Joanna said. "We should send someone to look in the North."

[The Smith]

"Why the north?" Daemon asked.