The meeting of the small council

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Yes, your grace. That is the boldness we need. But why save Riverrun for the Worm if we don't have to? Why do we want to win him to our side? He is a venomous creature, proven to betray as quick as quick can. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the power behind Allard's moves -- the Worm hated Baldwin, and Allard is as thick as stone."

[Horas]

Horas nods and seems to accept Callen's decision. But when Jon finishes speaking, he cuts in again.

"Steffen was in Riverrun when Lord Baldwin was slain. My spies tell me that Randwyn has reappeared, however, with very suspicious timing."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Randwyn? Isn't that the Worm's father?" Lord Jon crows, as if it is proof of his beliefs.

[Percy Rivers]

"The worm can be dealt with later, now as to the rising murder rate I might have to replace our current Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks. I know the man, his brother was a good man, he died at Casterly Rock, but it appears as though he does not share his brother's talent. Jon Royce, could I count on you to take control? It would only be a temporary measure until order is restored, and the Royces have experience fighting wildlings, which is the same style these bastards seem to be adopting."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I could do it, though I would like to return to the field before the fighting starts in earnest. Afterall, I would see to the vengeance for my house. I cannot trust my coz to that anymore, afterall, he's no longer of our house, is he?" Jon says. "But I'll whip your Gold Cloaks into shape."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen nodded, "Good, and don't worry about taking the field. You'll know when to leave when I ride west to meet the Lannisters, and not with words of appeasment, but as the Targaryens say, with fire and blood."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Jon Royce looks pleased.

[Horas]

Horas clears his throat. "But you did not call this council to speak of Lions or Krakens, did you, Your Grace?" Something about Callen's manner seemed to suggest that there was something else on his mind. "What issue would you bring before us?"

[Percy Rivers]

Callen's eyes grew dark again, and a scowl came across his face. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a letter from inside it. He did not even look at it as he tossed it on to the table. "Lord Stark sends this from the north."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

The letter is passed around the table, to Lord Horas, Lord Jon, and Ser Giles.

"He calls the murder of children justice? It is not his to decide to bow to the Iron Throne, your grace, it is his obligation. With the Riverlands now sworn and Dorne placated, he cannot hope to blackmail you into murder," Ser Giles says. "Imprison them if you must, for life if you must, but blood?"

[Horas]

Horas reads the letter, then reads it again.

"Lord Stark knows we cannot march north, not in deep winter, not with the Lannisters and Greyjoys still in defiance of the Iron Throne. But it may be possible to resolve this without more blood. The young Targaryens do not necessarily need to be murdered -- Lord Benjen must only think they have been."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen looked at the letter sitting on the table, disgust and anger still in his eyes, "and how do we accomplish that Lord Blackwood? Murder some poor child from the streets of King's Landing and present Lord Stark with the remains?"

[Horas]

"No one will fault you for not sticking dead babes on a pike for all to see. Benjen will hear that the children have been siezed. After we move them out of Westeros, you can simply tell him that killing innocent children was difficult enough, and that you will not dishonor them further by parading their corpses around Westeros." Horas studies Callen's disgusted countenance cooly. "Judging by your distaste for the idea, I do not think it would too difficult for Benjen to accept the lie."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen tried to find the strength to nod, but just gave a sneer of disgust. After at time he finally nodded his head, "I suppose we could find some children's corpse left over the siege, Aedon was gracious enough to give us an ample supply of those. The question now is where to move the children, we'll need to keep them under watch. Benjen Stark is right about one thing, that Westeros does not need another war started by the Targaryens."

[Horas]

"A gaggle of silver-haired children would cause too much unwanted attention anywhere Westeros," Horas says. "I think we must move them to the Free Cities, or even further east. I traveled through the east for fifteen years, and I know some trustworthy men who could handle the task, if your Grace consents."