A Beetle's feelers

[The Smith]

Piers Bettley sits down in his old place at the Small Council table and kicks his feet up.

Taking out a plum he relishes it as he beings to dine.

[Horas]

Horas Blackwood walks into the room and sits directly across from Piers Bettley. His expression is serene, as if being awakened in the middle of the night by the summons of a dead man was a routine occurence in his life.

"Good evening, Lord Bettley," Horas says, interlocking his fingers and resting his elbows on the table, "What brings you to the Red Keep this night?"

[The Smith]

"I need to speak to you your lordship and his grace." Taking a bite from his plum Piers asks, "How does the regime change fair?"

[Percy Rivers]

Callen entered the room with Miles Oldflower and Anslem Flowers at his back. When he spotted Bettley his face registered surprise? "Bettley? I heard you were dead."

[The Smith]

"Yes. I have been busy and did not want the world watching over my shoulder." Rising to his feet Piers offers the King a proper bow, "My grace I thank you for arriving so quickly. I do promise this will not be a waste of your time."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen took a seat, "I would ask how you got in here, but I know that the guards let 99% of people in anyways." He poured himself a goblet of wine, "Well then, what have you brought me?"

[The Smith]

"I have brought you two things. The first is a request, Elena Plumm, the daughter of Lord Baldwin, is now in a quest room upstairs in the Red Keep. I beg your grace to offer her protection. She is still grief stricken since the unfortunate death of her husband Jayson Plumm."

"Secondly I want to offer my services in bringing a reslotuion to the crisis in the Rock. Lord Baldwin did not die of a sudden and tragic heart attack only to allow his son to destroy all he had built in the Westerlands."

"What does your Majesty need from Allard Lannister to spare his life?" Piers leans forward frowning at the mention of Allard's name.

[Percy Rivers]

"I already know of Allard's crimes against both the crown and his own family, and any victims of those crimes shall have protection. But why spare the upstarts life? Some have already told me that I've been too lenient, and I'm inclined to believe them."

[The Smith]

"Maybe you can not, but I am speaking with late Lord's mouth he would have me do everything possible to try and save his son's life." Piers nods sadly. "So reasons to not kill him. Besides declaring himself King there is no proof of any crime he has committed. And the only time where that crime has been committed before, and the perpetrator not killed defending his claim, was Greyjoy's rebellion under the first of your name. And I would point out your own ancestor did not see the need to kill the Greyjoy."

"Secondly, regardless of what your advisor's may be telling you. The Westerland lords will never allow Jeyne Lannister to succeed. If she were put in charge, they would immediately have Sara assassinated, and try to take control of the babe. I would not be at all surprised if the Young Jeyne herself was not killed in some plot."

"The economy of your Kingdom would suffer greatly from the war. If you don't believe study the numbers I have left behind as the Master of Coins. The wreckage done to the Westerlands in the last wars had put our earnings in a tizzy until only very recently."

"Think of all the people, and small folk who will suffer because two Lords insist on fighting a war in their presence. Think of the great artists, and singers who will die never completing their masterworks. Architects and Septons, Maesters and Craftsmen. They feel the bite far more then Lords in their towers."

"I am sure I can go on if you need more my grace, but those were the first to occur to me. Shall I go on?" Piers asked.

[Percy Rivers]

"If any of the smallfolk die in the war it shall not be under my orders. And what would you have me do Bettley, Allard Lannister does not seem inclined to surrender."

[The Smith]

Piers laughed, "Actually my grace, I asked you first. I asked what do you need from Allard to let him leave. Go away and never come back. He has to kneel and kiss your ring... your ass."

Snickering, "Would you like a limb? I am sure he can spare a leg, four fingers and an ear."

[Percy Rivers]

Callen's eyes narrowed, "I will not have any imputence Bettley, I've had enough of it from Lannister scum already."

[The Smith]

"I may be scum, but I am no longer Lannister Scum my grace." Piers chuckles, "I do apologize for my sharp tongue. But I have never been able to sheath it. Those who know me well would happily urge you to outlaw my wit."

[Horas]

Horas watches the exchange between Callen and Piers. When Callen becomes irritated and Piers becomes impudent Horas decides it is time to intercede.

"If I may, my lords... What the Iron Throne requires from Allard Lannister is his admission to treason and his submission to King Callen. If he acquiesces to that, perhaps a spot can be found for him on the Wall. It will not be warm, but it will be life. Otherwise, Lord Allard will perish for his crimes." Horas sips from the silver flask at his belt. "You are an intelligent man, Lord Bettley. Allard cannot win this war. Make him see that, and your lord's son may survive."

[The Smith]

"Of course Allard can not win this war. Declaring himself King is perhaps to most irresponsible and foolish act the spoiled little twerp could have done." Piers paused and looked deep in thought, "The only move worse could be the ordering of all men to run into the sea and swim for the sun as it sets."

"And to be frank half of me wants to see Allard killed for what he has done... to the Westerlands. And he compounds error upon error. He has given almost half his army to Steffen Lannister. Rest assured King that any day now you will recieve word from the Worm that he will gladly lead his force in your name, as long as you recognize his claim to Riverrun."

"Of all the people to give that command to. He insults his generals by picking a no account warrior. And he gives the Worm an army to bargain with. To be perfectly honost I would not be surprised if Allard were to have a tragic accident soon; so the west could just lay down arms."

"But that is here what I am trying to prevent. Baldwin would not want his son killed. If Allard has to take on the Black, or leave the continent I can support that. I am begging just spare the boy's life."