Loras Tyrell remained in his seat while Florent and Mullendore were dragged in chains to the cells of Highgarden. The commotion within the hall was monstrous, men on either side where screaming and threatening each other, none had drawn blades but it would be soon enough.
“Silence! I will not have any more violence within my hall. This is the exact reason i will not join this conflict, i will not have the Reach tear itself into two.”"If you wish to join the oncoming war you can drag yourselves to either dragon, but you will keep your levies within the Reach! Anyone defies this order i will strip land and title from you.”
Silence swiftly flooded the hall. “Now i suggest you retire for the night, in the morning we will discuss plans to keep the Reach secure. The following people are to join me in the study. My brothers, Lord Tarly, Lord Redwyne and Maester Dux.”
He moved towards the exit with his household guard surrounding him. Once inside the study he had the maids light a fire and bring in flagons of wine.
“Lord Tarly, how is your leg?” The maester had been trying to examine it but the stubborn old man kept pushing him away. “It will heal in time, not soon enough i imagine.” He took a seat by the fire and took a sip of wine. “Right my lords, what do we do? We cannot have this civil war brought to us, we can not remain silent without consequences either."
Maester Dux gave a small cough drawing his attention. “Yes Maester, you have something to say?”
The maester face was stone, impossible to read, but his voice was chirpier than he would of liked.“I suggest we pander to both sides, gift resources enough that we can be seen as aiding, but not too much to draw attention from either side.” It was the smart thing to do, but his own men were more of a concern.
The maester seemed to of realised this.“To keep the population happy, a distraction is needed. A tournament would be fine suited, your sister and brothers are yet betrothed. Weddings are almost as distracting as tourneys. If we invite the other kingdoms, we are sure to find suitable matches as well as secure some much needed alliances.
The idea of a tournament amused him, he did love watching the lists and it would indeed be a suitable distraction for not only the high born but the smallfolk as well. “Very well, send out ravens, to each of the seven kingdoms. Make sure to declare our neutrality, offer safe passage and to remind them that a tournament doesn’t require an army to escort them. Make sure to send a raven to both Dragonstone and Kings Landing as well, we can not be seen as to choosing sides, nor dare to insult them.”
The Maester left the study, he faced the remaining men.“Tarly, you are to injured to command. I ask you remain at Highgarden and oversee training new troops. Redwyne, return to the Arbor and bring your fleet to the mouth of the Mander, the Ironborn love any excuse to raid and we can not allow the dispute over the throne to give them easy targets along our coast.”
He turned to his brothers.“Geryn, you are to take our main host to the crossing south of us, if Otto Hightower wishes to follow his uncle into battle, we can not let them pass Highgarden. Meros, you shall take your forces and keep an eye on the Kingswood, the Storm Lords never say no to a tourney, but they love battle just as much. Make sure you allow only a personal guard to escort them through our lands.
Now if there is anything else, i suggest we take rest for the night, we have a long and slow series of events ahead of us”.
Tarly had made a move towards the door and stopped.
“My Lord, i would’ve died today if it was not for your brother, a debt i can not repay.”Loras laughed, “You are a good and loyal man Tarly, that is good enough payment in our eyes.”
Tarly sighed and lowered his head. “No my Lord, it is not. My son is still an infant, my years are waning and i fear i will not step foot on a battlefield again”.
He moved towards Geryn and took a knee in front of him. He placed Heartsbane at Geryn’s feet.
“I offer you my sword for the battles to come, let it be my presence within the field of battle, return it to my son once he comes of age, i fear i shall not outlive this war.”
Geryn held Heartsbane in his hands, “You do me and my house great honor lord Tarly, i will do as you request, i swear by the seven that the blade will see no acts of dishonor.” |