A meeting with the Archmaesters

[jakev2]

Lord Leyton Hightower has, for only the second time in at least twelve years, descended from the top of the Hightower and into the city below. He walked through the crowded city (his riding skills being rusty to say the least) with a small guard made up of members of his own household guard and the Oldtown City Watch, heading for the Citadel. Rumour has it that as House Hightower has long been the greatest patron of the Order of Maesters, Lord Leyton has been granted an audience with the Conclave, the ruling council of the Order, made up of the Archmaesters. In theory, the Archmaesters are those who are most learned in their particular fields, but in reality the internal politics of the Citadel mean that the posts are often given to those of high birth, rather than the most knowledgeable.

The meetings of the Conclave have always been completely secret, and this is the first time someone not of their order has been granted an audience for over fifty years. The Conclave know that Lord Leyton does not lightly leave his home, but they are as yet unsure why the man would want to speak to them directly.

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Lord Leyton arrives at the Citadel, its thick gates before him. He shouts up to the wall to announce his arrival.

"Maesters of the Citadel, it is I, Lord Leyton Hightower. I have come as we arranged, at noon, but I did not arrange to have the gate barring me from entering in my own city!" He pulls his furs tighter around him. Autumn in Oldtown is generally warm, but their is a chill wind from the sea today, and Lord Leyton is not a young man.

OOC: This was the thing I was talking about when I said I needed people to RP the archmaesters. It would be really helpful if people could drop in and out as various characters around the Citadel (feel free to make them up completely)

[Bonez]

OOC: Tis Winter...

You have come? How are we to know it is the true Leyton? He has not left his tower for the lifetime of many a youngling!

[jakev2]

Lord Leyton is not a patient man at the best of times, but particularly not when left standing around in the cold. His cheeks redden as he angrily shouts back up.

"How are you to know? I arranged this meeting with the Conclave, they should have told the bloody guards to expect me! Now either get down here and look at me yourself, or find someone who knows that I'm supposed to be here, but either way, get this thrice damned gate open!" He huffs, and mutters to himself. "Seven hells, these people are meant to be clever."

[Bonez]

The guard looks to his buddy and sees the same look, if this guy doesn't get in and he is the lord someone is going to be getting a beating...
He quickly goes down and lets the lord in.

[jakev2]

When the guard finally opens the gate and lets Leyton in, he sees that the old man still stands tall and strong, despite plenty of rumours suggesting his health was deteriorating. Leyton grunts at the man. "Finally. Satisfied that I am who I claim to be?" He points a large finger at the Hightower sigil on his breast, beneath his furs, and the guard notices a thick gold ring on his hand, clearly a sign of significant wealth. "Now, I was told somebody would meet me here to take me to the archmaesters. Is it you, or..." Lord Hightower trails off as he glances around, seeing if there is anyone who looks likely to be the man.

[Bonez]

I ain't been told nothin' 'bout some lord visiting, know nothin' 'bout where yer going either.

[jakev2]

"Clearly. It's a surprise that in a place of such learning, knowledge can seemingly be hard to come by." He turns from the guard, and scans the courtyard, his breath forming a mist in front of him.

OOC: Need somebody to jump in as an acolyte or something to take me to the Archmaesters

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

"Guards, fear not. I've arranged this meeting with the Lord." Calls out a wispy, quite voice which still demands authority. Walking out of the shadows came a man with a chain filled with a number of rings, and by his side he carried of iron. The man was quite tall, with a grey beard that ran down to the bottom of his neck. His hair was balding, to say the least - but there was still some there. Easily over 60 the man walked with a slight limp, but still moved briskly for a man of his age.

Can I join in? ;-)

[jakev2]

OOC: Certainly

IC: The anger on Lord Leyton's face recedes slightly as the man approaches. "Ah, good. You have my thanks for saving me from those two. May I ask what kept you, Archmaester...?" Leyton trails off, waiting for the man's name.

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Thank-you. :-)

The Archmaester chuckles softly, "You are most welcome, my lord. The guards are a bit rough around the edges, but we are old men - and in need of such protection, apologies for the barring of the gate, but last night one of our order was murdered, and such precautions were taken. This is partly why I am late, the Seneschal and I have been talking." The Archmaester paused for a bit, as deep in though, purposely ignoring the Lords request for his name...

[jakev2]

Lord Hightower's eyebrows raise in surprise. "A maester murdered? In my city? Have the City Watch been informed?"

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

That is the last thing we need...

"My Lord, the problems within our order our dealt within our order. There is no need for the City Watch, although we thank-you for your concern." He replied, gesturing the Lord to follow him, "My Lord, if you please, may we move to somewhere more private, my quarters perhaps?"

[jakev2]

Lord Leyton is slightly suspicious of this man, but he does not show it. I'm here to meet the conclave, not just one of them, and I still don't even know his name. He gestures to the man.

"Lead the way."

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

The Archmaester leads the Lord through a number of passageways, up flights of stairs, around corners, and down corridors, greeting everyone who they walk past. Finally they reach a big wooden in the middle of a room. Withdrawing a set of keys from within his robes he flicked through a few keys, looking for the right one. Eventually he found it and placed it in the door's lock, turning it with a heave. The door creaked open, and light flooded into a spacious room.

The room was sparsely decorated, but in the middle sat a large wooden desk with one chair placed behind it, and another three in front. It was littered with quills and scrolls, no doubt dealing with the important business conducted in the room. Candles dotted the room, and at equal intervals one would be attached to the wall, providing limited amounts of light when lit. On one of the walls was a large window looking out onto Oldtown, but at the moment the windows were covered by some plain drapes. The three other walls were occurred by book shelves, filled with histories of the realm, on in particular which was open at a page, just resting on the shelf. It read 'The Trials and Tribulations - A History of the Realm by Maester Celestiyn. In one corner of the room sat a cage, and inside was a black raven, squawking at the intruders, but it quickly calmed as it saw its master.

The Archmaester made his way across the room, and sat down on the chair behind the desk with a sigh, before signalling the Lord to take a seat...

[jakev2]

Lord Leyton follows a few steps behind the Archmaester, and he recognises a few of the maesters they pass, though they seem not to recognise him, with his furs obscuring the sigil on his breast. I suppose thats a consequence of leaving the Hightower just twice in twelve years. A blessing in disguise, perhaps. Exhanging pleasantries with all of them would bore me to death.

Leyton follows the man into what is presumably the man's study. He takes in the surroundings as the Archmaester heads for his desk. It is much as he imagined a maester's study to look like - books, candles and dust. As the man gestures for him to take a seat, Leyton moves towards the desk and sits on the rightermost of the three chairs.

"Forgive me, archmaester, but I find in my old age that I have become far less inclined to waiting. Will you give me your name?"

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

The Archmaester laughs heartily, "Old age, it's a cripple to us both. My Lord, my name is Archmaester Clancularius, how can I be of service my Lord? It is rare that we see you venture out of the Hightower, there must be something of importance we need to discuss."

[jakev2]

"Indeed, Archmaester Clancularius. But I would rather keep the nature of my...request private, until I meet with the Conclave itself. The whole of the Conclave, that is."

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

I thought it'd would come to this...

Archmaester Clancularius paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, "Alas my Lord, due to the event of last night no one will be able to enter Conclave, and it'd be impossible to gather everyone together. I've been tasked by my Order to represent us in what you have to discuss until a time where it is possible for Conclave to meet. So please, if you have any thing you'd like to say go ahead, I will make sure your message reaches my fellow members when we next convene."

[jakev2]

Lord Hightower leans back in his chair, his eyes downcast in thought as he strokes his chin. After some time, he leans over the desk, close to the Archmaester.

"My proposal, if the Order chooses to agree to it, will shake the Citadel and change the Order to an extent that has not been seen since its creation. It would not be right for me to share this with any one member of the Conclave before the others. I apologise for wasting your time, Archmaester, but I cannot share any details of my plan. If I cannot meet them today, I will return when I can."

[Shankbot de Bodemloze]

Is anyone else gonna' join?

I knew it'd come to this...

Archmaester Clancularius sighed, rubbing his temples in despair. "Sadly my Lord, it is beyond my power to gather the conclave, I am simply a server. When you are ready to speak to me about this 'proposal' I'll look forward to your return, it has been so long since we've seen you around. I'm sure you'll be able to find yourself out." He finished, bowing his head, standing up and pointing his hand towards the door.

Just play a long... ;-)