A meeting in the Capital [Oznerol]

[Poach]

As Bayard departed the Throne Room, having spoken to the King and gained royal assent for his annexation of the New Gift, he spied a familiar face near the back: Lord Bolton. He hadn't seen the man since he left for Pyke, quite some time ago by now. Bayard motioned outside, indicating he'd like Lord Bolton to join him.

Waiting outside the Throne Room, in one of the alcoves in the large corridors, he awaited Bolton's arrival.

"Lord Bolton," said Bayard in greeting as the man approached him, " I'm in the Capital on the King's summons, on matters unrelated to the matters I entrusted to you, but more of that later. How went the affair with Pyke?"

Around the two Lords, Bayard's strong guard contigent formed a small, outward looking crowd. A reinforced company had been brought south on the thought that Robert would challenge the creation of the Northmarch: Bayard wanted to ensure the King didn't consider simply seizing him, as well as put on a show of strength. All unnecessary as it turned out, but the strong force did make for a show of strength to the various denizens of the Red Keep.

[Oznerol]

As Bayard departed the Throne Room, having spoken to the King and gained royal assent for his annexation of the New Gift, he spied a familiar face near the back: Lord Bolton. He hadn't seen the man since he left for Pyke, quite some time ago by now. Bayard motioned outside, indicating he'd like Lord Bolton to join him.

Waiting outside the Throne Room, in one of the alcoves in the large corridors, he awaited Bolton's arrival.

"Lord Bolton," said Bayard in greeting as the man approached him, " I'm in the Capital on the King's summons, on matters unrelated to the matters I entrusted to you, but more of that later. How went the affair with Pyke?"

Around the two Lords, Bayard's strong guard contigent formed a small, outward looking crowd. A reinforced company had been brought south on the thought that Robert would challenge the creation of the Northmarch: Bayard wanted to ensure the King didn't consider simply seizing him, as well as put on a show of strength. All unnecessary as it turned out, but the strong force did make for a show of strength to the various denizens of the Red Keep.

Lord Bolton's men, numbering twenty five engrossed the large guard of Lord Stark, their pink surcoats and black mail in contrast with Bayard's men outfits.

Lord Bolton looks a moment in Bayard's eyes:

"Badly. Not only Balon Greyjoy refused to speak with me in person, but his brother laughed at our demands, humiliating us offering the paltry sum of five thousand dragons, clearly not enough to pay what they stole or destroyed. The humiliation is even worse because we talked under your personal heraldry and I stated more than once that I was your representative, Lord Bayard"

[Poach]

[OOC: Forgot to mention, chronologically this is post-Wolfswood so Bolton’s son is present here, too. Bayard would have brought his squires to the Capital.]

Bayard frowned deeply: this was indeed a serious insult and not one to be forgotten lightly. Recalling Maric’s discussions on strength and his trials with Houses Manderly and Karstark, the former ending on better terms than the latter, Bayard resolved that the matter must not be dropped.

“Go before the King, or the Hand,” said Bayard, “The Ironborn will not compensate us, so the King must compel them to or compensate us from the Crown’s purse: a purse we helped place in Robert’s hands. Build whatever coalition seems fit to press the issue, I doubt we were the only victims of Greyjoy’s lust for pillage and rape: the shores of the Riverlands, Westerlands and Reach were all open to the Ironborn, how many do you think they have avoided? I would wager none.”

“In addition, the King has offered me the post of Master of Whispers, a post I have no intention, nor time, to take up. My business in the North against the Wildlings is unresolved; even with the Northmarch established their forays are regular, though few now make it to the Wolfswood. The Night’s Watch must be brought to task on their repeated failures to man the Wall. Robert has given me leave to appoint another in my place. If you would take it, it will provide you, and the North, influence in the Capital and may give you the leverage and access you need to press our claims to compensation all the more effectively, as well as present opportunities thereafter.”

Bayard waved behind him and Domeric Bolton was soon produced, the Lord Paramount’s squire, alongside the Smalljon, having accompanied his master to the Capital.

“Your son is performing with honour,” said Bayard happily, abandoning the previously serious tone of his speech about politics, “We recently spent several weeks in the Wolfswood, cleaning it of the Wildling menace that had taken root there while the armies fought in the south. We slew or captured many hundreds, losing considerably less of our own. Your son is even responsible for saving my neck in one of the earliest engage

[Oznerol]

[OOC: Forgot to mention, chronologically this is post-Wolfswood so Bolton’s son is present here, too. Bayard would have brought his squires to the Capital.]

Bayard frowned deeply: this was indeed a serious insult and not one to be forgotten lightly. Recalling Maric’s discussions on strength and his trials with Houses Manderly and Karstark, the former ending on better terms than the latter, Bayard resolved that the matter must not be dropped.

“Go before the King, or the Hand,” said Bayard, “The Ironborn will not compensate us, so the King must compel them to or compensate us from the Crown’s purse: a purse we helped place in Robert’s hands. Build whatever coalition seems fit to press the issue, I doubt we were the only victims of Greyjoy’s lust for pillage and rape: the shores of the Riverlands, Westerlands and Reach were all open to the Ironborn, how many do you think they have avoided? I would wager none.”

“In addition, the King has offered me the post of Master of Whispers, a post I have no intention, nor time, to take up. My business in the North against the Wildlings is unresolved; even with the Northmarch established their forays are regular, though few now make it to the Wolfswood. The Night’s Watch must be brought to task on their repeated failures to man the Wall. Robert has given me leave to appoint another in my place. If you would take it, it will provide you, and the North, influence in the Capital and may give you the leverage and access you need to press our claims to compensation all the more effectively, as well as present opportunities thereafter.”

Bayard waved behind him and Domeric Bolton was soon produced, the Lord Paramount’s squire, alongside the Smalljon, having accompanied his master to the Capital.

“Your son is performing with honour,” said Bayard happily, abandoning the previously serious tone of his speech about politics, “We recently spent several weeks in the Wolfswood, cleaning it of the Wildling menace that had taken root there while the armies fought in the south. We slew or captured many hundreds, losing considerably less of our own. Your son is even responsible for saving my neck in one of the earliest engage

ooc: Ok, seems logical.

Lord Roose glanced Domeric with his pale eyes. His son was taller and stronger, as he expected. Bolton experienced a hint of pride, Domeric was his only weakness, and his greatest pride. He turned his eyes again to Lord Stark.

"I will tell the King in person, my Lord. The honor and reputation of the North must be taken seriously, they cannot make a fool of ourselves"

Lord Roose' eyes widened, interested. Master of Whispers... That would grant him certain amount of influence and power, enjoying a seat on the Small Council was something totally unexpected for Lord Roose. Indeed the title fitted him quite well, more than would ever fit the wolf cub, who was seemingly ignorant of the intricate complexity of intrigues and plots. He would be easy prey to the machinations of the courtiers at the capital. It seems Lord Stark was clever, more than he thought.

"You honor me, Lord Stark with such an appointment. I'll do my best to recover what is rightfully ours and represent the North at the Small Council"

Lord Roose looked again to Domeric:

"I'm glad that he is a good squire; and that my pride for him proves true and worthy. A fine heir for the Dreadfort, indeed"

Domeric stood proud and looked joyfully to his father and overlord.

[Poach]

"Excellent," said Bayard, glad he'd found someone to fill in the Small Council seat, "Then I hereby appoint you Master of Whispers in my stead, Lord Bolton. Your main concern must be restitution for the North, which I believe your new appointment will make easier to accomplish. Serve Robert well, for he is a friend and we fought for him: I still have loyalty to him and consider him a brother. I'm sure acquiring concessions from the Ironborn through the King will prove straightforward. For now I must return to the North and meet with the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, as he has the audacity to complain about our Northmarch while he routinely fails to prevent Wildling incursions."

Bayard nodded to Lord Bolton and then set off down the hallway, eager to begin his return home. In tow were his large guard force and his Squires: their next lesson will be in dealing with the Watch.

[OOC: Squires, feel free to chat about all these events now!]