The Black Council: Rhaenyra's Small Council

[Velasco]

With the Queen in labour, Prince Jacaerys summons Velaryon, Darklyn, Celtigar and Footly to join himself, Prince Daemon, Princess Rhaenys, the Kingsguard and his two younger brothers in the Painted Chamber, to sit in Council and decide on strategy.

Greetings, my lords and ladies. I trust you have all been suitably accommodated here in the keep. You will forgive me if I do not tarry overlong with pleasantries and move on to the meat of the matter. We must work together in unison, as efficiently and effectively as possible, to bring down this usurper Aegon and restore order to the Seven Kingdoms.

[The Mad Skylord]

Footly nodded quietly.

"We must raise our forces quickly. House Velaryon is unparalleled on the sea. House Footly can raise some 5'000 men. I suggest we call all our loyal banner and assign overall commander for each region. Lords Paramount for their own region, or a High Lords house in a region like the Reach, where support is splintered."

[Velasco]

Footly nodded quietly.

"We must raise our forces quickly. House Velaryon is unparalleled on the sea. House Footly can raise some 5'000 men. I suggest we call all our loyal banner and assign overall commander for each region. Lords Paramount for their own region, or a High Lords house in a region like the Reach, where support is splintered."

Jace nodded. Wise words. Let the levies be called up at once. I propose my goodfather be named Lord Protector, Lord Corlys named Lord Hand, and I named Prince of Dragonstone. We will act with greater authority possessing such titles.

[The Mad Skylord]

"With respect, Prince, we cannot name you Prince of Dragonstone. Only the Queen has such a right. However, Prince Daemon can be name Lord Protector, but if Lord Corlys assumes the post of Lord Hand, who will be Master of Ships?"

[Velasco]

"With respect, Prince, we cannot name you Prince of Dragonstone. Only the Queen has such a right. However, Prince Daemon can be name Lord Protector, but if Lord Corlys assumes the post of Lord Hand, who will be Master of Ships?"

Jace sighed. Naturally all decisions would be ratified by my mother, Lord Footly. As for the Masterhood of Ships, I believe we ought to approach Lord Redwyne. If the Arbor's shipwrights would work for my mother and not Aegon, the Hightowers would be powerless against us at sea.

[The Mad Skylord]

Footly frowns.

"Why not secure the allegiance of a Lord Paramount with the Handship. Arryn, Stark, Baratheon or Tyrell may all be swayed to our cause by giving such a position."

[Velasco]

Footly frowns.

"Why not secure the allegiance of a Lord Paramount with the Handship. Arryn, Stark, Baratheon or Tyrell may all be swayed to our cause by giving such a position."

Lord Tyrell is a child, and Lord Arryn is my uncle. If he is not with us already we are lost altogether.

[The Mad Skylord]

"There are many lords who can fulfill the roll of Lord Hand. It can be given to anyone as an incentive to support us. Master of Ships is a far more specialized position that only a sailor can fill. Lord Coryls is the greatest sailor in the Seven Kingdoms. Surely he should be Master of Ships and Lord Admiral of the Royal Fleets?"

[Velasco]

"There are many lords who can fulfill the roll of Lord Hand. It can be given to anyone as an incentive to support us. Master of Ships is a far more specialized position that only a sailor can fill. Lord Coryls is the greatest sailor in the Seven Kingdoms. Surely he should be Master of Ships and Lord Admiral of the Royal Fleets?"

Jace frowned. The role of Lord Hand is the most crucial one, especially at such a time when the Queen is giving birth and not the best disposed to actually govern her ream. To give it away as a sinecure to entice this or that potential traitor does not sit well with me at all. But the rest of the Council's opinions are most welcome on the matter.

[The Mad Skylord]

"The role of the Lord Hand is pointless. With a capable Lord Protector, King Consort Daemon, the roll is null and void. Especially so when the Queen is back on her feet. It should be used as simple political leverage, to ensure we gain a Great House as an ally."

[Velasco]

"The role of the Lord Hand is pointless. With a capable Lord Protector, King Consort Daemon, the roll is null and void. Especially so when the Queen is back on her feet. It should be used as simple political leverage, to ensure we gain a Great House as an ally."

King Consort? I do not believe such a title exists, or is open to consideration. Prince Daemon as Lord Protector shall rightfully command mother's armies, and as she recovers she shall no doubt assume her rightful place in government. All the same, a competent and skilled Lord Hand, of unquestionable loyalty, is a must. Lord Velaryon my grandfather is the best choice, but if he prefer the masterhood of Ships then we might consider my uncle of Arryn in his stead.

[The Mad Skylord]

Footly sighs.

"Traditionally the title is Queen Consort, however, it is reversed when we have a ruling Queen.

As for your argument of the Handship, the Blacks don't actually have anything to rule at this moment in time. The Handship is totally irrelevant. It is simply a useful tool in gaining allies. A good Master of Coin manages the treasury. The Master of Laws manages the law. The Master of Ships manages the navy. The Lord Protector performs his duties as a regent and general. The Handship is irrelevant in a war time situation when there is the Lord Protectorship."

[Velasco]

Footly sighs.

"Traditionally the title is Queen Consort, however, it is reversed when we have a ruling Queen.

As for your argument of the Handship, the Blacks don't actually have anything to rule at this moment in time. The Handship is totally irrelevant. It is simply a useful tool in gaining allies. A good Master of Coin manages the treasury. The Master of Laws manages the law. The Master of Ships manages the navy. The Lord Protector performs his duties as a regent and general. The Handship is irrelevant in a war time situation when there is the Lord Protectorship."

Jace sighs back at Footly, twice as loud.

No, I don't believe so. It would cause unnecessary confusion in the succession and alienate those who, no offence goodfather, would fear my mother being but a pawn in the Rogue Prince's hands.

We have much to rule, my Lord. The Seven Kingdoms. The Hand speaks and acts with the power and authority of the Iron Throne. He can make and unmake Lords, destroy and elevate those he wishes, promise and accord with my mother's own authority. It is no sinecure, that is for certain, and whoever occupies the seat must be one of unquestionable, unwavering loyalty. The Lord Protector has military command, and not small political power, but he does not exercise full sovereignty like the Hand does.

[The Mad Skylord]

The Prince was beginning to annoy him.

"A throne that is not currently in our possession, Your Highness. While we are held by our oaths to Viserys, the law states that sons always take precedence over daughters. We have kept our honour by upholding the vow we gave, however, we must use every political gift we have to pull across lords who would support Aegon.

We cannot rule men and women who swear fealty to Aegon. The Hand cannot unmake lords because if he attempted to do so, the lord would change sides. He has no leverage over Aegon's subjects because they stand in defiance against the Queen. It is, therefore, irrelevant."

[Velasco]

The Prince was beginning to annoy him.

"A throne that is not currently in our possession, Your Highness. While we are held by our oaths to Viserys, the law states that sons always take precedence over daughters. We have kept our honour by upholding the vow we gave, however, we must use every political gift we have to pull across lords who would support Aegon.

We cannot rule men and women who swear fealty to Aegon. The Hand cannot unmake lords because if he attempted to do so, the lord would change sides. He has no leverage over Aegon's subjects because they stand in defiance against the Queen. It is, therefore, irrelevant."

My Lord Footly, the Lords and Ladies of the realm swore their obeisance to my mother as Viserys' heir and successor not many years ago. The Seven Kingdoms are bound to serve her by the old gods and new, by oaths and pledges which cannot be set aside. There is no law but that which issues from the King's mouth, and the heir of House Targaryen has always been that which is named by the predecessor, not necessarily abiding by Andal or any other custom. My mother is rightful Queen and her Hand will speak with her authority. I do not see why you seek to question or debate this, there is no reason to do so. The man who occupies the position must be one of trust and one capable of using his legal power wisely to help our cause.

[The Mad Skylord]

Footly was fast losing his temper.

"I'm telling you his bloody legal power means ! He can't use it because it will simply make the lord forget their oath and join the bastard sitting on the Iron Throne. Regardless of Targaryen customs, the laws of Westeros state that sons take precedence over daughters. Weather you follow this law or not, lords will take sides because of it."

[Velasco]

Footly was fast losing his temper.

"I'm telling you his bloody legal power means ! He can't use it because it will simply make the lord forget their oath and join the bastard sitting on the Iron Throne. Regardless of Targaryen customs, the laws of Westeros state that sons take precedence over daughters. Weather you follow this law or not, lords will take sides because of it."

Jace smiled. You do not need to remind me of the meaning, my Lord, I am the Queen's son and was educated quite adequately, I assure you. His power means much and more, when he makes deals and issues decrees in my mother's name, and much else besides. Laws of Westeros? My Lord, this immense continent is divided by more laws and customs and traditions than there are whores in King's Landing. Each farmer and potsherd clings on to the ways of his forefathers, thinking himself superior to his neighbour who does differently. What matters in this succession war alone are the laws of House Targaryen, for as I have said, all law and order issues forth from the King's mouth. The King spoke clearly and named my mother his heir, there is no question or doubt.

[Dirty Chai]

[OOC: Daemon, as the Queen's husband, should be in control here.
Just my OOC orders, but three things need to happen: Riders must fly to the North, to the Vale, and to the Stormlands, probably under what Daemon had suggested in the Dragonstone thread. Rhaenyra will weak and bedridden for a few days IC, as is canon. She will be available to speak to, though, in her room. The next meeting of this she could attend, but she won't be leaving Dragonstone till later in the year at least.]

[Iron Aquilifer]

Luke watched the two bicker across the table, arguing over somdthing that needed no discussion in his mind. Of course Lord Velaryon needed to be named Hand. There was no one else who could be chosen.

Daemon, he addressed his father. I suggest that we name Corlys Hand. He is the one we can not lose and he is the one we can trust.

[Gandalfus]

Helicent sighed, and slumped in her seat. She swatted a lock of hair out of her face with an annoyed hand, as she listened lazily to the Lords squabble and bicker. Utterly useless.

Have we tried to contact Aegon? She asked, suddenly.