The Small Council

[Oznerol]

Small Council

Of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms

Lord Protector of the Realm: Lord Corlys Velaryon and Lord Lucian Arryn
Hand of the King: Lord Lucian Arryn
Master of Whispers: Lady Mysaria of Lys
Master of Coin: Vacantn
Master of Laws: Lord Alan Tarly
Master of Ships (Lord Admiral): Lord Corlys Velaryon
Grand Maester: Grand Maester Orwyle (NPC)
Lord Commander of the Queensguard: Ser Armand Arryn
Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks: Lord Yorwick Royce

[Velasco]

A raven arrives from Prince Jacaerys at Casterly Rock.

Mother, Father, Lords, greetings.

Lord Lannister has received me kindly at his hall and offered me the guest right. He and his wife have been kind with their hospitality and words.

He seems altogether willing to be reconciled to the Queen's peace and join our cause. He is, however, loathe to pay money to the Tullys. To quote Lord Jason;

The truth of it is this is a punishment and also true is that I am loath to accept it when I have yet to lose a battle and can offer more for your cause than Tully has managed this entire war. I can bring an end to ll this, something Tully has failed to do given how much of the fighting has been on his lands. Why should I pay Vance a groat if he has done you more injury than he has to me?

My reply was diplomatic and evaded any expression of my personal feelings towards Ser Vance's notions of hospitality, but I confess I do not know how to refute Lord Lannister's words. He offers to reveal the locations and purposes of the Green armies and to march against them, using his knowledge of their inner circle to deprive them of all hope and bring this war to a speedy conclusion.

He also expressed great concern that no exact figure was set for this payment that is required. I proposed that it be accorded amicably between himself and the Tullys, with the Iron Throne for mediator, but he was little enthused by that.

I write thus seeking the counsel of the Small Council and my mother's command as how to proceed. Note all reply shall come to me by way of his maester, so he shall have notice of it first.

By his own hand, at the Rock. Jacaerys Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone, in the second year of Rhaenyra's Reign.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Hand of the Queen convenes a meeting of the Small Council. Lord Royce is likewise invited to attend. Lucian sat at the head of the table, gaunt from weeks in the field but cleanshaven and dressed in clean, dark blue colors.

[Trot]

Yorwyck enters the chambers of the small council nodding respectfully to Lord Arryn before taking the seat set aside for him. He wondered why he had been invited to attend this meeting. However with only the Hand and the Grand Maester currently in the room it seemed he would have to wait to find out.

[Oznerol]

Daemon entered the council chamber, passing by the Valyrian sphinxes and took a seat. He was dramatically dressed in black and red.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian stood once everyone had taken their seats. It felt strange, after three years, not to feel the weight of his sword tugging at his waist.

"My Lords, the war is won, and now we must look towards the good governance of the Realm. We have a number of vacancies on this council and around the capitol and first we must look towards filling them. The first, and in my opinion the most important, is appointing someone as Master of Laws in order to arrange for the administration of law and order in the capitol. The Goldcloaks have been decimated, we need an able man to bring them back to strength. I propose Lord Royce be appointed to this post." It was time to see who would oppose Lucian in the capitol. He did not lead the Black armies for years in order to have his agenda challenged. "If he approaches his duties with even half the courage and skill he showed in battle, we will soon have the rule of law governing the streets of King's Landing again."



ooc: I'll just assume everyone is present

[Dirty Chai]

"No," the Queen said, raising a hand.
"I need an administrator as the keeper of the laws. I would rather appoint Lord Royce," she looked to the lord, offering a smile, "to be the Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks, captain of the city watch."

[Trot]

Yorwyck nods his head in acceptance,

"I would be honored to serve my Queen in any capacity I am able." The Gold Cloaks would need to be whipped into shape, their numbers were severely depleted. 'If I may my Queen the Gold Cloaks numbers were severely depleted during the war, and with your permission I would like to bring 1000 of my own armsmen to help maintain order until I can recruit and train more men."

[Dirty Chai]

Yorwyck nods his head in acceptance,

"I would be honored to serve my Queen in any capacity I am able." The Gold Cloaks would need to be whipped into shape, their numbers were severely depleted. 'If I may my Queen the Gold Cloaks numbers were severely depleted during the war, and with your permission I would like to bring 1000 of my own armsmen to help maintain order until I can recruit and train more men."

Rhaenyra considered this from her seat, blinking once.
"That will not be necessary, the royal coffers are healthy - we will afford you hirelings. Thank you, Lord Royce."

Lucian remained stoic, but thought the appointment strange. Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks. It was a powerful but middling position, the Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks has more direct control, in theory, over the Goldcloaks, but he must answer to the Master of Laws. Besides, the Lord Commander would not sit on the Small Council. Perhaps she has Daemon in mind.

"Very well, your Grace." It was not what he intended, but at least it was something. "Turning now to my son. Armand is ready to take his vows. Who is our current Lord Commander of the Queensguard?"

"Ser Darklyn is the acting Lord Commander, however their ranks are depleted and until the seven are actually seven again we cannot oficially chose another commander. That should be one of our priorities: restoring the Queensguard's strenght"

Lucian nodded. it was possibly one of their most pressing concerns. "Perhaps Armand can aid in recruitment. I will speak to him." And then I can hand select the Queensguard too.

"Perhaps we could host a tourney? Some suitable knights are bound to be among the ranks of the contestants, and it might serve to bring the realm together after all of the bloodshed."

"I would have a knight from each of the seven realms, picked from each of the houses that are owed our favor."
The Queen glanced at Royce. "But a tourney would perhaps be another solution, to find the best of them."

"That's a sound proposal, your Grace"

Said Daemon.

"But who shall we name as our Master of Laws? We need someone capable and witty, as skilled with our realm's laws as Lord Mooton is with coin"

The woman thought long on this one, pausing silently before speaking.
"I would appoint that post to an individual by merit, not by loyalty or favor," she said, clearly meaning that she wanted someone without ambitions, someone without loyalty to a powerful house. Rhaenyra's mind darted about as he glanced down at the table in thought, raising a fist to rest at her lips in musing.
A maester? A lowly noble? One of her sons at least would be without ambition, she supposed, but none of them were old enough or able.

[Alexandrine]

"I would have a knight from each of the seven realms, picked from each of the houses that are owed our favor."
The Queen glanced at Royce. "But a tourney would perhaps be another solution, to find the best of them."

The woman thought long on this one, pausing silently before speaking.
"I would appoint that post to an individual by merit, not by loyalty or favor," she said, clearly meaning that she wanted someone without ambitions, someone without loyalty to a powerful house. Rhaenyra's mind darted about as he glanced down at the table in thought, raising a fist to rest at her lips in musing.
A maester? A lowly noble? One of her sons at least would be without ambition, she supposed, but none of them were old enough or able.

"Perhaps a man of the faith will suit your needs. They pride themselves as able administrators." Walys Mooton offered. "Or perhaps you can appoint your son, Prince Jacaerys as master of laws. He seems to be an ambitious young man. Might give him the chance of learning how it is to control real power."

"As to the Queensguard; Perhaps your friends in the North have suitable candidates. They are a hardened folk; with clear minds and strong swords. Doesn't lord Stark have a base born brother? A tourney may be much more likeable, but would you have one of your former enemies to be your guard? You would have to sleep with one eye open. If you would appoint members to the cause yourself, I would say do it. You are the Queen. Who are they to deny your commands."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian remained stoic, but thought the appointment strange. Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks. It was a powerful but middling position, the Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks has more direct control, in theory, over the Goldcloaks, but he must answer to the Master of Laws. Besides, the Lord Commander would not sit on the Small Council. Perhaps she has Daemon in mind.

"Very well, your Grace." It was not what he intended, but at least it was something. "Turning now to my son. Armand is ready to take his vows. Who is our current Lord Commander of the Queensguard?"

[Oznerol]

"That's a sound proposal, your Grace"

Said Daemon.

"But who shall we name as our Master of Laws? We need someone capable and witty, as skilled with our realm's laws as Lord Mooton is with coin"

Daemon nodded towards Mooton and then turned to Arryn.

"Ser Darklyn is the acting Lord Commander, however their ranks are depleted and until the seven are actually seven again we cannot oficially chose another commander. That should be one of our priorities: restoring the Queensguard's strenght"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian nodded. it was possibly one of their most pressing concerns. "Perhaps Armand can aid in recruitment. I will speak to him." And then I can hand select the Queensguard too.

[Trot]

"Perhaps we could host a tourney? Some suitable knights are bound to be among the ranks of the contestants, and it might serve to bring the realm together after all of the bloodshed."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian decided to let the matter of the Master of Laws go for the moment. The Queen implied she would be happy to appoint one of their now former enemies to the post, and he would rather have the subject become stale and the post to remain vacant. "A headtax of sorts for Queensguard." It was a bizarre idea, an attempt at unity? Could the potential knights be held to their oaths? "Then five more knights we'll be needing. One from the Reach, Westerlands, North, Riverlads and Stormlands."

[Dirty Chai]

Lucian decided to let the matter of the Master of Laws go for the moment. The Queen implied she would be happy to appoint one of their now former enemies to the post, and he would rather have the subject become stale and the post to remain vacant. "A headtax of sorts for Queensguard." It was a bizarre idea, an attempt at unity? Could the potential knights be held to their oaths? "Then five more knights we'll be needing. One from the Reach, Westerlands, North, Riverlads and Stormlands."

"As to the Queensguard; Perhaps your friends in the North have suitable candidates. They are a hardened folk; with clear minds and strong swords. Doesn't lord Stark have a base born brother? A tourney may be much more likeable, but would you have one of your former enemies to be your guard? You would have to sleep with one eye open. If you would appoint members to the cause yourself, I would say do it. You are the Queen. Who are they to deny your commands."

Lucian nodded. "I will have words with Lord Stark."

The silvery queen sat at her chair, her purple dress shifting as she crossed a leg.
"A knight from House Tarly, a knight from House Lannister, a knight from any of the Riverlords, and a knight from .."
She balked, the Stormlands were an enemy through and through, she knew of no supporters there.
"And perhaps a Royce or a Velaryon," she added at the end.

"Perhaps a man of the faith will suit your needs. They pride themselves as able administrators." Walys Mooton offered. "Or perhaps you can appoint your son, Prince Jacaerys as master of laws. He seems to be an ambitious young man. Might give him the chance of learning how it is to control real power."

Rhaenyra thought on that, narrowing her eyes, picturing her eager son.
"Perhaps." She looked to Lord Royce and Lord Arryn. "If I were to put Jacaerys in charge of justice in this city, can I count on Yorwyck to advise him closely?"

[Alexandrine]

The silvery queen sat at her chair, her purple dress shifting as she crossed a leg.
"A knight from House Tarly, a knight from House Lannister, a knight from any of the Riverlords, and a knight from .."
She balked, the Stormlands were an enemy through and through, she knew of no supporters there.
"And perhaps a Royce or a Velaryon," she added at the end.

"Your grace, if you want a knight of the Riverlands, I have a suitable cousin who would be honoured to join the Queensguard. A brilliant knight too. " Walys offered. I should know, he thought. Being the former squire of Ser Darklyn.

"Its a good thing we found a occupation for the young prince. It will do him good, Lord Royce is a sensible man who will teach him good."

[Oznerol]

"Your grace, if you want a knight of the Riverlands, I have a suitable cousin who would be honoured to join the Queensguard. A brilliant knight too. " Walys offered. I should know, he thought. Being the former squire of Ser Darklyn.

"Its a good thing we found a occupation for the young prince. It will do him good, Lord Royce is a sensible man who will teach him good."

"Summon your cousin, Lord Walys. We shall see if he is worth the white cloak. Surely, hailing from such a noble house, he is"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian nodded. "I will have words with Lord Stark."

[Pontifex Maximus]

That would be one way to try to control the boy. "I am sure he could be, er, groomed." Lucian responded.