Tower of the Hand

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Tower of the Hand


The Offices of Lord Lucian Arryn, Hand of the King

Retainers in King's Landing - 150 Knights

[Alexandrine]

Lord Walys Mooton came to see the Lord Hand.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He is welcomed into the chambers and offered some wine. "Lord Mooton, what can I do for you today?" Lucian greeted

[Alexandrine]

Walys happily took the wine. "Ah, Lord Hand." Walys said. "How kind of you to receive me. You must be very busy. Do you by chance know how Young lord Tully is doing?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

He took a small cup for himself, pouring water in before the wine. "No different than the past three years, just a different kind of busy. Maybe a better kind." This was an odd question. "The young Lord is at the Eyrie currently, awaiting out the rest of the war before he returns to Riverrun. It is a good thing he left after all, what with the Caron siege."

[Alexandrine]

He took a small cup for himself, pouring water in before the wine. "No different than the past three years, just a different kind of busy. Maybe a better kind." This was an odd question. "The young Lord is at the Eyrie currently, awaiting out the rest of the war before he returns to Riverrun. It is a good thing he left after all, what with the Caron siege."

"Ruling in peace should be a better kind of busy indeed. Except now we have to keep an eye on these former Greens." He drinks from the wine. "Yes, Lord Tully was lucky to stay in the Eyrie. But he can't stay there forever. He should go back to the Riverlands and become a Riverlander man."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Yorwyck rubs his temples tired already, "What I need is men I can trust to serve as officers. At the moment I have men more loyal to Hightower and Cole in potions of authority. I need to cull the ranks of them, and I need loyal replacements." He shakes his head slightly. "As for the Aemon's children. Ward them in the Vale and keep them guarded. They won't be a threat when they are isolated from any supporters."

"I agree." Lucian took a pensive bite of cake. "It isn't that we need a stranglehold over the realm for any petty, personal greed." He responded, handing Royce some reports. "The total number of our dead, as calculated by my maester. It staggers the mind. Nearly half of our total force. Another war like that, and the Vale will be bled dry of any young men for a generation. Our sons will inherit ash and abandoned fields." Lucian washed down the cake with a bit of wine. "I will do my best to ensure the Kingsguard is stacked with men who share our aims. Purge the Goldcloaks of the career dissenters. We are loyal to the realm's interests - and that is a strong Royal line."

"Ruling in peace should be a better kind of busy indeed. Except now we have to keep an eye on these former Greens." He drinks from the wine. "Yes, Lord Tully was lucky to stay in the Eyrie. But he can't stay there forever. He should go back to the Riverlands and become a Riverlander man."

Lucian cocked an eyebrow. Was Mooton insinuating something untoward? "They are free to leave whenever they want."

[Alexandrine]

Lucian cocked an eyebrow. Was Mooton insinuating something untoward? "They are free to leave whenever they want."

"I understand that, Lord Hand. But a mother, a woman might choose to linger a little too long in a place as magnificent and safe as yours. It would damage the reputation of our young lord. The Riverlands are a divided lot - its no secret. He needs to be groomed among his own. Among things, I came here to discuss his departure back to the Riverlands, I did not wanted to pass you by on this, as you graciously granted him safe keeping in your home."

[Trot]

Yorwyck Royce requests an audience with the Hand.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He is granted an audience, separate from Mooton. Lucian rises to greet his friend. "The war is finally over then, but it seems we will not be leaving the capitol any time soon. Congratulations on your appointment, Lord Commander." He added. "Wine? Cakes? I missed food more than anything on the campaign trail, truth be told. I've been feeling indulgent lately."

[Trot]

Yorwyck takes a seat and gratefully accepts the wine. "No it seems we will not." Yorwyck sighs shaking his head slightly. He missed his wife, and his home, but his duty came first. Duty was heavier then a mountain. "As for the position, The goldcloaks are little better then rabble it is quite clear their previous commanders gave them a very long leashe. I can't even trust half the men more seem to owe their loyalty to Daemon or Cole then to the position." He takes a sip of wine before continuing. "It will take real work to make them into anything that reassembles a fighting force."

[Oznerol]

ooc: The Goldcloaks are described as a strong fighting force, disciplined and organized, in the Princess and the Queen novella. Only under the later Targs and Robert they seemingly became the corrupt and worthless lot they are on the books.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian took a rye cake from the stack and buttered it a bit. He did have some weight to gain back anyway. "Yet they must be drilled and trained back into just that, an effective force. The Queen has adopted Aegon's children - a very dangerous and potentially ruinous move. Unless something is done to neutralize the threat they will pose, when Rhaenyra dies and Jace attempts to come into his throne, he will have two pretenders waiting to snatch it from him - and then another war."

[Trot]

Yorwyck rubs his temples tired already, "What I need is men I can trust to serve as officers. At the moment I have men more loyal to Hightower and Cole in potions of authority. I need to cull the ranks of them, and I need loyal replacements." He shakes his head slightly. "As for the Aemon's children. Ward them in the Vale and keep them guarded. They won't be a threat when they are isolated from any supporters."

[Trot]

Yorwyck shakes his head sadly he had seen men he knew die on the battle field good men and loyal friends who had died fighting along side him. It was a tragedy.
"I I war comes again this soon we will have nothing left, but men to old to hold a spear and boys to young to walk." It was disgraceful in all honesty how many had died fighting for him. "Do you have any idea who we can bring in to captain the Goldcloaks? What of the Corbrays? Or possibly some Riverlanders?" In truth Yorwyck was at a lose for who he could give command to. Men he trusted would be needed at Runestone and others well he was not sure about the Corbray's or any on the Northmen or Riverlanders.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"None that I can think of." He responded. "None that we could trust anyway. But I did not meet many of the Northerers during the war, they might prove useful."

[Trot]

Yorwyck shakes his head taking another sip of wine. "If half of the rumors from Harrenhal are true I'm not sure how far I trust those Northreners." He pauses "What of the Reach they may have someone trustworthy in their ranks."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Perhaps." Lucian responded "Those that survived. Possibly Footly or Tarly.

[Trot]

"Perhaps." Lucian responded "Those that survived. Possibly Footly or Tarly.

"Perhaps," by the seven he had been given one hell of a mess to clean up. "Let me know if you learn of anyone suitable for a position." He would have to look among his friends and vassals. Maybe one of them would be willing to aid him.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I will not force them from my holdfast. I have offered them my hospitality indefinitely. Revoking the guest right before they are prepared to return would be an insult." He drummed his fingers off the table. "If any of the Riverlords forgot to whom they owe allegiance, I will remind them."