The Small Council Chambers

[The Mad Skylord]

The Chambers in which the small council meet to discuss matters important to the realm. It is a medium sized room, with many books and scrolls in cases along the walls and a large polished wooden table in the middle. There is one large window facing out to the sea.

Small Council Members

Hand of the King - Lord Rickard Stark Master of Coin - Vacant Master of Ships - Lord Qohorys Velaryon Master of Whispers - Arthur Fowler Master of Laws - Lord Boremund Tarth Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks - Lady Isla Corbray Lord Commander of the Kingsguard - Ser Aenarys Velaryon

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Lady Regent, Shaera Targaryen, the Dowager Queen, calls a meeting of the Small Council. Well aware that many were absent given the war, she was ready to proceed with the counsel of whomever remained in the capital and assume the powers and duties of those who were absent. Once all had been assembled, she began. "My Lords. I present the facts simply as I know them. The royal vaults have been looted, two guards slain, and one of the royal crowns is missing. Additionally, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard is unaccounted for, and was reportedly seen leaving - of fleeing - the city."

She paused momentarily to let the words sink in. "I do not know if the two events are related or not. I pray to the Seven that they are not, but the chronology of these events is highly disturbing indeed. I seek your counsel before I proceed. I am inclined to issue a Royal Warrant for the arrest of the Lord Commander, or else a recall. If loyal he should obey. If not..." She almost did not want to contemplate the alternatives. How could he be disloyal? All these years he has served...

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys sat at his respective spot on the Small Council, listening to the words of the Lady Regent, Shaera Targaryen. He decided to speak first, leaning forward in his chair.

We should not worry about issuing a royal warrant to arrest the Lord Commander, whose own appointment is invalidated with his actions of departing the capital. We can worry about him later as our focus and efforts should more on the pretender than the Lord Commander. In addition, the King should be notified of Grandison's departure so that he may appoint a new Lord Commander in due course. The Kingsguard cannot exist without a King nor a Lord Commander to lead them.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Queen listened to Qohery's words before responding. "Yes, that seems quite logical. I shall dispatch a messenger forthwith." Shaera looked about to the others gathered. "It falls to us to prepare for the worst case scanerio: the defeat of my son's forces in the field." She did not seem at all delighted by entertaining the prospect of defeat. ""Firstly, I want to secure a plan for my daughter's extraction from the capital if things go wrong as well as my own. Lastly I wish to discuss the defense of the capital if it is placed under siege."

Shaera produced a letter "The Vale marches south!" She declared, brandishing a letter. "Their loyalties are unknown, and I would not open the gates to them without first speaking to their envoys."

[Pinkerton]

Arthur listened carefully to the Queen and Lord Velaryon while he thought of what to say

[Lucius Malfoy]

The list of allies was already presently thin with no word from the Stormlands, the Westerlands and possibly the Reach. Qoherys did not agree with the Vale being treated in such a way as the Lady Regent said they should treat them.

Your Grace, the King exempted all Lords from the war tax if they send troops under the Targaryen banner and to support our cause against the pretender. The Vale lords are sending their host to aid in our struggle and we are to treat them as friends at arm's length? Would that not make them feel un-welcomed and decide to truly aid the pretender? The Vale has been loyal to the Targaryens for a number of reigns, especially during the Dance of Dragons when the Lady Paramount of the Vale supported Rhaenyra.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Queen listened to his words, perhaps she was overreacting. "Have they met the requirements for tax exemption?" There was a warning in her heart yet it was shared by none, It was either a sign of insight or madness. "Why have they not sent a representative to the Capital? "Nor were they at the coronation..." She was still unsure. "I can think of only one was to find out for sure. I must ride to their camp. If I do not return and I am kept as a prisoner, we shall know their loyalties. If their betrayal runs deep enough to do such a thing, at least it will only be me that is risked."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Upon finding the city under siege, the Queen calls an emergency meeting of the small council.

[Pericles of Athens]

Ser Blackwood arrives as requested by the queen, as the only member of Kingsguard within the city. I am at your service. He stated matter of factly bending down onto one knee.

[Pontifex Maximus]

It seemed nobody else was coming. If the city was more or less empty, there would be little reason to take it, but still...

"Ser Blackwood. It is good to see you. I suppose I am not wholly abandoned. We must make plans for the defense of the city..." She gazed out the window to see the large host assembled. "We can musted barely ten thousand men for our defense. I cannot surrender this city."

[Pinkerton]

Arthur arrived to the meeting a little late. He apologized and sat in his place.

"Do we know how many men surround the city?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Shaera was relieved to have a second join them. "We do not, though it is undoubtedly a large force. This sounds like a job for our Master of Whispers." she added. "See what you can find out about this host. I will try to buy us time."

[Pinkerton]

Shaera was relieved to have a second join them. "We do not, though it is undoubtedly a large force. This sounds like a job for our Master of Whispers." she added. "See what you can find out about this host. I will try to buy us time."

"It is a job for a scout, not a spy, milady. Do we have anyone besides Ser Blackwood to coordinate the city's defense?"

[Pericles of Athens]

I have few skills, but I will give my life to protect this city - and you my queen. He rose, blade strapped across his back.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"there is nobody left." Shaera added gloomily.

[Pontifex Maximus]

After negotiations upon the field, the Queen returned with the Baratheon (and Caron if he wishes) to the Small Council chambers. She began with an adamant and solemn order. "Let me be clear. No harm, whatsoever, shall befall these men within King's Landing so far as the truce between us is upheld. THe nature of this understanding is as follows: I shall offer all the support I can muster for the safe rescue of Lord Baratheon's nephew as possible and he shall cease and desist all hostile actions against the capital until such time as we either succeed or fail in this effort." She glanced between the men in the room. Pride, honor, and testosterone might yet be her downfall. "Is that quite understood gentlemen?" She said forcefully.

[Trot]

Mathis enters the Small council chambers a few steps behind Baratheon. The young man sits down feeling relaxed for the first time in months. The queens eyes sweep over hi and he shivers slightly. Well almost relaxed, the Queen was not a woman Mathis wanted to cross, very few people had that natural air of command about them that the queen did. Mathis smiles reassuringly at the Queen, trying to set her at ease. "Your Majesty I can assure you the last thing either of us want to do is attack the capital."

[Gandalfus]

Harbert's stern expression was evident. An hour previous, and he would have called these men his foes, and slain them without mercy. Now, they were allies of convenience.
"Yes, your Grace."
He gave a curt nod, before warily taking one of the numerous empty seats at the Small Council table.


OOC: Just realised that Shaera is actually Steffon Baratheon's aunt, as his mother Rhaella was Shaera's sister...

[Pontifex Maximus]

Mathis enters the Small council chambers a few steps behind Baratheon. The young man sits down feeling relaxed for the first time in months. The queens eyes sweep over hi and he shivers slightly. Well almost relaxed, the Queen was not a woman Mathis wanted to cross, very few people had that natural air of command about them that the queen did. Mathis smiles reassuringly at the Queen, trying to set her at ease. "Your Majesty I can assure you the last thing either of us want to do is attack the capital."

Shaera nodded and responded in a slow tone of voice. "I do not doubt it, Lord Caron. The Stormlords initially opposed the Monster, and this is not a fact easily ignored. It is also a sign of trust that I have allowed you and Lord Baratheon to retain your arms in the capital. You are not traitors, as of yet, and it is my intention that we work together to solve a common problem." With that she turned to Denys.

Harbert's stern expression was evident. An hour previous, and he would have called these men his foes, and slain them without mercy. Now, they were allies of convenience.
"Yes, your Grace."
He gave a curt nod, before warily taking one of the numerous empty seats at the Small Council table.

"We are few." Shaera responded, perceiving Baratheon's lack of faith at the few men assembled at the table "but we are formidable." She concluded. "Lord Fowler." she motioned to the man "And Ser Blackwood" She motioned to the other. "They are honorable and capable men. They will serve us well."

She then began her speech. "We are faced with a new objective against a common foe. Maelys has taken the Lord Baratheon, the nepher of Lord Denys, hostage. He now seeks to manipulate the Stownlands with this hostage. It is our mission to rescue him." She paused momentarily. "It shall be that task of this council to see this mission carried out."

[Pericles of Athens]

I am the only white knight in the city, but your will is my command. Blackwood responded - pounding his fist against his lily white breastplate.