The White Sword Tower

[Iron Aquilifer]

White Sword Tower

The White Sword Tower contains the chambers of the bodyguard of King Aerys II. It is a slender structure of four stories built into an angle of the castle wall overlooking the bay. A circular white room, known as the Round Room, has whitewashed stone walls hung with white woolen tapestries, and forms the first floor. A large white table (weirwood carved in the shape of a shield) with seven chairs provides a meeting space for the order. The undercroft holds arms and armor, the second and third floors the small spare sleeping cells of the six brothers of the Kingsguard, and the topmost floor is given over to the Lord Commander's apartments. His rooms are usually spare as well, but spacious, and they stand above the outer walls.

The current Lord Commander, Ser Aenarys Velaryon, has not yet touched the furnishings left by his former Lord Commander

Members of the Kingsguard

Kingsguard of Aerys II Ser Aenarys Velaryon, Lord Commander (Lucius Malfoy) Ser Brynden Blackwood (Pericles of Athens) Ser Barristan Selmy (Oznerol) Ser Ryker Frey (Pontifex Maximus) Ser Lyn Lonmouth (Gandalf) Ser Lyonel Arryn (Lord Dread) ~vacant~

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ser Aenarys was quietly polishing his sword and armor for the day. Rain had come not long after the coronation of Aerys II, it seemed whatever weather lingered in Blackwater Bay still remained and wasn't gonna give up easily. He grabs a clean rag and begins to polish the boots that were chalked with mud from the streets and dirty water from the puddles. The Velaryon paused for a moment to look outside at King's Landing, his mind wandering for a moment.

This will be the third King I have served as a Kingsguard.... I never imagined that.

[Dirty Chai]

"It is the second for I," came a familiar voice from an entryway into the room.
Lewyn Martell walked across the floor of the drum tower's room, his feet near silent on the old elaborate rugs.
The Princess of Dorne's brother was a slender man, with an a deceivingly unassuming face. His appearance stood out anywhere but in Dorne, with his sun-drenched hide or slick brown hair. However, he stood in the golden armor of a Kingsguard, something that perhaps contrasted with his Rhoynish skin to many eyes.

He had worn that armor for several years now, but not as many years as Ser Aenarys.
Though, either way, most of it was standing on one's feet silently and stoutly for hours upon end.

Ser Lewyn began pulling off a wrist-guard, unfastening the leather as he spoke.
"Where is the Lord Commander, do you know?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Aenarys watched the Martell enter the room. Lewyn was one of the more recent additions to the Kingsguard, sworn in by Aegon V in the last few years of his reign. Lewyn must not be counting Jaehaerys, the One-Year King, as some called him now, beginning his reign in 259 AC, only to meet his premature death a year later. It did not matter to the Velaryon who continued to scrub hardened mud off his boots. He pauses for a moment and thinks then shrugs, keeping his attention to every bit of mud.

Our Lord Commander is most likely with His Grace, planning security measures and battle plans. His advice will be much appreciated for our young King.

He sets the cleaned boot down before grabbing the next one in line.

I suspect we will all be seeing the field soon enough and probably command armies as well, much of the leadership was shattered at Stepstones after all.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Ser Finn Bolton returned from the lists, covered in sweat and filth. Ever a man of few words, he silently stripped and handed his soiled leather clothing to his squire and dressing himself in skins and furs. Some habits died a hard death, even in the heat of the capital.

[Pericles of Athens]

Ser Blackwood entered the courtyard of the white sword tower, he eyed his surroundings. He'd failed his first King, he didn't intend to fail another. He glittered in white, cloak fluttering in the wind - and white washed blade hanging at his side.

[Iron Aquilifer]

Returning to the tower, helmet swinging in the stiff grip of his fingers, Harlan nodded to the riverman. The Lord Commander had never understood the deal with prayers made to a tree, something which could be felled like any other. Even still, the Raventree knight was a capable fighter and maybe, if one were more superstitious, praying to white timber was better than a gold statue.

Passing in to building proper, Harlan chanced upon the Dornish prince and Velaryon in discussion. He nodded towards them, loosening off one of the clasps to his cloak. Letters to be penned were on his mind, decisions to make.

"Sers," he said by way of introduction. "Any news from home? Some more wine from the personal cellars of the Water Gardens?"

It was a vague question, not as subtle as what he could have used to look in to the loyalty of their parent houses.


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[Lucius Malfoy]

"Sers," he said by way of introduction. "Any news from home? Some more wine from the personal cellars of the Water Gardens?"

Aenarys looks away from the cleaned boot of his armor set to look over at the Lord Commander.

My older brother, Qoherys, didn't mention much save that the King has made him Master of Ships. Driftmark remains as dreary as I remember though.

[Iron Aquilifer]

*snip*

The Stormlander turned, spotting the northman. He was from the far north, closer to the wall than even the most northernly island of the Fingers of the Vale. While Harlan had not spoken at great length with the Bolton, he had heard of the tales of that most winterous of places. Maybe that was why he was so different in comparison even to Ser Blackwood. A man from a different land altogether.

"It is always a worrying time when letters are burned. Words never to remembered. Yet maybe for the better."

For all that the flayed men could march south and bring death and destruction to the riverlands. Then perhaps a simple exchange of letters would have been the referred option.

*cut*

"That is an honoured office your family have been more than capable of holding. And in this period of time strong links are needed. Loyalty in service given praise. Though I do fear that it is too late for Driftmark's naval capabilities to be key in this conflict."

*snip*

The Lord Commander had to smile at the reply. A grim smile, but one that tried to marshal up some warmth.

"There will be a great many who honour their ancestors by raising the black dragon. Then there will be others who can no longer bear the sight of the red. It will be a hard task to match the intent with the perpetrator." His smile fell. "Until we reach the battlefield I fear we will be watching the wrong foes, letting them come too close."

Pausing, a thought incessantly demanding acknowledgement, buzzed at the forefront of his mind. Placing his helm on the wierwood table, the commander lifted a gloved hand to his face.

"The Stepstones was a disaster for the king. Many of the greatest noblemen have lost relatives and we know of the capabilities of this Maelys. Good men will declare for him to save their kin. It will be a testing time for our liege. However we all swore an oath of loyalty, and oath to die in his stead. I have failed in that promise for his predecessors. We have failed in that promise. Yet still our cloaks are clean. Best that they stay that way."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I would as soon burn a letter from my father as read it." Bolton replied, taking a bite into a turkey leg

[Pericles of Athens]

Blackwood answered his Lord Commander with a stiff nod, and followed him into the building proper. He watched as the others answered. My Lord father was well last we spoke.. Though that was before the Stepstones. I fear machinations from the Brackens now that the Monster has landed with his foreign host. His black eyes were unreadable pits, the edges soft and thoughtful. Raventree will answer should the crown call, as it always has. I hope.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Guessing at the Lord Commander's meaning, Bolton gave an icy reply. "I'm no oath breaker."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Guessing at the Lord Commander's meaning, Bolton gave an icy reply. "I'm no oath breaker."

Harlan nodded. "But mayhaps Lord Bolton was the proprietor of knowledge gleamed from ill intent towards His Grace." The knight paused. He would be accusing the Dornishman next, declaring that Doran was merely a unmanly lure to lower their guard. As a stormlander, he had been instructed in the history of his southernly neighbours. "I am going to have to beg for your forgiveness, Ser Finn. The last time an invader came I was, younger. Court is not, kind, when nobles smell weakness." Sighing, he raised a hand in apology. "When the pretender is slain I will stand penitence for those words.​"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Bolton nodded, stuffing a hardboiled egg into his mouth "Hopefully we'll all be standing once the pretender is slain."

[Dirty Chai]

Ser Lewyn scratched at his cheek and jaw, running his fingers against shaved hairs.
"My lady sister has confided to me that there's a certain level of relief at Sunspear that the invader didn't land at Plankytown," he said with a chuckle, then added, ".. not that we suspected he would want to face the deserts."

He turned to look at the Lord Commander, giving an expression of sly amusement.
"Are we to face him in open battle in the Stormlands then?"

[Iron Aquilifer]

Ser Lewyn scratched at his cheek and jaw, running his fingers against shaved hairs.
"My lady sister has confided to me that there's a certain level of relief at Sunspear that the invader didn't land at Plankytown," he said with a chuckle, then added, ".. not that we suspected he would want to face the deserts."

He turned to look at the Lord Commander, giving an expression of sly amusement.
"Are we to face him in open battle in the Stormlands then?"

Harlan smiled, wishing the exact opposite. If the pretender had appeared in Dorne, perhaps he would not have taken to his banner an entire kingdom of old. Yet, perhaps he would have.

"I dare say that is His Grace's intent, however he has not burdened me with the answer. We are to remain camped until he knows of the disposition of the other lords. I wise move, but one flocked with its own risks."

[Pericles of Athens]

I fear time will not work in His Grace's favor. Blackwood interjected. Given time lords will flock to the pretender's banner to find favor in his court.

[Dirty Chai]

Ser Lewyn nodded and grunted some sort of agreement with Blackwood, but interjected, "A pretender who has two heads supposedly. A man known as a monster." He scratched his jaw again. It seemed time to shave again perhaps. "Any man who joins him willingly is either insane or has ulterior motives."

He grinned then, mocking his own naivety.
"Or am I expecting too much of the realm?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Inaction is often interpreted as cowardice. All too often it is forgotten that Kings rule by force of arms before anything else. The usurper has claimed two victories, his advance must be checked." Boltong added

[The Mad Skylord]

The King arrives in the tower, and he assembles the entirety of the Kingsguard, he is flanked by Ser Meryn Waters and Ser Barristan Storm, both captains looking awed to be in the presence of the Kingsguard. Once all 7 members are present, the King Begins. "I am here to announce which of you I will be taking on campaign. Sers Bolton, Martell and Velaryon will be accompanying me, Sers Grandison and Blackwood will be remaining here. Are there any questions?"