Offices of the Commander of the Goldcloaks

[Adamat]

Situated in Maegor's Keep are the offices of the Lord Commander of the Goldcloaks, the city guard.

Current commander: Lady Ilsa Corbray

[Poach]

During a break from the ongoing trials being held by King Aerys in the Red Keep's Great Hall, Donnel stopped by the Goldcloak barracks to congratulate Ilsa on her new, and historic, appointment.

"Arbor Gold," he said, holding up a bottle once he'd found the new Lord Commander, "Seemed fitting for your new title. I hear the old chap caught an arrow while watching the battle from the walls."

[Adamat]

Ilsa had already started to customise her office. She'd thrown up a large map of the capital on the wall behind her desk, and a mannequin in the far corner held her complete armor set. Lady Forlorn now adorned the wall. "Donnel," she said as the Lefford came in. "Please, sit. I've been quite busy in the last few days, the city is a mess. I always have time for good friends, though."

She'd walked to a cabinet on the far side of the room and pulled out two wineglasses. "That's what they say," the Lady Commander said with a smirk. "I wouldn't be surprised if he disappeared for other reasons. His Grace has proven himself to be... Quite modern and resourceful." She put one glass in on Donnel's side of the desk before sitting down at the other. "I half expected you to bring some cider," she referred to the fief that Donnel had been granted.

[Poach]

"Ha, yes," he said with a chuckle, "I'm not convinced that's not a punishment in disguise yet. Sitting me right outside Highgarden by stripping the Fossoways of their seat will not endear me to my new neighbours. I suspect the King just wants a stumbling block in the heart of the Reach to stymie any future mobilisation against him."

[Adamat]

"With the extensive punishments Aerys has ordered against the Reach, it could go both ways," she admitted. "The Reachlords won't be happy with your presence, but as long as fear reigns, they may not try anything too foolish." She shook her head. "Speaking of punishments in disguise, the Goldcloaks are quite frankly a mess. Underpaid, undermanned, I suspect corruption in the higher echelons as well. Might take a while before the capital is truly safe again. I'm of a mind to introduce more women to the city guard," she added. "I don't see why the ranks are composed solely of men, especially since I expect the women to be cheap labor."

[Poach]

"They won't be respected or feared," said Donnel, "You're one of a very select breed of women who are of a martial spirit, I'd caution you on taking your own success as evidence of a wider capability. Goldcloaks need to physically restrain or overpower people and, where necessary, spill blood and hold a line against rioters or invaders. Men are almost always eminently more suited to that task: you don't generally see women fighting wars either."

[Adamat]

She waved the advice away. "The Goldcloaks are not meant to be a fighting force, but a policing service. I doubt any rioters would be inclined to pick a fight with their superior weaponry and discipline, even if they're a mixed force." Ilsa held up her cup. "I'm not as naive as you may think I am, though. Of course there would be set physical requirements for any females that want to enlist."

[Poach]

"As you say, Lord Commander," said Donnel, lifting his cup to join the toast before taking a drink, "I may be being coloured by my own requirements. I expect I'll need a solid fighting force at Cider Hall just to keep my own head."

[Adamat]

"I am sure I can take leave for a few days if you ever have need of a Valyrian blade, Donnel," she told the man who she owed the office she was currently sitting in to. "Although that is mostly reminiscent thinking of easier times," she laughed.

[Poach]

"I can't promise I won't take you up on that!" he replied with a laugh, before stating more seriously, "Tyrell will be chastened after the defeat and the punishments awarded. I'll need to tread carefully and be diplomatic, but we'll both know why a loyalist Westerman has been given lands close enough to watch Highgarden. We've both been given steep challenges here, some Lord Commanders of the Goldcloaks have turned up dead in a ditch somewhere before."

[Adamat]

She smirked. "I honestly don't know what Aerys was thinking. He's set at least three precedents with his trials and awards. I think it is safe to say we are witnessing a new era in Westeros, be it for better or for worse." She stood up and walked around the table, and bowed over the chair Donnel was sitting in. "I can handle myself," she said teasingly, "but thank you for the advice, my lord."

[Poach]

"You're welcome," he said in the same tone, placing the cup on the arm of the chair, ​"Lady Commander."

[Adamat]

Ilsa took his cup, and set it on the desk for him. "You know, they say you should always keep business and pleasure far away from eachother. We no longer do business together, and I crave some fun."

[Poach]

Donnel rose from his chair, moved to the door and calmly slid the bolt home, before returning to Ilsa.

[OOC: We'll need to skip to some point later, age range on the forum and whatnot. ]

[Adamat]

OOC: Damn, I was about to drop the hottest MLP fanfic of 2016

The bottle of Arbor Gold had been emptied, and Ilsa had found her clothes again. "I think we can say this office is now officially mine," she said as she walked over to the mannequin. "I'll miss you when you're all the way up into the Reach. You've been good company and a better employer." She donned the cloak that had hung around the mannequin's shoulders, and fastened it. "I'd imagine the King has convicted at least two dozen lords in the time we were gone," she jested. "I think my presence would be appreciated."

[Poach]

"I'll find excuses to drop by," said Donnel as he threw his shirt over his head, "I can't imagine my social life among that lot will be one of warm welcomes and popularity anyway. I'll make my way to the public gallery, listening to the King reorder Westeros is nothing if not interesting."

[Zeus Almighty]

Newly knighted Ser Criston Tully asked to speak with the Lady Ilsa after being recently offered a commander position on the City Watch. He came in bare brown clothing, a sword hanging by his side, and bare else wise. He was the 4th son of a lord and this was near one of the best opportunities available for him. After his appointment he thought maybe he might be a kingsguard one day.

[Adamat]

Ser Tully was allowed to enter the office, where the Lady Commander was busy writing some decree or the other. "Ser Criston Tully," the goldcloak who'd opened the door announced before retreating to his post. Ilsa set her quill down in a pot of ink, and rose from her seat. She put her hands on the desk as she beckoned the Tully closer. "His Grace has deemed you fit to serve as captain of the Goldcloaks," she recalled. "Do tell me, Ser, of your exploits up to this point."

[Zeus Almighty]

Yes my lady. My brother Warrick Tully left me at Riverrun when he left for war. War came to Riverrun anyway. The Vale sent 20 thousand men at our walls, most of them knights or professional troops. I lead 5 thousand militia men and 5 thousand levied men in defense of our walls. We lost many men. Each one dear to us. Friends and family alike perished on those walls but we held the walls. My sword found 56 bodies that day...

Criston paused in reflection. His face slightly pained in recalling the carnage of that day.

The next day many Arryn troops left but some remained, making ready to attack again. My brother arrived back then, and I lead our troops in defending our walls and pushing them from the walls. 33 men found my sword that day. Following the defense, we led our troops in relief of Kings Landing. I fought side by side with many brave and great men, Stevron Frey being one of them. 27 men found my sword that day. Now, I stand before you. I watched many of my kinsmen fall. I am here because I did not. The gods watched over me.

Criston said with a humbled look in his eye.

[Adamat]

The Lady Commander turned around, now facing the Valyrian steel sword that adorned the wall. "An impressive amount of death you have dealt, Ser," she said. It is also complete , she thought. "The Goldcloaks are no cold-blooded war machine, however. We are peacekeepers. We maintain order in the city." She took the sword off the wall, a sliver of light fell on it and reflected on the dark metal. "Sometimes that requires an iron fist, and sometimes a golden glove is what we need. You speak of your martial prowess, Ser, and I salute you for it. However, every one of my captains' first and foremost task will be the keeping of peace and order, not the restoring of it. Can I trust you with this task?"