Chambers of Qoherys Velaryon, Master of Ships

[Lucius Malfoy]

The office of the Master of Ships and High Lord of the Blackwater and the Gullet, Qoherys Velaryon

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys sat at his desk, gazing at the small amount of papers that laid before him. With the war effectively over and the Royal Fleet docked, his position as Master of Ships was rather pointless. Even as he portrayed his loyalty to the King and his family had scored two victories to keep the capital secure, the Velaryon had felt his advice and actions go unnoticed. New names rose at the court now that the King relied upon more so; Lord Stark, the fat Tarth, the Lady Commander... persons who threatened his position as the closest vassal to the King and the longest, and most loyal, of House Targaryen's supporters. They were given a number of tasks while the aging Lord of Driftmark was left to his room. Even his younger brother, Ser Aenarys, was having much more to do with rebuilding the Kingsguard.

His hand reached over for a glass of wine, drinking it lightly. He had to reassert himself as a loyalist that the King would rely upon more and listen to more so than these persons from foreign courts or whose connections ensured their rise to power, even if they were not worthy of the position. As he sat at his desk, Qoherys would begin to ponder on the best way to reestablish his prominence at court and ensure that these newcomers were begging for his patron. He would find some way...

[Lucius Malfoy]

It was late one night when a pair of Velaryon guards went to fetch a maester from his quarters within the Red Keep. These were done by orders of Qoherys who desired the return of his prominence to power and authority over the Small Council. He knew that Lord Stark could not be touched as Hand of the King and husband to the King's mother, but his eyes would fall upon Lord Tarth and the Lady Commander. His first victim would be Tarth as his rapid promotion caused worry to spring up within the Master of Ships. Eventually, the maester was brought before the Master of Ships with a piece of parchment, ink and a quill set upon a desk. Qoherys would reach underneath the desk and place a heavy bag of gold upon the table.

I need you to forge a letter for me, written by the hand of Lord Tarth to his kin back in the Stormlands. Surely a nice number of 10,000 gold dragons could get you some more equipment and, perhaps, purchase a nice whore or two from the finer brothels of King's Landing. And if that isn't enough, you may want to look to your left and right. Notice the guards? Good.

OOC: Qoherys has offered 10,000 gold pieces, a +1 to convincing an AI due to Perfumes bonus and used a vague threat to make the maester comply.

[Pontifex Maximus]

As a base roll here I am giving Qoherys a 7/20 chance of success in convincing the maester comply based on his rank in the capital, and a +1 as per his modifier and a +5 for his bribe, giving a 13/20 chance of success.

SUCCESS: Rolled a 10, the maester accepts the bribe and forges the letter.

[Lucius Malfoy]

With the forgery acquired, Qoherys would hide the note within his quarters, knowing that it would come in handy some day.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Master of Ships is summoned to the Queen's chambers

[Adamat]

Lady Commander Ilsa Corbray visited Velaryon's chambers late at night, dressed in a black hood.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qohery is awoken from his sleep by a servant who tells him of a visitor. The aged Velaryon sighs, wondering who was awakening him at this hour, but rose nonetheless. He quickly dresses into something a little more presentable before walking over to see his guest. He looks at the person skeptically, not sure who they were as their face was hidden beneath a black hood.

​Is there something I can help you with, stranger?

[Adamat]

Once inside she shed the hood. "Lord Velaryon," she spoke. They were already familiar, both having seats on the Small Council. "We normally speak strictly on the King's business, but this time I have come for myself. I know you are a man of great integrity, and I hope you will extend that value to me as well." She walked to the window, making sure nobody was nearby. "I need to get someone out of King's Landing, but nobody may know. Smuggling them past my own men is not an option, I fear. If my fears are correct, I will soon have to relinquish my power over the city guard. If you can help me, I will repay you with gratitude and gold."

[Lucius Malfoy]

The eyebrow of Qoherys was raised slightly at the appearance of the Lady Commander, only to raise even higher at the mention of this particular task. Get someone out of the capital? What on earth was she talking about The aged man would take a seat at his desk, looking at the woman for a moment before speaking. This was an interesting meeting, given the circumstances.

Aye, I have some means to get persons out of the capital. However, if I were to do so, my actions may cause suspicion. Though the King enjoys my company, that attitude can easily change to the worse.

The Velaryon goes silent for a moment before looking once more at Ilsa.

Give me the details of this task you wish for me to carry out. I am willing to extend the hand of protection to whoever you want me to smuggle out of the city.

[Adamat]

She took a deep breath. "Me. I am pregnant, My Lord, and frankly I fear for my life. Once the King discovers that his Lady Commander may not be loyal to just him, I do not know what he will do. After all, he has made a name for himself as a severe punisher, and adultery is frowned upon by the Seven." She came closer and touched Velaryon's arm. "I will need a place to stay, somewhere I will be safe from the King and his wrath."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys sighs deeply, yet another nameless pregnancy that has popped up within the courts at King's Landing. The Velaryon taps his chin slightly, pondering on where this woman could go.

There may not be many hiding places for you, Lady Commander. The Reach is in shambles, the Stormlands are loyal to Aerys, so are the Riverlands as well as Dorne. There are only two places to find shelter; the Westerlands or the North. Lord Stark's realm is far away from the wrath of His Grace and has been a steadfast ally. Recently, I took his offspring through Shaera Targaryen to Winterfell in order to avoid what had happened during the burning of the Kingswood. Westerlands have remained quiet despite a number of their nobility aiding His Grace. Perhaps it is best to take you North.

He continues to ponder for a bit before glancing eastward for a moment.

The only other place I could think of is... Essos. But that is too far away for anyone to help you.

[Adamat]

Ilsa had to contain herself not to raise an eyebrow. Velaryon would admit to treason so easily? "You are a good man," she uttered, reaching her arms around the Valyrian's shoulders. "Saving women and children from a mad king." The embrace came to an end, and the Lady Commander's arms slowly removed themselves from the shoulders. In a flash, her hands reached for Velaryon's neck, the thumbs pressing on his windpipe as she forcefully brought a knee upwards, aiming at the crotch.

"You just told me everything I wanted to know," she said, fire in her eyes as she held on. "Aerys would have your head. I am in a good mood, though. All I want is to get Tarth gone, and you will help me."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys had no time to react. Next thing he knew, the aged man was heaving on the floor beside his desk, trying to get air to go through his windpipe. Damn, I should have known better... His Grace truly does not trust me anymore. He coughs slightly, managing to get a little air into his lungs so that he could speak some. The Velaryon looks up at the Lady Commander, grimacing for a moment. He grips the side of the desk, slowly bringing himself up.

It was to save children from the mob... children who should not suffer under the smoke and fumes caused by those terrible flames. Any person, especially a parent like myself... would do anything to keep innocent offspring safe from anything. I am loyal to House Targaryen, just as my forefathers have been for many years. I will serve any Targaryen who gives me a task so that I may prove my faithfulness and honor-bounded duty to the Crown. Any father or noble man should help a concerned mother to ensure her children are safe from smoke and flame.

Qoherys coughs a few more times, hacking up some contents for a moment to clear his throat. He rubs his neck a little, using his elbow to keep his stance steady against the table.

And why the Seven Hells you want Tarth gone? Why should I believe you now? He is the King's cousin after all and clearly you were sent by either of them to end the life of a loyal servant of the realm.

[Adamat]

"The King suspected either you or Tarth of treason for one reason or another," she said. "I spoke to him a few days ago. He wanted to know who of you was disloyal, and where his wife went. I seem to have found the answer." She backed off, giving the man some space. "I could have you arrested within the hour, and make sure you get thrown into the darkest dungeon of Maegor's. I could kill you right here. What's keeping me? The answer is simple. Your life is in no danger from me, as long as you understand your position. Who knows, you might even gain from it." A smart plotter gives and takes. "The answer to your question is simple. Tarth thinks he is my superior in more than just name. He thinks I am his dog. I want a Master of Laws who keeps to themselves." And who lets me recruit whoever I want to recruit.

She thought for a moment. "How much does Stark know about Shaera? Can we implicate Tarth?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys coughs some more before looking at Ilsa.

I don't know how much Lord Stark knows about the decision that the Dowager Queen made. Surely he knows by now, but I was not informed otherwise. It would be best to keep the Lord Hand out of this implication process.

Slowly, the aged Valyrian heaves himself onto his chair once more, flinching slightly at the pain exerted upon his lower body parts. He grabs a cup of wine that had been sitting idly by and began to drink some of it to better clear his throat. He grimaces some more, glancing over at Ilsa after drowning what remained in his cup.

The Queen has already vanished and, if Tarth were implicated with helping remove the Dowager Queen's children, it could have a serious effect on Aerys and yield results that could affect us all. If he can't trust his family, who could he trust? Ever since the Kingswood incident, he seems to have calmed down and its best to keep it that way. Has the Master of Laws done anything we could implicate him though? Anything he has said to you perhaps that could be used against him?

[Adamat]

"He was cautious and on edge when I spoke to him," she said. "I think he knows the King suspects him of treason." She chuckled. "He even set his guards on me. He didn't utter any treasonous words, however." She thought for a moment. "I could simply tell Aerys that I believe Tarth to be treasonous. If I can provide Aerys with any form of proof that Tarth helped Shaera, however vague, I believe he will see the merit in my suggestion that our Master of Laws is a potential threat." Her view shifted to her fingers, lazily gazing over the nails. "This is where you come in, however. I am quite sure you can provide me with said proof. If not, I am afraid I will have to inform the King that his wife has been sent North. By you."

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys sighs lightly. Great... I have to provide witnesses to ensure I don't get killed. The Lady Commander better know to show me gratitude with a notable reward. There were two problems to this plot however.

There are a pair of obstacles to this plot though, Lord Stark and the Dowager Queen. I am not sure about their relation with Lord Tarth, however, when he arrived, the Stormlander was a frequent visitor to the Dowager Queen. They could be on friendly terms which will make this task difficult. They could easily deny his involvement, however vague it may be, and ensure my head is on the bloc for execution. Depending on their relations with Lord Tarth, either may not be willing to betray him.

Lord Tarth had managed to stay in the good graces of the King because of being himself; humorous and always willing to kiss the King's arse as his royal cousin.

He is a likable character which will make this hard. I, on the other hand, have seemingly lost the King's trust despite defending the capital by seas. We may need a different approach to this, depending on how friendly Lord Stark and the Dowager Queen are towards Lord Tarth.

[Adamat]

Ilsa shrugged. "Aerys has reason to distrust him already. Forge a document, give me information that only the smuggler could have. The Dowager Queen nor the Hand need to be involved." She then turned around, pacing to the door. "It is time that I depart. I will bring you an unannounced visit soon, and I expect you to have something for me by then. Anything." She donned her hood, and left without waiting for a reply.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys watches Ilsa depart before looking down at the table before him. Yet another attempt to forge a document... something that had to be a little less direct and more in coding.

The Master of Ships would get to work, writing up a letter that involved a smuggler and a task given by the Master of Laws, Lord Tarth. After the letter was written, Lord Velaryon would place it within his desk and go about his usual work, awaiting word from the Lady Commander.