The Chambers of Lord Baratheon

[Gandalfus]

The rather spartan temporary quarters of Lord Baratheon whilst he makes his stay in the Red Keep.

[ficenzi]

The red priest arrives at lord Baratheon's quarters, as per summoned.

[Gandalfus]

Baratheon invites Larraq to take a seat opposite him, and poured himself a goblet of wine.

"Ah, the Red Priest. Tell me more about your faith here, if you would."

[ficenzi]

'Lord Baratheon.', Larraq bowed before taking a seat. 'I preach of the Lord of Light, his true name R'hllor.' It was a hard word to pronounce, even for those who spoke High Valyrian and nigh impossible for Westerosi. 'The Lord is a generous god, granting his servants many powers. He is the beacon of hope in this world and one day he will send his hero who will be Azor Ahai reborn to vanquish the night that is dark and full of terrors like he has once before.', he paused for a moment. 'Most call us the red faith or the red priests because of our garbs. In Essos we are plenty, with most southern Free Cities worshiping the Lord. In King's Landing, it is my estimate that currently every tenth citizen worships the Lord. Some of higher birth in Westeros do so too.'

[Gandalfus]

Baratheon nods, sipping his cup of wine as he listened to the priest.

"The Red Temple is most impressive. I take it these nobles who sympathise with the Lord of Light contributed to it significantly?" He enquired, his calm gaze meeting that of the priest.

[ficenzi]

'Yes, my lord, their names are engraved at the entrance, the most significant being Queen Dowager Shaera Targaryen and Lord Branston Rosby. Besides them, numerous smallfolk who donated a stag by stag.'

[Gandalfus]

Queen Shaera? Interesting. Baratheon nodded, intrigued, listening carefully to every word spoken.

"Indeed, the Red Faith has grown much more popular among the smallfolk, especially the poor." He mused, "But the city is no longer safe, I fear, after the fire at the Great Sept."

It was directed almost as a question, and Baratheon leaned forward slightly as he spoke.

[ficenzi]

'Yes, I saw people being ripped apart on the streets, but I have no fear as it was not me who burned the sept. If you remember, some time ago a priest from Volantis arrived, from beyond the black walls and he spoke in the great hall of the red keep with the king, with many ears listening. He openly stated that the Faith of the Seven should be crushed and after that Baelor's sept burned. My hands are clean in this.'

[Gandalfus]

"I was not present in the capital to hear or see such things, Larraq. All I know is the Sept of Baelor burned that night."

[ficenzi]

'Then ask around. I'm sure your heart would be at peace if you could use me as a scapegoat to calm the Faith, but that's only temporary. Can you deliver them the "hereric" lord Stark as easily as you could with me or do you assume these zealots won't ask for more?'

[Gandalfus]

"I hadn't suggested the sort, priest."

Baratheon grunted, scowling at the Red Priest.

[ficenzi]

'Well then what are ypou suggesting, my lord? In perilous times like these I'm sure we can skip formalities.'