Meetings to Secure the Realm

[Lucius Malfoy]

With messages exchanged between Daemon Blackfyre and respective leaders of the North and Dorne, diplomatic rendezvous were arranged and initiated.

The King first went attended to the North as their meeting location was closer to the capital than the one arranged for Dorne. A company of a hundred Crownlander Knights of the Blackguard led by the Lord Commander Donnel Lefford and attended by a few members of the Kingsguard, led by Lord Commander Ser Ryker Frey, came with the King who ventured to the Inn of the Kneeling Man. A room was arranged and a long table set up with wine and food for the Northern delegation. Daemon awaits within the room for the Northmen to arrive, his attention was placed upon a lone candle that had not been lit. He takes a small lighting stick and makes sure the candle is lit in the mean time.

OOC: Perry, you can bring whoever you want to this meeting. I will send a raven though to confirm the meeting and what not.

[Pericles of Athens]

Rickard arrived with his personal guard, veterans of at least half a dozen war changing battles. They'd all seen four kings rise in a decade.. And three of them fall. Blackfyre was the latest in a long line of men to sit the Iron Throne, how long he'd be there remained to be seen. Many of the men bared scars from this decade of strife, men missing eyes, teeth, and carrying scars across their faces and bodies. Rickard was no different - with a red, twisted, and burned left arm from the Mad King's wild fire - though he hid it beneath long sleeves and a single black glove. His salt and pepper beard was freshly trimmed into shape, he wore a simple leather jerkin and a shadow cat pelt for a cloak. Ice was slung across his back. Notably, Lord Dustin was with him - his blood brother and closest of friends, whom promised to always venture south with him after Aerys.. He made his way into the inn, calling for a ale for him and his men from the inn keep. Silently he scanned the room for this would be King.

[Lucius Malfoy]

He made his way into the inn, calling for a ale for him and his men from the inn keep. Silently he scanned the room for this would be King.

When it became known who had ordered the ale, Lord Stark and his party were shown to a room set aside and paid for by the King. Daemon stood by the table, but close to the entrance where the Northmen would walk in. Though Daemon knew that Lord Stark was the last man alive to truly know his identity, he did not look like the same Targaryen as before. His face was recently shaved, with his hair growing longer. Upon his hip was the bastard sword, Blackfyre, with his clothing being a crimson red silk embroiled with a black dragon upon it.

Daemon would gesture to the chairs before looking directly at Lord Stark.

Rickard, it is good to see you come. You and your company are more than welcomed to take their seats and enjoy what the chef of the Inn has prepared for us to dine upon while we talk.

Blackfyre then gestures to a chair next to his, indicating that Lord Stark would sit next to the King.

[Lord Azazel]

Eddward Westerling arrived with the king for the meeting. He stood next to the Kings right hand silent watching those that entered in his new armor and sword. He watched the Lords of the North arrive without emotion.

[Pericles of Athens]

Rickard's eyes widened at the sight of the "Blackfyre", he looked.. different now, but he knew that face. His eyes quickly returned to normal and Rickard gave a nod. Lets get on with it. He replied curtly taking his seat, his men watched wearily - they'd been betrayed by Targaryens before.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Daemon waits for Stark to be seated first before taking a seat himself. He remains silent for a moment before nodding to Ser Brune who walks off for now. During that time, the King remains utter quiet until the Kingsguard swornsword came in, bringing two servants who carried a golden urn, decorated with dragons and wolves. The urn is presented to Lord Stark, being set beside him. Daemon looks at Rickard, his mood somber. This was something he hated to do, but had to say.

I am sorry we could not save her, Lord Stark. Although it is proper for her to be buried with her ancestors and kin beneath the Great Sept, I know she would want to lie beside you, my lord. She would want nothing but to have you two may be reunited in the afterlife together. To be welcomed by your Stark ancestors as a member of your family and a mother to your children.

Daemon looks at his cup as it is filled before looking at the Northmen present.

I have begun taking action against these zealots who believe they do the will of the Seven, when they are misguided sheep, led by a wolf in sheep's skin. No offense intended, Lord Stark, given the metaphor. I will not let this continue and I do plan to exact every ounce of revenge upon this High Septon and his blinded followers of the Holy League. The Old Gods and the Seven have coexisted for centuries and I will not let that be undone by the machinations of this upstart prelate.

[Poach]

Donnel stood by the door of the inn while Daemon and Rickard sat alone at a table at the far wall. The whole inn was cleared out for the two at the table, with a handful of guardsmen standing by for each man. Outside the inn itself the remainder of the Blackguard were deployed around the inn, several men on every door and the rest patrolling the grounds around it. In the courtyard of the inn, a group of Blackguard and Stark guardsmen exchanged wary glances.

[Pericles of Athens]

the Seven, this isnt the first time these Andal dogs have been barking at my kith and kin. Wont be the last. He snorted sipping his ale. They're welcome to smash their kind against the North like they've been doing for centuries. He touched the urn, she wouldn't fit in among the dead up North - truth be told she couldn't even share a tomb with him. The Crypts are for the Lords and Kings of the North. His eyes turned back to Daemon. This isn't the first time we've met, is it? Back then you and Steffon were the two proclaiming Rhaegar's kingship the most proudly.. funny that you both claimed the crown yourselves. He snorted. So much for southern claims to honor. He sipped again, he didn't seem surprised, nor judgmental - southerners were snakes by and large, he'd seen it first hand too many times to count. Tell me, what do you want from the North?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Daemon kept a calm composure as Stark spoke. He knew that the Northman was aware of who he truly was. Before speaking about what he wanted from the North, Blackfyre spoke of the topic beforehand.

Rhaegar is gone, Rickard. I had no choice but to stake my own claim over that of Lord Baratheon. I had to do what I felt was right, just as any man would in my shoes.

The King then reaches over for his goblet, examining it before looking up.

I want nothing from the North, save their fealty to the Iron Throne. I did not fight you, Stark, and I do not intend to fight you. You and I both knew it would only make the rivers run with blood and give neither of us pleasure. I simply wish to bring the North back into the fold with renewed oaths of fealty to my dynasty. With that done, you will not be bothered. I will not bring to the capital nor offer you an office. I know you do not want to return to the snake's nest and I will not make you.

[Lord Azazel]

Eddward Westerling listened to the conversation between the king and Lord Stark closely. He did not trust the Stark since it was the north that prevented the Westerlands from invading the riverlands. He placed his hand on his sword not trusting the Stark at all as he watched the convosation. He wanted to tell the king his opinion but thought better of it. It was not his place to do that at all. He just watched and listened and hopefully maybe the king will ask him to speak his mind in the future

[Pericles of Athens]

Jorry reached for his own blade and watched the Westerling suspiciously. A long scar ran across his right eye, from some kind of axe that tried to bust open his head.

Rickard gestured for his men to be more at ease. I can do that. He replied swirling the dark liquid in his mug. I want peace, Maegar. The North has never been conquered by the sword.. but we Northmen have been sparred the ravages of war and I intend to keep it that way. If I swear fealty, the laws of the First Men - and only those laws - will rule North of the Neck. He gulped his brew. I don't want southerns tainting the Kingdom of my forefathers, nor parading about those hallowed halls - in peace nor in war. I want the North to be left alone, and I want the sovereignty of my good brother's (Warrick Tully) borders to be respected.. is that agreeable?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Daemon leans back in his chair, pondering for a moment. These terms were respectable as they were the same terms that Aegon agreed to with the King Who Knelt. It would bring the North back into the fold and their sovereignty would remain in the status quo, with peace being re-established between the North and the Crown. As for the Riverlands, Daemon had already accepted the Riverland's fealty and had not forced them to give up anything in return.

I have already given my terms to the Riverlands and they have been accepted. The Riverlands shall not be punished as agreed upon between myself and Lord Tully. As for the North, your terms are reasonable and I shall accept them.

Blackfyre takes the cup in front of him, raising it to Rickard Stark.

To peace between the North and the Crown. To prosperity and happiness for the Seven Kingdoms. And to you, Lord Stark, long may you be Lord Paramount of the North, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.

[Lord Azazel]

Eddward Westerling growled under his breath as he heard what the peace agreement was. Why allow the stark to rule the north when they had no respect for the iron throne ?. Why keep them as Lord Paramounts when one could easily replace them with someone that was more loyal. He did not understand the kings reasoning behind his actions. He did not understand why he would keep the starks in power.. And what was worse that it seemed the riverlands would not be punished either. Was it not the riverlands that opposed the crown in the first place ?. Was it not the westerlands that wanted to teach the Riverlands a lession about loyalty or so he was told by his father. No matter he would have to write to his father when he got the chance. His father would want to hear what has happened here. in the meantime he watched and hoped the king would call on him. He noticed Stark was reaching for something and took note of it for later

[Pericles of Athens]

Aye, good luck on the throne my lord. Be careful it doesn't cut you. He drank his mug dry. Trust that their will always be a Stark in Winterfell. He stood, gesturing for one of his men to take the urn. Old gods smile on taking that High 's head. Those zealots and their dead King are no friends of the North.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Aye, good luck on the throne my lord. Be careful it doesn't cut you. He drank his mug dry. Trust that their will always be a Stark in Winterfell. He stood, gesturing for one of his men to take the urn. Old gods smile on taking that High 's head. Those zealots and their dead King are no friends of the North.

Daemon nods his head in agreement with the words of Rickard.

Neither are the zealots and their dead king friends of House Blackfyre. I shall see to it that the damage done by hands of these fanatics shall be dealt back tenfold!

The King then rises from his seat, raising his cup to all present.

Long may the peace endure between House Blackfyre and the North. A toast to your health, the health of your sons and the longevity of your houses!

[Zeus Almighty]

Lord Rickon Dustin kept an eye on as many as he could as often as he could. His eye on the King more than most. He kept an eye on those closest to Lord Stark, his blood brother. The door and escape were farther from his mind, where instead dwelled who would he have to cut down first if the meeting decompensated. It did not seem to go that was however, as he kept a rarely blinking eye on the new King and as he kept one hand ready to wield his axe.

When Lord Stark gestured for the urn, Dustin nodded and took it in his large hand, passing it to another. He wanted his hands free at least until they had traveled a ways.

[The Mad Skylord]

Lord Howland Reed had ventured with the Stark party as they had passed the Neck. He chose to stay out in the courtyard, dressed in light chain, with a small shield slung over his back and a one handed battle axe shove through his belt. He was standing with the Stark men, watching the damned Blackguard march about and just generally act like they owned the place.

[Lucius Malfoy]

With agreeable terms made between the Prince of Dorne and His Grace on a meeting to bring Dorne back into the fold of the Seven Kingdoms, the King would depart for Dorne on the eve of his tournament, even as military operations were continuing against Holy League remnants in the Crownlands. Daemon would come with a trio of ships, attended by a hundred members of the Blackguard, the Lord Commander Ser Ryker Frey and the Kingsguard. With the King and his escort came attendants and gifts for the Prince of Dorne and his own retinue. Following the directions to the letter, Daemon would see the area where they would meet with the Prince of Dorne. From there, the ship carrying him would move closer to the shoreline while the other two ships kept their distance and patrolled the seas for now.

A series of rowboats would bring Blackfyre and his retinue to the shoreline where the Valyrian would appear in clothing matching his houses sigil. No crown, no royal attire, nothing but a suit befitting any nobleman. A Kingsguard member, Ser Brune, ceremonially carried the ancestral sword as Daemon walks up to where the meeting area was. The hundred men kept watch over the rowboats while the King ventured with Ser Frey and the Kingsguard swornswords. As where the grand fire was located, Daemon would stop at the sight of the Dornish party awaiting them. He remained silent, waiting for the Doran to step forth and speak first.

[Dirty Chai]

The beacon fire sat upon a cliff rising above the beach where the King and his close cohorts came ashore. Its fire sent dark, thick smoke high into the clear Dornish sky. The cliffs broke just off to the left of the bonfire, and a passageway slowly and gently ascended up to the high plateau overlooking the sea. At the top, they would round back around and find a large, open canopy close to the beacon fire. Dornishmen armed with spears and swathed in yellowed silk lined the cliff and a few columned squares stood near the meeting tent, standing silently in formation.

Under the canopy sat the Prince of Dorne in a wooden seat that could be folded and moved about. He stood up as his would-be liege approached, dismounted, and entered under the canopy. A large sun-and-spear banner hung behind him. A silver-haired bodyguard stood just beside the Prince, a Lyseni warrior Blackfyre might later learn was called Yros.

Daemon had no doubt heard of Dorne being ruled by a child. Doran, standing before him, was an adult, a grown man of several years now, though still young. His chin was growing hirsute, weathered. The Prince had long hair of a darkened tawny hue, and a clear complexion that spoke of warm and hotter worlds than Daemon was accustomed to.

The grey-eyed Martell revealed no emotion, no difference as the Blackfyre king approached, only turning his head to watch him silently. The wind blew across the bluff, the beacon bonfire crackled and raged nearby, and the distant waves swooned and swilled.

"Welcome to Dorne," he greeted without any warmth, eyeing the party that the Iron Throne had brought to the negotiation. None matched the description of any of the Golden Company leaders, and so the well-dresses attendant beside Doran simply shook his head when glanced at.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Daemon stood tall and silent for now, listening to the crackling beacon somewhere behind him for a moment. He knew there would be no warm welcoming, no merry greetings like what happened with the North. He notices the silver-haired bodyguard present though. There had been rumors that a number of those who once followed Maelys now served as bodyguards and soldiers for other Lords of Westeros now. Perhaps this man was one of them. Daemon kept his attention square upon Doran though. He bows his head out of respect before speaking to formally.

I thank you for the greeting, Doran of the House Martell, Prince of Dorne. I hope we can foster a long friendship and lasting peace with our meeting here.