Offices of Lord Bywater, Master of Coin

[Iron Aquilifer]

The private quarters of Lord Bywater are furnished to the level of debauchery expected of one who was to manage the finances of the realm. Rich pine from the Wolfswood contrasts with the heavy oak of the Rainwood, while birch claimed from around Red Lake is gilded with Westermen gold and silver. Gaudy purples and blues give the sense of the sky, seen through the eyes of an artist. It is, for all of the cabinets and tables, very spacious.

Master of Coin

Born: 227AC (45)

Master of Coin

Traits: - Wealth: 3 (+3) - Survival: 2 - Scout: 2 - Battle: 2 - Pathfinder: 2 - Charisma: (+2) A once brash and gregarious young nobleman, Ardrian soon turned lustful and greedy with his ascension to the family lordship. Great vaults of prized possessions were sealed shut, never to be looked on by mortal eyes again. That is, until the mad king tried to burn down the kingswood. This act lead to a great uprising as vast herds of refugees broke in to Bywater while Ardrian and his household was away. The peasants, rumoured to have been aided by their kin amongst the guard, broke in to Ardrian's treasured vaults, stealing a life's worth of precious stones and exotic jewelry. When he finally returned to his desolated keep, Ardrian set off in an attempt to bring the thieves to justice. However he very quickly gave up the pursuit, becoming somewhat of a recluse outside of noble events. His lust for gold has only increased, honing a sharp edge to his outlook on life.

Attendants

Walder Bywater Household Guard - 50 (Elite Cavalry) Maester Willum (merchant)

[Iron Aquilifer]

Walder stood by a window, gazing out through the misted pane towards the city outside. There was, power, out there among the great throng of people. A power brought about by lack of influence and lack of wealth. The weak were strong in their insignificance, capable of toppling kingdoms without threat of retribution.

"Do I fail to see how this will work?" He turned to face his father's maester, seated in the Master of Coin's chair. "Yes I do."

"And that is why we will do it," his father responded, grinning all the while. "If it does not make sense to you, then it must surely appear genuine."

We lords and our plays of power. "You are the lord, and I the son."

"Second-born son," Willum added almost instantaneously.

"Second-born son​," Ardrian repeated sadly.

[Oznerol]

One day, certainly not the day she visited the Dragonpit or Lord Janos, but sometime after, Queen Serra paid a visit to Lord Bywater.

[Iron Aquilifer]

One day, certainly not the day she visited the Dragonpit or Lord Janos, but sometime after, Queen Serra paid a visit to Lord Bywater.

Bywater takes to the floor upon Her Majesty's entrance. "It is a blessing to guest you here in the quarters of your husband's loyal vassal. You will have to forgive the humble nature of this office. The royal coffers are expected to pay for armies and not for the niceties of office." With that, the lord waited to be raised. Personally, he took out a velvet chair and offered it to the monarch. "What is the honour to which I must toast for this royal attendance?"

[Oznerol]

"Simply welcome you to the court, Lord Bywater"

She smiled. Tall and regal, cold in her radiant beauty, Serra was majestic and statuesque. She offered him a perfect, marble-like hand to kiss.

"I congratulate your Lordship for being chosen as my husband's Master of Coin"

[Iron Aquilifer]

"Simply welcome you to the court, Lord Bywater"

She smiled. Tall and regal, cold in her radiant beauty, Serra was majestic and statuesque. She offered him a perfect, marble-like hand to kiss.

"I congratulate your Lordship for being chosen as my husband's Master of Coin"

His lips barely brushed the hand of the Queen, the lord's loosening off as he brought about distance between them. A smile returning to his face, he inclined his head at the woman's words. "It has been an honour to keep His Grace's council," Ardrian announced. "Though I do feel unneeded. The King has a fine grasp of what is necessary for his finances and the realm without my guidance." He made a show of displaying documents. "I never knew that a peaceful realm was so boring for us to manage."

[Oznerol]

His lips barely brushed the hand of the Queen, the lord's loosening off as he brought about distance between them. A smile returning to his face, he inclined his head at the woman's words. "It has been an honour to keep His Grace's council," Ardrian announced. "Though I do feel unneeded. The King has a fine grasp of what is necessary for his finances and the realm without my guidance." He made a show of displaying documents. "I never knew that a peaceful realm was so boring for us to manage."

"Better boring than bleeding, Lord Bywater"

She smiled.

"But I trust you will be an able administrator for my husband's treasury"

Her liliac eyes were haunting, like her marble-like skin.

"I have still so little friends in the capital and I need more ladies-in-waiting. I wondered if you have a sister or daughter of age that could serve in my household"

[Iron Aquilifer]

"Better boring than bleeding, Lord Bywater"

She smiled.

"But I trust you will be an able administrator for my husband's treasury"

Her liliac eyes were haunting, like her marble-like skin.

"I have still so little friends in the capital and I need more ladies-in-waiting. I wondered if you have a sister or daughter of age that could serve in my household"

Ardrian frowned. "You have many friends in the capital, Your Highness. Though they bear loyalty to His Grace does not mean that they will forsake you in favour of your enemies."

He scratched at his sideburns, unconsciously twirling one of the larger strands of hair with his finger. "My daughter Cersei is still unwed. I would bring her to the capital, to sit by your side and keep you in company." He nodded. "Yes, I will have the Raven sent if that is your request."


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[Oznerol]

Ardrian frowned. "You have many friends in the capital, Your Highness. Though they bear loyalty to His Grace does not mean that they will forsake you in favour of your enemies."

He scratched at his sideburns, unconsciously twirling one of the larger strands of hair with his finger. "My daughter Cersei is still unwed. I would bring her to the capital, to sit by your side and keep you in company." He nodded. "Yes, I will have the Raven sent if that is your request."


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"Send it"

Said Serra.

"No doubt I shall love her company. If you need something, Lord Bywater, feel free to ask for an audience"

She offered him a hand to kiss.

[Iron Aquilifer]

"Send it"

Said Serra.

"No doubt I shall love her company. If you need something, Lord Bywater, feel free to ask for an audience"

She offered him a hand to kiss.

"Of course, Your Grace," he measures, placing a soft pressure on the monarch's hand with his lips. Assuming that no other business was necessary, he offered to open the door.


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[Trot]

The Lord Commander Jonos Bracken arrives at the Master of Coins office with his sister Bethany to discuss the details of the marriage.

[Iron Aquilifer]

The Lord Commander Jonos Bracken arrives at the Master of Coins office with his sister Bethany to discuss the details of the marriage.

OOC: Think it would be fair to assume that knowledge of the Freys taking of Stone Hedge would have gotten out by now

Ardrian offered a stretched smile and rose to meet his guests, pulling out ivory chairs for the two to sit on. Taking a knee and bowed head before the two. He offered soft condolences for the affairs in the Riverlands, claiming that, "Frey's mad bid can only see his house crumble. Upstarts always overreach and fall before they achieve lasting power."

Wine and food was brought out, a small platter of niceties accompanying the cheeses and meats as the Master of Coin tried to work around his sudden fear of what needed to be said.

"My lady Bethany, has Lord Jonos made you aware of the, arrangement, that I had hoped to bring before your father?"


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[Trot]

Jonos nods, "I intend to see to it Lord Bywater. I will see house Bracken does get the respect it deserves."

Bethany curtsies respectfully, and nods, "He has my Lord."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Jonos nods, "I intend to see to it Lord Bywater. I will see house Bracken does get the respect it deserves."

Bethany curtsies respectfully, and nods, "He has my Lord."

The Master of Coin accepted the lord's words. "Bywater has no great standing but we will be there should it be necessary to remind those why the Brackens have ruled from Stone Hedge for so many generations." Even so, the current loss of the House's seat meant that as it stood, Ardrian could claim momentary superiority, however fleeting. "If needs be the issue can be brought before the king." And that brings its own risks. All knew that a king was only as good as his rewards to his supporters.

Gold and power and influence can be won at the greatest of costs, he reminded himself, responding to Lady Bethany's words with a measured smile. And it can be lost as quickly as a woman's beauty. "I had wished for this to be in warmer days, my lady, but if you would consent I intend to bring my son Steffon here so that you may be wedded before our king. You would be the bridge between two noble families and the gem on which my son will place before his every virtue. Of that you would have my word.​"

[Trot]

Jonos nods, "I thank you for the support." He pauses, Tull and Frey were united as it stood, but he thought it would be some time before he would see Stonehedge again.

Bethany smiles, "Thank you my Lord you are most kind."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Jonos nods, "I thank you for the support." He pauses, Tull and Frey were united as it stood, but he thought it would be some time before he would see Stonehedge again.

Bethany smiles, "Thank you my Lord you are most kind."

Pausing to take a long gasping drink of his wine, Ardrian continued. "Shall we make a decision on the date of this Union?" He asked with a testing air. It would be no good pushing. "Unless you see reason that the maintenance of the betrothal be more beneficiary?"


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[Trot]

"I see no reason to wait," Jonos says briskly. Securing Byfords alligence in this manner was crucial as more and more people seemed to turn against him. He had begun to gain the Queens ear and Byfords next was the master of whispers.

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[Iron Aquilifer]

"I see no reason to wait," Jonos says briskly. Securing Byfords alligence in this manner was crucial as more and more people seemed to turn against him. He had begun to gain the Queens ear and Byfords next was the master of whispers.

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OOC: Won't need a wedding RP unless you wish to try for one in the capital

"If you would wish it, I suggest that the marriage take place at Bywater," Ardrian decided. "My son Steffon will most definitely wish to spend as much time as possible learning of your evident charm, my lady Bethany." He smiled the smile of an old man. "A grand festival among the people who will keep you safe during these testing times."

[Trot]

ooc dear lord no I hate weddings. Jut post in the Raven's thread that the marriage happened.

ic Bethany curstsies, "Thank you my lord I would like that very much." She says shyly.

Jonos claps his hands "It's settled then." He smiles, "I have some other more... pressing matters to discuss with you in private Lord Bywater do you have the time?"

[Iron Aquilifer]

ooc dear lord no I hate weddings. Jut post in the Raven's thread that the marriage happened.

ic Bethany curstsies, "Thank you my lord I would like that very much." She says shyly.

Jonos claps his hands "It's settled then." He smiles, "I have some other more... pressing matters to discuss with you in private Lord Bywater do you have the time?"

OOC: Likewise unless of course the wedding is simply to allow a fight outside

Ardrian nodded, offering a somewhat innocent expression towards his new daughter as he swept some untouched documents from his immediate sight. "Of course Lord Commander. I do not keep a guard posted in the room for such. Secrecy alleviates much fear."