Highgarden, seat of House Tyrell

[Barry Goldwater]

At some point after all of Lady Tyrell's earlier conversations with other lords and their relatives have concluded, a dragon is spotted flying for Highgarden, a scarlet beast three times the size of the azure one which flew to Storm's End before it. Its rider's steel and copper plate gleamed in the light of the sun even before her figure properly entered the sight of the great house's guards, and even those blinded to its presence by sleep must have heard the proud roar it issued to announce its presence, unafraid of any who might challenge its approach. The Queen Who Never Was has come atop the Red Queen, no doubt seeking an audience with the mistress of the Reach.

[Zeus Almighty]

At some point after all of Lady Tyrell's earlier conversations with other lords and their relatives have concluded, a dragon is spotted flying for Highgarden, a scarlet beast three times the size of the azure one which flew to Storm's End before it. Its rider's steel and copper plate gleamed in the light of the sun even before her figure properly entered the sight of the great house's guards, and even those blinded to its presence by sleep must have heard the proud roar it issued to announce its presence, unafraid of any who might challenge its approach. The Queen Who Never Was has come atop the Red Queen, no doubt seeking an audience with the mistress of the Reach.

Lord Rowan and his sons heard the commotion caused by the Dragons approach. Dragonfear filled the air. Thaddeus steeled himself, —Mace, go to the Lady Paramount. Ensure she is safe at all times and at all costs. Robert, do not lose your nerve boy. It’s the season of men. Gerold, my son of steel. Let us meet our end if that is what the gods want.—

Lord Thaddeus Rowan walked out to the open courtyard, son Gerold Rowan by his side, to inquire upon the visitor.

When Thaddeus saw the Lady approach from the far side of the Dragon than he stood, he swore aloud and pushed his way through the gatherings along with Gerold. They found their way to the front of the crowd but still quite a bit farther from Lady Tyrell than he liked.

Meanwhile, Mace Rowan went barreling through the halls screaming at the guards of Highgarden to take him to Lady Tyrell.

[Barry Goldwater]

"There will be treason against either claimant as regardless of who the late king's will declares his successor, the other will challenge the claim." Lucia pauses for a moment. "You mean how the various houses have contested my house being named Lord Paramount of the Mander by the Conqueror? Nobody ever challenged Gardener's reign, Hightower.and isn't Dragonstone granted to the heir to the Iron Throne, not a location to send those who are banished?"

"Your counsel is noted, ser Hightower." Lucia takes a sip of wine, while thinking on what he had said.
-----
As the Red Queen made her approach to Highgarden, she would fly over a party of horsemen carrying the Tyrell rose on their banners. Lucia looks up at the creature as it continues towards her seat, the Lady of Highgarden having left to inspect the fields and orchards around Highgarden, she then spurs her horse into a gallop, rushing back to Highgarden. Meanwhile at the castle, the servants and guards run around to prepare a location for the winged creature to land or to take their posts. The courtiers, retainers, and other members of the rose court however attempt to crowd the various courtyards to try and get a glimpse of the dragon.

Once the Red Queen had landed, it would be a short while before Lady Tyrell would appear, wearing riding clothes and followed by several of her knights. "Welcome to Highgarden, your highness. I apologize for the delay, but a dragon greatly outpaces a horse."

Lord Rowan and his sons heard the commotion caused by the Dragons approach. Dragonfear filled the air. Thaddeus steeled himself, —Mace, go to the Lady Paramount. Ensure she is safe at all times and at all costs. Robert, do not lose your nerve boy. It’s the season of men. Gerold, my son of steel. Let us meet our end if that is what the gods want.—

Lord Thaddeus Rowan walked out to the open courtyard, son Gerold Rowan by his side, to inquire upon the visitor.

When Thaddeus saw the Lady approach from the far side of the Dragon than he stood, he swore aloud and pushed his way through the gatherings along with Gerold. They found their way to the front of the crowd but still quite a bit farther from Lady Tyrell than he liked.

Meanwhile, Mace Rowan went barreling through the halls screaming at the guards of Highgarden to take him to Lady Tyrell.

"So she does," Rhaenys Targaryen replied proudly as she dismounted Meleys in a few fluid movements, landing firmly on her feet and removing her helmet to reveal the silver-black braid and weather-lined face beneath. "But there is no need to apologize for what nature has decreed, and which none of us can hope to alter. In any case, when meeting a great lady of the realm such as yourself, even a Queen should know at least a little patience."

"Alas, there are some things that can test the patience of even the most forbearing of monarchs." Which Rhaenyra certainly was not, though given the circumstances, Rhaenys could hardly blame her for being increasingly irritable as the years wore on and Hightower's spawn grew ever-bolder in the capital. The eldest Targaryen advanced toward Lucia, stopping at a respectful distance. "You may have received certain important letters by raven as of late. Indeed, you might even already have guessed why I have come to the Reach." She momentarily turned her face upward, squinting at the blazing midday sun, one hand over her brow. "But I suspect it will be better for us all if I say what I have come to say indoors, beneath the comfort and shade of Highgarden's roof. Do you not agree, Lady Tyrell?" She turned away from the Sun now, glancing at the great doors of the flowery palace instead.

[Xion]

"Yes, you may leave Ser Hightower.." She listens to his request and then nods. "Of course, ser. My house shall protect him to the utmost of our ability, and if Lord Hightower believes he would be safer in Highgarden, all he must do is send word and I shall have an escort deliver him to Oldtown."
------
Lady Tyrell looks over at Lord Rowan and nods to him, then looks up at the scarlet-scaled dragon while her rider dismounted, the dragon being a impressive sight to witness. "Indeed, the white raven has come from the citadel along with one from each claimant to the Iron Throne..and yes, I do believe I have an idea of why you are here, your highness." Lucia looks at the dragon once more, and then nods to Rhaenys. "Of course, your highness." She turns to one of her knights. "Escort Lord Rowan to my solar, ser. If you happen across any of my sworn vassals as well, they are to be escorted there as well." The knight nods and leaves to head over to Rowan, while Lucia leads the way into Highgarden.

Upon entering the solar, Rhaenys would see two tables, one with a map of the Reach sprawled over it, while the other had servants placing various refreshments on it, and each table had several ebony chairs around it. Lady Tyrell's desk was on the left side of the room, opposite of a pair of couches with a table between them, and the painting of the Tournament of the Field of Roses hanging on the wall behind. A cool breeze would occasionally enter the room from the balcony. "Please have a seat, your highness. Would you like some wine, or a sampling of the fruits of Highgarden?" Lucia would take an apple from one of the platters and take a seat on one of the couches.

The Rowans would be brought in shortly after Lady Tyrell would lead Rhaenys into the solar, accompanied by Lord Costayne, Lord Ball, and Lady Tyrell's twin sister, Emphyria. Lords Costayne and Ball would bow to Rhaenys upon entering and take seats in one of the chairs each, while Emphyria would go sit next to her sister after having a servant pour her a glass of Arbor Gold.

[Barry Goldwater]

Lady Tyrell looks over at Lord Rowan and nods to him, then looks up at the scarlet-scaled dragon while her rider dismounted, the dragon being a impressive sight to witness. "Indeed, the white raven has come from the citadel along with one from each claimant to the Iron Throne..and yes, I do believe I have an idea of why you are here, your highness." Lucia looks at the dragon once more, and then nods to Rhaenys. "Of course, your highness." She turns to one of her knights. "Escort Lord Rowan to my solar, ser. If you happen across any of my sworn vassals as well, they are to be escorted there as well." The knight nods and leaves to head over to Rowan, while Lucia leads the way into Highgarden.

Upon entering the solar, Rhaenys would see two tables, one with a map of the Reach sprawled over it, while the other had servants placing various refreshments on it, and each table had several ebony chairs around it. Lady Tyrell's desk was on the left side of the room, opposite of a pair of couches with a table between them, and the painting of the Tournament of the Field of Roses hanging on the wall behind. A cool breeze would occasionally enter the room from the balcony. "Please have a seat, your highness. Would you like some wine, or a sampling of the fruits of Highgarden?" Lucia would take an apple from one of the platters and take a seat on one of the couches.

The Rowans would be brought in shortly after Lady Tyrell would lead Rhaenys into the solar, accompanied by Lord Costayne, Lord Ball, and Lady Tyrell's twin sister, Emphyria. Lords Costayne and Ball would bow to Rhaenys upon entering and take seats in one of the chairs each, while Emphyria would go sit next to her sister after having a servant pour her a glass of Arbor Gold.

"That would be greatly appreciated, Lady Tyrell." Rhaenys answered the much-younger woman with a small smile as she took her seat. The aged princess still wore steel-and-copper armor over her riding leathers, but it was light enough that she had little trouble maneuvering in it, much less taking her seat. Good thing it had been cleaned and polished the night before her departure as well, ensuring she'd get no dirt on Tyrell's linens and velvets.

While waiting for the refreshments, Rhaenys looked over the Reach lords present. Their heraldry was still stuck in her memory from nightly 'study sessions' of who was who in the realm in those dark nights before the Great Councils where she tried and failed to claim the throne, so she didn't feel as lost here as she might have thirty years ago. "My lords, my lady, I have come to ask that you offer up your allegiance to Rhaenyra Targaryen, the true Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, by virtue of the will of her father, the late King Viserys. His true will, for who can seriously believe that - after a lifetime of insisting she must be the one to succeed him, long after his marriage to Alicent Hightower and siring sons with him - he would suddenly change his mind on his deathbed? And I'm sure the fact that a Hightower, his second wife's father no less, being his Hand and populating his court with other Hightowers or their partisans over the years is just a happy coincidence, too."​ The bitter sarcasm was palpable.

[Xion]

Mace Rowan is informed that Lady Tyrell had left the castle earlier in the day and had not yet returned.
----
"It doesn't matter anymore I suppose." Lucia pauses for a moment, appearing hesitant to say something but decides against it. "You are forgiven, ser. It is easy to mistake one thing so many years ago for another."

[Lord Dread]

"That is true, mylady, and I thank you for your reasoning", he replied somewhat indicating that their talk wouldn't last for much longer, "Nontheless it is good to know that Highgarden is well informed already. With your permission I would take my leave, as my duty is done. If I stay longer, it would only ruin your kitchen's storage and I guess we both neither want this to happen."
Somewhat with a smile he wanted to go, but stopped shortly for a moment, before briefly adding something, which came to his mind.
"Oh and... just in case, if it comes to a bigger conflict", he asked then, somewhat hesitating, "Can we count on your household to ensure the safety of my cousin's son? Garmund is a good boy and you have House Hightower's trust that no harm will come to the boy... so, if you fear that the boy might endanger your court due to our relationship with the royal court, let me know. Lord Ormund will surely understand as we all want the safety of our children."

[Lord Dread]

With a humble nod, Ser Hobert indicated a leave.
"Once more I thank the gratitude of House Tyrell and will tell your answer my Lord cousin at once", he replied towards her, "May the Seven bless you and your household, while I will look forward the next time, we'll meet."
Though I probably have to hurry for this at my age, Hobert thought to himself, even though the 60 year old man was still fit, As vital as roses are, old towers tend to crumble faster than one would expect.

Eventually he would leave Highgarden in order to head to a nearby tavern with his company. Although he would have prefered the hospitality of House Tyrell as well, Hobert had made with the inn keeper a bargain, as he had promised him a full sow from the neighbouring farmer in exchange for some good money to both of them. Not that Hobert himself cared much for the smallfolk, but given that he had always hunger, while the gold he gave them would surely be taken by the Tyrells at some point and definitly was worth the prize of three pigs, it was a worthy offer for him after a long day. There was a small banquet among the Hightower knights, before they rode the morning afterwards somewhat drunken back to Oldtown, stressed from the previous night, but nontheless happy.

[Barry Goldwater]

"That I do, Lord Rowan." Rhaenys replied with bold bluntness, crossing her arms. The Queen Who Never Was had grown too old and seen too many things to bother with politeness when irritated or passionate about something. "All who have not been living under a rock must surely remember that Ser Otto Hightower has already been removed from his post once by the late King Viserys, for forgetting his place and overtly trying to push the latter into declaring his grandson heir to the Iron Throne. Never again was he permitted to speak of the matter to Viserys upon his restoration to the office of Hand. Yet do any of those assembled here sincerely think he just quietly set aside his ambitions after that? Especially when, with Viserys dead and Rhaenyra still on Dragonstone, he and his cohorts possessed the opportunity, the motive and the means to alter the King's will and cut the latter out of the succession?"

"If Viserys wanted to declare Aegon his heir, he has had twenty-two years to do so. At no point did he do so, to the point of issuing a decree that anyone who challenged the paternity of his grandsons through Rhaenyra would have their tongues removed and - as I've just said - replacing his own Hand when the latter tried to force the matter." Rhaenys further explained, now animated enough to make restrained hand gestures to add to what she was saying. "Think on this, my lords and lady. What is more likely: a King who has very stubbornly insisted on Rhaenyra succeeding him for decades changing his mind in the last few moments of his life for no readily apparent reason, or his Hand - a man of proven ambition - took the opportunity, once he was dead, to alter his will and try to ensure the ascent of his favored grandson to the Iron Throne?"

[Zeus Almighty]

"That I do, Lord Rowan." Rhaenys replied with bold bluntness, crossing her arms. The Queen Who Never Was had grown too old and seen too many things to bother with politeness when irritated or passionate about something. "All who have not been living under a rock must surely remember that Ser Otto Hightower has already been removed from his post once by the late King Viserys, for forgetting his place and overtly trying to push the latter into declaring his grandson heir to the Iron Throne. Never again was he permitted to speak of the matter to Viserys upon his restoration to the office of Hand. Yet do any of those assembled here sincerely think he just quietly set aside his ambitions after that? Especially when, with Viserys dead and Rhaenyra still on Dragonstone, he and his cohorts possessed the opportunity, the motive and the means to alter the King's will and cut the latter out of the succession?"

"If Viserys wanted to declare Aegon his heir, he has had twenty-two years to do so. At no point did he do so, to the point of issuing a decree that anyone who challenged the paternity of his grandsons through Rhaenyra would have their tongues removed and - as I've just said - replacing his own Hand when the latter tried to force the matter." Rhaenys further explained, now animated enough to make restrained hand gestures to add to what she was saying. "Think on this, my lords and lady. What is more likely: a King who has very stubbornly insisted on Rhaenyra succeeding him for decades changing his mind in the last few moments of his life for no readily apparent reason, or his Hand - a man of proven ambition - took the opportunity, once he was dead, to alter his will and try to ensure the ascent of his favored grandson to the Iron Throne?"

"And a well constructed argument, but one of total conjecture. You want us to put lives on the line for a relatively sound argument with no proof? For what? The promise of insulting one of the Reach's most powerful houses?
The prospect of fracturing the Reach with in-fighting? I am as shocked as anyone when the news of a change of succession came. But the only reassurances that come from this are doom, even if we were victorious. I would not consul nay, Lady Rhaenys. I just do not know if I would consul aye."
Thaddeus softened at the end. With the Lords of the Northmarshes at his call, and begging his sons father-in-law Lord Merryweather for help, he might be able to slow The Hightowers armies himself. But to what end? That did not seem advantageous, especially when siding with Hightower would bring a great advantage by ground troops. Still, neutrality seemed the safest for his people.

[Barry Goldwater]

"None of that, I promise you. I am offering you all the opportunity to do what is right, and the assurance that - as the side with the most dragons in this bout - we will protect you from the flames of the usurper and his kin with our own. Even the mighty Vhagar would struggle against mine own Red Queen, much less she and dreadful Caraxes." Rhaenys straightened her back. "Queen Rhaenyra is not a woman who forgets her friends, either. No doubt all who fight for her rightful claim can find a place at her side and a just reward from her hands." Now she was looking directly at the Lady Lucia. "Least of all one whose circumstances were similar to hers. We three are women who have the unenviable task of ruling what is ours by birthright within a system that, unquestionably, favors the other sex. Or rather...you and Rhaenyra are, while I was denied even the opportunity to go where Rhaenyra has gone for the past three decades of her life."

The Queen Who Never Was clenched one hand, then slowly unclenched it, exhaling. "In light of that commonality, Lady Tyrell, I do believe - nay, I am certain that the Queen will be especially sympathetic to whatever request you might make of her, if only you would march with her."

[Xion]

"Are you so certain your dragons will be able to do that, your highness?" Emphyria pauses for a moment. "The Reach is quite vast and surely any dragonrider tasked with defending it from opposing dragons would surely have difficulty in defending the Reach from the flames of the other side, whether they be dragon or torches." "Plus, with winter fast approaching, our armies will be hindered on the march, so we may not be able to reinforce the rider against any other army accompanying the opposing beast...and I mean no offense by this, your highness, but are you certain any dragon Rhaenyra has will be able to match one of the great beasts of the Conquest? Don't dragons keep growing so Vhagar would be even more formidable now than over a hundred years ago?" "Or close to a hundred years ago when Vhagar set the Reach aflame once more during the Faith Militant Uprising."


Lucia takes a sip from her cup and then nods. "I suppose you could say my circumstances are similar to an extent as Rhaenyra's, but there also some difference. First, I am my father's heir according to the laws of the Seven Kingdoms along with being his named heir, while Rhaenyra is only his named heir only, unless his late Grace truly had a last minute change of heart on his deathbed, which I believe to be unlikely. Second, it is a bit different for a lady to inherit one of the kingdoms, while in the case of the Seven Kingdoms, when the realm denied you the chance to rule in favor of Viserys, some would say that set a precedent for the succession of the throne that should be followed." Lucia appears hesitant to continue for a moment, as she knows the next topic she is going to bring up is a rather controversial one. "...and finally, I do not have lords claiming my heir is baseborn. Something that I imagine the lords who truly believe in it will disregard any logical arguments and declare for the Greens solely on that notion."

"I see little reason to march for Rhaenyra solely on a vague commonality, your highness. With winter approaching, I would prefer to see my people be able to not have to worry about having their lands ransacked by foraging hosts or set ablaze from the sky." Lucia shrugs. "Besides, I feel my domain will fracture over this war regardless of either side having the backing of Highgarden or not." "Besides, we could be isolated from Rhaenyra's forces, should the Westerlands and Stormlands both declare for Aegon." "There is also the two parties who love raiding the Reach, those accursed pirate scum of the Iron Isles and the serpents of the south..." Lucia pauses to drink from her cup. "So for now I would say I remain neutral, but if Rhaenyra wishes for my support, at the least I would require a royal marriage for the future lord of the Reach."

[Barry Goldwater]

Rhaenys couldn't help but be impressed by the Tyrells' caution as she listened stoically. Certainly, their arguments as to the defensibility of the Reach were sound. Their reminder of the precedents set by the previous Great Councils and their insinuation that her grandsons through Laenor were bastards stung, obviously, but if being denied the Iron Throne twice had taught her anything, it was how to contain her seething behind a placid expression, and so the older woman managed to keep herself from doing anything more than sniffing and for some visible strain to show around her eyes when the accusation (as old as the boys themselves, no less) was leveled once more. It would do no good to explode while trying to negotiate a delicate alliance with, as it turned out, a reluctant potential partner, she reminded herself.

"Well argued, ladies." The Targaryen princess replied once they had concluded. "You've certainly explained your concerns well, and I understand why you may have...misgivings toward our cause, despite my disagreement. I assure you, as the late King Viserys himself has insisted, that my grandsons through Rhaenyra and mine own deceased son are trueborn and that the rumors around their parentage are just that - rumors - of course. But as the Maester of Driftmark used to say, a lie in Dorne can be halfway to the Wall before the truth has gotten its boots on. And that we've dragons enough to aid you, if it comes to that." She maintained a relaxed posture in her seat, stopping only to drink from the cup offered to her. A wilder dragonrider than she, like Daemon or that brute Alicent had sired after Aegon, might have turned his dragon on Highgarden in a fit of pique, but the Queen Who Never Was was not them.

"Of my eldest grandchildren, only Joffrey Velaryon is not engaged. But Her Grace's younger sons with her second husband are both unpromised." Rhaenys stressed the lad's surname for emphasis. "How old are your own children, if I might ask? I must bring some names and ages back to the Queen if I am to compel her into a marriage alliance with your own house, after all."

[Xion]

"A rather accurate saying I would say, especially when regarding a rumor spread through the court." Emphyria gestures for a servant to pour her a cup of wine, while her sister takes another sip from hers. "I am still unsure about that at the moment, your highness." "I must agree with my Lady Tyrell, your highness. How do we know that a dragon may mistake our banners and colors for that of an enemy and attack our forces, despite it's rider's commands, at least for a younger one?" Lord Ball inquires,

"My eldest daughters are six years old, Lucinda and Corenna." Lucia pauses to take a bite out of an apple. "Although one of my relatives does have three daughters, whose ages range from thirteen to nineteen."

[Barry Goldwater]

"Have no fear about that particular issue my lord and ladies, all we dragonriders are men and women of high birth and have been educated in distinguishing the heraldry of the realm's peers. I certainly haven't forgotten my own lessons. No dragon will go berserk and attack your men should you march with us, that much I can promise: if we couldn't control them ourselves and keep them from attacking friends over foes, we'd all be dead a long time ago." Rhaenys replied confidently as she took up a pear to eat, blissfully unaware that one of her son's supposed bastards - a young man unlikely to have enjoyed the same courtly education she and the other Targaryens & Velaryons did.

"Well and good." Rhaenys continued, nodding, on the topic of daughters and marriages. "I'll bring your request to Her Grace Rhaenyra shortly. You will not mind if I enjoy the delights of Highgarden for a while first though, I hope?" She finished, smiling. She hadn't been here that long, or so she felt, and felt that there would be no issue in sticking around for a few hours to nibble on fruits and drink wine. Unless the Tyrells, Rowans and others had any more demands to make or matters of state to negotiate, the conversation would surely turn to more pleasant topics at this point until she left.

[Zeus Almighty]

Rowan listened to the ladies intently. Gerold, less so. Thaddeus didn’t mind the conversation going as it did. Certainly he was impressed by Lady Tyrells diplomacy. He had nothing to add, so he sat back stroking his chin and did naught but listen.

Following the meeting, he sat with his sons and recapped the meeting. After a time and some words shared, Mace stormed from the room furious. He saddled his horse and rode away from Highgarden toward Goldengrove.

[Oznerol]

Instead of leathern wings, feathered ones:

Lady Tyrell,

We have heard of your demands and your hesitation to back our cause. We remind you that both you and us share womanhood and that we should be sympathetic to each other. Am I not my father's heir? He wished as much, and he was the King and the King's Word is Law, before Gods and Men. But, to assure your peace of mind, we hereby grant you, or one of your bannermen, a seat in our Small Council, we also promise Lord Aegon's hand to your child or whosoever you deem worthy of his princely's hand, and we, finally, bestow upon you the right to send a valiant and proved knight of your chosing to serve in our Queensguard. These we swear,

In the Light of the Seven,

Rhaenyra, the First of Her Name, etc.

(SIGNED AND SEALED)

[Lord Dread]

To Lady Lucia Tyrell, Lady of Highgarden, Lady Paramount of the Reach,

rumor has it, that Rhaenys Targaryen has visited your keep, according to one of Lord Rowan's sons, claiming that you and Lord Rowan himself are in bound with the Blacks, as it was told by my daughter, Queen Dowager Alicent Hightower.
Since I haven't recieved any further ravens to testify your declaration for the the cause of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, as she styles herself by now, and so far trust in the Reach keeping its neutral status for now, I will assumingly travel over the course of the next week to Highgarden myself in order to debate the situation in personal. The Iron Throne's trust in you isn't lost, as the King himself wished to betroth his firstborn son, Prince Jaehaerys to one of House Tyrell's daughters, thus fortifying the Reach heritage within his family within the royal line once more.
Should I error in my beliefs, I hope that the meeting between us will conclude in a peaceful way, while we might hopefully eachother within Highgarden. An escort of riders will accompany me in order to protect me from harm. If a month has passed, when this letter arrives and I haven't arrived at Highgarden, assume that I haven't made it due to unforseen circumstances and send word to my nephew, Ser Hobert, in Oldtown and his lad Domeric. They will continiue on my behalf to clarify further discussions regarding the Reach's political position.
In the end the Reach shall hold together in these dark times.

Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King under King Aegon II. Targaryen, rightful King of Westeros
{SIGNED AND SEALED}

[Xion]

The raven from King's Landing would arrive at Highgarden on a cloudy day, with the autumn sun faintly visible beneath the sheet of pale grey clouds blanketing the sky, and be brought to Lady Tyrell in one of the courtyards of Highgarden, as she was looking down as another band of her levies from the surrounding lands arrived at the castle. "So far, none of my banners have arrived.." "Perhaps the Mander has flooded some of the roadways, delaying travel." "Maybe." Lucia turns to look at her sister. "So, all we know is the lion has declared for the Greens, the falcon for the Blacks, and rumors of a dragon or two being sighted in the Stormlands." "Indeed, sister..." "My ladies. A raven from the capital has arrived." The maseter says after bowing, and presents the letter to Lucia. "I see, thank you, Tremond. Any other ravens, perhaps from my bannermen?" "No, my lady."

Lucia begins reading the letter, and curses aloud shortly after starting. "Sister?" "Rowan will pay for this, here." Lucia hands over the letter to her sister, who reads the letter, and then hands it back to Lucia. "Indeed. At least the Lord Hand doesn't seem convinced of it." "Or perhaps he is and is just being diplomatic..." Emphyria gestures to the letter. "I doubt he would offer the hand of the crown prince to one of your daughters if they thought you were a traitor, sister!" "I suppose we shall see.." "As for Rowan?" "I shall think on that.." Lucia turns to Tremond. "Come, Tremond. I shall require your counsel." "Of course, my lady." The maester bows and follows Lady Tyrell as she heads into the castle, while her sister re-reads the letter, then sits in a chair, looking out at the surrounding countryside.