The King's Solar

[The Raven]

Pages slipped a note beneath the guestroom door of Lord and Lady Blackfort that His Grace had invited/commanded them to join him for breakfast, with the King's Hand also attending.

The solar had changed little since their childhood. Aegon had little interest in conducting matters of state except when his ire or appetites were raised. It was Prince Daeron who sat here, cajoling and consoling his father's vassals while his many bastard siblings wandered the halls.

Daemon, intentionally or not, sat in the same spot as the man he had overthrown. The table was set with fresh fruit and warm sausage. Close at hand was Ser Richard, freshly initiated into the Kinsguard and resplendent in his white enameled armor.

[The Gambler]

Aegor, in contrast, remained on his feet beside his king, the iron rod up his ass likely making sitting difficult. His hands were clasped behind his back and he tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the others to arrive, permanent scowl never faltering from his face. He was clearly not a morning person...or a night person for that matter...or an afternoon person...

[Barley]

Saesha arrived separately to her husband, having been awake very early. She was in a grim mood as she had a huge hangover, and was not exactly happy at seeing her brother so soon to what he'd done to her. She had not had nearly enough time to cool off yet.

She curtseyed stiffly as she entered and enquired after her brothers health, smiling at him pleasantly, but her eyes were blank.

"Good morning, your grace. How kind of you to extend us this invitation. I hope I find you well."

[Ser Richard]

Richard stands stiffly at attention, dark sister and his shorter blade hanging in their sheathes.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric walked into the room, refreshed and invigorated from an incredibly sound night of sleep. Had King's Landing been burned to the ground, he would have been turned to ash without ever waking. Rounding the corner, he watched as his wife finished greeting Daemon. He nodded to Saesha, noticing the dark cloud looming over her head.

"You honor me my King," Belric said with a respectful bow. "Thank you for hosting me at your table." He turned his attention to Bittersteel, fully appreciating his namesake. "My Lord Hand, it is an unexpected pleasure to join you as well. I had not know if I was going to have a chance to see you again, and apologize for my jest last night. I have need of your guidance before we make leave for Harrenhal."

Belric was surprised to see his uncle standing at attention, "Uncle Richard, it is good to see you.  And in a white cape no less.  You honor our house greatly, and will make a fine Kings Guard."  He smiled pridefully at Richard, the man had earned his seat at the Kings table many times over.

[Ser Richard]

Jun 4, 2016 19:47:15 GMT Lord Belric Blackfort said:

Belric was surprised to see his uncle standing at attention, "Uncle Richard, it is good to see you.  And in a white cape no less.  You honor our house greatly, and will make a fine Kings Guard."  He smiled pridefully at Richard, the man had earned his seat at the Kings table many times over.

Richard smiles at his nephew and acknowledges him with a nod. However for now he remained silent and watchful.

[The Raven]

Daemon smiled at his sister warmly, and held her hand briefly as he wished her a good morning. After Belric finished his pleasantries, he spoke.

"Before we discuss serious matters, I want to apologize for how I conducted the bedding ceremony last night. Much of yesterday and last night were intended to entertain and impress our subjects. Sometimes acting like a common tavern lout is part of the routine. I hope, Saesha, will forget my words in time."

[Barley]

Saesha let him hold her hand as they wished one another good morning, and even kissed his cheek, but removed it and stepped back when her husband started thanking the king for all he's apparently cursed him with.

After Daemon spoke, the look on her face that was unlikely it would soon be forgot, but like for much of the night before, she played her part. She did not accept that excuse as a valid one. "There is nothing to forgive Brother, you must do what is best for the Kingdom. People rose to support what they believe a King should be, if you think that is a common tavern lout then I am sure they are all impressed."

She was also offended he considered her public shaming a matter of no seriousness, Daemon was not doing very well if he was wanting her to forget it. She only wished peoples memories for serious things were as long as their memories of for things that amused them. She was not one of those things.

[The Raven]

"I appreciate your patience with me, sister. I know the past five years with me may not have been as rewarding as you'd like. Especially now. You see. friends..."

Unfortunately for Lady Blackfort and her pride, other matters were indeed far more dire.

"...when I first declared you Lord of Harrenhal, I did it having only received word of Lady Lothson's demise a few hours earlier. I had thought with the war's end, I might be able to open the treasury and help your family establish themselves there, and perhaps spare some soldiers to secure your safety. Unfortunately... Maekar Targaryen emptied the Red Keep's vaults before fleeing to Volantis. We were lucky the larder had plenty, or we'd have been feasting on scraps of bread last night. Fortunately, Lords Reyne and Hightower and my wife's family are happy to loan us enough money to keep the house's position stable,but for now, House Blackfort is on its own. If Medgar Tully decides to take your lands next week, you will receive no support from us."

[Barley]

Yes the last five years were not as rewarding as she would have liked, since she asked for nothing, wanted nothing and actually managed to get less than that. She was trying not to dwell on it.

Saesha just looked at the King blankly for a moment. "Thank you for informing us, Your Grace."

He'd fucked her even worse than she thought. She had thought he was putting her in a row boat, set apart from the main ship, now he was cutting the line and setting her adrift alone in an ocean... oh and not to mention he'd hammered holes into the said boat so it was quickly taking on water.

Despite that she knew she was being too harsh now. Daemon was in a truly terrible situation if the vaults were empty. Money like that needed to be paid back and she would not like to be endebted to the Reynes or the Hightowers.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric walked to the table, indulging himself on the spread of fresh fruits. He was a big man and figured it would be better to not let the food go to waist, as he was likely to be hungry for a while.

"It would hardly be Harrenhal without poverty and hunger." he said sarcastically, though without an ounce of amusement. Eyeing a pitcher of water, Belric poured himself two cups. He offered the second to Saesha, who looked in desperate need of hydration, before pulling her free a chair at the table.

[The Raven]

Daemon did not seem amused, and watched the new Lord sate his appetite before answering.

"You should find a company of house knights at Harrenhal. Ser Simon Whent should be leading them. A very capable veteran. His nephew Ser Bruce will also serve you well. I would not call either man cheery, but they are both respected for their dedication to knightly virtue. Harrentown itself boasts a sizeable population for a township, so you shouldn't lack for common footsoldiers should you need them. The town magistrate, a fellow named Ser Valarr Rivers, was the one who wrote us about Lothson's death. He's a known friend to our cause, so you can trust him to steer you true."

He looked at Belric. "If you have to execute traitors, don't waste your time writing for permission. These people, no matter how much they like me, will never respect you if they believe you're a puppet. And respect is what keeps houses strong, even more so than wealth and arms."

[Barley]

Saesha took that in and made sure to remember the advice, a bear bones plan of what they should do forming in her mind.

A lot of the resentment in her eyes was taken over by concern, this was still her family, she still loved them even if Daemon had thrown her away. "What are you going to do here? You cannot owe Hightower and Reyne and Tyrosh forever. Do you know how you can rebuild the wealth quickly?"

[The Gambler]

Jun 4, 2016 19:47:15 GMT Lord Belric Blackfort said:

"You honor me my King," Belric said with a respectful bow. "Thank you for hosting me at your table." He turned his attention to Bittersteel, fully appreciating his namesake. "My Lord Hand, it is an unexpected pleasure to join you as well. I had not know if I was going to have a chance to see you again, and apologize for my jest last night. I have need of your guidance before we make leave for Harrenhal."

The ever laconic Hand grunted in response, the closes Belric could ever hope to get to an "Apology accepted." It was clear he did not hold a grudge over it, any more than he held a grudge against the entire world.

He remained silent as the king explained the situation, likely having briefed him with the Lord Commander for this meeting. He was a competent ventriloquist. 

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

"Of course, Daemon," Belric said, taking the King's advice to heart. He sat down at the table, next to the seat he had offered Saesha. "I will rule in your name, but not as your proxy. With some clever diplomacy, perhaps Sarsha and I can gather the support you speak of. I will make a point of gaining Ser Valarr Rivers' ear upon our arrival, I suspect we are to be short on allies." Belric ate freely from the fruit trays before him. "I hope to reinforce your rule by converting our enemies, but if we can't, as you said, traitor's heads will roll."