The Vaults

[The Gambler]

The cavernous vaults beneath Wailing Tower, where the treasury is stored. 

[Jon Blackfort]

Harrenhal's new Castellan and Steward delved in to the vaults beneath the Wailing Tower to inspect the state of the castle's treasury. Gold was the lifeblood of any castle, and a very big castle would require a very big treasury. Jon led the way, torch in hand, with his nephew close behind him. "Your brother conducted himself with more... grace than I had expected. When I first saw him I thought it was Bruce born again."

[Edwyn Blackfort]

Edmure also carried a torch as given the size of the castle, the Treasury vault was likely to be cavernous, especially if empty.

"He did well, Belric." replied Edmure matter-of-factly. "The question is can he sustain it? Perhaps with our support he can make something out of this new lordship, cursed as it supposedly is."

[Jon Blackfort]

Jon gave a shy chuckle. "The curse of Harrenhal. You don't believe that do you?"

[Edwyn Blackfort]

Edmure shrugged. "Do I believe in the gods - old or new? If I can believe the gods can influence the course of events, why not those of Harrenhal?"

He laughed. "But in the end uncle, I believe the gods favor those making their own luck. Reasoned decision-making will most often win the day."

[Jon Blackfort]

Jon nodded. "True enough. For all our sakes, I hope Belric shall listen to good reason. I've known many a man in my time that couldn't." He raised his torch, trying to illuminate the expanse of the vault, but saw only darkness.

"But tell me nephew," He spoke, turning back. "If you believe this place to be haunted, why come?"

[Edwyn Blackfort]

"Every man must face his fears at some point." replied Edmure. "Plus I would see for myself if the stories are true."

[Jon Blackfort]

"I would have thought the war would have taken care of that already." Jon bent down to closer inspect a small chest of dragons, muttering to himself as he counted. Satisfied, he stood and continued his inspection. "Harrenhal does come with a certain reputation. And there are more superstitious men than you or I in Westeros. Perhaps there is value in that."

[Edwyn Blackfort]

Jun 13, 2016 16:05:06 GMT Jon Blackfort said:

"I would have thought the war would have taken care of that already." Jon bent down to closer inspect a small chest of dragons, muttering to himself as he counted. Satisfied, he stood and continued his inspection. "Harrenhal does come with a certain reputation. And there are more superstitious men than you or I in Westeros. Perhaps there is value in that."

"Not all fears are to be faced in war." replied Edmure. "Some are not of this world, although I suspect that many of those are merely a product of men's  minds, rather than grounded in reality." He smiled. "Perhaps between us uncle, you and I can tame those and use them to our advantage. This is the place to do it."

After  some time walking around and examining the chests and boxes, some of which appeared to be less than full, he walked over to Jon.

"You are more versed in the counting of gold than I am. What do you think? Do we have enough to govern Harrenhal adequately in the manner that we need?

[Jon Blackfort]

"Well I'll say this about Ser Simon and his men. They're no bandits. The treasury appears unmolested." He rubbed his chin in thought. "Aye, this should do. It will take some days to count how much we have exactly, but we have enough to get started." He offered a smile to his nephew, the lad seemed reasonable. "Come, let us leave the dreary place. We have much to do."

[Edwyn Blackfort]

Edmure nodded. "I shall rely on your accurate counting of the amount we have uncle. I do not know how long my lord brother will remain in Harrenhal for he is sure to have committments elsewhere , but he has entrusted me with re-establishing law and order in this place and also throughout the lands our vassals hold. And that I mean to do. When you have the accounting of our funds, if you could be so kind to have a copy of what you present to Belric given to me."

He clapped his uncle on the shoulder and smiled. "I shall rely heavily on your wisdom and good sense uncle. There are those here and outside our new lands who will seek to undermine our rule. We must be vigilant in identifying and seeing off any threats."

[Jon Blackfort]

"Well if he can help it, Lord Belric shouldn't leave the castle until he's given his wife a babe in the belly." Jon chuckled, apparently finding some secret amusement at the thought. "Of course Edmure, that is your right as Castellan. I shall do my utmost to serve Harrenhal."

[Edwyn Blackfort]

"I am sure my brother will be taking every opportunity he can to plant a babe in his wife's belly." said Edmure wryly. "The king will expect nothing less. And once that is done His Grace is almost certain to require his sister and her husband to attend him at court. We must be prepare Harrenhal to operate efficiently without its lord necessarily present."

[Jon Blackfort]

Jon raised an eyebrow at that. "What makes you so sure of that? We have peace now, the war is won. A Lord's duty is to his people. His place is here, at Harrenhal. Why should the king have need of him when he has the finest courtiers in the world at beck and call?"

[Edwyn Blackfort]

"Belric is his friend." replied Edmure simply. "And Kings like to have their friends around them."

His smile faded. "And in any case, are you so sure Jon, that the peace will last? There are many Targaryen supporters still. Some in positions of power."