Counting Costs and Raising Banners
Twentieth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
Given Rina's promise, you do not answer yourself but nod in her direction. She knows what lurks in the farthest north better than you ever could, to her sorrow. Yet it is not sorrow you hear in her words when she turns to Lord Roote, but simple determination: "They are real, the Others, the White Walkers, the Cold Ones. Whatever name of fear or terror you might wish to call them, for that is all They are. Even those mad or desperate enough to seek Their favor still fear Them," She takes a deep calming breath. "I did not seek that twisted 'favor' but I received it just the same, by trickery as I lay on the edge of death. Were it not for His Grace, Ser Lonmouth, and others of their company, I would not now stand before you as a person, but would instead be a tool in Their hand, sowing misery and despair unable to stop myself ordo anything besides scream in the silence of my mind."
You note that she does not mention her death or raising by the Old Gods, likely a wise choice given the look of pure shock that passes over Lord Roote's features. Thankfully, it does not shift to disbelief, but rather worry, and with that worry a thousand questions.
What do they want and where do they come from? Are they a threat to the Seven Kingdoms, and how can they be stopped if so?
All questions you had expected, as has Rina. She does not speak of the Long Night, nor of the Void that lies behind the Lords of Farthest North. Instead, she recounts how the Winter Fey were twisted by jealously and hate at the coming of man, and ever after hated them and all their works.
At this, Lord Roote is silent for a long moment, then he asks gravely, "Could the wildlings be allowed to pass the Wall into the North to settle, Your Grace?"
The question is so startling it takes you a moment to realize the implication. Acknowledging that it might be your decision to let them past is naming you rightful king.
Taking your silence for disagreement, the knight explains simply, "Wildlings they may be, but they are still men. They do not deserve to live though
that awakening."
"I agree, my lord, which is why I have spoken to Lord Commander Mormont about the possibility, along with strengthening the Watch with sorcery of all sorts. I have ships trading along the eastern shore and a trading port on Skane. I'm planning to evacuate them by ship to the east. The Northern lords are unlikely to welcome them onto their lands after millennia of raiding."
"Sound thinking," the lord of Harroway replies, his nod a touch too firm, likely still trying to digest everything you and Rina had said.
"I intend on holding a larger summit on the perils of the north, among other things, after all is said and done. After everything else that needs to be done, really," you interject. "The world is unfortunately not short on threats. Alas, that in the rush to see them dealt with, not all my plans were so well thought out..." you pause, choosing your next words with utmost care. "While my actions across the Riverlands kicked up a storm of recrimination, that lies faceted the underlying panic in
any action I take publicly. I cannot so much as breathe in a public setting without it being reported back by the Master of Whispers. Were I inclined to make such an appearance rather than wear a glamour, that is. To say nothing of how stepping foot in King's Landing is all it would take to launch an armed rebellion without uttering a word. They
hate the Lannisters there, and in the Riverlands the resentment is not much lesser from what I have seen."
"Time might dull hate, but hope of vengeance is a fine whet stone for it," the Lord of Harroway replies. "Yet I cannot blame you for giving it to them."
"But you might blame me for other things?" you half ask, then raise a hand to forestall his answer while you finish. "Ill-advised I may have spoken, yet how else could I begin to erode the influence of my enemies, that I might begin working against darker foes like the one your father faced? Believe me if you will, my Lord, but I did not conjure sedition carelessly in these lands, rather say it was the natural course of the river flow."
"Rivers can be dammed, new channels dug. You've only to look at the damn Freys to see what a strong will can do, a pitty it is wedded to a withered husk of a heart." The words are more a general grumble than an answer addressed to you.
"The Lannisters have neither the time, the tools, nor indeed the patience for it. They seek to punish those least deserving of it before an orderly transition of power can take place. Divination led Tywin to swiftly accuse you of incompetence and Hoster Tully to throw you to lions braying like sheep, and that was without your part in the matter being partially shrouded to future-sight by merely
speaking to me. Better to have honestly said that you had no idea of my intentions at the time, not when there is already armed conflict here in the underbrush."
For a long moment silence falls as the lord considers your words and you suspect more. Not just the ordering of the Riverlands or rightful possession of the Iron Throne, but you suspect also Rina's tale and the dagger of unmelting ice glinting in the shadows of the cabinet. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I would prefer that you never again acted that manner upon it, Your Grace."
"Of course," you agree at once. "I apologize if I gave the impression I did not trust you to settle matters in the end, with all the pieces set in place and all the knowledge of the situation at hand. I saw a problem which could have turned into a danger, and as was often the case in my own realm, I sought to swiftly fix it. I realize I do not yet in truth hold rule over these lands, but I still feel responsible for aiding the people who have been denied the means and methods to do so themselves."
"You have nothing to apologize for after the aid you have given me and mine," the knight says in a final sort of tone. The next words he speaks are those of fealty, and thus you count one more House under your banners, one that can be depended upon to serve with honor, you would judge.
Where do you go next?
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OOC: I thought about doing a list of houses here to make the voting easier, but it's really late and I would rather have that time to answer any questions you guys might have before I go to bed. Not yet edited.
