From: Master of Whisperers Lucas Lothston
*Private*
I agree, I am extremely disappointed as well. A Hightower as Commander of the Goldcloaks and charged with the protection of the capital yet a common thug managed to somehow sneak past thousands of Goldcloaks and the hundred that were stationed within the castle itself in order to assassinate the Master of Coins... Absurd.
I think we would both benefit from refraining from casting inane words at one another. The King has not forgotten my vow to burn myself alive if I am ever found wanting by him. Will you vow the same? We both have duties to attend to, you should investigate your Goldcloaks. It is absolutely absurd the idea that a man could have passed through all of them without being spotted without a traitor within that organization, perhaps one of the sergeants was bribed or so forth. I for one,
will discover who was responsible for this and will ensure
justice is not thwarted.
In the absence of the Master of Coins, I must request that the Hand grant me an increase in funding. The King has ordered me to investigate an additional assignment and the travel costs for some of my agents will be considerable. You need not worry, while I breathe, this conspiracy will be hunted wherever it is and wherever it goes.
I will find them all.
To: Lord Darry [Forwarded Letter to Lord Tully
@Skrevski ]
@Maelvona
From: Lord Manfryd Lothston
*Very Public*
Lord Darry,
Take a look outside your window. You will notice thousands of hungry men, bandits and highwaymen from the Crownlands. You will no doubt notice that yes, everyone in the Eastern Riverlands from Harrenhal to the Saltpans to Lord Harroway's Town to Maidenpool is currently dealing with poachers and so forth. You will also no doubt notice none of us are whining and accusing others of magically summoning an army from the Crownlands despite the very many rivalries among all of us.
Also, I will cheerfully inform you that Lord Tully has stated that the village of Lothston which you have occupied for quite some time is rightfully mine. I am forwarding this letter to the Lord Paramount as I write this. I have no need to harass you when there are no longer any border disputes between us anymore. Nor do I have any incentive to harass or cause damage to my own property.
Good day,
Lord Manfryd Lothston
Whoreson Manfryd,
You may have today, Lothston. But your house will not stand. Perhaps not now, perhaps not tomorrow. Perhaps I shall dread upon the rest of my days seeing your 'banner'. But one day, your house shall be gone, and mine shall still be. Take the damned village, had I had half a mind, I would have torched it. Thankfully, I had a quarter, and anyone with a lick of sense has already left. I have larger concerns then trifling with you any longer, at least for now. Good day.
To: Lord Darklyn of Duskendale
@Maelvona
From: Lord Manfryd Lothston
*Private*
My thanks for your obsidian blades, they are of remarkable craftsmanship and I intend to hang them in my personal solar as a sign of the good relations between our two Houses.
I am pleased to know that my House was able to aid at least some Houses from this unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. Please keep me updated on the situation in Duskendale and let me know if the situation in the Northern Crownlands seems like it's stabilizing.
Towards Manfryd of House Lothston
Lord of Harrenhal, such a title would once strike fear upon the hearts of Crownlanders and Rivermen alike.. And yet now it is a mere shadow of what it once was. Once, it was Strong. We see the shadow your father has cast upon the lands, Manfryd, and while he was once a wonderful Master-at-Arms, we question your stability in running your realm. Jeyne and Falena are both dead, yet we question why the King still favours your house after your father's abysmal time as Hand.
Apologies if these words are so cutting.. Perhaps it would have something to do with the late Lord Stokeworth's untimely demise. The King needs loyal hands about, and while the Darklyn's have always stayed steady at the side of House Targaryen, we have found our own laurels to be mostly as shields at the Kings' sides. What great task must have been performed, that he would reward Harrenton, a mere hovel in truth if we are to be honest, with a charter? Yes, we have ears at court, and at the King's own side.
House Lothston is certainly an interesting one. The Lands of Dusk have stood for thousands of years and we haven't in many generations had the chance to be met with such... Rivals, but that may not be. Manfyrd, you are not your father. To bend your service to the Crown is one thing, to sell your soul to a mere King is another. Tides are changing, will you be the new enigmatic generation to wield it, My Lord? We wish not such promising, upstarting individuals to be at the wrong end of this change.
Lord Robin Darklyn
To: Lord Lucas Lothston @Lucienz
From: Lord Jon Hightower, Hand of the King
Private: I must confess I am extremely disappointed. Dear Lord Stokeworth has been assassinated and we were none the wiser for it. You must get to the bottom of the conspiracy. Investigate the murderer's life and find his co-conspirators. Seize them with your men, acquire confessions and have them sent to His Grace at Lannisport for the king's justice. I pray that you do not fail your King once again.
To: Lord Raymont Baratheon @Sidheach
From: Lord Jon Hightower, Hand of the King
Private: There have been reports of increased banditry in the Kingswood and the lands of Haystack Hall. I would ask that you investigate the matter and deliver the king's justice if necessary.
Oh, and send love to my goodsister. I pray to the Mother every day for a child to quicken in her womb. Gods know Baratheons and Hightowers have only rarely lacked for children.
To: Lord Bulwer @Maelvona
From: Lord Jon Hightower
Private: Security in Maegor's Holdfast has been breached, Lord Bulwer, and I require men I can trust to guard the king's home and his court. The capital is a nest of vipers and the Crownlands is little better. I am in need of recognizable and loyal men, and there are no men more distinguished or loyal than the men of Blackcrown. I request that you raise and train a force of two hundred men-at-arms to serve as the Brotherhood of the Bull. Worry not, all monetary needs shall be covered by the royal treasury and I shall grant you a personal tax exemption from your tributes in kind so that these men are not missed. Remember, Lord Bulwer, loyal, trained and disciplined.
To the pleasure gardens of Lys
From Lord Jon Hightower
Years ago, you provided me with the Lady Serenei to stand next to the King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men as his mistress and chief lady of court. I ask once again which among you would like to enjoy that honor again, and all the privileges and prerogatives that come with it.
To: Lord Tristan Tully @Skrevski
From: Lord Jon Hightower
Lord Tully, word has reached the Iron Throne of breaches of the king's peace in the village of Pennytree. Know that the Iron Throne fully stands behind you and is ready to support you should it be requested. Godspeed.
To the Great Hightower,
My Lord father always warned me of King's Landing, my lord. When we were told you were appointed as hand - to be frank it worried those in Blackcrown. We wished not to see our liege stabbed in the back as the King had done to so many others. If I am to speak freely, I would not wish to ever serve that man. But, to serve you, my lord. That would be an honour. And in this task, I shall raise three-hundred men! The Kingslanders shall know no greater man then that is a Reachman. The men shall know no greater knight then those who serve the Beacon of the South! We march as soon as we are capable.
Ser Auroch Bulwer
To the Hand of the Seven Kingdoms,
We have an institution within our bathhouses, pleasure gardens, and refined dining establishments.. We do not serve the sick, the grotesque, nor the fat. From our knowledge, the King is all three. It is said he gained twice his weight when Serenei was befallen. Just the same, she likely kept that insidious vast amount of decay from spoiling over as she lived.
To tell you frankly, my ser, we have no interest in continuing with Aegon. We already have agreed to allow Shiera, our rightful property, to spend her time doting around the Red Keep. How many daughters of Lys must we send, before he executes the next? No, we would rather trade our commodity with more agreeable, pliable partners.. Such as yourself. We know your are richer, more pristine, so well-mannered, you have graced our halls before, Lord Jon. All the girls remember your face, perhaps you'd like to see them again? Or that strapping son of yours. Theomore - was it? He is without a wife, we could provide him one. We could provide him ten, for a night. Lys could relieve you of your obsession of that king of yours and that stress in your heart, please, we trade in such things. If you ever have any ideas.
Head Matriarch Lysalla
From: Lord Farien Yronwood
To: "The Vulture King" @Maelvona
You have just made a
grave mistake. One does not capture the brother of the Bloodroyal without courting his wrath. Accept parley and you may yet live.
*House Yronwood calls its banners.*
The Bloodroyal.. Do you know what Vultures prey upon, my friend? The weak, if I may answer my own query. And yet, what might I come across but strength. Here in the Red Mountains, we are all strong, are we not? Here in Dorne, were are all one. There was a time where High and Small sat alike, in the mountains. When the Northrons came, and they burned your pretty towers down, what did you do, but ask for our help. But I do not need your help, Yronwood. I do not ask for you to fight me. You come into my lands, and you disparage me, those trifling little commanders were so quick to dispatch me - or rather, to run, it seems. I defeated your brother. With this, I may cripple him forever. Not that he wasn't weak already.
But I do not wish this. Neither do you, I know. Your son is without a bride, and I have a daughter - yes I have many. The Vulture King, such a title is that, is it not? It inspires fear within the Marcher Lords, but you have but anger. Because you wish for coin? For what? You wish to take my home.. And how. With arms, soldiers, my own blood shedding itself against me. You will not defeat me, Yronwood, I think not. But you could help me. I will come with your brother, all of his pretty little knights, and my own daughter. Perhaps we can discuss this as equals, and you may know my cause. Reject this in bad faith, and another Vulture will prey upon your weakness. Know that, and know this: your wrath is the same as mine. We are not so unlike, yet where you seek greed,
I seek vengeance.
