With Justice and Reason
Tenth Day of the Tenth Month 293 AC
"There was war in the land, and in the sea for that matter," you reply, keeping your voice carefully level, allowing only a hint of weariness to enter your tone. True it is more pondering the threat of the Deep Ones and the secret horror at Heaven's fate than any stubborn lords, but it is no less real for it. "For over a year there has been war between my realm and the king on the Iron Throne. No sooner did I win myself a realm and begin setting it to order than the Usurper sent his brother and the full royal fleet to cast it down. Doubtlessly if he said anything at all to the lords of Westeros it was that he was burning a nest of pirates. I cast no blame upon those who did not think to stop him then, but I maintain that it is now very far indeed from such a den of villainy. If you might wish to see it for yourself then I will take you there in a moment's notice and show you all that I have wrought, my lady."
Though the offer is sincere, you do not expect her to take it. This is not a question of whether you can bring peace or prosperity, but of keeping the honor of her House, of proving herself worthy of her position in an admittedly idealistic view of the world.
There are worse qualities for a lord or lady to have.
She shakes her head firmly and meets your eyes still with challenge over deeper worry, for far more than her own safety. "Stannis Baratheon's sailors did not set foot upon your lands, my lord, they did not raid or pillage, and from what I have heard of the new Lord of Storm's End neither would they have done so without suffering swift punishment."
You wonder what she would say if you told her that Stannis himself has sworn to you not two days past, but you do not speak of it yet. The point is not to show her that the world itself cannot live up to the standards she has erected in her mind, but that you have done all you can to act with honor and restraint even towards the rebel lords. "The company in the Riverlands who swore itself to me has not acted as common bandits. I, too, have faith in those who lead it. Hedge knights, yes, but not without honor. Just the same those with rich lands and deep vaults can lack in it."
"If they were men of honor they would have traveled to your lands and there presented their swords to you," Lady Shyra replies, voice stiff but also unsteady, grasping at straws.
"Not all men have ship fare, my lady, and not all can afford to take it," Ser Richard interjects, not unkindly. "Smallfolk must keep to their fields and their crafts, but that does not mean they would not rather have a king who would rule justly and bring prosperity to the land."
"They shouldn't..."
Dany cuts her off, speaking more sharply from her perch. "Shouldn't what? Have an opinion or act upon it? They have a stake in the matter just as any high lord might. They are the ones who march to war to die far from home under their lord's banners, the ones whose fields are trampled and whose children go hungry for it."
Silence follows her words, broken only by the sounds of breathing. Finally the lady shakes her head, as much in bewilderment as denial. "You make them sound so noble... What of the bands in the Rainwood, then? The Dragon's Claws I hear they call themselves. Do you trust them also? Are they just trying to keep war from their door?"
"No, and no, hence why there are no more robber bands in the Rainwood as of yesterday," you reply simply. "They have been dealt with."
"You dealt with every bandit in the Rainwood in the span of a single day?" she asks incredulously.
"All the bands," you correct with precision that might have won the approval of Stannis Baratheon. "Magic makes finding people quite simple."
"I... alright," Lady Shyra Errol finally sighs, though it may lack any formality you know it for her true pledge. She looks tried, but the strain is gone from her face. "I will pledge my House to you, Your Grace, in place of House Baratheon of Storm's End and of King's Landing."
"The first is not needed," you reply, allowing yourself a small smile. "Lord Stannis has already seen that his brother's failing reign can only bring ruin to the Seven Kingdoms."
Surprise and relief chase each other clear across her features, though the reason for the latter is not quite what you had thought to judge from her musings. "I suppose the matter of my wedding will have to be postponed until quieter times..."
"Indeed, my lady, that is not a decision to take in haste," you agree, making a mental note to ask Stannis not to offer any suggestions. As troublesome as Lady Shyra's pledge was, it is just as firm now. There is no reason for her to court misery and heartbreak.
***
Having thus assured yourself of one more pledge you make your way south and west to Bronzegate to secure another of the Houses that Stannis had named uncertain in their alliances. From what Maester Cressen had said of the man it should be an easy enough task. One already wary of dragon fire should be quite satisfied to be presented instead with gifts to honor the wisdom and forethought of not fighting dragons at all. Indeed you had hardly presented yourself as an Essossi merchant, hinting at contacts in the Deep, that the steward graciously accepts you into the presence of his lord.
"Y-your Grace, an honor to meet you." The sandy-haired lord's usually florid complexion pales abruptly as you reveal yourself.
"An honor to be here, my lord," you reply with an encouraging smile.
What had the man heard of you?
The answer, you soon discover, is a great many Lannister-spread tales about blood sacrifice, sorcery, and vile gods, which had led to an image in his mind that could perhaps be best summarized as 'Maegor the Wizard' with perhaps a dash of Maelys Blackfyre thrown in. Where other lords might have been stiffened in their resolve to fight for gods and king, Lord Ralph Buckler seems on the verge of trussing up the local septon as a gift.
"Creseen did Old Man Frey a disservice comparing him to this lump. He might be vicious and mercenary to the bone, but he isn't a coward," Dany sends silently as you set about calming Lord Buckler's fears one by one.
"Be that as it may, he will keep his seat and pass it to his children where bolder lords might fail," you send back.
What do you do next?
[] Head to Sothoryos
-[] Write in preparations
[] Continue trying to sway Stormlords to your service
-[] Write in
[] Do a minor action
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: There did not seem to be much sense in doing a write-in to calm Lord Buckler, so I just rolled through it. I hope it does not feel rushed.
