2nd Month of 287 A.C. King's Landing
Lord Rickard Stark
It was nice to have his son here in King's Landing, Benjen had proven just how grown he was in the past few moons, helping Rickard out with various things that needed to be sorted with regards to the household, and in turns keeping an eye on Jonothor when the boy needed some sort of familial company. His son was also a much shrewder lad than either of his two elder brothers had been. Benjen had a certain level of cunning and skill with words that both Brandon and Ned lacked. It was interesting to note for Rickard, especially when it came to certain members of the court. It seemed his son had a knack for learning things that no one else, not even Prince Oberyn knew.
His son was demonstrating this right now. "You see Ser Gerion is a man who once he has had a few drinks is liable to talk and give away his family's secrets particularly his brother's. I sense that there is a lot of tension there."
Rickard nods and asks. "What things has the old lion done that we do not know about?"
"He controls the gold cloaks nominally through Manly Stokeworth the man has been bought and paid for by Tywin in an attempt to ensure that the charge is kept within Lannister hands." Benjen responds.
"And yet Stokeworth continues to report to me everything the Lannister men within the gold cloaks say or do." Rickard counters.
"A ruse father. The man is laying a false trail for you, so that you do not get the sense of the level of his betrayal. He seems to be wanting both ends of the stick. And he wants the rewards both sides have promised him." His son says.
Rickard nods and asks. "And what of Gerion himself what part does he have in all of this?"
"He, he is not sure of his role. But it seems he is trying to get into my own good books and through me to you. The lord hand is wanting to play the long game and wait for you to make a mistake before coming in to take control of all the things that are to do with the King." Benjen states.
Rickard looks at his son impressed. "You learnt all of this from a night's drinking with Gerion Lannister?" his nods. "I am very proud of you son. You have shown yourself to be very valuable to the family cause here. Your mother tells me that there have been some maidens here expressing an interest in you. I would hear your thoughts on them."
Though he suspects his son knows that he has changed the subject because of how shocked he is that he did not see this coming, his son does not comment on it and instead looks quite uncomfortable. "I must admit the attentions are flattering but I do not know whether I am truly interested in those giving them."
"You do not wish to marry a lady from the crownlands?" Rickard asks. When his son nods he goes on. "I can understand why. They are a fickle lot these crownlanders, tied to the throne and constantly wanting to get nearer to it. But surely you would have no objections to marrying Donella Staunton? You two seem to get on quite well."
His son is silent a moment as if deep in thought before responding. "Lady Donella is very nice and friendly. But I do not see what sort of benefit she would bring to me or our house. Her father is already one of your closest allies, her brother is serving in the city watch and will soon be Lord Commander and her nephew will be one of Jon's closest friends. Her family has gained enough for Lord Staunton. No I… I do not think I wish to marry a crownlander."
"If not from this kingdom then from where Benjen? There are few girls of eligible age elsewhere in Westeros. You are soon to be eighteen, your keep is soon to be finished and you shall need to choose a wife soon. You cannot be too slow in your decision, otherwise many and more shall come clamouring for your attention." Rickard says.
His son sighs. "I know that father, truly I do. Aemma Waynwood is one lady who I have gotten along with quite well since I have been here in King's Landing. Her brothers Morton and Mark have been of good company to me as well. She is nice, smart and she knows a thing or two about the north. Then there is Melantha Blackwood Lord Tytos's cousin. She is someone I know well as well."
Rickard considers these two names and then says. "Waynwood might be smart but her house gives us little, apart from perhaps a check against Jon Arryn. Though that man has done little since the Great Council. As for Melantha Blackwood, I could see the sense in that marriage especially with the troubles with the faith. And what of Serena and Maria Ryder I had thought those two girls were the two you were most interested in?"
Benjen blushes at this and says. "I… I had wanted to marry Serena, but it seems her father is most determined to see her wed to Roger Ryswell so that they might get a chance of getting their own blood in the Rills once more. As for Maria, since the last time he offered her hand in marriage, he has since accepted an offer for her hand from Roderick Flint."
"If you wish I could write to Lord Rodrik and ask him to delay looking into tying his son to Lord Ryder's daughter." Rickard offers.
His son shakes his head. "No I could not do that to Serena. I… I admit that the thought of a northern bride after meeting Lady Catelyn is somewhat against my own notions."
Rickard laughs then. "It is true, the north has its own attractions but with the game we are playing here, perhaps it would be better if you did have a southern wife."
His son nods agreement at this. "There is Jocelyn Mallister father. She is Lord Jason's younger sister, and considering that I am to be Lord on the Western shore it does make sense."
His father looks at him wondering if perhaps he should ask Benjen to remain in King's Landing after his stay comes to a close nods and says. "Very well, go and meet with the lady, I shall send word to Lord Jason that you are going to speak of trade agreements. Meet her, court her and find out whether she is amicable to such a marriage." His son nods and then their meeting comes to an end.
Once his son is gone, Rickard spends some time going over the letters and other correspondence that he has received over the past few weeks. The war with Lys continues and soon enough shall require more men, perhaps the fighting had been premature, but something needed to be done. With Tyrosh firmly onside, and with his cousin Rodrik keeping the magisters of Myr out of the fighting Lys should capitulate within the next few weeks if not sooner. Then there was the talk coming from the wall of the Lord Commander's practice of dark arts. Of goats heads and sacrifices to evil gods. What to make of such a thing he knew not, he had only met Lord Commander Qorgyle once and that was when the man had been travelling to the wall first. And that had been some thirty years ago when Rickard had been but a young lad trying to deal with his father's increasing madness. The goat heads were disturbing though, for they brought too many memories of Lord Edwyle and his rants and raves. Gods he thought he had left that all behind….
A knock on the door takes him away from his brooding, and after he calls for whoever it is to come in, he sees Ser Gerold and Prince Oberyn standing in the doorway. He asks for them to both sit down and then asks. "So have you found anything of note Prince Oberyn?"
The Prince looks tired, they all look tired he is sure, this winter has been a hard one and will only continue to be so. "I have found more eggs my lord regent. Buried deep within the passageways of the Red Keep. Eggs dating back to the Dance of Dragons that the Dragonbane attempted to hatch but never succeeded in doing so. I have had them placed under watch. I have also found some suggestions as to where this vault might be, but as of yet have not found it."
Rickard sighs. "And where do these suggestions suggest the vault might be?"
"Deep within the Red Keep. In places where no man has set foot in since the time of King Daeron the good or perhaps even before then. In a place that has long since been sealed off and forgotten." The Prince replies.
"Would our enemies know of such a place?" Rickard asks.
The Prince shrugs. "Who can say? The man might know of such a location after all the information that I have on him suggests he knew of the Red Keep's passageways long before coming to Westeros. It is likely someone in his family informed him of them, in preparation. And then there is the fact that one of Duncan's children made it to Essos as well."
"But why would a Prince of the blood's child help a traitor?" Rickard questions.
"Prince Duncan's children were not all entirely happy being born outside the line of succession." Ser Gerold intones. "I remember for it was something Lord Commander Duncan spoke of with some sadness. It appeared Galed and Jaehaeron were the two most determined to see themselves returned to the succession. That the king their grandfather refused to overturn his decision as they got older made them wroth. If I remember correctly Galed fled across the narrow sea. It is likely he told the man of the passageways."
"What did happen to Prince Duncan's children?" Rickard asks.
"Some joined the faith, others died young, and Galed fled across the narrow sea. None know what happened to Jaehaeron, for he simply disappeared from sight and view as the years progressed. He was at Summerhall, but his body was never found." Ser Gerold says.
Rickard runs a hand through his hair then and says. "We must find that vault quickly before that damnable man does. We must find what is inside it and we must destroy it. We cannot allow the man to get his hands on that information."
The Prince nods. "I understand my lord regent and have been making the most effort to get towards where I believe it to be. There are some things that I found in the eunuch's old rooms which have given me hints as to where it could well be. There are legends that speak of it, and as such using the two has gotten me somewhat nearer."
Rickard looks at the Prince and says. "Legends are not good enough. The fate of the kingdom hinges on this discovery. We must find it before anyone else does. And if Tywin Lannister discovers what needs to be done, remove him."
The Prince nods and then Ser Gerold speaks. "If you wish my lord regent I could ask for one of the sworn brothers to aid in looking."
Rickard shakes his head. "Whilst the suggestion is well meant I must decline Lord Commander. We must keep the king protected at all times. As soon as Ser Rolland and Ser Jon are back from Lys they shall resume their duties. Now more so than ever the king must be protected." With that he finishes the meeting and dismisses both men.
Once they have stood up and left, he rubs his eyes, takes a sip of water and then says. "You can come out of the shadows now." And so the lights dim and the creature of his nightmare comes forward.