Chapter 10: Small Council?
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Alright so first a vote! Ya'll can decide what kind of pairing ya'll want;
- Margarey Tyrell
- Cersei Lannister
- Sansa Stark
- Daenerys Targaryen
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After exiting Cersei Lannisters office I quickly went back to the keep. When I arrived I found Carthogan waiting for me.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Carthogan, how is it going?" I asked
"It's going good my Lord." He responded with.
"Good to hear, you are 2 years older than Tommen Baratheon correct?"
"Yes, My Lord." He said
"Very well, you shall be given a mission after a few months or years of training, depending on your talent. You will be trained by Jon." I said.
At the same time Jon stepped forward and I signalled for them both to leave.
"Tytos?" I said calling into the Great Keep.
"Yes, My Lord?" He said as I stepped forward and went on one knee.
"Redeploy our troops again. Especially around the Blackwood territories. Keep 1000 Light Cavalry at the Reach border alongside 1000 infantry. Have the 1000 Heavy Knights and 2500 Infantry on Inn of the kneeling man, create an outpost there. Station 1500 men here. And have the last 1000 men go to Stones Hedge. Station the Archers at Lychester for training. Also have 20 River Galleys stationed at the Inn of the Kneeling man, alongside the required troops. Have another 20 at Quiet Isle and have the 30 Longships patrol the Trident." I said
"Understood My Lord! It shall be done!" He said as he stood up before walking out the keep and towards the barracks.
"That will be all." I said to everyone stationed in the keep, they would then return to their normal duties.
Soon enough time passed and it was time for the entourage to leave again. However as they were about to I was called to the King's Chambers again.
Soon enough I arrived. Jon and Jorgen waited outside while I went in. There was a small room before we reached Roberts chambers, when I arrived I saw Cersei Lannister standing there waiting for me.
"Greetings, Lord Alexander." She said. While we were not in first name basis we could use our names plus our title.
"Greetings, Queen Cersei. I must say, you look as beautiful as ever." I said.
"Puh, I wish Robert would think the same, however he's too busy whoring around. But thank you, Lord Alexander." She said.
"Well, before we go in, I would like to inform you on what is about to happen. Our faction lacks members on the small council. The Starks have the Hand position alongside the part time loyalty of Baelish due to his relationship with Lord Starks Wife. The Baratheons have Renly and Stannis, meanwhile we have none. The Master of Whisperers is Neutrual. And as such, our faction requires a seat on this council." Cersei said in a serious tone.
"So we created the position of Master of War, I managed to do this by using your previous war experiences and using quite a few favours with the King." Cersei said.
"Ah, I now understand why you are placing me here. Although the Queen is technically equal or higher than the Hand in terms of influence, Eddard Stark has more influence on the King than you, he also has more technical power and authority. And with his good relationships with Renly and Baelish, they might support him. Similarly Stannis would rather support Eddard than you. Which is why you need more technical influence and authority. However, you have far more control over Kings Landing and the Red Keep due to your long political influence and having been stationed there for quite some time." I said
"Indeed, you are quite the sharp one, Lord Alexander." Cersei said
"However thats not all is it? The Master of War, due to being a new position and the fact that there are currently no wars means you are making another move as well, am I correct?" I said
"Indeed you are. I have lied to Robert about the Lord Commander of the City Watch and bribed its Council. He will be removed once we reach Kings Landing. Usually I would place a Lannister there, however with Renly being Master of Law, he will spot them and remove them. Therefore I will require you to give me one of your men to take command of the City Watch." Cersei said.
"Very well, I understood. I promise you, My Queen. I shall not disappoint you." I said as I bowed slightly.
"Oh, trust me. You will not. Well shall we go meet the King?" After saying that she turned around and entered the room, I quickly entered after her.
Once we arrived in the room I looked around before bowing on one knee. There were only 6 guys in the room. Lancel Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Barristan Selmy, Robert Baratheon and me.
This setup was a perfect move of power from the Lannister. They had gotten Jaime in a position similar to second in command of the Kings Guard, Lancel Lannister as cup bearer, in the show he is projected as a weak and vulnerable Lannister, however do not forget he is born and brought up a Lannister. He has without a doubt the sword skills to match his lineage, and i personally believe his weak persona is a lie.
By having these 2 men in the room at all times, they would be capable of killing the King at most times. Cersei likely carries a dagger, Lancel too. But he also has a sword. Similarly Jaime always wears armor and sword.
If a fight were to break out at this time. Lancel or Cersei would likely stab Robert, or engage in combat for Lancel. Meanwhile Jaime would fight Barristan, and the question of defeating is hard to answer.
And with me joining their faction, the fight would be won easily us having 4/6 of the men inside. The Lannister has indeed done much to achieve this. Lancel has given up his reputation to complete his mission. Jaime and Cersei take daily humiliation and beating, but in the end the Lannister completely control the Red Keep and King's Landing.
Now with CW under their control the Lannister Guards can easily defeat the Baratheon one, and CW can keep the population in control or assist the Lannisters.
However, Lord Eddard Stark has completely countered their gains. Now with Eddard as hand he is likely to be around Robert a lot. And if the Lannister attacks during a time where Eddard is, they were loose. That's also what the most likely cenario of attack is. Eddard is called to Robert where he is about to give information deprimental towards the Lannister. And in a such case they would loose.
Barristan counter Jaime, Eddard counter Lancel and Robert counter Cersei. Even worse, Eddard could fight Jaime for a short amount of time. Lancel would be slaughtered by Barristan and the battle would be lost. Even with me our odds would be 60/40 for us.
Getting out of my own thoughts Robert signalled for me to stand, which I did, he then began speaking.
"I am not a man whom speaks around the true meaning. It has come to our attention that your recent gains in war and our lack of a military commander, had led to our choice of inducting a position of Master Of War, you will be given this position, I hope you can work together with Eddard to rule the Kingdoms. Like the Riverlands and the North should. Usually I would give this to the Tullies, but due to their recent Lord problems and family situations, I have after thinking decided not to." Robert was surprisingly serious for once.
"Thank you, My King, I swear in front of the old gods and the new that I will complete my responsibilities to my fullest so that the realm may prosper." I said as I went down on my knees again.
"Stand." Robert said.
As I stood up he said.
"Congratulations! This must be partied for!" Robert said.
"Lancel bring some wine! And order the kitchen to prepare for a feast before we leave!"
And with that I decided to silently take my leave. I nodded to Barristan, Jaime, and Cersei before leaving.
Only 3 hours later we had a small party. Again Robert was partying and I decided to take this time again to continue talking with Cersei. I gave her information on whom I would appoint as CW Lord Commander. Similarly we began planning for rebuilds within the City Watch and I asked her questions about the political situation, how it was in KL, the Lannister faction strong and weak sides, strong and weak sides of other factions, the different factions etc.
She told me that the Major ones were Baratheon and Lannister. The Baratheons having the Law on their side, the Navy, 1000 Baratheon men in the city and 4000 nearby. The Lannister had a lot of control in the merchant district and the trade district. They also had a lot of influence on Robert and they had the Maester on their side, however they didn't tell me that.
The Faith of the Seven had also began making small moves, mainly building up their own little militia, however that was the extent of their building up. Similarly the Tyrell's had begun making moves in the Red Keep, especially those in the kitchen, maids and the CW.
There was also Houses factions. The Vale had a large faction until Lord Arryns demise, they disband upon him dying and the wife retreating. The Dornish Lords also has a few political advantages, mainly in that of alcohol and spears. The Greyjoys had nothing due to their recent rebellion.
The Reach had a large agricultural faction inside the Kings Landing, they being responsible for over 65% of all their food import. The Reach also had influence in the crowns debt to them. The North had nothing but something now due to Eddard. The Riverlands had a centralised political party, but after Hoster getting sick it fell apart. The Freys and Blackwoods especially tried to get some power. However they failed exceptionally well. Mallister didn't even bother and instead invested men into the Royal Navy.
The Stormlands have a faction circled around Robert then Renly. And lastly Essos had a faction. Mainly a agreement between the Iron Bank and the Magisters, they worked together to ensure better trading for all of them. They also held significant power in the trade of items.
And with that we came up with a plan. I would gain money from the Lannisters and invest them into the mercenary districts, new stuff for the city watch and lastly a bit into the pleasure district to counter Baelish. The Lannisters would pay 40% of all my expenses inside these three areas.
And soon enough the party ended and we took our leave. The guards weren't allowed to drink and nobody drank a lot except a few selected ones, and of course Robert Baratheon.
But only 1 hour after we took our leave for King's Landing. With me I took 400 normal men and 200 of my own unit.
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So, Margaery, Daenerys, Cersei or Sansa? Margaery will be the fastest to create a relationship with. Followed by Cersei, then Sansa and lastly Daenerys. I can consider doing 2 of them if enough of you say that's what you want.