Holdfast

Posted on Thu Nov 25th, 2021 @ 4:38pm by King Aethan Velaryon & Ser Renn Baratheon & Grand Maester Othro

Mission: The Iron Price
Location: Maegor's Holdfast, The Red Keep
Timeline: Early Morning, 11th Day of the 12th Moon,404 AC

Maegor's Holdfast, the safest section of the Fortress that is the Red Keep, lies behind walls twelve feet thick. A dry moat lined with a bed of formidable iron spikes surrounds it, with a drawbridge spanning the moat. A particular feeling takes over when you cross the drawbridge in the dead of night, that much was noted by the King as he and some of his Councillors made their way into stronghold.

The Queens Ballroom was outfitted with a long table and seats for the King's entourage.

Lord Garth and some others had pealed off to carry out the King's commands regarding the attack on Pyke, so the group was slightly smaller than before. Ser Arron, the Master of Whisperers skulked quietly to a seat at the table and, without a word, waited for the King to indicate it was time to sit down.

"Make yourselves at home." Aethan said, seating himself and beckoning the Grand Maester to his side.

Grand Maester Othro settled down. His expression was grave as he listened to the other lords.

"Are the Iron Born still in Kings Landing?" Aethan asked, looking for a member of his Kingsguard to answer.

A bruised Ser Renn Baratheon stood stoic, unbent, and solid despite his slender physique. He was in full armor, sans his helmet. His hair was matted with sweat. Blood was splattered across his gauntlet and chestplate, and his chest plate and chainmail had taken at least two glancing blows from an axe. "We're working with the City Watch to pin down the last pockets of resistance," he said with a detached tone. "They're intending to die to the man and are setting fire to anything they can reach. We have three pockets of them holed up. Two more hold outs set themselves on fire rather than be taken." Renn then gestured at the map, "The bulk of the Ironborn that assaulted the walls have withdrawn back into the King's Forest. They've set the shore on fire to shield their escape."

An audible sigh escaped the King's mouth. His reign had only just begun and it was marked with devastation. "Thank you Ser Renn. Will you advise Ser Thommas not to pursue them, as we may be following them into an ambush." He searched his mind for the words, "We may have to rely on a pursuit via sea."

"Of course My King," Renn stated, taking the King's request as immediate need. He bowed with respect and issued himself out of the room. A waft of blood, smoke and iron went with him.

"My reports suggest the fleet is headed East toward Essos." Ser Arron said, his voice quiet; almost a mumble. He looked at the king with his dinner-plate haunted eyes, expressionless. "Your Grace may want to consider whether pursuing them across the Narrow Sea is truly wise. My spies in the free cities tell me Neija Greyjoy has been making many friends in the area for some time. Dorne also has allies there, but they are certainly not the same people."

"Essos?" Aethan rubbed his temple. "And what does Dorne have to do with the Free Cities?!" The inclusion of the man's home in his report made Aethan wonder whether Dorne was in bed with the Greyjoysas retribution for their treatment in the Council. The king was tired. Having only been crowned for a day, now it felt as though several kingdoms were in open rebellion against him.

"The Narrow Sea is narrowest by Dorne," the Grand Maester volunteered gently. "They have long had trading ties."

Ser Arron looked at the King with his haunted eyes, studying the man who was very close to his own age.

"Dorne does most of its trade with the free cities. We bring to the our wonders and they bring to us theirs. There is nothing unusual about it, Your Grace." he said, his voice barely audible, "And we are all, of course, of similar race and language, bringing some natural ties."

Perhaps Aethan was erring on the side of conspiracy, but he had only been King for a day and already there was open rebellion. "What can we do about stifling the fires?" He asked his Maester.

"The people of the city should be organized to fight the fire using water, Your Grace," Othro said, "except at the immediate sites of attack where it must be smothered by dirt to prevent oil from being spread over a wider area. The streets should be cleared of flammable materials ahead of where the fire is spreading to prevent the flames from spreading further."

"We should make it so." Aethan spoke while deep in thought. "Grand Maester can I ask that you gather some of your chained brothers to disseminate that to the streets and provide aid to the affected?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Othro said, bowing and stepping out to make it so.

There was little to do now besides wait. Surely things within the city would be under control soon, and once the Small Council reported back Aethan could plan further. He only hoped that they all came back unscathed and that Joanna found safety as well.