On Making War

Posted on Wed Mar 23rd, 2022 @ 3:48am by Lord Garth Blackwater & Queen Joanna Velaryon

Mission: The Iron Price
Location: Tower of the Hand, Audience Chamber

After the sudden attack, the city of King's Landing was awash with chaos. While the people of the city suffered and mourned their dead, the inhabitants of the Red Keep scurried around Aegon's High Hill making plans of war and calculated cost and fortune in the game of thrones. At the top of the Tower of the Hand, lords and ladies, knights and squires, reeves and businessmen of high regard met with the King's Hand asking for help, asking for clarity, and asking for a sense of what the future might bring. The Hand's job was to reassure, yes, but also to solve the small problems which never reached the throne; a burned down business or a need of help with burial.

All around the audience chamber, Blackwater guards kept a silent vigil, their arms crossed about their bodies and their eyes dancing between guests. In all, there were 10 of Highgarden's 40 knights and 20 footmen in addition. Their job was to protect their Lord and, if needed, to ensure his commands were carried out. Battles between the hands' guards and goldcloaks was rare in history, but it did sometimes happen. Authority was sometimes muddied with power.

Lord Garth sighed as the man who had just addressed him returned to the throng of others chatting, not seeming terribly happy with the answer Garth had given him. Between planning battles and haggling over manpower in the city, it was impossible to please everyone. The Hand sat in his chair his golden-rose tipped cane in his hand and his silver eyes on the crowd.

Lady Joanna arrived only towards the end of the day, having bidden the man to go ahead. She still walked with a sight limp though she made every effort not to show it as she strode towards Lord Garth. "My lord," she addressed him as she looked around the room. "Things have been rather hectic."

"My Lady." Garth said, a sad smile on his face. Immediately, he rose from his seat and moved toward her. "They have been indeed. If you will excuse me, everyone, Lady Joanna and I will take our audience to a different room for the time being. I shall return as soon as I can."

A chorus of subtle groans followed as the two of them walked slowly from the room and into the solon next to the audience chamber.

"Please, my lady. Have a seat. I'm sure there is much to discuss." he said.

"A great deal," she said grimly. "I had hoped to have some of the time before you leave, as I will be one of your few bannermen not accompanying you in person." She made no apologies for that. It wasn't expected of a woman and would have actively been a liability in the King's betrothed.

"That is no problem of course, My Lady. I'm sure your uncle will make a fantastic addition to the war party." Garth said warmly.

"My cousin," she clarified. "As commander of the City Watch, my uncle is needed in Oldtown in time of war." That little point of protocol was not the whole of the reason, of course.

"Of course, my apologies." Garth said with a smile. "Other than paying your respects concerning the fleet, was there anything else you wished to discuss?"

"I won't pretend to be an expert on military tactics," Joanna confessed, "but I am concerned over what comes after the taking of the islands. No credible house from among the Ironborn has shown itself loyal and I doubt they will truly give loyalty and obedience to any other. Not for many years, at least. History shows that a restive population, one numbering religious fanatics among them, and I know the Drowned God does have his fanatics, can sometimes be a more serious challenge than a fleet on the ocean or an army on the field."

"Your concerns are perfectly valid." Lord Garth said, not without kindness. "That is why I intend to leave a temporary governor with a considerable garrison. They might have to be crafty not to be tricked."

"That might suppress rebellions and protect our people, but I am not sure it would bind them back to us once more," Joanna said, not sounding especially assuaged. "I'm not sure what would."

"The King has made very clear his desire to see the Six Kingdoms remain Six, no more, no less. My job, therefore, is to see that this happens. There may come a time when we can reconcile ourselves with the Lords of those Isles, but for now, my Lady, we must hold them. Let us see who among the locals makes themselves useful. Perhaps the King shall raise new houses to govern the Iron Islands."

"I was not suggesting you do anything other than hold them, my lord," Joanna answered, "nor that we should be forgiving to traitor lords while they remain in arms against the king. I simply wish His Grace to have six loyal kingdoms and not merely to momentarily contain a land of perpetual rebellion. It is a problem of politics as well as warfare."

"I would agree, my Lady. The situation is far from ideal. I hope that this event will encourage greater caution in the future against the vengeances of people whom the Crown has wounded in practice or in pride. It is a gradual process." Garth stated, speaking more generally and subtly about the naivety which led them into this situation.

"I am glad we are of one mind, my lord. Thank you for hearing me."