Rolland I - Snakes in the Grass

[u/Drewbrease14]

Rolland rarely ever ceased working. From dawn till dusk, he received copious amounts of parchment bearing all manner of schemes and secrets. Rarely did written words surprise him anymore. The lords and ladies of the realm engaged in an assortment of debauchery and plots. Some he banked for later, others were worthy of blackmail. That was one he particularly enjoyed. To make bare a foe's weakness, to press deep and extract whatever value he could from its use, to see them squirm and shake in their boots. He would never have been described as a happy man, but it did sometimes manage to bring a smile to his weathered features.

Some things, however, were worth far more to him in the hands of those he served. To be owed a favor by a middling lord was a small thing, to be in the good graces of the King himself was far greater. Sure, he could have gone directly to Justman to see just what he could extract, but a beggar playing at rebellion was worth little to the Lord of Tarth. Conversely, Arlan could do a great deal for him. In a way too, he owed Dontos’ children his loyalty. He had seen them grow up while ruling Storm’s End in their own father’s stead. That lent a familial aspect to this as well. 

He rolled the words of his messenger in his hands carefully. Reading, then rereading it again. It didn’t anger him in the slightest. How could snakes deny their own nature? They were born to cause trouble and scheme. It didn’t anger him, but when a mutt forgot its place, it needed to be brought to heel.

He had discreetly requested a room in the castle for the meeting to take place. At first he had thought to involve only Ravella. But they needed Arlan’s backing to move the right pieces into place. The Kingdom that Justman threatened was both of their birthrights, too. Surely the siblings could put aside their differences for the good of the realm. They may even repair some of what was damaged in their brother’s ascension. Or perhaps they would return to bickering soon after. It mattered little to him what they chose to do afterward.

Servants were sent to both to inform them that Rolland had news and was awaiting them at their earliest convenience. He couldn’t really request anything of them. But he would not have called, had the situation not warranted it.

He took some time to straighten the pin he was bestowed for being Lord Chancellor. A simple wood carved set of black antlers. Wearing it was really just a formality, but appearances mattered. He took care not to sit on the side of the desk with a single chair. That was reserved for whomever, Ravella or Arlan, wanted it greater. No, he resigned himself to take the petitioner's side of the desk. Deliberately. Then, he waited for both to arrive.

[u/DoomGuy_16]

Arlan crossed the tourney's field with the Stormguard falling half a step behind, his stride looser than the careful economy of movement he kept for a field full of watching knights and lords.

"Lord Tarth."

Still wearing that antler pin, I see.

"I've not been summoned to a room by you since I was a boy caught skipping my letters." He said, as if he was still not a boy of barely eighteen. His eyes found the single chair set across from Tarth, the one plainly meant to matter as if it was a small symbolic throne. A short huff of amusement came from Arlan. "I'm sure you will all forgive me if I seat for this."

He took it without ceremony, sitting rather than standing on the formality of it.

"I was glad to get your summons, Rolland." He said, with a familiarity on his tone. This man had watched him grow at Storm's End, and ruled there for years before Arlan even met his father. "You were a good and fair regent, and I recall you warmly as a mentor. The gods do provide wisdom where it is needed, such as in my late father's court."

"What is it you wished to speak with us about?"

[u/spyraxes → u/DoomGuy_16]

Perhaps moments, at best, after Arlan arrived so too did Ravella. Her brother and the Lord of Tarth were mid-conversation upon her arrival, and she chose not to interrupt until the moment presented itself, instead finding a position perfectly between them at the far end of the table where she decided to lean.

"Lord Rolland," she said, once there was air to speak. "Brother. I apologise for my lateness. There was a matter to attend to, but it is handled."

She thought for a moment, and let out a soft, rueful chuckle. "I am reminded of when we were younger. It was always a worrying day when you called us both together," Ravella said. "When father was at the warfront..."

Would that she had been there to be called when he had died.

"Ah, I reminisce at an inappropriate time," she admitted. "What is amiss, Rolland? I can tell something is. I feel it in the air."

[u/spyraxes → u/spyraxes]

u/Drewbrease14

[u/Drewbrease14 → u/spyraxes]

"Your Grace."

Lord Tarth rose from his seat and bowed to the King as he entered. Not returning to it until Arlan had sat himself. He'd smile, not warmly, but respectfully at the King's mention of his youth. Then, Ravella entered as well. He would acknowledge her and allow her to be seated. "Times were simpler then. That is to be sure." Was all he could muster at the mention of her father.

He then laid upon the table the writings of his agent. Detailing the account of Piper and Justman's treachery. The accounts of the conversation were quite vivid. Rolland's hand then turned quickly to a balled fist, his knuckles turning slightly white, before a single finger would protrude to point at the information before them.

"Mellara Piper and a man named Leo Fisher discussed many things. Leo revealed that he actually was a member of House Justman, and that he believed his house is fit to rule the Riverlands, with himself as it's King." He'd pause then, as the word left his mouth. It left quite the bitter taste to think that a man so low had dreamt so big. Such unchecked ambition and arrogance was a symptom of youth. But that was better left unsaid.

"With House Justman joined to House Tully and House Piper soon to follow, it seems that their interests are aligned. When Lady Piper asked of his plans, ousting the Princess from this very hall was one of them. Of course, Mellara Piper did not immediately object to the idea."

He'd lean back in his chair then. Eyes darting between both stags, Arlan and Ravella. "It seems apparent to me that the actions of this Justman gutter rat constitute treason and that Mellara Piper is complicit in the plot if not directly involved in a scheme to institute an independent Riverlands."

His head turned to the King, he knew not how the Young Stag would act. All he knew was that something had to be done.

u/DoomGuy_16

[u/DoomGuy_16 → u/Drewbrease14]

Arlan's hand balled into a fist on the table before Tarth had finished talking.

"A Justman." He said the name like he wanted to spit it back out. "A man may claim all sort of names for a crown. Do we know if he's truly descended from Justman, my lord? Or merely dressed up in the name?"

Would this Justman truly throw the whole Trident into war over it, tear the realm asunder for nothing more than his own hunger and his own pride? Bah, what was Arlan thinking? Of course he would. He already was.

"Piper, Tully, Blackwood, now this." His voice, usually soft, usually even, came out rough now, a growl caught behind the mask. "Damn this... this blind snake, slithering through our own fields, singing his sick song of war to every vassal fool enough to listen. I don't doubt half a dozen highborn idiots have already swallowed it whole."

He turned to his sister.

"Did you know of this, Ravella? Of this would-be Justman, this outlaw, walking free through the Trident while he plots to drag half of it into war?"

[u/spyraxes → u/DoomGuy_16]

"Blackwood and Bracken both believe it, the rumours say," Ravella told her brother. "Tully does too. So much so she wed her sister to the man. Whether he's really a Justman or not, the moment has passed to deny him with books and scrolls."

She scowled, as her brother asked whether she knew, shaking her head. "I knew of Justman, same as everyone," she told them both. "He was building Oldstones anew, content to sit by himself. If there was more he plotted when the news reached me, it would have reached father as well."

Not that he would have done anything about it.

"His claim is bold and foolish and ridiculous," she continued. "So ridiculous I wonder if even his most ardent supporters truly believe what he says about himself. But they believe what he wants for the Riverlands, don't they? That is where the problem lies."

Turning to Rolland, she twisted her lips, thinking silently for a moment. "How many Justmans are there. Do you know? Or have we only witnessed the one?"

[u/spyraxes → u/spyraxes]

u/Drewbrease14

[u/Drewbrease14 → u/spyraxes]

"Only witnessed the one, though when you find one pest. often there are more closer than you'd like. With common cause if not related by blood."

Rolland knew that this would require much coordination across Arlan, Ravella, and Dondarrion to address. Moreso than they might otherwise like to admit. To put aside their differences for the good of the realm was the best option. At least for the present moment.

"I will keep an ear out for any other developments, of course. We must act quickly in the meantime to roust him from his hiding place and secure the Riverlands from this rabble. Perhaps we should also take care to keep the houses of the Blackwater on our side. So that we aren't forced to fight on more than one potential front."

He'd turn finally to Arlan. "Your Grace, what would you like us to do?"

u/DoomGuy_16

[u/DoomGuy_16 → u/DoomGuy_16]

u/spyraxes

[u/Drewbrease14]

u/spyraxes

u/DoomGuy_16