Fury // Harwin Strong

54. Mercy

''It is Lord Blackwood's contention, therefore, that the Brackens moved the boundary stones in the dead of the night and put their horses to graze in his field.'' Lyonel declared

''Why was this issue not brought before Lord Grover? Has he grown so feeble he cannot settle a quarrel over rocks?'' Alicent countered

''I've heard tale that Lord Grover's son now rules Riverrun in all but name.'' Jasper wylde remarked

''Well, he is also a Tully and this remains a Tully problem.'' Alicent told them all.

"Yep." Davina agreed. She was happy to be on the small council, she liked that Viserys liked her enough trust her. She didnt like how pointless all the meetings were. 

''I would agree." Viserys agreed

''If we may move on, my lords...''

''And yet, the Brackens and the Blackwoods will use any excuse to spill each other's blood. So... this dispute bears looking into. There will be country folk who know where the lines have been drawn for generations.''

''That is easy enough.'' Lyonel agreed ''Of course. Ser Tyland.''

''Uh, we should address the latest developments in the Stepstones, my lords" Tyland said with a sigh.

''Will we ever be done of that blasted place?'' Viserys murmured

''If you ask me, I think the Blackwoods have the upper hand.''

''No. We've moved on to the Stepstones, Lord Beesbury.'' Alicent told them. Alicent looked to Davina, it was nice having another woman here. Someone that was on her side in things. 

"Yes Beesbury clean out your old ears." Davina teased. He gave her a tight lipped smile in return. 

''And the Triarchy's new alliance with Dorne.'' Tyland went on louder.

''I was hoping our negotiations with Sunspear might persuade them to see reason.'' Viserys said with a cough ''To trust a Martell is to be disappointed.''

"Tommen is a dear friend of mine." Davina corrected. "I can talk to him, raven or head down. He likes me he will listen."

"Thats right, Tommen and you..." Viserys chuckled out. 

"Tommen and I." Davina agreed. Alicent wanted to hear that story.

''And where, I wonder, is our Prince Daemon? Or I suppose I should call him King, as he styled himself when he won a battle there... once.'' Jasper offered

''That was a decade ago and he has since left the region undefended. '' Alicent reminded them stiffly. Alicent saw the hurt in Davina's face as Daemon's name was spoke aloud. Even after all this time his name still hurt. 

''We have left it undefended. There should've been fortifications built, watchtowers, a fleet of ships, a garrison of soldiers sent to hold our ground.'' Rhaenyra countered.

''We cannot afford it." Alicent corrected ''Our coffers are great, but not infinite. We must consider the cost to our subjects.''

''I must agree.''

''The cost of war is greater.'' Rhaenyra countered ''But we have been lax and the old monster now lifts its head.'' Rhaenyra looked to Davina in hope for some reinforcements but she had become a mute it seemed as she stared back at her hands in her lap.

''Let us be finished.'' Alicent demanded

''Yes.'' Viserys agreed with a sigh

''Wait. I wish to speak.'' Rhaenyra declared