Hadrian Lannister, the Black Lion By ZaneT69

Chapter 5

The Death of Peace.

When Ned Stark entered the small council meeting room, Harry was sorely tempted to ask him if the whores were to his liking, as a joke, but decided against it. Catelyn Stark had come to King's Landing for the sole purpose of complaining about the slight to her sister and Bran had still fallen while climbing on a tower. Thankfully, she left dissatisfied, but Harry was concerned that his uncle Tyrion would still be abducted. Harry did nothing about it, however... His plans depended on the stupidity of his intellectual inferiors, but, thankfully, Oberyn had agreed that Cersei's intended fate was worse than any he could give her.

"It's the Hand's tournament that's causing all this trouble, my Lords." Ser Jacelyn Bywater said, getting right to the point.

"The King's tournament. I assure you the Hand wants no part of it." Ned said.

"Call it what you will, Lord Stark, the city is packed with people and more are flooding in every day. Last night we had a tavern riot, a brothel fire, three stabbings and a drunken horse race down the Street of Sisters." Jacelyn said. "I need more men, at least until the tournament is over."

"Dreadful." Varys interjected.

"If you can't keep the King's peace, perhaps the City Watch should be commanded by someone who can." Renly suggested ignorantly.

"I need more men."

"You'll get fifty. Lord Hadrian will see it paid for." Stark ordered.

"I will, and I will also loan you thirty of my personal guard, though it's all I can safely spare." Harry said, not minding the imposition and eager to buy House Lannister more love and goodwill.

"I'll also give you twenty of my household guards till the crowds have left." Ned added.

"Thank you, my Lord Hand, and Lord Hadrian. They will be put to good use." Jacelyn said in gratitude.

"The sooner this is over, the better." Ned said in annoyance.

"The realm prospers from such events, my Lord. They give the great a chance at glory, and the lowly a respite from their woes." Varys commented.

"Lord Varys is right, but I still agree with your sentiment. This has shown that King's Landing needs to be expanded further, and it would create more opportunities for employment, reduce over-crowding, disease, and maybe even crime. Should increase the crowns income from taxes and give the expanded kingdom a capital large enough to support an influx of people from all over the Fourteen Kingdoms. The capital is quite small considering the size of the kingdom that it rules."

"I agree. King's Landing does need to be expanded, it can't even support all of the new nobility and knights." Pycelle said in support, which Varys quickly seconded, with Renly joining them reluctantly.

"I agree also, see it done." Ned said, before taking his leave.

"Yeah, I'll do that all alone..." Harry said in annoyance, amusing the council. "Eh, it'll probably go faster with me ordering everyone around. And I do have a clear idea of how it should be done and what defenses it should have, and my paranoia would be a boon rather than a curse..." Harry trailed off, already planning.

"Have fun," Renly said mockingly before leaving.

"Have fun getting stabbed with Loras' sword," Harry said, detecting the mockery and replying with his own. Renly glared and then left.