Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

l. Trials

I had been summoned to the small council chambers for my first meeting with them all. I was nervous, but more tired than anything. Lord Tywin had decided to summon us quite early in the morning.

When I entered the chambers, I found that everyone but Cersei and Lord Tywin was sitting down. In front of me sat Mace Tyrell, Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys and Oberyn Martell. It was not that surprising to realise the Small Council was all men. Though, it was rather disappointing that the only woman on it until now was Cersei.

Mace Tyrell was the new Master of Ships, presumably because the Redwyne fleet was technically under his control and was the biggest in Westeros. As for Varys, he was still the Master of Whispers. And, of course, Grand Maester Pycelle was the Grand Maester. The only position I was unsure of was that of Oberyn Martell, but I assumed his position was similar to mine.

Oberyn was the only somewhat friendly face in the room, so I chose to sit next to him. As I looked around, it became clear neither of us would have real importance to this council. It just looked good for Lord Tywin to have both Dorne and the North represented by the most influential families for each realm.

After having to listen to Mace Tyrell complain about how early it was, Tywin and Cersei finally entered. Lord Tywin sat at the head of the table, with Cersei on his right and Grand Maester Pycelle to his left.

"The trial begins this afternoon," Lord Tywin stated, referring to Tyrion's trial. "We only have the morning for affairs of state. So, shall we begin?"

"I want to know why the Stark girl is here," Mace Tyrell said, trying to hide his hatred of me.

"You mean Lady Stark?" Oberyn asked, raising an eyebrow in Mace's direction. "Are the two of you not equals?"

Mace's face went red when Oberyn suggested we were equals. It actually took quite a bit of restraint to hide my snicker, but I managed.

It was nice to have someone stick up for me.

"Anyway, Sandor Clegane has been spotted in the Riverlands, my lord," Varys stated. "My birds tell me the Hound slaughtered five of our soldiers. I believe the phrase fuck the king was uttered."

Well, he's not entirely wrong. Fuck the king.

"Disgraceful," Lord Tyrell commented.

"What would it take to make the common soldier stupid enough to try his luck with the Hound?" Lord Tywin asked.

"Ten silver stags seems a generous bounty," Varys suggested.

"Make it. What else?"

The meeting was moving rather quickly. It was a surprise to see a bounty be settled on so quickly. Especially when it is being taken out on someone with the skill and strength of the Hound. I thought he would be more of a worry.

"More whispers from the east, my lord," Varys said. "Daenerys has taken up residence in Meereen. She has conquered the city and rules as its queen."

"Conquered with what?" Cersei questioned, her tone arrogant.

"She commands an army of Unsullied, my queen," Varys answered. "She has a company of sellswords, the Second Sons. She has two knights advising her; Jorah Mormont and Barristan Selmy. And she has three dragons."

"Baby dragons."

"Larger every year, Your Grace."

The idea of Daenerys having dragons did not sit well with me. I knew that she somehow hatched those three eggs she was gifted for her wedding to have them, but how? And how could it be trusted that she would not fall victim to the Targaryen madness just like her father and brother?