Chapter 18.4- The Seadragon's Roar

“Then it is decided. Send a raven to Lord Redwyne, requesting his presence at the pleasure of the Crown. Do not mention the reason for the summons, however. It would be…inconsiderate to be seen planning his replacement before an announcement has been made of Lord Corlys’ death. Also prepare condolence messages for my Cousin, Rhaenys and her children. Send them the second we receive official confirmation” The King said to him, giving his ruling and bringing discourse to a conclusive end on the matter. Runciter noted both tasks down in shorthand on a separate parchment before returning to note down the proceedings.

“This brings another matter to hand. Your Grace, would it not be prudent to order the return of Westerosi forces from the Stepstones. The principal instigator is dead now. Would it not be better to cut the losses there rather than risk even more losses to Westerosi life by allowing the bleeding to continue” Lord Darklyn moved to the next topic, taking his loss in the previous matter like it mattered little. Perhaps it did in truth. Runciter doubted he expected to succeed in such a transparent attempt at securing influence on the council.

Runciter noted down the words spoken even as he sighed internally. The matter of this war in the Stepstones again. Since Darklyn’s contacts in Tyrosh reported the attacking of the city to him, he had been spitting fire and calling for Lord Velaryon’s attainment and even execution. Mayhaps he would one day realise that being so transparently opposed to a single house made it difficult to take him seriously in the few instances where he made good points. Sadly, this was not one of the good points.

“The writ to wage war in the Stepstones was granted to House Velaryon of Driftmark and not Lord Corlys Velaryon. The death of the former will not have any bearing on the rights of the latter” Lord Strong spoke, giving the law as it was but no opinion. Runciter nodded internally. It was one of the oldest principles of law passed down from the Andal rulers. The House and its Lord are two separate persons. He remembered the first mention of it in the texts. A dispute between Houses Gardener and Manderly, before the latter had eventually been chased off to the North.

“Was Lord Corlys not the one that appealed for the Writ himself? If he was the one who sought it and is now dead, then the Crown is well within its rights to revoke it” Darklyn pushed.

The King looked at the man for a second before turning his gaze to his Hand, asking his opinion.

“It would not be wise to allow the death of a Westerosi High Lord go unpunished. It would be even more unwise to meet the death of a High Lord with retreat or capitulation” Interesting. Support from House Velaryon from the Hand?