LightReader

Chapter 49 - Chapter 49 – The Council Hall, Part II

Council Hall II

After adding a few more details regarding the Queen's District, Green brought the meeting to a close.

Once Fawley and Layton had departed, Green, escorted by his guards, returned once again to the Red Keep and entered the Council Hall.

Situated beside the Tower of the Hand, the Council Hall served as the offices where the aides and subordinates of the realm's top ministers conducted the day-to-day governance of the kingdom.

During the Targaryen dynasty, in the absence of Small Council sessions, the great lords of the court would typically see to their duties within their own offices inside this hall.

But under the Baratheon rule, King Robert had surrendered all interest in governance, choosing instead a life of indulgence. Most powers of the realm were delegated to the Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, while the king lost himself in drink and vice.

Lord Stannis Baratheon, Robert's second brother and Master of Ships, openly voiced his disapproval by governing entirely from Dragonstone.

Lord Renly Baratheon, Robert's youngest brother and Master of Laws, showed little interest in ruling at all. Apart from the occasional appearance at council sessions, he was rarely seen in the Red Keep.

And Lord Jon Arryn, aged and increasingly frail, had grown reclusive—seldom seen outside the Tower of the Hand.

As a result, only three men among the Small Council's ministers were regularly present in the Council Hall: Lord Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin; Lord Varys, the spymaster; and Grand Maester Pycelle.

Pycelle had served since the reign of the Targaryens. After Robert's rebellion, the new king had retained his post.

As Grand Maester, Pycelle served as royal advisor, maintained the realm's archives, oversaw the raven correspondence from the Red Keep, and tended to the king's health as chief healer.

And since Robert no longer concerned himself with ruling, Pycelle had become, for all intents and purposes, the personal advisor to Lord Jon Arryn.

Under the guidance of a steward, Green soon arrived at Lord Baelish's private office.

The chamber was lavishly adorned: a round window trimmed with gold, much like the one in the Hand's study; Myrish carpets covering the stone floor; and exquisite tapestries hanging on the walls.

Green cast a brief glance over the opulent décor. He could almost smell the gold dragons in the air.

When Petyr saw him, he set down his quill and leaned back with a broad smile. "Ah, Lord Green! I've been expecting you. Please—sit."

He gestured for a servant to bring an extra chair across from his desk.

Green placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "Good day to you, Lord Petyr."

Only after the proper courtesy did he take his seat.

Baelish returned the gesture with a cordial nod, then waved the servant away.

Once the door had closed behind them, Baelish said, "I heard about what transpired in the Hand's study today. Lord Jon has taken ill again, has he not?"

Green gave a small shrug. "Anyone would be hard-pressed to remain calm after such a shock. I trust his condition isn't too grave?"

Petyr smiled and reclined easily. "On Lord Jon's behalf, I thank you for your concern. Grand Maester Pycelle has already seen to him. Still, it's said he'll be confined to bed for at least seven days."

Then Baelish leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "We're fortunate you were the one who found it. Otherwise, we may never have known there was a third ear hidden in the Hand's study."

His tone was casual, familiar—he spoke as though they were allies already.

Green replied calmly, "Has His Grace the Hand made arrangements for the aftermath?"

Petyr's tone took on a faint sneer. "So I hear. They found a tunnel behind the wall. Lord Jon entrusted the matter to Commander Janos Slynt of the City Watch."

The City Watch—known as the Gold Cloaks for their golden mantles—served as the king's lawkeepers in King's Landing. They answered only to the Crown.

The Watch was headquartered in two barracks: one near the Dragon Gate in the east, the other close to Cobbler's Square in the west.

Originally 2,000 strong, their numbers had tripled under Janos Slynt, whom King Robert had named commander. But most of the new recruits were little more than drunkards and beggars, ill-trained and poorly disciplined.

It was rumored that nearly half the officers paid a portion of their wages directly to Slynt every month.

Lord Jon Arryn, upon uncovering this corruption, had found two men willing to testify against Slynt. But both were found murdered not long after.

Despite this, Jon Arryn had still hoped to see Slynt stripped of his post—but King Robert had stepped in personally to shield him, ensuring Slynt remained in command.

Green gave a faint smile. "The old duke has always been a shrewd judge of character."

Petyr offered a graceful shrug, neither confirming nor denying the sentiment.

After a moment, Green spoke again. "What Lord Arryn asked of me this morning placed me in a rather awkward position. With no real evidence—only a song being sung on the shores of Crackclaw Point—he demanded that I bear the blame."

Green's brown eyes met Petyr's pale green gaze. His tone was weary, as though genuinely troubled. "It placed me in a bind. If the Lord of Ships had been present, I might not have faced such unfair treatment. I've heard he's a man of great integrity."

Petyr's eyes glinted. "You speak of Lord Stannis?"

Green nodded. "Yes. His reputation for strict adherence to the law is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Now that it's clear the Hand's study holds no secrets, I worry that once he hears of this injustice, Lord Stannis—righteous as he is—may confront Lord Jon about it, regardless of the man's failing health."

Petyr's smile deepened and he nodded approvingly. "A valid concern. Lord Stannis is not one to bend, not even before a dying Hand. Let us hope, then, that word of this matter never reaches Dragonstone."

Even as he said the words, Petyr couldn't help but wonder: how had he, of all people, failed to consider Stannis?

It wasn't just him. Petyr had been directly involved in the affair and knew with certainty that no one had orchestrated it. And yet, somehow, everyone in the Red Keep had simply… forgotten Stannis.

Had Green not brought him up today, Petyr might have continued to overlook him—unwittingly.

Why had this happened? Some unseen influence? Magic unknown?

.

.

.

🔥 The Throne's Last Flame — A Song Forged in Ice and Wrath 🔥

📯 Lords and Ladies of the Realm, heed the call! 📯

The saga burns ever brighter—30 chapters ahead now await, available only to those who swear their loyalty on Patreon. 🐉❄️🔥

Walk among dragons, defy the cold, and stake your claim in a world where crowns are won with fire and fury.

🔗 Claim your place: www.patreon.com/DrManhattanEN👤 Known on Patreon as: DrManhattanEN

Your loyalty feeds the flame. And fire remembers.

More Chapters