| Viewing Single Post From: A Call to a Grand Council | |
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| The White Bull | Oct 7 2008, 07:25 AM |
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When the representatives had arrived, The White Bull got up from his seat next to the Arch Maester and moved to the front of the room. He had been working on what he would say here for months, and realized that now was the best time to say it, before Westeros had been bled dry. "It is good of you all to come. I am glad to see that representatives from all factions, other than the Ironborn, have come as the fate of Westeros hangs in the balance. Many of you will find what I have to say difficult, and I expect your initial reactions to be negative, but I ask you to think this proposal over well and to choose the words in your responses carefully. Our country has bled for too long, and it is time to put it to a stop. Lord Cenedil, your capital is surrounded, and there is a good chance it will fall. You brought this upon yourself , breaking our non-aggression pact, and we will make you pay if necessary. That being said, you have proven yourself a worthy foe. This war has seen no atrocities committed at your hands and there is still much of Dorne left for you to tame. I would prefer to have you on my side than to continue to fight against you. Lord Vandelay, troops from my alliance march on Lord Harroway’s Town and Saltpans. One if not both will most likely fall this week. You won a close victory over my forces recently and cost me one of my best Generals, his Valyrian blade is being returned to Horn Hill with his body. But it is folly for you to think you can hold the Riverlands much longer. This war has torn through Dorne and the Rivelands, but the Reach and it’s bounty have remained almost untouched. You can not survive this war of attrition, as each weak our alliance grows stronger than yours. If Lord Cenedil or Lord Black were to fail than all would certainly be lost for your people. Lord Manderly, you have been an excellent ally and friend. I hope that you will agree to what I propose as initially you may not like it. Once you think it over however, I believe you will see how it significantly benefits both you and your people. Here is what I propose. Lord Cenedil, all of Dorne will be yours. I will withdraw my troops from Sunspear, and move them across the Dornish Marches into the Reach. You will have free reign to conquer the western half of Dorne, which is not currently under your control. You will swear fealty to me and to the realm and will be appointed Warden of the South. All of your sons will attend the Citadel or Citadel war college, and the rule of Dorne after you pass will no longer be hereditary. For that matter all Lordships and the position of King itself will no longer be hereditary. The appointments will be for life, but upon death or resignation the replacement will be selected by the Maesters of the Citadel. You may ask what I am giving you that is not already yours, and I would tell you this. I am giving you your life, a quarter of Westeros to govern and rule, and the opportunity to save your people the misery they will face as the war continues to rage in Dorne. Lord Vandelay, my offer to you is similar and one that might come as unexpected to you. In return for your fealty to myself and the realm you will be granted the Riverlands and the lands surrounding and including Casterly Rock and will be appointed as my Warden of the West. In addition to this you will become the Hand of the King, and next in line for the throne should I die or resign. Your appointment would still have to be confirmed by the Maesters of the Citadel, but from what I have seen you have the makings of an excellent King. My son Luther, understands this and accepts it. Do not believe that he will not also put himself in the running for the Kingship when it should open, but he believes as do I that the King should be the most able man in the Kingdom, not the one with the best bloodline. The war has ravaged the Riverlands for too long, and if you do not agree to this treaty, there is no end to this violence in sight. It best for you, your people and Westeros, so I ask you to strongly consider accepting the treaty. Lord Manderly, I hope that I have not offended you by not offering you the position of Hand. Believe me when I tell you that I have good reason for this, and that I have even more important plans for you. I wish to return the Eyrie to you and give you control of the Mountains and the Vale as my Warden of the East. That is the easy part. The difficult part involves your homeland. The North has grown wild and there is much that is not yet under your control. I wish to make you Warden of the North as well, and I want you to take back the land from the wildings and brigands that currently control it. I put my faith in you and the Blood of the First Men, for if the North is not retaken then our kingdom will never be safe. Like the others your sons will foster at the Citadel where they will get to know and learn from each other, and where they will meet the other elite sons and daughters our great land has to offer. When I say elite, I mean so in ability, not in blood. For again under my rule, the laws of bloodlines will be no longer. I leave the words for Lord Black till the end as the words I have for him are the most difficult. Unfortunately I see no other way in which Westeros can effectively move forward into a new and peaceful era. Lord Balck, you must leave Westeros taking all of the Iron Born with you, or you will be crushed and Riverun razed to the ground. Your ways do not mix with ours, and are unacceptable in our land. The horrors you committed at the Bloody Gate will forever last in my mind, and if a long boat is seen within miles of our shores, I swear to you I will sail for the Iron Islands and your people will become extinct. You have two weeks to gather your people and begin the journey west. I swear to you, that if you are late, justice will be dealt. I know that I have said a lot here, and I’m sure this is not what many of you came here expecting. You are all protected by guest rights, so no one should fear for their lives now or until after they have returned. I would like to hear what you all have to say. What you think of a united Westeros, ruled by the most able men in the land. One where our people can feel safe, and where no one is doomed to serfdom tantamount to slavery solely because of who their parents are. What say you to a strong and unified Westeros?" |
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| A Call to a Grand Council · Diplomacy | |
1:42 PM Nov 29
