The Dragon's Roost

[The Forgotten God]

The Brightwing, Steel Song, and Northern Light have been formed into a manor on the lake for the royal Targaryens, who appear to live there quite comfortably. Hundreds of visitors are turned away or sent to the numerous cousins and aunts and uncles who have come with them, but those o high birth will be received.

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

Lady Alyssa and her husband arrive to talk to the targaryans if they're allowed in.

[The Forgotten God]

The pair are greeted at the throng by a female guard in red chain mail, her long silvery hair bundled up in a bind her sapphire eyes shining at Geralt and Alyssa both. When she gets their names her smile widens. "Do come with me," she said. "I'm Varissa,@ she said. She tipped her spear to Baelor before speaking.

"My prince, may I announce Prince Geralt Gardener of Highgarden and his wife, the Lady Alyssa Hightower, Voice of Oldtown and protector of the Citadel."

The man rises and bows lightly to them. "Prince Geralt, welcome aboard," he said, he shook hisbhand firmly. He took Alyssa's palm and lightly kissed her middle finger at the first knuckle. "My lady, it is beauty like yours that makes the Reach the envy of both sides of the Narrow Sea. Please, sit," he said. "Would you prefer chilled water or wine? The ice is kept below deck on the Green dream, imported directly from Karhold."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"That is most kind of you to say, prince Baelor," she said giving him a beautiful smile in return.

"Thank you for receiving us, some chilled water would be lovely."

Alyssa of course had had ice before, you could get anything in oldtown, but did not want to deny the man to show how quickly he could get some, whilst showing off their trade with the north. "I hope your journey was pleasant, the waters between our continents can be tumultuous. "

[The Forgotten God]

He laughed. "I confess; I rode my companion to Massey's Hook and then took the ship the day to the Rush," he said. "The ocean can make me quite seasick." A page brings them the iced water and scurries off to get some cherries. "I have never seen Oldtown," he said. "The Hightower fascinates me. I hope the name truly does it justice." He sounds like a man who knows exactly how large it really is. The pair hear a young man talking on the right ship of the trio, nod the clank of him putting on armor. "Do you enjoy tourneys, my lady?" He asked. "I cannot wait to see how I fare against the Green Hand and the golden lions. Something about the exertion makes me feel young again."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"You seem to know the northern kingdoms better, have you visited the brave men of the nights watch, my prince?" She asked, looking right at him, "tourneys serve a purpose that I understand, but I am sure my husband will be able to give you good sport." She glanced at Geralt with another smile. "May I ask in what capacity you have come to Harrenhal."

[The Forgotten God]

"Better?" He asked. "Not so much. I just enjoy cold drinks," he said, "and I have a strange fondness for elk meat. I hav flown Sarissia to the Wall and beyond it, in my youth, but I didn't stop to talk to them," he said. "I look forward to the opportunity, if you would care to let me practice before it begins I'd be honored," he told Gerald. "In what capacity?" He asked, seeming uncertain a moment. "I am quite afraid I do not understand." he probably does, but he seems either taken aback or curious. "You sound like your preferred arena is elsewhere, then?"

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"In only mean. That the height of the hightower is taller even than that of the wall, all those steps make it easy to keep in good health," she said with a smile. "I like to think I an adaptable to most arenas though."

[The Forgotten God]

He nodded. "It is good to have many interests, a lesson I struggle to impress on my own children. You'll find out one day," he said. "You have all these plans and they grow up and have their own." He seemed to consider something. "But you have a preferred area of interest, yes?" He asked.

[Prince Geralt Gardener]

Having grown up in the royal halls of Highgarden, often serving as defacto heir during Percy's bout of ill health, Geralt was painfully accustomed to the detestable dull-drum that his father and wife called diplomacy. The routine was a well-worn one: listen to the pair prattle about nothing for hours as they circled the actual point of the meeting, a throw away mention of his martial prowess met by a polite smile or nod, then the two would finally get to the negotiations at hand and agree to a half percent change in trade tariffs. Geralt had once inquired aloud how many hours could be saved by simply cutting to the point immediately, to which he had been told it was an art that could not be rushed. It seemed to him more like a science at this point, interminable in its repetition and just as boring to the knight.

Nonetheless, it was his duty as Alyssa's husband to accompany her to such meetings and his duty as a knight to escort her in case her honor required defending. He often found himself wishing someone would offer some slight against her, even if it was one he secretly agreed with, just for an excuse to throw down the gauntlet. This particular meeting had at least come with one point of interest to him, that the Targaryens possessed, not one, but two Valyrian steel blades. Besides Vigiliance he had only seen two others in his life, the ancestral blades of House Tarly and Roxton, so the thrill of seeing another of the unique blades still remained, even now that he wielded one himself. 

So he smiled, nodded, sipped his chilled water annoyed his wife had not chosen the wine but knowing it would reflect poorly on them both if he drank while she abstained. Though, in truth, drinking water was far more of a health hazard. After all, fish fuck in it. He half listened to the familiar beats: mentally tallying the number of times he had heard small talk about the height of the Hightower, noting the dragon prince's casual mention of flying a weapon of mass destruction over a sovereign kingdom, stifling a scoff at his wife nimbly avoiding admitting that she was as bored with tourneys as he was with diplomacy, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the humble boasts and offered compliments of both participants, and wondering how many more of his wife's questions the Targaryen would avoid or feign ignorance to. 

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

Aug 9, 2017 14:03:51 GMT The Forgotten God said:

He nodded. "It is good to have many interests, a lesson I struggle to impress on my own children. You'll find out one day," he said. "You have all these plans and they grow up and have their own." He seemed to consider something. "But you have a preferred area of interest, yes?" He asked.

"What other interest does Oldtown have? Trade." She explained, with a smile. 

[The Forgotten God]

"I'd have also suggested the Citadel, evil Dornish, and supremely talented architects as viable guesses," Baelor joked. "But trade, trade is something I enjoy. Nothing like the sharing of goods to bring kingdoms closer." He leaned back and a servant brought them more water. "Your port is far from mine," he said, "and Pirates have made portions of the Stepstones a challenge for ships, I am aware. For now, shipping insurance alone to Oldtown approached rates of twenty five percent, Lannisport soars to thirty. When you add tariffs in, now, that makes a merchant wonder why he should even bother."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"If that is the case my lord, then you must only really trade with the north west, the east is denied to you." She commented, not believing the pirates were a real deterrent. "But I think trade increases in our two great parts could only be for the benefit, so I am suggesting a joint incentive. Perhaps we could adopt a system of lower taxes on trading at our ports for our traders, that way we can increase trade, and lose nothing, as increased income means we would get a larger amount of tax generated." She suggested, sipping the water.

[The Forgotten God]

The dragon prince nodded as she spoke. "Lower tariffs," he said, "the proposal agrees with me." He was silent a minute as he regarded her. "I had also thought that increasing security in the Stepstones may prove of mutual benefit. I promise our goods are better than any from Myr or Lys, but the serpents among the islands have been resilient to law and order. I believe a joint venture in securing one of the ports nearest Westeros would facilitate the number of ships we can handle at one time, and enable the trading fleets to pack fewer supplies and more cargo."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"You are suggesting we put men into taming the step stones together?" She clarified, looking at him and thinking, "the fear of pirates is an issue everywhere. A united stance against it would send a message" she nodded, "i am sure we can come to some kind of an arrangement.

[The Forgotten God]

"not all of them," he amended. "That would require far too many men and ships and time. A few islands to create a viable shipping lane we can police. Those who don't support our efforts can pay us for safe passage when we succeed."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

She thought for a moment and then nodded, "I am sure we can commit men to it," she nodded, and looked to Geralt. "-at an even split, as we will both evenly profit for it... "willyou be using your men, or hiring Westerosi for this venture?" She asked.

[The Forgotten God]

"It'd be rather unchivalrous of me to ally with you on a venture, and then hire your own men to do all the risk," he said. "My men are better sailors than most Westeorsi anyway, especially any of the kingdoms on the Narrow Sea. We shall work out the numbers," he promised, "but an even split seems reasonable. Two thousand men from each of us should be sufficient for the area we will need to seize."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"I was not thinking you hire mine," she said with a smile, why not another reach house benefit. "I shall consult with my husband about the possibility, but I am sure it will not be an issue my prince. " she offered up her glass to him, "to new friends,"

[The Forgotten God]

He raised it. "And new possibilities. The details can be hashed out later," he assured her. He sipped the drink, and Alyssa enjoyed it, a far different varietal than in the Reach, the cooler climate of Pentos making the grapes thicker and more tart. "It is good to see that Oldtown has such stable leadership for the decades to come. I sense much profit for both of us." He seemed to consider something but held it back for now.

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"Indeed, the dawning of a new age in trade for our two cities." She looked at him and noticed he wished to say more, "this tournament is looking better already. "Is there any there party you wish to include in this venture, or are you happy it being just the two of us?"

[The Forgotten God]

"I see no reason to split wealth more ways than it has to," he said. "I had hoped for arrangements such as this when I came to Harrenhal. It is seldom I get to come to Westeros, but every visit has been interesting."

[Prince Geralt Gardener]

"I feel we would first need to consult my royal father on the matter, if only for his blessing on the venture," Geralt suggested, the brought out of his reveries with the talk of a bit of adventure and swordplay. "As any hostile actions in foreign waters would require. I believe he would be amenable to it. After all, more trade income for Oldtown only means more taxes for Highgarden."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"Wonderful," she said, looking between the two of them, "prince Geralt here commands my men," she explained to Baelor.

[The Forgotten God]

"A strong alliance, no doubt, and partnership," the prince said. "I didn't expect a finalized plan in one afternoon I assure you," he said with a. Smile. "I do hope you take your proposal to King Grayson soon." He looked out over the waters. "There's a lot of gold out there waiting for us."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"There is indeed, and we shall get it together," she smiled, "thank you for meeting us, it has been most productive, I shall take up no more of your time though, but I shall return to talk more on the details. Would like like me to right up a preliminary draft?"

[The Forgotten God]

"Certainly," he said. "I'll send my son to help you," he said, "if that isn't too much trouble. Viserys is a sharp one if not allowed to go dull with wine and poor company," he said with a smile.

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"Certainly," she said and stood to leave, "it has been a pleasure, prince Baelor"

[The Forgotten God]

The prince rises and bows. "I look forward to continuing our friendship. Would it put you out terribly if I took one of my smaller dragons to a safe place outside Oldtown one day? I despise spending precious months on ship when I can visit friends faster." He turned to Geralt. "I look forward to meeting you in the lists."

[Lady Alyssa Hightower]

"Of course not, my friends dragons will always be welcome, I know what you mean about travel, life is too short to sit on ships. I can have an area prepared for you, when I return," she said with a smile, she couldn't really say no.