Chapter 111: More Than a Dove
Artos was beginning to think the small council had been assembled by some cruel god whose only joy was in giving clever men headaches.
One matter after another came before him. Some were dull. Some were irritating. Some were simply insulting in their incompetence. By the time the next door opened, he was already rubbing at his temple with one hand and nursing his mead with the other.
He looked up when he heard the knock.
A woman and a man entered.
Lady Sansa came in with Ethan beside her, serving as escort and guard.
"Here is Lady Sansa, my lord," Ethan said. "As you commanded."
Sansa gave Artos a small smile, one that carried a hint of apology. "I am sorry, Uncle. The prince was quite insistent on a walk."
Artos snorted softly and gestured toward the empty place at his side.
"No matter. You have come at a fine time. I could use a drink after listening to all this."
Then, with a faint smirk, he addressed the council as well.
"And for the record, Lady Sansa will now serve as my cupbearer in these meetings. If any of you have objections, I advise you to keep them buried with your pretty little heads."
No one objected. No one was foolish enough to try.
Artos had long since made his will in such rooms.
Every one got used to Artos dominating behaviour.
Sansa stepped forward at once and began to pour his mead with careful hands, while Ethan withdrew to stand near the doors, waiting in case another order should come.
Artos took the cup and drank deeply before setting it down.
Then his eye went to Pycelle.
"Grand Maester. Where is your replacement? I have waited long enough."
Pycelle answered in his usual slow, wheezing manner. "I have sent your words to Oldtown, my lord. They have already agreed to dispatch someone. The new Grand Maester is on the road as we speak."
Artos gave a single nod, though satisfaction did not reach his face. He moved on at once, for there was always another problem waiting behind the first.
The matter of safety in King's Landing came next.
"The city is becoming restless," Artos said. "There are too many hands in the streets and too many mouths to feed."
Renly inclined his head. "Aye, my lord Hand. That is why I summoned Ser Janos Slynt, commander of the City Watch."
At that, Janos was brought before them.
He entered with all the confidence of a man who mistook rank for competence.
"The City Watch is stretched thin," Ser Janos said. "The city is full beyond measure because of the Hand's Tourney. The streets are crowded, Riots and Tavern fifhting.The gold cloaks are outnumbered, and order is slipping."
Janos Slynt shifted his weight and crossed his arms.
"Too many men in the city, my lord Hand," he said. "Too many strangers. Too many moving parts. It cannot be helped."
Lord Renly " If you can't keep the King Peace then you shouldn't be incharge of maintaining it." He said in authority.
"I need more men, My Lord." Ser Janos said.
Artos looked at him for a long moment, then gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Cannot be helped?" he repeated. "What is more men going to do, Commander? Where would you put them? Do you have a plan for keeping the peace, or will you stand there making excuses until the city burns?"
Janos opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Artos's face hardened.
"That is answer enough," he said. "This is not a matter of too few men. It is a matter of too little control, and too little authority. Lord Renly is right. You are unfit for this post. You don't have what it takes to put King's authority and maintain Kings peace in the city."
Janos stiffened. "My lord—"
Artos raised a hand.
"You are dismissed right here , right now. You have any problem or objections Tell Us now or Hold Your Peace with the decision."
The words fell into the chamber like a blade.
Janos stared at him, as though he had been struck. Renly kept his face smooth, though there was the faintest flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
Raka, standing behind Artos, shifted his hand closer to his sword.
Janos saw it, and wisely said nothing more.
Artos turned away from him at once." Now go away before you make more excuses." He said in anger.
"Now," he said, "we require a new commander for the City Watch."
He looked to Renly. " it's Your brother's city. You men know it much better than me . Give me names or suggestions. I will check."
Renly nodded once. "There are a few. Ser Balon Swann is dutiful enough. Ser Luthor has some sense. Ser Addam Marbrand is capable and Ser Kevin."he said with some few names more
Artos listened, then gave a small, dismissive shake of his head.
"Some are Too soft," he said of one. "SomeToo ambitious," he said of another. " Others Too stupid to be trusted with a kennel, let alone the gold cloaks," he said of the third.
The chamber stirred quietly at that, though none dared laugh too openly.
Sansa, who had been standing close with her cup in hand, spoke up then.
"What about Ethan, Uncle." Sansa said suprising everyone including Artos.
Artos turned to her.
"Ethan?"
She nodded. "Aye, Uncle.He has been trained by you. He knows how to command men. He knows politics and manners, too, which would be important for this post.which is more than can be said for many knights. He would serve well. And Most important you trust him and know you could rely on him in terms of competence"
Artos studied her for a moment really surprised at Sansa and her behaviour, maybe she is finally learning and coming out of her Mother stories. He was happy , smilling and then glanced toward the door.
"Actually that's a good idea, Sansa. Good Work. Finally Some Brains at this Coucils." Artos said.
Others have opinions about this as this was moving too fast.
"Ethan," he called.
The man entered almost at once, as if he had been waiting nearby.
"My Lord,"
Artos looked him over and gave a slight nod.
"I have a new duty for you. You will be serving the new commander of the City Watch. I need you to control the men as well as the City. "
For the first time in the chamber, real surprise stirred.
Ethan bowed low. "As you command, my lord Hand."
He did not grin. He did not speak too quickly. He accepted the duty like a man who knew exactly how much danger came with it.
Artos's mouth twitched faintly.
"Good, I need you to immediately hold the peace in City. Use men from North if you want but I want Peace and order and Authority in this city by the next Week. Use any force neccesary." he said.
Ethan nodded at that. " It will be done by this week, My Lord. "
Renly glanced once at Sansa, then back to the table. Littlefinger's expression remained smooth, but his eyes had sharpened.
Artos leaned back in his chair.
"It's really is a lot . The Tourney" Artos commented.
"Yes, My Lord but realm prospers from such events. They gave a greater chance at glory and lowly a respite from thier woes" said Lord Varys.
"And every inn in the city is full and every whore are walking bowlegged." Said Littlefinger
Artos thought about and agreed but he smirks internally getting a new idea
"You both are right. But Crown should also have some benefits Now then," he said, "the inns. The whores. The housing. They are going to benefit immensely. The city is already crowded, and it will only grow. Tax them. Crown will recover quite a gold from this."
Littlefinger spread his hands , a bit tensed though he didn't let it show. "It is difficult to tax such things fairly, my lord. They are scattered and very Unwilling to cooperate."
Artos's eye narrowed.
"I heard You own most of them," he said. "That should make it easier, not harder. Come now Littlefinger, be the Ideal man and be a example for the rest by giving taxes honestly and In a right manner" Artos said fucking Littlefinger a bit figurative.
Littlefinger smiled. "The matter is not always so simple. Some are leased, some are held through intermediaries, and others—"
"Enough Lord Baelish, " Artos said smirking. "You will tax them properly, and I will see it done myself if I must. I know as Master of Coins you will do your job properly and would be even contributing the most among the tax collected. I am looking forward to the biggest collection of Taxes from a business. After all the whores are walking bowlegged in the city." Artos said smirking boldly.
A few of the councilors looked amused despite themselves. Every one knew Littlefinger got the worst of this now.
Renly's mouth twitched.
Littlefinger only bowed his head slightly, though his smile had gone a little thin.
---
While on the other side of Continent.
"Lord Artos respected his father a lot and looked forward for him as a Friend and a brethren and brothers in arms." Waymar said. "That is why his betrayal was so much worse and personal for both him and me too. That's why I couldn't controy anger"
Daenerys looked from him to Jorah and back again.
"Tell me what happened," she said.
Waymar let out a slow breath.
"When I say Lord Artos respected Jeor Mormont, I mean it," he said. " Lord Jeor Mormount was one of the few men Artos truly trusted. One of the few he thought worth the trouble of knowing and Fighting. One of the few Lords along with Lords like Rogar Umber who raised him for 3 years. The man he could forward to always has his back and Lord Artos made a mistake of expecting the same from this man too."
Jorah said nothing.
Waymar's gaze cut toward him.
"Artos, Jorah, and I were the first men into Pyke during the Greyjoy Rebellion, we were the brothers in arms. " he said. " Lord Artos believed that Ser Jorah would stand with him. He thought Jorah had his father's honor in him."
Daenerys frowned slightly. "And he did not, according to you and Lord Stark."
"No," Waymar said. "He sold poachers into slavery."
Waymar nodded once. "Like I said before, In the North, that is a crime of the worst sort. He was Lord of Bear Island, and he turned his back on the North for coin. He betrayed his father's name, the Starks' trust, and everything he ought to have stood for."
Jorah's jaw tightened, but he still did not speak. He is also embarrassed and feeling guilty.
Waymar's voice sharpened.
"That is why I call him traitor. Not because he stands beside you. Not because he speaks softly now. Because he chose shame over honor. Coin over duty. Slavery over the North."
Daenerys was quiet for a moment.
"Now here I am Giving you message of Lord Artos. He has seen enough wars in his life and He knows the difference between justice and war. He knows when killing a man is necessary, and when is not. Despite the facts Khaleesi what your Family did to his. Despite that fact."
Daenerys looked at him carefully. "You know much of him. But he is still who broke his vows and stood against his Kings and Someone they vow to serve."
"I should know him," Waymar said. "You don't much of your History Khaleesi nor that I blame you. You didn't much of anyone except your Brother. That you might now by now. He isn't a reliable source of information."
Her gaze softened a little at that.
"Then speak more of him and history," she said. "I would like you to Stay a few days longer. I would hear more of the man who sent you and History you talk about"
Waymar hesitated.
'Aldric and Sera should be waiting for me' he thought. 'Braavos is waiting. My duties there too.'
Waymar is Still Silent And not giving a reply
Daenerys folded her hands
"You have done your duty," she said. "Stay a few days longer. Only a few. It would help in the maintenance of peace and Understanding between him and us. I am sure Lord Artos would understand "
Waymar looked at her, then at Jorah, then back again.
The girl had a gentleness and logic to her words that made refusal feel almost cruel.
At last he said, "A few days."
Daenerys gave a faint smile.
And Waymar, though he said nothing more, felt the shape of trouble waiting ahead of them all.
...
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