Council

The council meeting started as it always did. Ashara came in first sitting on the right of the head of the table quickly followed by Colin who hesitated before resigning himself to the left chair. Arianne came soon after, giving her sister and steward a quizzical look. Neither seemed to acknowledge the other. Ashara intently studied her nails and Colin went over notes in his pile of papers. It appeared that the two hadn’t talked their issues out which surprised Arianne since her sister rarely kept her opinions to herself.

Once she was settled into her place at the head of the table, Maester Paxter came in accompanied by a younger maester who had just arrived from the Citadel. The old man had been at Starfall since she could remember and due to his age required help getting around the castle. It saddened Arianne to know her former teacher was nearing the end of his life but she was glad to have is sage advice on the council.

Ser Mallor was last to enter the room, breathing heavily as his purple cloak flapped furiously behind him. It seemed even after a year of being Starfall’s Captain of the Guard the knight still wasn’t sure of himself. Arianne found it odd that a man so skilled at the martial arts would sweat like a pig when asked a question by his Lady. Apart of her missed Ser Duncan but she wasn’t one to turn away when a fellow Dornishmen asked for help.

The last seat squeaked into place, allowing Arianne to begin.

“I would like to start this meeting off by thanking you all for helping get the castle back into order. I believe the new changes will help in bringing Starfall back to its former glory.”

She gave everyone a broad smile and looked around the table at her council. Colin’s face mirrored her own while Ashara barely looked up. The maester wore his regular neutral expression probably trying to keep the peace between Ashara and herself. The only person who seemed unsure of it all was the knight.

“Ser Mallor, if you would like to start us off. I would love it if you could tell me how the new changes have been affecting the guard.”

Arianne shifted her weight preparing to hear what the man had to say and noticed a bead of sweat fall down his temple.

“Well…the men appreciate the time off, and I-I’ve found they are more lively in the ring.”

The chair creaked under his fidgeting form he attempted to put his thoughts into words.

“I assume that’s a good thing?” Ashara asked finally taking notice of the others in the room.

“In some cases yes,” he started trying not to look into her sister in the eyes. “But in other cases not so much. Ser Pate has reported an increase of men…going to town at night.”

The man looked down, obviously embarrassed by the topic. As he explained the other knight’s reasons, Arianne saw Wyla come into the room and quietly close the door behind her.

She mouthed a sorry to Arianne before taking her customary chair in the corner of the room. No matter how many times she asked Wyla to sit beside her at the table, the older woman refused. Wyla always claimed that she was baseborn and had no fancy titles such a Ser or Maester, and thus she deemed herself unworthy of the position.

“The guards have always gone to the brothels during their time off,” Maester Paxter snorted. “I don’t see any reason why it should cause concern now.”

“Besides, Ser Pate isn’t one to talk. He splits his time equally between the yard and the Black Serpent,” Arianne pointed out.

Ashara let out a cough, and she tried her best to ignore the interjection. Everyone at the table knew her sister’s feelings on her own work habits.

Ser Mallor turned red, “No, nothing like that. We are just afraid if there is an emergency, th-there won’t be enough men to respond to call.”

“Might I make a suggestion,” Colin said quietly from her left.

“Of course,” Arianne answered looking back at the steward.

“If you required the men who have morning shifts to stay in the barracks the night before, that should keep the number of men who go out at night down. There would be more than enough people if you include the pages and squires.”

The knight nodded following along with the steward's words, “That would work. Thank you m’lord.”

Arianne gave Colin a supportive nod. The new steward had been nervous about unrolling his idea, and she wanted to help him achieve his vision for Starfall. It seemed like a lot of changes at once, both argued for why they should go slower or stay the course, but in the end, every change seemed to be for the best. When they had finally agreed on a plan of action, Arianne was driven to see it implemented.

Ser Mallor waited a moment before continuing his report on the training of new recruits, followed by Maester Paxter who went over a nearly endless list of numbers, figures, and observations from the prior week.

“I once again talked it over with the kitchen staff, and they seem to disagree...”

As the meeting continued, Arianne watched her councilors closely,as she was quickly losing interest in the maester’s report. He always met with her before the council meeting, so it wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard, but as she turned to Ashara, it was clear her sister didn’t appreciate it.

Once she noticed Arianne’s gaze, she leaned into the table, “Personally, I understand their struggle. I think the previous servant rounds were fine as they were. My favorite morning attendant hasn’t been around in over a week, and the current girl always ties me in too tight.”

Arianne tried her best not to roll her eyes at the remark, it seemed that every discussion of the new protocols ended with Ashara.

“Ashara, for the last time, if you don’t have anything constructive to say then don’t say anything at all.”

She ignored Arianne’s protests, “I say we roll back a few of the changes. Perhaps start with the household staff then move on to the kitchens and stables.”

Ashara peered hopefully around the room looking for an ally. Most looked away, muttering some excuse to themselves while Colin looked to Arianne with a pleading look.

“I’m sure this whole thing will be forgotten in a fortnight but…”

Before she could finish, Wyla interjected, “Lady Ashara that is enough.”

The entire council became silent and looked to Wyla.

In a quieter voice she continued, “Household and kitchen staff are my responsibility and I will have last say in what happens.”

Arianne was grateful that Wyla finally stood up against her sister’s rantings and gave the servants a small, encouraging smile.

“The kitchen wenches always complain the loudest, even when things are going their way. I will set them straight Maester Paxter, don’t worry.”

Then she looked to Ashara, “As for your morning attendant, Ali was feeling unwell and has recently found out she was pregnant. I took her out of the rotation until her baby is born. Honestly, I’m surprised you even noticed she had been replaced, from what your attendants say you never get their names straight.”

Ashara turned red at the insinuation and folded her arms with a huff. It was clear that she wasn’t going to put a fight this time around and Arianne hoped that would be her last outburst.

After a few moments passed Arianne pressed the meeting forward.

“Now that it’s settled, I say we move onto the Dornish merchants. Colin?”

The steward stood, papers slightly shaking in his hands.

“There is good news and bad news, which do you want first?”

“Bad” Maester Paxter said without hesitation.

“Well, the bad news is we have had little response from the Reach. Of the few that answered our letters, maybe a three or four seemed genuinely interested. The most notable being Lord Tyrell of Highgarden.”

He paused to shuffle through his notes.

“On the other hand, we have had lots of replies from all across Dorne wanting to join our trade venture. It seems that winter along with the growing unrest in the Stormlands has caused business to slow down throughout the kingdom.”

“Has your family responded?” Ashara pressed.

Colin seemed uncomfortable with the question.

“They did...but not in favor. I’m sorry my lady, I told you it would be an extended shot," he explained to Arianne.

Arianne saw the grin that her sister wore at the lack of Uller support, but she did her best to ignore her. Ashara was only trying to rile her up, and she would not give in to her tricks.

“That’s fine, continue.”

“With so many interested in the deal, I’m afraid we cannot come to terms via raven. If one merchant finds out his cut is different from a competitor, it would reflect poorly on us and cause more trouble in the long term.”

“So you want them to all come here,” Arianne asked already knowing the answer.

After all the new changes, she doubted the castle could run at full capacity without burning down.

The steward could see her resistance, “That would be the idea, yes. I understand your dislike of crowds, but people do not just go into trade agreements without hammering out terms. Even with notable lady's such as yourself.”

Arianne let out a long sigh, “Fine but I want Ashara to be in charge of entertaining the guests. Gods know she will be much better at it.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

Early on, Arianne learned that Colin used this phrase when he knew he had lost a battle. It was his polite way of saying he disagreed but understood his position. Arianne was grateful that he knew where he stood, if only Ashara would take after him.

“Really?” her sister squealed. “I promise I will not mess this up.”

“Of course you won’t because Wyla will be helping you every step of the way. As you know, the household servants are out of sorts. And since you can’t seem to figure out a good way to help them along…”

She left the sentence unfinished.

“And while they deal with the social aspects of the meeting, we shall have to come up with the best way to deal with the negotiations.”

“That shouldn’t be too difficult. I can come up with a general outline then you and Colin can figure out the details,” Maester Paxter said as he slowly stood preparing to leave. “I can get Maester Pate to deal with the kitchens issues in my place. He’s a smart lad but lacks confidence.”

“Thank you maester, I always appreciate your help with these tasks.”

The old man waved her away as the young maester came into the room to accompany him back to his tower.

“Well, I guess that concludes our meeting for today. Same time next week?”

Ser Mallor gave Arianne a salute before leaving the council room, followed by the elderly maester. Colin slowly gathered his papers as Wyla followed a very excited Ashara out the door.

“Do you really think it’s wise to let your sister be in charge of the guests?” Colin asked once they were out of earshot.

Arianne let out a sigh, “I know I should be punishing her, but I struggle with things like parties and balls. She will do everything in her power to make it a success while I would just throw some half-ass gettogether with cold meat and ale.”

She paused a moment thinking of Ashara’s smile when Colin said his family wasn’t in favor of the agreement.

“And I think having a win will be good for her,” she finally said. “All the recent changes have been difficult for her, and you did take the position she wanted.”

Colin looked at her confused, “She wanted to be steward?”

“Ashara thinks she wants to be the steward, but I think she just wants the attention and praise. While she loves to complain about everything, you’ve noticed how little effort she puts into getting what she wants.”

Arianne tried to think of her sister in a serious light but could only see a pouting child.

“Oh I’ve noticed,” he laughed. “Mostly whining and complaining mixed with dirty looks. I’ll do what I can to make this easier on her.”

“Thank you,” she said hoping he would be successful.

Submitted February 26, 2019 at 10:07PM by Arianne_Dayne https://ift.tt/2GIZV1q