Maelys' Manor

Maelys sat on his new desk, before him was laid his last comission from the tailor, his new personal banner: a copper fire-spitting dragon roosted on a grey tower. He raised his head, in the mirror across the room a silver haired man stared... The former goldcloak couldn't help but grin, he had undyed his hair that very morning and didn't repent it for a second.

"A new life..." He whispered under his mustache.

"Indeed, my love." One looking into his lilac eyes could see a new man, a changed man. That cape had weighted him down so much he had thought himself a peasant, but that burden was gone now... Maelys was no lowborn, he was better than those filthy urchins from Flea Bottom and their shit smelling parents.

"Here... I have something else to show you." He took a large scroll from the drawer and opened it on the desk, it showed a colossal castle standing on an isle at the mouth of a river. "Inspired by both Pyke and the Eyrie, with the best of both worlds. The architect guaranteed it to be almost impregnable."

Now that was a matter he hadn't been thinking of.

"Well... We already have the materials from the Hightower, at least what we managed to forage. It may not be enough but it's already something... We could squeeze the populace a bit, but I wouldn't recommend it so soon after we assumed the title." He twriled his mustache. "The dowry from the Redwyne's may be enough to buy the rest of the materials, if there's some left we could use it to pay Miana's dowry. And of course, we have the income from the Port."

"If it's not enough we can try and make a loan with the Iron Bank, or even the Lannisters."In his whole life Maelys never had a single selfish ambition, he wouldn't let this opportunity flee from his hands; He'd grasp it with fangs and claws, even if it meant to tear his own skin off. "Don't worry, my love... You'll have your silks and velvets, no matter what."

"Aye... That matter we should start pursuing already. First of all we must consolidate our influence inside the city. " Maelys sighed. "I'll need you to send word for the Lord Commander of the City Watch... I want him here as soon as possible."

"Him... And the Head of the Archmaesters." With three pieces of parchment Maelys invited them to a comfortable afternoon tea. "Also, tell the cook to prepare something for the meeting."

"Oh of course, I knew that... Then that's another matter we should attend soon; put someone we now inside." Maelys nodded, how had he forgotten such detail?

"Then send just for the other two..." He threw one of the letters into the brazier beside him, it made no sense to have a fire alight by that hour, but he liked it.

"What would I do without you, my love?" Maelys smiled and kissed her.

"I'll promote a small feast with our neighbors..." Again he started writting letters, enumerating the recipients. "Blackbar, Bulwer, Costayne, Mullendore, Ambrose and.... My sister-in-law, Lady Cuy. All the former vassals of Lord Hightower."

"Soon I'll be traveling to the capital to pay homage to my brother and discuss the matters of our castle... I may have some stops along the way: Brightwater Keep, Coldmoat, Goldengrove and, finally, Highgarden." He sealed the letters previously cited. "I won't linger, though I might bring a gift or two to appease them."

"We will, my love..." Maelys fondled her cheek. "Tonight we can give it a try... As soon as I'm done with the Harbourmaster and the Commander." He smiled foolishly.

"Go now, my love." He dismissed her, placing an old dusty tome on the desk. "I have some accountings to do... And the sooner we get our friends here the better."