Riverrun

"You will call your banners and march east with as many men as you can muster in half a fortnight," Maekar replied, getting to business. "The realm will need continuity, and I am certain that there is enough chaos in King's Landing already with the KIng dead. Take control of the Kingsford," he added, referring to the point at which the Kingsroad crossed the Trident river, "and keep a watchful eye on the High Road; your men must be prepared to prevent any of Lord Arryn's men from crossing the river, should they muster the courage to venture out of their passes."

He paused for a moment, thinking. "I would also ask that you send this letter to Lord Stark on my behalf, which bears my instructions for him" he added, pulling a letter out of his doublet's inner pocket, stamped and sealed with black wax.

Maekar nodded. "Do not march east with fewer than a thousand men; you must be able to hold the river crossing if it comes to that," he said, handing the letter over. "This letter to Lord Stark instructs him to gather his own banners and march south to meet you on the Kingsroad," he added, so that Lord Tully would not be surprised when he saw a Northern army approaching his own army.

He did not feel the need to mention that the letter also included a request that Lord Stark ensure that White Harbor remained secure, given his suspicion that Lord Manderly's religion would lead him to declare for Aegon.

"Thank you, my lord. I regret that I cannot enjoy your hospitality for the night, but I must return to the capital with all haste," he replied. "Gods protect you, my lord," he added, turning to depart.

It was a wet morning, Maelys had ridden the whole night, clad in his uncorfortable bronze colored plate armor with his heavy crossbow slung across his back.

A cold drizzle was falling on his head as he and Corion descended by the western face of the Castle, before the great ditch that there stood for countless years.

"Maelys Targaryen" He cried, raising his arms over his head, trying to show he was no threat. "Lord of Oldtown and the Port, Royal Prince and Emissary of King Maekar I."

"I've ridden through the night to meet Lord Tully, I'm tired,cold and wet. May I come in for some tea?" As always, his intention was to keep emotions light and humnors high.

Maelys smiled and followed through the lowered bridge, he gave the guards a gold coin and said. "Your drinks tonight are on me, laddies."

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"They are... Although, unfortunately, some heads had to be taken before everything was settled." The Lord of Oldtown motioned towards a seat. "May I?"

"As far as I know, Ser Simor Buckler's..." Maelys sat, only after Tully mentioned food he noticed his stomach grumbling.

"You may have been wondering why Maekar sent me... Or not... Well, I'm not fortune teller." He grinned. "His majesty sent me to supervise the raising of your levies. Not that he believes something's wrong, far from that, his majesty is preparing aginst a possible attack from Lord Arryn. I'm here to lend you some support."

"No,no..." Maelys said apologetically. "I'm sorry if I caused any misunderstanding. I have no intentions to coerce your lordship, there may occur that Aegon and his dragonriders come down from the Mountains with Lord Arryn, in that scenarion it wouldn't be wise for your rivermen to fight unaided by a dragon of your own."

"And if not, we'd have air supperiority until one of them shows up."

"I'd join him right now if you were to wish, my lord..." He stretched his back and yawned, it was not the most polite thing to do but Maelys had never been into those things. "But I'd rather have a warm bed and some wine."

Maelys enjoyed the food like as if he'd been starving for days, the butter would melt on his mouth and the bacon make him salivate.

"Have I already said that this is some beautiful castle you've got here?" He said as they ate, trying to sound friendly.

"My men are already working on that, I shall build a keep that will outshine the Hightower, I guarantee you." He wanted to at least, for the while he lacked the funds for such a magnanimous structure.

"Though I'm concerned that I shall not see it done... Such works take long time to finish and, just now, Targaryens seem to be dying like flies, my lord." Since the death of both his brother and sister Maelys had caught himself thinking abot life and all the legacy he'd leave for Valarr and Miana.

"We all hope so..." He smiled faintly and continued his meal in a sad silence.

When he was done he rose from his seat. "My lord Tully, pardon my discourtesy, but I shall retire to my chambers."

"I'll leave to join your son in the morrow."