Mission to Winterfell

Upon arriving at Winterfell, Maekar circles the castle several times, examining its walls and defenses, and watching the reaction to his appearance.

Maekae lands in the outer bailey, climbing down off Curax's back and approaching the welcome party. "Lord Maekae Dracaryn, the Lord of Darkheart and son of His Grace, King Maegor II, here seeking an audience with Lord Braem Stark of Winter fell," he announced.

"I bring word from the capital, but such that would best spoken in private, my lord," Maekar said, bowing slightly, flicking his eyes around the room at the other people present.. "I suspect you will be most interested to hear what I have to say."

"You have earned the enmity if the King, my lord," Maekar said quietly, once they were alone. "He did not seem to be pleased that the North has suffered so little in this war, by comparison to the other Kingdoms."

"I should think so as well," Maekar replied, "but the King is growing... erratic. He could easily destroy the North aback Balerion, but what could doing so possibly gain the crown but the emnity of every living man north of the Neck," he added rhetorically.

"Before I arrived I heard that my fellow inquisitor and the Master of Whisperers had both been attainted marked for death, despite leal service from both. That is not a reward I intend to accept for my own lifetime of service."

"No, I come for your support," he replied bluntly. "The king promised to make me his heir in exchange for your life, I saw the edict myself lacking only his signature and seal. If I trusted him to bestow it without insurance, Winterfell would already be in flames. I came to speak with you instead of attacking because I know the strength of the North dwarfs the remaining strength of the southern Kingdoms, and I will need those swords to seat myself upon the Iron Throne."

Maekar met Lord Stark's gaze evenly with his one remaining eye, and held it until the other mab spoke or looked away. It was a gamble, laying so many of his cards on the table, but now the die were cast and the game had truly begun. Maekar had rarely felt so alive.

"I would never propose such a thing, if the Black Dread was an obstacle in that path. The King is rumored to be dying, and my agents in the capital have indicated to me that the the Iron Bank has been seeking his death, for the lack of repayment," Maekar replied. "I want his seal on the document that names me heir before he dies, and I want it without alienating every man in the North, and I know how it may be accomplished."

"As to what can be gained for the Starks, I'll offer a bride with the Blood of the Dragon, for you or your heir as you choose, as well as two Dragon Eggs of your own choosing. Hatch them, sell them, use them as a paperweight, but they will belong to House Stark and none other, for all time," he added, gauging Lord Stark as he spoke. Such an offer ought to be enough to spark the greed in any man, for even one dragon egg would put Lord Stark far above any of his Lordly counterparts.

"I spoke to him before I flew north, he gave me the orders in person. He was pale, sallow, and looked as though he had not slept or eaten in weeks," Maekar replied. "You swore your oaths to the King, and no King lives forever. I will only have such a writ if I return to the capital, and the King believes that I have killed you and set Winterfell aflame."

"A few superficial burns to the castle should be enough to spread rumors that the castle has been put to the torch, if men are enthusiastically spreading them. I will proclaim that I killed you, which will surely enflame your bannemen. I imagine they would answer your brother's call for vengeance, and march their men south if ordered to do so," Maekar replied, somewhat questioningly. "Travel in secret to Moat Cailin and meet your men there, to explain the true situation them once they have arrived in the Neck with their own troops."

"Lord Tully will support me, and the young Lady Lannister can be won, but Lord Baratheon is a wild card," Maekar added. "It is the Queen who will oppose me, with Prince Aegon abroad, and Lord Arryn will surely side with her."

"Despite your oaths, there was only one man from Winterfell among the army that defeated the Faith Militant at Oldtown; a fact which is not lost on my father, nor on me when I came to you for men two years ago. In truth, I cannot blame you for not wanting to fight men who were not inciting rebellion within your lands, beyond that business at White Harbor," he said. The Starks were always prickly with regards to their honor, but Maekar was fairly certain that Braem Stark would place the interests of Winterfell before any oath to a southron King.