Lord Baratheon's Manor

"Your condolences would be well taken, my lord, if they were offered, though not without a grain of salt to be sure," Maekar replied dryly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "I'll take a red, if you've got a good vintage," he added, looking to Lord Baratheon questioningly.

"You know my men quite well, and it is only fitting that they once did homage to Lord Toyne. For his death, you have my condolences, without any irony at all," he added. "That is actually the very subject about wish I intended to speak."

"Trust is a luxury that few can enjoy, even in times of security and peace," Maekar replied, as if such a thing had even existed in Westeros within his lifetime. "I generally assume most men have self improvement as their goal, and I have rarely been wrong in so judging them. That in and of itself makes people, if not trustworthy, at least predictable."

He accepted the wine graciously, sipping it slowly. He knew Lord Baratheon was a widower, with a single young son; better off than most unmarried men in that he at least had an heir, however the succession of Storm's End was still by no means secure. More than half of all children died before the age of ten and while people who made it to adulthood had a good chance of living a relatively long life, it was far too easy for children's lives to be snuffed out by disease or accidents. "You were one of the judges at Vira Blackwood's trial, were you not?" he asked. "Do you think she is guilty?"

Maekar stared at him dumbly for a brief moment before regaining his composure. "I was… not aware she told you that," he replied. "That changes the game, I suppose. I am going to press my claim tomorrow, unless you have your men seize me and deliver me to the queen tonight," he added, eyeing the Lord of Storm's End carefully. "I suspect you will not do so, however. Support my crown, and you'll not regret it, my lord."

"When I am crowned, I cannot crown Visenya beside me. Lovely as she is, I will need a Queen who brings me moreI intend to annul our marriage once she has given birth to my child, and name her the Lady of Darkheart in her own right. I would bind Storm's End to the crown more tightly by offering her hand to you, with Darkheart Keep as her marriage portion. You have an heir, but Visenya is obviously fertile and any children she bears you will have the blood of the dragon in their veins," Maekar said, not needing to mention the prestige and influence at court that would bring House Baratheon.

"I will wed whoever will bring me the richest dowry and the largest army," Maekar replied neutrally. "Whether I have to look west or east for a bride, I need gold and steel, and everything else is secondary."

"And despite that, most of them would do the same thing in my place," Maekar replied. "We were wed in the sight of men, but I doubt if even half the Lords of Westeros see us as wed in the sight of Gods as well; we were wed by Valryian customs, and are cousins besides, and few Andals recognize those rites. It is not a question of anything but pragmatism, however, she brings me no allies nor significant wealth. The incomes of Darkheart will see to her needs whether or not you choose to marry her; my child by her will succeed to that Lordship upon her death, and will do fealty to Storm's End for it though Visenya herself will be answerable to the crown for her lifetime."

Maekar nodded. "You are right, my lord, I suspect you are right," he said slowly. "Perhaps it would be better if I followed in the tradition of the Conqueror, and simply took a second wife, if I find a woman who brings me the resources I need. You have my thanks, Lord Baratheon, for your advice. I am fortunate to have your counsel," he added, without a trace of irony.

"What is it that you want, Lord Baratheon, in exchange for your continued good counsel?"

"If Visenya or Vira gives birth to a daughter, I will betroth her to your heir," Maekar replied. "She'll be raised in the Red Keep until age ten, and then sent to Storm's End to marry Orys, though the marriage will not be consummated until she has flowered." He named a stretch of land that he owned personally, along the Blackwater river, including several manors, as the marriage portion.

"You'll have to find your own wife, but I'll name you to my Small Council if you need that to remain in the capital," he added.

Maekar met Lord Baratheon's gaze and held it silently for a long moment. "Very well, but the Crown will retain the castle and its incomes until my daughter reaches ten and is sent to Storm's End."