

More than a fortnight after the demise of House Targaryenįrom the moment Prince Quentyn entered the great hall of the Hightower he came under intense scrutiny. "I am sure my nephew Lord Willard Tyrell will approve of such an idea." But the Grand Maester wasn't quite yet to die and thus presented his verbal shield. If he was to meet Maekar in Heaven in a few moments he could at least say he tried to do well. A council will acknowledge Tywin, thus giving him all the legitimacy a coup will lack." The Grand Maester concluded. Who would wish to speak for Martell? Outsiders with strange customs who have often been at odds with their northern neighbors and has none of the prestige or power of House Lannister, are they. "Call a grand council of the Great Lords to decide between young Tywin and young Quentyn. It can be avoided lord, for the good of the Realm, for the legitimacy of your son." Gerold spoke rapidly, in fear of dead sounding neither old nor done but vibrant and charismatic. Like Targaryen and Blackfyre once so Lannister and Martell then will the Realm by eternally destabilized.

For as long as a Lannister sits the Iron Throne only the slightest discord amongst the lords will make them remember that an alternative line exists. "That is a fact that the lords will remember even if they pledge allegiance to your son My Lord. Now he needed to speak quickly, convince the Lannister Lord that a council was in his own interest before the man decided to slit Gerold's throat. The Grand Maester breathed deeply having said as much. "I shan't take your precious time with a boring lecture on the succession laws of the Seven Kingdoms but suffice to point out that your son's claim neither precedes nor succeeds that of Prince Quentyn Martell." "Thank you for receiving me Lord Hand." He said, his voice strangely calm and without a tremble. Yet before Bartholomew Lannister's piercing gaze the Grand Maester decided to be as brief as possible and pray that the Hightower name yet shielded him from harm. The fact that his plan could not succeed if the Lion did not permit it notwithstanding Gerold was well aware his life was on the line. Gerold had rehearsed what he wanted to say several times. Two days after the demise of House Targaryen
