King Aemon I Targaryen
The crown sat well on his head, it rested firmly there, whereas with Viserys it had moved and shifted. Aemon had been crowned King in the throne room, the High Septon doing the deed, and there had been great fanfare afterwards, feasting and drinking. Then had come his marriage to Dany, the thing he had waited for his entire life. They had married in the Great Sept, with more feasting and drinking, the smallfolk were seemingly happy with this due to the food and drink and money that was distributed out to them. His wife was with child, she'd told him that as they had made love the night of their wedding and the thought of being a father thrilled him, and made him even more determined to ensure all threats to his throne were removed. That was why he had called this council meeting.
"Lord Baelish, you have overseen the crown's finances since the reign of the usurper, tell me, how strong are they looking?" Aemon asks, he does not like Baelish, finding the man far too slimy and conniving for his liking, but for the time being he will do.
Baelish takes a cursory look down at his books, then says. "So far the crown's finances are stabilising Your Grace. The debts collected from the lords of the Riverlands and the crownlands have done much to replenish the treasury, though the Iron Bank continues to ask for an audience regarding repayment of their loans."
Aemon nods. "Tell me Lord Baelish, you have shown a clear aptitude for finance, how is it then that the crown was allowed to get into so much debt, and take on loans that it could not afford to pay? Were you so willing to bend to the will of a drunken slob that you did not think to use your own brain?"
Baelish shifts slightly under the intensity of his gaze, and is only able to mumble a reply. "The King commanded and I did as bid Sire. It was not for me to question the sanity of what he was asking."
There is something about the way in which the man replies that sets Aemon on edge, he will need to consider the man in more detail soon enough. For the time being he merely nods. "Very well, tell me my lord, do we have the funds to actually repay the Iron Bank? I know that they do not accept no for an answer."
Baelish shifts again very slightly, his voice soft. "I believe we do Sire. There are more than enough lords who sided with the Lannisters and then Renly Baratheon who can have their lands and titles declared forfeit to the crown. The income that comes from that would be more than enough to repay the Iron Bank."
At this Varys speaks. "Sire, one of those houses was the Tyrells, they are far too powerful to be removed from the chain."
Aemon does not like Varys, he remembers hearing about the eunuch from his brother, about how he would whisper words of something or the other to different people. He takes a firm approach here. "I know my lord Varys. I was not planning on removing them. But if they want their daughter to survive, they will pay a tithe for this."
"I can have a consider seeing who else might be able to afford such a thing Sire." Baelish suggests, eagerly, almost too eager.
"Then do so." Aemon replies, turning his attention to Varys he asks. "Tell me Lord Varys, what word is there of the Lannisters and the others they fight?"
Here the eunuch shifts slightly, then says. "Tywin Lannister and his army fought a combined force of Northmen, Valemen and Rivermen outside of Harrenhal. They were outmanned and were safely defeated. Tywin Lannister was slain during the fighting attempting a retreat, furthermore Lannister's son the imp was slain in the fighting as well."
Aemon feels a slight flicker of disappointment, he had wanted to have the pleasure of killing those two, with Jaime Lannister dead, still they are dead, and there are two Lannisters still alive. "What of Cersei Lannister and her boy?"
"The forces of the north, the vale and the Riverlands are bringing them to you Sire. They are offering them as a sign of their allegiance." The eunuch responds.
"Good." Aemon replies, Cersei Lannister, a woman who was meant to marry Rhaegar once, he remembers Viserys telling him that when they were young. He wonders what she will be like, and whether she will kneel before her rightful King to spare the life of her son. "What of her daughter?"
"Myrcella Baratheon is being brought to King's Landing as we speak, the Dornish are bringing her for you to pass judgement on Sire." Varys replies simply.
Aemon nods, then turning his attention to next most pressing issue says. "This boy calling himself Aegon Targaryen, how true is it that he is who he says he is? Lord Varys, he claims you know of his existence?"
A look crosses the eunuch's face that is one of either fear or reluctance, either way, the man replies honestly-at least that is what Aemon thinks- "I admit I did once try to smuggle the baby Aegon Targaryen out of King's Landing, alongside his sister, but then the mad King found out and had me thrown into a cell thus. There is not a chance that I could have helped this boy escape."
Baelish snorts. "How very convenient for you Varys, then, so why would the boy mention you?"
"Because the boy either has a fool advising him, or is trying to sow discord amongst us." The eunuch replies.
"He claims to have Jon Connington advising him, Connington was a close friend of my brother's. Why would Connington support him if he were not truly who he said he was?" Aemon asks.
"Connington is a desperate man, desperate men will do anything to achieve their aims Your Grace." The eunuch responds simply.