23 Chapter 22 - Small Council Meeting

~ Small Council Room ~

The atmosphere was extremely tensed. You could see the nervousness and anxiety of the people present in the small council chambers. After all it wasn't everyday you faced the prospect of a war on two fronts at the same time.

The small council is a small group of advisers who aid the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, the monarch on the Iron Throne, on matters of policy and their areas of expertise. Ever since the Iron Throne has been established, it has consisted of seven permanent members that aid the king based on their expertise. Though Orys has changed the workings around here a bit.

In Orys' small council, the ones who were invited were:

- Stannis Baratheon, Hand of the King, the chief advisor of the king and the second-most powerful man in the realm

- Petyr Baelish, Master of coin, head of the treasury and finances of the kingdom. Though he wouldn't be there for much longer since he has outlived his usefulness. Plus, Orys had many options he could choose from for this position.

- Lord Yohn Royce, Master of laws, an expert in the laws of the realm. A man who had thus far showed that he truly deserved that position.

- Master of ships, commander of the royal fleet, a position previously held by Stannis Baratheon but was now open.

- Master of whisperers, the spymaster and gatherer of information; another open position due to the defection of Varys.

- Ser Barristan Selmy, The Bold, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, leader of the Kingsguard.

- Grand Maester, a representative from the Citadel who advises the king on any matter concerning governance. Pycelle, had held this postion for nearly forty years, serving King Aegon V, Jaehaerys II, Aerys II and finally, Robert Baratheon I.

- And finally, Commander of the Royal Guard, the man who led the Royal Guard to battle and whose commands could only be superseded by the King or his Hand. Lord Randyll Tarly held this position.

"So, my lords, let us begin. As you all know, we have many openings on the small council, so let us fill them up first," Orys declared as he took his spot at the head of the table, the position of the King of the Seven Kingdoms.

"First, I appoint Lord Stannis Baratheon, the position he deserves; The Hand of the King," Orys said, as it drew surprising looks from a few who expected him to appoint Tywin Lannister as his hand, including Stannis. Though, Stannis had to say, he was grateful for everything his nephew had done for him. From giving him his right back to treating his daughter, he had done a lot for his family.

Orys passed on the pin to his uncle and with a smile he declared, "May you serve the realm and me to the end of my reign."

Now Stannis Baratheon wasn't an emotional guy. But he would be lying if he said that he didn't feel teary at that moment. "I assure you, Your Grace, I shall do my best to live up to your expectations."

Orys simply nodded before continuing, "Next, a crucial position, the Master of Whisperers. Now, I need someone competent on this position, hence I am giving it to two of the most loyal people I know. Marwyn, you shall share this post alongside Melisandre and keep me in the loop of everything that is happening in the realm."

"Your Grace, splitting a position… that has never been done before. And giving it to a woman…" Petyr Baelish began before he was glared at by Orys himself. That made him shut up.

"Baelish, did I ask for your opinion on the matter? If I need your advice, I shall ask for it," Orys said before he began once again. "With that done, Marwyn, inform the Citadel that we do not have a need for a new master. Qyburn will take up Pycelle's place. Now, the only position left is Master of Ships.

Originally, I had planned to grant this position to Paxter Redwyne, but in light of recent events, I believe it's better if we build our brifge with the North. While, the Starks shall remain subdued, no Northerner has a say in the happenings of the Kingdom. I believe with this; we will earn some brownie points with them. So, I plan on having Lord Manderly of White Harbor as the new Master of Ships. Does anyone disagree?"

Everyone was satisfied with the explanation. With this, Lords from all the regents were present on the council and hence, all the problems from every region shall be heard. The Iron Islands had long since isolated themselves and only came out to trade with Westernlands, The Reach, and Dorne. Lord Harlaw had brough many necessary changes to their culture.

Also, with Rhaenys and Elia as Orys' bedwarmers and Oberyn Martell spending most of his time gallivanting across King's Landing, they were sorted. And if Dorne posed to be a problem he would know everything with the help of Marwyn and Melisandre, so it wasn't a problem.

They continued speaking for a while, discussing counter measures against Renly but Orys assured them that they will only need the Royal Guard to face all of Renly's men. Even Randyll Tarly looked incredulously at him for that proclamation. But Orys simply smiled and told them they will know soon enough.

"Your Grace, Queen Mother Cersei is coming and she isn't taking no for an answer, what shall we do?" one of Orys' men entered the chambers and interrupted their meeting.

"Gentlemen, I believe we shall adjourn for now. I shall speak with you all on the morrow, I need to have a chat with my mother," Orys said before the Lords got up, bowed and left the chambers.

TO BE CONTINUED…