Mad King

Heading back into the throne room, Jason slowed his pace when he noticed Jaime sitting at the steps of the Iron Throne. The dashing blond hair man was dressed in the golden armour and of the King's Guard, no doubt following his usual duties now that he was back at the Red Keep. He'd look to Jason, giving a small smile which the Surgebinder didn't return.

"Judging from your look the Small Council had quite the successful meeting," Jaime remarked sarcastically.

"Not in the mood for jokes." The Surgebinder sternly stated.

"Heh, seems King Robert has angered you once again. Let me guess, it was the idea to hire you as an assassin for the Targaryens."

For a moment Jason was silent, wondering how the knight knew, then remembered the man no doubt overheard plenty of things the King said while guarded him. "Maybe. What does it matter to you?"

"Are you that forgetful about history? You seem to forget my most…famous accomplishment"

Again Jason thought, quickly realizing what Jaime meant. "Right…Kingslayer." Slowly his gaze looked around the throne room as he wondered what happened so many years ago. "So I have to wonder, what was the Mad King really like? Was it that insane or was that just slander made up during the Rebellion?"

Jaime shifted to stand, one hand casually resting on the pommel of his sword as he'd look at the Surgebinder. "As you have said…what does it matter?"

"I'm curious to know the truth. I've dealt with my share of kings both great, foolish and mad, so maybe you'd like to hear the opinion of an outsider for once."

For a moment Jaime was quiet, gauntleted fingers tapping on the pommel of his sword. "Fair enough. I'll tell you a tale and you tell me one of your own." Pacing around to the towering Iron Throne, he'd continue to speak. "Aerys Targaryen the Second was indeed as mad as the tales say. Wasn't like that at first when Aerys took the Throne. Replaced the older members of the court with fresh young nobles and lords, all part of building a strong new era of prosperity and peace." Smirking, he'd glance back at Jason. "My father served as his Hand at an early age and in turn that led to my family's rise to power after its rather lowly position under grandfather."

"Right…care to skip that part?"

Sighing, the blond knight shrugged. "Overall Aerys started to show the classic signs of Targaryen madness. Paranoia, insane rambles, violent bursts and a general lack of care for his appearance."

"No doubt a side effect from generations of inbreeding."

"Indeed. Point is he became quite obsessed with fire. This whole hall had pyres set up to burn his 'enemies'. Didn't matter who, if someone so much as looked at him funny he'd demand them burned."

Oddly that statement reminded Jason of someone, although he kept silent still.

"Overall I was a young and aspiring knight of the King's Guard despite all the chaos. I was reminded that my duty wasn't to judge the king yet guard him. At the end that became harder to follow. In the end, you know the rest, father lies to enter and sack the city while I end the sad King's life before he could give any more mad orders."

"And that's that?"

"Well…did decide to take a sit on the Throne." Jaime nodded to the spikey seat. "I can say…not at all comfortable. Lord Stark was far from pleased finding me resting on it, even though he took a seat on it afterwards."

"He has mentioned that now that I think back. Kept claiming that breaking your oath was inexcusable."

"Heh and you agree with him?" Jaime chuckled.

Yet the Surgebinder shook his head. "Considering what I know, I'm surprised no one else did in poor Aerys. Seems enough were that scared or that blindly loyal to him. Maybe in the end your intervention wasn't needed. I'd have done the same yet far sooner."

For a moment Jaime's smug expression faltered, almost a hint of surprise showing on his face. Jason had a feeling there was more than the knight knew, yet he didn't question the matter. "Anyway guess it's my turn. I can say the Northern Realms back home suffered under a pretty vicious king. His reign rough towards the end, having to fend off an invasion. Yet if anything the things he did made the conquest all the more appealing considering."

He'd go on for a good while detailing King's cruel reign, how he had grown to hate anyone with a sign of intelligence, keeping the details of Knight Radiants vague and brief. Detailing the purges and tortures that followed all who the king found as a 'threat' or nuisance to his rule, Jaime couldn't help but pale a bit hearing how the man had his royal advisor's eyes scooped out with a heated metal spoon.

"So…how did his 'glorious' reign end? At the blade of his closest protector like me?" The knight questioned.

"More of a grand conspiracy between the last surviving spymasters and elite soldiers who cut a deal with the Empire. Keep their country's independence for King's head. With me involved, of course, organizing and recruiting the whole group."

Jaime smirked at the last bit. "So did you cut him down then? You seem the most capable."

"No…if anything King nearly got away. Course he ran into his old advisor who was quick to show him the suffering she felt before putting a knife into his skull."

"Ah…" Jaime was silent, yet before he could speak voices were coming from the Small Council chamber. It seemed their conversation had gone longer than expected.

"Anyway. Best leave for now. Rather not bother the King any further today." As he turned to leave the throne room, Jaime spoke up.

"One last question Jason." The Surgebinder stopped, glancing back at the knight who had a serious look. "You never told me why you choose to help kill a king, but so much risk in such a difficult and dangerous act. What drove you to do so?"

For a moment Jason was silent, curious at why the knight cared on such personal detail. "Because I watched as too many innocent and friends were burned and tortured. Because in the end, I wasn't going to let that bastard kill the few people I love and care for." He'd pause for a moment letting his words sink in. "You think too much, Jaime. In the end, there is evil and evil, no matter if it is the lesser or greater. Forget the crap anyone says of breaking oaths and vows. When the right obvious choice is there…you take it."

By then footsteps were coming from the council chambers, making Jaime glance away for a moment. When he looked back towards Jason, the man was already leaving the large doors of the chamber. There was a puzzled look across Jaime's face, finding strange respect to the Surgebinder's reasoning and point of view. "Heh…if he only knew." He muttered before hearing the Council entering the hall, making him snap out of his thoughts and focus onto his duties.