1.

Silent Gardens.

As quickly as the days of endless loud debates came, they left again, replaced by an eerie silence. The game of toasts and boldness replaced by the game of whispers and private meetings.

A silent Septa pretending to read the seven pointed star, a watchful groundskeeper pretending to trim the hedges nearby, they all know which Lord or Lady to report to about what they overhear. The royal gardens have become a market of information for the guests coming from all over the seven kingdoms.

And above all, people talk about the Lord Hand Melwyn Rosby and his favorites.

year 209 after conquest - 3 Chapters

One Master of Laws?

There is almost pity in the air when spies speak of Linda Lefford and Jodi Tully. Both Ladies were so highly regarded at court just 6 months prior.

Now, Lady Lefford spins story after story as apologies arrive from Lord Rosby that urgent business held him from attending her get-togethers, once, twice, and then again and again.

Lady Jodi is often seen carrying tomes, ambushing Lord Rosby at every banquet, just to be placated with empty promises of "picking this up later".

Failing to get Lord Rosby's attention isn't the reason for said pity however, it is that the Lord is often seen speaking with a certain northern general.

Lord John Cormick Bolton is seen by the side of the Lord Hand quite frequently.

There is a rumor going around that Lord Bolton has promised the Northern Banners to the Lord Hand's causes.

Linda Lefford

Jodi Tully

Bugeater

The Master of Coin, of Whispers and of Ships:

As the Ladies of the Lannister and Tully court still fight to make an appearance, House Baratheon and Tyrell seem to have soured from King's Landing politics quickly. After the debates in the first half of the year left them a bit crooked, the households of House Tyrell and Baratheon are no longer seen participating in the courtly politics.

In the wake, of their stellar performances with the Lord Hand,

- Lord Bryden Tully of Riverrun, discussing matters of economy,

- Maester Bugeater of the Vale of Arryn, discussing matters of information,

- and Lord Billy Mormont of White Harbor, discussing matters of shipbuilding,

seem to be lining up fill the remaining positions.

Billy Mormont

The short list:

With nine months at court, a small council seems to be on the precipice of being born...

Bryden Tully

John Cormick Bolton

2.

The Tourney at Winterfell comes to an end...

As merriment and remembrance echoed in the speeches of the hosting Lords, the several days of festivities and contests come to an end.

A bastard from the Reach, a strong young dame with northern ancestry, the sworn shield to House Tyrell, Khailee Flowers distinguishes herself in the Melee, defeating multiple proud lords, grinning as she heard them yield.

Unseating many riders in the joust, Lord Garon Baratheon also made a great showing, many young knight embarrassed to have been swept to the dirt by the aging Lord.

With the ending of the festivities and the slow scattering of wagon and horses, the disappearance of pitched tents outside Winterfell, some seem to have met lifelong friends at the Tourney.

The social climber, Lord Tylan of House Swyft has been convinced by Westerland fortunes to come to Casterly Rock and work for Lord Tyrrel Lannister.

The aspiring general Ser Gwayne of House Caron was moved by honor to pledge himself to Storms End and join Lord Borys Baratheon's household.

3.

Swords forged to be drawn.

Youth across the realm are called to arms. many lords seem to be valuing their banners greatly at current, as boys train with pike in hand and provisions are called into frontier castles to feed men that may soon be on the march.

In the Westerlands, House Lannister is bolstering their troops.

In the Vale, House Arryn is doing the same.

In the Reach, House Tyrell is following suit.

It seems, wherever one looks in Westeros, bannermen are expanding, armies of the future are slowly becoming mightier and more formidable.

The smallfolk prepare for a storm to sweep up the realm.

Past Omens of Winter...

Building a Royal Fleet:

To protect the heart of Westeros, the Crownlands, the King must rebuild his navy. His loyal Lords Paramount are called to assist in the effort.

For the Velaryons, the Darklyns, the Rosby´s, the Celtigars and the Targaryens to sail once again, the Crownland does not hold enough materials or coin.

- The Hand of the King requests all Kingdoms to pool a total of

4 materials and 2 coin to support the restoration of the royal fleet.

Failure: As the crown lays unprotected, foes of the realm may take notice and strike before a navy can be assmbled. Blackfyre pretenders and Ironborn alike dream of sacking King´s Landing, together with all of the royal court.

The Ironborn strike:

With the preparations after their last raids lackluster, the Ironborn now hunt larger prey.

Dagon Greyjoy proclaims himself "the second coming of the Black" as he has laid his eyes on larger prizes and protecting against his lightning strikes will be even more difficult now.

- Shoring up defenses and garrisoning the coastal cities will require lots of resources to be sent to affected areas quickly. To manage this effort, the Hand of the King asks all Kingdoms to pool through bids:

A total of 3 coin, 3 supply, 3 materials, and 3 arms.

Failure: if the Greyjoy fleet is not dealt with, larger attacks may follow. Additionally, as larger settlements are hit, the lowest bidder will be raided, losing 2 coin and 2 arms.