Chapter 209

Horton Redfort.

While the crowd lost themselves in celebration, Horton exchanged a quick glance with Lord Symond Templeton. After several carefully veiled letters, and with the utmost discretion, the two of them had met to discuss what came next. They shared a common goal, though years of bitter rivalry were not so easily set aside. Horton and Symond argued constantly, but in the end they had managed to reach an understanding. The Falcon's Eye was a proud man, and a capable and fortunate one besides. Words alone would never bring such a man to reason.

"...So long as we stand united, nothing can stop us," those gathered hung on every word, and Lord Arryn himself seemed in no hurry to end his address, for he was, after all, a fine speaker.

Seizing hard earned rewards was a trampling of every tradition and every bond between men. The Falcon's Eye understood this well enough, which was why he had turned to Lord Redfort for support beforehand. If the strongest houses raised no objection, then the lesser ones would have even less cause to speak. Yet Horton had other plans of his own. By the end of the speech he meant to stand firmly against it, and in doing so, give the assembled lords an alternative to blind submission. After that it would fall to Lord Templeton, whose words would kindle their resolve. If the two strongest houses spoke out, Axel Arryn would be forced to compromise.

"...And so, to secure the future of the whole of the Vale, I find myself compelled to impose a onetime war levy. Every house that took part in the Ravaging of the Riverlands shall surrender forty percent of its plundered gains to House Arryn. With these funds a bank shall be established, in which every contributing house shall hold privileges proportionate to its contribution. House Arryn, for its part, shall commit half a million gold dragons and shall stand as guarantor for the safety of all future deposits. Further details shall be announced in due course." Only now did the whispering begin, as people started to grasp what was happening, though none dared interrupt the speaker. "My decision takes effect as of tomorrow. Every house must deliver the required sum within four months of this decree. Should any fail to do so, it shall be regarded as rebellion, and punished by my own hand." That last part frightened them most of all.

Horton could not help but admit that the Falcon's Eye had dressed up plunder as necessity with real artistry. And the fact that Arryn himself would contribute a substantial sum, and had promised privileges to the participating houses, was a brilliant stroke. No one would be able to accuse him of favoritism or idleness now. The high lord's pointed glance told Horton it was time for him to take the stage. Only Arryn was about to be very surprised by where Horton stood.

"Lord Arryn's words are wise, as ever." Now the assembled lords would look to the "great three," Redfort, Royce, and Templeton, for their lead. "You, like all of us, seek the good of the Vale, and your deeds have proven this again and again. But I have a question that would ease a knot in my heart. Tell me, if every house that contributes is to be rewarded in kind, will the wealthiest houses sit upon the founding council of this future bank?"

It was no small question. The Iron Bank of Braavos had been founded by three and twenty Pioneers, who in time became three and twenty families. Some had faded from history's pages, some had quietly been done away with, others had simply gone to ruin, but those of the families who managed to remain in the saddle still reaped enormous rewards from the bank to this day. The notion of becoming something like those Braavosi families was a tempting one, and it would spare him the need for open confrontation with Arryn.

"No. The bank will remain under the sole control of House Arryn." And with that, the last hope of a peaceful resolution slipped away.

Drawing a deep breath, Redfort steadied himself. After what he was about to say, there would be no road back.

"...I refuse! House Redfort will not carry out an order that tramples upon our very foundations. We bled for you, Lord Arryn, and in return you have decided you may rob us, that no one would dare stand against you, that courage has long since abandoned us! That is not true!" The more Horton spoke, the bolder he grew. "ENOUGH! You have led us from the very beginning, and it is thanks to you alone that the Vale was not destroyed for the sake of others' interests."

"Lord Redfort, you forget yourself!" The Falcon's Eye was plainly displeased.

"No! It is you who, in your pride, grasp everything for yourself, forgetting what the Vale's prosperity is truly built upon. If you have forgotten, then I shall remind you. We shall remind you!" Now it was Templeton's turn.

For a few seconds after these words, the hall sank into utter silence. Those present struggled to take in what had just happened. Whispers passed from row to row, growing louder with every heartbeat. It was one thing to be discontented, and quite another to openly defy a liege lord's decree. The overwhelming majority shared Lord Redfort's sentiments, but none would declare themselves openly, without some guarantee of safety, and so they waited to see how it would end. At last Lord Symond Templeton rose from his seat and turned to face Arryn. Silence fell over the hall once more, for Templeton was, after all, no small man in this region.

"Lord Redfort's words are harsh, but true. To trample the customs of war is an unworthy act, even where there are mitigating circumstances..." Victory, the two strongest houses had spoken openly against Arryn; if he wished to avoid war, he would have to compromise. "...But I agree with Lord Arryn, and I lend him my full support in this decision!"

"Whether in war or peace, House Royce has always stood behind House Arryn." Bronze Yohn's declaration put an end to any hope of a united stand against the Eyrie.

"...House Hunter stands with you, my lord Arryn!" Now no one would follow a helpless rebel.

"House Melcolm is with you!" The Falcon's Eye did not forgive defiance. Hard times lay ahead for House Redfort.

One by one the lords cried out their words of support, but Lord Redfort had no mind left for any of it. Horton's thoughts were consumed by a single question: why had Templeton betrayed him? Not only had the bastard handed over hard bled coin to the Falcon's Eye's keeping with his own hands, he had also shoved House Redfort straight over the edge. Was it to win still more of Arryn's favor, to earn his trust? He was already held in high regard, and Symond was a fool if he believed that, in a situation like this, no one would try to drag him down along with the rest. Horton would give him up, and those letters would serve as fine proof of it. A small thing, but even a small thing was better than nothing.

For a time Lord Redfort remained lost in such grim thoughts, trying to work out how he might soften the blow that was coming for his house. That it would come, Horton did not doubt for a moment. Words like his were never forgiven. He was pulled from his thoughts by a servant's insistent tugging at his sleeve, and the words that followed.

"Lord Arryn awaits you in his solar."