Game of Thrones: StormBorn

Maena was careful putting my clothes on in the morning. Much too gentle in my opinion.

Honestly, I could do with a little pain, to keep my mind sharp and my spine straight. Before that morning I had thought that I managed to avoid inheriting my father's perpetual teeth grinding.

Not so, indeed, as he sat across the table from me at breakfast, his own jaw steadier than mine.

"Calm down." The man said plainly, pausing as he cut his sausage, a bland thing, or at least one that I barely noticed going down. "You've a duty to appear dignified."

I nodded, once, but the grinding didn't subside. It was already hard enough keeping spontaneous lighting from bursting off my skin.

Anyone going for a handshake today might need treatment for electrocution. I had already asked Jaerys to keep the people back for now.

Seeing my lack of progress, my father made a grim face, putting down his utensils.

He had grown more cheerful in the time he had spent ruling Storms End. I didn't know if it was because he had finally ended up with the territory he wanted, or because of the presence of my adorable younger siblings, who combined must have been less trouble than my premature escapades gave him.

These days he seemed… anchored, still dour compared to my uncle's, but much more at peace with the world. Like he didn't feel so put upon.

It meant that the soft gaze his eyes held was less surprising than it would have been to me as a child. I used to have to coax those out of him.

"You can't manage everything." He said plainly. "The Dorneish have heads for intrigue, let them take care of your mystery murderer, you've twice what you need on your plate already."

I glanced down at my empty plate, then back up to him, letting out a sigh.

It wasn't like I could really argue with him, even if I had thought he was wrong.

"I know," I said at last. "I already had Pycelle check his corpse, useless as it was with the burning so obvious. They're probably loading it on a boat to sail for Storm-Sky now."

"Not the Twins?" My father asked though he didn't seem much surprised.

"Gerald disdained his family. I suspect the same is true of any Decent Frey."

"Some would contest that those exist," Father said flatly.

I ignored the potential snub. I knew him well enough that he didn't mean to agree with the sentiment.

"They're fool's then. A man's blood may set the foot of his ladder, but it's his own choice whether he climbs." I shook my head slightly, I would have time to think about my deceased friend later. "I will be meeting with Lord Stark after this, and Prince Joffrey to I suspect, given the way he follows the man around."

My father's eye narrowed. "Don't do anything rash." He said plainly, before glancing about the room. "Lord Stark is an honorable man. Have you changed your mind about Joffrey."

It was incredible how my father could speak so plainly while remaining so wary.

"I…" my voice started, as my brain raced somewhat to collate my thoughts. "I am not entirely sure. He is less a petulant brat then he was three years ago to be sure. The war changed him I think." My father nodded, he had seen the same, but I did feel a need to continue. "He still hates me though I think, or fears me maybe. I couldn't be sure with the looks he was giving me at the speech."

I tapped my fingers on the finely carved table, the rhythm speeding up as I reached my conclusion. "I believe it would be best if I could resolve any conflict with him prematurely," I spoke honestly, it was my father, and while Varys would hear of it, I didn't really care what the eunuch knew as far as that was concerned. "My designs lay to the East, whatever Lord Doran may want, my ties to Westeros are familial, and if Joffrey chooses not to take issue with my family here, I would be content to let him act as he chooses. The shadow of Qohor weighs far heavier on my mind from the rumors that circle Essos." I paused for a moment. "Still, If Joffrey decides to force the issue, or falls into the Mad King's villainy, then I will crush him under my heel."

Stannis didn't even blink at that, nodding shortly. He disagreed, I knew, thinking it a breach of duty, and I could never be sure which side he would pick as we were both family in his mind, but he understood my own reasoning well enough.

After a moment though, I thought that I did see a flash of surprise cross his wrought brow, quickly confirmed by the tone of his voice. "Is war with Qohor so near then?" He asked, "you had said in your letters that it was likely they would be consolidating for some years yet."

"I don't know when it will happen, but it is inevitable at this point." I nodded sharply. "They have begun pushing their influence on Selhorys, and I do not like the rumors that come from their lands. No traders come from the northeast, and cavalry patrols their borders, turning back my diplomats. If the brewing war for Volantis does not draw them in, then I cannot imagine it will be long after before they attack." I handed my plate off to a servant, standing from the table. " I hope to have annexed Lys by then. The magisters will be voting in a few month's time."

"Careful not to swallow too much at once." My father warned, pulling his cloak on. "You may have the appetite of Aegon, but he had dragons, and you do not. Not yet at least."

I glanced at him for a long moment, he knew about the eggs of course, but I didn't exactly want Varys to know too, less I get yet more assassin's, still, there was no point in fixating on it now.

I moved across the room, Flanked by Jaerys, and pulled my father into a thankfully lightning-free hug, before stepping back and meeting his steely-blue gaze.

"I'll try." I grinned.

"No, you won't." He said plainly, shaking his head, "no more than Robert will quit his whoring, but you're still my son."

With that, he turned away, marching out of the room at pace.

It was the closest to an I love you that I tended to get out of him these days, but I knew full well what it meant.

My breakfast was done, I pulled my silly white gloves onto my hands and made for the stairs.

Off to see to the Lord of the North.