HOUSE TYRELL
Harlan Tyrell
1st Year Since Aegon's Landing
'
Harlan Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, Warden of the South', the words still resonated through his mind like septry bells. It had been a declaration made by the new King of all Westeros, Aegon the Dragon, elevating him from the humble stewardship of Highgarden to rule over the land that had once been the Kingdom of the Reach. Some houses had not taken too kindly to this fact, and paramount amongst them was House Florent. Harlan's lip curled with disgust as he was forced to think about his most fervent rival, Lord Garth Florent. A disgusting, vile man possessed of many foul passions and traits - the most concerning of which was a superior line of descent from the Gardener kings of the Reach. The Seven had favoured him, however, and he was in Highgarden when Aegon and his dragons came, while Florent? Florent was at his home of Brightwater Keep. And thus it was that House Tyrell was raised up while House Florent was not.
Though House Tyrell had made a few enemies, Harlan had seen to it that he could count upon greater friends. The once kingly house of Lannister had accepted the hand of his sister, and his own marriage had guaranteed him the support of the Arbor. Of paramount importance was, however, the guidance of Banfred, Lord of the Hightower and Defender of the Citadel. A brilliant man with an imposing demeanour, it was Lord Banfred's diligent stewardship that aided Harlan in controlling so vast a realm recently entrusted to him, and be it out of his pride of his position or merely out of habit, Lord Moryn Rowan had been persuaded to linger as master-at-arms for Highgarden, bringing with him the support of Goldengrove. Yet, even with such supporters, Harlan found himself short of advisors.
"My lord," Banfred boomed out in his sonorous voice, harkening the Lord of Highgarden out of his revelry, "You were not at your hall. Is aught well?" The powerfully built Lord Hightower finished ascending the stairs, joining Harlan upon the crenelated walls of Highgarden. Brushing back a dark lock of hair, Harlan nodded in the affirmative, and so Banfred continued, "I have come to speak to you again…"
Harlan scowled, sighing aloud, "Again with Lord Florent…"
"Yes, my lord," Banfred replied, pursing his lips a moment before he continued, "Though you despise the man, and he you, Lord Florent's talents would prove a powerful asset to your rule."
"And you wish for me," Harlan began, now turning to face his leal vassal, "To surrender control of the treasury of the Reach into his hands, merely because this man - though conniving and crude - has some rudimentary knowledge of stewardship."
To this, Banfred could only say but one thing, and with an amiable smile, he asked Harlan, "When have I ever led you astray?"
Harlan gritted his teeth, stunned into speechlessness by Banfred's question. With a sigh, the Lord of Highgarden turned his attention away, back to the horizon. The view of the surrounding landscape of Highgarden was as beautiful as any that could be found in all Westeros, the fields of golden roses stretching on as far as the eye could see, and the sweet smells of the orchards wafted high up to the towers that surrounded the city. But, it was neither the bountiful gardens nor the meandering Mander that caught Harlan's eye - there was a small company of riders. Harlan narrowed his eyes, attempting to discern… "A messenger of the King," Banfred stated with a thunderous laugh, "I suppose we shall speak upon this later. I shall ready the court." With a curt nod, Lord Hightower soon departed, leaving Harlan to wonder for a few moments what tidings the man might bring.
The audience hall of Highgarden was bustling with life, Lord Banfred making good use of his booming voice to order the servants into action, ensuring the lavish hall was prepared to receive the messenger of the King. A table was prepared to display the bounty of the Reach, with pears poached in Arbor red wine, bowls of rosehip soup, and hens cooked with carrots, parsnip, and onions as but a few of the dishes prepared. Gliding on in, Harlan took his seat upon the throne of Highgarden, and motioned for the large doors at the end of the hall to be opened, allowing the messenger of the King and his guard to enter. "
A Crownlander," Harlan mused to himself, giving the man a courteous nod as he waited to hear what word Aegon had for his Lord Paramount.
"Lord Harlan of House Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Defender of the Marches, High Marshal of the Reach, and Warden of the South, I come bearing word from His Grace, the King of the Seven Kingdoms, Lord of the Andals and of the First Men," the messenger recited with a lilting voice, "Long has the Reach been renowned for its wealth and prosperity, its bountiful harvests without equal. His Grace has found that your Lordship's stewardship is without peer, and having done much with the little you have been entrusted, His Grace desires to grant to you yet more. It is thus that I have been sent here today to extend to you the offer of His Grace to take up the role of Master of Coin and serve upon his Small Council."
A hush came over the gathered court of the Reach, Harlan's expression graven and calculating. To accept this offer would mean journeying to King's Landing, leaving behind his home and centre of power. Gold-like amber eyes flickered to Lord Banfred, the man Harlan felt he could trust most… Taking a deep breath, Lord Tyrell replied cordially to the messenger, "Inform His Grace that I am humbled by his generosity, and shall make preparations immediately to journey to King's Landing within a month's time." With that, head still held high, Harlan dismissed the messenger, affording him and his retinue the hospitality of Highgarden for as long as they needed before their return. Once the guests had been dismissed, Lord Tyrell turned to his most faithful advisor, stating to him, "Banfred, you shall serve as Castellan in my absence, and your word shall be law."
"My lord…" Banfred softly answered, bowing his head in acceptance of this decree.
"Gyles shall remain here in Highgarden and continue to serve as your squire," Harlan continued, dismissing Banfred's show of humility, "Valiete and Flora shall continue their studies here as well, but young Owen shall be accompanying me to King's Landing." Then, a pause. Hesitating, swallowing back the bile that rose in his throat, Harlan declared to Lord Hightower, "And Lord Garth Florent shall serve as your aide, as you have desired." Quietly, Lord Tyrell muttered, "And may the Seven have mercy on us all for it." With a sigh, Harlan's golden gaze soon fell upon another courtier of his, and Lord Tyrell informed him, "Ser Ardon, you shall have the honour of commanding our guard during our stay in King's Landing." With that, Harlan looked to Banfred again, declaring, "Let us have Lord Florent see to the preparations of our journey, that he might show himself worthy of his post."
"Of course, my lord," Banfred replied, and soon a messenger was dispatched for Brightwater Keep, summoning Garth from his ancestral lands.
Days passed swiftly, and soon expenses rose, Lord Florent ensuring an extravagant procession for the Lord of the Reach. Though Harlan was certain that the costs were too grand for what was being procured, that Garth was surely stealing from the coffers of Highgarden, Lord Hightower continually showed Harlan's fears to be for naught. Yet, something had to be done to cover the great debt that was rising from Lord Florent's excesses. Begrudgingly, Lord Tyrell summoned the local septons, and through great effort, managed to compromise with the Faith, ensuring some debts would be forgiven in exchange for Harlan's patronage of a local artist, who desired to craft a new icon of the Crone to be placed in the sept of Highgarden. With all his preparations made, soon Harlan and his entourage set sail up the Mander, ready to serve the new King of the Seven Kingdoms.