It was late at night and Corlys had been writing letters nearly nonstop. Rhaenyra had a dozen or so lords pledged to her cause and the greatest of them was himself. She needed more men, and as quickly as possible. He had been working his way down the list of houses he had compiled back on Driftmark. The families who may have been willing to support Rhaenyra's claim. He had sent personalized messages to scores of houses already, and he was nowhere near finished. 

He checked another house off for the initial round of messages and found he had reached House Roxton of the Ring. Corlys took a moment to remember what he knew of House Roxton. It was an old house of great honor. And of middling influence and power. Not a family on the same level of renown and strength as Tarly or Redwyne, but not a petty lord either. They'd be worth courting. 

The Lord had died sometime back, he forgot how. But a young girl held it now, with an uncle as Regent. Corlys consulted the current edition of the lineage and histories of the Great Houses of Westeros. Apparently, Frados was the name. He didn't know much about Frados, and he didn't know how much love the family may have for the greens. But he could think of a few reasons for them to support Rhaenyra. 

He began writing. 

[i] To the honorable Ser Frados Roxton, Regent of the Ring. 

My lord, I am sure you are aware of the crisis our nation faces. Aegon Targaryen has usurped the Iron Throne from Rhaenyra. All men know that it is Rhaenyra whom our dear departed King Viserys meant to inherit the throne. Aegon's ascenscion is an insult and a betrayal to his memory, engineered by the duplicitious and rapacious Alicent Hightower and her father Ser Otto. It is a crown that was falsely won with betrayal and deception. This betrayal is also a slight against the rights of any woman to inherit, including your niece Lindsay. If Rhaenyra is deposed by her half-brother despite the will of the King, then all female rulers are so threatened. How can your niece serve a King that won his crown with lies? 

I urge you to pledge your banners to Queen Rhaenyra, rightful Queen of the Six Kingdoms, and help us place her in her rightful seat. It need not come to war, but your support will help solidify Rhaenyra's claim. 

- Corlys Velaryon, Lord of Driftmark, Hand of the Queen [/i] 

Corlys rolled up the letter and poured the black wax to seal it. He pressed the stamp of his office on the letter and rang a bell. One of his great-grandnephews, his squire, came to take the letter and send it to Grand Maester Geradys for delivery. It'd reach the Ring within a few days, and hopefully Corlys would have an answer within a few weeks.

Onto the next letter. 

Letters. It was always letters these days. Frados held the thin page in his hands with near contempt, thinking about the possibility of tightening his fingers and ripping the paper into nothingness. These past days, the ravens of many a house have been quite busy indeed, zipping back and forth across the kingdom, hopping castle to castle, laden to their beaks with letters. Lindsay was on edge today, that he knew. She was hesitant to talk, or even play games, prefering the company of herself in her chambers. She must know something he didn't. War was coming, that everyone knew. Already, the Ring's enemies are mobilizing their forces, and gazing hungrily at the rounded castle he held. He had to keep his options open, after all. Perhaps its time the Roxtons clawed themselves back up from their low standing. He took out a piece of paper and a quill, and began penning a response.

[i] To whom it may concern, preferably the Lord Corlys Velaryon,

You honor both I and my house with your letter. Not many have the good grace to humble themselves to our level. We like to imagine ourselves in good relations with the mighty House Velaryon, if I could be so bold. A friendship I hope to continue, if the gods smile on us today.

However, your business, I'm sure, is of paramount importance. We here in the Reach can smell the blood of an impending war, as you well know. Your loyalty to your queen is admirable, but in the name of the Ring, I am slightly hesitant to put such faith in an unsure cause. If possible, I would like to speak to you away from these letters. Let us meet in face, where we may exchange information in a more civilized manner.

-Regent Lord Frados, House of Roxton, the Ring [/i]

Corlys went through the stack of replies. On days like these, he missed the open sea. He wished he could forget eveything, all of his responsibilities and his duties and sail away to far away lands and foreign shores. To drink and eat and fight and make love. The daring, brave youth he had been decades ago wouldn't recognize the old man he was now. Surrounded by letters and not salt water. 

He sighed and reached down to a letter. He saw the golden rings of Roxton stamped into it and grunted in surprise. The reply had come quick. He tore the seal and read it. Better than feared, worse than he hoped. That seemed to be common these days. Frados was hedging his bets, like many of the lords. And he wanted a meeting. 

Frankly it was impossible. He was needed here, at Dragonstone. There was simply too much to be done. He wouldn't leave to speak face to face with the Roxtons. They had men, but it was not his place to meet with them. He'd send someone else. Someone he could trust. It needed to be someone from his house. Someone who knew him well and who could speak in his voice. 

But most of those who were the best qualified were also needed in either Dragonstone or Driftmark. Someone who could speak to other houses that might have been willing to pledge themselves. Daeron. It would be Daeron. He was young, a knight. Not an experienced diplomat, but earnest and honest. Corlys trusted him and knew he would do his best. 

He would sail in the morning. And perhaps serve as an envoy to other houses as well. He just needed to prepare him. He rang the bell and told his grandnephew to send for Daeron.