Jacob 1V

Events of the Seven Kingdoms were at a tipping point, as Jacob was sitting in The Chamber of the Painted Table, as his father had an upset stomach and wasn't too well.

The news was of how the Lannister armies had attacked the Riverlands in retaliation for Lady Catelyn taking the Imp hostage, sending him to the Eyrie for a trial.

"Stupid woman, does she realise what she has done." Jacob thought bitterly, as he looked at the pieces laid on the Painted Table.

The young lord knew Lord Tywin wasn't going to take this slight on his honour too lightly, as this was the same lord, who destroyed two notable houses of the Westerlands, killing all their family members and remaining relatives.

In other bad news, there had been a fight in the city streets between Lord Eddard and Ser Jaime, which made things a lot worse.

"Are the Starks so honourably stupid to cross the Lion's claws, remember the last person who did such a thing, as that same person's good daughter and grandchildren were murdered, only because they were threats to the new king and their rise to power."

Jacob had spent more time with his mother and sister the best he could, as he felt like a stranger because he had been away for so long.

He took to running the island well, as some of the guards were posted outside of the castle for security measures and how dangerous times were becoming.

Jacob was good at running things, as he had to deal with those belligerent Florent uncles and cousins, desperate for his trust and allegiance.

When things got a little much, Jacob turned to Maester Cressen for advice and a bit of wisdom, as he needed it, before he killed anyone in the castle.

At the corner of his eye, Jacob saw the old maester enter the chambers with a few books in his hands, as the young lord stood up to help him out.

"Thank you, my lord." The maester said, grateful for his help.

Jacob looked at one of the titles of the books brought in. "The History of War Strategies in the Seven Kingdoms, great book but the Archmaester, who wrote it unfortunately passed away."

"Died of the Spring sickness."

"Terrible, but at least the summer is upon us and no sicknesses to arrive anytime soon."

"Your father will be well enough to eat with the family"

"Great, but I've never seen my father ever get sick before."

"When he was a child, your lord father was quite good at hiding things, such as his feelings and if he was upset."

"Maester Cressen, I want to know about my grandfather Lord Steffon. Father wouldn't tell me anything, as he doesn't want to tell me anything of a man I don't know."

"I delivered your lord grandfather, when he was no more than a babe, as I delivered both your uncles and your father."

Jacob's expression changed, as he didn't want to hear anything on the subject of child birth and people being born, mostly because of the respect he had for his mother, for enduring all those miscarriages and stillborns all those years.

The young lord wanted a brother, but Jacob knew that was not going to happen, unless a miracle was bestowed on his mother.

"Where did the fool Patchface come from?" Lord Jacob asked.

"The fool was brought from Volantis by your lord grandfather, as a means of entertainment for his sons, he hoped the fool would make your father laugh, as a child."

Jacob's mind blanked, not wanting to create an image in his head of his humourless, uptight father laughing at anything the idiot clown did.

"Gods, save me from my own corrupted imagination." Jacob's thoughts pleaded to the Seven.

Maester Cressen looked upon Lord Stannis's son and saw more than just his father and mother in him, but he shared characteristics akin to his lord grandfather Steffon.

"Those in the Seven Kingdoms fear me, but maester I haven't killed a high lord or started a war." Jacob wondered.

"People fear what they don't understand, as most are fools to charm and wit, not honourable qualities in a man." Maester Cressen replied.

"Would have I been successful at court?"

"You should have taken His Grace's offer."

"Maester, I love my uncle, but I cannot sufferance myself to be around those blonde-haired and green eyed shits for any longer than necessary."

"Language, young man. What would your lord father say, if he heard you saying such things?"

"Blame Uncle Robert for his bad influence."

"Have you thought of visiting Storm's End, my lord?"

"The stronghold that was supposed to be passed down to me, if father died." Jacob spoke bitterly, not wanting to dig up any old wounds.

"Lord Renly would have wanted you to stay for a few days."

"No, maester. Things between Uncle Renly and I haven't been the same, since the wedding when I questioned him of his intensions of befriending the Tyrells."

"A man's ambition can only be matched by a woman's, my lord. It's the way the highborn play the game."

"Learning southern politics is different to those of other regions and continents, maester. The game southerners love to play has dire consequences, such as death to ensure power and an alliance."

"I remember when your father came home from the Greyjoy Rebellion, quite hardened and had achieved a lot, during that war."

"If I had been King, then Balon Greyjoy would have been put to the sword." Jacob grimaced.

"Your Uncle saw something redeeming in Lord Greyjoy to allow him to keep his lands."

"Redeeming," Jacob exclaimed, starting to chuckle. "Lord Balon Greyjoy is nothing, but a chinless craven who hides behind sea and salt."

"How did things leave off between you and His Grace?"

"Not good, Maester. Uncle Robert doesn't want to see me again, after rejecting another offer to come to court, if he was so desperate to have me with him in King's Landing, then it meant he had little faith in his old friend Ned Stark to keep him safe from the Lannisters."

"You play the game of intrigue well, my lord."

"The best thing about being stuck with the Tyrells is you learn a lot, more than the usual things sons of highborn lords and ladies learn to be successful in ruling a region, a castle and a stronghold. Every lord should teach their children about the game and how to play it, less deaths means an even playing field."

"The things said about Lord Stark are worrisome, if he doesn't play carefully. He will get into serious trouble."

"It's a shame, Cressen. Northerners are an honourable lot, but cannot play the game, it's why Northerners are unlucky, coming down to the South."

"What will happen now?"

"Uncle Renly should do his duty to protect his brother, the Lannisters have an open opportunity to seize the power they want, under Joffrey, I'd rather die than see that shit become king."

Jacob wanted to believe Maester Cressen at his word, the man never lied to him, as he was always available to the young lord at any time.

In time, maybe Jacob will learn to grow into a man and fight his own battles, whether the battle of armours and swords, or the battle of politics and intrigue.