11th Month of 299 A.C. King's Landing
King Aegon VI Targaryen
As he sat atop the throne and watched the members of the court begin to settle down for the day's proceedings, Aegon could not help the feeling of relief that swept through him. Whilst there were some things that still needed to be sorted out, his realm was largely at peace, the north was secure, and the riverlands were healing, autumn was coming and it seemed that for the first time in a year, the seven kingdoms would face it together. Foremost amongst the reasons for that was Bran's agreement to wed Margaery Tyrell, and whilst the Tyrells had been more than happy for the betrothal, Aegon had been concerned that his cousin might reject it. Thankfully, it seemed that Bran had understood the importance of the match and had agreed to betroth himself to Lady Margaery, and from what Aegon had heard and seen, it seemed that the two were getting along nicely, that was a relief, it truly was. And, that was part of the reason he felt so secure upon his throne, with the Tyrells now onside, there was only the Vale and Dorne left to deal with, and Aegon had a feeling that the issues with the Vale, or more likely the Arryns were going to be resolved quite soon.
The doors opened, and the herald announced the new entrants. "Presenting Lord Petyr Baelish of the Fingers, and Lady Lysa Arryn, regent of the Vale." Aegon watched with interest as the couple walked in, Lady Lysa looked like a pale imitation of Lady Catelyn, she had the fiery auburn hair notable of the Tullys, and their blue eyes, but where Lady Catelyn had held herself with pride and dignity, Lady Lysa held herself with ill grace, and she was quite overweight. Lord Baelish on the other hand, held himself with great dignity, his hair well kept, his appearance immaculate, Aegon could well imagine how such a man might have risen high under Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon. The two of them stopped at the foot of the throne just before the seven Kingsguard and bowed low.
Aegon looked at them for a moment before bidding them rise. "Welcome to King's Landing, my lady, my lord. I am thankful that you were able to come. I hope that your journey was not too troublesome."
Aegon expected Lady Lysa to reply, but instead Lord Baelish spoke for them both. "Thank you for inviting us here Your Grace, the journey was a peaceful one. Though Lord Robert took ill a few moments after our arrival here, and so was required to rest."
Aegon had his doubts about that, having spoken to Grand Maester Gormon about the boy, and having learned that there was an unusual amount of milk of the poppy within his system, likely Baelish was trying to poison him. Regardless, Aegon spoke politely in response. "Very well then. Let us advance with proceedings shall we?" Here, Aegon pauses, deliberately looking at Lady Lysa, trying to remind her with his gaze if not his words, the part she is to play within this little ruse. It seems the lady gets his message for she merely blinks at him, before lowering her head once more. Clearing his throat, Aegon speaks once more. "Lord Baelish, you served as Master of Coin under King Robert Baratheon did you not?"
"I did Your Grace, something that I now deeply regret." Lord Baelish responds.
I'm sure you regret the fact that you did not take more advantage of the bumbling fool. Aegon thinks to himself, aloud he replies. "And tell me Lord Baelish, how did you come to hold the position of master of coin?"
The question seems to catch Baelish off, for a brief moment his face shows a hint of panic, before he manages to school it back into a mask. "I was rewarded by being named master of coin, thanks to my work in bringing in more profit to Gulltown and House Arryn Your Grace."
"And what methods did you use to bring more profit in Baelish?" Aegon asks, probingly, wondering how far he can go before the man snaps.
Baelish chuckles slightly. "I am sure you do not wish to hear about the tedium of financial collection Your Grace."
"Explain it in simple terms then." Aegon says.
He sees another moment of unguarded surprise on the man's face, before it once more disappears. When Baelish replies, his voice is calm and measured. "I would speak to the traders, I increased tariffs by a small amount and by doing so, increased competition amongst the traders, encouraging them to sell their goods at the best competitive price."
"Did you use similar methods when you were on the small council?" Aegon asks.
"I did Your Grace." Baelish replies, no hint of a lie in his tone, despite it being obvious to Aegon.
"Now, with King's Landing being the capital, and consequently much bigger than Gulltown how did you ensure that the crown's coffers remained filled, especially given the usurper's prolific spending habits?" Aegon asks.
Aegon sees Baelish squirm slightly, but his face remains the same. "I adapted my policy to the conditions Your Grace, I encouraged traders to bring competitive prices to the market, and I also ensured that there was enough reserve left for the King's spending."
"I see." Aegon says aloud. "So then, why was the crown so far in debt?"
"Your Grace?" Baelish asks sounding surprised.
"If you were using methods that had been so successful in the Vale, why was the crown so heavily in debt?" Aegon asks once more.
"King Robert was a prolific spender Your Grace, it was sometimes quite hard to ensure that there was enough money within the treasury to sate his needs. Hence the series of loans that the crown took out." Baelish responds.
"Lord Tyrion," Aegon calls out, and when the dwarf walks forward, he asks. "These loans taken out by the usurper, how much would they have put the crown back by?"
The dwarf considers this for a moment, before replying. "Only around three hundred thousand dragons Your Grace."
"And how much debt did they actually put the crown in?" Aegon asks.
"Around six hundred thousand." Lord Tyrion replies.
"And where did the rest of the debt come from?" Aegon asks.
"From mysterious withdrawals from money meant to pay off existing loans." Lord Tyrion replies.
"Thank you my lord." Aegon says nodding at the man, before turning his attention back to Lord Baelish, whose expression is still blank. "So Lord Baelish, you can see why I am somewhat curious. As Master of Coin, it was your responsibility to ensure that the finances of the Kingdom were handled responsibly, and yet, the evidence we have heard here, suggests you did not. Do you have any explanation for that?"
Baelish seems to be stumped for a response, but then he speaks, and his voice is high. "I think there might have been some misunderstanding here Your Grace. I did everything within my power to ensure that the finances of the realm were secure and proper. I spoke with lenders, I begged King Robert, I did everything within my power to try and break even."
"You started some brothels did you not Lord Baelish?" Aegon asks, breaking the man's flow.
"I did Your Grace." Baelish replies.
"Where did you get the money to open brothels and in the expensive part of the city as well. And these brothels did not open after a few years but only a year later, tell me, how did you fund such a venture?" Aegon asks.
"I had help Your Grace." Lord Baelish says.
Aegon laughs. "I am sure you did." He looks at the herald. "Bring in Tycho Nestoris."
There is a ripple of murmuring at that, Nestoris is a emissary from the Iron Bank, and is someone whom Aegon knows he shall need to keep close by soon, but for now he has a purpose. Nestoris enters and bows before the throne. "Tell me Lord Tycho, how well do you know Lord Baelish?"
The man does not hesitate. "I know him quite well, Your Grace."
"And did this man inform you of his plans regarding the crown's treasury." Aegon asks, not bothering to ask how they know one another.
"He did Your Grace. He told me he intended to take money meant for repayments and use it for his own purposes." Nestoris says.
"Did he say why?" Aegon asks.
At this, Nestoris who had been looking at Baelish, looks at him and says. "Because he wished to prove a point Your Grace. He wished to bring the nobility of Westeros to its knees."
That causes all kinds of murmuring to break out in the room, which is filled with nobles. "Thank you, you may go." The man bows and then rises and walks out of the throne room. Silence fills the hall then as all eyes turn to Aegon, he looks around the hall and then at Baelish. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
He expects a denial from the man and so is surprised when the man merely laughs. "What nonsense is this Your Grace?"
"Nonsense, this, this is justice." Aegon replies, his anger growing, a growl at his side, reminding the hall of Ghost's presence at his side.
"You have brought someone who works for an organisation that has been made my enemy, why would his account be believable?" Lord Baelish asks.
Aegon laughs. "Ah, but my lord, do you not see? You have walked into the web now. There is more that can be presented to condemn you."
"And what might that be Your Grace?" Baelish asks, his voice harsh sounding.
Aegon looks at Baelish, and feels his hate grow inside of him, he feels his dragons begin to stir, the magic that had cloaked them breaking apart slowly as his anger grows. "Lady Lysa if you will."
Aegon smiles as he sees the look of surprise wash over Baelish's face, Lady Lysa stands forward, away from Baelish and says. "When I was young I loved Petyr, I loved him with all my heart, and wanted to help him whatever way I could. I helped him get a position in Gulltown, I helped him come to King's Landing. And then, when they threatened to take my son away, I helped him remove Lord Arryn."
A shocked gasp echoes around the room. "How did you do that?" Aegon asks intently.
"I… I cried into his drink, the tear of Lys Your Grace. I did it because Petyr said it was the only way to protect my son." Lysa Arryn says tearfully.
Aegon looks at the lady before him, anger growing inside of him, anger and sadness, the magic that had cloaked his dragons is almost completely gone now, he can feel them within the room, even if no one else can yet. "What else did you do for Lord Baelish?"
A choked sob comes from Lysa Arryn, then she says. "I wrote a letter to my sister at Winterfell, blaming the Lannisters for Lord Jon's death. I told her that I thought they were responsible for many other things as well."
Aegon nods, he knows what other things she refers to now, and simply says. "Thank you my lady." The lady steps back, and Aegon fixes his attention on Baelish. "I have nothing more to ask of you. Nothing more to say to you, except this. You are found guilty of stealing money that was not yours, of treason and of lying to the crown. You will die now. Deinor." At once his dragon, the biggest of the three launches himself at Baelish and engulfs him one go, his jaws snapping the man in half, causing blood to squirt out from everywhere. Aegon looks at Lady Lysa then and says. "You are banished from here Lady Lysa, your son shall remain here until the lords of the Vale decide on a regent. Leave and never return."