The Mountain Men are certainly making their presence known.

Is Timett son of Timett there?

Should any of the claimants wish to speak with me, my rookery stands ready.

Fare thee well, Ser Penrose.

House Stark will give 50,000 gold to any and all bannerman who flees the service of their King today.

I am sure the ghosts of my bannerman will be glad to flee to take that gold.

So. Because I'm sure people would love to know.

Stannis has 20,000 men and 66 ships under his direct command, plus whatever his bannermen have.

Renly has 47,000 men and 57 ships.

By the by, my dear Kings. I outnumber both those two combined, and no assassin's knife can touch me.

I suggest you bend knee to me, and we win this.

There are those who would rather fight than bend the knee, Young Wolf. I think you misjudge some of your elders.

Well, then fight. I will even back you when our colleagues inevitably delays the assault and tries to pile onto you.

I believe that that would be the definition of a hollow victory. Success through survival in a game where the kings cannot be killed. I suggest that the kings put your words to the test. It would seem there is nothing to lose.

Are you worried my lord?

I welcome any army to march on my lands.

I will meet them in the field. No running, no waiting. The North will not give up one inch of territory to an invader.

I will give 50,000 grains of sand to any and all bannermen who do not flee the service of their King today. They will serve you as well as the coin Stark is willing to throw at you.

Do you truly believe Asha or Seaworthy care about money? It seems you have been dealing with the Imp and Littlefinger for too long Lord Stark.

I declare myself the one true winner... as the only remaining Bannerman!

One on one you beat any of us. Combined we have about 35% more men and more than double the ships.

There are three of you ;)

Indeed. And we all know the second anyone attacks, they will delay, and half the realm will pile on.

It is a quandary.

Do you want 50,000 gold too?

I'd rather have the name of the person responsible for the death of my father. And then 50,000.

I wouldn't mind knowing either. I can only tell you it wasn't me, and it wasn't financed by me either - at least not even close to fully. I've handed out coin, but not even close to enough to finance an assassin.

I've not hired any assassins this game.

So it seems we're at one hell of an impasse.

Unless of course, you all bend knee to me. Which you're still welcome to do.

Well a further impasse is that the first person to bend the knee to you will be voted for execution.

I believe the laws of the realm may need to be altered. Or, possibly, clarified.

Although I must say I find the lack of action today to be most disappointing.

I do not believe the Imp was responsible. I don't believe the Baratheons are responsible. I think Lord Balon might be unpracticed in the intricacies of Westeros and could be responsible. Other than that there is Baelish or Varys. I cannot fathom why either would make the effort, unless Baelish hopes to be your Hand. I tend to suspect that Greyjoy is to blame.

Theon?

Theon had nowhere near enough coin to do the deed.

Balon.

(Misread your first comment about Balon, sorry)

I can assure you we have no need of assassins, nor have considered purchasing one.

I'd like to see CW name Cersei hand of the King, just to see her go :)

Others would be wise to bend the knee to king Stark before it is too late.

#teamstark

Tyrion leading troops into battle would be a fine display

I'm sure he will be happy to stand behind me.

5th time is the charm!

And then Tyrion was hit by lightning.

Unfortunately you are the forth Uncle. Seems that you are already wishing your successor luck.

Well, to be fair, Theon was being delivered the Hand's sigil, when the delivery boy was mauled by a yak stampede. So technically he is fifth.

It is time of the dwarf

[ooc] Shouldn't it be the "Winterfell Hand of the King Corpse" in order to complete the pun? [/ooc]

I apologize but matters of state keep me busy. I will do what I can to proceed as I have time.

I am looking at possibilities to try and break the deadlock as well. I find this inactivity tiresome and hope that a resolution can be found today.

I wonder how Lord Baelish will respond to this. I hope Ser Barriston can watch your and Stark's back at the same time brother. We saw how well he protected the previous Hand though.