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Post by Father on Aug 10, 2019 22:37:30 GMT 1
If Lord Durwell has his fingers in as many pies as some people would have Thaddeus believe, the only surprise would be that the man had not seen fit to meet the Levalle heir sooner, for any man of some ambition can surely think of mutually profitable ventures to be had with The Tear, if one can only overlook the short and checkered history. Granted, the man appears to cultivate an image that probably yields fertile grounds for men to attribute to him capabilities and feats beyond their true extent. Perhaps that is his main talent, but his hand had been felt in ushering in the new Lord Meadows while it were those of Laena and Levalle that had been seen. "Ser Thaddeus, I had not thought to find a Levalle attending Lord Peake's little gettogether, a sheep among wolves some could say, a few might hasten to specify the blackness of it's wool." |
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 11, 2019 18:04:07 GMT 1
"They might, my lord." He bows, acknowledging the man's higher standing. "But I like to think that we are all friends here. And who doesn't enjoy a good hunt?"
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Post by Father on Aug 12, 2019 16:12:42 GMT 1
"Who indeed?" He agrees arms outstretched and a smile. "Though not everyone are here for some pork in the belly, I think, although I heard that is precisely what House Levalle has in mind for your sister, ser, if I might be forgiven the vulgarity"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 14, 2019 11:19:49 GMT 1
The vulgarity might be forgiven, as insults should only be perceived as such when intended, his father had told him. Levalles where insulted enough as it, and quite oft without attempts to hide it, that they did not need to hunt it needlessly. Yet, Thaddeus wonders, had Lord Marq dared make the same jest to a Hightower, a Redwyne or a Peake?
If any insult had been perceived, he does not let so on, only chuckling lightly at the lord's wordplay, nodding admittedly. "Perhaps. Lord Eldon is a lord unwed, much like yourself. I fear, however, my father deemed Lord Marq Durwell a quarry too elusive to pursue. Even for a Levalle." It was intended as a compliment.
"Not that I think it's considered much of a secret, but where did my lord hear of such plans?"
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Post by Father on Aug 14, 2019 14:29:11 GMT 1
Probably would depend on which of those it was made to, Redtusk would likely laugh, others would take it in less high spirits.
"Most people take a disliking to a conversation under four eyes to be discussed with others, but I hear things, Lord Eldon only receives offers from the very desperate or very ambitious. And not even Lord Gormon is *that* ambitious, he considered offering him the hand of Lady Joanna, but decided against it I hear. Instead, he turns to his allies, The Cordwayners, it is perfect for everyone as it happens, bind Lord Eldon to his cause, if perhaps in a peripheral manner, since that man will halfheartedly respond when Highgarden calls it's banners, and hope that Lord Leo have no stomach for war. But it will put a lot of force against the claim Ser Roland is building on the lordship, an effort that does appear to make the Cordwayners desperate enough to sell their daughter to him. Perfect for everyone except Lady Denyse, that is." Marq appears not to judge, simply laying out things as they are. "Then there is Ser Eustace Daverhyl, having absolutely no regard for the happiness of his niece and would like to usurp his father's lordship for himself, a dangerous combination to be sure. And then there is House Levalle, I happened to have the impression that Lord Alliser intended to renovate his image, but maybe I am wrong in that?"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 14, 2019 16:23:42 GMT 1
Thaddeus raises an eyebrow, ”Interesting, I had heard similar rumours regarding our gracious host - yet only piece-meal and not the full extent of such. An alliance between Hammerhal and Longtable would indeed prove troublesome to good Ser Roland. And his lovely wife-to-be.” Thaddeus had watched liars all his life, he even considered himself a fairly skilled one, equally so with spotting others. Yet, he struggled with the lord of Norhall. Was Durwell feeding him bait? What was he motives for revealing as much? Perhaps just a token of good will? Thaddeus didn’t know. And it bothered him. Yet not one to look a gift horse in the mouth (too openly at least) he continues.
”I had the pleasure of meeting Lady Lynesse at Whitewalls. A clever and seemingly resourceful lady. Terrible, the recent state of her family... if what you say is true.”
”As for my father, I can not say that I know all the workings of his desires and decrees. I am held in council and I do my duty as a son. I have spoken at great lengths with my dear sister and if such an alliance was possible, she would be up to the task. That much I know. But I must ask... and forgive me, my Lord, however much I appreciate you bringing these rumours to our attention, I can’t help but wonder why?”
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Post by Father on Aug 14, 2019 19:56:16 GMT 1
"I believe the secret to success is to share generously, especially when it costs me nothing." Marq makes it sound dramatic, but doesn't care to try and fool Thaddeus into believing that is all there is to it, he might quite possibly have succeed if he so did, though that would not be the way to win friends as he claims. "What to me seems a small favor could make myself a new friend, willing to extend something appearing to be a small favor to them at our next meeting which just so happens to be something of great value to me, but one never know which gift and which friends yields such results in advance"
"And as it happens, I have soft spot for clever ladies that have had to suffer too much darkness already, Lady Alicent would make a far finer Lady Cordwayner than her sister-in-law to be, to expedite her becoming so would please me greatly. With Lady Lynesse I share the tragedy of being orphaned at the hands of despicable people, and would not wish to see sold to Lord Eldon and reduced to naught more than a possession to please him in his bed whenever he so desires. A horrible fate, one I do not believe for a second that Lady Lynesse would want if she fully understood it's implications." He pauses for drama, he does seem to like doing that. "And it does occur to me that House Levalle would have the proper incentives to seek to sabotage the efforts of their rivals, no?"
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 14, 2019 22:23:38 GMT 1
Observing the sly lord for a moment, Thaddeus breaks out in a wide smile. "Forgive me." He opens out his arms and bows. "Distrust to fine gifts comes second nature at The Tear. When half the realm wishes to get rich of you and the other half would have you wiped off the map, such becomes necessary. If by helping three friends I can earn a fourth, I shall relish the opportunity.
"But what of your friend, Lord Marq? You are a close confidant of Lord Eldon, would not a well-meant advice from a friend help guide him in the right direction?"
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Post by Father on Aug 15, 2019 11:20:05 GMT 1
"True, but then I would wear the responsibilities of Lord Durwell, and Lord Durwell has certain duties to his house which sometimes runs counter to the preferences of a man named Marq who also happens to be preceded by the word Lord and followed by the word Durwell. House Durwell has little interest in whichever lady will have to spend her nights in that gilded torture chamber that contains Lord Eldon's bed, but if a man named Marq were to chose, he would opt for the lady who knows what she is getting into and is like to be widowed much sooner than the others."
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Post by Thaddeus Levalle on Aug 19, 2019 1:06:14 GMT 1
”Wise words, my Lord. The Game of Thrones allows little luxury for a man to act as he fully wishes. Real life holds no room for romance or gallantry, least so when power is concerned. That’s why we need songs and tales, bards and mummers.”
”But, if I can aid the man called Marq in this, I will happily do so.” First bowing, he pauses for a moment, observing him, trying to discern the man from the Lord.
”Do you think us cruel, my Lord?” he asks finally, simply curious if anything. ”Ambitious, yes. Ruthless even perhaps. Desperate I hear people whisper as well.” he waves them all away with his hand, seemingly unbothered if with a slight annoyance. ”But do you think it a cruelty to pursue this marriage?”
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Post by Father on Aug 19, 2019 13:43:30 GMT 1
"Unless Lady Ellyn covets the power of being Lady Merryweather so much that it outweighs the great loss of happiness that surely must ensue, yes." Marq does not seem to doubt that would be a cruel thing to do. "I am no lady, but I do not believe a lady would find being raped every night by him any more agreeable than we would."
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