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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 2, 2020 1:40:12 GMT 1
[Yes, technically we're in Phase 3 now, but this scene shouldn't take long. Chronologically, it happens shortly after Mr Manners.] When given permission, Laena enters Ser Daeron's tent, where he's recuperating after his fight against Ser Simon, leaving her chaperone just outside. She'd spent the time he spent being treated carefully arranging a small platter of sweet snacks artistically. He probably was not allowed alcohol so soon after treatment, but sweets should be fine. "Congratulations on your victory, brother. Very demonstrative. Of your might, House Starling's might, and House Targaryen's." She briefly raises the plate. "I wanted to offer my thanks." |
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 2, 2020 4:48:46 GMT 1
He plucks a sweetmeat from the center of the tray and gives Laena a small toasting gesture with it before popping it in his mouth and washes it down with a swig of wine.
"Many thanks sister, but I simply did what any other knight would do when his family is insulted. Honor demands that there be a response, and when that family is the Blood of the Dragon that response must show that no insult will be suffered. I imagine that Ser Simon and others will think twice before maligning you or any of our worthier siblings."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 2, 2020 22:36:26 GMT 1
She gracefully puts the tray down on a nearby surface. She wanted the personal touch, but she's no servant to hold the tray indefinitely. "We can hope, but I-" Laena cuts herself off as it registers what he said. "Our *what*!?" Before immediately raising a forestalling hand. "No, no. I came to thank you. I will not change that over a ... an undiplomatic turn of phrase."
She draws in a breath, and puffs it out in a way to indicate a deliberate change of subject. "How have you been, brother? You look well." Her tone is light and cheerful, betraying no lingering animosity.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 4, 2020 4:24:46 GMT 1
His face was quizzical before realizing that his verbal misstep could be interpreted as an insult. His response was dry and his face was mockingly stern.
"That's not what I meant sister and you know it. Let's just say that if Ser Simon had insulted Mya Rivers that someone else would have to stand for her honor."
He acknowledges her change of subject and looking past his faux pas.
"My visit to Whitegrove has been productive and great steps have been made in assuring that House Merryweather will find no friends among the knights assembled here, but I am disturbed by recent developments. The sabotage of Lord Willem's spear during the hunt and the rape of Lady Mya Hastwyk are troubling developments. Clearly Lord Eldon doesn't intend to lay low and I fear that Lord Willem's life might be at risk."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 4, 2020 23:37:08 GMT 1
Laena silently raises an eyebrow when he mentions Lord Willem's spear being sabotaged, but doesn't comment on it. "If it is - and it certainly sounds like it - I doubt it will end there. Lord Willem is an experienced, veteran knight with the loyalty and trust of his knights." Save where it interacts with their loyalty to their rebellion, anyway. "Ser Aemon, while no doubt talented, is a relatively new addition to the house, and so the bonds of trust and loyalty are nowhere near as strong, and he lacks anywhere near the experience of his lord. If I wanted to take on House Starling's might, even with Longtable's, I'd take out Lord Willem first.
"Frankly, I'd be more surprised if Lord Eldon were *not* trying to murder Lord Willem than if he were. Followed by a swift strike afterwards, before you can get used to the new leadership. Lord Eldon gets new land, gets to demonstrate what happens to even martially powerful houses that take him on, and gets revenge on those who insulted him." She purses her lips as an unpleasant thought comes to her. "No. Worse. He justifies the 'merger' of houses by marrying a newly-widowed Lysette, forcing her to say 'yes' through threats towards those newly in his power she cares for."
She pulls a face, and her body shudders in disgust. "Urgh. Putting myself into his head is a truly disgusting experience."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 6, 2020 0:08:43 GMT 1
Daeron unconsciously shudders out of sympathy. Lord Eldon's head must be a vile place, but even worse for a woman to be in it.
"Lord Eldon is not the only one I'm worried about. I've heard whispers about others who have their eyes on Lord Willem's head, perhaps by exacerbating the conflict between Kingsbridge and Longtable. For my part I've had no luck uncovering more about this plot, but someone who can move in different circles with more ears and eyes than I might discover some usable evidence."
His gaze settles firmly on hers, clearly insinuating that she's that someone.
"I did not challenge Ser Simon with the intention of extracting favors from you, but if you could keep an ear open for threats against the Starlings, Lord Willem especially, I would greatly appreciate it. House Starling took me in when my own blood on Driftmark had no more use for me, and I don't wish to see any harm come to any of its members."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 8, 2020 0:59:58 GMT 1
"Even if he chooses to fall into the Crown loyalist camp?" She asks, with a raised eyebrow, and a slightly amused tone, leaving open as to if it was rhetorical or not.
She ponders a moment. "The only people with a motive I can see off-hand are the Crown loyalists, to get Lady Lysette in charge and ensure the house's loyalty. But that is a moronic move until and unless Lord Willem declares for the revolutionaries. It weakens the house significantly, potentially unnecessarily, and carries a high risk of backfiring spectacularly.
"But I'm not aware of anyone aside from Longtable bearing House Starling particular malice, or having a particular motive? Can you tell me anything more about these rumours you heard? It may give me a clue as to where may be worth listening. Else I'm just relying on luck.
"But rest assured, if I *do* hear anything about a threat to Lord Willem, I will of course take steps. I remember House Starling's hospitality, and I do not forget a kindness, no more than I forget a cruelty."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 8, 2020 5:05:56 GMT 1
"Although I would wish Lord Starling to decide otherwise, I should like to see House Starling emerge from this coming storm unscathed, though I would likely find service with a different lord in such an event."
He nods at her analysis.
"More or less that is the rumor that I heard, with the additional twist that it is part of a greater scheme to keep Houses Starling and Merryweather in the loyalist fold, likely by stoking tensions between the two with the end result of Lord Willem ending up dead at Merryweather hands at the end of it all. By using an unwitting agent the real instigator of this scheme manages to keep himself, or herself, at a safe distance.
House Merryweather cannot join a cause that has just openly called for its destruction and though Lady Lysette hates Lord Piggy, but I don't see her breaking with the Iron Throne out of spitefulness to a rival. That leaves Lord Willem as an obstacle. Without him, the Iron Throne could ensure that two houses join the fight against Blackfyre, or at least don't take up arms in his name."
He runs his hands through his hair, clearly stressed out by the theoretical circumstances, and also the amount of convoluted thought that goes into every conspiracy theory.
"This is why I need some help. I trust the honesty of my source, but they lacked sufficient evidence for action. You can move through social circles that are restricted to me and seem to have an ear for picking up whispered words. If you can verify their story, it will give us a chance to act and present evidence of skullduggery against our house and if not, then it means that we have one less thing to worry about."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 8, 2020 22:53:09 GMT 1
"Hmmm. A very bold and risky play. Lord Eldon, for all his abhorrent habits, is a very cunning man. Very dangerous. Definitely a Player. Not the kind of man easily played, or likely to forgive being played.
"Whoever is behind this plan - if it does in fact exist - is either a genius or an idiot. I cannot see a middle ground." She shrugs. "But I'll see what I can do." A brief smile at him. "No promises as to results, of course, but at least I shouldn't do any harm."
She looks like she's about to wind things up, then something clearly occurs to her. "Something I've been meaning to say to you for a while, actually. But we've always had more important things to discuss when we meet.
"I've noticed a trait of yours. I think the first time was .. during the Melee of the Black Tourney, I believe. I saw you charge down the formidable Ser Otho, in revenge for his slaying of one of your brothers in arms, I believe. Also during that tourney, you took on investigating the Hooded Man, and actually succeeded where so many others failed. Both very dangerous foes, one even not in your primary area of expertise. And yet you took them on, seemingly without hesitation.
"It is a trait quite likely to get you killed sooner or later, I believe. But still, I approve." Her smile is warm. "It is not in Our nature to accept such things as 'limitations'.
"So I wanted you to know that, despite your temper, I do not think of you as Daeron Wildfyre.
"I think of you as Daeron Giantsbane."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 9, 2020 5:15:30 GMT 1
"I'll admit that as much as I'd like to catch a political enemy in the middle of an underhanded and treacherous scheme, I would much prefer to get the news that my lord is safe from underhanded and treacherous schemes."
His face flushes red with embarrassment as she compliments him.
"Dragons were meant to fly, not crawl."
If wit was his forte, he would have been quicker to respond, but he still had his quips.
"However, if you mean to name me Giantsbane you must convince the crowds, they're the ones that chose Wildfyre for me."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 10, 2020 23:20:37 GMT 1
She gives him an enigmatic smile. "Hmmm. No. I don't think I will. I think that will remain my *personal* name for you."
She turns to leave, and waves a casual hand goodbye. "Fare thee well, Giantsbane. Try not to die ere we meet again. The world is a more interesting place with you in it."
[And unless you say something to stop me, I will depart and /scene from my end]
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 11, 2020 5:18:28 GMT 1
He makes no attempt to stop his sister from leaving suddenly. Dragons did as they pleased, he knew this better than most.
I hope so too sister, I hope so too.
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