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Post by Father on Jan 25, 2022 17:53:52 GMT 1
"What interest is this to you, ser?" Lady Daena interrupts as her love is about to answer. Perhaps she has a shrewder mind for negotiations than the man she chose, or perhaps is paranoid. Balon must be aware that his reputation is one that makes other weary.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jan 26, 2022 8:13:28 GMT 1
"What interest is this to you, ser?" Lady Daena interrupts as her love is about to answer. Perhaps she has a shrewder mind for negotiations than the man she chose, or perhaps is paranoid. Balon must be aware that his reputation is one that makes other weary. Balon tilted his head and shrugged, "I was sincere when I said I appreciated the bond that comes from love. But I'm also a pragmatic man." Balon tried to think of a polite way to phrase things but couldn't so he chose bluntness instead. "This plan of yours will fail. Ser Cleos will die. Lady Daena will marry Ser Marlon. Unless... I decide to help you." He paused to gauge their reaction. "*If* I decide to intervene on your behalf I want to ensure any bargain is as strong as the bond between the two of you."
He locked eyes with Cleos, "Will you do as I ask in order to live happily ever after?"
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Post by Father on Jan 26, 2022 16:24:44 GMT 1
"Would you agree to something you do not know what is, ser?" Ser Cleos seems to grow irate at Balon's aggressive ways, Balon himself may not realize just how blatantly grasping his words make him appear.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jan 26, 2022 18:37:33 GMT 1
"Would you agree to something you do not know what is, ser?" Ser Cleos seems to grow irate at Balon's aggressive ways, Balon himself may not realize just how blatantly grasping his words make him appear. "Allow me to speak plainly, ser. In the war to come every soldier will matter. Every spear, every bushel of grain, every coin. I ask that you align yourself with me and my allies."
"I'm not asking you to do something where you stand alone. Half the realm stands ready to declare Ser Daemon king. The majority of lords in the Reach believe in Blackfyre more than than King Daeron."
"When banners are raised and sides chosen, Peachtree will answer *my* call."
***Mechanically speaking. Cleos and Daena become Fire and Peachtree forces will serve under Balon, similar in fashion to the Red River Event, not that I expect mechanics exist for a war way down the road.***
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Post by Father on Jan 26, 2022 19:27:58 GMT 1
"If the Black Dragon, or his supporters, can ensure that love prevails, he would be a worthy man to follow, but you ask for a prize that is not mine to give, ser. All the lands you can see from the top of my halls are the domains of Highgarden, I will answer Lord Tyrell's call, or my head on a pike will be used to motivate the new Knight of Peachtree into obedience."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jan 26, 2022 20:17:44 GMT 1
"If the Black Dragon, or his supporters, can ensure that love prevails, he would be a worthy man to follow, but you ask for a prize that is not mine to give, ser. All the lands you can see from the top of my halls are the domains of Highgarden, I will answer Lord Tyrell's call, or my head on a pike will be used to motivate the new Knight of Peachtree into obedience." Balon held up an objecting finger, "Only if we lose." A short chuckle escaped Balon's mouth, "Plus you've already defied your Lord with this endeavor.""A great many oaths will be broken when the war comes. Landed knights will ignore their lord's call. Principal bannermen will conspire against their wardens. Wardens will defy the king. You won't be the first or the last." His plan had been a long shot from the beginning but it never hurt to try. "But if that is your decision then I respect it and I wish you good fortune in the hours to come."***If he's not budging that's fine. Balon will graciously thank them for their time and leave while he waits for the wedding party to show.***
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Post by Father on Jan 26, 2022 22:04:22 GMT 1
Addam
Meanwhile, back at the sept, after much cursing by the guests, the Whitethistles and Westbrooks in particular, Lord Varner urges moderation but Ser Marlon will not have it and orders for the full mobilization of his levies to march upon Peachtree to reclaim his bride and avenge this insult done to him by taking the head of Ser Cleos. He bids all those among the guests who values honor and justice to arm themselves and join him on this quest.
Addam can overhear Lady Kyra, as sharp of tongue as of features, remarking that one fool waited until his love had been promised to another and brought to the sept before acting at all, and then the other fool goes to war to get back a woman who clearly does not want to marry him to restore his reputation once it already has been turned into a mockery no deed can restore, she in turn a fool not to convince her father to be allowed to marry the other equally insignificant knight.
Or so Addam might try to rephrase her words to make them more suited for repeating when telling the tale. He might be wiser to pretend he did not hear them at all.
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Post by Father on Jan 27, 2022 0:03:38 GMT 1
Balon
The reactions on everyone's faces might perhaps serve as a hint to the young knight that he was grossly misjudging Ser Cleos' situation when it came to taking his men anywhere unless Lord Tyrell commanded him to do so, none in the room seems to think there would be any tolerance of such, even if The Black Dragon won.
But one with his eyes so fixed upon a shining prize far beyond the horizon may not truly realize that the insignificance of any landed knight compared to Highgarden means that Lord Tyrell could at any time remove all of Ser Cleos' lands and titles by stamping his seal on the decree and none would intervene, regardless of which side would win, they were Lord Tyrell's lands after all, and he would be well within his rights to appoint another caretaker and execute the former for an oathbreaker.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 1, 2022 8:31:00 GMT 1
BalonThe reactions on everyone's faces might perhaps serve as a hint to the young knight that he was grossly misjudging Ser Cleos' situation when it came to taking his men anywhere unless Lord Tyrell commanded him to do so, none in the room seems to think there would be any tolerance of such, even if The Black Dragon won. But one with his eyes so fixed upon a shining prize far beyond the horizon may not truly realize that the insignificance of any landed knight compared to Highgarden means that Lord Tyrell could at any time remove all of Ser Cleos' lands and titles by stamping his seal on the decree and none would intervene, regardless of which side would win, they were Lord Tyrell's lands after all, and he would be well within his rights to appoint another caretaker and execute the former for an oathbreaker. His curiosity satisfied, Balon took his leave. Ser Cleos loved Lady Daena, of that there was no doubt. But he didn't love her enough to do something stupid. Maybe a more apt description would be Cleos wouldn't do something stupid on my behalf. Which was fine. Peachtree and Rose Hall were of equal strength and gaining the favor or Ser Marlon was an acceptable alternative. Getting back on his horse Balon left the town and waited for the wedding party to arrive. ***Per PM Addam is coming along for the ride.*** As the Westbrooks and others arrived Balon saw Ser Addam and waved him over, "The heroes of the Rosewood together again." He pulled him aside and quietly told him what had happened. When able Ser Balon briefed Ser Marlon on the situation. "Ser Cleos will not surrender Lady Daena. He believes a duel will resolve the situation though if you want the keep is assailable." He answered any questions the wedding party had though he failed to mention his attempt at a bargain.
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Post by Father on Feb 1, 2022 20:12:19 GMT 1
Looking at what Marlon has brought of men, the assailability of the castle seems more questionable, with 20 good men, Balon could take it, but fresh memories from The Red Fork might have distorted his understanding of what a "good" man was like, 20 green boys and white old men from Stone Hedge or Raventree armed with nothing but sticks would probably be able to hold off this lot. But the defenders of Peachtree was unlikely to be any better, only that they had walls and ditches.
Lord Varner suggests that they should hear what the man has to say without doing anything too rash. Ser Marlon reluctantly agrees, perhaps insulted pride is as powerful a motivator as love could be.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 3, 2022 6:35:39 GMT 1
Looking at what Marlon has brought of men, the assailability of the castle seems more questionable, with 20 good men, Balon could take it, but fresh memories from The Red Fork might have distorted his understanding of what a "good" man was like, 20 green boys and white old men from Stone Hedge or Raventree armed with nothing but sticks would probably be able to hold off this lot. But the defenders of Peachtree was unlikely to be any better, only that they had walls and ditches. Lord Varner suggests that they should hear what the man has to say without doing anything too rash. Ser Marlon reluctantly agrees, perhaps insulted pride is as powerful a motivator as love could be. Lord Jacelyn Varner's reputation was that of a weakling and his calls for moderation confirmed it in Balon's mind. The only smart thing he's done is name Ser Arlan Green his champion. Balon withheld any objection and went along with whatever Ser Marlon decided. He was the aggrieved party and if he wanted to hear what Ser Cleos had to say then so be it. Before the group approached Peachtree, Balon sought Ser Elbert Whitethistle, Lady Daena's father. "Ser, is there any insight you can offer on why your daughter believes she's better off with Ser Cleos?" Balon tried to gauge the father's temperament on the ordeal and what his desired outcome was. Did he want her to marry Ser Marlon or Ser Cleos? Did he care one way or the other? Was he infuriated at his daughter's impulsiveness?
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Post by Father on Feb 3, 2022 16:11:05 GMT 1
Love, he shakes his head...maybe if she had said something before he made the agreement with Ser Marlon, his father was a friend and a good man who he had fought shoulder to shoulder with at the Prince's Pass, claimed by a fever last winter. But if she had only said something, this could have been avoided, for Ser Cleos is an equally fine match for his family.
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Feb 4, 2022 4:55:41 GMT 1
As the Westbrooks and others arrived Balon saw Ser Addam and waved him over, "The heroes of the Rosewood together again." He pulled him aside and quietly told him what had happened. "Balon, it is good to see you again! I meant to catch up with you sooner, but my attention was requested elsewhere. Perhaps you can ingratiate me with your tales of the Riverlands once this whole affair is done." Addam listen to Balon's assessment of the situation. While scaling the wall would certainly be a tale to tell, the Longthorn would certainly not be to happy to hear this tale. Recalling what he overheard Lady Kyre say, "Ser Marlon, the damage done to your honor has already been dealt. Sure you can probably beat him and satisfy the issue, but what then? Lady Daena cannot be forced to marry you, and Ser Cleos could very well still end up with her. What if instead, we put his love for her to the test? Allow Ser Cleos to marry her, in return he will forfeit her dowry to you Either he declines and is made a fool or you come out of this richer and free to marry elsewhere, perhaps to someone who won't dishonor you the way she has. Either way, you win."
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Post by Father on Feb 4, 2022 21:58:57 GMT 1
"And be known as a weakling to be pushed around? A mockery in every hall?" Ser Marlon reacts dismissively. "I was not born with such a privileged name that allows an effeminate to marry a princess and be cuckolded while the world's laughter is muffled by the king's hot pincer's"
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Feb 9, 2022 0:15:58 GMT 1
Addam merely waved the knight onward. "Well then, lets us go restore your honor good Ser."
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