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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 6, 2021 23:28:57 GMT 1
Four Weddings and a Funeral-Act 1: On The Steps of the SeptThe funeral for Grand Maester Alford was as long as it was boring and after the fourth reading from the same thick tome his eyes glazed over for the remainder of the ceremony. Only once the officiant's droning ceased did he snap back to attention with his original purpose in mind. Surrounding him were dozens of the most powerful men and women in the Reach any of whom could tip the balance of the Hightower regency, which could tip the balance of the war. It was moments like this in which he wished he possessed his half-sister's diplomatic talents or even his cousin's raw sexual appeal and attractiveness (which he supposed that his sister also possessed, Targaryen he was), but he would have to settle for what he had himself today. As the ceremony ended he joined the other attendees outside of the sept where many of them gathered for talk, grand and small, and made a beeline for today's first target, a woman he hardly knew and one who would need some serious convincing to agree to his proposition; however, if successful they both could benefit greatly. Although they had opposing political goals, Daeron (hoped) that his gallant reputation and general lack of animus towards the Dornish would be enough for her to not flat out reject a meeting. "Lady Falyse, could I have a moment of your time? I have an important, and mutually beneficial, proposition for you."
The Longest Shots-Audience Falyse Blackbar: 6d6k4+8 24
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Post by Father on Jun 7, 2021 15:07:53 GMT 1
At the very least, Lady Falyse does not reject Daeron without first hearing him out, she seems rather cold and distant, though not against him in particular, more a guarded demeanor. Undoubtedly, being trust into the role of regent at such a young age have led to scores of petitioners coming to take her measure and perhaps seek to take advantage of her inexperience. "Is that so, Ser Daeron?" She looks at him expectantly with a measuring gaze Daeron ordinarily would not expect to find in a face that has bloomed into that of a woman grown but still have several years before the markings of old age is likely to appear. |
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 8, 2021 4:40:12 GMT 1
He nods and in true Wildfyre fashion cuts irrelevant niceties and tells her exactly what is on his mind.
"Marriage, between us that is. I have a great deal that I can offer you as a partner, just as you have much you can offer me."
Quickly ticking off his points on his hand, he lays out his marriage proposal as if it were a business venture.
"Your uncle might have lost this current round of contestation of the regency of House Blackbar, but he strikes me as an ambitious man who won't let a singular failure stand in his way. However, if you were to have a knight of skill and renown at your side you could not only deflect concerns about the martial leadership of the house, but also have a champion who could face any martial challenges that he might otherwise throw your way. Additionally, when he comes of age I will take him on as a squire and mold him into a fine knight."
Ticking off another finger, Daeron continues.
"A union with me brings you no enemies that you don't already have. Lord Merryweather already hates both of us, but I bring with me a deeper friendship with House Starling, which if I recall heartily supported your claim to the regency and again I have a better chance of standing against Lord Piggy's henchmen than any other knight in service to House Blackbar."
Another finger.
"I support Ser Daemon Blackfyre, but like my brother and unlike some of his supporters, I don't possess an irrational disdain for the Dornish. At Highgarden I carried the favor of Lady Shiera Woodwright and at Summerhall I stood in the memory of Lady Ashara Starkwood. Moreover, as the brother and an open supporter of Ser Daemon I bring with me a degree of political protection from those who might harm you or your family."
A final finger.
"I am a serious suitor who has more to offer than most men. As regent you have every right to choose who you will marry and I am *the* pragmatic choice. I can keep you safe, bring strength and Valyrian vigor to the Blackbar bloodline, and open doors to political alliances that otherwise might be shut for you. I am loyal to those I care about and absolutely ferocious to those who threaten them. Finally, I am a man grown. A man who has endured battles and injuries, one who has taken and preserved lives. If you fancied some pretty summer knight I imagine that you would have already married him, but instead I think that you desire that which you need."
What his marriage proposal lacked in romantic gestures and flowers it made up for in cold-factuality and pragmatism.
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Post by Father on Jun 8, 2021 14:11:04 GMT 1
Lady Falyse remains stern and stonefaced as Daeron speaks, he likely knows it not, but not too long ago, she might have smiled and wondered if he had rehearsed all that, perhaps she possessed the wisdom to conceal that smile and never ask him this, but this part of her died on the road with her family. "You do understand, ser, that if you were to become the trusty sword and shield of my lord brother, this would require you to serve him fully?"
It already sounds as if she does not believe that Daeron would consider to meet her demands for entering such a union.
"And an important part of this service involves the opposition of any and all ambitions to replace lords and kings simply on account of having a mother born to the South of The Red Mountains?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 10, 2021 16:32:20 GMT 1
Daeron sighs.
"If that is what you think of our cause then perhaps we have allowed men like Lords Oakheart and Middlebury do too much of our speaking and men like Blackfyre and Redtusk not enough.
Regardless, a war must have a winner and a House Blackbar that simply followed its Hightower overlords and led by a Great Bastard and a half-Dornish regent will be sure to weather the aftermath, unless Lord Piggy somehow becomes king."
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Post by Father on Jun 11, 2021 13:59:33 GMT 1
"If Bittersteel and Peake did not invite Lords Oakhearts and Middlebury and others sharing their opinion to view the Blackfyre cause as a chance to repudiate all treaties with Sunspear and return to an age of separation and animosity, there would not be a Blackfyre cause that better men than they could speak for, ser"
While that does seem rather improbable to be entirely true, the lady surely does have a point. Or so it might seem at first glance, though who knows if some elements in support of Blackfyre has turned others such as Tarly and Roxton reluctant to be associated with that cause, perhaps even Tyrell it might seem. Then again, it is possible that these would be reluctant to actively seek to rise in rebellion one way or the other.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 12, 2021 1:43:29 GMT 1
Damn, she does have a point there."You make a strong argument as to my brother needs men, and women, who can lend voices contrary to those coming out of Middlebury or Old Oak. My cousin, Lady Lynesse, who was very supportive of your claim to the regency says that you are as clever as you are articulate. From a position within the Blackfyre camp your words against men such as Lords Oakheart and Middlebury would carry that much more weight and influence."He pauses for a breath, somehow the crux of his argument had slipped away from him. "I repeat though, I can offer you and your family a level of safety that I doubt few others in the Seven Kingdoms can and my open allegiance towards Ser Daemon allows me to move in circles that would otherwise be closed off to you. If the men that killed your family were truly anti-Dornish fanatics and not rival banners who wanted to deflect suspicion I have a better chance of uncovering their plots and bringing them to justice than say Ser Mikel or the Redwolf.Anyway, what has King Daeron done for you or your family? Has the he sent agents to uncover the perpetrators of the attack against you, or knights to defend your lands, or has he spent his time in King's Landing with his nose in some dusty tome and pretending like nothing ever happened?"
Daeron here is referencing the rumor made by Maester Rhaegor in this thread. greatbastards.boards.net/thread/1445/rumor-revenge-hightower
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Post by Father on Jun 14, 2021 13:33:34 GMT 1
"The price of my hand, ser" Lady Falyse does not seem willing to waste time on it, clearly she expects that Daeron is unwilling to accept her demands, and cares not listen to arguments as to why relenting on them might be worth consideration. "Is that any divided loyalties must be given up, to serve as Lord Blackbars sword and shield requires a firm commitment to defend the realm against any uprising against King Daeron"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jun 18, 2021 1:44:05 GMT 1
Daeron didn't need to have Bloodraven's wits to know that there was no path forward. He would never consider betraying his brother, even if it meant winning the hand of a rare beauty such as Lady Falyse. Half the reason why he considered courting her in the first place was to sway her into supporting Lady Melara as the next regent of House Hightower and place a stalwart ally at the helm of one of the most powerful houses on the continent. Alas.
"Very well my lady, it appears that neither of us are willing to surrender our political ideals. Perhaps when this royal crisis is settled and our political differences with it we might be able to resume this conversation. In the meantime I wish you and your brother nothing but safety and prosperity."
He gives a quick bow and allows her to continue to mingle with the other guests, his long shot having failed to land. However much he wished for his plan to have worked he wasn't truly disappointed. There were still other ladys in the Reach and House Blackbar wasn't the only one that had a say in who would lead House Hightower for years to come.
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Post by Father on Jun 27, 2021 16:24:58 GMT 1
It would seem as if Daeron had found his match in commitment to the cause, just the other side of it. Though he should hardly be surprised.
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