[Phase 4] A Longthorny Issue

Laena briefly arches an eyebrow at him. "Well, then. It seems we both have a lot to do. Thank you for your time, Master Butterbumps. It's been .. interesting to see you like this." Even if it was otherwise a complete waste of time.

[And unless he has any parting words which merit a response, once he's said them, I'll depart.]

"Careful who you tease, dwarf." Her tone ambiguous. "You wish for knowledge? Then let me curse you with some. In Oldtown, The Hooded Man - the same one who acted so heinously during your lord's recent tourney - was 'arrested' by the city guard before 'mysteriously' disappearing with no record of the incident. Meaning someone out there - most likely someone wronged by that man - now knows who he served. Discovering 'who' is unfortunately well beyond my abilities." All technically true, and nothing that required 'insider' knowledge.

"But before you go fooling around with this knowledge, consider this: your own lord was one of those most wronged by him. So he, and those close to him, are among those most likely to have done the act. And may not appreciate you making light of that knowledge. You wish to be sure of keeping your head, it is probably safer to just let that knowledge burn a hole in it." Her own wicked smile. "Enjoy."

[And hopefully that's enough for me to make a graceful exit]

Laena makes as graceful an exit as she can manage with the roof as low as it is, hoping that sharing that information doesn't come back to bite her. Still, she'd done as best she could. And while that entire conversation gained her nothing regarding her current goals, it perhaps laid some groundwork for a later scheme.

Still, that was later, and this was now. She still felt like Lord Marq's comment was likely worth following up on, if possible. And one of the ladies of the court in particular was hopefully well-disposed enough towards her to at least entertain the idea, for a reasonable price, for all that Laena had been as-yet unable to advance their mutual goal.

Longthorny Issue - Alicent Yronwood Audience: 7d6k5+7 30

Time to find out what her price would be.

Laena exchanges greetings, and spends the expected amount of time on casual gossip before broaching the true subject - Lady Alicent is a respected peer, so Laena observes the etiquette that requires. While she could attempt trickery, Laena simply did not have faith in her ability to pull it off against a lady like Alicent, and did not wish to sour their relations in a failed attempt. So, a simple honest approach it was. "Like many, I try and keep abreast of upcoming events, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Unfortunately, I seem to have hit the limit of my capabilities." A self-depreciating smile. "All I have learned is that - possibly, maybe, probably - this matter would be particularly unpleasant to be surprised by, that it involves a letter delivered to Lord Leo by rider recently, and that word is slowly leaking out among the better-connected in Highgarden, so time is likely a factor before said surprise occurs.

"I was hoping you would be willing to help me avoid said unpleasant surprise." That a price tag would be attached to said help is obvious enough that Laena is not so crass as to say out loud.

"He is known for listening to good advice." Which is close to wisdom, at least.

She huffs an annoyed breath. "That is the crux of the problem. I need to know the issue, so I can judge whether or not I need to know it. Meaning I need to know things even when I don't need to know them. I need to know them not because I need to know them, but because I need to know whether or not I need to know. If I don't need to know, I still need to know so that I know that there is no need to know.

"If I know, and don't need to, I can simply stay silent and let matters play out as they would without my intervention. But if I don't know, and *do* need to ... I don't even know how bad the consequences could be, which loops back to the aforementioned statement of needing to know."


[OOC: For those who don't know the source: youtu.be/vh1eCDotdSc?t=90]

"While I have, as you done, managed fine, I certainly do not recommend widowhood." Laena agrees dryly. "I can well guess the identities of those who wish your betrothed harm - both those targetting him in the specific, and those who simply wish the house he currently serves harm. It would be a shame if they were to succeed - he has great martial talent, and strong morals. So I have no objection to foiling said plans. Even better, dealing with the former problem should greatly reduce the risk from the latter." She taps her fingers on air lightly for a few moments. "Are you aware of a *specific* threat, or is this simply an awareness of the ongoing danger?" She taps for a few moments more. "If the latter .. I have an idea. I believe myself to be .. not as suspicious in their eyes as your good self. Less worthy of attention. So I can probably act largely unobserved. Setting up a network to keep a close eye on someone takes talent - which I have, time - which I can spare, and resources - which I imagine your betrothed has in quite significant amounts from all his tourney winnings. While he's too principled to agree to a simple solution to the ultimate problem, setting up a network, and phrasing it as an attempt to give advance warning of any threats to his life would hopefully be more agreeable to his sense of honour. And should they happen to dig up some of the plethora of skeletons that are undoubtedly buried there as an entirely unexpected side-effect, well, what a fortuitous accident."

"And maybe it'll provide me with information I need to actually enact an idea I heard from a certain grand sea creature." A slight air of frustration with that last sentence.

Laena nods. "Unfortunately that 'mightier hog' is likely beyond me. Dragons are fearsome and dangerous, but as the Dornish proved, far from invulnerable. Hopefully, should your betrothed take his rightful place, the hog will lose interest in him if not antagonised further. It may fall to you to ensure that is the case."

She moves to stand. "So, I think we have an understanding." A small smile. "Friends helping each other out with problems we cannot easily solve ourselves. I'll speak to your betrothed as soon as I can, and get things moving. The sooner he's where he belongs, the sooner you both will be safe. Well, 'safer', at any rate." Of course, should she succeed in helping Ser Roland get his rightful seat was a far bigger 'ask' than digging into some rumours, no matter how secret, but having both good relations and credit with the future leaders of a house which would probably need a new -let's say- spymaster on their ascension ... well, it could pay off handsomely.