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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jan 29, 2022 6:23:56 GMT 1
Balon had mixed feelings when it came to the ladies of Blackbriar. He loved his mother and appreciated her counsel but her refusal to accept her position in life poisoned her. It made her angry and bitter. So instead of helping him and Gormon further cement the foundation of rebellion in the Reach, she stewed at Starpike, outplayed by Lady Erena and whatever cunt framed her over an alleged plot to usurp Gyldenhaal.
Then there was his sister Delia. Beautiful, intelligent, and well mannered... in public. Behind closed doors she could be a pugnacious bitch that drew great joy from constantly chiding Balon. Despite her alleged desire to see her brothers live long and happy lives she had done very little to see that come to fruition. And while Balon could never tell her what he did to help make her betrothal happen, he wanted to. He was willing to murder to to have her become the future Lady of Old Oak. Couldn't she at least return the favor?
And then there was Erena. Balon's opinion of her oscillated wildly, like the winds in a storm. One minute he pitied her. A woman near his age forced to marry that old wastrel Jon. Accusations of infidelity. Her brother Lord Armond Caswell, who had all the personality of a piece of wood. The next minute he hated her. She denied his request to marry Lady Laena. Interfered with the political influence he'd gained at Highgarden. And worst of all, supported King Daeron. Sometimes she makes me so mad I could kill her and those runts she calls children.
Of the three ladies of Blackbriar he had come to visit one this day; Lady Erena. He wanted to speak with her and the Seven only knew how she'd react to the subject matter. The last time they spoke he had nothing to bargain with, this time he did. He was going to make a concerted effort to catch flies with honey. Regardless of how the war played out Gyldenhaal and the Blackbriar name would endure. He was sure to see to that.
"Tell Lady Erena that Ser Balon is here." Theoretically he should've asked for Lord Jon but everyone knew who was really in charge. He nodded to the man-at-arms, a knight he'd known for the better part of five years. There would always be changes within the house but Balon still knew a great many of the retainers. It was nice to see a familiar face.
The guard returned and led Balon to Erena. When they met he bowed his head, his tone respectful, "My lady, belated congratulations on the birth of your son. You look well." He had never disapproved of Erena's physical attributes and believed they had gone to waste being given to Lord Jon. After pleasantries (as limited as they probably would be) Balon got to the point of his visit. "My lady I have something that may be of use to House Blackbriar."
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Post by Father on Jan 30, 2022 14:09:34 GMT 1
"Thank you, good nephew." To Balon, it almost seems as the gratitude is heartfelt, actually to the point that he could not truly tell if this was so. Shiera would turn green with envy and simmer and stew in her hatred at the sight, Balon's mother, allegedly never appealing to the eye in any way to begin with and grown stout after four births and age had rapidly brought forth wrinkles and graying hairs and nothing like the graceful aging of Eleana Peake or Rhonda Peake and far more like Misery, the White Worm, only that the paramour of The Rogue Prince was a lithe dancer in her youth. Erena seems as if she has hardly aged a day since her marriage at seven and ten, a face so innocent and sweet that she could be mistaken for a child, and with the slenderness of a maiden, not a matron. "What did you have in mind?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 2, 2022 8:49:24 GMT 1
For a moment Balon almost believed her gratitude was genuine. She possessed a charm Shiera didn't have, would never have, and he knew it infuriated his mother. As they exchanged pleasantries he started to think maybe it *was* heartfelt. Maybe her displeasure was directed towards Shiera and not her children? The memory of her denial to Balon's marriage proposal dismissed that foolish notion. She is the power at Gyldenhaal. Her weapon is subterfuge disguised as kindness. Don't forget that.
"I've been following a few disputes going on along the border of Blackbriar lands and I believe it's something we can take advantage of to increase the demense of Gyldenhaal. Regardless of our family's differences I want to see future generations prosper and I can use some of the political favors I've acquired to make it happen." Balon paused debating how to phrase the next part. "I'm not asking for anything in return, this is a gift I give freely. However, separate from this gift I ask that you allow me to seek out potential marriages for me and my brothers." Balon made sure to choose his words carefully, "My sister is on the precipice of marrying the heir to Old Oak, a strong ally for House Gyldenhaal, and I'd like to build off of that success."
Per Fire & Blood: Gain +1 land or wealth through support in disputes, 5 House points. Once only.
***Erena can choose Wealth or Land, it doesn't matter to Balon.***
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Post by Father on Feb 2, 2022 23:42:02 GMT 1
"I am sure that your lord uncle will be happy to receive suggestions for suitable unions to strengthen House Blackbriar, but I wonder, would you be the most apt ambassador?" Erena gives Balon an appraising glance. "Lord Walgrave approves of things others condemn, good reasons to be suspicious about what might have happened in The Red Mountains to make him consent, and only the fools will truly believe Lord Gormon's story concerning Riverthorn."
She pauses, to find an example. "Take Lord Quentin, for example, which story fits the facts? That he is the trueborn son tragically losing his father, and the first thing he does is to keep the death a secret while hurrying to Highgarden to bend the knee and swear fealty, and be affirmed by Lord Leo as the rightful new lord of Hammerhaal, hmm? Would he not be expected to wait for a suitable time of mourning and swear fealty the next time Lord Tyrell holds court?" She shrugs. "Or, does he happen to be a bastard and knows it, and knows that his uncle his the rightful heir? Better then to ride to Highgarden before his uncle and any of his allies might pursue his claim, force Lord Tyrell to accept his oath of fealty and in return give his pledge of protection or risk the consequences of denying him this?"
"Power is a curious thing, Lord Quentin and his allies may have won this battle, but both him and his sister remains unwed, for one thing is to have little desire to take great risks to seek to have them declared as such and removed as imposters, that is a difficult choice, but refusing marriage to Harrenhaal is an easy choice with no risk, I fear that is what you would face, and I find it difficult to imagine that a union with Lady Perianne Middlebury would be in our best interests."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 6, 2022 9:00:47 GMT 1
"Would you be the most apt ambassador?" Erena gives Balon an appraising glance. "Lord Walgrave approves of things others condemn, good reasons to be suspicious about what might have happened in The Red Mountains to make him consent, and only the fools will truly believe Lord Gormon's story concerning Riverthorn." Balon didn't bother trying to lie about his value as a Blackbriar representative. "But that's where you and my sister can assist." Noticeably absent was Lady Shiera's name. "Back at Highgarden Lord Owen (Roxton) said he'd consider a marriage between Lady Daena and Titus if he recovered from his wounds. He recovered fully and is stronger now than then. Lady Lynesse and I worked hard at Whitegrove to improve the relations between Titus and the Roxton sisters with some success. And there's a bit of information I learned that could be of use. The sisters want to both stay at the Ringfort so they need to find someone willing to be a Roxton sworn-sword if they married Lady Ellyn. We could propose the sisters marry my brothers. Both honorable and chivalrous and the Roxtons receive security in the long run. The future lady of Old Oak would be the aunt to their children and they'd have the protection of Starpike as well. Not to mention the enriched House Blackbriar. It's far from a perfect idea but I think it has enough merit to investigate further."She pauses, to find an example. "Take Lord Quentin, for example, which story fits the facts? That he is the trueborn son tragically losing his father, and the first thing he does is to keep the death a secret while hurrying to Highgarden to bend the knee and swear fealty, and be affirmed by Lord Leo as the rightful new lord of Hammerhaal, hmm? Would he not be expected to wait for a suitable time of mourning and swear fealty the next time Lord Tyrell holds court?" She shrugs. "Or, does he happen to be a bastard and knows it, and knows that his uncle his the rightful heir? Better then to ride to Highgarden before his uncle and any of his allies might pursue his claim, force Lord Tyrell to accept his oath of fealty and in return give his pledge of protection or risk the consequences of denying him this?""Power is a curious thing, Lord Quentin and his allies may have won this battle, but both him and his sister remains unwed, for one thing is to have little desire to take great risks to seek to have them declared as such and removed as imposters, that is a difficult choice, but refusing marriage to Hammerhaal is an easy choice with no risk, I fear that is what you would face, and I find it difficult to imagine that a union with Lady Perianne Middlebury would be in our best interests."Perianne was a Plan D type of lady but in truth the type of bride Balon was most likely to end up with. "I'm not here to discuss my marriage prospects. I'm not a fool, I know my reputation as it currently stands. But my brothers are good men and finding them brides will help the coffers of House Blackbriar." Balon wasn't quite sure how to take Erena's example. "And while gossip is entertaining I don't put much stock in the rumors that are spread about. Tales of cuckoldry are rampant and the Cordwayners aren't the only ones to be accused of it." Lady Erena had been accused of making Lord Jon a cuck and while that would've been excellent news for Balon he didn't believe it. "While the rumors are fresh they will fade in time. Someone will be willing to make their daughter the lady of Hammerhaal and some lord's son will convince his father Lady Denyse is beauty of true lineage." |
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Post by Father on Feb 10, 2022 14:02:02 GMT 1
"I find it unlikely that the Roxtons will want more than one Blackbriar groom, and Vortimer is young and unproven, it would have to be Titus, they will not be without other options." Erena puts a finger up against her chin in thought. "If Vortimer has it in him to grow to be like his father, it is best to wait until he proves himself"
"There is gossip, and then there is what is true, and what is true is that Lord Cordwayner seems set to rebel against the crown, and surely will be declared a bastard should the rebellion fail and whoever married him will also have rebelled, and thus be of no help to prevent this, and no lord wants to risk having a son or daughter married to someone who will be disinherited and declared illegitimate on top of the other hazards of being an attainted traitor. Perhaps The Cordwayners could marry fortune hunters, but odds are they can afford to wait and hope they are on the winning side with all such problems disappearing."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 22, 2022 9:05:11 GMT 1
"I find it unlikely that the Roxtons will want more than one Blackbriar groom, and Vortimer is young and unproven, it would have to be Titus, they will not be without other options." Erena puts a finger up against her chin in thought. "If Vortimer has it in him to grow to be like his father, it is best to wait until he proves himself" Balon ran his fingers through his goatee in thought. Vortimer was certainly an up and coming squire but Erena was right, he was unproven. "There will be competition but Titus has much to offer not only as an individual but with other benefits. His sister is about to become the lady of Old Oak and while it might not be a direct alliance via marriage my sister wishes to see all of her brother's live long and prosperous lives." Balon paused knowing Erena's feelings about the Peakes, "And while it might not matter as much to you, having a potential husband whose cousins with Lord Gormon will matter to House Roxton. Politics aside he is one of the most powerful lords of the Reach. And finally there is the soon to be enriched House Blackbriar." Balon was sure to add the new found wealth he would bring to Gyldenhaal. "What do you think? A knight who is chivalrous and noble in addition to being one of the preeminent jousters of the Reach. An alliance with House Blackbriar. Strong ties to House Oakheart and the Peakes through blood. To me that is something we could convince the Roxtons is the best choice." There were other choices of course. Redtusk being the most obvious but it seemed he had no desire to settle down. There was Sebaston Rowan but he had been so thoroughly humiliated by Aemon Flowers he doubted Lady Daena would be interested. |
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Post by Father on Feb 22, 2022 21:15:38 GMT 1
"There are lords of The Reach unwilling to make alliances with houses having committed themselves to rebellion...or opposing it for that matter" Erena is certainly of a clearer mind than her husband is, or Donnel ever was, and quite possibly Shiera as well. "But there is only one way to find out if the Roxton's may be amenable."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 24, 2022 1:46:56 GMT 1
"There are lords of The Reach unwilling to make alliances with houses having committed themselves to rebellion...or opposing it for that matter" Erena is certainly of a clearer mind than her husband is, or Donnel ever was, and quite possibly Shiera as well. "But there is only one way to find out if the Roxton's may be amenable." Balon nodded in agreement. While more principal bannermen supported rebellion than the king, about half remained neutral. For now. "Wars come and go, my lady. Marriages and the alliances that come with them last far longer." The question was could they convince the Roxtons in the value of a union with Gyldenhaal. "Should we wait until the marriage ceremony of my sister and Ser Preston or invite them to Gyldenhaal?"I don't know what the IC timeframe is for the Oakheart wedding."If you decide an invitation to Gyldenhaal is in order I can ask Lady Delia to attend and if you'd like," Balon knew she wouldn't be thrilled with the next name mentioned but every voice mattered, "I can see if Lord Gormon can make time to help us impress the Roxtons." He paused, knowing what he was about to say would give Erena great pleasure and infuriate his mother. "As to my mother, I think it's best if she has minimal impact on these potential negotiations." |
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Post by Father on Feb 24, 2022 23:37:05 GMT 1
"Such things are always best broached at tourneys or other functions, to invite them here would be fruitless, even negotiations on the particulars tends to be done by Raven"
"And Lord Peake's assurances will matter none if they have no wish to bind themselves to his cause"
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