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Post by Father on Jul 9, 2018 11:27:44 GMT 1
It is clear to see from his very posture that Lord Gormon is a powerful man, used to get what he wants. He carries himself like a warrior, with a scar running across the left of his mouth, honorably earned leading his men from the front at the Prince's Pass. Balon remembers a time when all his hair was black, now most of it had turned gray. His hard eyes gives Balon a discerning look, sizing up any changes since last time before he holds up a hand as to bid him wait. He asks his page to repeat what he just said, and leaves instructions such and so for the ball. He does not apologize, he is a busy man and he dislikes wasting more time with such talk, especially to those that knows him well enough to tolerate it. "Lord Walgrave is positively furious, he does not see the honor for what it is and sees it as a slight to his very person." Gormon shakes his head. "If that old warhorse doesn't take to his senses he is like to turn his son away over the belief that the Prince tried to do so." As much as he supported House Blackfyre, Gormon had never privately agreed with the notion that the Dornish were scum, he usually did not contradict any statement made in that regard, publicly he usually was much more receptive to such views, considering them useful opinions to cultivate. "As I understand it, you will be facing Ser Walton in the joust?" |
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 10, 2018 5:35:51 GMT 1
Balon waited patiently as Gormon instructed the page. If there'd been one thing he'd learned during his stay at Starpike it was to never interrupt Lord Gormon unless it was an emergency. And what Balon was going to ask did not qualify as such. Before asking he first answered, "Yes. I will show the Reach the mistake they," Balon was very specific to not name anyone, "made when they thought a Dornishman could replace Ser Quentyn as Master-at-Arms."
"My impending victory against Ser Walton aside I come for your boon." Balon was going to be direct and to the point, just as Lord Gormon preferred. "During this tourney I wish to find a bride. To do that starts with winning her favor and gaining the support of her father. I'll spare you the details of how I came to my decision but I wish to win the favor of Lady Daena Roxton. I don't ask for your help in this because I was your page or because I am your cousin, but because I want to ensure the Ringfort supports the correct individual." Balon didn't know who House Roxton favored but Lord Gormon was likely to know where certain house allegiances lied. "You saw something in me all those years ago and you forged me into something great. You were humble enough to know my martial skill could be further refined under the tutelage of Ser Quentyn. Show Lord Owen what you saw in me so I may show it to his daughter."
Abridged: Looking for Gormon's help in securing Daena Roxton's favor.
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Post by Father on Jul 10, 2018 9:16:39 GMT 1
"Do not take your victory for granted, boy, or it is like to not come at all." Gormon knows that Balon is better, but he is not that much better. "If you seek to wield the Widowmaker, taking the stand you did was not the wisest of decisions, Lord Owen is not his grandfather, or at least not the grandfather of the songs."
"I also suspect that Lord Roxton is largely leaving the decision to his daughters, so another knight would be better suited for the task, I think. If it is a lord's seat you want, I recommend Lady Delia Hewett. However, with all this talk of Lady Lysette, the field of competition for Lady Daena may be less stiff than usual today."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 10, 2018 18:43:42 GMT 1
"I take nothing for granted my lord but I do approach every conflict as if I will be the victor. To go in with a defeatist attitude is counter-productive." To Gormon's comment about Widowmaker Balon had indeed thought about gaining the ancient blade. But then again any knight worth his salt would have the same dream. In truth Balon wanted to see the continued support of Ser Daemon throughout the Reach and this seemed like an opportunity. While others scrambled for the attention of Lady Lysette and the daughters of principal bannermen Balon was taking an different route.
"Lord Owen may not be as vocal as his ancestors but he is a good lord and excellent swordsman. I wish to show him I'm capable of the same. If he is leaving the decision in his daughter's hand then perhaps a good word from someone else? You're wife? Lady Tanda? To hear my praises from my mother is expected. To hear it from Lady Tanda is quite another."
Balon knew Lord Gormon was busy and didn't want to keep him hear any longer than necessary. "I appreciate any assistance you can provide and thank you for your counsel."
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Post by Father on Jul 10, 2018 22:16:23 GMT 1
"That is the attitude of a soldier, ser. One shared by too many knights believing death or capture favorable to a retreat." Lord Gormon shakes his head. "And when shared by leaders, such foolishness turns defeats where one could have retreated in good order to fight in the next battle, mayhaps under more favorable conditions into an utter rout. The downfall of many houses can be traced to their inability to field a proper army in the battle that mattered the most, the one they could not afford to lose."
"If you want to prove yourself a good lord, then learn that lesson, or the only ones that will ever find you capable at anything beyond your skill with the sword are such fools who believe that tourney prowess is the only ability worth having." Gormon liked to be pleasantly surprised, but he finds it difficult to imagine that this young hothead would be of any other use to the cause than that of a blunt instrument, like a hammer, though an exceptionally well crafted hammer that would shatter skull and bone in skilled hands. "Lady Daena is a battle in which I think you would do well to consider the option of retreating in good order, ser. But should a knight of the wrong leanings gain her favor, there is little harm in repeating that business with Ser Walton, sometimes, denying the enemy to advance may be a victor in itself, even if you gain nothing else for yourself."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 12, 2018 6:16:45 GMT 1
Balon felt like a page again as Gormon lectured him. His tendency to focus on something until he was blinded to his surroundings had plagued him since his youth. Seeking Lady Daena's favor had been a fixation of his for some time after the fantasy of ladies like Leonella Crane, Tanda Peake, and Amerei Tyrell had subsided. "As always you remain my teacher, my lord." Would winning the favor of Lady Daena do anything substantive for Balon? Lord Gormon seemed to think not and suggested an alternative in Lady Delia. Perhaps there were more ladies that shared Balon's views that would be happy to offer him their favor. "I will reconsider my options and move forward accordingly."
It seemed obvious that Lord Gormon was not interested in helping Balon on this particular matter. He suddenly felt very silly and embarrassed. Balon chastised himself for bothering Lord Gormon to help secure a lady's favor. "My lord I've already taken up too much of your time. If possible I look forward to seeing you again this week, my lord."
[/scene? Balon has nothing else to talk to Gormon about. Unless he wants to ask him something.
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Post by Father on Jul 12, 2018 13:17:16 GMT 1
[/scene]
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