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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 29, 2018 18:01:52 GMT 1
Balon smiled, "I was testing you. Standing vigil is quite the challenge if you're hung over." Balon didn't press the issue, hoping his brother would tell him what was bothering him at some point. "Food sounds good." Balon yawned, "I need something to lift my spirits before the hunt." Balon itched the side of his head as he thought, "Even though I'm joining I doubt I'll be of much use. I met the young Lord Karl (Willum) the other day; fine man he is. Word has it he is going after the white stag. I think I'm going to join him and help where I can." Balon laughed, "Wouldn't that be something. A young upstart lord killing the white stag where so many others have failed." The metaphor was not lost on Balon.
He turned to his brother, "Come with me, it'll be fun."
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Jul 30, 2018 16:04:00 GMT 1
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Last hunt we did together was... I can’t even remember. When Ser Eoric downed that 12-pointer was it not? Before Delia’s nameday?” A hunt with his brother, like in the old days, might help in parting some of the clouds that had gathered over them as of late.
“Lord Karl, I do not know him personally...” He paused, he had heard of the man and knowing his brother he smirks. “Just don’t try and get me too drunk, I have an early morning tomorrow, as you heard.”
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jul 31, 2018 4:04:55 GMT 1
Balon smiled at the memory of the Ser Eoric's hunt. "That sounds about right. I was a shite hunter then." Balon snorted, "Haven't improved much since."
There was a mischievous grin on Balon's face, "Who defines drunk?" he laughed, "Just don't impress Lord Karl too much. He might not give you much of a choice in the matter." Balon grew a little more somber, "We both have an important day tomorrow. I won't spoil our tilts."
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Aug 2, 2018 0:01:10 GMT 1
“Indeed...” he hesitates for a moment. “Ser Walton. What is that all about? Father isn’t happy.” he start walking away from the Sept and towards what will eventually lead them to the Tourney Grounds and the Blackbriar pavilion.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 2, 2018 6:19:22 GMT 1
“Indeed...” he hesitates for a moment. “Ser Walton. What is that all about? Father isn’t happy.” he start walking away from the Sept and towards what will eventually lead them to the Tourney Grounds and the Blackbriar pavilion. Balon thought for a moment on how to answer his brother. As they walked away from the sept and there were fewer people around he was more forthcoming, " I sometimes wish both of us would've squired for Fireball. Not that you didn't receive excellent tutelage from father but..." Balon tried his best to explain, " I think father is... purposefully missing the bigger scene unfolding. The poisonous influence of Dorne is rife in King's Landing and good men like Ser Quentyn are being set aside by lesser men. Dornish men." Balon was becoming more animated as he continued, " Did you know Fireball was promised a spot in the Kingsguard but that right was denied to him by King Daeron. Yet two Dornishmen are among the seven. How is that not wrong?" " And when Fireball resigned as Master-at-Arms they replaced him with a Dornishman?! How is that not a slight? Ser Walton's only accomplishment was getting House Yronwood's lands ravaged. And he becomes the new Master at Arms? Preposterous." Balon slowed his breathing before continuing, " They insult a great man so I look to take vengeance. Did I go about it the best way? No, but I knew my actions would force him to respond. Come tomrrow I will embarass Ser Walton and show the Reach that Dornish influence will not stand. Not while me and men like me are standing."
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Aug 3, 2018 0:37:13 GMT 1
”But why? Isn’t Ser Quentyn capable to defend his own honor? Does him being erred require you to resort to slander?” His tone was still careful but had a childlike bluntness to it. As one child, asking another why they’d broken a vase.
Titus had at times shared his brother’s regret that he hadn’t squired under Fireball... or that Balon hadn’t stayed and squired under their father. He had missed his brother a lot over the years but couldn’t shake the feeling that Balon was speaking with someone else’s voice. And it wasn’t someone who wanted the best for him.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 3, 2018 4:52:47 GMT 1
"Father can defend himself but if someone slighted him would we not stand up and declare; No ser. This will not stand." Balon slapped his chest, "I chose to do this. Fireball nor anyone else asked me to do this just as father wouldn't ask us to defend him. We choose to because we respect them. Because we love them." Balon cast an arm to the horizon, "Do you not sense it?" Balon was referring to the mounting tension between Blood and Fire, "You can practically taste it in the air. Conflict is coming and people need to see the Dornish belong under our boot. Not standing by our side as equals."
Balon conceded, "I've already admitted how I went about it wasn't the best. But think of it as strategy. I'm maneuvering the enemy into a position where he has to fight. And it will be at his disadvantage."
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Aug 3, 2018 19:54:17 GMT 1
But neither Father, nor Fireball is the injured party here. Ser Walton is. If underhanded slander and lies are our weapons, what difference is there between us and the Dornish? he mulled over it, but left it unsaid.
“I can feel it” he said after a moments silence. His gaze was downwards, on the path in front of him and his hand casually resting on the hilt of his sword as they walked. “Fire and Blood. We can’t escape it, can we? This tournament... Lord Hightower’s death. The rumours about Bittersteel and Ser Daven. It’s all...” he trails off, the consequences of civil war to close and too frightening. “Just be careful Balon. The family needs you. Father doesn’t say it but... Just be careful”
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 5, 2018 6:35:18 GMT 1
"Can we escape it? Maybe." Balon looked off into the distance. "We will? Probably not. Too much has happened already." Balon stopped and turned to Titus, putting a hand on his shoulder, "I fear before this tournament is over things will get worse." Starting tomorrow. "Know that whatever happens I will always be there to defend you and our kin." Titus knew Balon well enough to know kin meant immediate family only. Balon didn't have a very high opinion of their uncle Jon and while he served him he tended to side with their mother on most things.
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on Aug 5, 2018 19:46:48 GMT 1
We aren’t the ones that’s in danger and are going to need defending you idiot! I don’t need you to defend me, I need you alive! He swallowed hard and exhaled. “Neither poison not blades in the dark yields to swordsmanship, Balon. Whatever is to come from this Tournament, don’t be alone in it. I’m here. And so is Father.” There was more weight behind the latter, he was more confident in their father’s ability than his own.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Aug 6, 2018 20:29:17 GMT 1
Balon shrugged "True, but poison and backstabbing can be stopped with swordsmanship if you know your foe in advance." Balon smiled at his brother's words, "It's nice to know I'm not alone." We'll see if that's true come tomorrow. "Let's stop worrying about this and talk about more pleasant things, like which lady here would you play 'come in her castle' with." Balon laughed as they walked along.
With Day 4 starting we should move onto our next IC.
[/scene]
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