|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 21, 2018 18:36:55 GMT 1
Alliser and Regyn stride confidently into the Halls of the library. There head scribe rolled his eyes at them as they took position in a quiet secluded section and waited for the others to arrive.
|
|
|
|
Post by Aladale Levalle on Aug 21, 2018 19:02:27 GMT 1
Aladale entered the room and with a nod to the scribe headed for the section where his brother was waiting for him. As he walked through the library his eyes followed the titles of the books and scrolls nearby, reaching for a tome
"'Typical joust injuries and how to treat them' by Maester Goodwell", he took another book "'The benefits of regular leeching' by Tomas Bolton, no wonder this area of the library is rather secluded!"
With a grin he put the books away and focused on the others.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 21, 2018 19:43:58 GMT 1
Regyn chuckles, "indeed good Ser, and these thick volumes of nonsense seem to sallow conversation like a 2 pence women as well." As He gestures towards the towering books.
Alliser smiles at the crass joke but chastised the mummer lightly. To his brother he turns and says, "well that was quite a display by Lord starling, was it not?"
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Aug 21, 2018 20:22:26 GMT 1
Much to the scribe's dismay, Malyk entered the library agilely balancing a tray of teacups and fruit scones in one hand and carrying a steaming pot of a floral white tea in the other. No-one attempted to stop him, perhaps out of fear the entire pyramid would come crashing down. It didn't of course, and he set the burden down on the table. The scones were strawberry and freshly baked by the smell of them.
"Was there something of note with Lord Starling?" On the one hand, Malyk seemed to have knowledge no-one else had. On the other, he seemed completely oblivious to what was often common knowledge and recent events. He could tell you with exacting precision every staff member of House Levalle and their strengths and weaknesses. It would be unlikely he could tell you the winners of the athletic competitions yesterday, and he had participated in them. He could describe in great detail the smallfolk he had given the Lord's gold to. One of them technically should have been him, but that gold dragon had gone to the young man he'd beaten in his final round.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 22, 2018 1:37:49 GMT 1
"oh yes, Master Malyk." Regyn helps himself to some pastries and tea, "he nearly declared war on house Merryweather! It is a wonder that he was able to keep it under wraps for so long." Regyn waved away, "now mind you, I had heard rumblings if the rape, but for him to declare it so loudly and publicly is a surprise."
The Lord nods at his myrish man's assessment, "by doing it this way he is painting himself into a corner. Any deeds done against house Merryweather's going to be pointed back to him. And the man from reputation is without guile, so I doubt he put too much thought into the action. I would love to speak with Ser Bryce though. From the sounds of it he set up the arraignment, I wonder if the women was suggested to him or if it was mere happenstance."
|
|
|
|
Post by Parmen Redwyne on Aug 23, 2018 3:16:44 GMT 1
Parmen had spent the early morning training with Edwin. The sword and horse drills were good for the young squire and also served to prepare Ser Parmen for his upcoming joust. He had barely had a chance to dunk his head in a bucket of water and change his shirt before his Lord's council was supposed to meet.
He missed the disapproving look that his dishelved appearance earned him from the librarian. He had not yet broken his fast and his eyes were fixed on the scones.
"You are a good man Malyk...but that was already proven yesterday when you led the small folk to safety during that violence by the gallows. I've known knights possessed of less courage and far less honor then you showed. Including that rapist shit Bryce". Parmen looked like he was ready to spit at the name, realized where he was and thought better of it settling for taking a large bite out of one of the strawberry scones.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 23, 2018 4:26:53 GMT 1
"Ser Bryce's deeds are certainly questionable, " hypocrite , "but the question is how does this change things. We had originally planned on trying to marry my daughter to Lord Eldon, but on finding a way to drive Lady Alicient, but with her attempted murder and the viscous rumor spread, likely by Lord Eldon's sister, if Lord Florent's estimation is correct, then we have another question." He looks at all of his son in law, "what do you think? Given what you know who do you think benefits the most from these recent actions?" The Lord know that Parmen was seeking to gain understanding of how the courtly intricateness worked, so he directed there question at the most recent arrival. Bryce fed the girl to Lord Eldon who raped her |
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Aug 23, 2018 20:27:50 GMT 1
"If I remember correctly, and I admit my memory is highly variable, we discussed the possibility of entangling Lord Eldon in such a scandal. It seems he has, unsurprisingly, provided such a scandal all on his own, and if his song continues to run true to his nature, this is not the first and likely will not be the last. The question becomes: what do we want to do about it, if anything? Perhaps someone will challenge Lord Eldon and kill him. Perhaps nothing will happen. Given his reputation, will this even have an effect on the political betrothal, unless someone kills him. It's hard to get married when you are dead. Not entirely impossible. I seem to remember a rumor about House Bracken..." He trailed off.
"In any case. Who got raped? Is there any proof that Lord Eldon can't simply shrug off? How was Ser Bryce involved? How does this change the situation? Is there any way to take advantage of the situation; and do we wish to?"
He began pouring tea for those gathered. "My apologies. Lemon is becoming hard to find."
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 23, 2018 22:48:24 GMT 1
"Lady Megelle of house starling was raped by Lord Eldon. Ser Bryce was implicated, likely as the man who brought the young maid to Lord Eldon. The starlings are angry, and made a very public display of their displeasure. This combined with the attempt on Lady Alicient's life, and the vulgar rumors about her, lead me to believe someone is planning on killing or removing Lord Eldon. If he is removed we must look to who stands in line of succession."
"Ser Own is Lord Eldon's brother. Owen does have a son who is serving as a page now. If Lord Merryweather was no longer able to sire children, he would be in the line of succession." It appears the Lord has given this some thought, in an off the cuff manner he continues to Malyk, "perhaps we should look into ensuring that we are never in need of lemon. Perhaps someone in Essos might be able to open up some supply."
He waits for any other thoughts, looking around at those gathered in the medical section.
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Aug 24, 2018 1:33:44 GMT 1
Malyk pondered a moment. "One does not walk into a burning house that someone has set ablaze, especially if it is not your own. It may be that the Starlings will gain justice for this offense, or it may be that Lord Eldon will escape. Either way, if you walk into such an inferno you are likely to not walk out unscathed.
Do not think me unsympathetic, but I cannot change Lady Megelle's past and her future is the concern of House Starling. How they will address this injustice is up to them. In fact, the truth of it does not matter for our purposes. My suggestion would be to offer our sympathy and support to Ser Owen and make him aware that we do not hold his brother's notorious behavior against him or his House. He is guilty of many things, whether he is guilty of this or not. I would also suggest that you pay a visit to Lord Yronwood and his daughter to offer your support as well. When there is a fire raging, it helps to know which way the wind is blowing."
|
|
|
|
Post by Parmen Redwyne on Aug 24, 2018 4:09:55 GMT 1
Parmen had learned from hard experience that there were times during a training session when it was best to hang back to watch and learn. He found himself in a similar position now. The schemes that Houses played were not foreign to him, but he had never devoted himself to the skills required to engage in this sort of duel. He would need to learn quickly if he and is family were to survive and prosper.
"My Lord's your words are wise. And yet Malyk, did you not just yesterday calmly walk through a rampaging mob in order to guide innocents to safety. That may not be walking into an inferno but neither is it sitting out in the stands.
"For myself I have thrown down my gauntlet as has my brother Roland and Ser Imry. I do not know what will come of that -- there are no shortage of knights willing to take up the challenge -- but the oaths I swore as a knight demand nothing less."
"I know only a little about Ser Owen but I pray for the sake of his House that he is not the man that his brother is. How may we determine his intentions?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 24, 2018 6:01:39 GMT 1
"Indeed Malyk, walking in alone would be foolish. But the natural position to take is to accept the story told so there is great wisdom in seeking to find what Ser Owen feels about this new development. Lord Starling is a man of honor, and I do not doubt the validity of his belief in what is correct. However when you have the whole reach rushing to condemn him, there is little benefit in adding my inferior gauntlet to the pile." He turns towards Ser Parmen, "being a friendly face in a sea of angry ones can be a great benefit. From all the accounts that I have heard Ser Owen is an honorable knight who is married with children. Such things tend to change how a man sees the world. Especially if one should have a brother such as the ignoble Eldon. Having him remember us being kind when the reach was arrayed against him could be very beneficial to us."
Alliser nods and smiles,
"Indeed, that is a good question", he looks around, "I know we have had a busy last few days brother, have you been able to make an acquaintance with Ser Owen yet?" he drums his fingers on the table, causing his teacup and saucer to dance with a slight clatter. "I feel there has been too much done to disrupt the Marriage contract between Lord Eldon and Lady Alicient for this to be mere happenstance. There is something conspiring against them, and I doubt it will end until either the marriage is completed or one of them are dead. Perhaps the Tyrells and the King grow tired of these petulant children. Maybe it is Ser Owen, hoping to clear his family name, or even Lady Kyra. She is too clever by half for her station and may be seeking to advance the interest of the house of her birth. Ser Owen and Lady Kyra both have the benefit of being familiar with Ser Bryce, and would be in a place to offer him greater riches and rewards if their brother did manage to meet an unfortunate end." He shurgs, "But this is just speculation. We have no proof, which is indeed frustrating. I was hoping to speak with Ser Roland in an attempt to find out what happened with Lady Alicient, and maybe if the assassins were able to get any information. However I have been too distracted by the Hightower death investigation to spend much time on this Merryweather plot."
Lord Alliser smiles, "and we have much to discover with little time to discover it in. My hope is to have Regyn spend time in the library, searching for a Lord whose marriage was annulled due to infidelity on their part. Perhaps we can feed that information to Lord Starling that he might be able to use that to strike a blow against Lord Merryweather." He gives a small smile, "And I doubt I am the most hated man in the tournament now."
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Aug 24, 2018 10:43:32 GMT 1
Malyk shrugged at Parmen. "If someone was in immediate danger, I doubt I would hesitate to walk into the inferno to save someone; even if that someone was Lord Merryweather. Judgement is for the Father, not for me. However in that case, as with yesterday, I only risk my own life. I do not risk the future and fortunes of an entire House, perhaps for generations. Had I died, Lord Levalle might be inconvenienced for a time, but he would find someone to replace me. I have a fairly lengthy list of recommendations should it come to that.
As to the marriage, it seems unlikely anyone wanted it beyond the Tyrells and the crown. Certainly if Lord Eldon wanted it he would have stood in the Sept beside his bride-to-be long before this. He does not seem to be the type of man that waits on the things he wants. Perhaps Lord Eldon wished out of the contract and seeks to mortify the Tyrells so completely that even they will have to give in to it's dissolution. Or perhaps he simply wishes to test his limits, not that he seems to have reached them yet.
I think before you decide what action you wish to take, you must decide what goal you wish to achieve. Without a defined goal, you can make no progress towards it. You must know what you are hunting before you can plan how you will fell your quarry. Up till now, everything I have heard on the subject is nebulous and vague. Do you want an alliance with House Merryweather? House Yronwood? House Starling? And if so, why? What do you gain? How does it further the House?
At this point it seems like we are thinking of betting huge stakes for a pot we don't know about on a hand we haven't seen."
|
|
|
|
Post by Alliser on Aug 25, 2018 1:40:21 GMT 1
"I would like for us to be in the line of secession of House Merryweather. They are an ancient and powerful house, and if we could be closely drawn in with them it would do much to relieve our standing." He drums his fingers once more, his tone becomes thoughtful as he considers Malyks words, "I agree that we do not have enough information. So we should work to change that. Perhaps by finding out where these houses stand we might discover what cards are in play, so we know better if we should bluff or fold. However power and influence of being bound by blood to Merryweather would make most of the reach hush their wisphers about us, maybe even grant us legitimacy." Even as the words were hopeful, the tone diverged from the words sharply.
"House Yronwood could make an ally, but I would prefer for us to be wedded into a house in the reach. Allies that are too far away are not helpful should blades be drawn. They are also Dornish, so likely to support the king. If we do come out strongly for the king I could see them seeking for a partnership, for what use that would be. Perhaps we could talk to them about helping build up some naval forces. As for house Starling." He blows a bit of air out of pursed lips, "They appear to be falling in behind the prince. A great number of their knights have already declared so, likely seeking to see their station rise after the war. As we are currently leaning towards supporting the current king, an alliance with them should only be pursued should such a thing be no longer feasible."
He seems to make a decision, "Ser Parmen, would you mind speaking with Lady Alicient and her Lord Father? You are a Redwyne, but you have also thrown your gauntlent against Merryweather. You could go under pretense of offering your condolences of her betrothed bad behavior. Perhaps," He says turning towards Malyk, "You could accompany him? He still has much to learn and another pair of observant eyes would not go amiss when you speak with them, to help judge their reactions to the current scandal."
"Brother, perhaps you can speak with Ser Owen, or Lady Kyra, about the new developments." Alliser gives a brief thought then continues, "I have met a starling knight Ser Roland. And I believe a few swore their sword to me in fighting Ser Bracken. Perhaps I can talk with them to discover how they feel about the situation with their lord."
|
|
|
|
Post by Parmen Redwyne on Aug 25, 2018 2:27:42 GMT 1
"If I can help our house in this matter, by speaking with the Yronwoods, then I will do so. Just don't ask me to drink any of that sour vinegar that the Dornish try to pass off as wine." He might not be as prejudiced against the Dornish as many Reacher knights but a son of the Arbor had to have certain standards.
"Malyk would you be willing to accompany me? As Lord Alliser says I have much to learn and you have a rare talent for protecting people from themselves."
|
|
