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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 8, 2018 5:57:10 GMT 1
Ashara did not know Lady Alicent Yronwood. She had thought about the other woman more than few times since coming to the tourney, and had considered seeking her out previously. It had not been terribly important before - mere idle curiosity about a woman whose situation was similar in many ways to Ashara's own - and had never seemed worth the time to do so, as Lady Alicent may have no interest in meeting a stranger for no reason. There was much to do and little time to spare at this tourney, so frittering it away chasing after idle curiosity was just not a good idea.
Now, however, there was a more pressing reason to speak with Lady Alicent - two reasons, really, though ostensibly she was here only about one. However, to only pursue one thing when an opportunity arises to do two is as bad as wasting time on what might just be a fools errand. Thus Ashara found herself in Highgarden proper, waiting for Ser Roland. There was shared history between her former accuser and the lady she sought to speak with, and as one of her two purposes involved that shared history he would be a useful tool in ensuring that this would not just be a fools errand. Oh certainly the meeting could end in failure on both fronts, but to Ashara even that was not wasted time - success might be more rewarding, but failure was more educational.
Ashara sighs quietly, annoyed.
She is not annoyed that Ser Roland is late, as the appointed time had not yet arrived. Ashara had arrived early - one cannot be late if they are early. Nor is she annoyed that she had been waiting long - being too early was merely another form of wasting time, so she certainly had not come too early.
No, she is annoyed merely that she had to wait at all. Why couldn't he have shown up just the right amount of early like she had? Men could be so inconsiderate.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Sept 9, 2018 16:09:09 GMT 1
Roland arrived, glancing up at the sky to try to gauge the time but oblivious to any offence give.
He bowed in greeting.
"My lady. Good Ser Mikel said that you were keen to speak with gently Alicent. If the matter that vexes you is part of her troubles than I shall be pleased to assist both of you."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 9, 2018 17:54:02 GMT 1
Well, he's not late. That's about the best that I can say though.
Rising from the bench she had been waiting on, Ashara curtsies.
"Ser Roland, I hope the day finds you well."
In contrast to her inner dialogue, her outward behaviors were the epitome of courtesy.
"Ser Mikel told me of your investigation of the attack on Lady Alicent and asked if I might have any thoughts on the matter. I do not know much of the situation, but I thought I might be of some small help. As there are only two remaining witnesses to the attack, speaking with the two of you seemed the best place to start. As I have not yet met Lady Alicent, I thought it best to have an introduction - and given the circumstances I could think of no one better suited than you. If you are willing, of course?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Sept 10, 2018 10:25:04 GMT 1
As was his usual way Ser Roland was clad in the darker livery of House Starling rather than bearing the boot of his birth house. Still, some loyalties ran deep in the blood, no matter how far a man was forced from his home.
"Ser Mikel is a credit to knighthood in both skill and manner."
"I knew Lady Alicent passing well already from feasts and balls, although it was a most strange introduction given that I'd widowed her cousin in the war."
He sighed.
"Still, neither she nor her cousin even outwardly bore me ill will in the matter - I corresponded with the former for some time before she retired to the Sept."
"Septa Tyane's tragic heroism has brought us closer. We should perhaps be gentle in our questioning, as she has seen things no maid ever should. Still, she is brave and keen to assist, and perhaps this is even linked in some way to those that scheme against you my lady."
Roland nodded, seemingly satisfied with himself and set off to make the necessary introductions.
[OOC: shall I let you summon the narrator here for your schemes and any subsequent intrigue?]
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 11, 2018 6:25:57 GMT 1
"All the more reason for a woman - and a sympathetic one at that - to speak with her. Have you questions about the investigation to ask her yourself?"
[OOC: I'm ready for some NC action if you are]
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Sept 11, 2018 15:31:52 GMT 1
"Ser Mikel may well have informed you that I have kept the source of the rumour that imperiled Lady Alicent close to my chest, not out of mistrust, but to best preserve the safety of both parties."
Roland paused.
"The timing of the whole misadventure troubles me, for the assassins were told of the tale before Lord Hightower's remembrance ceremony and told who to strike at and why, yet Lady Alicent was vehement that she only spoke of the matter with the source at the ceremony. Most vexing, and suggesting some deeper plot is at work."
"Trying to learn more of this matter may be wise, but we may have to speak in generalities to avoid risking more lives."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 11, 2018 18:25:53 GMT 1
"Of course. Discretion is key - both for our safety as well as theirs. Whoever sent the catspaws has already shown a casual disregard for life - that they might resort to additional murder to prevent that secret from becoming public is a possibility that we cannot ignore."
She lays her hand on Ser Roland's forearm.
"I can only hope that should the worst occur I would have a true and doughty knight such as yourself to protect me, as you did with Lady Alicent."
Withdrawing her hand - it wouldn't do to seem overly familiar - she smiles.
"Well then, shall we go speak with the Lady?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Sept 13, 2018 11:36:47 GMT 1
Roland smiled at Ashara's touch, and swallowed in a mix of relief and disappointment when her hand was withdrawn, his feelings as confused as ever over the effects Dornish women had on him. Gods be good man, that's your nephew's bride to be. Might as well take a cornucopia as my crest and seek service at Longtable.
He nodded and moved to announce their arrival.
[OOC: have asked for Alicent's presence in my OOC forum]
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Post by Father on Sept 13, 2018 16:35:16 GMT 1
Alicent is found reading in one of the smaller gardens, four members of the Tyrell Guard keeping watch, seemingly an easy enough job for the moment.
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 15, 2018 19:56:17 GMT 1
Ashara curtsies as Ser Roland introduces her to Lady Alicent. "Thank you for agreeing to see me, Lady Alicent. I must admit that I had been hoping to meet with you at some point during this tournament. It is unfortunate that this is the circumstance in which it occurs, but I hope that it might be the silver lining to an otherwise dark cloud." She pauses for a moment, looking to Ser Roland. "Ser Roland, you have done me a great service in making this introduction, but would you mind waiting at a distance? I mean no offense, but some subjects are easier discussed in confidence between women. If you can ensure that we will not be interrupted, I would be quite grateful, and I will happily pass on any information of relevance - subject to the Lady's approval, of course." She waits for Ser Roland to step away, then turns back to Lady Alicent, speaking in a quieter tone to ensure that she is not overheard. "Much better. I don't know about you, but I always find it easier to relax absent the presence of men. Even in Sunspear I found it difficult to just be myself in mixed company. here in the Reach? Impossible." She smiles. "Not to mention, if it is just the two of us we can easily deny in public anything said, making it far less risky to speak honestly. Now, let me start with being honest. I told Ser Roland that I wanted to speak with you to help identify the mastermind behind your attacks, and that is true - but I have another, related purpose as well. There is much speculation about why your betrothal to Lord Eldon has not yet resulted in a wedding. It is easy to assume that you do not desire to wed him, and would do just about anything to end it, if doing so would not dishonor your house too much. Similarly, it certainly seems that Lord Eldon would do anything to break the betrothal, so much so that whomever masterminded the attack on you felt that leaving knives of Longtable manufacture would be sufficient to put all suspicion upon House Merryweather. Certainly, it seems likely to me that the attack was completely about the betrothal, and the questioning regarding the Bracken kinslaying rumor was merely opportunistic. Unless of course you know something I do not connecting you to that rumor." She shakes her head. "I digress. It seems to me that all parties - you, your house, Lord Eldon, even the Crown and Lord Tyrell - would like to see this betrothal settled one way or another. None, however, wish to be seen as the cause of breaking the betrothal, for fear of angering the other parties involved. I have a possible solution to that, but it would require your willing participation, as well as others. The crucial question then, is this: would you be willing to wed another Reach lord, in secret, such that once the secret is revealed all other involved parties could justifiably put all the blame upon you and that other lord, too displace any retributive actions against House Yronwood?"
Fast-forwarding through introductions and pleasantries as well as rushing the conversation a bit to keep this thread moving, as there are a couple other D6 threads are waiting to be triggered by this one. Also, the departure of Ser Roland was discussed in advance; he can come back in later to talk with us if desired, I just need to get this one question answered sooner rather than later.
Father, if getting honest answers out of Lady Alicent would require any mechanics, let me know.
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Post by Father on Sept 16, 2018 11:37:40 GMT 1
Alicent lifts an eyebrow in surprise at the suggestion. "That would shame just about all involved my lady, Lord Tyrell for failing to prevent it, Lord Yronwood for my defiance of his wishes, my groom for "stealing" me, myself for absconding and the septon for agreeing to wed us" She shakes her head. "I think I prefer the present state of affairs, I will not marry him, and he will not have the embarrassment of hosting a grand wedding only for myself to deny him in the sept. All the while, I can live in comfort at Highgarden." She seems more content than happy with that solution.
"I find it difficult to believe that Lord Eldon were behind those thugs, I know him better than most would ever want to, partly because one is encouraged to get to know one's betrothed, partly because I have asked around. There was a time when he was charming and his belly was almost flat, and he has always been clever, now his intelligence is just about the only thing worthy of complimenting, though one could have wished that it was not so, as the man would have been gelded years ago if he did not know every possible trick one of his station can use to get away with taking his pleasures. That girl, Megelle was it? Very few lords would even have bothered to lift their voices over some commoner, and even when they do, he'll avoid the consequences. He does not pick victims that would get him in trouble." She pauses, realizing she got herself derailed. "I believe that someone mistakenly fingered myself as a suspect of the rumors concerning Bittersteel, there was a lot of confusion the morning after the masquerade but by now everyone knows that the falcon was black of hair."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 16, 2018 20:20:05 GMT 1
"I agree that it was unlikely that Lord Eldon was behind the attack. I more suspect that it was someone looking not only to learn of the rumor, but also to earn a portion of House Merryweather's wealth - by offering up an alternative bride, perhaps, or by ensuring that Lord Eldon sires no legitimate heirs. Only a fool would seek to murder the source of a rumor such as that, for it simply lends credence to the rumor. Better to ridicule the source such that no one takes the rumor seriously." "In regard to ending the betrothal, yes, you are absolutely correct that it would be 'shameful' - but I cannot help but feel that this current situation brings a certain amount of shame as well - while you have not technically done anything shameful, it is widely understood that you would, if forced to the Sept, refuse to say the words. Not that I would do different if I were in your position." "I do not shame that needs to avoided, and I doubt you are terribly afraid of shame. We share a few things in common, you and I - and one of them is that no matter what we do or do not do there will be people here in the Reach that say we do shameful things even if we do not. No, it is retribution and violence that need to be avoided, and if possible freedom and comfort that should be maintained."
"If I am right about the motivation behind your attack, there may be additional attempts on your life. That, to me, is the biggest reason to change the situation. Actually wedding Lord Eldon is of course not a viable solution - even if it were not distasteful it would not eliminate the motivation to end your life. That is why I had the thought to end the betrothal in a way that would minimize the risk of retribution against you or House Yronwood."
"However, I will respect your desires. If you do not wish for the situation to change, so be it. I will do what I can to identify whomever was behind your attack, and hopefully that will be sufficient to dissuade future attempts."
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Post by Father on Sept 16, 2018 23:54:07 GMT 1
"As anyone would be, my lady, I am of course interested in anything that would lead to a happy and secure future" She mostly seems to reject the specific idea offered. "The investigation done by Lord Tyrell's men suggests that someone had thought I had information of value to give up regarding those rumors, Lord Marq put it best, I think, anyone having planned in advance to murder me would not have hastily hired some local thugs, the presence of a single knight, even one not quite so skilled as Ser Roland, would likely suffice to make the scheme fail.
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Sept 17, 2018 1:41:15 GMT 1
Ashara nods.
"If there is anything I can do to help you achieve the happy and secure future you desire, please let me know. We do not know each other well, but I feel we have much in common - and if you have had to deal with even half the ridiculous behavior I have, you deserve it, and I would be happy to help."
I can't say I would be particularly interested in my offer either, but I wouldn't really like to be in her position, either.
"In regard to the original purpose of this meeting... I have doubt that Lord Marq is correct. However, I can also say that I had no intention of speaking to you on this matter prior to the tourney, either."
Odd, from what Laena has said I wouldn't think Lord Marq would assume that because this was a hasty plan that it couldn't be because of the betrothal. Unless Lady Alicent misunderstood him, of course.
"I have no doubt that Lord Tyrell's men" there is a distinct tone of disdain on that word "intend well, but I have little confidence in their conclusion. From what I have been told, the catspaws were initially hired before you even learned of that particular rumor - which could simply mean you were misidentified by someone, but it could also mean that the rumor inquiry was unrelated."
She shakes her head.
"Regardless, it would be an unnecessary risk to assume that because they were interested in the rumor that it was the sole reason you were attacked, and thus that the threat has passed. Not when there are other paths to explore. To that end I have some questions that might be... personal. I assure you that I will keep your secrets, even from Ser Roland or others seeking the murderer if you so desire."
She pauses.
"Unless of course you have some other reason to think that there is no longer a threat...?"
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Post by Father on Sept 18, 2018 14:42:25 GMT 1
"When shared, secrets becomes information, my lady" Alicent gives a mischievous smile hinting that maybe she is not quite so innocent or clueless concerning such matters as most ladies are, and for the most part she looks and talks like most ladies. "But you may ask of course, and if some are too personal, I will simply avoid giving straight answers, politely, I hope.
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