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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 7, 2018 0:59:07 GMT 1
It's late in the day. Mikel is escorting Laena to the Sept to pray both that Ser Titus makes it through the night, and for the souls of at least some of the departed. Ser Donnel Blackbriar is confirmed dead, among many others, and word has spread that Septon Abelar is responsible for the riot.
Having spent some time doing what little she can to mitigate the situation, now it is time for mortal hands to acknowledge their limitations, and pass their hopes on to immortal ones.
"Putting aside the senseless, pointless tragedy of it all, do you understand just how big a disaster Ser Donnel's death is for us, Ser Mikel?" Laena asks him, suddenly.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 8, 2018 8:29:56 GMT 1
Yesterday Laena had taken the news of Lord Bridges death extremely hard. Today perhaps hundreds had been killed, Mikel had been present for it and also suffered the worst of a deadly duel, yet her mind was fixed on the political ramifications. If he hadn't become more familiar with her he would have been surprised. "Ser Donnel was a strong influence upon his brother and had declared for the King as well as been supporting our desire for a closer relation between our houses. Now that he is gone we have lost that support and it is more likely that his brother shall be influenced the other way as Ser Donnel could have been the only one acting on our behalf."
Mercifully Laena walked at Mikel's pace. "I do not recall hearing that Lord Blackbriar has a heir either. So if Ser Donnel was in line to be such, that means his oldest son Ser Balon is now set to inherit his uncles lands should anything happen to him." Mikel imagined the odds of something happening to Lord Blackbriar had just greatly increased. "And that would set their house firmly against our own."
"I feel like this tournament is not going the King's way." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 8, 2018 22:04:36 GMT 1
Laena shakes her head. "Lord Jon *has* an heir ... a small, fragile child named Joffrey. Sylvina liked him when they met. Said he was funny.
"After that vulnerable child, it's then Ser Balon. And likely disaster, if the situation isn't mitigated somehow."
As utterly crazy and backwards as it sounds, the only real hope for peace between our houses lies with Ser Balon himself.
"Should Ser Titus not survive the night as well, there's a very real chance the remaining Blackbriar forces will be inspired to support the revolutionaries, lacking inspiring figures on the crown-loyalist side.
"I hope he makes it." She adds quietly. "Personally, as well. He had spirit, and was willing to stand up for what he believed in, even when it was difficult.
"Your assessment that the tourney is not going the King's way is, sadly, entirely accurate. If he has sense, Prince Baelor will be heading to Lord Marq, and promising him whatever it takes to make the Tyrell/Peake rift widen from Ladies Amerei and Tanda to include the lords, thus shifting Lord Leo away from supporting the revolutionaries." She shrugs. "Will he? Will it make a difference? Is even Lord Marq capable of such a feat? I don't know."
She carries on a few more slow steps before she echoes quietly. "I don't know."
She sighs. "This morning, I said 'let us hope the misfortune falls upon other shoulders, rather than our own'." A few steps. "This ... wasn't what I wanted."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 9, 2018 9:23:04 GMT 1
Mikel nods in affirmation when Laena corrects him over Lord Blackbriar having an heir. As Laena speaks about Ser Titus Mikel nods agreement but when she speaks about what steps Prince Baelor should take he has only questions. "How long do you think that the King should wait before taking military action? I imagine that he has an understanding that there is a strong faction growing stronger which intends to remove him from the throne. Even that he knows at least most of the key men and women involved with that faction. While all the Lords were here this would have been a perfect opportunity for him to strike against them by way of attacking their lands or at least putting pieces into position to launch an attack. Politically speaking, when would the time be right and why might it have been wrong to do now?"
"I doubt anybody had any idea that would happen. Not even those who had been there listening to that Septon riling everybody up. In my mind the worst of it is that he will be held accountable, as he should be, but Lord Merryweather will not be given any blame himself. He will be seen as the victim." An edge creeps into Mikels voice for a briefly. "This tournament has made clear the truth of justice and of men and their honor." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 10, 2018 0:40:37 GMT 1
"Understand: civil war is a unique type of war - the side which strikes the first blow automatically loses moral ground. Were the King to invade their lands, what would his justification be? Talk? Rumour? Officially, Ser Daemon has made no claim on the throne, there's just been talk about putting him there. Dangerous talk, certainly, but to instigate a war based on mere talk is the act of a tyrant. He'd create five enemies for each one defeated that way. "What I imagine the King is doing is focusing his attentions on the Stormlands, Riverlands, and Westerlands, making sure all three lean his way. Dorne he can take for granted, of course. In this way, when the revolutionaries strike the first blow, the King may call in help from all four lands, and crush the revolutionary army in-between them." She shrugs. "Though admittedly, my knowledge of warfare is slim, I'm fairly certain that outnumbering and surrounding your opponent is a good idea. "By ensuring the revolutionaries strike the first blow, by raising their banners in rebellion first, the King preserves his moral high ground, and ensues the revolutionaries have no justification beyond 'preference' for their rebellion. While were he to strike first, they could justify their action as 'removing a tyrant'." "This tournament has made clear the truth of justice and of men and their honor." Laena gives a strong nod of agreement at that, clearly pleased by Mikel's conclusion. "Some men certainly have honour - your friend Ser Roland, for instance, or our own Lord Ulbert - but they are few and far between. And generally with little power." |
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 11, 2018 8:30:59 GMT 1
"What you say makes sense. Unfortunately giving the rebels good advantages. They'll use the time to prepare until they feel confident and be able to pick how and when it all starts. I imagine they'll create some good momentum for themselves while the loyalists mobilize and correspond. How about the smaller picture though, that of House Starkwood? Given how things are right now what direction will the nearest threats lay and how comparable are the forces of those threats to our own?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 11, 2018 13:55:03 GMT 1
"As the saying goes, 'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face'. There are certainly crown-loyalists enacting their plans in the meantime, and interfering in the revolutionaries' plans. I suspect the first blow will be struck not when either side truly wants, but when one considers 'good enough'. Ideal circumstances just don't happen in politics or, so I hear, warfare."
She scrunches her face up briefly. "What you're asking me is verging on military knowledge, which I sorely lack, but I'll do my best.
"The revolutionaries will need speed to win, so they are likely to need roads to move their army on King's Landing fast enough. That leaves two options - The Roseroad through the Reach, or up the Ocean road into the Westerlands, then using the Gold Road. The Roseroad goes through the Stormlands, and has an issue for the revolutionaries that they need to cross the Mander at Bitterbridge, held by noted crown-loyalist House Caswell. Likely the first thing he'll do on learning of revolutionary forces approaching is collapse the bridge. That will seriously slow down their army, as they either have to detour cross-country, or find some other way across - makeshift rafts, for instance." She frowns. "The Gold Road has to cross rivers twice, but I can't recall who controls those off-hand." She shakes her head. "Ultimately, it depends on if the revolutionaries believe the Westerlands or the Stormlands leans more their way. If both do, they may split their forces to gather up lords from both simultaneously, and meet up at King's Landing.
"If - and it *is* 'if' my analysis is correct, House Starkwood should be relatively safe. Being a literal backwood works in our favour for once. The absolute last thing the revolutionaries would want would be to travel through thick forest, harassed by Starkwood forces, to take a well-supplied castle that isn't on the way to anything. Plus, we have the Rowans to our west, and the Caswells to our east, both firm loyalists. The Blackbriars to our south are a slight question mark, but even if they join the revolutionaries, they're likely to march south to avoid being caught between three armies of loyalists, rather than strike north at us.
"Not that I'm sure, but I *suspect* our main forces will join House Rowan, likely taking out smaller groups of revolutionaries before they can join their main force, and doing what they can to delay their main force as much as possible." She sighs. "But that's just a wild guess. I'm no strategist, I've just read some history."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 13, 2018 5:19:07 GMT 1
Mikel smiled at Laena's comment about a plan not surviving once being punched in the face - he could attest to that. Laena's thoughts about the timing likely being perfect for neither side when the war finally came couldn't be wrong but he still believed the rebel's would have more say in when things started then the loyalists and that would certainly be advantageous to their opening acts and perhaps even set the tone and pace for the entire war.
As he had not been in Starkwood lands long he appreciated that she broke her thoughts into such detail. When the tournament ended and they all returned he had ideas on how he might put his time to better use then waiting for what may come, when it may come. With any luck and Lord Ulbert's permission if he took this idea to action it could perhaps greatly benefit them whether acting offensively or defensively.
"Sounds like I should spend more time reading the histories. With so many wars fought in the Kingdoms throughout time I imagine there will be plenty to suggest what is likely to happen and where." Doing his best not to limp along he casually observed those around them, how near they were and what they were doing. As dangerous as things were he was doing his best not to limp and make an even more appealing target for any would be assassin watching them. "When we leave I think that I will feel like I wished I had done more with the future in mind while we were here." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 13, 2018 13:25:20 GMT 1
Laena frowns. "I wouldn't place too much trust in the histories, to be honest. Every civil war since the founding of the Seven Kingdoms had one major difference to the one coming: they had dragons. And now the dragons are gone." There is a definite note of mourning in her tone. "I don't think anyone really knows for sure just how big of a difference that makes." Without dragons, Targaryens are vulnerable. Technically, *anyone* could rule, since they no longer need the blood to control the dragons. But without us, the kingdom will tear itself apart over inheritance every generation, as every major lord scrambles to be made king.
We could be witnessing the beginning of the end.
"Regret is natural." Laena concedes. "The important thing is to learn from it, without letting it control or consume you. Too many people wallow in the past, letting it dictate their future. Blinded to possibilities by insults made before they were born.
"Do you have something in particular you wish you had done?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 17, 2018 7:53:11 GMT 1
"I imagine in the future I will wish I had done more to impact the coming war. Most of the reach is here, which means that most friends and enemies are gathered here. And not simply the men who do what they are told to, but those who tell them what to do. The possibility of having thinned out a number of those men will likely come back to me in the future on some battlefield and then I will wonder how much blood I could have saved. My blood and those beside me in particular. Then of course those who have no say in being part of the fighting."
"Just now my duel bothers me the most, I spent most of the vigil thinking it over hoping to take some lessons from it. The loss of my horse is upsetting. Not finding someway to hold Lord Merryweather accountable troubles me, though I know such investigating and maneuvering is foreign to me. And " Mikel decides that is enough, lest he turn the conversation sour. "Those are the foremost. If I continue on I imagine your opinion of me might lower. Forgive me if what I have spoken of comes too close to be considered complaining."
"I could be optimistic and say that with the last few days there is still time to do something which could prove beneficial in the future. Perhaps when my mood passes I shall think of such an act. Do you have any intention that you will be striving for in these last days?" |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 17, 2018 11:54:06 GMT 1
Laena purses her lips. "'Thinned out' the number of opposition leaders? You mean like Ser Balon did? That is certainly the exact thought process he went through." Her tone indicates she is not approving of the idea. "The veil of civilization over our true nature is so torn and thin already, and you wish to rip it further? Not to mention that the only death that would likely make a significant difference would be that of Lord Gorman, and he knows that full well, and won't let it happen."
"Do I have intentions for the last couple of days?" Murder Lord Bryce's killer. "Nothing special. Tragically, the knights of the realm are not at each other's throats over my hand, so barring an unexpected victory by a dark horse, I may have to start preparing myself for a life of spinsterhood. I will not compromise myself with mediocrity" again.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 30, 2018 7:42:19 GMT 1
"I agree that the customs we all hold dear should be upheld. But there is no denying that they are not and those taking advantage of that lack of justice, or custom - whichever you prefer - are doing things will give a large advantage when this turns to a real war. Ser Balon is a perfect example, the man who was killed at his hand was the King's foremost general wasn't he? I suppose their might be a chance for a man of superior skill to be selected but the odds are against it. I would like to think the King had the best man in that position that he could find, and he in fact has a reputation for doing just that."
"In my joust against Otho I knew from the first pass that he was trying to take my head off. It would have been naive of me to consider it just a joust - I suppose it was ignorant to even continue with it given his intention. Yet I knew to succeed, or survive which in this case could be thought of as the same, I had to yield or get him off his horse. If I thought attacking his horse gave me the best chance of that I would have done it. There are no second chances in life and playing by the rules while your enemy does not seems naïve to me. Of course there are things I would not do but I understand they could cost me my life and accept that."
"Of course I consider myself quite self aware and imagine trying anything like that would have me killed during a failed attempt. They are just thoughts born of frustration. Perhaps if I were truly being sensible I would release that my frustrations are self inflicted and let them go."
"Lady Laena, nothing about you is mediocre and I cannot imagine that with your continued efforts you will come up empty handed. If Knights are not throttling each other to get to you I imagine it is because they are too afraid to approach you." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 30, 2018 20:10:41 GMT 1
"Of course I consider myself quite self aware and imagine trying anything like that would have me killed during a failed attempt. They are just thoughts born of frustration. Perhaps if I were truly being sensible I would realise that my frustrations are self inflicted and let them go." Laena raises a finger in objection. "Do not let them go entirely, for there is a lesson to remember there. When the good man realises that the systems of morality and chivalry are mere shackles placed upon him by crafty men seeking advantage, he has three paths before him: "Reject the shackles entirely. The system, properly played, rewards those who act unfettered by common mores and morals. Instead, he acts according to what benefits him the most. While this does include blackguards like Ser Otho, it also contains others less black-hearted, who nonetheless act according to their own personal code, rather than one imposed on them by society at large. "Maintain the appearance of the shackles in public, but shed them in private. This is the most common answer. Keep up appearances, but otherwise act to your own advantage. This also includes dropping the shackles where maintaining them would result in a worse outcome. "Willingly, and with full knowledge of the consequences, re-don the shackles. Follow the dictates of morality and chivalry not because you were *told* to, but because you *choose* to. Accept that bad things may happen to good people, including yourself, because of this decision, but decide that *methods matter*, more than results. This is arguably both the stupidest and the noblest answer, and I consider no True Knight such who has not made this *choice*. "I both cannot and will not tell you which path to take. Nor do I recommend you make a snap decision. Instead, consider your feelings and your frustrations carefully, and make a decision that's right for you. The only wrong decision is to not make a *choice*, and just carry on as before, because it's simpler and easier." "Lady Laena, nothing about you is mediocre and I cannot imagine that with your continued efforts you will come up empty handed. If Knights are not throttling each other to get to you I imagine it is because they are too afraid to approach you." At his last comment, Laena laughs. She doesn't argue against it - pointing out her age, her children, House Starkwood's irrelevance - she likes the thought of knights who would willingly charge towards deadly danger being afraid of her too much. She can't keep herself from smiling for a while afterwards - simple flattery has done much to raise her mood. |
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Jan 1, 2019 9:18:17 GMT 1
"As with all of our conversations you enlighten me. Sometime soon I should sit down at a fire with some wine and really think that over. It would be better to have made an answer for a situation before it arises, if it ever does, then struggle for one in the moment. After all indecision is quite deadly. I really like how you put it, not making a decision is the wrong decision. I will put those exact words to use during Harold's training. And of course if you want credit for them I can ensure he knows where they came from."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 1, 2019 14:57:45 GMT 1
Laena firmly shakes her head. "The tutor must always appear all-wise and all-knowing, to be seen as a figure worthy of respect and attention. Take all credit yourself, with my blessing. Your squire will be surrounded by others also seeking to impose their own worldly paradigm upon them; the more faith they have in your teachings, the more likely they are to hold true to them when they are challenged." The implication that Laena is largely passing on lessons she herself was taught is unsaid, left to Mikel to infer.
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