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Post by Father on Dec 18, 2018 19:21:01 GMT 1
"A fool I may be, but to make a scandal of such size as to make men forget riots and fires and uncounted tragedy? That would be beyond foolish." The dwarf seems dismissive of the notion.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 19, 2018 0:53:19 GMT 1
"You do me injustice if you think I wish anyone to forget the events of last night." Malyk replies softly. He takes a chair, reversing it. He straddles it, letting his arms rest lightly on the back as he looks at the dwarf. "Is it not a King's duty to pronounce judgement on the wicked?" "Shall I make some predictions? The trial will be a spectacle. Abelar will be very stirring and convincing. He will invoke the Faith of the Seven to justify his abominable actions. His rhetoric will be inspired. He will shift the blame from himself to them, or perhaps the smallfolk, or most likely onto Lord Eldon himself.
Lord Tyrell will do... nothing. The tourney has whittled away at his credibility and he is on tenuous ground. He will spare Abelar out of fear of reprisal from the church or offending those of the nobility who support him.
The church will do... nothing. They fear him as well. Many may agree with him to a degree, especially where Lord Eldon is concerned. Those Septon who don't will fear their own position is compromised if they speak out against him. They will pass off the decision to Lord Tyrell then wring their hands afterwards.
The nobles will do... nothing. They do not fear him, although they should. Many hate Lord Eldon and are sorry he survived. Most could care less if a few hundred smallfolk were slaughtered. There are so many of us, after all; easily replaceable, and they were Highgarden smallfolk in any case. Why bother championing serfs that aren't your own? No, there is nothing to gain in seeking justice for them. They will watch the show and whisper all the right platitudes, and them promptly forget it ever occured.
The question is, Butterbumps, are you a fool like me, or only an actor playing one. Are you different from them, or just the same? I do not expect you to interfere with the trial, that would be beyond foolish, but your entire career is one of character assassination. I can think of no-one better to show the world just what Abelar is and his actions have provided you with a golden opportunity to destroy the man. Will you truly give it up? Perhaps you may not be able to take your throne back at the moment. Does that mean you will allow Abelar to sit comfortably upon it?"
Convince Butterbumps to rubbish Abelar's reputation.
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Post by Father on Dec 19, 2018 20:53:37 GMT 1
"And I am to do what? They already loathe him, it would be like kicking in open doors." Butterbumps shakes his head. "And I did a number of him once, repeat performances are for lesser fools"
"Also, Lord Leo commanded no more grand surprises. What does he know, for all the art adorning his walls and gardens, and filling his halls with it's lovely lovely sights and sounds, he seems not to appreciate it beyond the pride and prestige of having it. But such is the patron this little fool, too clever for his own good, must please. A patron that might think a lackwit with no talent and no shock effect a better choice for a fool, and I shall wither away in some backwater!"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 19, 2018 23:00:43 GMT 1
"You disappoint me Butterbumps. Perhaps others are fooled by your outrageous act, but I see intellect and subtlety behind the facade. I may not be able to read any of the fine books that adorn these shelves, but I know you have from cover to cover. I may be a fool but do not take me for one.
They may all hate him, but many respect and fear him. It is this that gives him power. Take away that respect and you take his power. If today has taught me anything, it's that it doesn't matter how right you are, or how eloquent you are, if you are not respected then your words fall on deaf ears. You are respected, in your own way, and feared as well. Is Abelar really so formidable that even the greatest nobility, unto the King of Fools himself, lie impotent before him? Even the very Seven seem to quake upon hearing his footsteps.
What bothers me most, is that hundreds of people were slaughtered at his command and no-one seems to care; no-one except me. Each man ripped from their families, deluded by one evil, vindictive man. Each man had people who love and mourn them. Each man had ambition, wants and desires that will now go unfullfilled, their families with ambition wants and desires that will now go unfullfilled because of their absence. Each of them had a life and a soul that was sacrificed by a man whose purpose should be to improve and protect these very things. Everyone knows in their hearts just how wrong this was, yet they do nothing because doing nothing is easier.
I fully expect Abelar to walk from that trial alive and well, but that need not be the end of it. The souls of the dead will cry out for justice, gaining none from those tasked to dispense it. I do not believe it should end there, and it need not. Someone needs to protect the future from his evil and I cannot do it alone. You are a master of your craft. If anyone can bring death by a thousand cuts, it is you." He waved at the various books on the shelves. "If all this cannot bring solace to those grievously wronged, what good is it?"
Malyk looked a the dwarf for a long moment. "If you will not do it because it is the right thing to do, perhaps I can tempt you another way. It seems I unintentionally misled you when we last talked. I learned last night that I do, in fact, have a secret; one that even I was unaware of, and quite an extraordinary one at that. That's what you collect, isn't it? Secrets? I assure you it would be quite an impressive addition to your collection. However, if you expect tribute from me, King of Fools, you need to display you are worthy of the title and not just another pretender to the throne."
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Post by Father on Dec 20, 2018 14:30:47 GMT 1
"Shaming me into acting? Why, you might make a good fool one day, just needing the tutelage of a master!" Butterbumps finds the thought delightful. "I can make people laugh, but I can only provoke, only taunt and trick, the rest the good septon must do himself, and I have run out of materials to work with.
The dwarf slides down from his chair and waddles over to his personal library "But I have studied him, oh yes, most of these books are my own notes and compositions, secrets, poems, plays, songs, ideas for them. And inspiration besides, I can wholly recommend The Testimony of Mushroom, a most wonderful book, worth a read, or to pay someone a few coins to do it for you." He cackles on as he tries to find the right one. "Let's see, the secrets of the septon, he seems to have taken an interest in your lovely Lady Alena, and of Lady Mya, too, I love her, you know, she'd make a great fool if they allowed women to become one...Lady Alena lost her husband to be to the chaos, she might be quite cooperative, I know not how her taste for vengeance would be, but many women finds it a sweet dish, and Lady Mya is always up for mischief."
"When the good septon is not spewing his foul-smelling brand of fiery black-smoked calls for cleansing and repentance, he has a very good eye for the curves of an attractive sinful lady, an urge to well..pray together with her for the forgiveness of her soul, or well, I don't know what fuels such a desire. Both ladies are born on the wrong side of the sheets and are both sinful seductresses. Fine bait, no?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 20, 2018 20:10:24 GMT 1
"I had considered Lady Alena, but was reticent at the idea. I am not Lord Marq who will walk over anyone in his path to attain his goals. If I bring great harm in my quest for justice I am no better than Abelar, worse in fact, because I know it is wrong." He thought for a moment. "Still, I should visit her, if only to console her. I believe she genuinely loved Lord Karl and his loss will be hard on her. Lady Mya could be interesting." He looked at the dwarf. "I hear that many love the Great Bastard, perhaps even more than Lady Alicent. Fiery passion is very alluring, Abelar is living proof of that.
If the only stumbling block is materials, I shall have to see that more are provided." He rose. "I will be holding a candlelight vigil in Gardenton this evening, and a wake, of sorts, afterwards for those who have passed. Those of great standing will have their funerals, but the smallfolk should have an opportunity to heal as well. You are welcome to attend, if you have a mind. Just leave the scepter behind. Laughter can help heal the greatest hurts. Abelar may even attend, after Lord Tyrell has slapped him on the wrist. He will stay away if he is smart; although I believe his talent is arrogance, not intelligence."
Bowing, he left the dwarf to his books, his mediocre painting and his plots. He wanted to be angry at the little man, but he could not bring himself to it. Butterbumps may be one of the most effective weapons against Abelar, but he also stood the most to lose. If Septon Janos feared for his position, it was even riskier for a fool that must walk on an knifes edge for the nobles. Malyk had the staunch support of Lord Levalle. Butterbumps did not have the same luxury.
Leaving the Fool's raftered rooms, he chatted with various servants and retainers. Highgarden was a large city but it was no King's landing. Many had lost friends and loved ones last night. He could feel people's pain emanating from them like waves. He consoled where he could, attempting to lighten their burden, if only a fraction. He finally arrived at the great hall to watch the spectacle surrounding Ser Dragos. It disgusted him but he remained silent and watched yet another tragedy, abiet a much smaller one, unfolding.
How do these nobles manage to live in the world and not be a part of it.
He returned to the stables for his horse, but was delayed leaving by one of the stableboys. His song was so painful and fractured it could not be ignored, nor would Malyk wish to. His father had been hung by Lord Tyrell last night, yet here he was today still working in the man's stables. He had no other choice. The pain in the boy's eyes was like wildfyre. His father had survived the slaughter only to be hung. He hugged the boy tightly as he wept bitterly on Malyk's shoulder. The stablemaster tried to intercede, but a venomous glare from the Seneschal sent him scurrying off.
He considered visiting Lady Mya next, but he wanted to ponder that for a while. He had his own reasons for wanting to avoid Great Bastards, but there were several that might be useful. One in particular, but did he dare approach him? It seemed like the Father's own hand was working against him. Perhaps Abelar did have the Seven supporting him, but if that was true it meant everything Malyk believed about the world was wrong.
His horse seemed to bring him to his next target of it's own accord, as he'd been lost in thought for most of the ride.
"Senechal Malyk of House Levalle to see Lord or Lady Blackbriar."
It was actually Lady Blackbriar he wanted to see. Lord Jon would be at the melee by now.
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Post by Father on Dec 20, 2018 22:09:47 GMT 1
"What makes you think so of Lord Marq?" The dwarf cocks his head with curiosity. "Everyone else says he is an upstanding guy, so must it then not be true?"
Malyk is granted an audience with Lady Erena.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 20, 2018 23:04:31 GMT 1
"My Lady, I will not take up much of your valuable time. House Levalle simply wished to extend our sincere condolences on the passing of Ser Donnel. He was a great and honorable man and his loss is a terrible tragedy that will be felt by many. We also pray for the recovery of his son, Ser Titus. If there is any assistance we may give in his recovery, you need only ask." Malyk's words were remarkable by how heartfelt there were. The Seneschal was extremely fond of the romantic young Knight and would gladly do anything he could to see him well again. He had already done much to ensure the healers had every resource they needed, but would go further if there was something he had not thought of.
"Lord Levalle is also concerned there may be backlash against House Blackbriar due to last night's events. The loss of Ser Donnel and indisposition of Ser Titus may put you at risk. We offer our aid to your House should you require it. Many draw unjust inference between our House and that of Lord Merryweather, but the truth is we would have come to the aid of any noble House under such trying circumstances. Should you have need, we will do our best to accommodate you." If his information was correct, the parallels between her and Marianne and her son and Simon should not be lost on her. As Butterbumps had said, most loathed Abelar and the possibility some might strike at House Blackbriar because of him was a very real one. If Abelar was not executed, that danger only increased.
"Finally, House Levalle is acutely aware that sometimes circumstances conspire to assign blame where it does not belong. Should you wish to distance your House from the events of last night, House Levalle will support you. Many are paying the price for last nights bloodiness. Those who were innocent of wrongdoing should be shielded if possible." He was very careful not to use Abelar's name, but both knew exactly what he was saying. Abelar needed to be severed from House Blackbriar or the House's reputation would suffer greatly.
If Abelar is not executed and House Blackbriar chooses to expel Abelar from their lands, House Levalle will spend an Influence to reduce House Blackbriar's Influence loss by a further 1 point.
It will probably be in their interests to do so anyway, but no-one seems to be doing much in their own interests right now and an added treat can't hurt. It also goes a little way in mitigating House Levalle's (rather unjust) reputation.
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Post by Father on Dec 21, 2018 2:12:22 GMT 1
"You are most kind, good master Malyk" Erena smiles weakly, Ser Donnel would be missed greatly, and if Titus succumbed to the embrace of The Stranger, it would be felt twice as hard. "It is good to know that we are not alone in our sorrow"
Malyk is sort of preaching to the choir here, but Erena is polite enough not to put Jon in an awkward position by making any promises.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 21, 2018 7:26:57 GMT 1
"My Lady, I assure you, you are not alone in your sorrow." Hundreds, perhaps thousands are grieving terribly as we speak. "This tourney has brought sorrow to many."
He bowed formally and left the Lady Blackbriar to her thoughts. He could only offer help to people, he could not make them take it.
Returning to the Levalle pavillions, he checked on the arrangements for the vigil in Gardenton that evening. Once satisfied everything was in hand, he returned to the castle and sat quietly as the trial of Septon Abelar began. Malyk spoke on behalf of House Levalle. His Lordship had decided that Lord Spongeholder denouncing Abelar and supporting Lord Eldon in this matter might do more harm than good. The Senechal might be taken less seriously than his Lord, but Malyk was famous for being a good man devoted to the Seven.
Abelar's speech was all Malyk expected: passionate, contrite, political, accusatory, challenging. It was almost exactly as he had predicted to Butterbumps.
How could you not know what would happen? You saw the results of the riot. You may have been shocked then, but you cannot claim surprise now. Blame the King or Lord Tyrell for your act of sedition. The refuge of every monster to excuse their atrocities. Fire sentiment is very high right now. It will play well to your audience. You use one poor girl to justify the deaths of hundreds. I wonder if you would consider both crimes equal if it were another's head for the noose. You rape her again, and worse than Lord Eldon. He only took her body. You corrupt her soul and use her despicable victimization to justify an act infinitely worse.
After the trial, Malyk found his way to a quiet garden and promptly threw up in a rose bed.
The verdict had not been rendered, but the look on Lord Tyrell's face was all he had needed to see. There would be no justice this day.
Wiping his mouth with a cloth, he looked up to see Lady Alena Flowers looking at him. He had known her for years and liked her immensely. Her quick wit and fiery charm were appealing, even if she was sometimes far more reckless than Malyk liked. He had quietly made more than one problem go away for the young lady. How many he could not say. He never kept score.
"You catch me at an awkward moment, Alena." He said as he stood and bowed, then walked to her. "How are you holding up? I am sorry I have not come to check on you. I have been somewhat consumed by this whole mess. I do apologize."
The bulk of the coffers I spent is going to pay for the vigil and wake/celebration afterwards.
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Post by Father on Dec 21, 2018 20:09:36 GMT 1
"I made a proper show of mourning" Alena declares dryly, she had mourned the short life of her triumph, and pretended in public that it was for the man. She cared much less for Karl Willum than trading her baseborn status for the much more respectable title of Lady Willum, though Lord Karl was an easy enough man to like, in the same way that it is easy enough to like children. Alena had always been very practical and a quick-learner, and the saying that bastards grew up faster than trueborn children definitely applies to her. Her promiscuity would keep her father awake at night if he only knew how deep it went. At least she was discreet enough that he lost no more sleep than most fathers having a daughter with her looks.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 22, 2018 3:25:23 GMT 1
"You spoke quite eloquently against Abelar; far more eloquently than I." He shrugged. "I have lived my life on the premise that most people are basically good. That premise seems rather hollow at the moment, but perhaps that is because nobles are not most people. They seem to go to every effort to prove that, anyway." He sighed. "So what will you do now? I'm not sure how many other Lords there are that would have the willpower, the patience or the simple obliviousness to put up with you." He grinned. "You know I will help you if I can... within some semblance of reason. You have not always been happy, and I would see you happy. Lord Levalle would too, for all that you frustrate him to distraction. Your father... well, he would just be happy if you settled down with a nice young man with prospects. It's not entirely a bad idea, but then he doesn't understand that you would likely wilt if not given enough sunlight. You might consider pursuading him to send you to Dorne. It will probably be much safer over the coming few years than here and I understand they have copious amounts of sun." Malyk would happily go to Dorne right now. The more people said they hated the Dornish, the more he wanted to see it for himself. His loyalty to Lord Levalle and his duty to the House made that impossible, of course. "Were it not for my duties, I would join you. I could use a little sunlight right now."
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Post by Father on Dec 22, 2018 22:50:17 GMT 1
"The willingness to marry a bastard is the key requirement." Alena notes with a shrug. "Which means a man like Lord Karl, someone that does not let politics get in the way of marrying the woman he desires above all else. Either that or some whitebeard widower with grown children that simply wants to fuck a girl young enough to be his granddaughter and fondle her pair of perfect teats." She grimaces at the thought. "I prefer someone like Lord Karl, or at least a handsome young knight of note, like Ser Parmen."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Dec 23, 2018 1:03:29 GMT 1
"Unfortunately Ser Parmen is married and too honorable to put that aside even if it is not always ideal. The Coys may have a eligible Knight or two and I have a good relationship with them, or the Rowans. Perhaps Ser Desmond, assuming he survives to the end of the tourney. The only other I can think of with a potential Lordship in the offing off the top of my head is Ser Owen's son Godric, but he is a bit young for you, barely into his teens I believe. Still, I am a great proponent of young men in relationships with older, and smarter women. There would be much less nonsense in the world if that was common practice. I advised Lord Levalle as much when he wished to marry into the Merryweather Household. Being a bastard shouldn't matter. You are beautiful, smart, practical and innovative. Any man who desired you would be lucky if you honored him by returning it. Lord Karl may have often been foolish but he saw what others should. No-one should be defined by the qualities of their parents." The last sentence was said with an uncharacteristic fierceness.
Shaking his head. "You could always marry Abelar. According to Butterbumps he's madly in love with you, or whatever passes for love in that shriveled heart of his." His tone implied he would not wish such a fate on his worst enemy, never-mind someone he liked. "Dorne is awash with nobles. It is why I suggested it. You may find more fertile hunting ground. I understand they appreciate strong women in ways those north of the Red Mountains do not."
He sighed and sat down, rubbing his face with his hands. "What do I do Alena? Hundreds dead last night, more dead this morning, thousands in pain and grieving. The nobles don't care. The faith unbelievably does not seem to care. I don't understand. If Abelar had stepped out of a shadow and stabbed Ser Donnel or Lord Karl in the back with a blade he'd have been strung up before dinner. He might as well have done that and to hundreds more, but they all deliberate whether the knife is his while his hands drip with blood forming a lake up to his knees. Lord Levalle told me it would be so, and I knew he was right, but I am still having trouble understanding how the nobility can be so callous. Don't they understand what a dangerous precedent this sets? How can they allow a commoner, and for all his supposed faith he is a commoner, to incite riots and lynch mobs with virtual impunity? How can the church allow such obvious evil in their midst to pass without a word?"
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Post by Father on Dec 23, 2018 12:10:09 GMT 1
"Lucky me that septons are forbidden to marry, then" Alena dismisses that thought. "Most lords wants dowries, alliances and prestige, being prickly about their perceived rank among their peers, they want pretty brides, too. But that is a lower priority, just about where not a half-dornish abomination is on the list."
"You define good by what helps most people. Most people define good by what helps only them. Though most lords does not rape a peasant girl just because they can get away with it, but few lord and knights will go out of their way to protect her, which is what makes them get away with it in the first place. Ignorance is so much easier."
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