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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 10, 2018 23:35:28 GMT 1
Laena sat with her children and the too-injured-to-participate Mikel watching the Grand Melee. On her other side sat Selsa and Roslyn, in case she needed them, though Sylvina sat attentively on her lap, and Landar was curled up peacefully in Selsa's lap. From their distance, the violence was muted, but their elevated position gave them a commanding position.
Not that it helped her. In the games of whispers and looks, she was adept. In the game of blades, she knew little more than Sylvina.
Idly, she wonders how many people will die during the melee. Given how the rest of the tourney has gone, she expects a bloodbath to cap it off. She hopes nobody useful to her - like Ulbert and Symon - or close to her - like Aerion - are among their number.
She wonders how she'd feel should Balon fall today. Aside from any awkward questions that would come her way should someone go through his effects honourably (rather than run off with any valuables they find like a normal person), how would she feel were he to die? Peace between their houses would certainly be *simpler* with him gone, and it would definitely avoid the worst-case scenario between their houses she feared.
But she would miss ... something. Not 'him', exactly. She didn't consider him 'hers' the way she had Bryce just yet. But she'd miss seeing if he could impress her. Make him hers, and her his. And, she realised, she wanted to. And she wanted him to succeed. Not enough to put her finger on the scales - his victory must be 'honest', she would not cheapen her hand by making his path easier - but she did want him to win.
But 'desire is the mother of delusion', her mother always taught her. You naturally see what you want to see, and ignore what you don't want to. It takes a special kind of broken to deliberately seek out information which pains you.
"It just looks like chaos to me." She breaks her contemplation as she admits her ignorance to Ser Mikel. "I can focus on an individual fight, and see an impressive display of skill ... or not." she adds, as the fight she was watching ends quickly and, frankly, pathetically. "But I can't make sense of ... 'the pattern', I call it, in different contexts. The order in the chaos. The wind in the smoke.
"Can you help me? Can you explain what's going on to me?" She swallows slightly before continuing. "Particularly around Ser Balon Blackbriar, if you can find him."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 11, 2018 9:22:18 GMT 1
"As you said a single combat is easier to track. One man imposing his will on another in the sequence of an initiation and reaction. Individuals might have plans for their fight but it will be acted out in this sequence through the style of their training. On the larger scale it will be similar but more chaotic. Many men trying to follow one plan which might have multiple parts. Then of course that plan comes into conflict with another teams plan - yet in this case there are seven teams. It is worth noting that these teams are made of a collection of men who haven't spent very much time together, and will now be trying to coordinate with each other in an environment which would still be challenging to men given the advantage of time to train with one another. I expect to see chaos - as you said - and each commander will be striving for controlled chaos."
"I know a few teams will be wishing to put politic's aside and treat this for what it is - a melee. I imagine those teams will be at a disadvantage as a well coordinated team is an extremely dangerous team, and two teams coordinating with each other become exponentially more so. If I had to guess I think this early we should watch for a team to be in action against another, and a third team joining their fray to assist its ally."
Mikel was only laying out the obvious at this point but as he did he studied the field with greater interest as now he would not only be observing the show but explaining it and he intended to explain it well. |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 11, 2018 14:03:50 GMT 1
"I know a few teams will be wishing to put politics aside and treat this for what it is - a melee. I imagine those teams will be at a disadvantage as a well coordinated team is an extremely dangerous team, and two teams coordinating with each other become exponentially more so. If I had to guess I think this early we should watch for a team to be in action against another, and a third team joining their fray to assist its ally." Laena nods idly. "Honour fulfilling its role admirably - crippling those with good intent, letting those without seize advantage uncontested." She frowns. "Though with seven teams, won't there be an uneven pairing, even to start?" |
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 17, 2018 8:39:03 GMT 1
"There will be. And perhaps that will be the single most significant factor in how this ends. Though this will not play out as a mere melee, and I think those hoping it will shall actually end up in a sort of faction of their own. I cannot help but think the Brute will begin doing what he does best, and when those hoping for a simple melee - those of virtue trying to rise above the politics - will see it and others acting like similarly and they will end up in a sort of faction of their own. Coupling with the chaos will be the dust which is sure to come with so many horses moving so frantically while so close together. Once the lances break - early in the affair - the fighting will become closer and if they are not careful the teams will slowly become bogged down in what will closer resemble a massive brawl then the clash of trained men. Loosing the ability to maneuver on a battlefield is often the beginning of the end, and once bogged down and brawling men will fall quickly."
Mikel lowered his voice and leaned closer to Laena in a way which appeared casual as if he was simply having trouble hearing her in the noise of the crowd. "Lady Laena, may I ask about what happened yesterday at the sept?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 17, 2018 11:59:18 GMT 1
Laena's face is stern. "If you must hear more words, beyond those already spoken, then ask." Her tone warns him to be careful with his question - he is treading in the personal garden of a short-tempered dragon.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 18, 2018 9:13:23 GMT 1
Mikel heard the edge in her voice but he would be asking anyways. She had asked him not to say anything, then been rather familiar with the man who had screamed at Lady Ashara and threatened Ser Simon. Which could, he knew, be acted upon as he sat in the stands and watched it happen. "I will not pretend to know very much of what happens which does not involve me. I know that since the tournament has begun it was the intention of Lord Ulbert to become closer with House Blackbriar, and that you and Lady Ashara were helping with that. I know what occurred between Lady Ashara and Ser Balon, and the threats he spoke. My prattling is meant to have gotten me to asking if the...familiarity.. I saw is a new development in this endeavor or perhaps something which had been shaped prior to his incident with Lady Ashara? Or perhaps neither." He continued speaking closely, and as quietly as could be managed in the crowd. His eyes stayed on the melee ahead, just two people discussing the excitement in front of them. |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 18, 2018 14:27:36 GMT 1
How to answer that? "Ser Balon was always going to be one of the big obstacles to peace between our houses. Before I answer your question, Ser Mikel, think on this and answer mine: What is the best way to destroy an enemy?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 20, 2018 23:14:44 GMT 1
More then one answer came to mind and he quickly sifted through them. Cutting throats, smashing skulls, piercing hearts... no that probably wasn't what she was looking for. Of course without coin one cannot wage war but that was not quite her question. Mikel responded with a simple truth which could be applied to any situation large or small. "Without the will to fight there will be no fight. So my answer is to remove the enemies will to fight, and then it is over before it truly begins." |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 21, 2018 18:03:42 GMT 1
Laena nods firmly. "Good answer. My answer to your question is not so clear-cut. Did it begin when Lord Ulbert gave us his desire? When I saved Ser Balon from embarrassment at the Bread and Salt ceremony? At our meeting where he implied he *liked* me? At the meeting where he stated it outright? All were necessary steps along the way. Which one could be said to 'begin' matters?
"As I said before, Ser Balon was always going to be an obstacle, due to his attitude towards the Dornish. It would always take more than some honeyed words and a few coin to, as you say, remove his will to fight us. And out of our entire house, I am the only person in a position to do so.
"I will not tell you all the details. You do not need to know them. But my answer, combined with yours, will hopefully give you enough of the gist that you can be satisfied that you are not harming the house with your continued silence."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 26, 2018 1:14:47 GMT 1
Mikel remains silent while her answer sinks in before be continues to guide her through the madness of the melee. He pays special attention to Balon per Laena's request and cannot help but give a colorful description of the Brute and his actions, and praising Daerons response them.
He indicates action and explains as best as he can the likely thought behind it. Teams bunching up, or spreading too far out, coordinated attacks, baiting, of teams working together by design or by chance.
As is the nature in such events too much happens to quickly, so outside of the general explanation and watching Balon, he answers questions unless something worth noting occurs. Such as the drama of Lord Starkwood and His heir Ser Simon.
"Lady Laena, perhaps we should offer any assistance we can to Lord Starkwood as he comes off the field?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Dec 26, 2018 14:17:30 GMT 1
[+1 Disposition towards Ser Daeron for seeking vengeance at great personal risk.]
Laena considers a moment, then nods. "Maybe his assailant was simply enthused, but maybe this is a serious attempt on his life." She stands, handing Sylvina off to Roslyn. "We should be by his side, to make sure the maesters who attend him are performing their duties honourably."
Before she leaves, she leans down, kisses Sylvina and Landar's foreheads, and says to them. "Be good." Then, more to Sylvina. "Pay attention to what happens."
She starts leading them off, at a pace the wounded man can keep up at, heading to where she expects (and hopes) Lord Ulbert will be lead off to.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Dec 30, 2018 7:44:06 GMT 1
Mikel tells his squire to stay with Laena's children and emphasizes that it is not to watch the joust but them. He then leaves with Laena to check on their Lord.
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