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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 6, 2019 23:11:35 GMT 1
Malyk made Laena uneasy. Not that she showed it. But all the rumours surrounding him painted him as being highly altruistic, which she didn't trust. Selfish people behaved predictably. Who knows how altruistic people would behave? But still, with Lady Johanna likely keeping at least a partial eye on the movements of House Levalle, hopefully the odd seneschal would be overlooked, and they could keep their actions quiet until the last moment. The less time Lady Johanna had to prepare, the more likely her scheme was to succeed. So, it was to Malyk that she reached out to talk about the Meadows situation.
Her clothes were less showy than before, but still well-made. She was here to ask for and offer help, after all. It was best to appear weak enough to need the help, yet strong enough to be helpful herself. So, she sat quietly in a corner, waiting for the strange, dangerous, helpful man to arrive.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Jan 6, 2019 23:25:10 GMT 1
Malyk arrived promptly at the arranged time. He seemed different than the last meeting. He was dressed entirely in black, elegant, fashionalbe black, but black none-the-less; a sharp contrast to his normal attire. He had done so since the morning after the smallfolk uprising. He also seemed more reserved... focused. He bowed respectfully and took a seat.
"My Lady." He said softly, removing his gloves. "How can I be of service to you?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 6, 2019 23:59:42 GMT 1
"Master Malyk" she inclines her head in a respectful greeting to the seneschal of a house. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I wish to discuss the Lady Johanna Meadows situation.
"I seem to have created quite a problem, both for myself, and presumably for your Ser Aladale as well, with my thoughtless actions. Please, pass my apologies on to both him and your lord.
"I had thought Lady Johanna was contenting herself with attacking me back through rumours. Which I was prepared to tolerate for a while - fair is fair, after all - however, she wasn't. This morning, she accosted me, full of wrath, and said that since I had 'gone after her son', as she saw it, she viewed it as fair to threaten to kill mine should I not recant my words, and place blame for their instigation on the Levalles, destroying both sources of the attacks on her in one blow.
"I have since made a quiet formal accusation to Lord Leo, accusing her of everything: adultery, spousal murder, threats to children, attempting to blame you. Everything. And I have agreed to publicly testify on the matter. I will not, absolutely *will not* tolerate threats to my children." Her rage is quiet, and more under control than it was after Bryce's murder, but still clearly present.
"I was hoping you would be willing to cooperate in trying to dig up as much corroborating evidence as possible before the trial."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Jan 7, 2019 0:17:33 GMT 1
Malyk gazed at the young Lady for a long moment. You make deals with the devil, my Lord, and this is the result. How do I satisfy your desires and safeguard your interests at the same time?"You and Lady Johanna are very much alike, Lady Laena. Both are strong women trying to protect their children. Have you asked yourself what Lady Johanna is trying so ardently to protect her children from?" He gazed at Leana with those beautiful/terrible mismatched eyes. "But perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps Lady Johanna has more in common with the mother than the daughter."
The Seneschal was known to speak cryptically, but what he spoke was always the truth as he knew it.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 7, 2019 1:05:36 GMT 1
Laena gives a small nod at Malyk's comment. She may hate Lady Johanna, but she was not blind to their similarities. That was part of why she considered the other woman such a severe threat. "Powerlessness." She replies confidently. "Royal blood may open doors for you, and it is power, of a sort, but it's not the power a Lord can provide, with a full house behind him. You are, in many ways, alone." She frowns. "In a different way than Lords are alone. If I could choose between lordship and being a Great Bastard for Landar, I would undoubtedly choose the former."
She cocks her head slightly at his last comment. "You suspect she was raped?" She asks, bluntly. "And doesn't blame her child for it?" From her tone, she finds the idea curious, but certainly possible. "I had felt her bond with her son indicated against that possibility, but I suppose it could be true. It's largely academic, though. Adultery isn't actually a crime, as she's not royalty. It's everything she did in *consequence* to that which has lead us to this day."
She doesn't push her point, merely deals with Malyk's comments as they arise. The seneschal was known to be 'odd', she was sure he'd discuss the matter in his own way; better to adapt to his flow than try and channel it herself.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Jan 7, 2019 1:25:06 GMT 1
"I had a conversion about truth with Ser Roland in this room not a few hours ago. He believes truth is a virtue, inherently good in an of itself. I believe truth is a sword that cuts for both good and evil.
If I hand you the blade to skewer your enemy, will you use it? Would you care that it might indeed harm her children? What of my Lord? Such a blade might cut him as well. A small cut among the thousands of small cuts he has already endured, perhaps, but an injury none the less. You have many that stand as your protectors, Lady Leana: Lord Tyrell, Lord Durwell, many, many more. Lord Spongeholder has only me.
If I unsheathe this blade and hand it to you, am I not just as responsible for the damage you may do with it?"
It was clear that Malyk did not need to 'dig up' any information on Lady Johanna. The undertone of his words spoke loudly that he knew exactly how to hurt her. Of course knowing how to hurt her, and hurting her were two entirely different things. This was no grasping Lord with desires for power. This was no deluded commoner who did things without thought of the consequences. This was a man who weighed his options carefully and tried to 'do what was right' while protecting those who were 'innocent' from the inadvertent consequences.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 7, 2019 1:50:53 GMT 1
It would seem Malyk had her rapt attention. Whether it be from the promise of information, or from the debate was unclear, however. "I see truth as you do. A dangerous weapon, to be handled with care."
She answers his final point while still clearly pondering his main question. "I would argue that you are not *as* responsible - each individual is ultimately responsible for their own acts - but agree you would bear part of the responsibility."
She purses her lips, and considers in silence for a few moments more before finally answering. "Lord Lucas is innocent, just in a position he should not be in. Does the 'harm' you mention go beyond removing him from his ill-gotten position?" From her tone, she would have distinct qualms over the matter if it did an innocent child serious harm. "And as for your Lord, he may have wronged many women, but my mother was not among them. I do not wish him harm.
"You know the truth. We agree the truth is dangerous in principle, and in this case may have unwanted further damage. Can you use the truth to forge a lie that will hold together well enough for the purpose, but be more directed in its aim?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Jan 7, 2019 3:04:49 GMT 1
"It is so hard to know what is right when there is so much wrong." He looked at her for a long moment. "Perhaps unsheathing the blade is enough."
He smiled softly.
"You speak of the women my Lord has wronged. Do you know how many there were? No. Of course you don't. They were legion. Do you think only the ones commonly known would be enough to satisfy such a corrupt and powerful man? Aegon was vile, and dangerous, and my Lord did everything in his power to prevent and minimize what damage he could.
Not long ago my Lord went to Lord Durwell to ask a favor. Like you, his Lordship requires payment for services rendered, and extracted a secret. It was a secret about Lady Johanna. It would seem she was one of the many, many women that was sacrificed on the alter of Aegon IV, unknown and unsung. It would seem Lord Lucas' pedigree is simultaneously both more degenerated and exulted than anyone knows; not a Lord but a Great Bastard instead."
He shrugs. "So now you know the truth, what will you do with this truth, Lady Laena? Lucas is no different than you. A young man plagued and empowered by the manner of his conception. Will you destroy Lady Johanna who has much in common with your mother and countless other women? Does she deserve to be? I honestly don't know.
Whatever you choose to do, my truth comes with a price. That is how all you people operate, is it not? Bartering truth for gain and advantage. In this case the truth can only be confirmed and corroborated by my Lord and those he knows were there at the time. My price is that you must force him to reveal this truth. He guards the virtues of countless women. It must not appear that he haggled away Lady Johanna's virtue for personal gain. You know just how persuasive Lord Durwell can be. You know even the strongest and best of men can make mistakes. I will protect Lord Levalle, even if that means I must protect him from himself. I will protect Lord Levalle because no-one else will."
Malyk's price was simple. Lord Levalle had to be an honorable man that was forced to give up this secret against his will, not a man manipulated into being one of Durwell's pawns in a weak moment. That he gave up the information before asking the price was telling. Either he trusted Lady Leana, or knew he could extract a far higher price if need be.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 7, 2019 19:08:19 GMT 1
Laena cocks her head slightly when Malyk mentions about 'preventing and minimizing damage', but doesn't interrupt his flow. She nods slightly when he reveals Lord Lucas's ancestry, unsurprised, but glad to have it confirmed. Finally, she frowns at the price. With others, she'd be suspicious over such a cheap price, but the Seneschal was not known for deception.
"So we are clear, you will be satisfied should your Lord be called to testify at the trial without pre-warning, and clearly pressured into answering by Lord Leo, or his representative? It would be best then if you could do what you can to assure his presence - people should see his surprise themselves." She considers it rather likely Lord Alliser may detect her fingers in the matter, however subtle she may be, given she will also be testifying, so she takes a moment to consider what she could offer as an apology should he demand one.
Apology decided on, she gives a respectful nod. "Thank you for your trust. I will do my utmost to fulfil my end of the bargain."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Jan 7, 2019 23:14:11 GMT 1
"You are not surprised by this blade, Lady Leana." He pursed his lips. "Presumably Lord Durwell already informed you... or perhaps arranged the knowledge whispered in your ear."
He gazed out the window in thought. "Interesting so many threads lead to him: Lady Johanna, Ser Orton Ambrose, so many others it's hard to keep track of them all." He turned his head and smiled. "I think I do trust you, Lady Leana, at least in this. I may even like you. I certainly respect your abilities. In this we both want the same thing. We both want to protect our family. Because of Lord Levalle's agreement I must dance to Lord Durwell's tune, for the moment." He glanced upwards at a spider weaving a web in the corner of the library. "I do not know why he wants Ser Gwayne to be Lord Gwayne, but after much thought, I decided that I don't care. It will perhaps hurt Lucas in the short term, but there are worse things than being a Great Bastard and when one is surrounded by lies it is perhaps better that one knows the truth about themselves. It will be interesting to see how this truth changes him, for it will."
He put on his gloves. "However," he continues softly, "this particular tune will not last forever, and when the music stops I shall be more careful in the future who House Levalle chooses as a dance partner. I am under no illusions. I am not even close to being as powerful, as well respected, or perhaps even as smart as Lord Durwell. What I do have is a talent for seeing things others do not, asking questions others do not wish to answer, and pulling on threads others would prefer to be left alone." He stands, carefully examines the spider web and pulls on a single strand. The web collapses. "I do not know his ultimate purpose, but I do not need to."
He turns to Lady Leana. "You need not fear. Lord Levalle will attend Lord Tyrell. He dare not do otherwise. He shall divulge the information and the evidence you require, however reluctantly. I shall ensure it. I shall also do my best to ensure he never be caught in such a web again."
He turns to leave but hesitates. "Lady Leana, I often wondered when Lord Alliser was breeding all those dragons that he never kept one for himself." He turned back and gave her a brilliant white smile. "Don't mind me. Lord Durwell is a good man, Lord Alliser is a bad man and I am a madman. Everyone knows this to be true, so it must be true."
With a respectful bow he departs, leaving Lady Leana to her thoughts.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jan 8, 2019 1:21:45 GMT 1
When Malyk has left, and no-one is around to hear her whispered answer, she reveals her view as to Marq's purpose. "To relieve boredom." she breathes.
She takes a few moments to consider the two men, Alliser and Marq: one she trusts, but doesn't like; and the other she likes, but doesn't trust. And wonders about the answer to Malyk's pondering as to why Alliser didn't seek a Great Bastard of his own. After a moment, she decides that it was only once they were all legitimized on her father's deathbed that their true 'power' (such as it was) could be seen. Driven by his lusts he may have been, but who could have predicted that on his deathbed, even Aegon the Unworthy would find a way to fuck the entire kingdom?
She stands. Now she's got the inheritance side sorted, it was time to start digging into the death of Lady Johanna's husband.
/scene
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