Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Feb 19, 2019 9:49:14 GMT 1
Malyk shrugged. "I am probably the wrong man to ask. I do not know the man, so I cannot tell you what greatest desire lies in his heart. I can only tell you he has one. All men do, whether they know what it is or not. I do not even understand why any would want to be King. It is a thankless job. People judge every move you make and great many will not like what decisions you make whatever they may be. There is power, certainly, but not nearly as much as people assume. Some follow your orders out of fear, some because they believe it is right, some because they see their own advantage in it, and some simply smile and do whatever they were planning on doing anyway. In Daeron's case, half are looking back to the last King, and half are looking forward to the next. You get a very luxurious bed to sleep in, but I doubt you sleep very soundly.
You might ask him if he wants to be King. I doubt anyone actually has up to this point. I doubt anyone around him would even understand if he didn't.
As to what he could be offered, I cannot say. Perhaps a Council seat? Master of the Armies of Westeros? Not that the Lord's Paragon would tolerate that for a second. They begrudge the authority of the King, I doubt they would appreciate some new position elevated above them. Hand of the King perhaps? I expect he would be an improvement over the current, not that that would be difficult if the stories are true."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Feb 24, 2019 4:29:50 GMT 1
Perhaps Commander of the City Watch with seat on the small council? Make him a new Lord Paramount for the Crownlands reporting directly to the Iron Throne? The role of King's Hand would be ideal but would the King's "supporters" stand for it?
If it does come to war you talk about the need to protect the smallfolk. It is every knight's duty to do so but I fear that few will make much of an effort to exclude the innocents from the war. How can we protect those who pledged their service to House Levalle in return for our strength? What preparations can I begin to make to protect those on Highever lands if worst comes to worst?
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Feb 25, 2019 22:36:57 GMT 1
"Lord Paramount of the Crownlands might be an reasonable compromise, assuming the King is willing to give that authority. Technically he holds that title, but he is not a warrior and it would be reasonable to give it to a man of military background.
As to the smallfolk. As far as I am aware, Ser Parmen, in nearly every battle ever fought the Knights on their horses have had rows of poorly armored smallfolk with pikes to shield them and blunt the charge of the opposing enemy. You may think it is every Knight's duty to protect the innocent, but in practice most Knights and Lords consider smallfolk disposable. I am not sure how you change the practice without changing the attitude. Even if they held similar ideals as yours, high-minded ideals often get set aside in the name of pragmatism and tactical advantage. The truth is that in most cases numbers win battles.
Assuming the worst happens, the best preparation would be to train our smallfolk in the use of the weapons they may someday wield. As you are aware, the more experience a man has, the less likely he will die. However Lords are often loathe to train their smallfolk in weapons for fear of revolt. The mob Abelar incited would have been far more dangerous if they had swords or pikes rather than bare hands or pitchforks. In the Vale every barbarian knows how to use a weapon by the age of ten; the men blades or axes, the women bows. It is this reason even the legendary Knights of the Vale have never managed to exterminate them; not for lack of trying.
What preparations Lord Levalle makes I cannot say. He is equal measures compassion and pragmatism. I will say he values his smallfolk far more than the average Lord. I do not think he will squander his resources, even the smallfolk, unwisely."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Feb 28, 2019 5:29:17 GMT 1
Parmen listens to what Malyk says, then maintains his silence for a moment lost in thought and trying to project what the future may hold for all of them.
"The barbarians hide in their mountains when the Knights of the Vale ride forward. The land is their true weapon not the spears, clubs and axes that they wield. The books and the old warriors all say that it was the same with the Dornishmen in their hills and deserts. The terrain favored the defense and not even Fossoway-bred destriers can climb cliffs or run for long without water and forage."
"But the Reach on the other hand is perfect for knights on horseback. Flat fertile fields and slow rivers. My family at The Arbor will be protected by their warships and the families on the Shield Islands as well. But the rest of us are at risk not just from the armies of Fire and Blood but from the bandits and broken men who see wars as opportunities for rape and plunder. I've never fought in a real battle but Ser Martyn is a veteran of Dorne. Perhaps he will have some ideas for what precautions can be taken."
Parmen sighed, "From the depths of my soul I want to believe that this coming storm can be prevented or at least limited. But after the events of the past two weeks I find myself thinking what we will need to do when, not if, the conflict breaks out. I hope that there is still time to prepare."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Feb 28, 2019 6:01:56 GMT 1
"I suppose it depends on your definition 'hiding'." He shrugged. "They use the terrain of the Vale to their advantage, just as the Knight of the Reach use the terrain to theirs. I can only say I would rather fight a man inexperienced in his weapons, than one that is."
"You are right that banditry will be a problem." He considered. "However there is no shortage of thieves and opportunistic mercenaries in the Tear and luckily I am on amiable terms with many of them. Some are and can be reasonable; most will not take kindly to outside poachers of their territory. I expect, at least in the Tear, interlopers will meet a rather pointed reception.
You have hope. That is good. There is always opportunities where hope sill lingers. I expect whatever battles that are fought will be far from our remote borders. The Knights of the Reach prepare for battle every day of their lives. What remains for us to do is ensure what more is demanded of us, be that food, men and supplies, can be given without undue hardship to our people. That will be my job. I expect your job will be to stand beside Daemon and hopefully prevent him from his, or likely other's stupidity. The path you have chosen will take you from the Tear. I cannot say where it will lead."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Feb 28, 2019 6:52:23 GMT 1
"No one can say with certainty where our paths will lead but I suspect that the journey will be rough. We will do what can be done. Resourceful, Resilient, Resolute."
{/scene for me unless there is another point you want to make?}
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Feb 28, 2019 7:02:03 GMT 1
Malyk smiled at the House's words. "As you say, Ser Parmen. All one can do is do one's best, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst."
[/scene]
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