Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 11, 2019 21:06:33 GMT 1
"Convenient?" Marsa looked at Laena with what seemed genuine confusion. A flawless performance even in this one small glance. "I suppose so. There are not many jobs a blind man can do and be paid reasonable coin to do it. He has a large family and they are now very comfortable due to the money he makes here. It *is* interesting that the one who is most disabled would turn out to be the most successful, if you measure success by wealth.
Drastor, the former owner of this establishment measured success by wealth. It was, in fact, his only yardstick and he pursued with a singularity of purpose that one had to admire, if only for his dedication. There was little he was unwilling to do for gold, and no-one who would stand in his way to achieve it. Many called him cruel, but that was a label attached to him by his victims. In fact, I do not believe he was cruel for cruelty sake. He simply had no issue with inflicting pain should it achieve his goal.
Erryk was a ratcatcher. A necessary job in a town like the Tear, and he was very good at it. Small, quick and agile, he could make up to three silver a week; not much to you or I, but a staggering some to the average smallfolk. Of course, ratcatchers are looked down on by even the common people, everyone but Malyk. I do not know how long they have been friends, but they are of a similar age and it has been a very long time, perhaps even early childhood.
About six years ago a Tyrish merchant Prince arrived in the Tear; I forget his name. His sexual interest lay in adolescent men. Unfortunately, even in Tyr such men are not looked upon with much favor, so he demanded whoever he lay with have their eyes removed so they could not look upon him or identify him later. He, of course, had the wealth to make his wishes reality, which was all Drastor was interested in. I'm not sure why the man didn't simply lay with someone and have them killed afterward, but I never met the man so am unaware of the intricacies of his character.
The next part of the story is fairly predictable and routine, especially in the Tear at the time. Erryk was seized on the street and taken. His eyes were removed, he was cleaned up and he was given to this Prince to use for the few weeks he was in town. Once the merchant left, he was tossed back into the street to die." She sipped her drink casually, relaying this horror as one might give a recipe.
"That was Drastor's fatal mistake. In his arrogance, he did not believe that such an unimportant piece of trash could harm him or he would have killed him instead. However Erryk was important to someone; he was important to Malyk. A man, really a boy then, who would go to any lengths to gain justice for those he loves, and I doubt very much he loves anyone more than Erryk. Malyk had been searching relentlessly for Erryk during the time he had been missing, and it was Malyk who found him broken and sightless in an alley. He took Erryk back to his family, helped nurse him back to health. It was not even a week later that Malyk was accused of theft and presented himself at Drastor's door. A pretty young boy, with those amazing eyes of his, begging for help? Irresistible to a man like Drastor.
It was at this point I first met Malyk. Drastor did not see his death in those eyes, but I did. He did everything that was asked of him, no matter how base or degenerate. He quickly became one of Drastor's favorites; both for his charm and his willingness. Had he actually looked into those black and white eyes and seen what I saw he would have killed Malyk on the spot. Drastor power relied on fear, and there was no fear in those eyes; not even a glimmer.
He and I became friends and I helped him in small ways. I did not know how a boy could kill a powerful crime lord, but I had no doubt it would happen. There were several opportunities for him to kill the man himself, but he let them all pass. That confused me at first until I realized Malyk had far greater goals in mind than simply Drastor's demise. He intended to dismantle the man's entire organization. I'd never met a man so young, so focused, so fearless. His iron will was breathtaking. It inspired me to help him how I could, and I had no love for Drastor.
After almost three months, Lord Levalle raided Drastor's property, all of them, simultaneously. Most of his men were killed in the raids. The rest, along with Drastor, lost their heads to the axe. What information Malyk had not uncovered was seized. Several properties were put to the torch. I was placed in charge of the Siren's Call, under certain conditions. Erryk came to work for me, against Malyk's rather vocal objections, but the man is practical and there is little any of my current clients could do to him that would come close to what already had been done. He's made a great deal of wealth in his time here to support his family and he is safer here than he would be anywhere else. All here know the story and none of us want to... what is the phrase they are using now... 'wake the sleeping dragon'.
As a side note, but an important one, the Tyrish Prince returned to the Tear about two years later. He was found dead in his cabin. He had been strangled with such ferocity there were bruises from someone's knee in his back, his neck was broken and his eyes had been gouged out with a spoon. No-one knows who did it for sure, but those who know the story have little doubt.
That is the other face of your brother, Lady Laena. The face he locks away with that iron will of his. The beast he cages but has no problem letting out when he deems it necessary. The remarkable thing about him is that, unlike others, both faces are true. He *is* a kind, altruistic, empathetic, deeply forgiving young man... and he *is* a focused, ruthless, vicious killer. What is truly remarkable is that neither face is incongruous with the other. By my estimations, Malyk has killed three people in his life. Not very many even by hedge Knight standards, but more than most can lay claim. That doesn't, of course, include men like Drastor or Andrueon. I can't even imagine how many have run afoul of Malyk and payed the price. I doubt he even knows, or cares... or even remembers. Once something broken is fixed, he moves on without much of a thought.
So, Lady Laena, what do you think of your brother now? Does he go up or down in your estimation?"
Marsa had carefully watched Laena's reactions to the story throughout. If the story was true, and there was enough corroborative information to imply it was, it was a provoking tail. Steadfast friend, debased whore, just infiltrator, deceptive betrayer, loyal retainer, vicious executioner. Most people couldn't manage doing even one of these things well.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 12, 2019 19:57:34 GMT 1
"Vengeance is Sacred. No-one takes from a dragon without paying a price, and it sounds like even before he knew, Malyk was a dragon, indeed."
Still, something troubled her. It was apparently *Malyk's* drive which kicked off the entire infiltration. Not Lord Levalle's, for all that it was clearly a sanctioned operation. Did he simply sell Lord Levalle that this was the best way to accomplish the goal he had set of solving the problem of law and order? Or did he manipulate his lord into action? Not that she'd condemn him for it if so - Lord Alliser's permission was an obstacle on the path to Vengeance, so the obstacle had to be removed somehow. Still, that sounded rather ... un-Malyk-like. She wonders how he would act were Vengeance to place him directly at odds with Lord Levalle's wishes.
"He is my brother. A dragon. A creature of fire and blood. And those who try to play with the fire are likely to find only blood." A play on words for Drastor's fate, perhaps. Or maybe a veiled warning for the woman she was speaking with.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 13, 2019 5:45:21 GMT 1
"You approve." A statement; nothing more. "I thought you might." She smiles softly. "I wonder if all dragons have blood on their hands. It would not surprise me if they did. Their hunting territories may be different, their methods probably diverse, but I suspect all have tooth and claw." A comment to acknowledge the veiled threat. Doubtful Laena didn't have blood on her hands. Likely Marsa did as well. But this was not a blood match; just a sparring match between two skilled schemers.
"Well, the only thing that can be taken from Malyk is people. It is the only thing he truly values. Some more than others, of course, but people overall. All the luxuries most people aspire to he cares little for. Oh, he enjoys them when he has them, but he does not miss them when they are gone. He's given away tens time more than he's ever been given. Lord Levalle stopped paying him coin years ago. He just gave it away to someone he thought needed it more. Ask for the shirt off his back and he is likely to give you the pants as well. I wonder what the nobles will think of him. Will they even be able to comprehend him or will he be so far outside their experience he is an enigma. That would be very interesting to see." Not surprising that, like Laena, she had perceived Malyk would cause chaos in the nobility. Was it that chaos that was behind her desire to see Malyk legitimized, and if so, to what purpose
"That necklace around your neck. I remember it well. The woman who wore it was very proud of it when she had a neck to show it off. I sometimes wonder if it is truly the Gods at work. Terrible people seem to have terrible accidents when they cross his path; like he radiates misfortune to those who would do other's ill, often with little effort on his part. Perhaps as dragons walk around the world they crush others beneath their feet without even noticing." A threat or a warning? Association with Malyk did often seem to have unfortunate consequences to those who harmed others. Was she testing Laena's loyalty to Malyk or planting seeds of doubt? Was she trying to determine if Laena could be made to fear Malyk, or if she had done actions that might justify that fear, or if she was confident or arrogant enough that fear was not necessary.
"I wonder what would happen if all of Aegon's dragons unified for a common purpose. Unlikely to happen, of course. Those of Targaryen blood have not been unified since Aegon I and his sister-wives first came to Westeros, but it would be something to witness. If only three working together conquered a continent, what could even more accomplish?" She continued to muse. "If I were a noble, I'd be more than a little worried. If there is one hidden dragon in the world, how many more could their be? Will they too emerge from hiding? What side would they join, or would they join any side? How would they shift the balance a power? Who would lose power as a result?"
She smiled again. "Forgive me, my Lady. I'm just musing. Likely only Lord Levalle knows how many their are, and even if they emerged they would be inexperienced and less of a threat without someone to guide them. I would love to see the list. Knowing the Unworthy King it's likely as long as my arm. What names would be on it, I wonder? Wouldn't that be *such* a delicious read?"
For what amounted to casual conversation, the traps and pitfalls were there for the unwary. So many threads, so many nuances, so many tests. Miss-stepping gave Marsa information. Even threading them all successfully gave her information as well. What made this porcelain woman truly dangerous was it was almost impossible to discern her agenda. Even if you managed to, you could not be sure if you were right or if that was just what she wanted you to believe.
"Tell me, my Lady." She continues as she sips her drink "Is Malyk the reason you come to our quaint little part of the world? Or are you here for beautiful scenery and esoteric culture. i know brothels are not normally on most noble Ladies' itinerary, but I am very glad you came.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 14, 2019 14:07:53 GMT 1
Laena touches the necklace. "Is it truly the terrible who suffer terrible fates around my brother? Or is it the stupid? If that woman had discreetly slain her husband as soon as she'd crossed the line, then she could well still be alive today. If Adrueon had simply accepted his loss as soon as he decided to dock at the Tear, he would still be alive. Many powerful people within the Tear could be described as 'terrible people' by the standards of many, yet they are smart, so rather than ruin, they find prosperity. So long as they remain smart."
"You muse as to what would happen if all the dragons of the realm unified for a single purpose." She smiles a cold smile, before continuing in a whisper. "The question that will haunt your nightmares once you understand it is 'What if we already are?'." A crazy question on the surface, yet one asked with apparent complete sincerity.
"Like all who enter your establishment, I came for many reasons." Surely a dirty joke, but she makes no acknowledgement of it. "You have a wonderful ambience, your workers are attractive, clever, and talented. Would they still come if the building was dark and dingy?" She shrugs. "Perhaps. What if your workers were fairly plain as well? Maybe. Even the person themselves may not know - they only see the sum, and feel the call to go. To try and isolate each reason individually is as futile as it is pointless."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 14, 2019 18:26:04 GMT 1
Marsa smiled, noting that Laena had evaded the question of her reason for being in the Tear.
"Does one fatal mistake make one stupid? Perhaps with the clarity of hindsight. Andrueon, Drastor, many of the crime lords that ruled this city were not stupid. No-one who actually *earns* their power is stupid." A small jab at the many nobles who were very stupid. "They just were blind to the danger Malyk posed due to their prejudices.
I think discovering someone's reasons for doing a thing is as important, if not more important than doing a thing. It is an incsight into their nature, and once you know that, you know what they are capable of. Even knowing as much as I do about Malyk, even all the insights to his nature I have, he is still often surprises me.
You presence here surprises me. You are a woman of power. You probably have more power than most women alive, yet you still crave more. You would not be here if you did not think it would lead you to greater power and opportunities." It was not clear if she meant the brothel or the Tear, perhaps both. "I noted your arrival, and while your presence was interesting, so was the absence of your children. The reason behind their absence is more important that their absence itself. If they were inconvenient for your plans, that would mean your plans are more important than them. If you sought to shield them from your plans, you would have to leave them with someone you trust. Who would Lady Laena trust? Do you trust them them as much as Drastor trusted Malyk? If something happens in your absence, would that make you stupid, Lady Laena?"
It was not a threat, simply a statement of fact. No-one could see everything, be everywhere. Marsa's verbal dagger was sharp. If those guardians of her children were not as trustworthy as she believed, or if they could not shield her children from her enemies, tragedy might ensue. Her presence here was the action, but Marsa was clearly implying the reason behind it was that her craving for power was greater than her love for her children.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 15, 2019 13:15:48 GMT 1
"Everyone deserves everything they have. The world is ruthless and cut-throat. Be they noble or not, if you have found a way to hold on to power without being deposed or killed, you deserve it. This is not approval of them as a person - I despise my father likely more than you can imagine, yet he deserved his power, because, despite all his weaknesses, he kept the dangerous lords happy and fat, so he suffered no rebellion and few assassination attempts.
"Calling someone 'clever' or 'stupid' is, of course, an oversimplification. There could be a farmer somewhere who can't count to five, but can make a field yield great harvests year on year. Is he smart or stupid? The truth is that people are smart and stupid in different areas, with the proportions of each varying between individuals. To be successful, you need to be clever in *all* the ways that matter. All that happened with Andrueon and the like is that they were stupid in one way they could not afford to be. However smart they are in all the others, it only takes one to end you.
"I have more power than many women, it's true. But even I cannot make the rigours of travel weigh less heavily on a child's body. Nor can I pass any significant proportion of my power down to them. As things stand, my daughter will likely end up in a Septry, and my son likely a hedge knight. I am no great warrior, my presence does not make my children notably safer. But maybe my absence can change their futures. And really, what more could any mother want than a better future for their children?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 16, 2019 17:21:59 GMT 1
"That was all very reasonable, very convincing, very... well rehearsed." Marsa smiled. "You may even believe it, and on some level it may even be true. You would not be the first mother to sacrifice their child's present for the sake of their future. I do not need to know your past to know your mother probably did exactly the same thing.
As you guide Malyk towards what I believe will be his inevitable legitimization- the Gods of the Seven seem to have plans within plans for him -I expect he will guide you as well. There is an old saying: Take power to act and that power acts upon you. The same can be said for Malyk. Everyone his interacts with him becomes fundamentally changed. Perhaps that is what makes him more dangerous than anyone in the Tear. To Lord Levalle he brought focus; the man has a brilliant scheming mind but as you probably know tends toward wild speculation. Malyk grounds him. Delana has her desires, Thaddeus his ambitions, Imry his resentment. Only Malyk stands by him in any real way we understand the role of a son; even so far as forgiving him.
The lesson he taught me was to enjoy my power while I have it, for power is fickle and fleeting. Schemers gamble with great stakes every day, usually not even considering the fact that they may lose, and they *all* lose eventually. Malyk embraces failure. Every loss a lesson. Every setback an opportunity. He considers the costs of his actions before he makes them, not just to himself, but to those around him. I don't know where giving such a man great power will lead, but it will be interesting to watch, however long it lasts."
She would have continued her verbal sparring but there was a loud crash from the foyer.
"Out of my way little boy! You won't have the stones for years, if ever, to impede me! Where is my little dove?"
The man that stalked into the sitting room was outrageously handsome, if rustic and somewhat frayed around the edges. Strong features were framed by a mane of hair the darkest brown. Piercing green eyes swept the room lighting on Marsa. Stalking over he swept the young woman up into his arms like she weighed nothing and swirled her around with great joy.
"Put me down you great brute!" Her protestation was not very serious. "I have guests."
"You always have 'guests', my dear." Kissing her passionately, he returned her to her feet, only now giving any recognition to Laena's presence.
"Lady Laena Pyre," said Marsa as introduction, "allow me to introduce Captain Alyric Sunderland."
"*Lady* is it?" Alyric said with some surprise. "Well, my mother is a Lady so I won't hold that against you." He beamed a brilliant smile and made a sweeping bow that was excessive but stopping just short of mocking. Innate animal magnetism practically radiated from the man like heat on desert sand.
The Sunderlands of the Three Sisters in the Vale were known to be pirates, although calling them such was not wise and often led to unpleasantness. They preferred to be called 'privateers'.
"What brings you here, Alyric? I thought you were leaving with the night tide?" asked Mara.
"That kelp slime Andrueon is dead! The ice bitch took his head. How can I leave without celebrating! And he died on dry land which means even his Drowned God won't want him!" He crowed.
Malyk and Erryk had come to investigate the commotion. The Captain immediately strode over and lifted the young man into a massive bear hug, giving the Seneschal a firm kiss on the lips. "Malyk, you glorious, beautiful madman. I owe you a drink. I owe you a great many drinks. We will all get drunk together and fuck!"
"I can't breathe Ally." replied Malyk with a bit of a wince but broad smile.
"I'm not sure that's..." Marsa trailed off, glancing at Laena, the first flicker of uncertainty the woman had shown.
Letting Malyk down and hugging Erryk, if not quite as exuberantly, he followed Marsa's gaze. "What? Ladies don't like to fuck? My Mother is a Lady and she likes to fuck. She must. I have fourteen brothers and sisters."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 17, 2019 0:52:09 GMT 1
The claim that power is fickle and fleeting gets a nod of acknowledgement from Laena, but she otherwise doesn't respond before they're interrupted.
"Captain." She greets him in response with a small curtsey, not attempting his excess.
When he makes his offer, she considers it for just a moment. Just a moment. But when she indulges, she does so under *her* terms, under *her* control. This would not be under her control. She didn't trust Marsa, and she certainly didn't trust this pirate. And, however handsome and charismatic he was, the Captain just wasn't the kind of man to truly ignite her passions. Were she hungry, she might pick him as a snack to tide her over, but only when she was to be his focus, not an incidental invitation because of proximity.
"Regretfully, this is not a good time for me." She apologises with a smile. "Besides, I didn't know the man, and this seems like a personal celebration. But don't let me interfere with your fun. It sounds like it's been a long time coming." She smiles at all of them. "Brother, if you'd be so kind as to escort me to the carriage, I can return alone, and send it back to wait until you've finished celebrating with your marine entrepreneur friend."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Apr 17, 2019 3:53:26 GMT 1
"Don't bother with the carriage. I'll see him home safe." grinned the Captain.
"Send back the carriage." replied Malyk, obliviously torn between wanting to stay and realizing it was probably prudent to go.
As each wished Laena farewell, her escort for the evening escorted her back to the waiting carriage.
"My apologizes for the abrupt ending to the evening." He smiled a bit sheepishly. "Ally is a bit of a force of nature. It's probably easier to let him have his way." Then his eyes widened at the implication of his words. "Not entirely his own way." He corrected, a bit flustered. He'd already had more to drink than he was used to. "Ally does a lot of work for Lord Levalle and he always has the latest gossip about the merchants and the runners." He helped Laena into the carriage. "I hope the evening was valuable to you. At the very least it was a very pleasant evening and I enjoyed getting to know you better. Hopefully you enjoyed it as well and gained something of what you were looking for."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Apr 17, 2019 22:30:47 GMT 1
Laena says her farewells swiftly but politely, and departs with Malyk.
"This evening was both fun and useful, thank you. I still can't really say I understand you, but perhaps I understand myself better. Who I am, and who I am not. Which paths I am willing to take, and which I am not." She leans out, and gives him a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Stay safe, brother. Were you to fall, the Tear would weep."
She leans back in, and continues quietly. "And the world would be notably less interesting."
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