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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 16, 2019 11:18:34 GMT 1
Roland smiled broadly at Davos's comment regarding Mya Rivers.
"Lady Mya Rivers is a beauty, but in courting her you would call down the lightning. I trust you are with sturdy with steel and steed? She provoked many a duel at the Black Tourney."
Victory! Not a tourney or a joust, but a man should strive for his bet in all endeavours.
"She nearly came to blows with my niece Denyse at Highgarden. A few moons past I would have been been able to say "over lies regarding the parentage of my niece and nephew", but my brother Normyn's ill judged challenge and loss of a duel over the matter would make me a liar in the eyes of the Seven."
Distracted by the game and easing up, Roland stumbled upon what he had previously avoided.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 16, 2019 18:10:00 GMT 1
"Courting is perhaps too strong a word for it." He says with a chuckle. "Admiring, I think, is more apt. I am not looking to remarry so soon."
He does not so much as blink in surprise when Roland speaks of his brother's cuckolding.
"I will admit having heard such stories about their parentage... a troubling thing indeed for both our nieces, whether true or not."
He lays the final card of the game, winning the last trick. Though it is not enough to win the game, at least both men ends the game with a victory, large or small.
"If you do not mind my asking... do you intend to press a claim to be the true heir of Hammerhall?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 20, 2019 12:27:29 GMT 1
Roland gritted his teeth in frustration, but then managed an admiring smile at Davos's final trick.
"Deftly done Ser, I confess I sometimes lack the patience for such plays."
Roland's left hand waved away any insult from discussing his family's woes.
"I have little to fear from such questions, and would see that your niece's betrothal remains merely that while the question is outstanding. I am saddened that Ser Normyn' cowardice in his duel validated such talk."
"I had not thought of the matter in terms of 'pressing claims'. If the worst is true, Seven forbid it, then I must fulfill my duty as Hammerhal's heir until my brother has a new son. I would not feel the need to press any claim, for a man is the rightful heir or he is not. In such a sorrowful circumstance I would see Ser Quentyn remain at Hammerhal as master-of-arms, or at some nearby keep if he preferred such."
A straightforward man, Roland believed the debates at Highgarden and years of tradition decisively settled the matter if neither Quentyn nor Denyse was Ilyn's progeny.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 20, 2019 18:13:37 GMT 1
"Patience produced the lesser victory in this case, as you have unquestionably won the game."
Pressing the matter of legitimacy is the same thing as pressing a claim to be the rightful heir. I can't tell if he is naive about it or if he is disinterested in inheritance.
"A noble thought, to provide positions to the children of others' misdeed."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Mar 20, 2019 18:32:05 GMT 1
"I have no doubt that it is the harder path, should it come to pass. I have heard well intentioned counsel on what such kindness may mean, planting the seeds of future strife. So be it. Better than than unconscionable but practical steps now. Such is not House Cordwayner's way, nor mine."
"My brother can take a new wife and father a new son if Ser Quentyn is not his true heir."
Repeated by moments ago, almost a mantra to the young knight.
"I thank you for the game - better to face each other over a cup and cards than reprise the Prince's Pass. I was but a young squire then, but you must have been a grown man."
Not just skill, but size and strength matter in swordsmanship. Roland doubted the encounter would have gone well for him had they crossed on another in the great battle.
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Post by Davos Dayne on Mar 20, 2019 19:20:19 GMT 1
"I was barely a man grown, and still a squire myself. I was knighted for my deeds there, and shortly thereafter left for Essos. At the time, I would have taken issue with your words, but I have seen enough of war and death that I would rather a game of cards over a duel any day."
He smiles.
"Gods be good, there need never be another Prince's Pass - the union of our realms has been accomplished in a far better way."
Though I'm not sure our independence was a fair price for peace.
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