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Post by Father on May 24, 2019 20:11:29 GMT 1
Lynesse had not truly met Lord Durwell, briefly presented at Oldtown, and one of her fellow ladies in waiting had been asking all about it, madly in love with the man and utterly disappointed that Lynesse could not tell her anything, as if a few moments allowed them to have any sort of conversation, let alone mention said Lady in waiting. Even so, the way Lord Marq bows in greeting while attentively studying her face with a sparkle in his eye is not easily forgotten, then as now. "My Lady has grown even more beautiful since our last encounter" it appears as if they simply meets by chance, without any intent on their part, maybe that even was true, Lynesse had not failed to hear all the gossip about this one, she can see why there would be so much speculation, the man clearly must like maintaining his air of mystery, and his very way of behaving without saying anything else than a greeting which most young knights have rehearsed over and over again so that they won't make fools of themselves when meeting a lady. And yet, it seems that he delivers it spontaneously from the heart rather than from a committed memory. Only as he mentions her beauty does his gaze acknowledge that more of her exists than her head, only a brief approving glance, just enough that he might convincingly deliver a silent compliment, as if to signal that he spoke of her eyes and lips, but now sees that it applies to the rest of her also. Most men has a tendency to stare for long enough for the slowest of minds to get a good idea of how she looks like naked before even remembering where her eyes are. He appears to spend that time studying her eyes to get an idea of what sort of person she is, his mind might be sharp enough to even get a good idea, or maybe that's just him acting as the exact opposite of the stammering squires that the majority of Lynesse's experiences in similar situations happens to have involved.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 25, 2019 9:55:27 GMT 1
“And yet my lord remains as charming as ever,” Lynesse smiles, deferring to Lord Durwell with an elegant curtsy. She maintains her composure as her mind races to the worst of possible conclusions, that this was another of Eustace’s schemes. But to what end?
She meets his eyes with her own, unblinking. It would be easy to get lost in his eyes, just as it would be easy to mistake the deep, clear, colour for a depth of character.
An air of mystery was considered romantic by many of Lynesse’s peers, intoxicatingly so in Lord Marq’s case. To Lynesse it was also dangerous, as it implied secrets dangerous enough to keep at arm’s length from public awareness, and a man able enough to keep them.
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Post by Father on May 25, 2019 16:10:03 GMT 1
"In that case, I hope that I am impressively so in my lady's memory" He certainly have an easy way of responding in a disarming manner, and yet quickly arrive naturally to his own curiosity, where Farman had shown great interest and let her take the lead in what to discuss, undoubtedly to make her feel comfortable and him likable, but he only wanted her body, listening to whatever she wanted to say to him to make her feel close. Marq's approach betrays a more specific interest than just getting to know the person, courteous banter quickly yields to a question suggesting the meeting might not be as random as it appears, but who knows with this man? He seems as like to simply seize the opportunity offered by a chance encounter than to engineer it, odds are that one could only determine that if one knew how interesting he truly is, and that might appear near impossible to judge. "As it happens, I found it rather curious that a lady would step up to support Lord Eldon's arguments, the only one to support them, actually. Most men are suspecting that my lady might be the only one actually desiring a marriage with him, and given what most men think of him, they conclude that my lady wants to wield the power of House Merryweather."
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 26, 2019 2:47:53 GMT 1
“The same men might look at a farmer building a barn and decide that he desires the winter, so that he can wield the power of a blizzard, my Lord.” She replied lightly, while internally she fretted, wondering if her actions were truly so transparent, or if Lord Durwell was concealing his own opinion in the wording of a general opinion.
Is it so unbelievable that I might be convinced by the merits of the case itself? She wondered.
"My father always told me that a duel of honour or trial by combat was not concerned with proving martial talent, or taking a pound of another man’s flesh, but about proving the truth of a matter, with the gods as one’s witness. I am not sure how one could believe that, or even pretend to believe that, and advance Sir Daeron to the next round. Lord Butterwell allowed a duel to prove that Ser Daeron had cheated, to rig the joust so that he might make an attempt on Lord Eldon’s life. Ser Daeron contended he had been poisoned, which seems a foolish notion, as he sat his horse ably enough, and his case was disproven by Ser Rennifer’s lance. Some men might say that a jurist’s argument is poorly tested by the point of a lance, but if Lord Butterwell did not intend to see the truth of the matter settled by blade and lance, then he should have forbade the duel to begin with.
Instead, Ser Daeron’s guilt is proven before the realm, and Lord Eldon can point to an unavenged grievance legitimised by the Hand of the King, in addition to the one legitimised by the King himself at Summerhall. Both were duels settled in Merryweather favour, with no public restitution. One might almost think that the crown was encouraging Lord Eldon to avenge his honour against House Starling through other means. She considered this an unlikely goal for the crown itself to pursue, but an inevitable conclusion of ations at Summerhall and Whitewalls nonetheless.
"To my thinking it seemed a more prudent resolution for Ser Eldon to be advanced to the next round in Ser Daeron’s place as a public reparation, rather than to directly incite Lord Eldon to seek alternative recourse. But a great many wiser and more experienced men spoke against me, Lord Durwell, so they must see something I can not. Perhaps you can enlighten me on this deeper wisdom?" Her tone is playful rather than stern nor insipid, as Marq had neither joined Daeron's supporters himself, nor criticised Lynesse's own reasons as yet.
Even as she spoke, Lynesse could feel her tongue running away with her, and it was impossible to tell if she was making a fool of herself with Lord Marq. She made her points calmly, unpacking the perspective on the matter that she honestly held, if not the reasons why she had been willing to publicly voice it.
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Post by Father on May 26, 2019 15:44:56 GMT 1
"I think the deeper wisdom, my lady, is that the motives of men are simpler, they harbor a considerable dislike for Lord Eldon." Marq comments dryly. "It is safe to side against him because everyone else does, it is easier to side against him because everyone else does. I would think only one who values honor above prudence as my lady does would possibly stand up for such opinions, or someone who wants to ingratiate themselves with Lord Eldon." It does not appear to Lynesse that he believes her to be of the first variety, though he might just try to provoke a reaction by his gestures. "If my lady desired the latter, I can report that her efforts have been met by success." If that was true, he must have spoken with Lord Eldon after the whole debacle, or he just pretends. There is no sign on his face of any deception.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 27, 2019 2:52:06 GMT 1
“The simple motives of men is a worthy lesson my lord, though perhaps not a universal one.” She replies pointedly, putting a pleasant sting of her own into her compliment, as seemed Lord Marq’s style. “It is safe and easy to side against Lord Eldon, and yet my Lord does not, which implies prudence in abundance, though my Lord does not have a reputation for being drawn into such unsanitary affairs. Do you have a settled opinion on the outcome of the duel?" She inquires with genuine curiosity.
“I am sure any gratitude Lord Eldon feels for my simple words is dwarfed by the gratitude he feels toward Ser Daeron for allowing his champion to recreate his victory over Daeron’s brother at Summerhall.” Lynesse replied to Lord Marq’s word of Lord Eldon’s response. She would rather discuss the motives of others than herself, though Lord Marq apparently desired the opposite.
Perhaps a simple concession of his observation might help shape the conversation away from unpleasant implications of dishonesty. “My Lord-Regent, Ser Eustace has indicated that he intends a union between House Daverhyl and Merryweather, so it would be quite impertinent for me to offend Lord Eldon, and quite foolish of me to spurn an opportunity to win his regard. Especially when such an opportunity rests on the statement of what seems to me a simple truth, though unpalatable to some.”
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Post by Father on May 28, 2019 13:43:21 GMT 1
"Other ladies have been presented to Lord Eldon ever since Lady Alicent made him set her aside, one of them deliberately insulted him to void consideration, others held their nose, I know of at least one who persuaded her father to find a different prospect. Only my lady appears to actively make an effort to make herself seem attractive and obedient." He comments, studying her eyes with great curiosity. "The appeal of such a union is quite apparent to fathers with high ambitions and low regard for the happiness of their daughters, perhaps easier for an uncle, even more so for an uncle of ambitions, less disposed to care for the happiness of a niece, higher obstacles for his desires."
"Most ladies do their duties, it is what they have been groomed for all their young lives, not encouraged to develop goals of their own, not encouraged to be anything than the vessels of the ambitions of men, supporting them and giving birth to sons and daughters who again is to serve those ambitions. But I wonder, perhaps my lady is different, perhaps she has little desire to serve her uncle's ambitions?"
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 29, 2019 1:24:45 GMT 1
Lord Marq asked piercing questions, demonstrating a keen understanding of Lynesse's position. He was either incredibly well-informed, or keenly observant or, Lynesse permitted, most likely both.
"My house is vulnerable in a state of regency, and will remain vulnerable until my brother becomes accustomed to its rule. I do not enjoy the luxury of offending powerful lords who show an interest in the affairs of my house, as some others apparently do. " She was not Delia Blackbriar, or these other maids, and would not pretend to be. She lacked the backing of even her own house, whose regent would gleefully throw her to the wolves at a moment's notice.
"My uncle has shared little of his ambitions with me, Lord Marq, though I will say freely that my loyalty is to my brother’s rightful succession, as the rightful heir, and not to Ser Eustace’s opportunism as a lord-regent. He seems disinclined to hear my word on this or other matters, and so I must take his commands as they are."
"So I do my duty Lord Marq, though I do not think it anathema to ambition, for my ambitions are the prosperity and security of my house. I spoke for Lord Eldon because he was in the right, and because he is the best prospect to protect my house from the vultures who encircle it. " She replied, acknowledging that while she would obey Ser Eustace's command, his ambitions were not hers, and she would follow her own stars where necessary.
She wondered again at Lord Marq's interest, but did not ask him directly, leaving the obvious inquiry hanging between them.
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Post by Father on May 29, 2019 18:39:25 GMT 1
"I had an uncle as my regent as I was a squire, for three years or so, I was not too fond of him to begin with." Marq trails off into telling the story. "He wasn't all that bad actually, I must have been three and ten, maybe four and ten, and wanted to have him use Norhall's coffers to hire assassins, for the king. He said no, and off I went back to Laughing Stream with Lord Bryce who told me that he was not going to knight me before I learned enough about how the world works to not end my days on the headsman's block." He chuckles at his own youthful stupidity. "Ser Orton is my maternal uncle, that might have something to do with it also, if me and my brothers were to suddenly find our demise by the way of a sickness in the belly, my cousin would rule instead, regents without a conflict of interests are the best ones."
"Suppose this Ser Eustace has ambitions, his lord father will not live forever, and young Kyle will not stay a boy forever, I don't think anyone with a Dornish mother will have much opportunity to marry his way into lordship, so he must bypass the claims of his darling nephew and niece, one death might be made seem an accident, but two? No. Your uncle, Ser Sandor, is good in a trial by combat, but not *that* good. Whoever could stake the claim if all three uncles were swept aside would easily put them all up there in front of The Voice of Oldtown would surely have them found guilty, but suppose that the dutiful niece married Lord Eldon, and then her young brother dies young, mayhaps the grandfather succumbs to his grief, who knows. There is then a female claimant married to a lord, Ser Eustace would then surely be named regent until her second son comes of age, many a year for certain, but that assumes that the laws of men are applied by the letter, how easy would it not be to conspire with those who dislike Lord Eldon to ensure that all of his children were to be passed over for consideration when a new Lord Daverhyl is to be named? How easy would it then not be to extend this treatment to the granddaughter whose duty is to her husband and children so far away?"
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 30, 2019 8:20:00 GMT 1
"You are right my lord, in that some might dispute my succession on the basis of a match they deemed unfavourable.
But I am not sure any match I might pursue would spare my brother of my Uncle’s avaricious character. No marriage I make would change the order of our inheritance, nor redeem my Uncle’s disloyal and disingenuous character.
Any other match I might pursue by the line of thinking you propose would be for the purpose that when my brother is killed, I, and my sons, are preferable heirs to Ser Eustace. And yet that is not my purpose. I would see my brother live, to inherit and rule with the wisdom and honour of our murdered father.
If another course of action, or another match would better safeguard my brother from treachery and misuse, then I would ardently pursue it. You mentioned the great distance of Longtable from Mustard Hall; a detail I had not considered. If my lord has more wisdom to share in this regard, then I pray he does.
And if Eustace saw her brother dead, then Lynesse would rather see Mustard Hall razed to kindling than pass to him in full, be it by Merryweather's hand or another's.
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Post by Father on May 30, 2019 19:38:38 GMT 1
"My lady might find it wise to not be quite so trusting with her thoughts on her uncle" Marq comments with a wink. "On a hunch I pretended to know her uncle for a man of troublesome ambitions, and learned a great many things from her response"
"Although I am not unaware of what happened to Ser Kyran and how conveniently quickly the assassins were caught and hanged, which does cast some suspicion upon Ser Eustace and his motives. If my lady were to marry a second son, Ser Abelar Hightower perhaps, although the one carrying my lady's favor is a far more impressive specimen, there would be no tangles on the line of inheritance should young Kyle follow his parents, and such men as are capable of one murder tends to have little difficulty bringing themselves to commit another. But if my lady is married to a lord, then Ser Eustace might at the very least enjoy being lord in all but name until such a time as my lady's second son comes of age. The eldest inheriting from his father. It just so happens that with Lord Eldon as the father, passing over both mother and child entirely might be achievable."
"If I happened to be an evil second son with an annoying half-brother and a nephew and niece in the way of my ambitions, I would probably await an opportunity to have them all poisoned along with my father, maybe catch one or both of my more robust full-brothers as well, they would more believably live provided with wasting potion. I could then tell the Hightowers whatever fiction I wished, busy as they are with their own succession of power. Angling for twenty years as regent to some grandnephew that he can ensure will not know the household and thus must rely upon him for good governance might be a plan less prone for going wrong though. I think I can safely assume that most people shares my preference for their plans to largely work out as intended."
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on May 31, 2019 10:28:54 GMT 1
Lynesse blushed at Lord Marq’s easy outmanoeuvring of her on the matter of her disposition toward Eustace. “Lord Marq, I see that I have need for greater lessons in courtly life. Would That I had had your uncle to teach me such discretion inthe place of those I have learned from my own.”
“What you suggest is a wise, and perhaps safer course than the one plotted before me Lord Marq. I know even as I ask that you are likely not to share the reason for your wise counsel in this matter, but curiosity drives me to it nonetheless. Why take an interest? Why intervene?
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Post by Father on Jun 1, 2019 14:49:38 GMT 1
"Maybe I have a weakness for orphans, maybe I have a weakness for young ladies who would be even more beautiful if given cause to be happy, twice the weakness, then." It sounds more like a quip to deflect the question than a real answer, but it might be partly true. "My uncle didn't teach me much, he just said no when I wanted to rebel, it was Lord Bryce whom I squired for who tutored me in such things, my lady"
"My lady probably does not know that my father died in the Prince's Pass, fighting a stupid war that the king declared on an impulse and promptly abandoned, then he decided to console my grieving mother by raping her and get her with child, she did not survive the birth and I was angry. It was Lord Bryce that made me realize that the path of vengeance that I wanted would only get myself and my brothers dead, so he set me on a different course, work with the Prince of Dragonstone, which mostly meant working with the men who agreed with his views"
He has made a near invisible step closer, but it does not appear that he has the same thing upon his mind as Farman did, more of a matter of testing her subconscious trust.
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Post by Lynesse Daverhyl on Jun 3, 2019 7:32:14 GMT 1
Lynesse does not trust easily or often, anymore, and her reaction is instinctive rather than considered. A half step, more a pivot really, elegantly mirrors Lord Durwell's minor advance, leaving the same gap between them as before. Yet the passage they share is not wide, and much of the gap behind her vanishes as a result. She replies, barely noticing her own reaction.
I was sorry to hear of Lord Bryce's death, and sorrier now to hear that such wisdom was stolen from a land sorely in need of it. You suffered a grievous hurt my Lord, as did your Lady mother, and I am glad you and your brothers survived the Unworthy's rule, and your Lady Sister. I know little of King Daeron other than what the singers tell. What result came from working with those men of like mind to him when he was Prince of Dragonstone?
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Post by Father on Jun 4, 2019 17:02:39 GMT 1
"Friends, my lady" Marq smiles and shakes his head. "It seemed as if though our efforts amounted to little and less, but without us, and by that I mean mostly those who paid little heed to some young lord yet to come of age, or some young lord only recently so, men like Lords Rowan, Arryn, Lannister, Baratheon, the fattest man that history remembers might have disinherited his son in favor of the bastard, though without those men, the Prince of Dragonstone might not have been able to mount any credible opposition to his father in the first place, and the unworthy might not have cared enough to spread the rumors of the Dragonknight or given Blackfyre to Ser Daemon. We'll never know"
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