[Phase 2] Enemy of my enemy or so it goes [Balon]

Of all the individuals Balon expected an invitation from Lady Maegelle was not one of them. It wasn't that he hated her or vice versa, more that she was a frosty bitch that had given him a rather savage dressing-down after he'd involved himself with Lady Ashara and her rumors about Lady Denyse and House Cordwayner. Still they shared the correct political leanings and that was enough to pique Balon's interest. There was also the opportunity to see Lady Denyse; not that Maegelle's daughter had a warm demeanor, quite the opposite. But she was beautiful and her bosom was something a man could get lost in. If Balon was lucky Denyse, if there, would just shut her mouth and stand there looking pretty.

He dressed in his finer clothes and groomed himself accordingly. Their last conversation had ended poorly but that didn't mean he wouldn't treat Lady Maegelle with the respect she deserved. Well, as much respect as a woman who cuckolded her husband who then died under mysterious circumstances deserves. None of that bothered Balon though. What was more important was Maegelle and her son kept House Cordwayner out of the hands of the insufferable Ser Roland and supporting Ser Daemon Blackfyre.

After an announcing of his arrival Balon was shown to Lady Maegelle where he gave her a bow and greeted her in a most courteous tone, " "A pleasure to see you my lady. May I offer my condolences on the passing of your husband. I hope his children have handled his passing well." Balon had made a deliberate choice in using the word 'his' as opposed to 'your'. After a polite but short back and forth covering the generic pleasantries Balon got to the matter, "My lady may I ask why you asked for this meeting?"

Break the ice, start with a jape. It was a method Balon used a lot be it in the alehouses of the Reach or with a shy lady during a dance. He was about to find out how well Lady Maegelle reacted to a joke. "I can only assume I'm here because you wish to see our houses joined through marriage. Is it myself or Ser Titus you seek to wed to Lady Denyse?" His crooked grin robbed his sentence of any sincerity. "If it's not that I'd wager it has more to do with our shared political beliefs my lady. Or there is something that vexes your family and you look to a knight who owes you." Balon didn't really *owe* Lady Maegelle though an argument could be made he'd made a tangential insult to House Cordwayner when he got into a scuffle with Lady Ashara. "Perhaps there is a delicate matter that needs *handling* that would be mutually beneficial to both of us?" Balon shrugged, "Or you have useful information that requires the attention of important lords and knights and you think I'm the best vessel to carry the message." Balon was close to Gormon and Fireball and if Maegelle couldn't gain access to them maybe she thought she could use him as a conduit.

"Just know whatever it is discretion it of the utmost importance to me."

"My aunt won't be an obstacle forever, my lady." His vague threat was in the same vane as Maegelle's against Roland and Abelar. Regardless of his aunt's wishes Balon had no intention to marry Denyse. At best he'd fuck her until she became annoying which wouldn't take terribly long. As for Titus, that poor bastard would be to honorable to back-hand Denyse and keep her in line. He'd suffer her delusions of grandeur forever and put himself in an early grave stressing over it. Balon wanted no part in a union between the Blackbriars and Cordwayners.   

"And Abelar and I have unfinished business." The vitriol in his words suggested at a bare minimum Abelar would leave their encounter with fewer pieces. "As for Ser Roland I find him insufferable and arrogant in equal measure so seeing them fail would bring a smile to my face. If you ever need assistance with those two let me know." His skills were limited but he offered them.


Lord Walgrave seemed the obvious choice. Balon had heard he and Roland were on poor terms and helping ensure Roland was denied an inheritance seemed fitting for Walgrave. Lord Reynald's daughter had been sullied at Highgarden and it could be difficult to find a match for her. Becoming Lady Cordwayner might be the best Alicent could do. Then there were the Peakes. Plenty of options there. All three lords had second sons available so this could work...

Balon cleared his throat knowing his next question wouldn't sit well, "There is no doubt to the legitimacy of your children but the voices that whisper bastardry are growing louder. What are you doing to quell that? It might be a hard sell to a lord if they think you're on the verge of losing Hammerhall." An honest and uncomfortable question.

"More importantly what are you willing to give up? What are you prepared to do?" He left his question vague enough so it was up to her to decide if Balon was referring to himself or what the Cordwayner's would have to give up to a principal bannerman to seal the deal.

"It'd be foolish of me to speak so openly of ill intent towards my aunt." Balon smiled and shrugged as if to say 'who knows how serious I am'. "When the time comes I want House Blackbriar fighting for the true king." He nodded to Maegelle, "Just like you want House Cordwayner to stay out of the hands of... how did you put it... supporters of King Pot-Belly." 


"Trust is a tricky thing. You clearly trust me enough to ask me of this favor." Balon quickly corrected himself, "Favors." He put emphasis on the plural. "So." Balon sat upright and cleared his throat. "No japes. No vague threats towards our relatives. Let us speak openly and honestly."

"Your house is strong. Your son is good with both sword and lance and with your guidance he'll be an excellent lord. Your daughter is a stunning beauty. She'd make any knight proud to call her wife. Ser Normyn is a Great Bastard and not only does he have the privileges that come with royal blood he is a superb warrior." Balon held up a finger, "But Lady Denyse has suffered from vicious slander about her *alleged* promiscuity. What's worse is it was by her brother's betrothed and Bloodraven's sister." Balon smiled, "Fortunately one of those problems went away." If Balon gambled he'd bet a sizable amount of money Maegelle was involved in Ashara's death. "If the slander against Lady Denyse wasn't bad enough rumors that you cuckolded your husband won't die." There was no judgement by Balon, Ilyn reminded him of his uncle and he had grown to hate his uncle. "So now you come to me for help. Help I will give you I might add." 

"But I will ask for something in return. Nothing outlandish but I expect to be repaid. In fact I think a bit of good faith is in order. Whitewalls will be having a melee and I plan to lead a team. It'd be nice if someone of Ser Normyn's caliber would join me."  A fairly simple request considering what she was asking him to do. 

Balon nodded, "It's good to hear the slander of Lady Denyse has become a distant memory for most. Perhaps someday we'll find a way to repay Mya Rivers for her insults." Rape and a knife across the throat. Balon made sure to say we'll instead of you'll in an attempt to imply he'd assist if asked. 

"I was told Septon Abelar was quite vociferous in his condemnation of you and your children. To your knowledge is there anyone else specifically working against you? The Levalles? Lady Alicent (Yronwood) perhaps? I'm sure she thinks she'd be better suited as the lady of House Cordwayner rather than the wife of a Companion." Balon thought for a moment. "What do you think of driving a wedge between her and Ser Roland? Action instead of reaction. I've never met Lord Olyvar (Yronwood) but I was told he shares our politics and my distaste of the Rhoynar." Balon wasn't sure if his motive was political or envy when it came to Roland.


"Team, alliance, mutual benefit, a group of like minded individuals. Call it what you will. What matters is we help each other get to the end of the melee." 

Balon turned back to the reason she'd asked to speak with him. "For each marriage or alliance I secure for you you'll owe me one favor. It could be something as simple as helping me secure my own bride or it could be helping me secure a title and land for myself. Sound fair?"

"Then I believe we have an accord, my lady." Balon had already thought of three candidates for both Quentin and Denyse. Ser Normyn though.... If the rumors are true he'll want a wife that'll keep him at Hammerhaal. That'll be awkward. "I'll begin my inquiries right away and I hope to bring you good news before the tourney ends, my lady." With the deal made there wasn't much more to discuss. Balon thanked her for her hospitality and bid her good day. 


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