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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 6, 2019 18:41:36 GMT 1
Laena raises an eyebrow. "You *love* her? Well, then, your motive clearly was that Lord Vardis intended her to marry another, from a more prestigious house - or at least he sought better than you - but the young Lord Elwood was far less likely to deny his sister's saviour her hand. One dead page-Lord later, and you're Lord-Protector of a house, and firmly in the pocket of the mastermind behind the plot."
After a moment's pause, to make him uncomfortable that moment longer, she chuckles, and makes a dismissive gesture with her hand, releasing the tension. "Calm yourself, cousin. I do not doubt you are incapable of such malevolence. I do not use my words to insult your character, I merely wish for you to begin to understand how dangerous the world is at this point. How even heroic actions can be twisted for political ends. And if heroic actions can be twisted to villainy, how much worse are any other actions? Rest assured, that while I consider the plan I outlined unlikely to be exactly true, do not doubt that I am aware of other plots at least as complex and malevolent which have already successfully occurred.
"Guard yourself accordingly.
"And do not be too harsh on the blackguards for the poor state of their shields. They are from a house near two hundred years gone. House Gardener, the rulers of the Reach before the Tyrells bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, and were given it in thanks. It is interesting that they were in poor condition, though, for it means that they were perhaps originals, rather than replicas, which would be in better condition. The Field of Fire, where the house went extinct, was in the north of the Reach, if I recall my history lessons correctly." And the house that controls that land is likely a good place to dig around.
"Now, let us dig a little deeper. You mentioned three knights and maybe forty-something archers, correct? Anyone else? Did you get a decent assessment of the quality of the knights' equipment? Particularly the horse you escaped on? Were the archers crossbowmen or bowmen? Did you get a good look at any of them? Any kind of assessment as to how far away the archers were shooting from - and hence, how well-trained they were? Anything along those lines?"
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 6, 2019 19:02:09 GMT 1
His face drops almost instantly at the mention that even his love could be used against him. Nothing is safe in this world, as it would seem. As she let the silence linger, Robyn's face fell into his hands, rubbing his eyes and sinuses in an attempt to focus up. When she laughs, he looks up and runs his hand through his hair again, letting out a certainly worried chuckle as he leans back to his original position; poised and focused. He heeds her words well, nodding at her view of the world in it current state, "That statement sounds like it is coming from someone who hasn't always done the most heroic of actions. Not to question you or anything you have ever done by any means cousin, but justification like that mostly comes from those who are looking for it themselves."
He takes a moment to think before speaking, going over the detail again in his head, "From the looks of it, they were well armored and certainly well equipped when it came to the horses. They were proper war creatures, and didn't seem at all phased with the battle that ensued. Not to mention the armor they all wore. Im not sure if it was new, by any meaning of the word, but they were certainly prepared for a battle, and a one sided one at that." He shrugged, "The only faces I remember was of the man I attacked on horseback. Maybe one of the other knights who were following us. The bowmen were all spread out and were certainly not as trained as those riding. The only face of them I can recall is the one who had Lady Zia, and the look of fear on the one holding Lady Falyse," he scowls softly at that, "Deserved worse than the clean death I brought him."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 6, 2019 20:23:08 GMT 1
Laena hides her confusion for a few moments, before she figures out how Robyn misunderstood her words. She could simply correct him on what she meant, but decides it would be more fun to play with him a bit more first. "'Hasn't always done the most heroic of actions', Ser?" She asks in a cold, mocking voice. "Did you miss my teats? Or did your Dornish blood temporarily overcome your senses, and make you believe any woman would be allowed within a mile of 'heroism', regardless of her intentions?"
She slowly leans forward, and affixes him a firm stare. "Let me say this clearly: I have never done anything I felt the slightest need to justify.
"Not. "One "Thing."
She leans back. "And if I were? Then the absolutely worst thing you could do would be to confront me over it, on my territory, on my terms.
"Alone."
She cocks her head slightly. "There are just the two of us in here, and you are armed and armoured. You think that makes you safe? You think you have any protection against all the ways I can hurt you?" Her questions clearly rhetorical, her tone idle, her gaze decidedly not.
"Barely better to let me know under those conditions. If ever you suspect someone of being so amoral, then the absolutely best thing you can do is play dumb. Nine times out of ten, saying something got someone into more trouble than not saying it, and your skin means you're in quite enough trouble already."
Her intensity fades, and she smiles again. "But, as I implied earlier, you merely misunderstood my words. I meant to make clear that if heroism could be turned to villainy so easily, then you must be mindful of *all* of your actions, for they could be twisted, too. Things like 'truth' and 'innocence' are no defence."
"Now, what of their armour? Was it full plate? And the man you pulled off his horse, did he get up smoothly, indicating it was well-fitted? And you saw two of the knights' faces, including their leader? Well enough that you could recognise them if you saw them again? And they would be aware of this fact? How many people have you told this to?"
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 6, 2019 21:12:33 GMT 1
If Robyn was presenting as focused and in tune before, the shell of that mask is slowly deteriorating, getting a huge crack from the intensity that Laena gave off. The alcohol had already gotten to him, and made him realize that saying such things, especially in situations as she pointed out, well... He would certainly be more attentive to it in the future. The man before her looked almost shamed puppy like as she spoke, not retorting anything at any of her statements, but maintaining the stare. He respected her and the authority she possessed, and the fury that seemed to be ever brewing, waiting to be served to whoever dared cross her, and that means that he would keep that gaze, especially when she was speaking so directly at him. To look away would be fear, and he is sure that that is the least pleasant adjective to use for himself; he has never been a coward.
He cleared his throat The barrage of questions post that intense chastisement was causing immense whiplash on Robyn, and every second he remains here he reminds himself not to drink next time he needs to speak to his cousin.
Or anyone of her caliber, for that matter.
"They weren't wearing full plate, didn't appear to be more than scale. The man I pulled from his horse took quite awhile to get up, long enough for me to pick up my sword and hit him with it. I don't think it was necessarily made for them, if no made for them a long time ago." He barely had enough time to breathe as he spoke, continuing on with shorter, quicker phrases, very efficiently and straight to the point, he feared if he dangled in the unimportant, he might inadvertently insult her again. "I could see their faces, and recognize them again. Certainly the leader. If they didn't forget my face I imagine they could pick it out of a crowd, certainly if I was wearing what I was then. I have only told Caswell and a few of his men who were there. The rest I have kept to myself. And you, of course,"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 7, 2019 18:49:42 GMT 1
She nods acknowledgement of his response, restraining a smile as she sees his façade crack in front of her eyes. "Good. Mayhap the hired sword won't reveal to his paymaster that he let you see his face, since that would look ill for him - and his continued breathing. In which case, if the paymaster doesn't hear from your lips - indirectly or no - perhaps the link won't be severed, and the man could be found. Did he have any distinguishing features? Beard? Hair colour?"
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 7, 2019 18:56:50 GMT 1
(I think that is a question for Father, right? I’m not sure I got a good description of what he looked like??)
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 7, 2019 19:01:03 GMT 1
(I've deliberately avoided doing more than skimming the first few posts of that thread to avoid metagaming with information I don't have IC, but I'd assume so.)
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 7, 2019 19:25:08 GMT 1
(I also just realized WHO he is in relation to the overarching story, and I was wondering Father, could I roll possibly a memory check or something to see if I can recall Marq's relation to my brother, though it is through tragedy, and possibly remember his face from that? its a long shot but I think it might help this moment)
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 8, 2019 21:41:44 GMT 1
Robyn's attempt to recodnize and remember faces: Awareness (Notice) + Cunning (Memory): 5d6k4 14 3d6 6
Based off this, and some description that Father provided, I don't think Robyn actually saw their faces, or at least, even if he did, he wouldn't be able to remember them. Though, I don't think he would go back on his word here, and would probably try to come up with something. Chalk it up to the wine making him forgetful I suppose
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 8, 2019 21:48:29 GMT 1
Robyn thought for a long moment, trying to focus on the man that stood before him just a few days ago. The wine swirled round his thoughts, and every moment he tried to recall what the faces looked like was quickly swept away, drowning in the two glasses he foolishly drank. He shakes his head, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees, hands pressed firmly into his brow, "It isn't for lack of trying... But as I am thinking on it... I cannot recall anything except his eyes. The armor they wore, the crest... it is all so vibrant... but," He lets out a long sigh, looking to his cousin with an apologetic glance, "I cannot remember any of the men's faces." He tries to play it off with a soft laugh, pointing to the alcohol, "The finer luxuries in life seem to have taken a toll already. I wish I could be more help in that reguard, but it seems that there isn't much to go on."
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Post by Father on Oct 9, 2019 10:38:28 GMT 1
Awareness would imply that he did see enough, but memory suggests that he fails to recall.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 9, 2019 19:04:02 GMT 1
Laena softly nods. "I have heard it said that the fight-or-flight instinct can do strange things to a man's mind. It focuses on survival, and dismisses everything not aiding that as irrelevant. There is no shame in that. But what that *does* mean is that there is a blackguard out there, who believes you know his face and can accuse him of that atrocity, and you likely will not be able to recognise him for the threat he is until it's too late."
As that truth sinks in to him, she stands, and moves to rest her right hand on his right shoulder. Partly reassuring, partly to encourage him to remain sitting so she retains the dominance of her height advantage. "Go home to your mother." She dictates. "She worries about you. You may be a knight, now, but hopefully you now understand just how much danger you are in, and just how ill-prepared you are to face it. There are knights there who can help you. Ser Mikel, for instance, despite his background, has a curious mind. And my fullbrother is generally an intelligent man. And if you remember anything else which might help me, he'll know where to send the missive. And all of them are brave and honourable folk, who will ensure you don't have to stand alone."
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 9, 2019 20:15:42 GMT 1
Robyn nods, looking up to her with a gentle smile, his façade back in place, again convincing himself that everything would be alright, and that he was strong enough to handle the challenge ahead. Hearing her words gave him some form of confidence, in an odd way. Robyn, despite the nature of the world, and despite all the imitate war that he was probably going to play a hand in, didn't care for politics. He didn't care who was on the throne as long as his livelihood and that of those he loves was safe. But, there was an overwhelming part of him that saw Lady Laena as a suitable candidate for Queen, and certainly he respected her more than either of those figureheads that he was supposed to respect. She evoked power, and from the moment he walked into the tent he knew that she WAS a dragon.
He would follow her command, wherever that would lead, if it came to it one day.
"Returning home sounds like a wonderful idea. I will keep an eye out for your brother, and the other that you mentioned. And mother will be one of my first priorities upon returning, no need to worry there." He let out a soft chuckle, "Hopefully I wont need protecting, though, if your words ring true, I will be glad to have an ally in you." his voice is honest, and the smile on his face is certainly the cherry on top of an already charming knight.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Oct 9, 2019 21:46:56 GMT 1
"No matter how talented they are, everyone's eyes can only see in one direction at once. Stick close to the Starkwood knights. Learn from them. Protect their back when they need it, and trust them to protect yours in turn." She pats his shoulder, turns and moves away, so he doesn't physically look down on her when he stands.
"Now," she speaks over her shoulder without fully turning. "I have to try and figure out who's resurrected the coat of arms of House Gardener, and repeated their mistake.
"In thinking they could stand against a dragon."
She reaches her desk. "Safe travels, cousin. Warrior watch over you."
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Post by Robyn Redwolf on Oct 9, 2019 21:55:33 GMT 1
Robyn stood, giving a slight bow to her as he spoke, “The same to you cousin, and may the Father grant you the power to invoke justice on them,” he lets loose a soft chuckle, turning to go. He gets most of the way there before stopping, and giving a glance over his shoulder, his face more stoic than before, “Burn them alive, Lady Dragon,” before heading out of her tent
(/scene?)
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