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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Feb 26, 2020 22:02:40 GMT 1
As this thread - greatbastards.boards.net/post/29969/thread - died out due to PC inactivity poor Balon has been tasked with the deed. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Balon shuffled his feet and stared at the ground as he waited for his sister. There were a great many things he'd done over the last year that would earn him a trial at best, a date with an executioner at worst. Murder, adultery, pillaging, and that didn't even take into account he was trying to help start a rebellion against the king. Balon had stopped keeping count of the people he'd killed. Ser Walton Wyl was supposed to be his first but the dumb bastard killed himself (technically). Then there were the men in the Rosewood, he had never learned their names. A series of Dornish cunts culminating in the death of a Dayne. The militiamen at Riverthorn, Ser Hoster and his kin. Balon ran a hand through his goatee and his eyes widened at the memory of poor Marei. A shudder ran through him as his did his best to suppress the imagery. Besides the killings there was the fornication. First with Lady Jeyne, a married woman. Then with Laena even though it'd taken him months to remember it. By the Seven I forgot about the lady at the masquerade ball. Not the one hosted by Lord Eldon and Lord Farman but at Highgarden. The whore at Windswept castle. And now his secret relationship with Lady Laena. He didn't consider the last one wrong because it was based on love. If it's wrong then society can be damned!
But none of that was as bad as what he was about to do; try to convince Lady Tanda to marry Lord Eldon. He didn't want to do it, he'd once held onto the delusion that he could marry Tanda at some point. He was young and naive when he thought he could convince Gormon of the union and the older he became the more absurd it sounded. Tanda was arrogant and prideful (rightfully so) and Balon was far, faaar beneath her station. He'd always been nice to her when he was at Starpike and while he wouldn't call her a close friend he did like her. When Delia arrived Balon snapped back to reality. "It's good to see you sister. You look well." Balon had previously summarized to Delia what he was set out to do. He doubted she'd object considering what it meant for her future. "Shall we go ruin our cousin's life or have you decided to stop your pursuit of Ser Preston?"
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Post by Father on Feb 28, 2020 16:39:07 GMT 1
Delia is her usual self, wryly lamenting why she couldn't have thought of this plot to remove Tanda from the equation. She seems quite convinced that someone had set it all up to make Eldon hate Starpike, although planning for this outcome seemed a little bit far fetched, only herself and Lady Amerei would find it appealing, Delia thinks, and Delia didn't do it and Amerei is too spoiled to have the imagination to put it together or the diligence to put in the work. How come Balon is the one trying to make the final part of the scheme or fallout, most likely just the fallout, come together? Did the Blackfyre cause run out of people who can string together a convincing argument? Or maybe Balon is the villain that is willing to ambush Lady Amerei and do to her what someone did to Lady Blackbar? What's one more prominent house having cause to see him hanged? Shouldn't make much of a difference, right? It would give Tanda something pleasant to think of. Lie back and think of Starpike doesn't quite work so well when those folks sold you off as pigfeed. Actually, don't go there, as much as she jokes about it, and as much as Balon dragging Titus and Vortimer down into the mud of hate deserves no happy life, she prefers her brothers to have long lives. To her though, convincing Tanda to do the duty she herself refused appears like a mix of intriguing challenge and acceptable collateral damage, nothing foul or sinister. Though that might just be her trying to get under Balon's skin as per usual. Lord Eldon hating Starpike would be bad for every member of House Peake, including those with a Blackbriar for a father. Lady Tanda doesn't appear to be in a good mood as they approach her, her courtesies are there of course, but few people Balon knows can hold their nose so high with trained ease as she does. In Lady Tanda's world, Balon and Delia are Blackbriars, and not even the Lord's children.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 2, 2020 9:10:18 GMT 1
Delia is her usual self, wryly lamenting why she couldn't have thought of this plot to remove Tanda from the equation. She seems quite convinced that someone had set it all up to make Eldon hate Starpike, although planning for this outcome seemed a little bit far fetched, only herself and Lady Amerei would find it appealing, Delia thinks, and Delia didn't do it and Amerei is too spoiled to have the imagination to put it together or the diligence to put in the work. How come Balon is the one trying to make the final part of the scheme or fallout, most likely just the fallout, come together? Did the Blackfyre cause run out of people who can string together a convincing argument? "I'm sorry you weren't the one to come up with the idea sweet sister." he chided. "And we're in agreement about Lord Eldon and House Peake. It seems too convenient" Balon was curious to hear her thoughts on the matter. "I see three possibilities. First, a loyalist looking to hurt one of the key houses of the rebellion. The Master of Whispers or Bloodraven being the most obvious. Second, someone who hates Lord Eldon but that's a long list and if Lord Gormon found out who the culprit was they'd face the combined wrath of two major houses. Or third, someone who wants to advance their own cause and uses chaos to do so. Who that could be," Balon let out a sigh, "who knows."
As to why Balon was trying to bring Tanda and Eldon together? Simple; Lord Gormon needed to be focused on more important matters like ensuring a Blackfyre supporter was chosen for the regency of House Hightower, continuing to rally neutral houses to Ser Daemon's cause, and coordinating the monumental task of rebellion. The last thing he needed was a regional dispute with Longtable. Would Starpike prevail? Yes. Would the loss of men and resources involved be felt on the larger stage? Yes. So it was left to men like Balon and Balon, despite his foolhardiness, had proven capable when it came to arranging marriages. Wouldn't the future Lady of Old Oak agree? Or maybe Balon is the villain that is willing to ambush Lady Amerei and do to her what someone did to Lady Blackbar? What's one more prominent house having cause to see him hanged? Shouldn't make much of a difference, right? It would give Tanda something pleasant to think of. Lie back and think of Starpike doesn't quite work so well when those folks sold you off as pigfeed. Actually, don't go there, as much as she jokes about it, and as much as Balon dragging Titus and Vortimer down into the mud of hate deserves no happy life, she prefers her brothers to have long lives. To her though, convincing Tanda to do the duty she herself refused appears like a mix of intriguing challenge and acceptable collateral damage, nothing foul or sinister. Though that might just be her trying to get under Balon's skin as per usual. Lord Eldon hating Starpike would be bad for every member of House Peake, including those with a Blackbriar for a father. As usual, Delia managed to get under Balon's skin, "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the Seven you weren't sold off to Lord Eldon. And I also thank the gods for helping me in my quest to see you wed to Ser Preston. You may not know this but I'm also doing my best to get Titus to become the Lord Protector of the Ringfort because like you I too want to see my siblings have long, fruitful lives," Well maybe not Vort... Balon still hadn't forgiven him for freeing Vorian. "So for today, please act like you're here to help me out of love and not because you see it as a challenge."Lady Tanda doesn't appear to be in a good mood as they approach her, her courtesies are there of course, but few people Balon knows can hold their nose so high with trained ease as she does. In Lady Tanda's world, Balon and Delia are Blackbriars, and not even the Lord's children. Balon would never call it prostrating but his greeting and initial pleasantries with Lady Tanda were dripping with honey and borderline subservient. "My lady you seemed troubled. Would you care to share your thoughts with your kin?" He doubted she be inclined to speak her mind but it never hurt to ask. If Balon had to guess it was her crush Lord Marq suggesting she be thrown to the wolves and marry Lord Eldon. He doubted that kind of "betrayal" would blunt her anger when Balon suggested the same thing. If anything it'd enhance it. Lord Marq was well liked throughout the Reach. Balon was a lowborn rabble-rouser compared to him. Tanda wouldn't blink twice in berating him.
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Post by Father on Mar 2, 2020 18:10:41 GMT 1
Delia thinks the most likely out of those alternatives that someone just wanted pork sausage on a silver platter, maybe smacking two birds with the same stone by making Eldon blame Starpike for it, maybe not? Lysette Starling perhaps? Delia can't really say she'd blame her after what the hulking mass of lard did to her handmaid, childhood friend, too. At Balon's admonishment she shrugs and claims that she owes it to Lady Rhonda to pretend that she's well behaved.
Balon hadn't really managed to finish his sentence to Tanda before feeling the sting of his sister's finger pressing into the small of his back. Tanda sours even more, she knows that Balon knows what troubles her. What's Balon going to offer, she sniffs, talk Gormon out of his notion to sell her to the highest bidder like a Lyseni bedslave? Delia instructing her in how to best bring down Lord Eldon's rage upon her house for her own selfish reasons? Apparently, Delia is at fault, too, a sacrificial little half-Peake refusing to serve her betters. That part Tanda doesn't mention, but it is easy enough to infer. To her credit, Delia pretends not to notice, even Balon can't see any signs of it on her face, but she surely would have loved sticking her tongue out right now.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 16, 2020 7:50:01 GMT 1
Balon concealed a wince as Delia pressed her finger into his back. "In a perfect world you'd be betrothed to Ser Willas or better yet one of Ser Daemon's twins." The former being what Tanda had wanted, the latter a dream come true only if Blackfyre won the rebellion. "But we don't live in a perfect world." That's an understatement. "We live in an unfair one." Another understatement. "And while I can't think of anyone that'd like to see you become pig feed it's preferable to worm food." An obvious reference to the untimely fate of the Hastwycks. "So no, I'm not here to talk Lord Gormon out of it." Balon turned to his sister and gave her a stern fatherly look. "Nor am I going to tell you to act like Lady Delia. Her words may have made her the envy of every woman at Highgarden but it was only the sacrifice of my brother and..." Balon cleared his throat, "my father during the riots that prevented retribution."
Balon's voice changed to a more compassionate one. She had every right to be mad but that didn't dissuade Balon from his current objective. Get Tanda to agree to the marriage. After making an attempt to soothe her anger he got to the crux of the matter, "What can I do to make this more palatable?"
Do we go straight into the favor system or intrigue first?
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Post by Father on Mar 16, 2020 15:38:49 GMT 1
"If you promised to murder the monster before the marriage. Surely my father would manage to make Longtable honor the pact between our two houses, and I shall gladly marry Lord Godric" A lie, relief, yes, but not glad. Tanda might have been a good liar once, but her arrogance gets the better of her. Godric is but a boy and thus unworthy of her in Tanda's eyes, but when the alternative is the uncle, he is palatable. It is not difficult to see the problems of that plan, if it was easy to murder Eldon, someone would have done it already. And if the Peake's were exposed as trying, especially if they failed, Lord Eldon, or whoever succeeded him as Godric's regent, had considerable resources with which to retaliate. Although a regent might be more pragmatic about it. "And I want the bitch that did this to me to suffer for what's she's done.
You probably don't want to offer those favors to her.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 17, 2020 7:15:04 GMT 1
"If you promised to murder the monster before the marriage. Surely my father would manage to make Longtable honor the pact between our two houses, and I shall gladly marry Lord Godric" A lie, relief, yes, but not glad. Tanda might have been a good liar once, but her arrogance gets the better of her. Godric is but a boy and thus unworthy of her in Tanda's eyes, but when the alternative is the uncle, he is palatable. It is not difficult to see the problems of that plan, if it was easy to murder Eldon, someone would have done it already. And if the Peake's were exposed as trying, especially if they failed, Lord Eldon, or whoever succeeded him as Godric's regent, had considerable resources with which to retaliate. Although a regent might be more pragmatic about it. Balon smiled as Tanda's venomous side reared its head. By letting her guard down and loosening her tongue it allowed Balon to be more frank on the subject of Longtable. "Lord Godric?" His was amused at her lie. "My lady you want a man, not a boy. A boy wouldn't know what to do with you, even if they were a lord." Balon let out a brief chuckle. "If killing Lord Eldon was easy I would've done it already. Of course I would've asked for his niece's hand shortly after the riots as recompense for the noble sacrifice of my family. From there he and his nephews would've suffered unfortunate accidents." He sighed at the dream of being Lord Protector of Longtable. "Lord Eldon is as cunning as he is obese. There will be no assassination for him. However..." a thought occurred to Balon, "I've heard a rumor, rumblings really, that if Lord Leo were to fall into the same camp as your father he'd be more likely to see Lord Eldon punished for his innumerable misdeeds." Balon stroked his goatee, "If you produced an heir and he suddenly found himself sans a head you'd be the regent until your child came of age." The thought of Eldon and Tanda disgusted him, "Or find a strapping young knight who resembled Lord Eldon in his youth and make a cuckold out of him." Balon gave a shrug at the fantasy. I don't suppose using Fire points and DP to get Leo to Fire and thus tighten the noose around Eldon would suffice? "And I want the bitch that did this to me to suffer for what's she's done. Balon looked to his sister for guidance, "On that I may be able to help. Having the right set eyes and ears could dig up clues as to the mystery agent. I believe my cousin Lady Lynesse might know something." Balon was curios to what Tanda defined as punishment, "I don't suppose my lady has specifics on how she is to suffer?"
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Post by Father on Mar 17, 2020 15:34:07 GMT 1
"He'll grow into it, and I would be my lord husband's regent." And power behind the seat, though that she doesn't add. That both Kyra Orme and the boy's mother who was born a Tyrell might have quite different ideas she seems not to consider seriously. "Much better than to suffer a year with the pig" She scowls. "Myster agent? You mean Lord Hastwyck and her whore of a daughter? I'm sure she slept with him and lied about it after. But they are just the tools in this grand scheme, undoubtedly it's the work of the harlot of Highgarden to deny me the only husband worthy of a Peake with the blood of old Valyria."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 19, 2020 6:58:18 GMT 1
"He'll grow into it, and I would be my lord husband's regent." And power behind the seat, though that she doesn't add. That both Kyra Orme and the boy's mother who was born a Tyrell might have quite different ideas she seems not to consider seriously. "Much better than to suffer a year with the pig" She scowls. "Mystery agent? You mean Lord Hastwyck and her whore of a daughter? I'm sure she slept with him and lied about it after. But they are just the tools in this grand scheme, undoubtedly it's the work of the harlot of Highgarden to deny me the only husband worthy of a Peake with the blood of old Valyria." Balon placated her with an affirming nod. "Who would deny the regency to a lady with the lineage of Garth Greenhand and Valyria? Ruling is in your blood." He could think of a few people but that was a bridge to be crossed at a later time. She was right about Godric being preferable to Eldon. He was the better option in almost every conceivable way. However the one thing Godric lacked was his uncle's ruthless cunning. That cunning would be the greatest obstacle to ending his reign. "How long do you think you and your father could stall the marriage? Me and the enemies of Longtable would need time to fit a hangman's noose for Lord Eldon." A daunting task to say the least. Tanda is 15/16. How long of a delay would be acceptable without it becoming obvious that Tanda was holding out hope that Eldon lost his head. "It's obvious the Hastwycks were the puppets but as to the puppeteer? Hmmm...." Balon was trying to think of polite way to put things. In the end he repeated his sister's words, "Lady Amerei is too spoiled to have the imagination nor diligent enough to put in the work to see it through." He asked honestly, "Do you think it's her or do you *want* it to be her? And what happens if I find out it's not her?"
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Post by Father on Mar 19, 2020 13:37:23 GMT 1
"No longer than it takes to prepare the celebrations" Tanda sniffs. Eldon was likely not going to risk a repeat of his experience with Alicent and allow the bride to be the time to get cold feet. "And who else could it be? She remains a Tyrell, all it takes is someone resourceful to sell her the idea and she can richly reward them for a job well done." She doesn't ponder the alternatives for long. "No matter, even if that bitch had no part in this, she still deserves to suffer to her last breath for the other things she has done to me"
At that age, delays would be needing a good reason. Hastwycks's aren't dead yet at this juncture.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 22, 2020 8:13:18 GMT 1
An audible 'blegh' escaped his lips as Balon's hope for a sizable delay were dashed by Tanda's response. He didn't agree with Tanda's assessment about Lady Amerei but it appeared she was going to be the focus of Tanda's wrath. "If someone sold her the idea then Lady Amerei would be a pawn just like the Hastwycks. But," he put up his hands to concede, "If you want Lady Amerei to suffer in exchange for this marriage to happen then I need to know what you want done to her. Bastard in the belly? Her reputation drug through the mud? A marriage to someone so low that Lord Eldon looks like Aegon the Conqueror by comparison?" Balon's eyes narrowed, a morbid curiosity to see how far Tanda's arrogance went, "What do you want."
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Post by Father on Mar 23, 2020 14:30:12 GMT 1
"I want her to be raped every day." discussions about Amerei seems to only make her seethe with anger. "That's what you want for me because of her, so it is only proper she suffers just as much" Then a wicked smile forms on her face. "Or, if you are feeling merciful, you could just kill her, that works, too.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 25, 2020 7:43:44 GMT 1
Balon tried and failed to hide his response to Tanda's answer. His eyes went wide and his mouth was agape as she laid out her vile revenge fantasy. He almost asked if she meant it but knew that she probably did and even if she didn't showing any sort of pity for Amerei would be a mistake. He looked to his sister for some sort of guidance. His eyes said how the fuck do I respond to that? Balon tried to use logic and reason but knew it'd fall on deaf ears. "My lady it's impossible to have her raped everyday. Literally impossible."
Balon ran his hand through his hair as his mind raced, "Killing her is at least within the realm of reality but you need to stop and think. If this ever got back to me, you, or anyone associated with the Blackfyre cause it'd guarantee Lord Leo would declare for the King. If you think being married to Lord Eldon is bad, try being married to him *and* House Peake being greatly diminished from the wrath it'd incur from Highgarden should Amerei find herself in an early grave." If that was her price Balon wouldn't pay it. A more reasonable solution needed to be found.
What is Delia's reaction to Tanda's rape/kill comments? I know you don't want to talk to yourself but something from her would be appreciated as I try to grasp what is within the realm of reason when it comes to favors.
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Post by Father on Mar 25, 2020 12:37:02 GMT 1
Tanda sighs in agreement, sort of, but that brings her back to her part in all of this, which she sees no upside in. As far she sees it, it would be better to deal with an angry Eldon than to be married to him. Why should she suffer for the schemes of others with nothing in return?
At this, Delia suggests that perhaps Tanda could take vows? Cousin Joanna would surely not object to take her place. A cruelty, and Delia knows it, cousin Joanna have ever been terrified of men seeking her hand, knowing what the duties of a wife involves, the trauma of her mother dying in childbirth having locked itself tightly around the throats of her thoughts, if Lord Gormon had been compassionate, he would have allowed her to take a septa's vows, this he angrily forbade when septon Pate suggested as much, and timid Joanna obeyed, however much the idea appealed to her.
Though this, Tanda considers as much a surrender to the bitch herself, and Delia's next suggestion is suited to make her father turn just as violently in his grave as anything Balon ever did, out of shock over how much his little darling truly was capable of conceiving. His expectations of Balon would already having taken a plunge after the Black Tourney. Marry Eldon, she suggests, then manipulate him into visiting horrors upon Lady Amerei, and of course, make sure that Lord Tyrell finds out. Everyone wins.
Tanda, however, remains unconvinced still. Couldn't they maybe spread a rumor that she might be barren? Some sort of childhood disease? Lord Eldon would surely want an heir? That way, Joanna could take her place, and Tanda might eventually marry another, they just need to confide to the Oakhearts that they made it all up to scuttle the marriage. Delia thinks that might work, her big brother being known for doing stupid things, he might do one worse by spilling such secrets in his cups. What she doesn't mention is that letting the Oakhearts in on the lie was not her intent, and she remains utterly unconcerned with the rage that Gormon would have for Balon. It seems odd of her not to comment on the risk that Eldon is not fooled, surely Gormon would not simply let that lie spread unopposed, as if she mostly cares about removing Tanda from the equation leading her to become the future Lady Oakheart, consequences for House Peake being of far less importance.
Of course, none of these seems like good options, surely there must be something better?
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Mar 31, 2020 7:39:04 GMT 1
Tanda sighs in agreement, sort of, but that brings her back to her part in all of this, which she sees no upside in. As far she sees it, it would be better to deal with an angry Eldon than to be married to him. Why should she suffer for the schemes of others with nothing in return? "It's easy to say that now my lady. For surely it seems like his wrath pales in comparison to the horror of being..." fucked, raped, abused, "wed to Lord Eldon but I assure you it's not. As I've said he has the resources of Longtable and a cunning that has kept his head attached to his body. He won't be able to defeat your father but he can hurt him. He can hurt the cause. And most importantly he can hurt you." Balon was sure to emphasize Tanda would suffer if she refused. "The last thing I want to see is for us to lose the war-to-come and you're passed on as spoils to someone worse." Balon held up a hand before she could object, "And trust me, there is always someone worse. Do you want to end up on the Iron Islands with those animals? Or how about the North? Mayhaps some lesser noble is able to take Lord Gormon's head and the only reason he was able to do so was because we lost too many retainers dealing with Lord Eldon. You are this northman's prize. The great Lady Tanda is wed to a godless heathen to freeze the best parts of her off during the first winter. Is that what you want? To be forgotten while Lady Amerei becomes the golden rose that's admired for years to come in the Reach?" Balon tried using Amerei against Tanda. "As much as one doesn't want to admit it there are benefits to marrying Lord Eldon. You become the lady of Longtable and all that entails. Your children will rule Longtable. You will greatly outlive Lord Eldon. You're smart. You'll learn how to use his vices against him. Find something to direct his anger at. Kingsbridge for example. Find a serving girl that looks like Lady Lysette and let him take out his perverse fantasies on her." Balon was trying to think who else Eldon hated, "Hell, find a commoner that looks like Mya Hastwyck, or Lady Alicent (Yronwood), Dornish whores, whomever. And when he grows tired of women find a man that looks like Septon Abelar. Fuck, give him the real Abelar." He stopped, hoping he'd made his point when his sister chimed in. Balon had always been proud of his sister but her suggestions made him appreciate her ruthlessness even more. ... and Delia's next suggestion is suited to make her father turn just as violently in his grave as anything Balon ever did, out of shock over how much his little darling truly was capable of conceiving. His expectations of Balon would already having taken a plunge after the Black Tourney. Marry Eldon, she suggests, then manipulate him into visiting horrors upon Lady Amerei, and of course, make sure that Lord Tyrell finds out. Everyone wins. Tanda, however, remains unconvinced still. Couldn't they maybe spread a rumor that she might be barren? Some sort of childhood disease? Lord Eldon would surely want an heir? That way, Joanna could take her place, and Tanda might eventually marry another, they just need to confide to the Oakhearts that they made it all up to scuttle the marriage. Delia thinks that might work, her big brother being known for doing stupid things, he might do one worse by spilling such secrets in his cups. What she doesn't mention is that letting the Oakhearts in on the lie was not her intent, and she remains utterly unconcerned with the rage that Gormon would have for Balon. It seems odd of her not to comment on the risk that Eldon is not fooled, surely Gormon would not simply let that lie spread unopposed, as if she mostly cares about removing Tanda from the equation leading her to become the future Lady Oakheart, consequences for House Peake being of far less importance. "Lady Delia presents an excellent idea my lady. Turn Highgarden against Longtable. The Reach knows how much Lord Leo dotes upon his only daughter. How do you think he'd react if he found out Lord Eldon had set his sights on her? Planned to do something to her... *Did* something to her... His wrath would have no equal and his bannermen would not hesitate to join him. Lady Alicent spent many years at Highgarden. Is it that hard to imagine Lady Amerei whispering poison into Alicent's ears to avoid a marriage with Lord Eldon?" Tanda's hatred of Amerei and Eldon's hatred of Alicent seemed like a natural pairing. On the topic of being barren Balon was firmly against it. "Not only would that not fool Lord Eldon, Lord Gormon would be furious. Worse yet people might believe it and you might as well take the Holy vows." Balon shook his head. "I will not hear of that suggestion again."
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