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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 1, 2021 22:32:21 GMT 1
[This scene occurs during the Four Weddings event at Squirrel Hall, celebrating the marriage of Ser Varids Wythers and Lady Perianne Middlebury, some time after my meeting with Lady Alicent.] Laena was silently making mental bets with herself as to who would drop dead this celebration, or if the Wythers would be so out of fashion to not even have a single murder at their gathering. Some of the comments she overheard, and the piercing laughter responding to them, sorely tempted her to help her hosts out, helpful person that she was. Still she restrained herself. She had her own plan of action for this event, which required her to be plausibly rather tipsy, and she couldn't distract herself before that time came. Speaking of distractions... Laena frowns, takes a couple of steps back to where she was a moment ago, and discreetly waits for another break in the crowds. Yes, I was right! How fortuitous. Making her way through the crowds, she locates Ser Roland Cordwayner. Fortunately alone - though she couldn't tell whether that was her good fortune in timing, or a social ostracisation organised by Lord Gareth Middlebury for Roland's choice in betrothals. Not that it matters to her. She puts on a smile as she greets him with a respectful curtsey. "Ser Roland Cordwayner. The man who defeated Ser Rennifer - a feat even the Warrior Reborn has failed to replicate. I swear it's only been months, but it feels like years. How has life been treating you?" |
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 20, 2021 15:52:21 GMT 1
A dragon. And at least as dangerous as those of the Dance of Dragons, even if the young widow had fewer scales.
Years of drilling in etiquette, Laena's own smile and a simple man's pleasure at his own inner jest helped Roland return the smile.
"My Lady Laena Pyre."
A deep bow in acknowledgement of the deep gap in rank.
"A beggar's trick on Ser Rennifer's part against Blackfyre. He is still the finest knight in the Kingdom."
"The tourney circuit has been kind to me, and my heart fills with joy at each day closer to my marriage. But as my personal fortunes go, the Realm and House Cordwayner move in opposite directions."
Roland was no longer reticent on matters at Hammerhal and shook his head ruefully for emphasis.
"Even the conflict in the Riverlands was closer in deed to the outrages I saw in the Dornish marches that the honourable combat of past campaigns. On both sides, not like in Dorne where only one side did the Warrior's bidding".
A further shake of the head. And a nagging thought for the first time as Ashara Starkwood's words and face came back to him - in their cruel, twisted way, did the Dornish perhaps uphold the Mother and Father's commands, even as they failed the Warrior with their desperate but effective tactics.
A frown crossed the easily read knight's face.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 20, 2021 19:10:16 GMT 1
"No need to defend my brother's honour to me, good Ser." She responds with a smile. "I admire him as well. But a knight who is within a 'beggar's trick's' distance of 'the finest knight in the realm' is one also deserving of praise."
It troubles you, doesn't it? The ... greyness?" She asks softly, making an intuitive guess as to what brought the frown to his face, given what he'd said just before. "In the Dornish conflict, you could point to the different behaviours, and be confident that, whatever the end result, you were on the righteous side. Now ... now, there is no difference. And that troubles you. Not just for your own Judgement, but because there is a part of you that feels that the men you cut down in the Riverlands did naught to deserve it. After all, they were fighting for a house that follows the Seven, rather than the old gods; following a deeply admirable man. Were fate just a little different, you could all too easily see that you would have been fighting with them, rather than against them. After all, many of your fellow Companions fought on that side, and even their fiercest critic would not claim they lack honour."
She gives a soft smile. "And that uncertainty is what has brought you here. Consciously or no, you are searching for clarity among the group you raised sword against not long ago. Looking for reassurance you were right to do so." She raises a querying eyebrow. "No?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 21, 2021 15:28:02 GMT 1
Roland nods in agreement, Laena's framing of his duel with Rennifer striking a chord.
"I would be happier with greater virtue among those I raised my sword for, but there have been many disappointments there."
"Truth be told, I would indeed be happy to find great virtue or great wickedness here. To see the lions on one side or the other drive out the wolves among them."
Or is that a task better left to dragons?
"I would count my fortune ill indeed if I were forced to cross swords with one I called my Companion in an unworthy cause. Although it shames me to admit my sword would not have been slow to my hand had my half brother and yours found himself within a sword's length. The Seven's strictures against kinslaying are strong, but they would not stop me from giving him a drubbing and taking another step to clearing my family's honour and succession. The calumnies against my brother's memory are all to clear in my supposed niece and nephew - we have had the proof in many court debates and twice before in Seven themselves in duels. Most would consider a matter settled once is a Cordwayner knight loses a duel of honour to a mere Levalle? BUt twice? The Seven are sure, as am I."
Again, words spoken plainly and with no attempt to quiet his voice. If anything, he gained momentum and conviction as he spoke, words tumbling out with old a slight nudge from Laena.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 21, 2021 18:33:13 GMT 1
Were he someone else, Laena might suspect his reference to wolves in a perjorative manner to be an attempt to discern how attached she still was to House Starkwood, given their heraldry. However, this was Ser Roland, and she assumed he had simply forgotten their heraldry, or, perhaps more likely, the house's existence entirely. He would hardly be the only one.
"Sadly, I doubt there will be a purging of either side. Morality simply holds less sway on the thoughts of those with the most power relative to keeping said power. Those with different priorities tend to be the ones who don't keep it. Or get it in the first place. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.
"So," she continues softly. "that does lead us rather neatly to you. You have described your current impasse with your late brother's house aptly. And I believe I clearly hear frustration in your voice - after all, there is no such thing as no risk of death when two men are fighting with sharp blades. I recall well when I had to choose a champion for a trial by combat, and I passed you over, despite your skill, solely to avoid the chance of you crossing blades with our shared brother, and the possible consequences thereof."
She takes a small step closer, and lowers her voice so as to not be overheard. "You know it is not just the pig who seeks your death. What's a second brother's life to one who has already taken the first? And, should he prove too hard a target, the next priority would be to ensure said second brother doesn't breed - children with claims would be troublesome. Best to eliminate the possibility entirely." She locks eyes to make sure her meaning is clear. "Understand this is inevitable. Sooner or later, it will happen. As you are, you will beat against this wall until your fists are bloody. And their daggers are the same."
Laena smiles at him. A predator's smile. A dragon's smile. "I can help you. If you want. If you are willing to pay. For I warn you, my idea, while not immoral, is a shade ... disreputable. And you would be firmly complicit. You will need to decide what matters more to you: your perfectly clean conscience, or your betrothed's life." An easy choice, she assumes, if he accepts her framing. But she needs for him to make the choice of his own will.
After all, the first step towards pure pragmatism is the hardest. And he will need to take many more should he hope to both seize and keep power. Would he do it? Would he still be recognisable at the end? Questions like this fascinated her. She hoped he would be an interesting study.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 22, 2021 19:18:22 GMT 1
The Roland of days past, would have paused before rejecting such a course, driven by naivety and a romantic view of knighthood.
The Roland that stood before Laena was a different man, naivety burned away at Highgarden and drowned in the bloody outrages of the Riverlands.
His words are a low hiss, in contrast to his usual storybook hero pitch.
"I will pay any price to keep Alicent safe. Our children too, should the Seven see safe to bless us."
Trapped by his own desires, Roland scarce realised he had ceded the field already in accepting Laena's framing and mimicking her words. The predator had almost trapped its prey.
Remembering his precious honour, Roland paused.
"What do you propose? It will go ill if I must sacrifice all that is good about House Cordwayner in order to save it and my betrothed. I would sooner have deeds done in the light of the Seven. Every candle I manage to light simply seems to draw the shadows in sharper relief."
[OOC: Roland is no longer Romantic, but is still Honour Bound. And is certain his brother was certain, and Laena has laid out a plausible path to Roland/Alicent being next.]
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 22, 2021 21:02:14 GMT 1
Laena's smile turns amused. "Calm yourself, good Ser. I would neither do nor suggest anything I feel I could not honestly justify to the Father come my Judgement. Indeed, I suggest nothing worse than what most houses do, though few openly admit it." She gives a subtle check around to make sure no-one is close enough to listen. "My idea is simple: set up a network of informants within House Cordwayner itself, with two objectives: try and learn in advance of any plots against you or your betrothed, so you may take appropriate defensive actions; and see what skeletons can be discovered there. If you are correct in your beliefs as to what has taken place there, there is a chance they are complacent in the seat of their power, and a dagger of truth can be found there to plunge into her black heart." She smirks. "Metaphorically, of course."
"This is a task I can do, with time ... and an investment of sufficient coin. Which is why I am glad the tourney circuit has been kind to you, for that is your role in this matter." She holds up a forestalling hand. "To be clear, no network is foolproof. Both of you should take precautions, regardless of whether I have heard anything, and there is no guarantee of results - I would be lying if I told you it was a sure thing. Still, it is the best defence and offence I can provide."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 28, 2021 14:52:18 GMT 1
Roland nodded as Laena spoke, but sparingly. He spoke equally sparingly, but not unkindly. A cannier courtier would not have volunteered an answer, but while becoming less naive Roland was still not sophisticated in intrigue.
"Why do this thing? Ashara?"
Dragons wrestled with one another in these times, and even a small one cast a great great shadow. And was capable of turning House Cordwayner's humble boots to ash if her whims changed.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Nov 28, 2021 21:18:07 GMT 1
Laena flickers a pleased smile. "That helped, certainly, but if that were all, I would just quietly see justice done discreetly, in whatever manner was within my capabilities. Believe it or not, I don't like involving other people in personal matters. No, this choice has more to do with you and your betrothed. I am making an investment into your future. Should we succeed, you strike me as the kind of man who would recognise a gesture of friendship and would realise how a man in your just-elevated position could need talented friends. Because friends help each other. One of us has to start, so I decided it would be me."
She gives a slightly embarrassed smile. "But that answer is somewhat dancing around the subject. Oh, don't get me wrong - being friends with a lord is a useful thing, but it's entirely within your power, should you wish it, once you have attained power, to gift me some fancy bauble, call us even, and kick me off your lands, never to return. And there are plenty of other already-lords I could help out for their favour at less effort.
"So why you?
"Because your cause is just." She shrugs, embarrassed. "I know, I know. I'm a dragon, we're supposed to all be schemes in schemes, uncaring of morality, ruthlessly grasping for power and money. But I see myself as looking at the bigger picture. Our lives are short in the grand scheme of things. Ultimately, two things matter: my final Judgement, for that will determine where I spend my spiritual immortality, and my children having the best life I can give them, for through them I have my corporeal immortality. So, I try and listen to what the Seven want, and help this land be a little more ... just."
She affixes him with a firm glare. "This is not to be shared with others. I have a reputation to uphold." She sniffs.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Nov 29, 2021 19:19:28 GMT 1
"I may never have forged a red gold link at the Citadel, but let us see if my lance and your wits lead to just rewards. A grave misfortune to some if they were to get what they deserve."
"Should we prevail, you will find me a man who does indeed remember his friends. Better still to have talented friends. The lists have enriched my coffers and with no household as yet I place such resources as I have at your disposal."
Given the gap in rank, Roland scarce felt able to approach Laena directly, despite a shared foe. Finally, a stroke of fortune.
"My lady need not fear - the Reach and beyond know's my word is my bond. Further, such is my reputation that I suspect the court would believe I simply heard what I wanted to our was the object of some sport. Such is your reputation too."
He offered the latter with a smile given Laena's acknowledgement of what the court said of her.
The knight-who-would-be-lord then turned more serious.
"For justice then, and a better tomorrow for your children."
[OOC: We'll hash out the particulars via PM/OOC threads, but Roland's considerable personal coffers from tournament victories are now at Laena's disposal to build an information network.]
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