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Post by Father on Jan 24, 2022 16:48:29 GMT 1
It is not unusual for Lady Lysette to ride out into her father's lands to familiarize herself with them and the people dwelling there, the only unusual part is that Lord Willem's heir is not a man, but all at Kingsbridge have grown accustomed to this by now. And for her to take an escort is also unusual, but that she had asked both Addam and Daeron to accompany her alongside the contingent of men and leave Ser Aemon at the castle is at least a little curious, but a knight sworn to her father can hardly deny such a request.
The trip is largely uneventful as they make stops at several villages along the way with the purpose of allowing the smallfolk to see her and for her to learn who they are and what they do, but the conversation on the road as she has the rest of the escort follow at a distance or scout ahead is one of much greater interest.
"I have brought the two of you out here, and none of the others, father will not approve, but Norren survived" She gives Daeron a quick and knowing glance, likely too brief for Addam to notice. "And that only delays the inevitable, he and father will meet again, and Aemon says that the blackguard is by far the superior warrior."
"And even if that duel happens without me becoming Lady Starling sooner than I would like, that will only buy us time until the next attempt."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 25, 2022 4:19:30 GMT 1
At first he was curious why his cousin had brought him and Ser Addam along with her rather than her husband. He and Lysette still had a friendly relationship, but it was increasingly interrupted by their political differences and should she become Lady Starling he had no illusions that she would consider declaring for Ser Daemon. However, once she began to speak about Ser Norren all concerns about political rifts left his mind.
Daeron winced. Not out of guilt for his raid, but because he had failed to kill or capture the blackguard when he had the opportunity.
"The blackguard is indeed a terrible opponent, I recall fighting him... at Whitewalls. He was tougher and more ferocious than I expected. As much as I admire and respect our lord, Norren truly is a better fighter."
He gives a furtive glance around to make sure that none of their fellow riders had ridden within earshot.
"So what do you propose we do to prevent future attempts?"
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Post by Father on Jan 25, 2022 8:33:35 GMT 1
"We do to Lord Eldon what his mother should have done with a pillow in the cradle" She replies softly. "We kill him"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 26, 2022 1:57:45 GMT 1
His face flushed at hearing the normally genteel Lysette openly propose to murder their archnemesis. By the Seven, am I in love with my cousin? It would be a little fucked up if conspiring to kill someone is what brought us together though.
With a downright wicked smile he responds, "Oh my lady, you have no idea how much it pleases me to hear you say propose that.
I assume that if you brought us out here that you have at least an inkling of a plan on how to achieve it though? It goes without saying that unless you've got a small army hidden away under your skirt that most of our conventional means of killing him will be difficult to execute."
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Post by Father on Jan 26, 2022 17:36:08 GMT 1
"That might have worked before the assault on Norren, though I would need to match the pig for girth to have room for such a host." She answers wryly. "Maybe I had half hoped that you had given it a great deal of consideration already? Perhaps you could offer some thoughts to serve as inspiration, they say that nothing is quite so vicious as a woman once her fury has been kindled."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 26, 2022 23:55:43 GMT 1
Addam had always hated these "hearts and minds" rides. There were infinitely more important things he could be doing then riding about the countryside listening to the wails and woos of peasants. Better to waste Ser Ulf or Dustan's time with this nonsense. He was just about to fake an injury so he could go home when Lysette had finally decided to possibley get some benefit out of these excursion.
"We have talked about it. Even Ser Roland has had some ideas as well. Unfortunately we are stuck on finding a way to skewer Lord Piggy without sending us to an early grave or see that we freeze our balls off at the wall." Addam shot a glance at Daeron while he pondered his next words carefully. "I did discover that Mya Hawyick is not dead, or atleast she didn't die with her family as most believe. Unfortunately its not enough to go to Lord Leo about, mainly just rumor and hearsay confirming what I had already discovered myself. I've been thinking about reaching out to Gormy for help. At this point I'm sure he would do anything to not have Tanda marry the man and there has been something his been wanting me to do. Maybe a favor for a favor."
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Post by Father on Jan 27, 2022 0:13:58 GMT 1
Lysette shudders at the mention of Mya not dying there, instantly grasping the implication. "Without Lady Mya to offer testimony before Lord Tyrell, nothing will happen."
"And I would assume Lord Peake already have busied himself with searching for any leverage he might find on that abomination, even before he had to sacrifice his daughter to him, surely he must already know of the missing body?" she grimaces. "What did Lord Peake want you to do for him?"
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 27, 2022 1:20:49 GMT 1
"That is the same conclusion we have reach. Of course, there is always the option of rescuing her, but I have been advised that that wouldn't be the most prudent option."
"You would also be assuming that Eldon would even care if Gormy did have any leverage, which he most certainly would not. And as you said, without Lady Mya testimony, nothing will happen."
Addam merely waved of Lysettes disapproval "Nothing that would tarnish mine or House Starling's reputation. We are merely at a disagreement on which fine lady of the realm should have my attention. The way I see it, even if Peake had the opportunity to strike, he can't. The price of failure is that Eldon would finds friends of a different political leaning. BUT, if he were to put resources into the hands of a House that already draws the ire of Longtable, then he already has is scapegoat should we fail. Should we prevail, Tanda free to marry who ever she pleases, there will be a new lord of Longtable, one who's more malleable and less like to possible turn his anger to other houses which might hurt Peake's aspirations, and I of course would then be free to turn my attention over to lady of a certain house that would benefit him."
"Ultimately, unless we are willing to turn brigand, we are ill equipped to fight this war. Lord Eldon strikes from the shadows. We need the resources and knowledge to do the same, or at the very least, know when this attacks will occur so that we might live long enough to let the pigs excesses catch up to him."
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Post by Father on Jan 27, 2022 13:39:52 GMT 1
"Perhaps you should be Lady Tanda's knight in shining armor?" Lysette quips in a manner Addam knows not to take the suggestion seriously. "I have a feeling that Lord Eldon will break off that betrothal in great rage should she get herself a little too friendly with someone he already hates with a passion."
"But we can see about finding you a good wife some other time, Lord Peake's assistance is hardly needed"
"To infiltrate the castle to find and rescue her, if indeed she even is alive and at Longtable, sounds to me like an undertaking no less challenging than to infiltrate the castle and killing him."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 27, 2022 20:01:10 GMT 1
“Well, if Gormy’s assistance isn’t need, what do you have in mind because it seems like we have three options. First would be to ambush him on the road. The problem there is we would need a sizable force to ensure there are no survivors. While we could muster the strength from our garrisons, I don’t see your father approving it. And, while must people would be glad to see the pig is dead, it would be the ruin of House Starling if it ever got out publicly. Second, we sneak into Longtable and kill him while he sleeps, but without an easy way in and out, we face a low chance of success and almost certain death. Last option would be we let him ambush us. We wouldn’t need to win, just be able to capture and escape with someone important enough to bring there confession to Highgarden. A near impossible task.”
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 28, 2022 4:24:48 GMT 1
With a grim face, Daeron growled. "Realistically speaking, extracting Lady Mya from Longtable is an impossibility at this time. Ser Addam and I are both too recognizable to too many Merryweather men to easily infiltrate the keep, and should we slip up and leave any hint of our plan to rescue her then the Pig will certainly kill her and destroy any evidence that she was ever there.
However, if we can capture one of the blackguards who was present for the massacre or who helped facilitate it then we have a witness who can confess to Lord Tyrell the crimes of House Merryweather. Isolating and capturing one of his men out in the open should be easier than infiltrating the fortress that is Longtable. Now where we might find a member of his inner circle just lying around will be the next trick."
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Post by Father on Jan 28, 2022 14:11:19 GMT 1
"Not a witness, but a murderer that would forfeit his life by his own testimony, so he would deny it all, regardless of his guilt, he could be put to the question of course, but remove enough of a man's fingers, starting with the nails, and he will say anything to make you stop." Lysette grimaces at that idea.
"To torture a potentially innocent man might give us a testimony we could use to bring justice to Lord Eldon, or it might unravel on us like the plot in the days of Aegon III when the conspirators brought forth Lord Rowan as a witness only to be revealed as false when confessing to every outrageous thing they inquired that he might have done"
Lysette ponders. "Short of hiring the faceless men, or others of similar profession who are more affordable, turning brigand may be the one option available, but this must be an undertaking by knights acting independently and accepting all possible consequences to be suffered only by themselves, no lord could possibly risk involvement or even knowledge. But are there enough knights of sufficient skill to perform such an undertaking? Willing to act dishonorably and against the king's peace for the greater good while risking the wrath of a lord unlikely to find his thirst for vengeance satisfied before the loved ones of his enemies are made to suffer? And more importantly, can enough be found and recruited without a single one of those approached turning coat to sell out the rest?"
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 29, 2022 6:16:33 GMT 1
Addam took a moment to ponder what would be need to preform such an act. An Ounce Warfare: 3d6 8 An Ounce of Awareness: 3d6-3 7Rolling warfare (I have no specialties) to see what kind of unit composition would be needed to preform an ambush and Awareness is for who in the service of Kingsbridge would be opening to the idea of joining in.
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Post by Father on Jan 29, 2022 22:17:23 GMT 1
Nothing seems to spring to Addam's mind at this moment, probably at least a dozen knights will be needed, and likely considerably more capable than ordinary ones as well.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 30, 2022 5:18:03 GMT 1
"As if there are any innocent men remaining in his service?" Daeron scoffs, "Any who deserved the title 'Ser' have already left his service, leaving only thugs and blackguards. We just need to find the weak link who knows enough to damn his lord, but who is cowardly enough to betray him. A promise of amnesty or a black cloak might be enough to sway one who thinks that the end is near for Lord Piggy.
'Ser' Walgrave Waters, a craven bastard in his service, is a weak link if you ask me. The man will break, and it might not take knives under fingernails either. Otherwise Robert Black seems a fruitful target, he holds land for Longtable and has leadership experience. He will take more work, but he's much more likely to have real information on the assault on the Hastwyks."
Musing on the other options he gives is input. "Finding those men would be difficult. Outside of the Companions we won't find any who hate Lord Piggy more than they love gold, but I don't know if we can find enough of our sworn brothers who would be willing to sacrifice their honor for Lord Willem's life, especially after their reluctance at Greenholt.
A blade in the night would be ideal, but assassins aren't known for their honor. Whomever we hire would offer their knife to him knowing that he can outbid whatever we offer."
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