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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 9, 2018 15:42:21 GMT 1
Generally, it's not the big things that cause plans to fail or succeed. They are usually accounted for early on. It's the small things that are overlooked long enough to gain momentum until they cannot be stopped.
With such a thought in mind, Laena finally manages to catch Ser Malcolm Caswell taking a few moments to rest and enjoy the scenery on a bench in The Garden of Statues.
"Ser Malcolm Caswell?" She greets him with a small curtsey. "I am Laena Pyre. May I join you?"
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Post by Malcolm Caswell on Jul 9, 2018 21:46:46 GMT 1
Ser Malcolm is distracted and hence does not immediately notice the lady approaching him, but when his name falls, the new arrival has his attention. Quickly, he rises from the bench and offers a seat to the lady with a quick gesture.
"Malcolm Caswell indeed, my lady and I would be honoured if you would join me."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 9, 2018 23:27:22 GMT 1
She smiles and nods, before gracefully sitting down, waiting for him to sit down again as well before she speaks.
"I must confess, Ser, I do not know you well. I know the Caswells in general, of course: your Lord's steady stewardship despite House Hightower's flagrant oathbreaking is a matter earning great respect. And I'm working on getting to know the Blackbriars. I met Lord Donnel and his son just yesterday, mostly by chance, both giving a strong accounting of themselves."
She tilts her head slightly, and gives a slight smile. "So, now I come to you. Tell me of yourself, Ser Malcolm Caswell. How long have you served the Blackbriars, and what do you seek most in this tourney?"
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Post by Malcolm Caswell on Jul 10, 2018 0:49:42 GMT 1
He takes a seat again. "Lord Armond is a capable Lord and has done a lot for our House. I think especially his ability to reign in the voices that call for revenge instead of rebuilding deserves a lot of respect. Some other houses would have found it a lot easier to simple give in to those that would have preferred open conflict, consequences be damned... Myself, I entered the service of House Blackbriar not too long ago, about two years, I think, give or take a bit. I was a knight errant for quite some time before that, with little in the way of a home or a lord. You get to know a lot of places and people, but not all are pleasant to look at or even inviting. As for the tourney, I hope to present a good enough showing to be able to leave in grace and leave a good impression of House Blackbriar. I guess I could say I aim to win, but then, with all the knights enrolled so far, it would be like wanting to grasp at the stars themselves. A noble endeavour, although not likely to happen. A good man ought know his limits." He pauses a bit and looks over the statues while he allows himself some more time to mull over some more background of the person he is talking with. Cunning (memory) roll TN 12: 4d6k3 18"But then, Lord Starkwood also has earned a deserved reputation as a shrewd and able administrator. I recall you and your kin are with Lord Starkwood... What does a fair lady like yourself seek in this tourney, if I may ask ?" |
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 10, 2018 2:08:35 GMT 1
Laena gives a small smile as the knight responds. "I am related to the Starkwoods, yes, and Lord Ulbert is indeed a figure worthy of respect. As for what I seek here, that is simple enough: I am a widow recently out of mourning. I seek a new husband. But I also seek to give House Starkwood a 'thank you' gift for supporting me after the death of my husband.
"Lord Ulbert is akin to your Lord Armond - a man of peace, though certainly unafraid to war when necessary." she quickly adds. "There is a history of bad blood between Starkwood and Blackbriar, despite both being honourable houses. Lord Ulbert would like to see an end to that. Houses Blackwood and Bracken give a stark example of what can happen when both sides are too stiff-necked to reach out. That serves no-one's interest, save the undertaker's. I have decided to step up to prepare the way for such an accord to be reached, in the hopes that it will serve as an appropriate farewell gift.
"I was hoping that you shared the ... inclinations of Lord Caswell, and would be willing to aid in my endeavour."
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Post by Malcolm Caswell on Jul 12, 2018 2:14:21 GMT 1
"A very noble proposal, worthy of admiration and praise, if difficult to achieve, to say the least, my lady."
Malcolm remembers well how House Blackwood and House Bracken have feuded through the years and he also knows that most attempts of peace had never taken long to break apart again. He scratches his chin thoughtfully.
"Most peace treaties failed to outlive the heads of houses involved with it, or the wedding partners in queation, if I recall correctly. In general, everything that keeps the peace is good and thus, worthy of being supported, but what exactly do you have in mind ?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 12, 2018 2:39:46 GMT 1
"Frankly speaking, if the peace can last until the realm ... settles down again, I will consider it a resounding success, and happily pass the problem down to the next generation to see if they can continue it.
"As for what I have in mind, I am lunching with Ser Donnel, his wife, and Lady Erena, in what I am sure will be a very pleasant picnic." Her tone is slightly dry, but not mocking. "I am hoping that if I can get their support, or at least, their grudging acceptance, getting Lord Jon and Lord Ulbert to come to reasonable terms will be much easier. I am also to speak with Septon Abelar on the same matter later in the day.
"What I seek from you, if you are willing, are what you expect the sticking points will be, and how best you feel they should be handled. I am expecting Lady Shiera to push particularly hard. I do not ask that you betray any confidences, or reveal any house secrets, merely help me navigate these unfamiliar waters, so we may achieve peace, for the prosperity of both our houses."
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Post by Malcolm Caswell on Jul 12, 2018 16:51:17 GMT 1
Ser Donnel, Lady Shiera and Lady Erena... No wonder the lady is looking for all the help she could get. Surely, he is glad he is neither in her nor in Ser Donnel's shoes !
"A very pleasant picnic, indeed." his voice betrays that he thinks once push comes to shove, it might become anything but. No small wonder with the people present...
"Lady Erena will be open to your line of thinking, especially with the right arguments. I don't expect her to oppose the general idea much... Lady Shiera will push indeed. She doesn't like Lord Ulbert and I think it is known she also doesn't see eye to eye with Lady Erena on some things, so she'll be the one you have to work hardest to convince, if you manage to do that at all. The fact that she's a Peake and Lady Erena a Caswell likely also won't help matters much more. I can't say much about Ser Donnel, however that lunch came to pass, he's in the most uncomfortable position and its not easily foreseeable, what he will say or do. I think he will also be favourably inclined towards your proposal, but whether he'll be in a position to show it is another matter entirely. Don't expect him to take his sister in law's side over his wife. It will be an interesting piece of work, keeping the three balanced, I do not envy you for this task. Lady Shiera is not the Lord's wife, but her word carries weight in Gyldenhaal. Most importantly, treat her with respect and consideration no matter what and tread lightly around her."
No, he didn't expect Laena to be able to win lady Shiera over just like that or even sway her to her opinion at all, but he wouldn't say that outright.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 12, 2018 18:06:38 GMT 1
"Hmmm. So, if I engage with Ser Donnel first, get him to at least tacitly accept the idea, I may be able to discourage him from supporting his wife to avoid seeming irresolute. While he won't support me against his wife, at least that means I only face one of them at a time."
She strokes her chin. "I am not a fool. I recognise that the task I have set myself is difficult, at the least. But should I fail? It just reflects badly on me. Should Lord Ulbert try and fail, it reflects badly on the house as a whole.
"Any final words of advice? If not, I'd be fascinated to hear of your travels. I've spent time in both King's Landing and Highgarden, but I would certainly not describe myself as 'well-travelled', nor am I likely to ever."
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Post by Malcolm Caswell on Jul 15, 2018 1:24:00 GMT 1
"That might work. best try not to bring up Dornish and avoid touching upon faithly things. I guess the Starkwoods weirwoods will come up, so if any of this is introduced, be prepared to deal with it."
That was about all he could think of at that moment. After all, it was not like he seeked out Lady Shiera much, and there was a reason for that.
"Highgarden and King's Landing are fascinating places in their own merit, but I have to say, I don't have a particular fondness of big cities. Too big, too loud, too cramped for my tastes. I have seen some cities and other sights, but I have to say, as uncomfortable as it is, I prefer the open road or the open sea to those hulking monstrosities... Oldtown is better, but not by much, although the Starry Sept alone is worth the trouble of getting there. The same could be saif for the three sisters, which also have a sort of inherent beauty, although it is quite a bit marred by many of the people living there, unfortunately."
He thinks.
"If you were free to travel whereever you'd like, my Lady... What would you been travelling for ? Nature ? Famous buildings ? People either known or foreign ?" he asks, also to gauge where the Lady's interests lie so he can accomodate them, should he be able to.
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Post by Laena Pyre on Jul 15, 2018 2:03:38 GMT 1
Laena smiles. "Thank you for the help. I'll take every bit I can get."
When he asks his question, she considers for a few moments, before answering carefully, like she's thinking it through as she speaks. Her fingers dance in thought as she does so. "I don't think I'd be interested in meeting foreign people. Even when dealing with people like the Northmen or Dornish, at least ones who haven't lived in the Reach for a while, I get this 'off' feeling. It's ... people say a lot non-verbally, in their tone of voice, with their physical actions, and their facial expressions. Even if you don't consciously focus on it, a lot of your understanding comes from those cues. And their non-verbal signals are just different enough to confuse me. I feel like I'm blind dealing with them sometimes. I can only imagine how different foreigners would be. A completely different language, and I don't mean Braavosi.
"I'm not sure about buildings and natural wonders. I mean, I'm fascinated by tales of the Wall, but I'm not *so* fascinated as I'd want to take the trip and put up with the cold up there."
Her fingers stop moving momentarily as she finally comes to a realisation, then she snorts in amusement at her thought. "Food. All the wonders and mysteries of the world, and what calls to me more than anything is trying all sorts of different foods and drinks." She smiles at the knight ruefully. "Sorry, that's probably more prosaic than you were hoping."
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