[Day 5] A Nudge in the Right Direction [Balon, semi-open]

Being eliminated from the joust meant Balon had a large amount of free time. With the battle re-enactment, the melee, and the Green Yard dance the only things of importance left to him Balon looked for something to keep him occupied.

He wandered about Gardenton and settled on the Golden Rose Inn where much of his "trouble" had started. Parts of the first evening were still foggy. He learned after the fact Ser Aemon (Flowers) had made sure he'd returned to the Blackbriar camp safely. I still haven't thanked him for that. Lord Willum and Balon had started the beginning of a friendship and Balon hoped to continue it. The one thing he did remember with clarity was the slander against Ser Walton and it seemed appropriate to use the Golden Rose for a similar purpose.

Many knights and smallfolk congregated about and Balon began to talk about the horrible accusations against House Cordwayner. Instead of slandering Lady Mya and Ashara he built up the reputation of the Cordwayners. "I've had the privilege of meeting Lady Denyse and she'd never resort to such lasciviousness. It's ironic that a Dornish woman and a bastard would spread such lies knowing their proclivities. Is this what the king welcomes into his court?"

"I wish it was true!" some knight hollered and laughed before being cuffed in the back of the head by his friend. Balon turned on him, "Watch your tongue. She is the epitome of an Andal lady. Pious, pretty, and none of the slanderous things that've been said about her." 

"Who said she was in the Redwyne camps?" another asked. "It was a Dornish woman. I have my suspicions to who exactly it was but it's hard to know for certain when they all look alike." several listeners laughed. After Maegelle's scolding Balon wasn't going to use Ashara's name. "House Cordwayner is a good house who's integrity should never be called into question."

"I heard you fucked her!" several nodded their head in agreement. Balon paused as he thought how to respond, "I assure you I didn't." He used a little levity, "If I had I'd be shouting it from the top of Highgarden." More laughter. "For she is one of the most beautiful in all the Reach." He changed his tone to sincerity. "Only her eventual husband will have that privilege. And only after the bedding ceremony. As it should be." Yes, make them think she is a pious princess, and not a stuck up bitch who's in love with herself.

The conversations continued. Balon repeated ad nauseum about the piety of Denyse and it was the supporters of King Daeron that slandered her. Maybe the Cordwayners should support a king that'd never allow such a thing. Just today Ser Daemon defeated Ser Otho. Wear were the Princes? Why hadn't they made their half-sister recant her lies? 

"The Seven judged Lady Mya and found her wanting. Ser Normyn dueled a member of the Kingsguard defending the honor of House Cordwayner and he prevailed. Surely it's a sign from above." Balon moved from the rumors of Denyse to the alleged bastardry of Maegelle's children. "They," he was referring to Blood supporters, "found no purchase in slandering Lady Denyse so they turned to questioning the legitimacy of the children." Normyn's blond hair was an unfortunate coincidence. "To question the legitmacy of their children is to question Lord Ilyn as a man. Why? What is there to gain? Or is it just spite? Is this what we can expect from King's Landing? Attacks on chivalrous men? No I say!"

Balon talked seemingly for a long time and to anyone that would listen that the Cordwayners were being systematically smeared by supporters of King Daeron. Perhaps they should declare for Ser Daemon?