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Post by Father on Oct 10, 2018 22:38:55 GMT 1
"It is quite simple, good master Malyk, the arrangement was facilitated by Highgarden and the crown, to break it would be to insult them and few lords are willing to take such a risk." She states. "And a daughter should not openly defy her father"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Oct 10, 2018 23:33:01 GMT 1
"Then my help, on that front, is not needed."
Both were smart enough to know what they were talking about. Alicent would probably be infinitely happier in Dorne, but she could not or would not leave her father and would not let him face the shame of her actions. So everyone waited patiently for the infamous Lord Eldon to choke on a chicken bone.
"I am sorry I cannot help you, my Lady. The whole situation just seems needlessly painful and pointless." There was deep and genuine sadness in his eyes, as if he had failed her in some way. "Perhaps if the situation changes I might be of some service."
He shakes his head, although it's not clear if it's out of disappointment or if he is somehow resetting his thoughts. "As to the attack on you, can you indulge me? Set aside your conviction that the attack was based on your knowledge of a rumor for the moment. Are there any that might feel passionately enough about you to take you against your will? Are there any you know who might take the risk to try and save you from Lord Eldon? In my experience men do very stupid things when besotted with a beautiful woman. Are their any Houses to your knowledge that might want you out of the way so they might marry their daughters to Lord Eldon instead?"
He gave Lady Alicent a wry quirky grin. "I will stipulate at the outset that to my knowledge House Levalle had no hand in the attack."
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Post by Father on Oct 11, 2018 11:05:24 GMT 1
"I cannot think of any whose personal desire is known to me, I could think of a few with motive, your Lord Alliser would be on the top of that list" She ponders. "It could not be the Florents, the principal houses would lose more by being seen as selling their daughters to someone like Lord Eldon, it would have to be a house down on it's luck, one that would gain so much from an alliance with Lord Eldon's Wealth and Power that whatever damage to it's reputation is worth the prize, unless." Her mind grinds as she considers this new option. "Unless the motivation is to sway Lord Eldon towards loyalty to the king or the alternative, which would would expand the list of men with motive considerably, all they need is a pliable down on his luck lord loyal to the cause with a comely daughter to spare." She considers that for a moment. "It is a good thing, then, that I have taken precautions after the attack just in case there might be a chance that it never was about those rumors"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Oct 11, 2018 17:45:26 GMT 1
Malyk's eyes lit up. "I had not considered that this might be faction related... but yes... that makes sense. Lord Eldon has money, power and influence. Convincing him to join the rebellion would be a great coup for them. Killing you would only be a minor risk compared to the potential rewards." He pondered this new information for a long moment. It was like he was visibly doing a puzzle in his head and Lady Alicent had just dumped a large number of pieces in his lap. "My Lady, what can you tell me of Lord Eldon's politics?"
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Post by Father on Oct 11, 2018 21:41:50 GMT 1
"As repulsive as his person is, most underestimates his wits, I think he knows exactly what others thinks of him and does not care. King Aegon was no fool, and neither is he, he knows that wealth and power attracts men of ambition willing to sacrifice their honor and dignity for a seat at his bountiful table, and he knows how to play them against each other." She makes a grimace at the thought. "If you study his dealings, you will find his bargains to be as shrewd as those of your own Lord, most will see him as a glutton with such lusts and wants as can be immediately gratified chiefly on his mind, they would be right of course, but they fail to realize that he only considers offerings brought to him to sate these desires as gifts that he is entitled to on account of his stature as one of the premier lords of the Reach."
"When advancing the fortunes of House Merryweather, he is ruthless, calculating and quite successful. Though he dislikes taking such risks as to declare himself in favor of one man's king over the king of another, at a guess, he will wait until Lord Tyrell calls his banners, have his forces march with those of Highgarden and receive a share of the spoils as is proper given his commitment of forces if his liege chose the winning side, and if not he will find it terribly easy to kneel, knowing that more vocal supporters on his side will be taking the punishment while he is a man of wealth and power that can worm himself into being a loyal servant in the restoration of peace, it would simply be good business for the victor to pardon his involvement" She doesn't exactly admire the man, but finds his political inclinations to at least be sound.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Oct 11, 2018 22:41:55 GMT 1
"So. A cautious man, and a patient one." Malyk's gaze seemed to drift off into space. "Such a man would not kidnap you, nor kill you out of pique I expect. He would wait, hoping pressure on you or your father would eventually make you bow to the inevitable. Although... such a man would try to increase that pressure in small ways. Would he send the men in hopes to put fear in you? No. Too risky. A mistake could ruin everything.
If you were out of the picture, would he take the offer of a minor nobles daughter? Perhaps, if she was as beautiful as you and more obliging. I doubt he would declare for the Blackfyres, at least publicly. He sounds like he would be more likely to play both sides off against each other for his own advantage and amusement.
If someone wanted you out of the way in an attempt to gain influence with Lord Eldon, they probably are already in conversation with him, else the attack would be premature. I wonder who he has been talking to."
Malyk's gaze returned to Lady Alicent. "My Lady, if I wanted to speak with Lord Eldon, what would be the best way to approach him, do you think?"
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Post by Father on Oct 11, 2018 22:54:01 GMT 1
"I can hardly think of any way in which you might approach him without being swept aside by his men, gaining nothing more from him than the sort of annoyance a cow might elicit for blocking the way for his carriage." She looks slightly apologetic for not being able to help him with that.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Oct 12, 2018 1:42:58 GMT 1
Malyk grimaces but her response was not unexpected. He thinks for a long moment then leans in towards Lady Alicent, speaking very softly. "I have an idea. It is one of my 'crazy' ideas and I will not blame you if you reject it outright as I do not know where it would lead and and it potentially puts you at risk." He paused. "What if a rumor started that you were 'reconsidering' your stance on the betrothal. Right now, if someone seeks to remove you, they think you immovable and have luxury of time. If they believe you may be finally bowing to the political pressure, that luxury disappears. They would have to act in haste and those who act in haste make mistakes."
He often came up with these ideas. This one was actually relatively sane by comparison to many. In essence, he was suggesting they stir the pot and see what boiled over. If she was being targeted, it would likely draw them out. His obvious reticence was that it could jeopardize Lady Alicent's safety. The Levalle Senechal would walk into a burning building if the need was great enough, especially if a child was at risk; but to put others at risk was against his very core. The only reason he suggested it at all was because he believed it was a viable course of action. No-one would be more relieved than Malyk if she rejected it.
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Post by Father on Oct 12, 2018 14:55:36 GMT 1
"The only believable such rumor would be the one that I am considering to declaring quite publicly that I have no intention of ever marrying him" She answers without much deliberation. "But I fail to think of anyone who would then have the motive to act in haste to do anything?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Oct 12, 2018 19:00:25 GMT 1
"Well, thank you my Lady for indulging me. I know recalling the events of the attack cannot have been pleasant for you." He gave Lady Alicent a soft smile. "You have been very gracious to me and I appreciate that. Perhaps we will meet again under more pleasant circumstances more in keeping with the pleasant surroundings. If I can ever be of service to you, please don't hesitate to ask." He glanced at the four guards. "I would just ask that you continue to take precautions for your safety, at least until the tournament is over."
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Post by Father on Oct 12, 2018 23:01:48 GMT 1
"Oh, I would have very little success trying to persuade Lord Leo that these guards are unnecessary." She doesn't seem to have considered trying, either.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Oct 16, 2018 1:41:24 GMT 1
"My Lady, I thank you greatly for taking the time to speak with Malyk and I this morning. The talk was...illuminating. If your perspective changes please do not hesitate to reach out to us."
Parmen takes a deep breath stretches and looks around as if seeing the Garden for the first time. "It is a fine thing to spend a beautiful morning in a beautiful place with a beautiful women. It is an even better thing to spend a morning making new friends. I hope that we have done so today."
/scene?
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Post by Father on Oct 16, 2018 20:27:25 GMT 1
/scene
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