|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 1, 2019 12:16:53 GMT 1
Roland did not want to believe what was said of his brother's children? Grimly, he supposed Quentyn and Denyse would still be his brother's children, but the wrong brother's... Tomes on lineages could help, if he or another could uncover texts on historic matches with vivid enough descriptions of their progeny. Still, Roland put great stock in the character of noble knights and ladies, and sough to learn all he could of Ser Orton Ambrose, who had supposedly named his brother cuckold and House Cordwayner's heirs illegitimate. Each sally was swiftly rebuffed however - his fellow guests in the great hall were understandably keen to stick to hear tales of the joust and melee. Flattered, Roland found himself easily sidetracked and the information he sought eluded him. He at least had good enough manners to repeat the tale of Ser Daeron the Doughty first disarming the foul Otho Bracken and then persevering despite wounds that would fell lesser men. He had told Lady Janna Hightower that the court would see a better Ser Daeron at the melee, and was delighted his friend's honour and bravery had been vindicated. Roland's failure was not a bad thing all considered - after his previous successes, Roland needed to be reminded he was no courtier, lest his opinion of himself grow any grander and the Seven smite him for his pride. D12 Rumours - Knowledge (Streetwise) Orton Ambrose, upcoming Hightower marriage: 2#3d6 8 7[OOC: +3 disposition (Amiable) with Hightowers in case that helps overcome the second poor roll] |
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 1, 2019 16:31:58 GMT 1
"You seem to be in some distress, Ser Roland. Can I be of some service?"
The Seneschal of House Levalle might have been everywhere yesterday, but he had been conspicuously absent today, for any that noticed such things. It was perhaps surprising to find him curled up in a window seat in the library with a children's book. His famous eyes had a sort of ethereal quality, as if in contemplation or meditation. His greeting was soft, but warm. His gaze was distant, as if he were considering the Knight, but several other things simultaneously. His manner even odder than usual, but his concern obviously genuine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 1, 2019 17:11:50 GMT 1
"Ah, the hero of the hour, even if the gossip mill goes so far as to deny you a name. Stil, your handiwork appears valued and unmistakable. I am not sure I had the presence of mind to thank for you for you aid some nights ago. My thanks - I would sooner fight Ser Rennifer thrice more than relive than night."
Roland was not keen to reopen that door.
"I find myself frustrated - ill words are said of my house of birth, and that the man saying so was driven from our halls and only breaks his silence now seems virtue to me, where once I would have called it vice."
"A month ago I would have thought nothing of the matter, or sought the knight out and challenged him for defaming my family."
"I sought to split the difference between the man I was and the man this tourney needs by learning more of Ser Orton, but all anyone wants to discuss is the joust, the melee, the riot. This your Lord's battlefield, not the one I trained for."
An exaggerated comic shrug, as Roland unthinkingly blunders in to naming the man, laying his cards on the table.
"But Hammerhal's old maester would have caned me for coming between a man and a book. Is it well illuminated?"
Roland smiled.
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 1, 2019 18:12:22 GMT 1
"I am not sure what I am lately," he smiled softly, "but I do not think it is a hero."
He looked at the young Knight for a long moment. "You speak, of course, of the recent rumor your bother's children are not his own. Since I am of House Levalle, I shall attempt to put things in a way you will understand.
There are only two possibilities. That the rumor is false, or the rumor is true.
If the rumor is false, then the only reason to spread it would be to harm your House. As far as I am aware, neither your brother nor his children have anything to prove. Questioning their lineage and spreading the rumor so widely is a way to force them to try and prove what should be a given, and the very fact you take the source of the rumor seriously, means you must in some manner take the rumor seriously, therefore others will take it seriously as well.
If the rumor is true, then the only reason to spread it would be to harm your House. Such a rumor revealed to be true would be extremely damaging. If you start digging on their behalf, you might inadvertently start the fire to justify the smoke they have made."
He paused deep in thought. "Tell me Ser Roland, and please consider seriously, for the answer is very important to me:
You have known these children all your life. You have watched them grow up. You know them as well as any man might. Would it matter to you if you found out the rumor was true, that their father was not who you thought he was? Would they change in some fundamental way? Would they suddenly be different people? Do you love them, Ser Roland? Would such a truth change that love?"
Malyk had become very focused on Ser Roland. Extremely interested in his reply.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 2, 2019 12:41:36 GMT 1
Roland ran scratched at his stubble, still mourning the absence of his flowing hair.
"I love both my niece and nephew - they are nearer in age to me than my own brother."
He bit is top lip in a most undignified and unknightly manner, lost in thought.
"Seven be kind, you volunteered aid then present me with a dilemma I had not even imagined."
The list of things Roland could not imagine was long indeed, except when it came to snarks and grumpkins. A man who took his problems as they came.
"I wish I could tell you true, but real honesty compels me to admit I do not know. Cannot know"
"I know the type of knight I would want to be. I was charged to protect the innocent, and were the worst true I would still number my sweet niece among them."
"But a man cannot know how he would act in the moment, were we in some mummer's tragedy and a confession made."
Roland looked down at the floor, then retrieved his cup and stared deep in to it.
"Would I be seized by wrath on my brother's behalf? Humiliated at his shame? Force kin-slaying on myself or my bastard brother by drawing steel to wipe the insult clean with blood? If Ser Orton speak true then all of Denyse and Quentyn's innocence would be matched by my bastard brother's guilt, and that of Lady Cordwayner."
Procrastination, confusion and debate, but no clear answer. Roland seems more defeated now than when outnumbered by foes in the melee or unhorsed by Lord Durwell in the joust's final.
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 2, 2019 13:09:25 GMT 1
Malyk sat back a little disappointed. "Perhaps it was unfair for me to ask, and it may be a question you never need answer." He sighed. "I have thought of that question quite often of late. I do not have a satisfactory answer either."
He shrugged. "Perhaps there is an easier question for you to answer. Put the rumor aside for a moment and consider it's purpose. Whether it is true or false is actually irrelevant; the intent is clear. Someone wishes harm on your family. Will you allow it?
Many of my thoughts of late have surrounded what it is to be a good man. That a man says he is good, does not make it true. Even that a man believes he is good, does not make it true. Even a man's actions if perceived as good may not be if they do not actually produce good. So you will understand that I am also uncertain about the nature of goodness.
However, in this case, were I in your place, my actions would be beyond doubt. I would crush these rumors without regret or mercy. I would crush any who dared repeat them without hesitation or remorse. I would salt the earth that these seeds were planted in that they might never grow again and ensure that no-one ever dare try.
Of course, that may be because I am a member of House Levalle. We are not exactly known for being 'good men'. Still, I cannot believe that any truly good man would willingly allow those he loved to come to harm.
Not long ago you were willing to kill dozens to protect a man like Lord Eldon simply because it was the right thing to do. Will you stand now in hesitation to protect those closest to you simply because your enemy uses words rather than pitchforks? We know better than many the damage words can do when used skillfully by one of evil intent. Which matters more? That the words Abelar used were true, or the harm that they caused? Which matters more, Ser Roland, that the rumor may be true, or the harm it may cause?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 3, 2019 16:32:04 GMT 1
Roland drank deeply then wiped his mouth with a sleeve. He was needed the time to work through philosophies and abstractions before turning to his all too real dilemma.
"That is a grim system of account and no mistake, to tally an action's worth only by its consequence."
"A man's intent matters. If a man causes harm by accident we do not try him for murder. If a robber rides down a drunk that has ill-intent towards some maid while fleeing the guard we do not shower him with rewards. I will not, cannot live with the gold-chained maester's simple accounting on such matters."
Ser Norren Wythers, blinded at Roland's hand. But he did not turn his head. Lord Karl Willum, unable to save himself from a mob due to injuries from Roland. He knew his own condition, he surely did not need to plunge in to the mob.
"The truth matters too: if I accept a bribe to lose some tourney match then donate the coin to good causes, I have lived a lie and robbed spectators, my self and my opponent of the truth. Or if I were betrothed to some fair maid, both of us much in love, then find my self in the bed of another in a moment of weakness, do I not owe her the truth of the matter? Knowing the truth may end the marriage, and at the very least cause great hurt, but it would be a true choice rather than one I had denied my beloved."
Marriage was on Roland's mind that day.
"To do else-wise is to deny another the freedom of autonomy, to build them an invisible prison from your lies."
A nobleman's second son with the opportunities, talent and freedom to follow the path that suited him, with little appreciation for the many denied such.
"The Seven test me, charged by the Mother to protect my innocent niece and nephew should the worst be true, but with a sworn duty to the Father's truth and justice too."
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 3, 2019 18:14:44 GMT 1
Malyk's eyes narrowed slightly. "I agree that intent matters. When Abelar caused the riot less than a week ago, I grieved for those harmed but forgave his stupidity because I saw his face. He was a shocked as anyone by the violence. However the lynching is another matter. Violence was his intent; perhaps not on the scale he eventually unleashed or the damage he would ultimately do, but the intent was clear. If a man simply desire to burn down his neighbors house, should it matter if the fire take the entire city? Of course it should, even if it was not the man's intent.
It would be one thing if no reasonable man could foresee the harm from a man's actions, but negligence or stupidity cannot be a defense when even a child might understand the potential outcome. If I am practicing with a bow and accidentally kill a man hiding behind the target, I am blameless. No-one reasonable would think he would be there. It is a different matter entirely if he is standing in front of the target with an apple on his head. My intent might not be to harm the man, but even the most simple among us would consider the potential for harm. Of course the man with the apple would be foolish to do so, but it is not his stupidity that would be ultimately responsible for the harm done. I would be the one with the bow, and responsible for it's use.
You look at truth as being inherently good." He waved his hand. "That is not a criticism. Most do. I look at truth as more like that sword you carry. It has great value and purpose. It can both protect and cause great harm, but it in itself is neither good nor evil. That is determined by the purpose it is put to. I never lie, Ser Roland. I do not have the mind or the disposition for it. However I hold a thousand truths that could conceivably do harm to tens of thousands. Should I reveal those truths simply because they are true, regardless of the consequences and the harm they may do? What would you think of a Knight who waved his sword around every time he thought the situation demanded it?
Truth, action, intent and consequence must all be balanced in harmony. For Abelar to hire an assassin to poison Lord Eldon to bring him the justice that was denied would also have been an evil act, but the consequences would be dramatically different: Lord Eldon would be dead, hundreds of smallfolk would be alive, many good Knights and guardsmen would not be dead or injured, and innocents like Lady Marrianne and her son would never have been placed in danger. We all have choices before us, and often none of them are good. I would almost always try to choose to do the least harm, even if that choice might not be the most honorable.
Find the truth of this rumor if you feel you must, but if it is true, limit the reckoning to those who deserve it. Why should the innocent in your family pay the price for their actions? Why should the stain of their dishonor attach to those who had no power or knowledge to prevent it? Why should your niece and nephew pay the price for their parent's sin? They were just the unintended consequence. Does ruining the lives of those who are blameless in this sound even remotely just to you?
If discovering the truth is your intent, I would still quash this rumor. The damage to your brother, niece and nephew could be devastating, and they are guiltless in this, whatever the truth. At it's core, this is a family matter and should be dealt with as such. You may have a duty to the truth, but there is no doubt you have a duty to your family. Like it or not, one of these duties will have to superseded the other. Only you can decide which it will be."
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 6, 2019 17:19:56 GMT 1
"By not revealing some of your truths, you may hold other men and women prisoner."
Roland shook his head.
"If the worst is true, my niece and nephew are not Cordwayners at all, however innocent they are and however much love I bear them. I would see them safe, Ser Quentyn would be a credit to many houses as master of arms or castellan and my niece would make a fair bride to some landed knight or merchant. A Cordwayner must sit Hammerhal - if my brother and I win the truth of this and it as Ser Orton claims, there will be no keeping it a family affair."
Family and inheritance were at the heart of Andal traditionalism, and Roland's conservatism could not countenance such an outrage. Family affair. A cruel irony.
"My brother is not too old to marry again, and I cannot believe my gentle brother would cause physical harm to either."
Ilyn Cordwayner was timid, that much was true, but there was no telling what a man so humiliated would do, and Roland had long been a stranger at his family's seat, worsened by Magell's sabotage of his letters. Roland's compassion for his niece and nephew risked decades of instability for his House if this grim path came to pass, with Quentyn and Denyse ever in the wings as rivals to whoever ruled.
"Lord Tyrell's largesse at the tourney has made me wealthier than I ever dreamed, needs must I could aid both."
Roland waved his hand, as if to swat away evil spirits, but his words lacked the gesture's force and conviction.
"If the gods are kind, all this is but a maester's philosophy class."
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 6, 2019 22:59:15 GMT 1
"The Seven are kind but people are not. They gave us the gift of choice over our lives and our actions. If all people were good there would be no sin and no choice to make. We would very much be prisoners indeed."
So they would be different people in your eyes... at least not Cordwayners. Not your blood. Not your family. That would matter more to you, no matter how much you claim to love them.
"The truths I hold were given in trust. Should I betray that trust? Should I break my oaths to them? I am as much a prisoner of my honor as you, Ser Roland. However that does not mean I ignore justice. I have helped some repair the damage they have done, giving those repentant of their mistakes a second chance that would not have been possible should their deeds become public. With others I hold their truths as surety of their good behavior; that being a condition of my silence. For others, the harm of the truth would greatly outweigh any justice done. Was Abelar's truth worth the tragedy that resulted?"
He sighs and looks out the window. "It sounds like you have made your choice, and I do not fault you for it, but this is not just a philosophy class. The Crone says that we must think about our actions and consider the unintended consequences. Had Abelar done that, Ser Donnel, Lord Karl and many others would be with us today. If you do not realize that, you will fall into the same trap. I respect you, Ser Roland. I only ask these things to make you think.
If your goal is set, you must do what you must to attain that goal. Find out if Ser Orton speaks the truth, but you require more than his word. Even if he does not lie, that does not mean he is not mistaken or being manipulated. The reality is, only two people, perhaps only one, knows the truth of this for sure, and they have every reason to lie. There are many paths to a goal, Ser Roland. I only ask you be careful where you step.
My advice would be to speak to Ser Orton and take the measure of the man. Hear what he has to say with an open mind. Listen to his words and try to discover if they be his or someone elses. Tell me. Did he start speaking this before or after he joined Lord Durwell's service?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 8, 2019 16:22:55 GMT 1
"Repairing the damage and providing a path for the penitent seems a worthy third path, and in doing so may help avoid making a third party a prisoner of a lie a friend told to you in trust."
"I do not know this Ser Orton well, my efforts to learn more have been stymied so far. I have an inclination to trust men dismissed from my sister by marriage's service. She has filled Hammerhal with her own creatures. He has held his tongue on this matter for years while not sworn to my family, but perhaps Lady Cordwayner's open words against the crown moved him to finally speak now? He may have seen his silence these last years as a final service to House Cordwayner until her treachery pushed him too far. However, I find myself frustrated by Lord Durwell's proximity to so many events and his easy manner. Too much the politician to even honour our traditions by declaring a queen of love and beauty, however fine his words."
Roland looked down in to his glass guiltily.
"I shame myself, jealousy at losing the joust has given voice to unworthy thoughts. Doubtless Lord Durwell's lance saved me from myself, I might have rashly crowned Lady Alicent and made myself an enemy of the Hightowers."
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 8, 2019 23:12:10 GMT 1
"The thoughts are only unworthy if they are false, Ser Roland. When I consider a problem, I consider all the options. You pass judgement on yourself prematurely. Why this man has spoken these words after so long a silence may be just as important as the words themselves."
At the mention of Lady Alicent, several pieces clicked into place.
"I see that you are as enamored with Lady Alicent as many others. Perhaps she returns those feelings for the man who saved her life not long ago?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 14, 2019 11:51:22 GMT 1
"Well said. 'Why now?' is a question I should concern myself with as well."
Roland smiled at the mention of Alicent, despite the consternation writ large on his face previously.
"We are fond of one another, that much is true. Now freed from the ill-made match with Lord Merryweather we are free to be wed, if her Lord father will but approve the match."
Straight to the point with little attempt to hide his enthusiasm for the match.
"All being well, the letters going back and forth will give time for my hair to grow back. She would not have me look a severe penitent on our wedding day."
|
|
Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
|
Post by Malyk on Jan 14, 2019 14:18:49 GMT 1
And there it is.
The last of the pieces clicked into place. The answer to 'Why now?' was that Lady Alicent desired to be Lady Cordwayner.
In the search for truth, Ser Roland, you forget what a terrible burden it is. Should I take out this particular blade and shove it through your heart? No. What purpose would that serve? For all I know Lady Maegelle is an adulteress with delusions of grandeur seeking power for herself and her bastard children. You will probably not make a bad Lord, at least no worse than the average. Lady Alicent will make an excellent Lady of Hammerhal. She may even love you, although I expect she loves herself more than any man.
Lord Ilyn and Lady Maegelle replaced by Lord Roland and Lady Alicent. In practice, was that much of a change at all? Was it not simply older versions replaced with younger versions? It was rumored Lady Margaery and Lady Rhonda ran most of House Tyrell. Lady Melara was in control of House Hightower. Lady Johanna Meadows, Lady Laena Pyre, Lady Erena Blackbriar; the list went on and on. Countless more women all maneuvering for power while the Lords drank and played with sticks. Perhaps Westeros was more of a meritocracy than he'd originally thought. Certainly most of the Ladies in power seemed to be far more skilled than their Lordly counterparts.
"That's delightful news." was his reply. It may be, it might not be, but he would err on the side of optimism.
"In light of that, you have even greater incentive to move carefully. Correct me if I am wrong, but as I understand it, if Lady Maegelle's children are removed from succession, you would succeed your brother as Lord of House Cordwayner. While I know you seek truth, others may perceive this as a move for power and position on your part.
Or at least you being maneuvered into a position of power on Lady Alicent's part, for those who actually had a grasp of what was going on. I wonder what Lord Durwell had to gain, other than Alicent's debt to him. That was probably enough. It seems she'd traded a gilded cage for a golden web. An easy choice for her, given she was trading Lord Eldon Merryweather for the potentially Lord Roland Cordwayner. The betrothal would be long enough to see if the seeds planted grew to bloom, and if they did not then other arrangements could be made.
My best advice is that you go to Ser Orton and take his written testimony. Ask him if there are others that can corroborate his story. Question other Knights dismissed from service and take their testimony. Servants and former servants may also lead you to the truth. I can honestly say we who serve the nobles know far more than they think we do. Perhaps far more than is healthy for us. While such testimony from common servants is worthless on it's own, it would have value as corroboration of the testimony of other members of the nobility.
You must do this all quietly, both to prevent any perception of grabbing for power on your part, and to protect your life. Men have ended up dead for lesser reasons than this and if Lady Maegelle's reputation is accurate I would not be surprised that she would go to great lengths to protect her children.
Once you have collected enough evidence to be compelling, only then should you confront her before witnesses. As you are well aware, the most effective attack is the one your opponent does not see coming and removes any possibility of a counterattack. In this, social combat is no different than martial combat, and potentially just as lethal."
|
|
|
|
Post by Roland Cordwayner on Jan 14, 2019 15:26:58 GMT 1
"My brother could take a second wife. We would find him someone loyal and true to give him strong sons. I would help make such a match, to both aid my brother and dispel tall tales that I served ambition rather than House Cordwayner's honour."
"Subtlety is not my strong point - is an open, honest effort not better than a botched attempt at uncovering the truth quietly? Such suggests some plot - I would naturally think ill of a man seeking to conceal his activities. When I was inevitably uncovered, it would rightly lead to the very suspicions you point out. The truth does not need to hide in the shadows."
"Your point on the servants is a good one, such had not occurred to me."
Born to nobility, Roland often barely noticed which particular servant was present - they were just part of the background.
"I have duties to House Starling, and would attract much notice on any return to Hammerhal, but I will seek out this Ser Orton or have Septon Abelar vouch for his truthfulness and seek out such servants that once served my family."
|
|
