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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 6, 2019 18:42:10 GMT 1
Despite putting on his toughest face, Daeron was in pain. The Milk of the Poppy was doing wonders to numb the pain of his injuries, but between that and his grief over losing a sworn brother of the Companions, he was self-medicating with some ale to just make everything else a little more numb. He wasn't the only one either at the Golden Rose that early in the day, plenty of knights were numbing their own pain or celebrating success, and it was one of the latter that he chose to join.
"Ser Parmen, well-met! I must congratulate you on your incredible success in the melee yesterday. You lived up to the Redwyne name with skill and bravery."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 7, 2019 23:09:02 GMT 1
Parmen's squire was trying to kill him. That was the only logical explanation for why Edwin had suggested that they go into town to eat breakfast at the Golden Inn instead of allowing him to remain in his own tent in a haze of milk of the poppy. Winning the melee alongside Roland was a glorious occasion only slightly offset by his efforts to not throw up into his helm. Whichever mummer had said that glory conquered pain deserved to be stretched on the rack.
"Ser Daeron. Good to see you Ser. This is my squire, Edwin, my cousin's son."
"I believe that I and the rest of the knight's in this tourney owe you a thank you. I heard that you were responsible for keeping The Brute from doing more harm to good knights."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 8, 2019 1:38:31 GMT 1
Daeron gives a welcoming grin to the Redwyne knight. Any man who made it that far in the tourney was sure to be good company.
“Many thanks Ser, but today I feel more like an abused practice quintain than anything else. Even though the Brute should barely be considered human, he is probably the deadliest warrior that I’ve ever crossed swords with, had Ser Daemon not joined me in my fight, I don’t know if there would be enough of me left to have a proper funeral beside Ser Marlon.
However, let’s not act like your own accomplishments yesterday were not equally impressive. Finishing the melee beside Redtusk is no small feat! I was unconscious for much of it, but I hear the man was incredible in battle, especially against Ser Daemon.”
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 9, 2019 4:05:52 GMT 1
"Roland and Ser Daemon are friends but you would never know from the way they went after each other yesterday. Ser Daemon fought like a god or a demon depending on your perspective. I can count the names of the knights in the seven kingdoms on my two hands who can fight my brother even up but In addition to Roland it took probably half a dozen of my kin, good knighst all, attacking at one point or another to make him yield."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 9, 2019 5:32:48 GMT 1
“I’m sure that the maesters and soft-handed men in the Red Keep see such talent as demonic. But I see it as the finest swordsmanship of our generation, perhaps even superior to that of the Dragonknight. Now if only we could get a Valyrian steel sword in your brother’s hands, those two would make an unstoppable force. I don’t suppose that your good-father has enough gold to buy such a weapon, does he?”
Daeron’s comment is clearly a jest, but the look in his eyes suggest that he actually thinks that Lord Levalle is rich and slick enough to manage something like that. Or at least that’s what the rumors would suggest of him.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 10, 2019 4:30:10 GMT 1
"God's could you imagine giving Roland a Valyrian steel blade! He would never sheathe the damn thing unless it was to take it to bed with him!" Parmen laughed at the mental image. He would love to have a Valyrian sword as much as the next knight but Alys was much nicer beneath the blankets
"I'm sure that Lord Levalle would be happy to purchase such a blade but for the price of it one could likely purchase an entire army and armies can be very useful. My Lord is nothing if not practical."
"What about yourself? I watched your jousts; you are a masterful swordsman. Does your family not have a Valyrian weapon stashed away waiting for some worthy champion to claim it?"
{OOC: Given the amount of milk of the poppy that both Daeron and Parmen are floating on I am picturing this conversation along the lines of two college stoners having a "deep" discussion about politics. What is the Westerosi translation for duuude!
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 10, 2019 5:59:40 GMT 1
He gives a hearty laugh at the idea of Redtusk taking such a sword to bed with him, though if he ever managed to marry either of Lord Roxton’s daughters the idea wasn’t so far-fetched.
“Aye, my family has two such weapons, but I doubt that Ser Daemon or Ser Brynden have plans on relinquishing either to my care, not that I’d ever consider myself a more worthy bearer of Blackfyre than its current master.
Perhaps with any luck I’ll manage to find some marriage prospects that makes one available to me, but I have yet to have such luck.”
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 12, 2019 3:00:19 GMT 1
"Hmmm...well in that manner I consider myself unusually fortunate. The last melee that I won I walked away with a beautiful, gentle, and intelligent wife." Plus a castle, good lands and a Lord who is reviled throughout the Reach. Parmen left the last part unsaid.
"Do not count yourself short. It is unfair to compare yourself to your brother Ser Daemon and find yourself wanting." Gods know I did that often enough growing up with my own kin. "That man uses Valryian steel like it was an extension of his arm. They should make him fight his duels left-handed just to keep things interesting. Except against Otho of course. That one doesn't deserve and even battlefield."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 12, 2019 5:07:33 GMT 1
“You speak true, Ser Daemon is like the Warrior himself in combat and a paragon of chivalry to boot. It’s just such a shame that the greatest man of our generation has been treated so poorly by his so-called ‘family’ and effectively exiled from Kings Landing to a meager holdfast in the Crownlands.
King Daeron clearly fears his popularity and his arguably stronger claim to the throne. For good reason too. Blackfyre is a natural leader of men, wouldn’t you agree Ser Parmen?”
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 13, 2019 4:49:17 GMT 1
Parmen suddenly felt more at risk then he ever had during the melee. So now we come to it. And in a public location of course. Must play along for the sake of the appearances but perhaps I can protect those near him.
“Boy! Edwin! Don’t you have armor to clean or something? If my armor is not battle ready by the time we leave for Highever tomorrow I’ll give you a thrashing.” As Edwin left with a hurt look on his face Parmen relented. “Go pick out some treats from the sweets vendor in the market for Alys and her sister. And get one for yourself, for after you finish with my armor.” Parmen tossed his squire a coin. He is a good boy. He will make a fine knight if we can keep him out of this political storm.
Turning back to Ser Daeron he spoke clear as he was able to through the milk of poppy haze. “Ser Daemon Blackfyre is a paragon of knighthood. I would like to see more of how he leads men aye, and women and children as well.
Please understand me; I mean no disrespect to the royal Princes. Prince Baelor has carried himself with honor throughout this tourney as befits a knight of his reputation. I'm less familiar with Prince Maekar but in the melee yesterday he performed well, leading his team with skill and discipline.
You have already mentioned my brother Roland. You are correct that he is true friends with Ser Daemon. My younger brother Garth rides with the Kingsguard. I saw my brothers fight often enough growing up I have no desire to see it now that they are both grown into some of the greatest knights in the realm.
Daemon is a knight of skill and strength but also of high honor. He should be brought back to Kings Landing to keep the realm from falling even farther into chaos. Make him part of the King’s councils and watch the lickspittles, the thieves and the fools flee in terror!”
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 13, 2019 17:11:38 GMT 1
“Aye, it’s a shame that we didn’t get to see Prince Baelor participate in the melee. If the man is half as skilled with sword as he is with lance he would have been a wonder to see on the field. Probably could have turned the tide of battle as well.”
Say what you would about Daeron and his open partisanship, but the man appreciated a talented knight.
“I will say that I was less than impressed with Prince Maekar though. He assembled some of the finest knights on his team and then hid behind them rather than led them. It’s one thing for a leader to acknowledge that his followers are finer warriors, but another thing entirely to leave all of the fighting to them, or even to leave them in the middle of battle while slinking away like a dog. I’m glad that he’s not the eldest.”
After Parmen’s second response Daeron gives a long pause.
“Indeed, Ser Daemon could do much to improve the state of the kingdom. Perhaps shift the balance of power back towards loyal knights and away from foreign courtiers. The king, however, is running out of time to bring Ser Daemon back into his fold. Perhaps an action like naming him heir or permitting a second marriage for Prince Baelor to one of Blackfyre’s young daughters could bind the realm back together before it unravels.”
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 15, 2019 2:16:49 GMT 1
Polygamy and Valyrians…that always took some getting used to.
“Marriages are one way to solidify relationships,” although not always as certain as Lord Alliser would like, “appointments and honors are another way. Bring Blackfyre to the Red Keep and make him Commander of the City Watch with a seat on the small council. It would increase morale among the gold cloaks and reduce crime in the city the minute the announcement was made. If not then make him the Master of Laws or even the Hand of the King. Butterwell and Hayford are loyal men no doubt, but they have served since the Unworthy’s reign. Surely one of them could step aside for the good of the realm. If handled correctly they might even welcome the chance to see their homes again.
A more radical solution would be to keep Blackfyre where he is but to honor him as he deserves commensurate with his skills and lineage. Keep him in the Crownlands but make him the Lord Paramount of that area. The region has always looked to the Iron Throne for leadership ever since The Dragon and his Queens crossed over. Why should some landed knights and little lords appeal directly to the court while others lack the same access?
Have them swear fealty to Daemon, he is a man of honor. Have him swear an oath to the Iron Throne but then keep him close to the Throne, where his example, and his sword, can keep the courtiers in check. The Realm needs men like him and Prince Baelor. Aye, and my brother as well.” And I am going to need something stronger than ale if we keep talking like this.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 15, 2019 16:05:52 GMT 1
This one is certainly more amenable than Roland on the matter, but also unwilling to cry out for his True King, but perhaps he has the right idea. If Ser Daemon can show that he is worthy of honor and clean up the corruption in King’s Landing, would that be a satisfactory compromise? No crown but a lordship on par with that of the Tyrells or Lannisters is not a bad prize.
“You are wise as you are skilled Ser Parmen, but I doubt that his inner circle will be as excited about that idea. Perhaps we could help recruit more good men to his side to balance out or replace some of the honorable, but radical knights. Do you know of any such men?”
Daeron’s head felt like it was beginning to turn to a thick soup between his many intoxicants and Parmen’s radical new ideas. Ideas that might just prevent a war, but still elevate Ser Daemon to a rightful position.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Jan 17, 2019 7:11:06 GMT 1
"I will keep my eyes open. I look forward to returning home after this tourney but perhaps a trip to Cider Hall and the Arbor lie in the near future. Both are houses with honorable men whose support and advice I would value."
"Ser Daemon seems to be the kind of man this realm needs. His inner circle...well you know them better than I. I trust my brother but I don't know the others. I don't know who represents Prince Baelor or Ser Daemon and who merely uses them for their own ends. To see the realm fight over who mounts the Iron Throne would be a tragedy. To see the realm fight over who mounts the Seastar would be a farce."
"But forgive me for my crudity. She is your half-sister and I mean no disrespect. I fear that I was hit harder on the head yesterday then I thought and these conversations would give me a headache even when I was healthy." Have I said too much. Damn this milk of the poppy!
"What of you Wildfyre? I imagine that you and your Companions will travel back to Starling lands shortly? You would of course be most welcome to visit us at Highever. Perhaps you could help me improve my swordsmanship so that I can turn Edwin into a champion one day."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Jan 20, 2019 4:22:33 GMT 1
Daeron waves away any notion of offense.
"I understand your concern, and I can't completely deny that competition for Lady Shiera doesn't complicate things, but it's more of an expression of the rivalry between Bracken and Blackwood taking new form. Even without it, Ser Aegor has legitimate grievances against King Daeron for wrongs committed against him and his mother when he was but a babe in her arms.
I will say that some in his inner circle are self-interested, just as many in the king's inner circle are equally interested. It is difficult to exercise power without finding some level of appeal to those who might be swayed. This doesn't make them bad or corrupt men, but it does require Ser Daemon to have other men around him to point out their motivations and advise him away from certain courses when it contradicts his goals."
He then gives a smile at Ser Parmen's invitation.
"Yes, I plan to return to Kingsbridge and to help prepare the Companions for any future trials they might face, but with Lord Starling's permission I might have to take you up on your invitation, though I don't know what I might be able to teach a Redwyne knight in swordplay. However, if you do wish for Master Edwin to have an education in martial virtues and humility, consider sending him to the Companions as a squire once he is of age. Other than the Arbor I can't think of anywhere that produces better knights, and the frugal conditions there will toughen him up more to deal with the realities of the world."
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