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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 24, 2019 14:39:12 GMT 1
After Lord Willem's speech, Ashara stands. "Lord Willem has the right of it." Most people may have taken no note of his speech, but Ashara was not most people. "True knights must hold themselves to a higher standard - which means not rebelling against one's proper lord or king. Knights should be an example to us all. Could you imagine if the smallfolk decided to take up arms against their lord, simple because they didn't like him? How many Ser Donnel's and Ser Owen's would be lost on a regular basis? Should we sacrifice the best of us simply because the king is good, but apparently not good enough for some? That makes no sense." She raises her glass in toast. "Here is to good and true knights, an example to noble and smallfolk alike, enforcing the proper customs of fealty upon which the Seven Kingdoms are founded." Addam smirked and raised his glass to Ashara's toast, but did not drink. "So by your words, there are no good and true knights in Dorne then? I seem to recall Dorne rebelling against the Young Dragon after he had conquered Dorne, bring them into a realm that was forged through conquest." He lowered his glass and made his way from the champion's dais to where Ashara was seated. "I'm afraid everyone here can imagine what would happen if the smallfolk took up arms against their lords, for two days ago, the false septon brought them to bear against Lord Eldon and his family. The same septon who has made it clear just what he thinks about those who share the same mind as I do. I guess causes are truly only noble so long as they get your approval first" "I do not know you Ser, though I recall you in the company of my friend Lysette so I presume you serve House Starling. I would recommend you spend a little less time in the tavern and a bit more with books - I am sure Lysette can suggest a few good ones - lest your ignorance embarrass you further." Ashara smirks. "In your ignorance you have made my point for me. It were the smallfolk of Dorne that continued to resist the invasion - the common sentiment was that they had been occupied, but not conquered - it was not a rebellion of knights and nobles. Perhaps if more of the Reach knights occupying Dorne had been true knights like your fellow Companion Ser Roland and fewer had been rapists, the smallfolk would have welcomed them instead of taking up arms against them." |
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 24, 2019 19:31:09 GMT 1
Addam cocked his head in exaggerated bemusement “My lady, your response has left me utterly perplex. You speak of my ignorance yet you leave out serveral important nobles from your recounting of the Conquest. Perhaps my lady would care to enlighten us all on what books you have read on the matter, or maybe your Maester past from cold while you were young and Starkwood, being so much off the beaten path, has yet to receive his replacement. Never the less, from my understanding you are correct to a degree. The smallfolk did keep on fighting after their lords bent the knee, but after Lord Qorgyle assassinated Lord Lyonel, the Prince and his lords seemed to forget their oaths of fealty. After the Young Dragon and the Oakenfist won several more engagements, the Prince and Lords of Dorne lured Daeron to his death under the false pretense of peace and fealty. So, I ask again, are those Dornish nobles just as bad as those of a like mind to me, or are they justified because you approve of their rebellion.”
“As for the atrocities you speak of, I would like to remind you that the conflict with Dorne has been a long one, with dishonorable acts committed by both sides, by both those of high and low birth. Thank the Seven for knights like Ser Roland who protect the innocent.”
Shifting to a more serious tone. “Ohhh how rude of me, My name Ser Addam Velaryon, sworn knight of the companions and hero of the Rosewood.” Addam breaks into a genuine bow, Ashara was a lady and therefor earned a certain amount of respect. “Your cousin Aerion and I practically grew up together and I count him as one of my few close friends.”
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 24, 2019 20:37:35 GMT 1
"Ser Addam. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
She curtsies. No reason not to observe the formalities.
"From your example, however, I can only presume you endorse Lord Qorgyle's actions. Rebellion against the king is what you advocate, not me. I for one do not approve of such, nor of such methodology, nor that of kinslaying nor kidnapping to falsify a rescue. I would rather see peace than war. I would see good knights support a good king, not undermine him at every opportunity. Is not fealty the cornerstone of Andal tradition, the bedrock upon which our society is built? 'The Dornish did it' is a terrible reason to commit treason. Surely, if you are a believer in your cause, you should be able to come up with some better reason?"
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 26, 2019 16:40:08 GMT 1
"You mean, do I endorse dropping a mound of scorpions on a man in bed? Absolutely not."
At the mention of the false kidnapping, Addam expression went to that of boredom, as if to say Is that really the best you got? "False rumors intended to discredit members of the cause. As for your claims of false kidnapping, I'll tell you the same thing I told Lord Spongeholder. If I am some evil mastermind who intended to stage the capture and rescue of Ser Aladore, then why would I drink myself into a stupor? There was clearly an exchange of swords, so wouldn't I want to ensure that I'm in peak condition?"
"Didn't intend to use the Dornish as a reason to legitimize my cause. I merely wished to inform my lady that those knight you villainize are perhaps not so different then those you claim are noble and true. But if you really want a better answer, then I will of course indulge you. There are plenty of reason why good knights should take a stance to King Daeron's rule. Appointment of murderers to the king council, the whoring out of the Kingdom to Dorne, The King's illegitimacy, or even that Aegon intended for Daemon to be king to name a few."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 27, 2019 16:10:57 GMT 1
Ashara's eyes go wide and she glances around the rather crowded room to see if anyone had overheard.
"The King's.... Ser should be more careful with his words. You may not have to face the wrath of Ser Aemon the Dragonknight, but two of the King's sons are here, and a slew of Kingsguard. Such falsehoods have gotten better men than you killed."
She shakes her head.
"As for murderers on the small council... I do not know whom you mean, but surely if you have any proof other than windy words you will bring your accusations to the King, as is right by law and the decree of the gods? Or are these 'false rumors intended to discredit members' of the King's cause?"
She smirks.
"Your grasp of the relation between the kingdom and Dorne is terribly flawed. Aye, the Dornish have far more people in King's Landing than ever before, and have some minor tax boons and usage of titles. None of that even comes close to the cost of any one of the many failed invasions. That right there is a benefit to the kingdom. Add on top of that the additional tax revenues and increased prosperity by better trade relations... it is more of a marriage than a whoring - I suppose that your likely significant experience with one and utter lack of experience with the other might make it difficult to comprehend the difference."
She crosses her arms and sighs exasperatedly.
"If the Unworthy had intended Ser Daemon to be his heir, he easily could have said so, yet he did not. King Daeron was the designated heir. There is precedent from Aenys I and Maegor the Cruel that the sword Blackfyre may be given to someone other than the king or heir; your argument equates the noble Ser Daemon with the wicked usurper Maegor."
She waves him off dismissively.
"Your arguments rage from outright falsehoods and baseless slanders to speculation on the intent of a dead man. Utterly unconvincing."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 27, 2019 20:33:05 GMT 1
“I appreciate your concern for my health, but we both know that nothing will be done about my words.”
Ashara next response left Addam truely shocked. “My Lady, please forgive me, for I don’t mean to be rude, but I am truely concern for House Cordwayner’s future. Your lack on knowledge on such simple things as history and who sits on the King’s council is nothing short of baffling! The King’s Master of Whispers is none other then Jon Qorglye.”
“On the topic of marriage, I think I know a bit more then you do on the matter. Unlike you, who had Lord Father arrange your marriage for you, I had to go an forge my own prospects. I had to know my true value so that I do not under sell myself and to ensure I do not over value my prospects. You , just like “Good” King Daeron, over value Dorne and undervalue both the Seven Kingdoms and war. Certainly Dorne does offer value to the Realm. Their goods are cheaper due to a reduction in tariffs, but they are luxury goods. Only affordable to a few. The Reach on the other hand, produces a vast quantity of wheat, barley, and rye, the cornerstone of fielding any populace. I would certainly say the Dorne got the better deal interms of trade. As for war, so long as populations aren’t massacred, it can be quite beneficial. Arms and armor must be made, horses must be replaced, and their are less mouths to feed. A harsh truth to swallow, but a truth none the less.”
“Perhaps you find my reasons so unconvincing because you are unable to fully comprehend them.” He wondered if she was truly this dumb or if it was all an act. “A problem that you aren’t to be blamed for. It seems Sunspear and Starkwood do not value Maesters as much as the rest of the kingdom does. If you would like, I can speak to My Lady Lysette for you, and ask if you can come visit Kingsbridge for a time. I know she would certainly enjoy your company and you could better cultivate your friendship with her. Plus you get the added benefit of learning from a true maester, so that if we were to ever have this conversation again, it would be a more level playing field.”
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 28, 2019 0:46:00 GMT 1
"Very creative, echoing my prior statements back at me. Truly you have a prestigious wit."
Her voice liberally drips with sarcasm.
"I am sure that if you had evidence against Lord Qorgyle the king would be more than happy to receive it, and would act on it in a way that all would agree is just. You do have some evidence, don't you? Or is this yet another baseless accusation? Certainly the murder occurred at his castle, but you would not call Lord Leo a murderer when Lords Hightower and Bridges were murdered here at Highgarden. The only difference is that one is Dornish and the other isn't."
She rolls her eyes at the barely-veiled prejudice.
"It's as ridiculous as the notion that wards are profitable. Have you ever been to Bitterbridge? Our parents had not yet been born when it was razed during the Dance, and House Caswell is still struggling to repay the debts of rebuilding. How much does the Reach prosper from trade if those fields of grain you mentioned are trampled by the march of armies, or herds slaughtered to feed the troops, or farmsteads ransacked and burned by looters? Less mouths to feed? Oh, aye, after thousands die to starvation having less mouths is certainly a benefit. Or, you know, you could not go to war, not destroy the food supply, and not starve them in the first place. Farmers levied to fight grow no crops, yield no harvests. Winter food stores are depleted to make up for the foodstuffs no longer being harvested... and no one really knows when the next winter will come."
She shakes her head.
"A typical man, thinking with his sword instead of his head."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 28, 2019 17:10:32 GMT 1
“It pains me that my lady would think that I would jest about such serious matters as a lady of the court being improperly educated. Ser Roland is a brother in arms, and I would hate to see his home fall into mismanagement.” His expression suggested that he was anything but serious on the matter.
“Everyone from Dorne to Wall knows it was his idea. I also don’t believe that the man is that inept that he wouldn’t notice that a mound scorpions had been smuggled into his room. AND before you say “I don’t believe in false accusations” let’s not forget that you leveled your own false accusations of kinslaying and fake rescues. Atleast when pressed on my accusations I stand my ground instead of turning heel as soon as you were pressed on the issue.”
“I am quite familiar with the Dance. My namesake was one of the heros of the war, and I was quite fond of him in my youth. I also seem to recall that Aemon One Eye set the Riverlands ablaze from his dragon, yet they seem to be doing just fine. Even by your own words, Dorne has recovered immensely from the Young Dragon’s wars and become the bastion of trade in the know world. I’m starting to think that maybe house Caswall’s struggles come from within instead of external threats.”
“Aye, we do tend to try and solve most things at the tip of a lance, but I tend to find that more effective then grossly exaggerating everything. Daeron lost what, 50, 60 thousand? The population of Kings Landing alone is 10x that. AND his army was made up of knights and peasant levy for all over the realm. Clearly a drop in the bucket. You might not know this, but when you call your banners, you tend to leave some of your levy at home so that they can keep the fields going and you have reinforcements should the need arise. When you conquer something, you tend to leave as much intact as possible so you don’t become Lord of the Ash after you win. But for arguments sake let’s say all war is just as devistating as you suggest, that still leaves Dorne nothing more then a glorified pleasure house for the rich in terms of trade goods.”
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 29, 2019 16:58:01 GMT 1
"Are you saying that Lord Leo is incompetent for not knowing? Or complicit? If those are the only options for Lord Qorgyle, those are the only options for Lord Tyrell... and 'everyone knows' is another way of saying 'I want to believe this is true but I have no proof'. Just because a lot of people believe something doesn't make it true."
A lot of people believe that warriors make good rulers, but that certainly isn't always true - more often than not the warriors have someone else pulling their strings. Howe is that a good thing? Better to have the smart ones in charge in the first place, and abandon this farce of rule-by-might.
She shakes her head.
"I made no such accusations. I merely said that they were not the deeds of true knights. I have no doubt that you believe your rescue to have been genuine. That does not mean it was. You may not have been complicit in the kidnapping, but that does not mean those you follow were not. However, I have no proof, so I make no accusations - unlike you."
She sighs.
"Fields regrow much easier than buildings. That's why Harrenhal is still a twisted mess hundreds of years after Aegon the Conqueror brought it to ruin. Dorne recovered because Daeron I was smart enough to realize that if they sacked it as badly as the Hightowers sacked Bitterbridge, his army would have nothing to eat and would die in a matter of weeks. I know almost nothing of warfare, but even I have read enough to know that supply lines are a major problem for invasions."
She smirks.
"From what I hear, young knights such as yourself enjoy the wares of pleasure houses. Even if what you said were true - which it isn't - it would mean there was never any reason to invade in the first place. Let's be honest, the only reason any of our kings have ever invaded Dorne was because they wanted to conquer something and Dorne was the closest thing available. As for the rest of it... I'm not going to argue trade benefits and tax policy with someone who probably cant do sums without using fingers. You are clearly as ignorant and pigheaded as most followers of your 'cause'. Tell me, has Ser Daemon ever said he wants to be king? Has he asked for your support? Or do you swallow the words of power-hungry blackhearts like Peake and Bittersteel without thinking? Do you even know who and what it is you are fighting for?"
She waves her hand dismissively.
"Begone now. I have wasted enough of my time trying to get reasoned ideas from you. Might as well try to squeeze water from a rock. It would probably be less dense, too."
[OOC: I don't really think this is going to go anywhere, and between the impending end of chapter and having other things I need to be allocating my time to, this might be a good time to draw this to a close.]
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 30, 2019 15:27:38 GMT 1
"Comparing these incidents is like comparing a baby to a full grown man. Sure there are some similarities, but they are barely the samething. Primarily that Lord Bryce's and Jon's deaths did not did not happen in Lord Leo's own chambers. To make matters worst, the trap was rigged to Lord Qorgyles own bed. Maybe "everyone knows" because the evidence is that obvious."
"No you merely just bring them up when you fancy. Clearly a difference." he says sarcastically
All Addam could do was chuckle and smile his smug his grin. In his mind, he had won. "I was always told that when an individual had to resort to insults, it means you have not only beaten them, but have crush them completely." It was his turn to wave his hand. "Fine, go. Throw your insults then beat a hasty retreat with your tail between your legs. For your sake, I hope someone in your forsaken clause can come up with better points then revisionist history and selective arguments, or this will be a quick war indeed."
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 30, 2019 17:10:34 GMT 1
"On the contrary, you began with insults and have contradicted yourself over and over. Your flawed reasoning is only overshadowed by your tremulous grasp of fact."
She shrugs.
"Typical, really. I have heard better arguments from an unlettered chambermaid than I do from most knights."
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Post by Addam Velaryon on Jan 30, 2019 20:08:28 GMT 1
"My tremulous grasp of facts?!" The dragon inside Addam and finally risen its head. "MY LADY..." He caught himself before he had completely lost his mind. She just wants you to loss your cool so she can shift the focus for her poor defense to your anger.
"It seems My lady has been been listening to a different conversation this whole time. Perhaps you will give then mad master of Levalle a run for his money. Until then, I will pray for my lady."
With a quick bow "Until next time."
[/scene?]
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Post by Ashara Starkwood on Jan 30, 2019 20:46:36 GMT 1
Ashara smirks. She really shouldn't get so much enjoyment out of needling knights such as Ser Addam... but she did. Pride and arrogance made them blind to reason, which meant that they could neither support nor reject their positions.
"Until next time."
[/scene]
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