[Aftermath] Divergent Paths [Balon & Titus]

"Why couldn't father have been born first." Balon lamented. "I know he's our uncle, and I know he just lost his brother, but the man is bringing shame upon our house. I may be a hot-head and a braggart but at least I *do* something. The lords of the Reach see a weakling and a wastrel sitting at the head of House Blackbriar." Balon wasn't trying to convince his brother of anything, just venting. "He has a wife that he seemingly ignores and a son he barely sees. What is with that? I'm not trying to sound creepy but if Erena was my wife I'd have half a dozen children by now." Balon waved his hand in frustration, "Then we wonder why rumors of Joffrey being a bastard rear their ugly head."

"I get Lady Erena not wanting her son around mother and Septon Abelar with all his fire and brimstone but don't you find it a little insulting they make no real attempt to associate with us?" Balon had always assumed it was because of Shiera but he began to think it was just how Jon was.


"There's some things even *I* won't do." Balon laughed. "Frankly I'm still angry at that little bastard whore of Ser Aladale. I blame her for the death of my friend Lord Karl. I'm willing to bet she's sucked every cock here, including ours while we slept."

"The only thing you can trust about Lord Spongeholder is he's not to be trusted."


Balon sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, "I think everyone knows you didn't charge in with the intent to save Lord Merryweather. Just because he's a foul man doesn't mean you can't reap the rewards he offers. Take his gold. Take his arms and armor. You're not beholden to him for doing so."

"As for Lady Daena... while this tournament has gone on I've liked Lord Marq less and less." Balon had his reasons, most of them the selfish variety. "Lord Eldon may be a pig but Lord Marq is a two faced viper. *That's* the type of person that sullies people. With Lord Eldon you know exactly what he is. A glutton with a taste for pretty smallfolk. Balon waived his hand around the room, "The dirty little secret is most lords have their way with women if they so desire and no one really cares. People only choose to care about Lord Eldon because he's an easy target. Lord Marq is the kind of lord that'll smile while he stabs you in the back." Balon realized he'd gotten off topic and brought himself around to a point, "I guess what I'm trying to say is don't trust any woman that's been taught by Lord Marq regardless of how much you want to bend her over and ride her raw."

"If I were to think like mother I'd tell you to ask Lord Eldon for his niece's hand. Assuming you heal and assuming he said yes you'd have a couple years before she was old enough to marry. Plus he has no legitimate sons meaning his nephew would become lord in time. That'd be pretty impressive for you. Married to the sister of the Lord of Longtable. Maybe we could both end up as Master at Arms for principal bannerman." Balon smiled at the idea.

"Sad, isn't it?" he asked rhetorically. "Mother and father had their differences but they managed to raise four talented children," he gave Titus a knowing look, "and that's no easy feat considering how much we tested them." Balon sighed, "But instead of being rewarded with an inheritance its *us* who have to scatter ourselves to the wind to seek out fortune and glory." It'd never been a secret Balon shared Shiera's lamentation over Jon marrying and producing an heir. "It's just frustrating you know? Our uncle is a good man but his head wasn't designed to bear the mantle of leadership. And Erena is the opposite of mother and the way she sequesters her son from all of us... It's wrong." Balon ran his hand through his hair in annoyance, "I think I get why mother's demeanor is the way it is. She sees the greatness in us, helped mold us, loves us, then a year before I get knighted Joffrey is born. Seeing her children get pushed down the line of succession, that had to be hard for her to swallow." Balon waved his hand dismissively, "But what does whining about it accomplish? Nothing."

"As to why I'm heading north? Fortune and glory I suppose. I don't know if you've heard but Ser Otho killed Lord Blackwood in the Grand Melee. I imagine it was revenge for Otho's brother being killed by Blackwood men. Either way, the Riverlands knows what's coming; War between the two bitterest rivals. And I plan to go and lend my sword." Balon held up a hand before Titus could object, "I know what father would say. It's none of our business. Make your gold and your name in the tournaments. That's not who I am. I'm no tourney knight. I'm a fighter. I can lead men in battle. If it comes to that I'll be there." Balon tapped his fingers on his knee. "That is until the King finally interjects. Then I'll return to the Reach."

There was a moment's pause, "I wish you could come with me and fight at my side. How proud mother would be." There was no bluster or bravado in his tone, just sincerity in wanting his brother to be with him.
 

"The Levalles are reviled for good reason." In that matter the brothers were in agreement. "They try to worm their way into other houses with foul intent as their true motive."

Balon leaned in close to Titus, "Between you and me I think she tried to kill herself. There is no way someone can accidentally fall off that bridge." Balon leaned back, "I've heard the same things you have about her and Imry." Balon let out a short laugh, "Hell, Imry may hate the Levalle name more than most Reachmen. Based on what I've heard he hates his father and takes his anger out on poor Lady Lyanna as a form of insult to Alliser." Balon's nose wrinkled in distaste, "No reason to make his wife suffer though. Whatever his reasons the situation is complicated. I want to help but I don't know if I'd make it worse."  


Balon threw his hands up defensively, "I won't talk about her like that again... today." 

"This tournament has brought us closer to war, yes. But changed everything? In what way? If you're asking about rebellions in general, then no. There were rebellions before the Targaryens. There's been rebellions since the Targaryens united the Kingdoms. There'll be rebellions after the Targaryens are gone. That's just the way things are." It was a blunt and sadly true assessment of Westeros' history.

Balon became more serious, "But if battle lines weren't being drawn before, they're being drawn now. I suspect the closer lords think we're getting to war the more they'll be willing to make deals with the devil to see themselves come through stronger on the other side." Balon itched his goatee in thought, "I just hope when the dust settles we're still here."
 

"We're all going to war. Some sooner than others." His words had a sense of foreboding to them. Whatever Balon was thinking about he buried before continuing, "There'll still be tournaments in the short term. I'd wager you'll see a lot of marriages in the near future as houses look to form alliances to weather the coming storm." Balon sighed again, "Of course House Blackbriar won't be among them. Lady Erena and mother will never agree on what constitutes a good alliance and Lord Uncle will dither and defer." Again their uncle's indecisiveness would cost them.

"Lucky for you, you're not a cripple. And if you think you are say it in front of mother. She'll box your ears until you're running laps around Highgarden." Balon smiled at the imagery. "Whatever Lord Gormon has in store for you I'm sure it's important. And if it's not come find me. If I can't rely on the Ser Othos of the world I know I can rely on you." Balon had a wry smile, "Just make sure you improve your sword work between now and then."

Balon looked at the ceiling as if something had caught his eye when Titus mentioned honor. He didn't want to look in his brother's eyes when he lied, "Of course."


"If you plan to kill or maim every wife-beater I suggest you make sure you have nothing planned for the next decade or so." The reality was many men beat their wives for varying offenses. "Not that I agree with it but it's a fact of life. If anything I think he was embarrassed when knights started questioning his manhood and he was a little rough with her in the bedroom. Either way I'll talk to him and hear what he has to say before I pass judgement." Rumors had been rampant at Highgarden, "If everyone believed everything they heard Lord Leo would be very angry with me. Rumor has it I had my way with Lady Amerei." 

"And no I didn't if you were wondering." He had a wide grin, "At least not yet."



In my mind spousal abuse was a lot more common in this time period / setting.

"What happened, happened. It's in the past as far as I'm concerned." He laughed, "Us men have an easier time getting over squabbles. If we were sisters we'd hold a grudge against each other until our dying breaths." In Balon's experience when he fought with men more often than not when the last punch was thrown it was soon followed by beer and camaraderie. With women it was nothing but icy stares and fangs bared. "I'll miss you too brother. I'll be back before you know it."

Balon looked at the door and sighed, "I've bothered you enough for today and I should be getting ready to leave. If I stay any longer I'll run out of things to say and start talking politics... and we don't want that."

He leaned in and gave his brother a gentle hug. After saying their good byes Balon went to leave but as he opened the door he stopped and looked back. "Don't worry about me, only the good die young." Balon let out a loud laugh as he left his brother to mend. 
 
[/scene for me unless you have anything else.]