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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 10, 2019 16:49:08 GMT 1
[Chronologically, this happens after 'History is Written by the Victors']
Laena sat quietly in the healer's tent, reading a history of the Tyrell family. She'd decided to write a history of the tourney from a politically-impartial view, but sympathetic towards Lord Leo. Finding precedents she could cite (and finding others she'd wish to definitely avoid) was a good first step. One she'd be less able to accomplish once she was regularly on the move.
So, she sat, and read, and waited for her brother to regain consciousness. She wished to demonstrate her concern for his wellbeing, as well as giving him what information she wanted him to have regarding Ser Horace of Oldtown.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 11, 2019 5:17:46 GMT 1
After waiting a few hours, Laena was rewarded with a fluttering of eyes and a soft groan.
“Did I.. did I win?”
After the savage abuse that he had suffered only hours earlier, a bit of confusion was to be expected.
“No, you wouldn’t be here if I had. Did I at least give a good fight for Lady Johanna?”
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 11, 2019 13:51:16 GMT 1
Laena carefully closes and sets aside her book before answering. "You put in a good showing. You got in a few good hits, and you hung on long enough against some terrifyingly powerful blows that I had begun worrying for your life. No-one will say you gave anything less than your all.
"How do you feel? Do you wish for me to call for a healer?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 11, 2019 18:06:40 GMT 1
He emits an odd whistling laugh as Laena notices that he's also missing at least one tooth.
"Only if they're bringing me a bottle of strong wine."
He then winces, the humor hurting his ribs.
"But no, I think I'll be fine. It takes more than a near-death experience to kill a dragon."
"And what of Lord, I mean Master Lucas? What is to become of our newest brother? Is there a safe place that he might be brought up?"
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 11, 2019 19:23:35 GMT 1
Laena puts on a contemplative face. "I heard the healers mentioning something about you not having any alcohol for two weeks ..." She manages to maintain her sombre face in view of his reaction for just a few moments, before it cracks into chuckles, revealing she was just joking with him. "Sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist.
"Last I heard, Master Lucas's upbringing was going to be arranged by Lord Leo. Unfortunately, I'm not fully informed on that matter. For some strange reason, House Meadows is not best-disposed towards me at the moment." She notes dryly. "Still, Lord Leo will not want to be seen as disrespecting a Great Bastard, so I'm sure he'll find a good home." And with his claim so thoroughly discredited, he'll hopefully live long enough to enjoy it.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 11, 2019 19:59:44 GMT 1
He gives an exaggerated, but playful groan. "Why couldn't Ser Manfryd have finished the job."
Emulating his sister's dry humor he focused on the fate of House Meadows. "Yes, because Highgarden has been such a bastion of safety and stability as of late. I would imagine that he would probably be safe by the side of Ser Mark back in the Crownlands, or perhaps as the squire of a different knight in one of the more provincial houses of the Reach where he can live beyond the views of ambitious schemers."
He cocks an eyebrow at Laena. "You know that Kingsbridge or Starkwood would both be safe places for the young Master Waters, or would he be a Flowers? Regardless, at either of those places he would have family members to watch over him, although I doubt the gods themselves could hold back Johanna's wrath if she discovered that you were present around her son."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 11, 2019 21:21:40 GMT 1
Laena doesn't inform him how close Ser Manfryd came to actually doing so. That would likely lower the mood somewhat.
"I imagine Lord Leo - or more likely, his advisors - agree with your idea for him to move to a provincial house. While House Starkwood would fit that description, so too would many others, and I suspect he'd prefer a more independent house have the honours. My presence wouldn't affect matters, though - for one thing, I'll be leaving House Starkwood shortly to strike out under the Pyre banner; and for another, even a blind man would have been able to detect the murderous rage Lady Johanna had towards me as she was lead off. I doubt even my presence near her son could increase that rage any."
She cocks her head. "You know, given how you fought for his mother, taking Master Lucas as your squire could well be yours for the asking. There would certainly be prestige for you having a Great Bastard as your squire, and I'm sure his relatives would be overjoyed at having him raised by a knight as skilled as yourself, in a place as chivalrous as Kingsbridge." She shrugs. "I don't want to get your hopes up unnecessarily; it could be Lord Leo already has other plans. Or perhaps you have other plans in the works for your squire. But off the top of my head, it sounds like an idea where everyone wins."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 11, 2019 21:32:17 GMT 1
Always a little behind on the news, he gave a surprised look at her announcement to leave Starkwood. "Well I wish you safe travels, and feel free to visit Kingsbridge in your travels. Our hospitality might not be luxurious, but we can promise safety and a warm reception. If I might ask, why the change? I mean no offense in my asking, but what are your reasons for leaving Starkwood? I can't imagine that returning to House Pyre as.. what? A potential regent? would do much for your marriage options."
Laena can see the gears working, slowly, as Daeron processes and calculates her suggestion. It wasn't his intention to nominate himself, but her idea was solid and he had been looking for a squire. The situation seemed to be a win-win.
"That's not a half-bad idea. Perhaps you could help me pen a letter to Lord Leo suggesting such a thing. It might be a few days before my wits are about me sufficiently to present it in person."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 12, 2019 1:10:26 GMT 1
She gives an indulgent smile. "I take no offence to the asking. And calling myself 'regent' is too arrogant, even for me - House Pyre has no lands. I simply resurrect their banner to make the divide from House Starkwood explicit. The reasons are ... fairly complex. But put simply, my blood afford me freedoms hardly any ladies have, and I intend to seize said freedoms fully. I hope you do not make the offer of hospitality casually, for I will most likely take you up on it at some point. You are correct that it removes any real chance of remarriage, but it is clear my association with House Starkwood is no help, either. I spent the entire tourney trying to find a suitable husband. For one reason or another, nothing panned out. You know how many men actually pursued my hand across this entire tourney? Including at the end, when betrothal arrangements reached a fever pitch? One. One man was interested in me. And he couldn't even get his own kin to approve it." While she tries to remain clinical, there is a definite hint of bitterness in her tone.
"So, I have accepted that I will not have another husband. That any children I may have in the future would be bastards, and mark me a whore." She pauses to sniff slightly, and rub a spot beneath her eye which was clearly itching slightly. "Sorry, I said too much. Point being, I will no longer wait for a man who will never come to make me happy. I will make my own happiness." She nods firmly.
"Of course I will help you write a letter to Lord Leo. We're family. If we don't look out for each other, who will? Though perhaps I should give you a day to think the matter over? You're barely conscious, and a squire isn't a decision I feel you should rush into."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 12, 2019 3:45:01 GMT 1
He gives a sympathetic smile.
Poor woman. No husband to support her or her children and with so many more childbearing years ahead of her.
"I don't offer my word lightly, though I can't promise a permanent living situation, not without Lord Willem's permission."
"I applaud your decision to take your own destiny into your own hands. Such an action takes courage and skill, and a little bit of luck. If any woman is capable of such things, it is you."
He gives a moment to think, but ultimately doesn't change his mind.
"Master Lucas' life is about to be radically upturned. He will want to know what's going on with his life and will need a sign that things will be okay for him and that he is wanted. Ser Mark seems an honorable and good man, but if his arrangement is one of convenience rather than chivalry, then he might be content with abandoning our brother."
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 12, 2019 14:34:14 GMT 1
She smiles and shakes her head. "I'm not looking for anything permanent. I want to travel the Reach, meet new people ... then leave, before I wear out my welcome." She chuckles. "Maybe eventually, I'll want to find a place to settle, but I doubt that will happen for some time. And thank you. I can't claim to be entirely calm over the idea, but I am also definitely excited."
She gives a small smile. "Well, if you're sure, I'll certainly help you." She leans in, and speaks quietly. "I also have some findings regarding the name you gave me, if you're still interested?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 12, 2019 15:29:47 GMT 1
He nodded, but not eagerly. This tourney had shaken his confidence in the nobility of the Reach and there was a decent chance that the man behind everything was someone he knew in the relatively small world of the upper class.
“Yes, tell me what you’ve learned.”
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 12, 2019 18:30:13 GMT 1
Laena hesitates a moment, biting her lip, before shaking her head. "Sorry, I couldn't find anything linking him to the foul events of this tourney. As far as I could tell, he makes his money through digging up dirty secrets, and using them to win big gambling on jousts and the like. While he's clearly no True Knight, I found absolutely *nothing* linking him to anything as ... extreme as kidnapping and murder. In fact, given his proclivity for blackmail, he's exactly the kind of person any schemer with an ounce of sense would keep *well* away from their plots. If he has any loyalties to anyone beyond himself, he keeps them hidden too well for me to find in the time I had available."
She sighs. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you were hoping my investigation into him would provide a solid lead for you to follow. But it looks like a dead end to me."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Feb 13, 2019 5:13:00 GMT 1
The disappointment on his face was hard to miss. Ever since his ill-fated attempt to confront the Hooded Man, he had felt invested in unravelling that conspiracy, but if even Laena couldn't find out anything, it seemed that his investigation was temporarily ended.
"That is disappointing. House Starling has investigated this matter quite thoroughly, but it seems that every path has been a dead end. Ser Horace was the last one that we never managed to learn much about."
He gives a tired sigh before reaching over to a bag by his cot and retrieving a quill and some parchment.
"It seems that you've always had a way with words. Would it be too forward for me to ask you to help with this now?"
I'd assume that this would be a Status (Reputation), and Persuade (Convince) test. I can make the tests if you're willing to do an assist, or vice versa given that you're not sitting on any wounds/injuries?
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Post by Laena Pyre on Feb 14, 2019 15:16:16 GMT 1
"It is hard to see the shape of the puzzle as a whole if you're only given a single piece. If your investigation has stalled, then you have nothing to lose by telling me everything. I can keep an eye open going forwards, and let you know if I see anything related. As it is, I could walk right by the clue that will reveal everything, oblivious, because I won't recognise it for what it is." She lets him dig out the items unaided, but gently takes them from him, and moves to a nearby work-table. "Not at all." She starts preparing to write. "I suggest that you tell me the general gist of what you want to say, I propose a particular phrasing, and you suggest amendments, based on making it sound more like you." WtHD - Status (Reputation) +2 Assist: 6d6k5+2 27WtHD - Persuade (Convince) +1 Assist?: 5d6k4+1 17
Firstly, let me know if you require an Intrigue for me to Convince you to share what you know. If you're reluctant, remember you can enter with a raised ID, see 'Modifiers to intrigue defense:' Secondly, no need to RP the letter beyond you saying what the gist should be, I think.
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