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Post by Alliser on Mar 7, 2019 8:16:18 GMT 1
Lord Alliser had the note in his hand, its fine penmanship a testament to a well lettered individual. In stands in the Castles great hall, the rich taspestys and thick rugs muffling any of the sounds of animals and men that might be out in the yard. He had requested Parmen to join him and Malyk to discuss the letter and its contents. That bitch kills Lord Karl, then expects me to go speak against Septon Abelar. He feels his fist tighten at the loss of Lord Karl, and his brothers reticence's to follow through with the deal of marry off his bastard niece. The worst thing is that I am doing it. That deep urge at the pit of his stomach curls like he had just had sour milk.
I wish that the Septon was actually a good man. It would make rejecting her in spite all the better. As it is... he has much to answer for. I am sure Malyk will feel similar. Alliser lifts his head as he hears muffled footsteps enter the hall from the open heavy oak doors.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 7, 2019 16:56:47 GMT 1
Malyk entered the luxurious room, deftly carrying a tray of cool drinks and fruit in one hand, and proffering a number of small raven scrolls in the other. "Good morning, my Lord. A few missives for you to review. My reading is still not good, but they seem to be invitations to dine with several minor Houses and merchants in Old Town. The former probably want to borrow money and the latter probably want to sell you something."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Mar 8, 2019 15:11:16 GMT 1
Highever was close to the Tear but even leaving immediately after receiving the summons he was the last to arrive. Dusty from the road he self-consciously tried to avoid tracking dirt on the rugs.
"My Lord. Master Malyk. I hope I have not kept you waiting long."
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Post by Alliser on Mar 8, 2019 22:28:31 GMT 1
Alliser smiles as his son in law comes through the door, "indeed not at all. I'm glad you came in as quickly as you did." Alliser holds his hand out to the table in the raised dais, "Malyk, please relieve yourself if your load. We have much more to discuss now then merchants sat old Town, but their letters are fortuitous, as we may be making our way their very soon."
Plucking and Apple from the assembled fruit tray he lays down the letter for his Knight and seneschal to peruse as they desired, but begins summing up its contents. "As you both are aware we did not end up securing am alliance with Lord Merryweather at the tournament. But we did make some great progress, not in the slightest due to Lord Eldon making a fool of himself. With our recent elevation in the eyes of the reach I had my brother speak with Lord Eldon's sister."
He draws his dagger from the sheath and begins to pare the apple with it.
"Now be brings back a letter from her, and the letter stated that any friend of House Merryweather will ensure that Justice is served to that firebrand Abelar."
He breathes heavily, "so it would appear the path to an alliance with Lord Eldon leads to old town, what do you think?" he asks his advisors.
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 8, 2019 23:40:44 GMT 1
"I think that sometimes when the Seven want someone to do the right thing they use a carrot instead of a stick." replies Malyk blithely.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Mar 9, 2019 3:03:05 GMT 1
Parmen read through the letter quickly. He took a drink from the tray Malyk had brought, grateful for the refreshment after his ride. He used the pause it provided to consider both the letter and his words before speaking.
"It is good to see that House Merryweather has developed a strong respect for justice," Parmen noted dryly. "The wording however is a little vague. What exactly do they want? Abelmar to be defrocked and excommunicated from the faith? To be exiled and forced to preach to the Dothraki for 10 years? To lose his tongue? Burned alive? What are they asking you for, my lord?"
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 9, 2019 4:16:18 GMT 1
"It is good to see that House Merryweather has developed a strong respect for justice," Parmen noted dryly. Malyk snorted a laugh at Parmen's remark but made no other comment as he took his seat. |
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Post by Alliser on Mar 9, 2019 4:23:10 GMT 1
Alliser nods towards the letter, "Lady Kyra trades in vague statements and promises to be kept. So to be fair, I don't know besides her asking us to speak against him. But I imagine that even Lord Eldon does not risk to anger the gods, for they are fickle masters at best." he rolls his hand towards the window that would lead to the Sept, "but if the man were defrocked, it would no longer be septon Abelar, but merely Abelar the rioter."
Lord Alliser brings his hand down into his palm, "and he would be dealt with accordingly. Even now, without a house to lend it's strength to, he spreads his poison among the small folk, taken in by his lies about bringing them Justice through the use of the faith militant."
Alliser shakes his head, "I imagine that removing him will be good for us as well. Once a dog has tasted the blood of your sheep, you must cull the dog so it does not attack more of your flock."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 9, 2019 4:44:16 GMT 1
"Speaking against him will not be enough. We must paint his acts widely. It must be made known that every Septon who supports him shares in his actions. As one man he can be overlooked or even condoned. He must be made reviled and an anathema to the church and every man who stands with him a blight on the church and stands outside the sight of the Gods." The sudden ferocity of his words were a suprise even to him. He quickly collected himself. "They must be made to see the blood that stains his hands stains the church as well."
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Mar 10, 2019 3:21:37 GMT 1
Malyk's words shocked Parmen not as much for their vehemence as from their source. For Malyk to express this much anger and disgust...
"Your words would have weight, my lord. Malyk and I were two of a small number who led people to safety when the first riot broke out." Along with Ser Donnel. His blood is on the Septon's hands as surely as those henchmen of Lord Merryweather. "And Levalle soldiers with Ser Robyn slowed the mob long enough for Lord Eldon and his brother's family to flee."
"This will paint a target on us. Septon Abelar is still loved and respected by many of the small folk and the more seven-blinded lords. Despite the justification they will take attempts to remove him ill. You have done a great deal to remove the stigma associated with the Levalle name. This may aid that cause with one group while further enraging others."
"Lady Kyra asks for a good deal, what does she offer in return?" Parmen was a knight, not a merchant or a diplomat, but he was no longer just a swordsman on a horse. He was starting to learn
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Post by Alliser on Mar 10, 2019 6:56:54 GMT 1
Alliser considers Parmen's words before responding, "Abelar is reckless, his blind devotion to his goals have skewed his vision of justice. He has acted like he is Father, not merely a servant of all the gods." He moves the knife smoothly along the apples flesh as he speaks, then brings the piece of apple to his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Abelar is a danger to us, he has already confronted me at Lord Leo's tournament. I think he has any more love of the Levalles then he has of the Merrywheathers.
"It is true that he is loved by the smallfolk. However he has also led them astray. By sending all those men to die in the riot, he has expended much of his capital." Alliser sighs, "If we are successful with Malyk's plan, then he will not pose a danger to us." There are few things that Malyk desires, it would be good to see this dangerous Septon dealt with. " as far as what she offers, it is Lord Eldon's good will. The man, although repulsive, is in a better position to support us then any other house is. He is also easily placated, and Ellyn will have no problem ensuring that the house of Merrywheather will support us."
Alliser pauses, "I wish there was a different lord, one not as fithly as Lord Eldon, that we would be able to count on for support. But even though we have done much to cleanse the name of House Levalle, there is no other that would be as garaunteed in support of us as he is." Even the Redwynes might seek to turn against us if given the chance. What would it be to them to betray a house with our reputation, they could simply wash the blood of the halls of Castle Levalle and rechristen it Redwyne for their lost third son, who was stolen away by my machenations? "If this is what is needed to for us to secure an alliance, I think it is a price that we should pay. The risks are less then the rewards."
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Malyk
House Levalle
Posts: 648
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Post by Malyk on Mar 10, 2019 12:27:34 GMT 1
"Lord Eldon's crimes are not at issue." Malyk remarked flatly. "The man is a blight." He looked at his Lord and Parmen and back again. "House Levalle courts him for political power and expediency. You both know it, and so does he. If the man dropped dead tomorrow, none would miss him, many would rejoice, and we would court his replacement without even blinking.
Abelar is far worse. He betrayed the trust of the faithful. He lead astray thousands of... perhaps not innocent... but certainly misguided smallfolk, who placed their trust in him because they believed his words came from the Seven. An obvious, noxious, and unforgivable betrayal of both the Seven and the faithful. If the Seven wants a man dead no force on earth can stay the hand of the Stranger. As a result, hundreds died, hundreds more were hanged, and hundreds more may still suffer and die despite my best efforts. Were he not shielded by the very church he stains, he would have hung next to the rest, or perhaps even been burned as he is so quick to demand of others. Now he goes to Oldtown to further spread his poison, and there is no guarantee he will see justice there anymore than he saw in Highgarden.
Faith is a shield, my Lord, but he would turn it into a weapon. He would judge anyone who does not follow his interpretation of the Faith, condemn anyone who does not meet his standard, and kill anyone he deems sinful, heretical or unrepentant. He is a fanatic and the worst kind of evil: the kind that cloaks itself in righteousness and burns all before it until there is nothing left but ash. The carnage that the Faith Militant left in their wake was catastrophic. He longs for a return of that time where the only law was the law of God and that law interpreted by him or whatever crazed mouthpiece speaks his words.
I don't think either of realize just how devastating such a inspiring zealot can be. What will the Lords do when they are dragged from their castles by their own guards and Knights for the heresy of speaking against him and the Seven. What will women do to keep from being burned as witches for looking at an acolyte the wrong way or owning a cat. How many men will die because they do something 'sinful'. More importantly, how many dispossessed or angry smallfolk will join his 'righteous' cause to protect themselves or for the chance to pillage, burn and 'punish the wicked'. Do not say that it cannot happen, because it has already happened once before and it took decades to recover. The Faith Militant Uprising whatever you think of the justification, was one of the blackest years in church history. The Faith Militant was disbanded for good reason and do not doubt Abelar will use this opportunity to not only clear his name but to demand a return of the Faith Militant so he can put Blackfyre on the throne and a yoke around his neck.
Don't do this because it will gain you some goodwill from some noxious Lord who might easily betray you at the first opportunity. Don't do this because of self interest and if Abelar succeeds he will come for the corrupt... and wealthy Tear as one of his first targets. Don't even do this to prevent a war that will likely come anyway, if not as large, passionate or vicious. Do this because it is the right thing to do. The Faith of the Seven is the soul of the Seven kingdoms. Abelar would steal that soul and corrupt it, twisting it into his bitter, unforgiving, relentless, ruthless vision of piety.
If he is exonerated and retains his title, he will see that as an endorsement by the Gods themselves. He is already famous. He has already escaped death, divided the kingdom and shown the weakness in the nobility. He gains followers every day and if exonerated, or even only mildly rebuked, he will gain legions more by railing against the corruption in the church as well as the nobility. Exactly how much more rope should he be given, my Lord, before he decides to start hanging everyone with it."
Neither man had ever seen Malyk this angry. He looked at the two of them like they were children squabbling over a Dire Wolf caught in a trap wondering how much they might get for the pelt before it broke free and ripped their faces off.
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Post by Parmen Redwyne on Mar 14, 2019 4:45:56 GMT 1
"If what Malyk says is true then the question becomes how to keep the Septon from causing more chaos than he already has. If the poor fools he has enthralled hear him calling down the wrath of the Seven as he is hanged it could inspire countless other mad preachers or peasants to take up axes and paint the star on their chests. He could easily be more dangerous dead than he ever was alive. Killing a man is one thing but it is no easy thing to kill a martyr."
"I do not disagree that steps need to be taken to stop his madness from spreading, but it must be done so that he is discredited, found guilty and punished in such a manner that no one will ever want to talk about him again except as a cautionary tale to children. This will require some precision and Lady Kyra strikes me as the type who uses lantern oil to try to put out a kitchen fire." How the hell am I the one urging caution and careful planning here?? Less then a year ago I would have been strapping on my armor to ride in into Oldtown. "If we go to Oldtown we need to think of what it will take to protect Levalle lands if the mobs return before we do."
Parmen was young, he was headstrong and he was still frustrated by problems that couldn't be solved with a battlaxe. But he was learning.
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Post by Alliser on Mar 19, 2019 9:02:10 GMT 1
Alliser nods, "wise counsel, the both of you. I think I shall leave Ser Robyn and my brother here to guard the gates. Ser Robyn, while he may be valuable should swords be needed, I think will be of more use here in case the blackwood small folk decide they have a taste for LeValle blood. And they're are few men more suited for dealing with any nobles who may seek to sway our household while us three travel then he. There is another matter, I have received a message from blood Raven, he is seeking funding for an elite group of archers. Calls them the Ravens teeth." Alliser snorts, "just like him to train up a bunch of archers rather then get some good horseflesh from the Fossaways for proper knights, but there is no account for taste, and archers have meant the death of more then one knights steed. He offers favors if we can equip his men he is training. If Regyn is correct and we might be dispatched North to the riverlands, as it appears Ser Aegor is going to use the death of Lord blackwood to plunge the riverlands into unrest with his bracken followers." Alliser does not mention Otho By name.
"So do you think we should support him? If so how much should we do so by?"
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Post by Alliser on Mar 19, 2019 9:07:26 GMT 1
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