[Bridges' Party] The Stranger Calls [Closed]

Ysilla came strolling in, whatever costume she had worn, Laena did not recognize any parts of it, now she was wearing practical hunting leathers. Tailored to fit her snugly, but well worn all the same. But it does not take long before she grows bored with the work of Marq's man and begins practicing her marksmanship, aiming at cones it would seem, and hitting more often than not from an impressive distance. Laena has seen enough archery to know that she would outperform anyone at Starkwood, including those men who hunt with bow and arrow almost every day. The bow also looks suspiciously like one of the fine bows made of Yew that Lord Tyrell had offered as prizes in the archery competition, one of these claimed by a masked mystery archer, a boy all agreed. Or maybe a lady? It is hard to imagine Ysilla being able to resist the chance of competing even if she only was half as good as she seems to be.

There is no sign of Marq, which means he is unlikely to show. Some of his men lounge about outside, playing some sort of dice game, occasionally they look after their horses, one entertains himself by carving a toy horse out of a piece of wood, presumably Marq's men, but who can say? Laena is certain that the scroll upon which everything Helicent says is being meticulously recorded will be read by him. Only maesters, mayhaps septons or brothers of the faith, are known to have the discipline and training to write so fast, but the man does not bear the trappings one of those would wear. It is the other man who interrogates Helicent, but there is no sign of hot pincers, flensing knives or anything that might be used to harm or threaten her. Instead, the man introducing himself as Gwayne offers her wine, white bread, cheese, dried fruits, fare that Laena would find at least satisfactory. He spends a very long time becoming her friend. Morning turns into afternoon long before he even starts asking about House Bridges, but by then Lady Helicent has started to sing. As if she utterly trusts Gwayne, believes that he wants to help her, maybe something else, it doesn't matter.

What matters is her confessions, no she did not kill Lord Bryce, of this she is adamant, and Gwayne works with her, simply by asking one question after the other, he makes her think, compile all that she knows, and the plot thickens. She did not kill Lord Bryce, no, but she knew exactly how to act upon the opportunity presented with his death, and what little evidence there was. Ser Farman was, after all, eagerly provided detailed reports of the inner workings at House Bridges in return for gifts of gold. She had shared the most important details with Lord Gormon, though he seemed to have limited interest, Bittersteel was considerably more intrigued. She acted quickly, in concert with Bittersteel, after the death of Lord Bryce to engineer the trial against Ser Dagos, and it almost worked, but Lord Leo was swayed by the "opposition" to load the dice in Ser Dagos' favor. A pity, but one cannot fight a war without expecting to lose a few battles, one needed only to win the last one, no?

But analyzing the situation with Gwayne, a man well skilled in helping without leading, she voices a realization that perhaps it was Farman who wanted her to act as she did. That he provided her exactly what she needed to know to set in motion the plan to indict and condemn Ser Dagos at the opportune moment. If Bittersteel had a part, she knows not. In the bid to have Ser Farman be named lord instead of his cousin, surely, but had Bittersteel been played just as she herself was? Or was he more of an equal partner? Who can say. Maybe Bittersteel murdered Lord Bryce on his own accord? Maybe he was simply murdered by someone holding a grudge, it was not beyond Lord Eldon's power to have another lord poisoned and none being the wiser, but that fat sack of larder seems to forget slights and insults the moment some frightened girl is dragged to his bed. Nothing can be a certainty, but it seems likely that Farman at least had made plans for what to do should Lord Bryce be murdered in a way that at least vaguely might be blamed on Ser Dagos.

Was it truly that obvious to Farman that Helicent would act as she did? Maybe, if so he must be a far more capable adversary than Helicent, or Laena for that matter, have ever suspected. He always seemed the hedonist seeking gold and the luxuries and leisure it affords. Ser Farman Flowers, master schemer? That seems rather unlikely.

Ysilla is startled that Laena decided to go through with her immediate plan for what was in store for her. Isn't that, you know? evil? With Lord Bryce's death in the distance, her rage and craving for revenge appears diminished, if Laena thinks it best that the bitch must suffer to her last breath, then maybe she should, but grannynuncle wouldn't have wanted that on anyone. Maybe they should just, well, what do mean people do to just get such dirty work done? Slit her throat or something?

Ysilla takes a knife, but can't bring herself to actually slice Helicent's throat open. It is enough to make their victim understand what is going on, struggling desperately at her bonds and making muffled pleas.

Helicent's final moments are filled with shock and pain, or so Laena interprets the look of her eyes before it is as if a shadow rolls over them and they simply stare at Laena in a blank and lifeless expression.

He did not leave any such, no, but if they see how much of the blood can be washed away and cover the rest with sawdust, and strip and dump her in the woods. Dead and naked, makes no difference who you are, like as not, her bones would be all that ever is found.