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Post by brigida on Jan 23, 2008 0:32:36 GMT -5
"Forgive me if I am incredibly frank, Lord Quentin," Tristeza announced, her tone coolling considerably, until it neared icy; "But you are not renowned for your diplomatic grace--You, as a commander, make it your business to save your soldiers from death in a winning battle--I will make it my business to save them from having to do battle at all--I will, as such, save their lives preemptively, and win the battle before it has begun."
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Post by The Smith on Jan 23, 2008 0:36:24 GMT -5
Fowler snorted, "Emelia was a master of diplomacy and Intrigue.... yet here we stand at war with over half the realm with our capital invaded. You have a pretty face, but you will not be able to smile us out of this mess."
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Post by brigida on Jan 23, 2008 0:42:39 GMT -5
"Don't be so sure, Lord Quentin--I have a much prettier smile than Emelia." Tristeza countered, her eyes narrow--she stated on an entirely different note, "You will have a much better chance at winning a war with the popular support of the Kingdom--the peasantry will, in most cases, side with their noble Lord, and I have one the nobility already; and regardless of the politics or the logistics of the war, Lord Quentin, exactly for whom do you intend to fight, if not for me? You have no royal blood; you would be scorned if you presumed to take the throne--this partnership would be mutually beneficial, make not mistake of that...I come to you no beggar, but rather a potential partner--there is no denying I am incapable of winning a war without you, but let there be no misunderstanding; you will need me to win the Kingdom."
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Post by The Smith on Jan 23, 2008 0:51:12 GMT -5
"I do not want to be the Prince of Dorne, but we both know there is not a single Lord who would not follow me over you as regent." Fowler offered her a smile, "But I have no desire to run the Kingdom. I am a warrior and a general and that is enough for me."
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Post by brigida on Jan 23, 2008 0:53:53 GMT -5
Tristeza ignored his slight, she had no way to refute it, nor would it be in her best interest to d so if she could. "Then work with me." she offerred humbly, her voice softer than it had been since their meeting had begun. "I am flexible, and open t your suggestions--I realize I am no old-hand at these games we play here, and I would love nothing more than to have your counsel...May I count on it, Lord Fowler?" she asked graciously, pouting her eyes as powerfully as she could.
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Post by The Smith on Jan 23, 2008 0:56:37 GMT -5
Fowler laughed, "Emelia had more sublety then you, and she was worse then a tavern trull. Fine, for now I would "love" to have you as a "flexible""partner"."
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Post by brigida on Jan 23, 2008 1:02:04 GMT -5
"Forgive me, but I would rather have results than vain modesty." she smiled sincerely. "If uncouth brazenness is what gets me those results, it is that means I will employ. I am glad to have you on board, Lord Quentin...Even if it is only "for now," as you say--I hope we will, at some point, be able to make our established relationship more permanant."
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Post by The Smith on Jan 23, 2008 1:06:24 GMT -5
Fowler nods, "I will not support you if I think your plans are bad for Dorne, or if some one else would be better. Now get some wine and we can talk over our plans." Sliding forward in his chair he smiled at her.
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Post by brigida on Jan 23, 2008 1:18:53 GMT -5
"Very well." she said, with a thin smile. Tristeza appeared to comply readily, though, in truth, she did not drink of the wine, nor eat of the food, so heavily did her paranoid habbits affect her.
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Post by Horas on Jan 24, 2008 0:29:20 GMT -5
A small party of knights, looking as though they have traveled a long distance, make camp a few miles away from Godsgrace. Among them is a prisoner. The lead knight rides forward to the castle itself and asks for an audience with Lady Tristeza Martell.
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Post by brigida on Jan 24, 2008 0:33:54 GMT -5
His audience, by Lady Tristeza's request, was granted, and he was led to a private chamber, awarded to her my Lord Fowler, for this specific purpose--she did not intend to spend the night, so the chamber a simple lone parlor, with no attatched dormitory. She sat silently on a simply, somewhat shabby old chair, and indicated to the Lead Knight, a similar chair adjacent to her. Kardaine remained standing off her shoulder and behind.
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Post by Horas on Jan 24, 2008 1:15:00 GMT -5
"My Lady," the knight bows low. He carries something with him, long and heavily wrapped in cloth. "Please accept the compliments of my master, and the gifts I bring on his behalf."
The knight withdraws a scroll from his breast pocket, unfurls it, and hands it to Tristeza.
-------------------- Lady Tristeza Martell,
My congratulations on your ascendency to the Sun Throne.
The Faceless man who attacked me had several members of Emelia's retinue with him, either cooperating willingly or deceived. Several proved to be look-alikes, but Ser Timm Dayne at least is genuine. I thought he and his sword should be returned to the ruler of Dorne -- do with them as you wish.
After this war is won we should speak in person. I am sure we will have much to talk about.
Sincerely,
Horas Blackwood ----------------------
The knight unwraps his cloth bundle, revealing the famed greatsword Dawn, ancestral heirloom of House Dayne. "Ser Timm is waiting in the camp with the rest of my men," the knight says, "Lord Horas told me to follow your instructions regarding what to do with him."
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Post by brigida on Jan 24, 2008 1:23:45 GMT -5
"Thank you." Tristeza told the man bemusedly, a little frown furrowing the sides of mouth as she scanned Lord Horas' letter a second and a third time--"after the war is won...much to talk about." He certainly seemed to believe that the war was an absolute, which she read regrettably, for it was he and he commrades she had hoped to convince otherwise. "I should need to speak with him," she said, rolling up the scroll aside at last--she kept it bound, in her hand; she would give it to Zoella to read upon her return. "I am much obliged to your Master, and you may tell him so, but before you go, I would like to write to him my sentiments personally, so that you might brings them back to him...It seems only fitting." she smiled. "You may return to your camp, and I will find you soon to exchange my letter for your captive; does that sound agreeable?" she asked, as she crossed the room to an old desk, through which she rummaged in hope of finding suitable writing materials.
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Post by Horas on Jan 24, 2008 1:30:18 GMT -5
"Whatever suits your needs best, my Lady," the knight says. "We are camped near a small grove, perhaps a mile or two fom Godsgrace."
The knight waits to see if she has any other commands, then departs.
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Post by brigida on Jan 24, 2008 1:32:01 GMT -5
"No more." she replied simply--soon after the knight had departed, She, Kardaine, and several other soldiers designated to her safe return home by Lord Fowler, approached their camp.
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