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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 12:28:43 GMT -5
Gwayne raised his eyebrow as his young cousin spoke. "The Father Above has set Queen Rose to rule over us," he pointed out. "I am sure he would wish me to remember my duties to her. I serve the Faith through serving my queen. I do not forget that the Faith was born in Oldtown, cousin. Should I be chosen as the queen's consort, I will be well placed to promote the interests of the Faith in Kings Landing. But to do that, I must win Her Grace's favour first. And I do not believe she yet shares your devotion to the gods. There has been no particular evidence that the High Septon's call for men to act against the North is one that the crown feels strongly about. After all, peace is in the best interests of the crown, not religious war." "The queen serves for the gods, not as them." Leyton replied, frowning. "They remain paramount. Also, surely the High Septon is a higher authority on matters religious than the queen, who I must say has done a poor job in promoting the interests of the faith. It is my duty, as a man of faith, to answer the call of the gods and fight for them against the northern sacrilege. The interests of the Realm are subservient to matters of faith. You suggest the resolution lies in appeasing the heathens, yet how could such an act ever create the unity we require, even in the unlikely event of its acceptance?" |
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Post by Marie on Oct 16, 2013 12:49:36 GMT -5
"I am not saying we should appease the heathens," Gwayne replied. "But we should remember that our own ancestors were the First Men. They followed the same gods as these Northmen, before the Andals brought the Faith to Oldtown. For myself, I was raised in the light of the Seven, and so they are my own gods, but I would prefer to live in peace with those who follow other gods. I fear that this crusade may destroy the peace, not maintain it."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 14:00:16 GMT -5
"I am not saying we should appease the heathens," Gwayne replied. "But we should remember that our own ancestors were the First Men. They followed the same gods as these Northmen, before the Andals brought the Faith to Oldtown. For myself, I was raised in the light of the Seven, and so they are my own gods, but I would prefer to live in peace with those who follow other gods. I fear that this crusade may destroy the peace, not maintain it." "And their ancestors once roamed the wilderness; uncultured, unclothed, and indecent. Do you put forth that what once held sway as proper should be upheld once its foundations are proven unstable?" Leyton countered. "To have lived in the darkness without knowing light is one thing. To choose darkness over light is a different matter entirely. How can there ever be peace with those who have chosen to reject righteousness and virtue? How can we pardon those who have made war on the gods?" |
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Post by Marie on Oct 16, 2013 14:32:57 GMT -5
"And their ancestors once roamed the wilderness; uncultured, unclothed, and indecent. Do you put forth that what once held sway as proper should be upheld once its foundations are proven unstable?" Leyton countered. "To have lived in the darkness without knowing light is one thing. To choose darkness over light is a different matter entirely. How can there ever be peace with those who have chosen to reject righteousness and virtue? How can we pardon those who have made war on the gods?" "Of course I am not saying that the ways of the First Men are better than ours," Gwayne remarked. "But old customs have a curious hold on some men. The Targaryens often wed brothers to sister in the past. That custom has not been as common in recent history, yet some of the dragons have still practiced it. Yet to the rest of us who are not of Valyrian descent, the custom is an abomination. I don't believe they have priests of the old gods, yet I am sure, if you spoke to a Northman, he would say that his own gods are the true gods, and that the Faith is heresy." He filled his wine glass. "I wish I could allay your fears, Leyton, but I am neither a scholar nor a septon, and my faith is not as strong as yours. I say my prayers, as all men should, but my first duty is to the realm." |
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 14:37:55 GMT -5
"And their ancestors once roamed the wilderness; uncultured, unclothed, and indecent. Do you put forth that what once held sway as proper should be upheld once its foundations are proven unstable?" Leyton countered. "To have lived in the darkness without knowing light is one thing. To choose darkness over light is a different matter entirely. How can there ever be peace with those who have chosen to reject righteousness and virtue? How can we pardon those who have made war on the gods?" "Of course I am not saying that the ways of the First Men are better than ours," Gwayne remarked. "But old customs have a curious hold on some men. The Targaryens often wed brothers to sister in the past. That custom has not been as common in recent history, yet some of the dragons have still practiced it. Yet to the rest of us who are not of Valyrian descent, the custom is an abomination. I don't believe they have priests of the old gods, yet I am sure, if you spoke to a Northman, he would say that his own gods are the true gods, and that the Faith is heresy." He filled his wine glass. "I wish I could allay your fears, Leyton, but I am neither a scholar nor a septon, and my faith is not as strong as yours. I say my prayers, as all men should, but my first duty is to the realm." "Be that as it may, I must request leave to carry out my duty. I shall make inquiries as to where the army of the faith is being assembled, and with your leave join it. I would encourage you all to join me, but that choice must be your own." Leyton spoke mainly to Gareth and Lionel, knowing Gwayne had already chosen his course. |
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Post by Lord Gareth Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 16:05:36 GMT -5
"The High Septon overreaches himself" said Gareth bluntly. "Be that as it may, I shall make my own contribution to his war. But not in the North." He twirled the wine cup between his fingers and smiled. "I do so hate the cold."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 16:15:25 GMT -5
"The High Septon overreaches himself" said Gareth bluntly. "Be that as it may, I shall make my own contribution to his war. But not in the North." He twirled the wine cup between his fingers and smiled. "I do so hate the cold." Leyton frowned at Gareth's nonchalance, but made no further comment on it. "So be it, I will go alone." |
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Post by Marie on Oct 16, 2013 16:18:05 GMT -5
Gwayne felt a little sorry for Leyton, but he could not change his own perspective on the matter. The boy would have to do as he saw fit.
"I am sorry, Leyton. You go with my blessing, of course."
He looked quizzically at his brother. "Where shall you go, then, Gareth, if not North? You spoke of war, so surely you have a goal in mind."
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Post by Lord Gareth Hightower on Oct 16, 2013 19:32:05 GMT -5
"I do brother. I do." replied Gareth. "However I will discuss that with you in private if I may." He looked at the cousin he barely knew. "From what I hear, the realm has more concerns that the High Septon's sojourn in the north."
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Post by Marie on Oct 17, 2013 2:13:51 GMT -5
Gwayne nodded. "Let us speak in the solar, then. Now will serve, if you are willing, Gareth. Leyton, come and speak to me about the arrangements for your departure before you leave Kings Landing, but be sure you speak to a septon first, at the Great Sept of Baelor. I want you to be sure this is right for you."
OOC - can you start the thread when you're ready, I don't have much time this morning!
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Hope you all are well and happy.