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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 7, 2007 18:14:57 GMT -5
"And killing two potential threats to your seat was not necessary? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you did not kill them, but I'm not sure what to make of you...my lord."
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 7, 2007 18:23:32 GMT -5
"Threaten my seat. How do you think they would be able to do that." Baldwin rocky glare focused on Edmure's eyes, "I would not expect you to understand me. Nor your master. You do serve the same Storm King as Lord Greyjoy?"
Frowning Baldwin looked at his desk for several seconds, "Has Callen gained any wisdom with his age?"
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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 7, 2007 18:32:27 GMT -5
Edmure sat back, looking at Baldwin, "Wisdom? I did not know Callen before he came aboard my ship. So I couldn't compare him to the young king who lost at Casterly Rock. But he was an able crew member, I did not offer him any luxeries aboard my ship, nor did he want any. The Iron Born say that a man is a king on his own ship, and Callen felt that to be a serve king, he must learn what it is like to serve one. As a smuggler he learned to temper valour and bravery with caution and forebarence. He realized he did not have to choose between the them, but could use them both when was appropriate. I don't know, I'm a simple smuggler, I'm good a sailing and sneaking, I was not raised a noble, so I don't know the ways of nobility. But aye, if I gave you my impression I would say that Callen is a wise man, and a kind, but just one.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 7, 2007 18:45:14 GMT -5
Baldwin raised a single eyebrow as he stared at Edmure, "If I were to ride unarmed and alone into his camp tomorrow would I hang before the sunset?"
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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 7, 2007 18:58:04 GMT -5
Edmure thought for a moment, "From what Callen has said the only one he despises more than you is Rhodri Royce. He says he cannot abide a traitor or a rebel. But at this time he understands that he'll need to talk to more than a few of both if he means to take the Iron Throne. If he hung every soldier who fought against him, or knelt to the dragons he wouldn't have an army."
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 7, 2007 19:06:53 GMT -5
"What is truly ironic is I would never have rebelled if I was not attacked by Baratheon forces." Baldwin rubbed at his beard, "I agreed to Dondorrian's deal because I was in King's Landing surrounded by his forces. But not one of troops ever left the Westerlands the whole war."
"If Hightower had not attacked me I would have stayed loyal."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 7, 2007 19:11:03 GMT -5
"Really?" Edmure said somewhat doubtfull, "And the moment you returned why did you not declare your loyalty? I'm sure Rodrick, or Callen would have ordered him to stop? And what of the Worm, did he not take part in Dondarrion's bloody melee and kill some Stark boy? I remember, I was in King's Landing when the dragons landed."
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 7, 2007 19:27:48 GMT -5
"Oh Steffen was in with Dondarrion much better then I was. Why do you think he lives in Riverrun instead of the Westerlands. You can ask Gathor Tyrell though, I sent him a raven early in the war. Stay out of the Westerlands and I will stay out of the Reach." Baldwin looked grim.
"The Rodrick never sent word to me to fight for him. And I do not know I would have sent troops if he asked. He had dishonored me one to many times. Yet I never intended to fight for the Targaryens." Baldwin cocked his head and laughed once, "Do you think I say this to win my way back into your Callen's good graces. If Callen wins, and I bow to him that will be it. None of his lords will want to fight to take back a land that has already knelt. I fear Callen as much as I fear my own son."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 7, 2007 19:36:12 GMT -5
He laughs because he is concerned, he let's more secrets go with that laugh than any word could Edmure though. He had learned how to read a man by his actions rather than his words. Baldwin is unsure where he should place his loyalties. Edmure continued on, "so you will sit and wait, as the Lord of Casterly Rock did in Robert's Rebellion." It was a statement, not a question.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 8, 2007 0:41:50 GMT -5
"No waiting is a fool's game." Baldwin looked at the map lying on his desk.
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Post by Percy Rivers on Aug 8, 2007 0:45:38 GMT -5
"Then what do you plan to do?" Edmure asked. He gave a side long glance at Balor, who seemed content to sit and listen. He almost seemed bored.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 8, 2007 0:53:19 GMT -5
Baldwin laughed once more, "Sit and wait. You can go now, your betters need to speak."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Aug 8, 2007 2:59:55 GMT -5
"I am not here to buy your swords Balor. If I need to kill people I will do it myself." Baldwin sat down his back stony and straight. "I am planning at this point for after the war. Right now there are three Kings an a Princess. We are only three kings short of completely undoing the last five centuries." Pouring himself a glass of wine, "I am surprised you have sold your allegiance to any one. The only thing keeping the Ironborn back, I thought, was the combined threat of the seven Kingdoms. Now I find that Your people were just waiting a high enough bid." Balor looked on stone-faced at the exchange between Seaworth and Baldwin. Seaworth had not told him he had been to the Rock or that he had fled as a fugitive from it. He had hoped to reveal him as Callen's man when the time was right but now that was done. They would also be having words regarding the meaning of the phrase private conversation. Baldwin had let slip some important information to which had not been privy however. He had not known of his blackmailed involvement in the war of dragon and stag. Who knows which way he would have blown if Hightower had not invaded. He waited, silently, until Edmure left and continued with Baldwin as if there had been no interruption. "Bought?" Lord Balor's eyes glittered dangerously. He sat for a moment then smiled "Ah, you try to make me angry and let slip more than I intend, yes? A fine ploy, but I am no merchant to be bought and sold" he paused, making clear his point, before continuing "My wishes coincide with Callen's for now but any sailor learns that as the wind changes, the sails turn and the ship moves" he shrugs "If Callen thinks me his 'loyal' vassal" Balor smiled again at these words, "Then he will leave me be and that is what I wanted. Redwyne takes his men and galleys off to Kings Landing, the Reachlords march off to fight the dragon. Everyone heads towards Kings Landing and the Iron Throne. The only major player left on my side of the board is you, Baldwin. That's the reason I came to this council" Looking about him in feigned surprise "A rather poor turnout as well, I note. Perhaps they feel, unlike myself, that the mighty lion of Lannister has lost its roar? If even commoners like Edmure feel they can walk into your chambers unannouced then what lies for the future? You may mock that I have been "bought" into service, you are wrong about the nature of that arrangement but no matter, but at least I have chosen a course to steer. Your missive made grand sounding promises about bringing all the parties together to settle this peacefully. Well, that does not look likely so where does that leave us?" he sipped the wine again, sizing up Baldwin. "Callen despises you as a traitor, Dondarrion seems unpredictable and Aedon - well who knows how those mad thoughts run. So I ask again Baldwin, will you sit this fight out or nail your colours to the mast for all to see?" he fell silent once more, and steepled his fingers upon the bridge of his nose, waiting for Lord Baldwin's response.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Aug 8, 2007 7:43:12 GMT -5
Baldwin snorted once before he spoke, "I could support any, even Callen, and they would thank me for my support from their knees."
"Aye and I hoped the people I invited would have come to this council. The world is devolving into Madness. I had hoped to guide us out of the hottest flames. But No one wants to talk they all want to set about burning, I will not follow that path." Baldwin stood and walked over to a window and stared out at his lands.
"If I thought supporting one of these men would help me or mine I would. But Aedon is too evil, Callen is too stupid, and Dondarrion has no chance of winning. So I will protect the Westerlands from the chaos that everyone else is willing bringing down on themselves."
"As you will do what is best for your own people. The difference is your people will appreciate a good war even if it is on another's behalf. I remember reading about King Harren holding all the Riverlands. Do you think you can take them again?"
"Of course Callen will have to strip you of those titles at the end of the War. Politcally he is bound to Raise House Tully back to Lord Paramount of the Riverlands. It seems to me, that once you pay the 'Iron' price for them that they should be yours."
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Post by lordbalorgreyjoy on Aug 8, 2007 8:10:26 GMT -5
Balor smiled widely "Yes, my people are eager to take their share of the plunder. The prizes on offer are too tempting not to and poorly defended to boot" he sipped at the wine "I'm sure King Callen will be wanting to return the riverlands to the Tullys once calm is restored, although his man has made other promises but I'd be a fool to put my trust in those words. Of course, should the Tullys meet an unfortunate accident or my hold grow too strong before peace breaks out it may be that a different outcome can be wrought. As you said earlier about your own situation, should I offer my fealty" Balor said the word uncomfortably "in peace, he'd be hard pushed to convince his men of the need of further bloodshed, especially if his losses prove great or the succession is uncertain". Lord Balor drained the glass "Well Baldwin, as your other guests seem to be otherwise occupied, I should be on my way as well. I have business to take care of, after all" Balor held out his hand to Baldwin "You have my word that I will not encroach on your territories. There are plenty of other morsels to chew on as it is" he grinned again
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