Francis's Tent

[sethgreyjoy]

"The only thing more legendary than Tallahar's ferocity and conviction is his loyalty, Francis. He has a soldier's mind through and through. He will follow the man that places himself as the person most likely to protect his assets." Seth cracked his knuckles against his leg.

"Right now, the Reach he loved so much is divided. Tallahar lost his King, lost his land, and has already almost lost his family several times, and they him. You or I can roll with the punches, but loyalty and reliability are Tallahar's staples. If they disappear... well let us just say he has never been the most tactful person, however true his heart is."

Seth shook his head then and smiled wolfishly. "Tallahar needs to be able to trust his leader. He will lose all steam of "unification" if he believes you to be the trustworthy sort."

[The Flint]

"I've tried to befriend him Seth, and I've tried to rally him to the idea of a new and peaceful Far Reach with the young Hightower as true and noble lord. It worked for every other Lord in the South, but not Tallahar. Still he blustered, and demanded, and threatened to get his way. He demanded that the boy Lord be fostered with him, screamed and cursed and insulted me when I said it was a matter for a later date. The man's ambition was to be a regent, and he is envious and hateful of me because he is not. Because he was tried, and I was not. That is the dark truth of it, in my eyes." Francis sighed. "Does my analysis not make sense to you? sitting where I am would you not see the same?"

[sethgreyjoy]

"We handle things differently, Francis. I understand your position and your nerves can only be grated so far. A man's shortcomings should not be excused, but I was merely offering my perspective on Tallahar. With everyone frequently threatening to chop the man's head off, I would be a bit on edge as well." He paused, sighing.

"I'm not defending him. I am simply saying I can understand why he would take such reproach to everything. Tallahar is oft times simple, but he can understand as an end result. It takes patience, Francis. I don't doubt you have been, but this takes a special kind. If you would take his lands from him, that would be a lesson, but please, if you could, soften this accusation of treason. I would give him and his family shelter at Greycopse if you would not have him in the Far Reach any longer. Though I do not blanch so much at death, I think, in this situation, it is unwarranted."

[The Flint]

Francis nodded. "I do not want his blood Lord Falgrave. I just want him where he will no longer rile up trouble, and demand and insult and offend. The man doesn't know what it means to serve, or at any rate he refuses to serve me for the brief years before Lord Justin can rule. Can you imagine how precarious it is to be a Regent Seth? Those watching and hoping you fail, envious that you were offered something they were not? If he does not learn some kind of lesson here, a year from now we will be in the same place. And I fear the solution than will come with much more bloodshed. I won't have that. I want it fixed, and now."

[sethgreyjoy]

"You should know as well as I that treason is a death warrant, and the man has offended the ruling parties more than once. He will surely see the headman's block. Perhaps this could have been settled more appropriately, more quietly. It can still be salvaged."

[The Flint]

"I have told the Lady Haley, that if Tallahar will swear before the Sept and on all the Seven to support the King's decree, and to support the new Lords Paramount, than I am content to let things rest and say it was but idle talk. But he may not stay at Uplands. The man spit on me Seth." Francis says in disgust. "He's insulted me more times than I can count. I am the aggrieved party. I can not possibly hold the Far Reach together if his actions have no consequence at all. It will be open season on Varner. And meanwhile he will grow bolder still, having escaped the headsman' axe, which he fucking deserves, twice running."

[sethgreyjoy]

Seth nodded. "I am not dismissing his many slights. He is barbarous at best, but a man still. A man of the Far Reach. You must present a front of calm even if the waters are dangerous below."

[The Flint]

"He's not a man of the Far Reach Seth, he never was. He's a man of Tallahar Tyrell, and nothing else. He speaks treason, he plots treason, against Lord AND king, he spits and curses and insults the Lord Regent. He can not possibly serve in the Far Reach. The only course I see here that spares him his life, would be if serves elsewhere. Perhaps someone else can make use of those talents you think you see, because I have regrettably failed to do so." Francis voice remains fairly level throughout. "I loved the man Seth, don't think I didn't. My first service to the Tyrell family was to get him out of a disaster his rashness had got himself in. And this is the thanks I've gotten for my friendship."

[sethgreyjoy]

"Your diligence is honorable." Seth said, his gaze dull. "I suppose I will stop this pointless arguing. As I said, spare him his life. Take his lands and his titles, and he can stay with me at Greycopse. He will not wield more words against the crown under my roof, hell, he can hardly wield a sword anymore."

Seth turned to leave.

"Also, when you have that list procured, let me know, I wait eagerly for it."

[The Flint]

"I will hurry to the work Lord Falgrave. I thank you for your counsel."

[sethgreyjoy]

Seth paused then. "Let this not bitter ourselves to each other, Lord Varner." He left then, obviously uncomfortable.

[The Flint]

Francis frowns. "No bitterness Seth. I am indebt for your listening to my impatience. Be well." Francis heads off as well.

[House Dustin]

Ser Roland Royce, Ser Jonas Waxley, and 50 heavy horse of the Vale arrive at the Varner encampment. Roland waves to his brother-in-law and calls to him, "Lord Varner, we are at your service for the journey south."