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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 15:02:50 GMT -5
"Rebellion you say," Callen tried not to betray the sudden interest in his voice, "would the Black Shields, erm, would they support a king who sanctioned them and supported them? One that had the interests of the people and the artisans at the forefront of his mind?" The air was still tense, but something had suddenly electrified it.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 15:15:05 GMT -5
"I'm a scout, I leave the politics for others, you'd have to talk to Arguel Flowers or his brother in King's Landing. I know I haven't sworn any vows to a king I haven't met. The Black Shields stand for anyone who stands for the people. Kings rarely stand for people, from what I've seen," Urri says.
Captain Snow, looks up, glancing first at Aranya but he looks back at Vylarr Heaford when he speaks. "From what I've seen, brother, lords lie, and Kings lie more. Many men still bear scars from that rebellion, some in the flesh, some in their souls. Rich or poor, knights or merchants. I wish you luck if finding this king of yours, who guards the people. I've never heard of such."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 15:20:14 GMT -5
Snow's words hit Callen hard, after a moment without speaking his voice came in a soft whisper, "Snow, may I have a moment? In the barracks if you please?"
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 15:24:27 GMT -5
"If we must. Begging your pardons, mistress," he says with a nod towards Aranya, and follows Callen through the doorway.
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 16:08:25 GMT -5
After making sure no one else would disturb them Callen turned back to snow, "if your wondering why things have been so tense here this is why. He pulled the helmet off his head and let his the hair fall out, it had been sheared off weeks ago, but was now starting to grow back. For the most part it was jet black, but silver hairs lined the temples. He then took a cloak from the chest near his foot and tied it around his shoulders. Emblazoned on the back was a golden crowned stag on a dark green field.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 16:25:07 GMT -5
"By the gods..." Snow seems stunned. "It was clear you were hiding something, but I'd never have thought."
"Back to your old haunt. You rebuilt this place, didn't you? And a day's ride from Lord Dondarrion. You don't lack for courage."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 16:37:01 GMT -5
Callen seemed sullen, "A lack of courage is what's kept me alive up to this point, and that lack courage, Edmure Seaworth, a friend of mine call's it good sense, is questioning why I'm doing what I'm doing right now." He bent down and retrieved a smaller, but more anoint chest, and opened it. It was filled to the brim with dragons and stags. He handed it to Snow. "This entire time my idea of honor and good was so narrow that I thought if I won the throne I would win the people. Now realize that I have to win the people to win the throne." For a moment he stared at the northernor with his deep blue eyes, "you seem like a good man Snow, and I hope I didn't just hang myself by reaveling what I have. Use this to help the people and the Black Shields. Speak well of me, the smallfolk's support is more important than any lords."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 16:55:03 GMT -5
"You have told me a dangerous truth, so I shall in return. Hang me not for what I'll say. I tell you I am Skag Snow, and it is the truth, it has become my truth. I am a Black Shield, and this is what I believe. It is what gives me cause to live. But five years ago I was another man, a man you would have counted amongst your many enemies."
"I was then called Selwyn, the Bastard of Runestone. The Lord Breyn was my brother, as was Rhodri Royce. Your foes."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 17:33:51 GMT -5
Callen studied the man, reserving judgement, after time he removed his sword from its sheath. "You can become a Royce again, become your father's heir if you wish, you can use your name to help those in need of help. Again it's your choice, but as a knight can make a knight, I can make a Stone a Royce."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 17:40:53 GMT -5
"You ask me to betray my brothers. A kinslayer is accursed, and to usurp my brothers would surely make me a kinslayer. It was not my brothers that betrayed me and caused me to turn my back on them. I was betrayed by a woman," Skag says, his face drawn taught.
"But I am not without sympathy for your cause, if you are true to your impulse, of your desire to win the hearts of the people. Tell me, do you know why your father was betrayed? Do you know why so many lords rose in revolt?"
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 17:44:53 GMT -5
"Very well, if you wish to remain a Stone, so you shall remain. From what I know, and from the lords I have talked to (including your brother Breyn) the war was fought for gold, for whores, and for land, such is the game of thrones." Callen said.
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 17:53:31 GMT -5
"Aye, that may all be true, and in Breyn's case I'm sure it is. But you father was an absent king. He drank, he whored, he cared not for the realm, or the people. Dondarrion had to frequently stay Rodrick's vengeful hand. And then you were seen as cold and distant, a recluse who cared more for castles than for men. Was that true? I don't know. I was just a young soldier then. But that is what people said. Would you be a different king than your father? Will you be a better king than these cursed Dragons?"
"Look at the Songlord. A man praised by all. He put down a rebellion against your father, led by Connington, twenty years ago. And then he helps lead this rebellion against him. What did he gain? He holds the same lands, no more titles, it was no game of thrones. He did it because he believed something was wrong. What was that?"
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 18:07:04 GMT -5
Callen placed his hand against the stone wall, feeling it's coolness. "It's true what they say about I and castles, I learned long ago that stones and timber are more trustworthy than men. I saw the beauty in craftsmenship, and in the sweat and blood needed to raise a kingdom. Do you know which of the Seven is my favourite?" He did not wait for an answer but continued, "the Smith, he can build and forge. But he also gather's his crops, net's his fish, and spins his own wool. I saw him as the embodiement of the kingdom." He continued staring at the wall, tracing his finger along a line, he gave a snort of laughter and smiled, "but if I have to put aside the hammer and take up the cause of the Maiden, the Crone or the Mother I won't hesitate to do so." He now faced Selwyn, "I cannot promise you I'll be a better king, but I'll certainly try." His face darkened, "however if I come across Rhodri or Breyn Royce, or Baldwin Lannister, even Aemon Targaryen himself they will hang. They made the smallfolk bleed, and as son has the right to avenge his father, so does the realm have the right to avenge it's slain and wounded."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Jul 17, 2007 18:18:58 GMT -5
"And would more war and more blood make that right? No war, no matter how noble, leaves the smallfolk at peace."
"It is as Rhodri said once, though. Storm's End is a stone noose should you ever return. He was just another knight when the war started. By accepting a prize, he seems now cast in the same light as the usurpers."
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Post by Percy Rivers on Jul 17, 2007 18:23:58 GMT -5
"What would you, who claim to represent the smallfolk, have me do then? Sit complacent and twidle my thumbs while those who would rape and pillage westeros ride free?" Callen let his voice rise, it wasn't angry, but it was forceful.
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Hope you all are well and happy.