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Post by The Smith on Aug 26, 2007 21:51:57 GMT -5
The room contains a large table with four ornate chairs. Mudd immediately walks behind the one reserved for First Builder. Turning to look at Lords Bracken and Wull he motioned towards the empty chairs of the First Ranger and Lord Steward, "Please Sers have a seat." Bracken and Wull glare at each other, and both look at the Empty Lord Commander's chair, but they sit, Bracken in the First Ranger's and Wull in the Lord Stewards.
Stewards carry in several extra chairs and place them around the table.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2007 22:34:06 GMT -5
"Now I understand that Lord Wull," Aranya nodded to the Shadow Tower's commander, "believes Lord Bracken to have broken his oaths and attacked his own sworn brothers, but I would like to hear Lord Bracken's side of the story. In battle things get confusing, and sometimes it's hard to say who struck the first blow."
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Post by The Smith on Aug 26, 2007 22:45:38 GMT -5
Bracken lept to his feet, pointing straight at Wull he screamed, "You lying old man. I never wanted this war. You caused it with your pride. Damn old Fool." He shook with anger. "I told you that it was a mistake our men stumbled into each other, and with all the fool rumors about dead Black Brothers walking the north the attacked. Yet you attacked me twice after that with no provocation."
Wull frowned at him but did not rise from his seat, "Of course that is your story. You do not have the stomach to claim credit for such a brazen act. But little Jamie will not take responsibility for his own actions."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2007 23:03:09 GMT -5
Stay calm. Aranya told herself, but her mind was buzzing. Dead black brothers walking the north, oh gods be good oh gods oh gods... "Sit down, Lord Bracken," she said, keeping her voice calm and steady. "You say your men stumbled into each other? Was this beyond the Wall, during a search operation?"
She looked over at Lord Wull. "Perhaps it was a misunderstanding," she said gently. "Each party thought the other was attacking them."
It was hard to keep her down her excitement at Bracken's words. Steady, she told herself. Aranya knew she was too impulsive. First this must be settled.
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Post by The Smith on Aug 26, 2007 23:09:57 GMT -5
Wull looked at Aranya in shock, then shot to his feet, "No, clearly he is lying because he is afraid of our combined strength. He is backing off all the bold claims he has made."
Bracken spit through his red beard, "You old fool, telling you I would rather have a cancered goat as Lord Commander then you, is not a claim to that title." He waved his hand like he was sweeping off a table, "You ninny it is far too early to declare Wendwater dead."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2007 23:21:35 GMT -5
"Sit down," Aranya's voice had gone cold. "Both of you. This meeting will not descend into a fight."
"Lord Bracken, I have no intention of asking either of you to be Lord Commander, nor a cancered goat. Lord Wull, I cannot tell if Lord Bracken is lying anymore than I can tell if you are. I am choosing to believe that neither of you are liars. In the deep of winter, you cannot see anything well enough to accuse the other man of starting a fight. The winds are white with snow and ice, and half the time I can't see much further than my nose. How then can you blame your men for getting confused and defending themselves?
"And I agree, Lord Bracken, that it is too soon to declare Wendwater dead. I do think, however, that the Watch needs to be under better command than it is now." She steadfastly refused to look at Mudd. "Do we agree on this, my lords?"
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Post by The Smith on Aug 26, 2007 23:40:59 GMT -5
Bracken stares daggers at Wull, then turning to eye Aranya he asks, "Who are you to dictate anything to us. Even if you represent the King, he holds no sway here. We are our own Justice. You might be a tasty looking wench, but that is all you are here."
Wull's face drained of any color as he sat down. He looked toward the door, then shaking his head. He frowned down at the table in front of him.
Mudd looked at Aranya and laughed, "I would take that as an insult if either of the fools listened to any commands I gave."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2007 23:49:07 GMT -5
"I'm not dictating, I said I'm asking," Aranya said patiently. "And thank you, my lord, you're very tasty-looking yourself. If I weren't married and if you weren't a sworn brother of the Night's Watch, I would not have passed you up." She winked.
"Gentlemen, listen to yourselves. What's done is done, and cannot be saved. But the Night's Watch is in a precarious situation, and that is why the King has sent me here. Not to dictate, but to investigate and help. Lord Wendwater has disappeared north with the greater strength of the entire Watch, and you cannot hope to control and defend the Wall if the rest of you are fragmented, divided and feuding. What I propose is that no man of you is under another. Lord Wull, Lord Bracken and Lord Mudd will command jointly."
She threw Mudd a smile, but it was friendly. "From now on, the foolish decisions need not be yours alone, my lord."
Growing serious again, Aranya continued, "You would have me believe that with winter, there can be no threat of attacks from the north. But what were you saying, Lord Bracken, about the dead black brothers beyond the Wall? I would have you tell me all you know."
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Post by The Smith on Aug 26, 2007 23:54:50 GMT -5
Wull stood his face white as a sheet, "I am leaving."
Bracken still standing laughed, "I will not agree to that, Wull has proven himself power mad. He will attempt to try grab power, so no one is safe with him in the Leadership."
Mudd stands and points at Wull, "If you walk out of this room before me, my "Washers and lumber men", as you call them, have orders to attack. So you will not get far."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2007 0:06:31 GMT -5
"Sit down, Lord Wull," Aranya said. "We cannot address your grievances if you don't explain them to us. No - don't explode at me. Yes, you say Lord Bracken attacked your men, but he thinks you attacked him - and I think you should admit, my lord, that you attacked him twice after that. If anything, Lord Bracken should be walking out of this room.
"Lord Bracken, I must ask you not to accuse Lord Wull of being 'power-mad'. He is as steady and true a watchman as you are, and Lord Mudd has been an admirable mediator. I believe he had to stop you two from engaging in battle by planting his men in between yours for two weeks. Remind me," she added to Lord Mudd, "Not to scorn your washers and lumber men again."
"If you would like another neutral man on the command, however, then I would like to suggest my great-uncle, Hodrick Royce. He is a veteran of war, a man of high honor and integrity. He plans to take the black. I know that he is too new to the Watch, but perhaps a fresh, untainted mind is what the Watch needs right now. He will have no cause to love or hate either of you, I promise." Aranya felt rather like a trader pointing out the value of a good horse to potential buyers. Her mouth twitched, but she forced a straight face. Her great-uncle was a good man.
" Since Lord Wull and Lord Bracken unfortunately do not trust each other with command, I propose that any decision cannot be made without the approval of every Acting Commander - that is, Mudd, Bracken and Wull must all agree before either of them makes a decision. And you need not worry about Lord Wull trying to muscle his way forward, Jamie Bracken. He does not have more men than you do."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Aug 27, 2007 0:09:34 GMT -5
Selwyn was quiet through most of the meeting, nodding in agreement with Aranya's good points and silently shocked that she was actually controlling herself better than these petty men.
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Post by The Smith on Aug 27, 2007 0:20:18 GMT -5
Bracken still staring at Aranya, laughed coldly, "Maybe he can't take my forces, but I could have an accident like the Lord Steward and fall of the wall." Turning to look at Mudd he added, "I have no proof Mudd, but I think he was responsible for that."
Mudd glanced back and forth between to two men concerned, then slowly shook his head, "How can I believe you Jamie. The battle between you two has risen to such a place where nothing the either says about the other has merit."
Wull is now white as snow, "How dare you!" He takes a step for the door, then remembering Mudd's threat stops, and spins back to the table. "Let us end this now. I challenge you. We shall settle this like men, before the old gods."
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Post by Lord Rhodri Arryn on Aug 27, 2007 0:21:33 GMT -5
"And what will your followers do, when one of you cuts down the other, Lord Wull? Will they remember they are Brothers, or will the fight carry on between the Shadow Tower and Eastwatch?" Selwyn asks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2007 0:26:17 GMT -5
Aranya had still not risen to her feet. She would have liked nothing better to behead both Bracken and Wull and end this right now, but she stayed calm. It took a strength of will that was enormous.
"I think you will agree, Bracken, that Lord Wull was not here when the First Steward fell drunk from the Wall. Lord Mudd is right, these accusations have nothing to back them up.
"And Wull, your vows forbid you to attack your brother. Or did you forget that?"
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Post by The Smith on Aug 27, 2007 0:26:38 GMT -5
"My men will still follow me after I slay this fool. And I am sure they will carry on in my name if I were to fall." Wull lips rose in disgust as he looked at Bracken, "Of course that will not happen."
Bracken's devillish smile shone in answer, and he touched his sword hilt but said nothing. The eagerness to end this was clear in his expression.
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