Duskendale

[Victarion]

Donnel followed the knight into the tent.

Jon, who had stayed back on the horses nodded to one of the sentries, and mounted up. "Forgive me good ser, I have to go to the Rosby's to buy some corn, tell His Holiness where I've gone when he returns."

Trotting off, he had narrowly turned the bend of the road when he spurred his horse into a gallop, making his way to King's Landing.

[Aerys]

Jaehaerys Velaryon rose from his seat, took the High Septon's hand and raised it to his lips.

"Your Holiness. I believe we have not met before. I am Lord Jaehaerys Velaryon, Master of Driftmark and Lord of Tides."

He indicated the two knights flanking him.

"May I introduce to you my lieutenants Ser Godry Farring and Ser Rolland Storm. Ser Richard Horpe you have already. This is my squire Aurane Waters. My brother Ser Daemon Velaryon is at the moment........indisposed."

Jaehaerys filled a goblet with wine and held it out in offering to the High Septon, while his squire fetched a seat for the prelate.

"Now Your Holiness. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

[Victarion]

Donnel, with the innocence of a boy caught stealing cookies, withdrew his hands swiftly. "There is no need for that Lord Velaryon. I am but a man, not the Seven themselves."

He did take the seat, and sighed in satisfaction, and, winking at Jaeharys, said. "My leg, it's constantly sore these days."

He waved away the wine. "How can I take fine wine when I have trouble finding food for the people of King's Landing?"

[Aerys]

Jaehaerys studied the High Septon for a moment.

"Some, milord, might argue that the people of Kings Landing are in rebellion against the rightful King and his lawfully appointed Regent and deserve any tribulations the Seven might send their way."

[Victarion]

For one of the few times in his life, Donnel looked angry. "Rickon was annointed king of the realm, not something done litely, my quarrel is not with the king." He sighed, bringing his anger under control. "Piers Bettley had sent me messages for months, urging me to excommunicate and anathemize Andry. When I refused to bring the Faith into the conflict, to maintain peace, he had the almshouses and hospitals funded by the faith burned down, it's occupants slaughtered."

His voice became hoarse, and his lip quivered. "Bodies...burnt bodies...everywhere."

[loremaster]

Speaking of burning, the red priest and company were presumably walking around Duskendale. Pylos had stopped to speak to a few soldiers, praising them for their courage to risk their lives. He slowly moved about, offering his spritual services if needed in this time of religious controversy. He made no reference to R'hllor, in fact quite amiably reciting the scriptures and prayers of the Seven without error.

[Aerys]

Jaehaerys placed his goblet down and his eyes met the High Septon's.

"Yes I understand that. However that places the rest of us in somewhat of a quandry.

I serve King Rickon as the rightful King of Westeros. Piers claims he serves King Rickon as his lawful Regent. So does Andry, as Rickon's closest adult male relative. You, it appears, have taken Andry's side because of the burning of the almshouses and hospitals and not through any particular recognition of Andry's lawful rights in regards to his nephew who whatever his lofty title, is still a minor. It also appears the majority of the great lords of Westeros support Piers. The realm tears itself apart."

Jaehaerys paused and sipped his wine.

"The question I would like answered Milord. What do you require of me?"

[Victarion]

Donnel's face saddened, "I have excommunicated Andry for the killing of his uncle." He looked uncomfortable. "I am a man not suited to politics, but where the Lords of Westeros may not support me, the people will. Most of the Lords of Westeros tend to have no conscience, the smallfolk and I must be that conscience. Just because Andry is in the wrong does not make Piers in the right." He allowed himself a weary smile. "War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Organized slaughter, we realize, does not settle a dispute; it merely silences an arguement."

He looked up at Jaeharys, "I implore you to defend the people of King's Landing. I implore you to protect the people you swore to protect when you took the knightly vows."

[loremaster]

Men were suddenly gathering to be blessed. Pylos was probably the first priest of any faith they had encountered in a long time who was not frightentened or begging for protection. Somewhow the red figure could retain that sense of inner calm and guidance that was expected of a proper septon. The soldiers found it... refreshing.

[Aerys]

Jaehaerys looked incredulous. He then gave a short bark of laughter.

"I realise it may not be a laughing matter to you Milord, but with the greatest respect, defend the people of King's Landing? With what exactly? 2,000 men and 10 warships will merely delay the inevitable."

"And if I were to defend King's Landing in conjunction with Andry's forces, I would at the same time be defending an excommunicate would I not?

"Piers was not excommunicated for kinslaying. Indeed it has been suggested to me that he may not have even given the order to burn the hospitals and almshouses."

"Could it be argued Milord that the army just to the north of us at Harrenhal is in fact attempting to liberate Kings Landing from the excesses of a tyrant who fails to observe the proper judicial process in dealing with suspected traitors and kills them out of hand? Is this not the reason you excommunicated Andry?

[brigida]

OOC: Much negative feedback alters the locale.

Her party disembarked unobtrusively in the shining glory of a sunny day, with the harbour of Duskendale hard at work bustling all around them. When news had come at Sunspear that turmoil at King's Landing was reaching a fever pitch, Tristeza and her party quickly altered their plans in order to accomodate an arrival at the Duskendale port, rather than that at King's Landing--they would then proceed south on horseback towards the capital city, in search of Piers.

[Aerys]

There was a prolonged silence as Jaehaerys waited for the High Septon to reply.

When after he several moments he did not, Jaehaerys broke the deadlock.

He rose from his chair.

"It is with regret Your Holiness that I cannot help you."

He beckoned to Ser Richard.

"Please escort His Holiness from our camp with all honor and in safety."

Jaehaerys bowed to the High Septon as he was led from the tent by Horpe. He remained locked in thought for a few moments.

He turned to Ser Rolland Storm and Ser Godry Farring who had remained silent through the exchange with the departed High Septon.

"Sers, strike this camp. Make the men and ships ready. I want us to be ready to move within two hours."

[brigida]

Tristeza's party passed through Duskendale late at night--they had already chartered a ship to return them to Sunspear.

[loremaster]

For some reason, bonfires had been set up and lit in and around Duskendale. Instead of resting for battle, men sat around the flames and whispered and laughed on unknown matters. Ocassionally, men dressed in poorly stitched red clothing would pass Tristeza and nod to her. Perhaps they thought the gold livery of Martell to be connnected to their recently curious obssession with red? In night, sight could easily be fooled, especially in the flickering light of fire...

[brigida]

Lord Dayne whispered to her often of his observations--he had spent more time here in the North than she had, and she appreciated his insights; this time he mused that he it was wonder so many people still crowded the streets at this late hour, even on the verge of battle, as the Kingdom was.