Meeting with Horas Blackwood

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

After the Ball, Rhodri invites Lord Horas Blackwood to meet with him in his private solar.

[Horas]

Horas Blackwood enters the Hand's solar and sits down.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Rhodri," Horas says. "In the absence of the king, I have a matter that I must bring before you."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Lord Arryn has changed from the bright blue silk he wore to the ball to a simple black tabard with only a small rendition of his crest just above the heart. His face is somber.

"You are always welcome here, mi'lord, I value your council greatly. Tell me, what has you concerned?"

[Horas]

"I shall start from the beginning, Lord Rhodri.

As you know, Taria Blackwood was kidnapped some time ago. We were able to learn that the Black Finger Bones were the ones behind the kidnapping, and they were hired by Ser Vikter Jast. Aerie recently took a trip to Lannisport and Oldtown to see what she could learn from him.

It appears that Jast was hired by another man -- Eran Kidwell. He seems to be trying to turn Taria against her family. Eran Kidwell also appears to have hired the five best assassins Westeros has to offer. One of those assassins, a man named Quelth, died trying to kill your cousin Elane. Taria has been seen in the company of another, an archer named Brantly, in Braavos.

In truth, I do not know much of Eran Kidwell. He is Barret Tyrell's man, but whether he is working by himself or under orders is impossible to tell. Regardless, he must be siezed, questioned, and brought to justice."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Rhodri pauses and considers Horas's words carefully. "This news is distressing, but it raises nearly as many questions as it answers. Of course I was concerned with Taria's disappearance, but the involvement of this Eran Kidwell -- kin to Ser Kit I assume -- is most disturbing. I wondered as to some of Barret Tyrell's motivations when he first arrived in King's Landing but this is beyond even what had occurred to me.

That he involved my dear cousin, of course, makes it all the more personal. You are right -- Kidwell must be captured, at any cost. What do you know of his whereabouts?"

[Horas]

"Unless I am mistaken, Eran Kidwell is Ser Kit's younger brother and the current lord of Ivy Hall. As far as I know, he is there currently. But I learned of Lord Eran's involvement only tonight, and I came to you immediately. I have not compiled any information on him."

Horas pauses. "The simplest way to take him may be to invite him to King's Landing. But doing so would reveal our hand."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Given what he is involved in, to call him here would tip him off that we were after him. No, we will need to capture him through subtler means, without warning and without public notice. Then we can ply him for answers. His actions endanger the peace of the Realm, afterall. This takes on the utmost importance."

"If it comes to it, what evidence do you have of his involvement? If the King or Barret Tyrell catch wind of his arrest, they will demand some proof."

[Horas]

"I have precious little, Lord Rhodri," Horas says. "The only evidence I have is the word of my cousin, Aerie. Any more concrete proof will have to come by way of torture, once Lord Eran is captured."

"I am unsure of what kind of game Kidwell -- or Tyrell -- is trying to play. I can only assume that he is trying to drive a wedge between our houses -- first by stopping the wedding of Taria and Jon, and second by trying to make it appear as if House Blackwood was involved in the attempt on Lady Elane's life."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Well," Rhodri says with a rueful smile, "We can assure that he will fail in his goal. However long it takes to rescue Taria, Jon is your cousin already -- through his mother Lady Martina Tully. We can consider that bond enough until Taria is rescued. And I'm sure we can find more ways to tie the Vale and the Riverlands to make it clear we will not back down in our alliance."

"How do you suggest we capture Lord Eran? Do you have men up to the task, or should I find some?"

[Horas]

"I can find some good men, though your help would be appreciated. Your contacts in the Stormlands may prove useful should we need to retreat from the Reach in a hurry. For now, however, I will set my agents to finding out as much as they can about Lord Kidwell, and making sure that we know where he is at all times."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Knowledge is a good first step. Let us not blunder by acting too hastily. We now know who is the threat -- that has clipped his claws already. Learn all we can about him, and once we know more, then we can act decisively. But we must keep our actions as secretive as possible. We must not tip him off."

[Horas]

"Indeed," Horas says. "The representative from the Reach, Oliver Caswell, saw me speaking with you. Perhaps it would be best if it seemed as if we quarreled this night. Kidwell's suspicions may already be raised, but he might be lulled into a false sense of security if he thinks his plan is working."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"You make a good point. I can return to the party and speak ill of you in front of others, if you think it will work. I have some pent up anger over my brother, after all."

[Horas]

"It is worth a try. There is no need to make it overwrought, but I will be sure to give you an icy glare or two." Horas smiles.

Horas rises from his seat, preparing to leave. "I will be sure to contact you as I learn more about Lord Eran. Hopefully, we should be able to act against him soon."