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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 0:47:39 GMT -5
"Not at all. We've not been much for family meals of late I'm afraid. Due to circumstances Lord Francis takes most of his meals in his solar. Are you hungry? We have meat and mead if you wish it. Or if you'd prefer simply bread, wine, and... salt. Whatever is needed to make you feel completely comfortable. Francis will see you as soon as you are ready."
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 0:54:26 GMT -5
"You are a kind woman, Lady Varner." Tristeza cooed honestly. "Francis could not have done better for himself, and I am glad to know it certainly now." she promised as she took her Hostess' hands graciously, with the look of an approving sister. "I thank you kindly for your hospitality, but we have just eaten in Oldtown, and are not yet in need of food nor refreshment. I daresay, a visit with Francis would be the best thing you could offer." Tristeza smiled politely, hopeful that she had not overstepped her boundaries in this proposal.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 0:59:02 GMT -5
"Absolutely," said Lady Anne, as she held Lady Tristeza's hand. In truth she had been mildly suspicious and jealous of the Dornish woman, when she was alone with her husband in King's Landing, and Anne alone in the cold halls of Stoatheart. But the woman's precise manners did not seem to be those of an "other" woman.
"Right this way." Lady Anne says, leading Tristeza through a maze of hallways, Armed men in the Varner's white weasel are every where. This is a castle prepared for war.
As they reach the stairs to Francis' solar, Lady Anne stops. "I'll be remaining here, and i'd ask your man to remain with me. We have to be cautious with visitors, and Francis is not seeing more than one person at a time at the moment."
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:03:21 GMT -5
"I undderstand." she answered courteously, with a worried look at Kardaine. "I assume that I have you word of honor as a Lady that no harm will come to him in my absence?" she asked with a look of only the most slight nervousness.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:08:45 GMT -5
"Of course not. Ser Osmund will see to it he has something to wet his thirst, and than we shall prepare the guest rooms. It's far to late for you to continue traveling tonight anyway. Go ahead, Francis is up that way." Anne points, before Ser Osmund and she, with Kardaine in tow, leave for the guest rooms.
Up the stairs, Tristeza reaches a door. Two men in mail with drawn swords resting on their shoulders watch her every move. Each is wearing a Black weasel with a sword on his surcoat. The door behind them opens, revealing Francis.
"Lady Tristeza, so good to see you again. Forgive me for my rudeness, but I'll have to ask you a few questions if you don't mind?"
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:10:55 GMT -5
"I don't mind your asking, but I may not give you the answers you seek." She replied frankly, only slightly shaken at the somewhat abrupt greeting.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:12:55 GMT -5
"Where did we first meet? What game did we play as children, and what meal did we have when you last came to The Burrow?" Francis asks, in rapid succession.
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:15:28 GMT -5
"Near the border of Dorne while your father stayed on busines, we played Hide and Seek, and tag as children, and...I don't honestly remember what meal we ate at the Burrow...Ham, was it?" She replied awkwardly. "What's happened, Francis?" she asked, as the realization that something traumatic must have propted this interrogation.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:19:19 GMT -5
"It was not ham, it was pheasant." Francis said. "Although I suppose if you had answered them all correctly I would be suspicious because of that. Come in." The men in mail stepped aside, and Francis waved her in. He backpedals as they enter the room, never turning his back.
"I apologize for this rudeness Tristeza, but I'm afraid it was forced upon me, for the Faceless Men have me has a target for their blades."
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:20:47 GMT -5
"Oh my." Tristeza sighed despondantly. "I am so sorry, Francis. This is most upsetting news. From whence have you heard it?" she asked worriedly.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:24:16 GMT -5
"Their first man told me to my face quite plainly as he sat across from me in my solar in King's Landing, just before I slit his throat." Francis said. "That is why I went into hiding. Now the man who sent that killer to my doorstep is allies with your mistress in Sunspear."
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:26:02 GMT -5
"It was Andry who hired him?" she asked cautiously.
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:29:14 GMT -5
"Braavos, on whose behalf Andry and Emelia march." Francis said. He pulls back a portion of his tunic to reveal a long scar on his torso.
"I got that trying to return the favor, and still didn't get the bastard." Francis said voice steady, but eyes filled with hate. Tristeza has never seen the Lord Weasel this angry as man or child.
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Post by brigida on Jan 18, 2008 1:31:40 GMT -5
"I had no idea this was going on." she told him sincerely, eyes wide at the site of his wound. "Emelia tells me nothing of her plans--I wish I could say it was not of her doing, but I frankly have no idea."
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Post by The Flint on Jan 18, 2008 1:35:39 GMT -5
Francis sighed slightly, and rearranged his clothing. "I am sorry Tristeza. I should not burden you with this nonsense. You are a loyal servant of Emelia..." His voice lingers for a moment, but he does not finish the thought.
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