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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 5:22:37 GMT -5
Piers looked at Benfry and rolled his eyes, then turning back to Emelia he asked, "One of the first things you said was that I would not make Benedicta the Regent. I have to assume you prepared more then these simple words to convince me." He swirled the wine around in his goblet.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Dec 27, 2007 5:44:05 GMT -5
Emelia smiled. "I'm not confident of convincing you, no, though it would benefit me. It hardly matters in the end, and Benedicta can be put to other uses than six years in the West. But I am a proud mother and Benedicta is my foster daughter, and I wish her well."
She smiled calmly at Piers Bettley. "But I do wish this distrust to cease, Piers Bettley. I mean it, though I don't really expect you to believe my words now. My interests are as they have always been: those of the entirety of Westeros, the entirety that will be ruled by my grandchild. My legacy, all that was good about Aegon's legacy, the greatness born of the Targaryens, not the madness. This is what I ask you to help me build, what I have devoted Dorne to building since I assumed the throne. Even as I separated Dorne from the Kingdoms, and if you can't see how I have used that to strengthen the Kingdoms, then you're not the man I chose to be Hand." She smiled at Piers, waiting for him to get that one.
"Think on it, Piers. But in the meantime, what will you do about the West? Who's getting the Regency, who's getting Jeyne?"
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Post by wookie on Dec 27, 2007 5:46:13 GMT -5
Benfry glanced at Piers. This was all a game of wordplay, not something he understood or enjoyed but he could recognise two masters at it. He looked at Timm Vikary and wondered if he was as bored listening to this as he was.
He coughed softly and went back to standing at attention.
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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 5:49:26 GMT -5
"The first things first, we will tell the Warriors to go home. Then I will summon all the contenders here. I wish to speak to them. After I have spoken with all of the Westermen I will make my decision." Piers looks at her, then adds, "Does that sound unwise to you? Do you understand all the implications of what I am saying?"
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Dec 27, 2007 5:55:56 GMT -5
Emelia looked at Piers. "It's a good idea, it'll ensure that nobody takes the throne by force, and all I can say is to reiterate a point I made about Cedric. He should not be in the running for the marriage for reasons that are no fault of his own."
She frowned. "The Lannister lineage has grown too thickly tangled, I fear, for it to be a good idea to breed so closely in this generation. I don't want to speak ill of Baldwin, but the Lannisters are bred too pure, ever since Jaime and Cersei, and even the recent influx of non-Westerners hasn't been helpful. As well as myself and Nymeria turned out, I would not like to see another line of Targaryens."
She looked at Piers. "Oh, before I leave, that brings me to my second point. My fleet was mobilized for a punitive expedition against pirates that have been, ah, taking shelter in Kingdoms ports."
"Have you any objection against such an expedition?"
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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 6:01:12 GMT -5
Looking at Emelia with hard eyes Piers asks, "Going to Dorne was not far enough. Do not worry Emelia. That at least is something we unequivacally agree upon. I can not imagine marrying Cedric to Jeyne."
He looked back up, "I have a problem with foreign ships attacking any ships in our harbors."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Dec 27, 2007 6:10:17 GMT -5
Emelia smiled. "Good," she said to the first. "And I more meant that two generations have not diluted the blood enough for me to be happy with breeding to second blood."
"Very well. In that case, I request that you rein in the Ironborn. They're your lookout, and any more ships being lost off of Dorne's coast...well, -I- have a problem with foreign ships doing -that-. Thank you for your time, Lord Piers." She and Timm stood and left.
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Post by wookie on Dec 27, 2007 6:15:28 GMT -5
Benfry relaxed a little once they had left. He was not afraid of combat, but was happy to have avoided on this occassion.
He nodded to Lord Piers and said "Going to be a little crowded in the Eyrie if all the claimants for the West start to show up with their men. I hope Lord Rhodri is able to keep the peace and prevent any hotheads from making trouble"
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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 6:21:48 GMT -5
Piers looks at Benfry and asks, "So what do you think?"
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Post by wookie on Dec 27, 2007 6:28:12 GMT -5
Benfry blinked at being asked his opinion. "To tell the truth I think all of the claimants appear to have their own agendas. It's just deciding which one is least damaging or more controllable or less power-mad"
Benfry frowned "Still, I think that you need a stable Casterly Rock, if only to keep the Iron Islanders & Reachmen in check. The realm seems on the verge of splintering as it is"
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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 6:31:42 GMT -5
Piers smiles wryly, "This is why I keeping tell you Guardsmen not to let anyone stab me."
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Post by wookie on Dec 27, 2007 6:39:30 GMT -5
Benfry looked stern and said "We do our utmost, milord. The assassins seem to be able to slip past, despite our best efforts. But when you can't trust your own hand or small council to stand by you..."
He trailed off as he realised what he'd said. His face coloured and he stammered "W-what I mean to say, milord, is that you should have more guards with you at all times in these perilous days"
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Post by The Smith on Dec 27, 2007 8:13:32 GMT -5
Piers laughed, "I will not argue that point ever again. Feel free to stab me if I do not."
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Hope you all are well and happy.