The Great Hall of the Dun Fort

[Deleted]

Aranya gazed after him. "Who could have done this?" she growled to Felryn, clenching her fists. "That red priest - I should have taken Lord Stark's offer and killed him. If he was the man who planned this."

[Fel]

Felryn shook his head. "This was Martell and the Sealord's work, they are born of treachoury and cowardly tactics," he answered angrily, a tight grip on his sword hilt.

[Deleted]

"Perhaps," Aranya said, her mouth tightening. I was not warned. My gods always warn me.

[Deleted]

Aranya's face paled when the men still began falling sick. Sixteen men, squires, and servants died, including Lord Oliver Bulwer, Ser Michael Chester, and Falatir Razoon. For Falatir Razoon especially, Aranya seemed deeply disturbed.

Lord Robb Tarly, Ser Patrek Redfort, Ser Petyr of Coldwater Burn, Ser Marq Tyrell and ten other men also sickened, but were saved by the Maester's attentions and the lobelia.

[Teirney Lannister]

Aerie was horrified at Alysanne's sudden death, and immediately regretted how harshly she had treated Graham when he was drunk. Seeing his pain now made her cringe. All around her people were desperately vomiting and clutching their wives or children in a sickening fear, and she could not comprehend who would do this. She felt the anger building within her.

[Deleted]

"Aerie," Aranya stuffed the vomiting herb into her hand. "Have you taken it? Don't stand there, eat it quickly." Aranya's face was pale and there were shadows under her eyes. She had been questioning the servants all night, following leads that went nowhere. Aranya's eyes was full of anger, worry and frustration, but there was a grim, determined cast to her face.

She sat beside Aerie, gathering Selyse in her arms and kissing the little girl fiercely. They could still hear Mallery's wails, and Aranya remembered how Alysanne had scraped at her own throat. She was the same age as Selyse, Aranya thought, shuddering.

[mark]

Robert Tarly awoke, sweating and feverish in a strange bed with clean white blankets. He tried to speak but his throat was too dry. He looked around groggily for Ser Meryn or his wife.

[Teirney Lannister]

"Yes, yes, I've taken it," she replied listlessly, sitting also. "I'm so sorry about Alysanne, Aranya. How are the other children doing?"

[Horas]

Graham Blackwood stares in disbelief at his dead child, holding her body in his arms. Tears slide down his face, though he makes no noise. Some time later, he sets his daughter down and walks away, still silent, but somehow unsteady on his feet. He does not acknowledge anyone else.

[Deleted]

Lysette, with a tiny bump under her dress, took his hand. "Shh, darling," she said gently, looking down at him with a calm, steady eye. "The maester saved you. You'll be all right, and I am too." She kissed his cold, clammy brow, squeezing his hand tightly when she remembered the Conningtons.

"Yes, yes, I've taken it," she replied listlessly, sitting also. "I'm so sorry about Alysanne, Aranya. How are the other children doing?"

"Mallery is distraught," Aranya said heavily. "Of course, any mother would be. She won't let anyone near Alys' body. The other children are fine, thankfully. Lady Connington didn't survive, though, and she was pregnant," Aranya bit her lip.

Then her eye suddenly flashed.

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2008 18:34:31 GMT -5 Horas said:

Graham Blackwood stares in disbelief at his dead child, holding her body in his arms. Tears slide down his face, though he makes no noise. Some time later, he sets his daughter down and walks away, still silent, but somehow unsteady on his feet. He does not acknowledge anyone else.

Mallery knelt at the floor with Graham, sobbing loudly, and wouldn't let anyone else near, even her other daughters, who were crying with fear and horror. The castle septa, thin old Emphyria, bent her head and quietly began the prayer for the dead - and it was the prayer of the old gods, out of respect.

When she was done, she moved to pray for the Lord Bulwer, Lady Connington, and the others.

[mark]

Robb breathed a sigh of relief when Lysette informed him of her and their child's health. Slowly sitting up, a little dizzy, he said, "Who has died? I remember the children... the poor children... and then screams over the women, and I ran to you, and then next thing I know I felt the most unbearable pain. That is the last I remember."

[Deleted]

Lysette cradled his head and neck with her arm, and gestured for the maid to bring him sweetwater to quench his dry, parched throat. "No wine for you, so soon after that poison and the pukeweed," she said, lifting the glass to his lips.

"Many have died," Lysette said quietly. "The Blackwood lordling's little girl died, as well as the children of some landed knights. Ser Michael Chester is dead. Ser Grant Connington's wife died - Robb, she was pregnant - and the Lysene warrior, Razoon, and..." she paused. "Lord Oliver," she said, gently, taking his hand. "I am sorry, Robb. He's dead."

[Teirney Lannister]

"The person who did this will pay a heavy price," Aerie said firmly as she tried to drown out the wailing resonanting faintly through the hall.

[mark]

Robb Tarly had never cried in his entire life, until 18 months prior. In the last year and a half, the grown man and warrior had sobbed three times- once for his father, once for his brother, and now for the children, the Lady Connington and her unborn child, but most of all for Oliver. "The Seven have forsaken House Bulwer," Robb said numbly. "I must see Tomas when I am able. He is my brother." He sunk back down into the bed. The news had seemed to exhaust him, leaving him nearly paralyzed. He rubbed his cheek against Lysette's arm. "I love you," he said.