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Post by Horas on May 2, 2008 3:02:42 GMT -5
"Rhaegar, Rhaenys, and Aellion Targaryen. When they were but children, King Callen Baratheon commanded my lord to hide them away from Westeros. He did, and still controls their estate. And now he has begun to let them loose, on very short ropes. Have you ever seen shows of mummery, my Prince? Sometimes there is a puppet dragon, so that the hero has something to fight."
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Post by Aerys on May 2, 2008 5:16:38 GMT -5
Avery frowned.
"I mislike the thought of Targaryens at large in the Free Cities. My cousin Rhaegar and his wife are both the offspring of Targaryen princesses. However I would trust Rhaegar with my life and not for one second do I doubt his loyalty to the Baratheons.
"However these Targaryens are a different matter. They would remove my house from the Iron Throne if they could, short rope notwithstanding."
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Post by Horas on May 2, 2008 13:06:47 GMT -5
"Of course," Marei says. "But to be frank, all three are fools, and at least one is mad. They are not substantial threats, particularly if supervised. It would be a simple matter to... remove them, but it is unwise to take away tools that could prove useful in the future, no mater how unlikely."
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Post by Aerys on May 2, 2008 22:46:20 GMT -5
Avery was about to reply, when there was a knock at the door.
A guard entered, moved towards Avery and knelt. Avery unrolled the parchment, read it briefly, rolled it up and dismissed the guard with a nod.
He turned once again to Marei Swiftwater.
"Well Mistress Marei. It appears that the Lady Claera Waters and her children have decided that Dragonstone's hospitality is not to their liking. It appears that someone has snatched them away."
He frowned.
"This I had not anticipated. Security in and around Dragonstone is tight and how a highborn lady and her two children can be taken from Dragonstone is somewhat of a mystery. However the security arrangements will be tightened."
"So I have some further tasks for you and your Lord. Clearly you have a network of informants and contacts that far exceed mine. So I would like to make use of that network.
"Firstly I want the location of Lady Claera and her children identified and secondly I want them back in my custody. If Dragonstone's perimeter can be breached and persons abducted, then so can any other. I suspect the Dondarrions of course and they would either be in the Stormlands or somewhere in Kings Landing. I'm sure that between us we can effect such an abduction.
"Thirdly I want information on the location and makeup of Breck Dondarrion's forces, both land and naval.
"I also want a fleet of sellsails....as many as can be raised.
"Can this be done Mistress Marei?"
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Post by Horas on May 3, 2008 17:56:55 GMT -5
Marei rises to her feet and curtsies formally. "It will be done, your highness." She withdraws a slip of parchment from up her sleeve and hands it to Avery. The name of a tavern is written on it, apparently located in King's Landing. "A message given to the barkeep will make its way to me, and eventually my lord. Send a message if you desire to discuss something. I shall have my report on your requests delivered as soon as possible."
She pauses a moment. "I have one more suggestion, before I leave. I want to send an assassin after you. Appearing the victim can be beneficial, and lords will be less likely to flock to Dondarrion's cause if they believe he tried to murder a royal prince in cold blood. I will send the man to scale the western ramparts; have your guardsmen ready."
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Post by Aerys on May 3, 2008 18:51:28 GMT -5
Avery at first looked startled at the assassin suggestion and then grinned.
"Very well Mistress Marei. I can understand your reasoning. It will be a good test of Dragonstone's defences.
"Let us hope my guards are up to the task that their name suggests. My guardsmen will be waiting."
The 19 year old prince took Marei's hand, touched it briefly to his lips and murmured.
"I thank you and your lord for your assistance. It is my hope that some day my cousin Jaehaerys will be avenged and that the royal house will once again enjoy its' former pre-eminence. If that day should eventuate, it will not be forgotten.
"I hope we shall meet again."
He released her hand and turned away to once again stare out the windows. This time it was in the direction of Westeros.
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Post by Horas on May 3, 2008 22:41:51 GMT -5
Marei blushes slightly as the prince kisses her hand. "I hope we meet again also, my Prince. Until then..." She curtsies again, then turns and exits the room.
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Hope you all are well and happy.