Olander and Terrence

[Horas]

Lord Blackwood's Solar is large and airy, decorated with the heraldry of House Blackwood.

[Ollie]

Olander follows Terrence to his solar, and takes a seat when offered after the door is closed. "Lucas has been showing tremendous skill," the crannogman said aloud, not necessarily prompted on the question but speaking anyway. "The dreams come more and more oft when I am given my own, and more often than not we are granted the same vision. The boy has trouble deducing the meaning behind them, but as he grows ever taller so too will his wits and knowledge grow wider."

[Horas]

"I am pleased to hear it," Terrence retrieves a bottle himself, pouring the red wine into two goblets. "His mother and I were happy when we learned of Lucas' dreams, of course, but did not know how to help... develop such a blessing. I am in your debt for the aid and friendship you have shown my son."

[Ollie]

"You owe me nothing, Lord Terrence," he said, taking his wine and sipping it, savoring the flavor on his tongue. It was robust and warm, bringing to mind oakwood and and cherries, perhaps a hint of mountain flowers after a fresh rain.

"I will admit to you, after tending to my brood in Winterfell for so long, now that they are grown and gone I had found myself lost in what to do with my time. Allowing me to pass on the gifts of our gods to Lucas is as much a reason for me to be indebted to you as you are to me. The blood of the First Men flows through House Blackwood as much as it does House Reed. We are bound in that way, are we not, be we rivermen or crannogmen?"

[Horas]

"So we are, Lord Reed." Terrence takes a drink from his own goblet. "To be honest, I was surprised a man of your qualifications was not offered a position on the Small Council. Lord Tully seemed a decidedly odd choice for our Master of Laws. I suppose I should feel happy for my liegelord, but the man..." Terrence sighs and shakes his head. "I apologize, Lord Olander, it was not my intent to bore you with my frustrations."

[Ollie]

Olander was well acquainted with the man whose castle he had liberated and life he had saved nearly twenty years ago. Twice had Pieter Tully spurned a marriage proposal, and twice had his interference been an annoying thorn in his side during Olander's involvement of the Frey's in the murder of Roose Stark.

"No, please, I insist. I came specifically to treat with you before heading to the Landing, and here I am." Olander took another swallow from his goblet and set it on the trestle table beside him before crossing his arms across his chest and pulling at the wisps of hair coating his chin.

"But who am I to criticize his placement on the Small Council? Lord Dondarrion thought Pieter Tully a lord more suitable to oversee the laws of the kingdoms than a lord who governed a realm for nearly two decades fostered his children for more than half that. Who am I to question his judgement," the crannogman remarked dryly.

[Horas]

Terrence chuckles at the dry humor. "As you wish, Lord Olander."

His expression changes, and he is quiet for a moment, as if trying to decide how to articulate himself. "Lucas tells me that the young Lord Stark is all that a lord should be -- wise beyond his years, just, and brave. Perhaps, then, you do not know how grating it can be to have to serve a man like Pieter Tully."

Terrence swirls the wine in his cup. "It is not that he is horrendous, you must understand -- the Riverlands have remained in one piece for these past fifteen years at least. He is just thoroughly mediocre. Watching opportunities slip through his fingertips and chances for profit fly over his head is maddening. And all the while the King's court dances circles around him and the Riverlands stagnate for want of a leader."

He shakes his head once again. "Watching this unfold before my eyes, and knowing that Tully's enlightened rule stems only from the accident of birth... perhaps you can understand my frustrations now, Lord Olander."

[Ollie]

"My good Lord Terrence, I understand your frustrations full and well," Olander said, a wide grin growing on his lips, "I do believe that you know what it was to live under Roose Stark's rule."

The crannogman shifts back in his seat and rests his elbows on the arms of the chair, hands forming a steeple beneath his chin. "Do not take my meaning the wrong way. Roose Stark was a close friend of mine, and though I offered him my council the best I could, the man was not made to leading. Though what happened to him at the hands of the Freys was vile and saddening..." he continued, in a slightly more somber tone, letting whatever Terrence Blackwood would infer from the statement lingering in the air, "I cannot help to think that the North was better for it."

[Horas]

"Truly..." Terrence leans back in his chair, studying Olander's tepid eyes, and wondering. "If only some accident might befall Lord Tully, so that the Riverlands could go stronger as well. Such an accident might even benefit the North."

[Ollie]

Lord Blackwood's insinuation intrigued Olander in a pleasing, almost expected way. "Benefit the north you say? Why, Pieter Tully is a dear friend of mine. Mayhaps you can help me see the solution?" he smiled. "It would grieve me to see him dead as much as I am sure it would grieve you as well."

[Horas]

"Ah," Terrence says softly, "But if Lord Tully were to die -- accidentally, tragically -- the position of Master of Laws would be unoccupied. Perhaps this tourney would be a good time to renew old friendships with our Lord Hand? You would seem to be the logical choice to succeed dear Pieter."

"And indeed, should Tully fall, perhaps another man, one with which you have close ties, a follower of the Old Gods, could take up his former lord's mantle here in the Riverlands. In troubled times like these, powerful allies should always be welcomed."

[Ollie]

"Lord Terrence, your words are as welcome and refreshing as your wine," Olander declared, retrieving his goblet taking another drink of wine. "There is on nly one snag I can think of in your otherwise excellent notion. What of Lord Tully's sons? I cannot imagine that any one of them would give up his clench on his seat of power in the Riverlands, no matter how better suited another lord might be. It might look odd should four trouts suddenly turn belly up in the pond."

[Horas]

"That all depends on the circumstances, does it not? If four fish are hooked separately, some might look on with suspicion. But if the pond dries up, why, it is the most natural thing in the world for all to die."

"A man like Tully has many guards, of course, but there are still dangerous places in the world. The sea, for instance. Who knows what manner of vile pirates might happen upon Tully and his sons should he be convinced to take a voyage at sea."

[Ollie]

Olander smoothed down a stray hair on his chin as he considered the option.

"Pirates are as unpredictable as a forest fire. If we set the blaze ourselves, one might look to us and see soot on our fingers. No, we have to find a flame already crackling and convince it to burn for us the direction we want."

[Horas]

"I have heard rumors of a 'reaver king' in the Stepstones," Terrence begins, "A Jhorgo Greyjoy. A dangerous man, outside the law, but not closed to negotiations. Perhaps he is just the type of accident we could introduce to Lord Tully?"