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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2007 10:48:10 GMT -5
This elegant manor is the headquarters of the Lannister's in King's Landing. There attempts at keeping it secret have always failed due to heavy traffic of Lannister Men-at-Arms to and from this location.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 7, 2007 0:06:14 GMT -5
Lord Piers Bettley returns to King's Landing and immediately starts sending warning to all of his Goldhands about the foul raiders.
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 8, 2007 23:44:51 GMT -5
When Piers got home, he found one of Lilith's occasional updates waiting for him.
My darling sugar plum,
Our daughter is blooming and her eyes (so like yours, m'dear) seem to notice everything, including exactly how to create the most trouble with the least effort. The five have served her and me well over the years, but unfortunately she seems to have them all wound round her chubby little fingers. She now knows three alphabets, the Meerheese syllabery and the beginnings of Dothraki pictograms as well. She has also convinced Haeger to tell her nothing but tales of the heroic queens and ladies of Westeros so thinks of herself as the next Nymeria.
Davion was my personal favorite for a time and we did indeed examine each other's small clothes but he is a two or three trick pony so I was rather relieved when his termagant of a Meerheese wife (or is she his mistress, I don't ask!) showed up to claim him. As she is a superb cook, I'd much rather soothe her sensibilities rather than his (her bhaji, Meerheese street cuisine, are brilliant, delicate dishes of puffed rice, crisp little balls with spicy sauces and savory kebabs are well worth throwing Davion out of my bed as they are such a nice change from the plain food of the mountains).
Lyrrian is a real brick and has been instructing all the men and women in the camp to great effect, we are now a danger to local wildlife wherever we go. It has taken some time for Petra to grow into your beautiful bow (the shape and balance of it are absolutely lovely), but she began her formal lessons a few months ago and just yesterday killed her first rabbit. Blood thirsty little creature she is, she didn't blink at its death. I am not sure if this is a good or a bad thing. Kurt showed her how to skin the rabbit and she is becoming facile with a small black dagger I found for her but I have not yet encouraged her to start sticking it in things, I fear she would be far too good at it. Ditto for the useful lessons Steffen has to teach.
I looked in a pool of dark water the other day and barely recognized myself, I seem so far from my silks these days. I have managed to contact many of the widows and orphans of the Rock and have comforted and succored where I could, but have also taken on other tasks as they have come. Just spent a remarkable week in a camp of Deaf fey battling the plague (my ability to read their gesture language is by no means perfect but improved through the week). Amazing what comes in useful. Never thought knowing that lamb sheaths can be flavored with mint would be a valuable piece of information.
We have moved on, but as with every new camp we set, and with every widow we help, the demons fade a little more. I lie at nights looking up at stars crawling like beetles across the sky, feeling the wind on my face, my arms, my body and for some odd reason think of you.
L.
p.s. So glad you and the girls enjoyed the reverse Dothraki, it is amusing, isn't it?
p.p.s: The rumor mill mentions you had an accident. Know you are under strict instructions to keep your hide intact. I have use for it.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 23, 2007 0:51:02 GMT -5
Lord Piers, Ser Jast and many other Goldhands take up residence in the unofficial home of the Custom agency.
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 23, 2007 5:30:33 GMT -5
When Elena Plumm arrived at the Goldsmith's Manor, she gave a message and a small gift to Piers.
The message was in code.
"Beloved Beetle, I hope this finds you well. I will be setting out shortly to establish a field hospital at the Wall. As perhaps only you will understand, I am terrified. Terrified for the men fighting at the Wall and terrified of the madness I connect with such carnage. And yet, in all this, I find moments of peace, the calm sea beyond the surf, and can let the ordinary workings of my camp sweep me along.
I also find myself dwelling upon you to ward away the madness. My body seems to remember your every touch. Thank you for them, they give me strength.
Yours, with great longing,
Spider"
Enclosed was yet another piece of embroidery. There were three scenes depicted, Petra and Elena dancing before a fire with Petra in a beautiful blue dress; Petra practicing with her new sword with one of the Fair 17; and finally one of Petra lying in bed, being read a bedtime story by Lilith from the "Art of War."
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 23, 2007 5:35:33 GMT -5
A short coded raven message for Piers arrived a few days later.
"Darling, Ser Hill has just arrived in camp. Many thanks for his services. He seems competent but arrogant and seems to bear no particular affection for you. Do you actually trust this man?
Spider"
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 23, 2007 10:13:27 GMT -5
A page announces widely about the city that since Lord Bettley is the Master of Coins, Ser Vikter Jast shall lead the Goldhands.
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Post by Lilith Royce on Jul 23, 2007 14:13:56 GMT -5
Another raven with a short message:
"Beloved, Hill is settling in well and he and Petra have taken to each other famously. We're on the move so little time to write, hope to write more from the Wall.
Ever and longingly yours,
Spider"
The handkerchief with its two embroidered figures made it quite clear exactly what she was longing for.
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Jul 26, 2007 17:57:59 GMT -5
Aerie swung down lightly from her saddle, handing the reins of her blood-bay courser to a nervous boy who twitched his limbs far too often whenever one deigned to look upon him. Anarchy tossed his head with resolute fervor, sidestepping away from the boy and jerking the reins with enough force to tear them out of the groom’s hands. Aerie sniffed impatiently, motioning for Alyssa to take her mount while she paid Ser Jast a little visit about their arrangement. She would go alone so not to appear too conspicuous. Alyssa nudged Revolt forward and took Anarchy from the boy kindly, leaning down to converse with him, and Aerie, seeing everything was being taken care of, continued into the manor.
Where was the man lurking? He was the newly appointed leader of the Goldhands, she had heard, a very coveted position, it would seem. Aerie had already begun to reach out to some of the people in King’s Landing when she had arrived to the place, ensuring a tiny web of ears was cast around so she would not miss too much while she began to settle in to this foreignness of King’s Landing. There would be time later to solidify those relationships and ascertain her contacts were truly pledged to her, and her alone; and things like that took time and a certain subtlety, something she dare not leap into. The state of things at the moment were tentative, at best. Those she had conversed with more sought the approval of the high-born, like a dog performing tricks for laughter and carresses, than anything else. They opened their mouths because she soothingly asked for them to; she would need to make sure they realized they were expected to continue performing for her whenever she desired it, which was constantly. They could pull away from the strings she had surreptitiously tied around them with the weight of a few simple questions spoken in innocence.
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Post by The Smith on Jul 27, 2007 0:27:21 GMT -5
A troubled messenger, seemingly lost, spots Aerie Blackwood and with a sudden sense of relief trots over to her. With as much energy as he can muster he declares, "Your presence is requested at the White Spool. You must ride with me."
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 27, 2007 0:47:59 GMT -5
Ser Vikter Jast exits the manor having spotted Aerie he approaches her, raising a quizzical eye at the messenger. Jast then looks back at her trying to get her attention.
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Jul 27, 2007 13:55:21 GMT -5
Aerie's features tautened into a bemused frown, her acid-green eyes dark with the shadow of suspicion and unease. “Requested by whom?” she demanded sharply, staring into his face with ferocity as if trying to snatch the answer from his troubled features. Requested, he says, but I must ride with him. It seems I have little choice in the matter. "Who is summoning me to a tailor's shop?" she snapped crossly, dour now that her meeting was once again postponed to a later day. Seeing the messenger flinch, she relented and laid a soothing hand on his arm, making apologetic noises in her throat; she was known to treat both the low and high born with the same respect. It was not his fault the message he was forced to carry did not suit her schedule and threw her off balance. How she hated being caught that way. That was when she spied Ser Jast marching curiously towards her, a quizzical expression pulled across his face and his step brisk with purpose. Aerie paused, looking up at him. “Why, Ser Jast, how nice to see you once more. I only just came to the manor but a few minutes gone.” Her voice stressed that casually, pointing out that she was leaving as soon as she had come, and did he know why? She didn’t. She shot the messenger a furtive and rather irritated glance, her brow crooked in thought. “Would you care to join me to The White Spool?” she asked cautiously, her eyes darting surreptitiously to the messenger to gauge his response. It would let her know if this was a private affair that she should be largely wary of.
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 27, 2007 14:23:22 GMT -5
Ser Jast's eyes flickered between the two before he replied, "I will accompany you, if you wish." He looked over his shoulder at a servant and made a subtle hand gesture. The lad scurried off for Ser Jast's sword.
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Jul 27, 2007 14:41:17 GMT -5
“I am glad.” He did not know. Aerie frowned, following the progress of his servant with her eyes before turning her attention back to the messenger. “Well, shall we?” Alyssa trotted into view, leading a snorting Anarchy over to his rider. A sword lay draped over her small, open saddle, the jewels encrusted into its sleek black sheath coruscating in the thin tendrils of morning sunlight. It would not do to belt it over her clothes (she had a reputation as a lady to protect, after all), so it resided upon her saddle when Aerie rode out on business, being another reason why she was loath to wander too far away from her spirited courser. She did not like being without it; it wouldn’t help her in a stall while she conducted risky business in the many manors of the place. She had little choice in the matter, however.
“See to your horse,” she nodded to the messenger while she spoke to Alyssa in a lowered voice. Alyssa nodded tightly and cantered off into the crowd on her rose gray mare, slipping out of sight behind the cover of winding streets. Aerie swung onto Anarchy in one swift motion, her fingers closing on the reins as the stallion broke into a couple of choppy canter strides, tossing his head merrily. Aerie disengaged his hindquarters and forced him around her inside leg while she waited for the two men to gather their belongings. Curiosity bit at her stomach. Why was she summoned to a tailor’s shop? Something was not quite right…
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Post by Bunny-Rabbit on Jul 27, 2007 14:51:58 GMT -5
Two servants came out of the Manor's grounds walking side by side. One lead Jast's horse, which he had never bothered to name, and the other clutched his scabbarded sword. Quickly preparing himself, he then mounted.
Looking at Aerie, "After you milady." He follows her to the tailor's shop.
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Hope you all are well and happy.