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Post by Marie on Jun 11, 2009 14:32:38 GMT -5
The Queen's tent
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Post by Marie on Jun 11, 2009 14:33:01 GMT -5
Rhaenys summons Warren Marbrand.
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Post by Ollie on Jun 11, 2009 14:36:58 GMT -5
Lord Marbrand shortly arrives. He wears a somber black coat with a grey hem. When he arrives he performs the necessary bend of the waist. "You called for me," he states.
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Post by Marie on Jun 11, 2009 16:15:48 GMT -5
"I did," she said, coolly polite. "I hope you do not feel slighted by my disinclination to seek you out before now, but it was necessary, given the circumstances. How have you been, since your misfortune?"
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Post by Ollie on Jun 11, 2009 17:06:32 GMT -5
"I been as well as you can expect," Warren said curtly, and left it at that. "What is it that you require, Your Grace?" Gone was her Master of Whispers quips and smiles, replaced with clipped words and a sour expression.
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Post by Marie on Jun 11, 2009 17:19:30 GMT -5
She noiticed the change and regretted it. She had rather liked his chatter.
"I would still make use of you, Warren, if you are willing to serve. After all, you were found innocent, so no-one could protest if I found work for you once more."
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Post by Ollie on Jun 11, 2009 17:37:03 GMT -5
"Are you happy?" he asked, as if he hadn't heard her. "Are you happy with the outcome of," he searched for the word and came up blank, and gestured around himself searchingly, "This?"
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Post by Marie on Jun 11, 2009 17:53:32 GMT -5
"Of course not!" She retorted. "I lost my Master of Laws and my Master of Whispers and there was virtually no evidence either way. Some still think you did it, my lord, even though you were found innocent. I don't like that one bit. I need to be able to trust my lords."
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Post by Ollie on Jun 12, 2009 2:47:28 GMT -5
"Trust your lords?" Warren repeated derisively. "The only person you can completely trust is yourself, Your Grace, and even then that can be doubtful at times. The sooner you realize this the closer you are to becoming a skillful queen." Lord Marbrand's words were blunt, but given his demeanor it was to be expected. "But if you want to try and trust me, for me to let that happen, I would somehow have to trust you first, Queen Rhaenys. As of late I'm having trouble, to be honest."
His voice changed then, shifting from a tone cynical and bitter to something simply pained. "You say that some still believe me to guilty of whatever crime it was that I am purported to have committed. Does this come at any surprise? Why was I the only man arrested? No, not arrested -- seized. Never was I formally accused of any crime, nor given a fair trial, nor chance to defend myself," Warren raved, his eyes focused intently on Rhaenys'.
"I was locked in a cell as prisoner and denied hardly a single civil amenity, then treated to and made to suffer a parade of interrogators so long that I was sure it to be a farce. Your Ser Maekar would have been like to slice off my ear had he got two more questions in, and hearing the screams in the next room from a man no doubt intended to be believed as my friend Ser Rolfe Spicer bordered on the absurd," Warren continued, grimacing at that. "After I was released, not by yourself I will add, never was I greeted with a proper trial, nor even called before you until now.
"What I want to know Your Grace, more than why I was treated this way or how you allowed this was allowed to happen, what I want to know is what did this all gain, for surely I do not know."
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Post by Marie on Jun 12, 2009 6:56:14 GMT -5
Her eyes were full of sorrow as they looked upon him. She felt that she could trust Euric but somehow, looking upon Warren now, Rhaenys desperately wanted to believe him innnocent. No, I must trust Euric, she told herself. I know him.
"It gained us nothing, more's the pity. In the end we were forced to conclude that the wildlings acted alone. I deeply regret the way things turned out, but Maekar tells me the Reachmen would have killed or maimed you if I hadn't put you in custody. It is unfortunate that you were not given better quarters and I should have put that right if I'd deemed it prudent to visit you myself, but I thought it wiser not to be seen doing so at the time. Still, I am sure you would rather be made uncomfortable than wounded or killed."
She sighed.
"You are right that there should have been a trial. I intended for that to happen but Lord Selwyn took matters into his own hands without my permission, before I had actually told anyone that I had decided hold a trial. It was necessary for me to accept Selwyn's decision andtherefore imply that consent was given else it would create unease among our followers. The same as with your release. I had no choice but to accept it, but I was not ready to speak with you on my own account. I felt, furthermore, that it would be best for you to has some time for the figurative wounds to heal. If that was wrong, I regret it, but it is done now."
She sipped at her cup of ale.
"You asked why no other suspects were considered? Well, at the time I took you into custody there were no other suspects, save those wretched wildlings, and I left Tarly's former men to pursue them. The question of Ariel's involvement came much later with the discovery of Heartsbane, and it was again handled by those appointed by Selwyn. I had no part in it. I do believe it would have been an act of pure folly on Ariel's part for her to have become involved so soon after our reconciliation. Will you accept my explanation, Warren?"
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Post by Aerys on Jun 13, 2009 9:00:32 GMT -5
//////
Ser Aerys Velaryon rides into camp. When halted, Ser Aerys asks to see the Queen, if and when she is free.
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Post by Marie on Jun 13, 2009 9:52:30 GMT -5
Ser Aerys was met by Maekar Blackfyre, clothed in dark leather and mail and looking decidedly unhappy.
"Ser Aerys," he said coolly. "Where is Ser Aegon? The queen was under the impression that he was coming to her in person?"
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Post by Ollie on Jun 13, 2009 14:38:21 GMT -5
/////
Warren had locked eyes with Rhaenys when she began to speak, but now the she was finished, Lord Marbrand could only avert his gaze. Looking past her at the tent fabric behind, he was quiet. It was very noticeable that Warren was chewing the inside of his lip fervently, as if some sort of internal struggle were about to burst forth.
"I accept," he said after a long moment, dipping his head towards his queen. "I accept your explanation, Your Grace." His tone was heavy, and he still did not meet her eye. For a moment it looked as though he would add something, but if he had words they were swallowed promptly. He stood by, awaiting her to address him.
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Post by Marie on Jun 13, 2009 17:52:46 GMT -5
She put her hand on his arm to make her look at hiim and was smling when she did so.
"I'm glad," Rhaenys answered. I want only to put all this behind us and move on, so we can save the realm. I appointed you Master of Whispers because I thought you suited to the task and believed we would work well together. We still can, if you're prepared to resume your duties. Will you do it, for me? I need you, Warren."
Her smiled widened and she looked at him with a faintly pleading expression, her fingers dancing along his arm.
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Post by Ollie on Jun 13, 2009 19:12:36 GMT -5
Warren would have beamed a smile at such a touch any other time, but it was all he could do to not flinch away. "Yes," he said in a weary voice. "Yes, of course I will. I will serve you for as long as you require me, Your Grace."
His expression was not a pleasant one, but the queen could see that his demeanor stemmed moreso out of hurt or wariness rather than anger.
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Hope you all are well and happy.
Feb 9, 2021 15:35:26 GMT -5
Hope you all are well and happy.
Feb 9, 2021 15:35:26 GMT -5