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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 1:38:47 GMT -5
"Ah yes, I recall something of the sort."
She fell silent for a while and they pressed onwards.
"It makes no sense for Karstark to act as he did," she said. "Someone must have put the idea into his head."
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Post by The Smith on Jun 15, 2009 3:06:04 GMT -5
"True enough. I think. Karstark has been more then fair so far." Jess replied, "But men sometimes go left of normal in battle. And there is nothing to explain about it. But Karstark ain't built that way, so I would be surprised if there was nah reason for it." He sipped from his flask and held back out to her.
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Post by The Smith on Jun 15, 2009 3:25:27 GMT -5
Some scouts rode up and whispered to Jess. He listened and smirked. He turned to the Queen, "Our whole force is moving back down to rejoin the host, except Lord Karstark has taken his men and told every one to return home and rebuild the North."
"We will not find him coming this way." He shook his head in disbelief.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jun 15, 2009 4:09:37 GMT -5
Ariel was a bit ahead of the returning force, when they were next seen.
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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 6:33:20 GMT -5
Anger washed over Rhaenys in hot waves. She could scarce believe Karstark's presumption.
"He shouldn't have done that," she said. "I don't blame the man for wanting to rebuild the North but the decision is not his to make. Lord Selwyn and I gave no orders to that effect. Karstark disbanding his men without permission is a direct challenge to my authority. We must act, ser. Karstark needs to be found and questioned about his decisions. I am no general, though. What do you suggest?"
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Post by The Smith on Jun 15, 2009 7:43:44 GMT -5
Dunn nodded, "We can get him for you. It will take time though. He was spent long years honing his ability to strike and fade. It was how he bled the others when they held all of the North."
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Post by Aerys on Jun 15, 2009 7:50:38 GMT -5
Ariel was a bit ahead of the returning force, when they were next seen. Aerys had spurred to the head of the men when he knew they were not too far away to where Aegon and his men had last been seen. Shielding his eyes from the glare of the sunlight on snow, it was he who was one of the first to see Ariel. There was no mistake. Ariel was well known to him from around the camp. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. Aerys waited for the Queen to catch up. "Your Grace. The lady Ariel approaches." He paused, as if wondering what to say next. "From north of our position." he finally said, quite pointedly. |
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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 13:29:50 GMT -5
"I wonder what Ariel is doing here," Rhaenys said. "She's no business leaving the main army. None at all. Thank you, Ser Aerys. Ser Jess, we should go and see what she's up to at once. With me both of you. Maekar, conine with the men"
She spurred her horse forwards, beckoning Jess and Aerys on with her. Then she waved to Ariel, indicating that her kinswoman should halt and wait for them.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jun 15, 2009 13:43:42 GMT -5
Ariel halted at once, waiting for Rhaenys to arrive.
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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 13:52:23 GMT -5
It wasn't long before Rhaenys galloped up. She was all smiles, despite her inner worries.
"Cousin!" She said warmly. "What are you doing out here? Your place is safe with the rest of the army."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jun 15, 2009 13:56:26 GMT -5
Ariel looked at Rhaenys. "Right now, 'safe' is the least of my concerns, cousin. I'm trying to find out just what the hell's going on around here, and why Selwyn is firing someone who was acting in accordance with your decrees."
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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 14:04:32 GMT -5
"What do you mean?" Rhaenys asked. "What has Selwyn done and to whom? Which decree of mine is this?"
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jun 15, 2009 14:07:54 GMT -5
Ariel blinked at Rhaenys. "Your decree was that Aegon return to bend the knee within a month," she responded, "or that any man who comes across him is to arrest him and bring him and his men to you for execution. The month is up." She paused, then continued. "And Selwyn has ordered Lord Karstark removed from command for trying to catch Aegon. Leading to, of course, Karstark going home to plant turnips instead of continuing to serve."
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Post by Marie on Jun 15, 2009 14:20:44 GMT -5
She stared at her cousin in disbelief. How did she know and what involvement did she have.
"Ariel," she said. "Aegon was coming to join me. He sent me a raven. He brings three hundred men to our cause. I wrote him that we would put the past behind us. Lord Karstark should not have attempted to arrest him without my express permission, which I did not give."
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Jun 15, 2009 14:24:04 GMT -5
Ariel looked at Rhaenys with two blinks. "Well, obviously, none of us have heard about your note. All we know is what you had commanded." She began to recite the decree from memory.
"'Prince' Aegon Targaryen is given a month to rejoin Queen Rhaenys and bend the knee. If he refuses to comply he will be declared an outlaw and removed from his place in the Targaryen line of succession. After that time, any man who finds him is under orders to bring him to the queen, alive, so that he may answer for his desertion."
She paused, then continued. "And so on. Any man who finds him, Rhaenys. And the same for the men who followed him. Did you not give that order?"
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Hope you all are well and happy.