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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:02:31 GMT -5
"You are already traitors, Lorax, who speaks for the Reeds," Old Dog pointed out. "This deed would restore you to the Queen's peace, not separate you from it. You've committed a treason already, and gained what? You gained nothing. You will save many lives if you agree. If the fortress can be taken by stealth, many men who would otherwise have been slain, and I speak of Northmen here, will live. There is value in that. Without the shield of your ancestor's castle, your Lady may rethink her foolishness. You would do both your liege lord, and your Queen a service, if she does, and gain rank in the meantime. Meanwhile, what does defiance gain you? Nothing. The fortress will fall. If not today, tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, in the future. Dragons do not forget Lorax, not ever, and it is not for nothing that their words are Fire and Blood. The North will never be separate for long. This way leads to peace, and prosperity. I urge you to consider it."
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Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 13:39:52 GMT -5
"It is a tempting offer, but no." Lorax replied.
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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:41:30 GMT -5
The Old Dog looked visibly disappointed.
"That is quite distressing. Would there be a counter-offer where your lord might be amendable? I can send word back to my lord and my Queen, and perhaps an agreement could be reached?"
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Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 13:43:36 GMT -5
The man sighed, "It is not for sale. The price you offer us is unbelievable, but if we take it we are doomed for all time. We will be selling our soul. There is no price on a soul."
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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:46:09 GMT -5
Old Dog nodded, "I respect your stance. We'll speak no more of that. There is a another, unrelated issue, with which I was asked to bring up. We have currently, within the cells of our dungeon, a number of noble men, who have requested the right to take the black. Could arrangements be made for them to be escorted to the Wall? You can understand that we are hesitant to simply let them wander their own way North, lest they decide that the Wall is not for them, and instead they return to their villainy."
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Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 13:47:36 GMT -5
Lorax nodded, "We can do that. Bring them to the neck, and blindfold them and bind their hands behind their back. Make them enter, we will find them."
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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:52:28 GMT -5
"And you will swear on the honor of House Reed, and on all the Old Gods, that they will be on the wall, and take the black?" Old Dog asked.
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Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 13:53:07 GMT -5
"Or die alone in the Neck." The man smiled, before adding, "This I swear."
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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:57:55 GMT -5
"Very well. I appreciate that we could reach terms on this matter at least," Old Dog said, "If you have nothing you'd like for me to relate to my master or Queen, than I suppose this parlay is at an end."
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Post by The Smith on Oct 31, 2009 13:59:03 GMT -5
"farewell." He turned, and walked toward the swamp.
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Post by The Flint on Oct 31, 2009 13:59:49 GMT -5
Old Dog and his party returned back to their fortified camp.
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Post by The Flint on Nov 1, 2009 16:46:41 GMT -5
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Aaron Royce, Lord Mallister, and a platoon of Thatcher's Men arrive at the border of the Neck, where the dark swamps stretch northward.
"Alright. Dismount," The sergeant says gruffly.
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Post by Sam on Nov 1, 2009 16:48:42 GMT -5
Aaron slides nimbly off his horse, despite his hands being bound. He looks apprehensively at the Swamp, and then back up at Thatcher's sergeant. "We're to walk the rest of the way?"
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Post by The Flint on Nov 1, 2009 16:49:55 GMT -5
"You two are. This is were we stop. According to the agreement made with the Reeds, you'll both be blindfolded, and are to walk North, into the neck. From there they will fetch you, and take you to the Wall. Not our idea," he says with a shrug.
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Post by Sam on Nov 1, 2009 16:53:41 GMT -5
"Fantastic," Aaron muttered. "You sure this isn't some punishment devised by the Queen? Walking into a swamp bound and blindfolded sounds an awful lot like a death sentence."
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Hope you all are well and happy.