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Post by Imry Willfyre on Nov 18, 2009 10:26:28 GMT -5
Bracken bows before his good-father and then seats himself before the man. "Aye, Lord Thatcher. Prior to my birth a number of my extended family including uncles and great uncles, had deigned to seize Stone Hedge from my father, who was childless at that point. Instead, during his funeral, as you might know, I was born. I've been the private resentment of this cadet branch since then, only to now become the public resentment. My cousin Gerold attempted to seize it by force just last month."
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 10:31:21 GMT -5
Talyn nodded, "So you had a public frackus with him outside your very gates, even though you knew before hand that he was plotting against you? Not very sensible Titus," the Lord Hand said, giving him a pointed look.
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Nov 18, 2009 10:56:39 GMT -5
"With all due respect, Lord Thatcher, I had no time to make such arrangements. I had but two days to make plans for the oncoming assault. My cousin was without Stone Hedge when I got the news and I had no further leads within the castle." His face grew darker.
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 11:06:22 GMT -5
Talyn snorted, "Isn't that just like whisperers. They never tell you anything until its to late to mean a fucking thing. Is it fully cleaned up? I do not want this to stretch out, disorder in the Riverlands reflects badly on me, since its my backyard."
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Nov 18, 2009 11:15:35 GMT -5
"There were a handful of prisoners that are presently being interrogated. My cousin was slain however, and the cause is at least stunted if there is even any more further plans coming from my relations."
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 11:20:27 GMT -5
"Turn the prisoners over to Lord Banefort at the crossing for the King's Justice. That will eliminate any concerns that you've leveraged them to implicate more relatives than are strictly necessary. Lord Banefort will be informed of the Crown's interest in a quiet Riverlands." Talyn said, clearing his throat, "Also, spend more time with your wife. If you had a son, it would solidify your position, and quiet your relatives."
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Post by Marie on Nov 18, 2009 15:00:30 GMT -5
To his credit Talyn paused to actually consider the argument for a moment. "What you say has merit, but I think you are greatly underestimating his grace. I do mean it when I say that since he reached his majority, King Daemon has been King in fact as well as title. He has made decisions. His small council keeps him well informed, but the decision is his. It is true, that I have deal with the paperwork, and details that all Hands have dealt with since there WERE Hands, on matters of the King's security, and the upholding of the law, but I do not think King Daemon's authority is being degraded." Talyn said, there was a note of irritation that he had to explain himself to this young woman, but it is kept in check. "What your mother, who, I'll add, is a woman that I love dearly, may not have told you, is that much of her trouble in ruling came because she did NOT trust her councilors as she ought to. To few things were discussed, and important decisions made on impulse." He coughed into his fist, "Do not underestimate your brother, he is a very clever man. If he told you things about his relationship with me, consider why he told you them?" He looked the Princess in the eye. "Was there something else in particular you wanted to ask about, or just express concerns regarding your brother?" Joanna frowned. She had a feeling Daemon had just used her as a catspaw. Well, two can play at that, brother. "Perhaps there is," she said. "First, though, I wish to make sure I perfectly understand the current situation. I have perhaps spent too much time considering gossip and fashion and too little time thinking about the realm's policies. You wear the mantle of command so well that it is hard for me to see Daemon as the one who does so. Am I correct in assuming that you believe my brother seeks to drive a wedge between those who would be closest to him, so that we trust him and are suspicious of one another?" She thought it a clever plan, if it was true, but was determined not to be put off. |
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 15:11:27 GMT -5
"It sounds to me like you are asking me to confirm what you suspect, rather asking me what I suspect," Talyn replied, "What makes you think that? Something he said to you?"
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Post by Marie on Nov 18, 2009 15:23:52 GMT -5
She hesitated, not wanting to break her promise but it looked like it was too late for that now. Besides, Daemon had no right to her secrecy if he was abusing her offers of support.
"Something like that, yes. I never even considered it until just now but..."
She stopped and her expression became deadly serious.
"If I tell you, uncle, you must not approach Daemon directly with anything I say to you."
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 15:29:17 GMT -5
Talyn nodded, "of course not Joanna, you may speak freely."
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Post by Marie on Nov 18, 2009 15:50:32 GMT -5
"Alright."
She look a long breath as she steeled herself to speak.
"Daemon told me that yourself, Lord Trant and Lord Bettley don't take him seriously and that you treat him as a boy even now. He claimed that all three of you are too forceful so he cannot assert himself . Of course now I wonder which of you is telling the truth."
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 16:58:33 GMT -5
Talyn snorted, "He's the King Joanna. He has his own heir. If he instructed us to resign in open court, we'd have no choice but to comply, even if we did not think it was in his best interest. Would Milo take away his spies, and would I seek other contracts for the Sons, and Trant retire to Gallowsgrey and no longer serve as diplomat and counselor? possibly. But that is the King's choice to make, if he wishes."
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Post by Marie on Nov 18, 2009 17:19:49 GMT -5
"If that is what he wants he might just as well say so openly and have done, so perhaps that is not what he wants."
She thought about it for a moment.
"I think Daemon seeks to sow discord between us, perhaps as a way of gaining more control over his Court. Or...perhaps he does wish you to resign and wishes you to be the one to do it rather than have to give you the order. Or..."
She sighed heavily, her eyes wide with unhappiness as she thought of something else.
"Perhaps he is testing me, his own sister. Perhaps this is some elaborate ruse to get me to make a fool of myself and keep me out of Court business. Could that be it, uncle? I'm not sure any more. I only wanted to help Daemon. That is what siblings are for."
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Post by The Stranger on Nov 18, 2009 17:26:14 GMT -5
Talyn raised his eyebrow, "I've offered to resign before, and Daemon has always refused. I do not know why he would want you and I to be at discord," Talyn said, with a slight smile, "I think more likely Daemon is playing games. That is part of his nature, I think."
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Post by Marie on Nov 18, 2009 17:54:14 GMT -5
"I can agree with that, but I am not happy about being used as a catspaw. I am stuck now. I can't go back to Daemon and say I succeeded but neither can I confess my failure.
She grimaced.
"At least, I will not."
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Hope you all are well and happy.