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Post by Horas on May 27, 2011 12:44:38 GMT -5
"Neville's a good man," Hugo asserts. "A friend. But he's scared. There's a Westerling woman at his court, with a sly tongue, but Hightower told me her purpose plain enough once I shooed her away. She spies on him, and tells him what Lord Lannister wants, and if he doesn't do that, then there are consequences. Neville told me in private that some of his cousins, more outspoken than him, have been 'disappearing'... and Lannister has all but stolen ten of his galleys for his own use." Hugo's fist balls up in anger.
"He's got some control over his city still, at least. I coaxed him into some joint naval manuevers, and he put some of his ships at my disposal for hunting pirates and the like. My offer seemed to make him happy, rejuvenate him almost."
"Being quiet is all well and good, but I think Lord Hightower needs a strong arm to lean on more than anything. I'm thinking of loaning him one of my men to head up his city guard, someone he can trust, not a Lannister patsy. I also want to talk to the lords of the Shield Islands. Get some sort of naval pact among us Reachlords on the coast to make us strong, and talk about these issues too."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on May 28, 2011 3:54:53 GMT -5
Florent listened with disgust as Hugo described the situation at the Hightower. He shook his head sadly. He nodded at his last comment.
"The Shield Lords would prove valuable allies," he confirmed.
He turned to the two Fossoways.
"What news from Cider Hall? Know you of any Houses who may be willing to stand up for the Reach? Know you of any Houses who may not?"
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Post by House Fossoway on May 30, 2011 14:49:40 GMT -5
Ser Bernard shook his head.
"No, we know nothing of certainty, but I've begun placing eyes and ears in the houses around Cider Hall. Like I stated earlier, the close vicinity to Highgarden makes the lords a bit more wary in their views of the Lannisters and their lackies."
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Post by Horas on May 30, 2011 18:35:36 GMT -5
"And you, Alphonse? Have you found any lords in this part of the Reach who are willing to stand up to Ser Erik and his Lannister paymasters?"
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 1, 2011 11:16:45 GMT -5
Florent shook his head.
"No. But I have representatives from the two families I know share my views stood in front of me." He grinned sheepishly.
"It just struck me - all of us stood here now are treacherous conspirators." He grinned again, but not quite as convincingly.
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
"So. Lord Hugo, you plan to work on Lord Hightower and the Shield Lords. I myself plan to canvass some of the Lords of the Western Reach - Houses Bulwer, Costayne, Tarly, Varner and others too. Learn where any true support lies, utilise it where possible.
Ser Bernard - your locality is awkward, that is appreciated. Do you have any ideas on contributions you can make to this... endeavour?"
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Post by Horas on Jun 1, 2011 11:23:31 GMT -5
"The other Fossoways?" Hugo suggests, "The green ones."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 1, 2011 11:28:33 GMT -5
Florent smiles and offers Hugo a wink before turning back to the assembled Red Apple Fossoways.
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Post by House Fossoway on Jun 1, 2011 12:31:26 GMT -5
Ser Bernard nodded.
"I am working to find out what Ashfords, Caswells, Merryweather and Meadows to begin with, then I might see which side House Rowan may be on. The green Fossoways wouldn't suprise me if they are in the pockets of the Lannisters, and we are not on the best of terms at the moment."
[OOC: Ser Bransen isn't there talking, you are talking to Ser Bernard]
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Post by Horas on Jun 1, 2011 13:41:33 GMT -5
"The three of our houses together are powerful, but if we can double our numbers any lord in the realm would have to stop and take notice." Hugo says. He wipes sweat from his brow again, then folds the handkerchief and puts it away. "We should know exactly what we're selling, though. A new regent, obviously, chosen by us Reachlords. And the young Tyrell lord away from Casterly Rock." He frowns. "Or is the little lord a lost cause already?"
[OOC: Didn't you have Bernard call Bransen over earlier in the thread?]
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Post by House Fossoway on Jun 2, 2011 0:47:53 GMT -5
Ser Bransen had stood quiet for the conversation, letting his uncle do most of the talking, but he spoke up after Lord Hugo had finished.
"I am afraid that the little lord is more Lannister than Tyrell now, and even if we Red Fossoways has always been a faithful follower of House Tyrell, we have to see to what is best for the Reach as a whole and just not the house that have ruled it for many centuries."
[OOC: You are correct, Redwyne. I did that obviously, wasn't my intent, but I've done it so I'll work with it now.]
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 2, 2011 10:56:12 GMT -5
Florent raises his finger in objection.
"House Tyrell itself is not to blame for the mess we find ourselves in, Ser Bransen. You are right that we must act in the interests of the whole Reach, but to my mind the Reach is the domain of House Tyrell. It must return to House Tyrell in the future.
Is the boy totally beyond saving? When did any real man of the Reach last see the child?"
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Post by House Fossoway on Jun 2, 2011 13:03:15 GMT -5
Ser Bransen shook his head.
"I do not blame House Tyrell, I am just stating what I believe has happened to the old house. One has been raised at Casterly Rock, which makes me believe that he is beyond saving but maybe I am wrong. Those Tyrells that rule the house in the present are nothing more than Lannister lackey all of them. Those Tyrells that held Reach as their first and most priority has all been sent to the Wall or have been guided by the Stranger to the world beyond."
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Post by Horas on Jun 2, 2011 13:27:21 GMT -5
Hugo frowns, looking conflicted. "Mayhaps someone should send a man to Lannister's court at Casterly Rock, to take the measure of the lad. The Tyrells have ruled the Reach for hundreds of years, sometimes poorly, but mostly well. If Lord Barrett is capable, I think we should support him. But if he will be nothing more than another Lannister catspaw..." Hugo frowns again. "We cannot have that. I know there are other houses with a blood claim to the Reach." At that last, he looks at Lord Florent.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 3, 2011 12:56:35 GMT -5
Florent meets Hugo's glance and flicks his eyes away hastily, suddenly very interested in a knobbly tree root.
He turns to the Fossoways.
"Ser Bransen, Ser Bernard - I think one of you should pay our Lord a visit. Discover what you can about his nature. Probe deeply without arousing suspicion."
He smiles.
"It would appear we all have tasks to be getting on with. We must return to the party soon to avoid whispers. Is there anything else any of you merry traitors wish to add to the discussion?"
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Post by Horas on Jun 3, 2011 16:08:21 GMT -5
"Don't call us traitors, Alphonse," Hugo says, his frown deepening, "Even in jest."
The moment quickly passes, however, and soon Hugo is back to his normal amiable smile. "There is work to be done, and I can't think of much else to add," Hugo continues, "My son will be back from the tourney in King's Landing soon, maybe he'll have some insight on this mess. If I have something of interest to tell you three, I'll send a bird."
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Hope you all are well and happy.