|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 15:30:02 GMT -5
Gerold tilts his head curiously. "Volantis," he says ruminatively. "Volantis. That's the free city where the smallfolk choose their lords, isn't it?"
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 15:33:23 GMT -5
"Not precisely no, only landholders vote, but they do have elections." Finn agreed, "They have two parties the Elephants and the Tigers, and the Elephants managed to complete dominate the government after a scandal forced these twelve tigers to resign. So they formed a plot to get revenge and at a special banquet they had all their enemies strangled." Finn smiled, "But the story ends badly, because they had not follow up plan, and they were all captured and executed."
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 15:36:27 GMT -5
Gerold shakes his head incredulously. "Even so, 'landholders' speaks of a wide pool of people, doesn't it? I can't imagine how they manage to get anything done."
He shrugs. "What happened?" he asks. "Did they just not cover their tracks well enough, or did they not have a plan to use their newfound prestige?"
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 15:38:03 GMT -5
"They rather foolishly though the rest of the people would be pleased with what they had done, and they proclaimed it loudly in the streets before they solidified their power. But populace was not impressed." Finn smiled.
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 15:41:37 GMT -5
Gerold sighs at this stupidity. "If the landholders decided to put those Elephants in a place of authority, they obviously felt some loyalty to them. Else why would they trust them with power?"
He looks around for something to wipe his hands on and spots nothing, holding them awkwardly by his sides. "... so of course the people weren't happy. They didn't just murder their beloved leaders, they - in effect - took away their freedom to choose. And people without freedom can become very dangerous people indeed."
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 15:44:21 GMT -5
Finn raised an eyebrow, "That was not the lesson I drew, but I suppose you have a point. One can seize power only from where power resides. In places where that is the opinions of the people, then I suppose you must have it."
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 15:46:49 GMT -5
Gerold almost moves to scratch his narrow chin, but catches himself before covering himself in ink. He settles for raising an eyebrow instead, but shuffles awkwardly at almost making an embarrasing mistake.
"Wh-what lesson did- did you draw from the story, may I ask?"
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 15:48:56 GMT -5
Finn smiled, "There is no reward for treachery, of course."
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 15:53:01 GMT -5
Gerold almost looks as if he was about to say something before he catches himself and looks at the floor. "A- A val- A valuable lesson," he says.
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 15:57:16 GMT -5
Finn smiled softly, "Not the sort of lesson people expect a Varner to learn, but one my family ought to have picked up on far earlier."
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 16:02:41 GMT -5
Gerold grimaces briefly, his unsaid thoughts having been picked up on by the other boy. Nevertheless, he tries to bridge that imagined resentful gap.
"A lot- lot of houses have a- have a history of treachery," he stammers. "Not least the- the families of the other Hightower wards." He risked a shaky smile. "So if- if people discriminate by house on- on that front, they're worse in a way than- than traitors themselves."
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 16:04:31 GMT -5
"Oh indeed, I'm sure that is a thought that keeps them up at night," Finn chuckled.
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 16:10:44 GMT -5
Gerold shakes his head at that, another brief smile on his face at what - for wont of a better word - must be a joke.
"I dou- I honestly doubt it," he says, grimly. "If someone's prone to- if someone's prone to stereotype like that, they probably have a habit of overlooking their flaws. Or the flaws of their ancestors." He shrugs thoughtfully. "We- we can't let the scorn of others stop us from- stop us from growing, though."
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Aug 3, 2012 16:12:02 GMT -5
"And what are you growing to be Gerold?" Finn asked, "A mathematician?" He smiled politely as if this was a perfectly respectful occupation, if a tad... dull.
|
|
|
Post by Gerold Frey on Aug 3, 2012 16:15:34 GMT -5
Gerold swallows awkwardly, shifting his weight on his feet. He peers at the floor as if the splashed dots of ink are fascinating. "I- um. I don't know," he mumbles, on the edge of hearing. He peers questioningly up at Finn. "What- um. What about you?" he asks. "Politician?"
|
|