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Post by Maester Percival on Jun 27, 2016 13:13:49 GMT
"Of course that is not what I want." Percival replied. "You are the one who seeks my death. I don't know your delusion but you have decided to murder me." The Maester shrugged helplessly. "I may be about to die horribly at your command but I will not allow you to blame me for my own murdering." Percival spoke loudly and clearly so everyone present could understand his words.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 27, 2016 15:31:36 GMT
"Do you honestly think you would still be breathing if I wanted to kill you?" Belric considered mentioning how easy it would be to dispatch Percival from this world, but thought better of it. He had sent the Maester to the dungeons to spare his life, if he had been allowed to run his mouth freely, Belric would have surely killed him wether he intended too or not.
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Post by Maester Percival on Jun 27, 2016 16:26:56 GMT
"I was born a Lannister. I have seen cats play with their food. I can not stop you from murdering me but I won't play your sick, demented, little games." Percival replied with surety. He was ready for the monster to tear him apart with his bar hands. All Percival had left was his dignity.
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Ser Richard
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Post by Ser Richard on Jun 27, 2016 16:57:00 GMT
"The sick demented one might be the man petting a diseased giant rat while not exercising a ounce of sense." Muttered Qhorin to his mason so no one else could hear.
Was this man actually a mummer? Would explain the drama and most of his claims.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 27, 2016 18:40:14 GMT
Belric shook his head, rubbing the frustration from his temples. It was clear the Maester had no intention of doing what was asked of him.
"You are a fool, Maester. By helping these men, you could have earned your freedom. Yet still you defy me."
Belric turned from Percival, leaning in to speak with one of his guards. "Take our mystery prisoner topside. Get him some fresh air and a good meal, but do not leave him unattended. I would like to know who he is and why Lady Lothson saw fit to bury him alive. Perhaps there is a man amongst us who can identify him."
"Master Mason," Belric spoke now to Qhorin. "Thank you for your help. Twice now you have proven yourself, and I will not see your deeds unrewarded. There is much to be rebuilt, here in Harrenhal. I would have you on my small council, if you would accept the honor."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 28, 2016 0:56:49 GMT
The men escorted the fool outside, who screamed bloody murder at the brightness of the sunlight before the guard managed to get him back inside the tower.
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Ser Richard
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Post by Ser Richard on Jun 28, 2016 17:49:39 GMT
"Master Mason," Belric spoke now to Qhorin. "Thank you for your help. Twice now you have proven yourself, and I will not see your deeds unrewarded. There is much to be rebuilt, here in Harrenhal. I would have you on my small council, if you would accept the honor." Qhorin was surprised at the offer, but it made a certain sense after all. He still held his side, but he drew himself up with pride and replied "of course milord, I'll serve in that." Hmmm, maybe he could get back at that bastrd who'd clubbed him.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 28, 2016 21:15:06 GMT
"Good to hear." He said to Qhorin. "You are dismissed, unless there is something else you need to do here."
Belric looked to Percival, giving him one last chance to make his peace before being locked away.
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Post by Maester Percival on Jun 28, 2016 21:31:00 GMT
Percival stared at Belric hiding his loathing behind his blank face. His could have been those of a corpse. He said nothing though, to proud and angry to lower himself before the monster who beat him and woman proudly.
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Ser Richard
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Post by Ser Richard on Jun 28, 2016 22:42:30 GMT
Qhorin left
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 28, 2016 23:59:32 GMT
Belric turned to his two remaining guards. "Bind his hands, and kill the rat." His orders were direct. "Give him food and water as needed, but he's not to receive any visitors, even the Lady Blackfort. He can sit in the dark until I return from Riverrun."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 29, 2016 2:01:46 GMT
They glanced at their lord, only hesitating for a moment, the action seeming petty even to them. Still, they followed the orders, slaying Little Belric and placing the maester in irons, chained to a nearby wall.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 1, 2016 20:11:29 GMT
/////////////// 2nd Moon, 25th Day
Belric had spent a fair amount of time pondering his dislike of the Maester, though he remained unable to pick a specific trait he hated most. Perhaps it was the way Percival held his nose in the air, as if he were disgusted simply by Belric's presence. Or maybe, it was the way he talked to Belric, disregarding commands as if his lord's words were as infectious as the plague. Regardless, the distain between the two of them had been palpable. However, Belric could not help but be impressed by the Maester's stubbornness. Few men had even stood against Belric the way Percival had, throwing self preservation to the wind. He reasoned that a man like him could be useful, and unbiased advice may be hard to find within the walls of Harrenhal. So, deciding to take another trip to the dungeons, Belric went to confront Percival one last time before setting off to Riverrun. Yet, this time, he was going to attempt to change his strategy.
Walking up to the guard, Belric ordered the solitary cell be opened. He went into the dark, a single torch as his company, and found Percival chained to the wall where he had left him. Belric had his guard release Percival, and then asked him to leave.
"I am a lord in title alone," Belric said, sitting against a wall adjacent to Percival. He let out a long sigh, "My temper is that of a knight, and a poor mannered one at that. I have no education, aside form the sword, so forgive me for the slow learning curve. It is not lost on me that I have only reinforced your disdain, and for that I apologize, yet maybe there is still a chance I can change your mind." Belric motioned to the open door, left ajar by the guard. "You are free to go. Despite our feelings for one another, you are still my subject and I will not see my people treated poorly, by my hand or any other. However, I ask that you humor me for a moment longer, so we can have a conversation. There is a corpse of a Maester hanging in a tree and pieces of a murdered Lady of which I think we both can learn." Having finished saying what he wanted, Belric waited to see how Percival would react.
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Post by Maester Percival on Jul 1, 2016 21:45:43 GMT
Percival looked up at the Lord surprised. This seemed very out of character. The Maester took one long slow breath before replying. "I will admit that I rather despise you. And I have not ever thought there was anything more to you then a sword and a fist." Percival almost added until now but decided not to at the last moment. "I am an honest man by nature. And I am also a man who always sees the worst of any possible situation."
Percival had not looked at Belric yet but finally did before adding. "You need not worry about me walking the keep dripping poisonous words in your men's ears. I can restrain myself from speaking ill of you any of your followers. I have met most of them and to be honest none of those sworn to you have any interest of mine."
"I do not fear you..." Percival made a sour face but then kept going. Then he gave the man his proper title for the first time. "Lord Belric. I have been almost beat to death six times by my father. And my uncle twice. Several times they locked me up for long weeks in the brig of my father's ship." Percival purposefully avoided why he was treated so poorly. "I can assure you that you have no cause to fear anything from me. I was quite angry with you when I lost control and spoke. I should never have shown you disrespect... My lord."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 1, 2016 23:09:12 GMT
Belric kicked at the dungeon's dirty floor, shuffling his feet to distract himself from the memories of his own childhood beatings. "I do not blame you. If there is more to me than a sword and a fist then I have never seen it. I've spent my whole life fighting, there has been little time for anything else. After Redgrass, Lord Roote saw fit to make me into a symbol of the rebellion, and it did not change who I am. When the war was won, His Grace saw fit to make me a lord, and it has still not changed who I am. Up until recently, I did not know I had the capacity to change... until I met her." Belric gave Percival a poignant look.
"In truth, I have no need for you to fear me, or even to like me. I do however need your help. Saesha is with child, and I would not risk her life to satisfy my pride." Belric had not intended to being so honest with the Maester, yet he knew the words needed to be said. "She is precious to me, and I want to believe I can trust her in your care. Perhaps in this, and our mutual hatred for each other, we can find common ground to start again." Belric chuckled, trying to make light of a complex situation. "I accept your apology, and hope you will consider mine. If I can learn to stay my hand, and you your tongue, we will both be better men for it."
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