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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 21, 2016 5:06:10 GMT
"Lord Roote is a good man, and our family has served his for generations. It was he who promoted me, and gave me command of the men that stormed Weeping Crest. Without Roote, we would be nothing, without his family, our family would have been nothing. I was Knight of the Black Gate before I was Lord of Harrenhal. I will not hear his name spoken in poor taste under my roof." He spoke deliberately, without anger or reproach. Belric looked to both Jon and Violet to make sure they understood. He continued, "Lord Piper has been on my mind of late. And I would be lying if I did not say my thoughts were dark. The King, however, requests we abandon our old rivalries. This is a new world, and he would not have his men fighting over a war that has already been won."
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Post by Jon Blackfort on Jun 21, 2016 15:32:17 GMT
"Apologies my lord, to question the man's honour was never our intent." He threw Violet a thoughtful glance before continuing, "While I am in agreement as to the value of peace, there may be those that think otherwise. Some may question your honor, or indeed your very manhood, should seem overly eager to forgive the Pipers."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 21, 2016 16:12:34 GMT
"I don't give two shits about what anyone else thinks. I am the King's man, and I will do as I was asked." Belric was frustrated by the inclination that diplomacy would make him look weak. Killing men was far easier than negotiating with them. "My father was killed in battle. How many fathers have I killed, uncle? Shall I hold a gurdge against an entire family for the deeds of one man who was fighting for his life?"
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jun 21, 2016 16:48:50 GMT
Violet, who had been quiet for a while, remarked "We need an ally at Pinkmaiden. If not the lord, then his heir, or another who stands close to him. Perhaps even a woman. Women are less warlike, mostly. Perhaps the ladies of Pinkmaiden will be more inclined to listen to an offer of friendship."
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Post by Jon Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 15:01:20 GMT
"A simple word of caution is all I offer, it is your resolution as Lord that shall decide the matter. If it will be peace, it will be peace." Jon etched a marking on blank piece of parchment. "That still leaves Houses Blackwood, Mandrake, Frey, Mallister and of course, Tully. Though I suspect the trout will call upon you soon enough to pledge your fealty." He inclined his head to his niece, "Perhaps they shall."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 18:09:44 GMT
"Bahh!" Belric exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air as he walked from the table. "I do not need the women, I need the men and their knights." He motioned to the map with a pointed finger. "Any one of these houses could betray us and break the King's peace. Red, Black, it doesn't matter. And when Lord Tully calls, I will have to answer, leaving you all here to fend for yourselves. It would be smart to have allies, the crown is useless to us."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jun 22, 2016 18:21:58 GMT
Violet cried out in shock. "Belric! You mustn't say such things about the crown! Please, you could get into trouble if the wrong person heard." She paused and smoothed down her skirts. "Let me worry about the women, if you think so ill of them. The last thing you want is some high lady urging her husband, son or brother to turn against you."
She felt a little hurt that he was willing to dismiss her own sex so easily.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 18:54:53 GMT
He looked at his sister unsympathetically, "I do not speak falsely, sister. If we were to be attacked by raiders, or succumb to starvation, the crown would not help us. I was told specifically, from the mouth of the King himself, that we are alone out here." He let the words sink in, ignoring her plea for him to be respectful of women.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jun 22, 2016 19:00:31 GMT
She gazed at him, wide-eyed. "But...why? Why give you this castle then leave you to deal with everything alone?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 19:20:37 GMT
"The crown barely has the finances to support themselves, let alone help us. And if it came to a fued between our house and anothers, he could not support either at risk of inciting another civil war." Belric was not sure how else to make it clear to Violet. "Maybe now you understand why my actions have been so diplomatic up to this point. We hang by a thread."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jun 22, 2016 19:35:10 GMT
She felt a little sick as his words sank in. They truly were on their own, and she thought longingly of her life before Harrenhal, when everything was simpler.
"So we should keep being diplomatic as long as we can," she replied. "I didn't know the king said that, truly. I shall do what I can to help, I promise."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 19:56:32 GMT
Belric nodded affirmatively to Violet, pleased to see she was beginning to understand the situation. "I am glad to hear it, the future of our house relies on you as much as it does me." Belric walked around the table, studing the map again. His eyes landed specifically on the Tully Lordship. "We will continue to be diplomatic, until diplomacy fails. A concept foreign to me. Which is why I need the two of you to help." He met their eyes with purpose.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jun 22, 2016 21:40:54 GMT
Violet nodded. "We're all one family. We should show the other Riverlords that we are united."
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Post by Jon Blackfort on Jun 23, 2016 3:44:39 GMT
"Dark words." Jon rubbed his chin. "Thank-you for making them clear." He circled the lordships in order as he spoke. "Roote, Bracken, and Piper. Mandrake, Blackwood, Mallister, and Frey. Tully shall be your fish to catch."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 23, 2016 4:18:27 GMT
"Yes," said Belric in confirmation. "How would you go about this, uncle? Where would you go first?"
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