Barley
High Lord
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Post by Barley on Jun 21, 2016 21:14:18 GMT
The day after, Saesha arranged for Jaime the Smith to meet with her and her husband. She waited with Belric in his Solar, wearing light silks in the warm room despite it being cold outside.
"Remember to be nice, dear, even if you think him inappropriate for the roll, he still holds the most sway with the people, it is best not to have him as an enemy."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 2:41:01 GMT
"Jamie is a good man, and a proven leader. Making him both valuable and dangerous." Belric sat, his sword across his lap. He wiped it with an oiled cloth, a practice he had grown accustomed too.
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The Raven
Administrator
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Post by The Raven on Jun 22, 2016 5:08:03 GMT
Jaime arrived wearing an ordinary cotton tunic and carrying what appeared to be paper, a piece of charcoal, and what appeared to be a box of measuring tools. He probably knew his way around the castle far better than his new masters, but made no effort to annoy or impress any of the guards who escorted him, many of whom had fought beside him during the revolt not so long ago. When he arrived at the solar, he smiled and bowed his head. "My lord. My lady. I hope you are both well."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 14:14:23 GMT
"Jamie, thank you for coming." Belric lifted his sword off of his lap, and set it against the wall. He stood up, greeting the smith properly.
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The Raven
Administrator
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Post by The Raven on Jun 22, 2016 15:29:54 GMT
"There was no difficulty at all, my lord. I just hope I can be of use to both House Blackfort and Harrentown. Eh, may I...?" He gestured with his box towards a nearby table.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 16:02:09 GMT
"You can put that over here," said Belric, clearing a spot on his desk so Jamie could set his things.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 22, 2016 17:29:46 GMT
The smith set his things down, then turned to his liege. It was clear he wasn't entirely certain where to begin.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 22, 2016 17:47:57 GMT
Belric, feeling equally uncomfortable about the silence, looked to Saesha. This had been her idea, after all.
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Barley
High Lord
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Joined - May 2016
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Post by Barley on Jun 22, 2016 20:35:59 GMT
Her idea? He wanted to meet the man again. She was glad she had instructed Ser Simon to not guard the meeting or be around here, after her words with Jaime on the matter before.
"So," She smiled looking between the two men, if she felt it was awkward, she did not show it, "We all know why this meeting is going ahead. I spoke to both of you about creating a council to focus the running of Harrenhal so that we all can move forward together with a decisive plan. I wanted someone from the town to be on it, to express any concerns or needs of the people and relay any news back to the people of Harrentown. As from what I can see, Jaime is one of the more respected members of the town community,"she turned to Jaime, "you seems like a natural choice."
"As you can understand, most people with positions of power in this castle are known to Lord Belric, but he does not know you at all, the position I have asked you to fill is one that involves a great deal of trust on both of our parts, mine and our Lords and also yours, so as you both know we are here to get to know one another a bit more. "
She almost felt it was unnecessary to do a recap of both their conversations but there it was. She felt like a mediator, if she was she wanted them to find some common ground.
"Why don't you both share exactly what you think this place can become with the right leadership?"
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 22, 2016 23:56:48 GMT
Jaime looked at his liege before speaking first. "Well... The first goal I would suggest is the reinvigoration of Harrenhal as a proper township. Today, we're not citizens, we're survivors. We're all still grieving for our lost loved ones. My wife nearly slit her throat with one of my blades after she learned what happened to our Jeyne."
"On top of that is our fear for our surviving children. The granary and gold have done much to aid the rebuilding, but these rumors of bandits have caused concern, as well as fears about lack of nearby game and building materials. In short, what Harrenhal needs, above all else, is a sense of trust and security."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 23, 2016 3:14:39 GMT
Belric enjoyed watching Saesha at work, her ability to command seemed innate. Perhaps it's a Targaryen thing, he thought while she spoke. She did a very good job of selling her point, though Belric had to hold back a grin. Did she not know he already respected the Smith? His experience with the man had done well to prove Jamie was reasonable and had a good head on his shoulders. Belric still held a little bitterness when remembering the man had denied his offer of knighthood.
He listened to Jamie speak before answering, felling inclined to hear the man out. "I am sorry about your family. You cannot simply rebuild your life like we can this castle, but time will help. Lady Saesha and I have no expectations that the people will ever stop grieving. However security can only be ensured when we work together. My wife, as she said, thinks we should make a council and you should be on it. What do you think about that?"
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 23, 2016 12:02:02 GMT
Jaime considered his words carefully before speaking. "I realize the council's value would only last as long as my lord's patience. I've sat in on war councils before and they were a squalor, even though we all knew our purpose. A peacetime council will be worse when you don't have an enemy's banners to focus everyone's attention on.
"But I also know you, Lord Blackfort, to be a decisive man, and not to be swayed by questions of popularity and consensus. If you had listened to the people of Harrentown, you'd have let us give Simon Whent his just reward and said nothing more of it. You would also be seen by the other highborn as unfit to rule for ignoring a trial by combat, and then we would have more chaos.
"And I know that you, Lady Blackfort, are an intelligent and diligent woman. Ser Valarr Rivers sings your praises daily. I know that you have the wisdom to guide such a collection of different people to great things. So yes, I would happily sit on your council, if you would have me."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 23, 2016 23:12:41 GMT
"I am a man of the king, reputation means little to me. Everything I have done has been for the betterment of Harrenhal, it's people, and the crown." Belric flet like Jamie could relate to at least two of those points. The man may not be as devout a follower of Daemon's, but he loved the people of Harrenhal.
"What would you advise I do first? I would hear your opinion before I make a decision in regard to my council."
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The Raven
Administrator
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Post by The Raven on Jun 24, 2016 1:30:14 GMT
Jaime reached into his box and produced sheet of paper and a piece of charcoal. He quickly crafted a sketch of Harrentown, the main road through it leading to the Western Gate, and the walls surrounding the town itself.
"Our first priority should be reinforcing the town's defenses, which are still mostly wooden. The wall needs to be refashioned in brick or stone. It would take a few men with axes to cut through what we have right now, and unless the castle gate happened to be closed, which is rare in peacetime, then Harrenhal itself would be exposed."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 24, 2016 21:00:22 GMT
Belric listened intently, repairing the castle walls had been at the forefront of his mind since arrival. "We will begin repairs on the walls once the stone quarry is up and running. If there is anything you need to do in preparation to those repairs, you have my permission to begin immediately. What can you tell me about fortifying the gates? Peace is only temporary, and when the times comes I would rather be prepared."
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