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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 7:35:35 GMT
"I wasn't there Edmure, I can't vouch for you or that bloody bear. Your sister is adamant that you threw Hoster's man towards the bear to save your own skin. Do I give a shit? No, I value your life far more than some traitorous cunt. But the bandits from the clay pits named you specifically, your actions were directly linked to their desertion. Wether that was your intention or not, it doesn't change the outcome." Belric took a moment to collect himself. "Though had your sister waited to be reinforced, we probably wouldn't be having this conversation. Which brings me to your negligence. Saesha and I told you very specifically that you were only to command Harrenhal in my absence, that does not include when you think it is too much of a burden to come find me. You know you crossed the line, the fact I have to explain you can't order a fifth of my men into combat without my permission is astounding."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 8:01:18 GMT
Edmure gritted his teeth as Belric once again failed to openly state his support. His cold tone didn't alter. If anything it grew colder.
"Hoster's men were little better than bandits. It only took the flimsiest of excuses - that I forced one of them into a fight, when they were under my orders - for at least half of them to turn into actual bandits. That you're excusing and justifying the actions of bandits by branding me guilty of cowardice astounds me."
He looked towards the door.
"You and your wife have made it clear that I have absolutely no authority with the garrison or in any other matter as your Castellan, while you are present. That in fact I am the equivalent the lowest of the lowest guardsmen in this place and not your brother, and for the moment, heir. Your bride has that authority apparently. That and the other, is why I cannot serve as your Castellan."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 8:14:58 GMT
Belric looked at Edmure strangely. What did he mean he wasn't there? Belric had sent him on the hunt himself. Perhaps Edmure had confused what Belric was saying yet again. Not once had Belric named his brother a coward directly, he had only been relaying rumors, in fact he had defended the man's honor to Saesha earlier that day. However, if Edmure was set on accusing Belric of calling him cowardly, he wasn't going to argue.
"You don't have any power over the garrison when I am here, but to say you are the same as a lowly guard is asinine. You are a knight, you are my brother, I placed you on my council, and I trusted you with my lands. If those conditions do not suit you, fine. Be gone. I'll not have a fool for my Castellan anyway."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 8:59:54 GMT
Edmure nodded coldly.
"Yes you placed me on your council in an advisory capacity. As you should, brother. I would expect no less for Nyles as your brother, were he of majority age. Do not think I am not grateful for that. I am grateful. But it is the office of 'Castellan' I am speaking of. Why is it that your wife can make decisions on the disposition of the garrison, such as she did at the gate with Willem and that right is not extended to me as your Castellan? I have NO authority. They were her words at the gate and yours. That tells me you doubt my judgment, but not that of your wife. I am not saying that you should doubt her judgment, but you appear to prefer hers in these type of matters to mine. Why then is she not Castellan instead of me?
"And if you cannot trust me to make the correct decision there, how can you trust me with making those decisions when you are absent at Riverrun or anywhere else? You appear to have further confirmed your distrust by informing me that you will ask our uncle Jon to look over my shoulder when you are absent at Riverrun. To check my judgement. I value Jon's expertise and knowledge, but if we disagree what happens? If Willem had ridden in when you were absent, would Jon have taken command at the gate?"
Edmure tried again, still speaking in a cold detached manner.
"You are the lord and as such, have the ultimate say in Harrenhal's affairs - in matters such family marriages, ultimate command of the men in war, appointments of your officials, alliances and dealings with other lords and of course with the King just to name a few off the top of my head. I have always recognised that and continue to recognise that. I do not ask for any of that, except as you see fit to delegate. And then...to attempt to blame my actions on that hunt - that you ordered - for that disaster at the claypits, when on that hunt I was commanding untrustworthy men, little better than bandits, only tells me that you believe - at the very least - that I have poor judgement and make poor decisions. And then they are motivated solely by my desire to avoid harm. You refuse to dismiss these allegations of cowardice, despite knowing what I have done in the past. I've taken arrows in the Blackfyre cause - do you remember I was fortunate to survive Redgrass - and other myriad wounds over the last four years. As was my duty. Yet that apparently means nothing to you. "
He spread his hands in inquiry. "How can I continue as your Castellan, when my authority as both a knight and commander is diminished in such a way? That is what I am asking."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 20:18:30 GMT
"You act like I am some puppet, strung up by Saesha's will." Belric's disappointment turned to scorn, he was growing wearing with the way his brother was talking to him. "When she asked me to leave you absent from the council, I denied her. When she asked me to remove you as Castellan, I denied her again. It has nothing to do with you being my brother, it is because you are and have always been my second in command. If Saesha had order twenty good men :] into battle without my approval, I would be lecturing her as I am lecturing you. Simply because I require you to follow the chain of command, you think I have negated your authority."
"You are not a coward Edmure, you are a Blackfort. I watched you run that hill with me, and take that arrow to the chest. However, that does not change the simple fact that your reputation has been tarnished by these rumors your sister has created. In truth, I don't give two shits about Hoster's men. They turned out to be traitors, and had you thrown them all to the bear, we would be better off. But you must understand the consequences of your actions, and more importantly how they effected what happened in the Clay Pits."
Belric, wanting to be done with this argument, altered his tone to be less aggressive. "It is not my intention to shackle you, there are no others I trust in your position. However, I am leaving tomorrow and need to know that you have my best intentions in mind. If you remain Castellan, you will have the power you seek. Jon is not meant to overrule you, only to help guide you towards making the right decision. I have put him in charge of our construction projects and expect him to be busy, however the council must still operate in my absence. Take this opportunity to put my concerns to rest, and rule these halls justly while I deal with all this political bullshit."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 22:22:55 GMT
Belric's revelation about Saesha's involvement in his possible exclusion from the council and her urging that he be removed from the castellanship came as a surprise to Edmure. Since their marriage he had had little to do with Saesha, beyond the occasional formal politeness. Of course there was their spat at the gate, but he was surprised that a woman of Saesha's experience would allow that to color her decision-making. It was clear then. His brother's wife clearly regarded him as her enemy - as a rival.
His lips tightened.
"As my elder brother I have always been loyal to you and our cause Belric. We don't always agree, but then I would hope that you would not want a bunch of 'yes' men to surround you. But I expect you to show loyalty to me as well. At least you've finally said straight out that you don't regard me as a coward. Let the issue rest. If you still want me I will continue as your Castellan when you are away at Harrenhal."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 23:13:21 GMT
"I would not have spent the time talking through this mess with you if I had intended on releasing you from command. You are my brother, and we have fought together for years. Who else can we trust if not each other?" Belric stood up and offered a hand of reconciliation to Edmure. "Protect our home, brother."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 23:23:29 GMT
Edmure hesitated only slightly before he clasped his brother's hand. He hoped he was not making a mistake.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 23:45:39 GMT
Belric held Edmure's wrist for a moment, pulling him in slightly. "I need you and Saesha to resolve this unspoken feud. The two of you are very important to me, and I will not have you slighting one another whenever the opportunity strikes."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 10:02:00 GMT
Edmure raised an eyebrow at that request. Apart from their dispute at the gate over the exercising of his Castellan's duties, he had been unfailingly polite to his brother's wife on the few times they had spoken, since their wedding at Kings Landing.
"There was no feud from my end Belric. You've just told me that she didn't want me on your council. And that was some time before our discussion at the main gate. Why is that?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 10:26:31 GMT
Belric looked at Edmure knowingly. "Don't play coy with me, brother. Just do as I ask."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 10:47:51 GMT
Edmure didn't have the foggiest what Belric was talking about. Once again he sighed inwardly.
"You choose not to divulge why Belric? I can't address a problem if I don't know what it is."
He shrugged. "I'll do what I can brother."
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