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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 6, 2016 8:20:23 GMT
Edmure had little respect or liking for Hoster, even though he barely knew the man. The old man's murder in cold blood had almost irreversibly soured Edmure's attitude towards his uncle. Indeed he continually marvelled that Hoster, Jon and Richard were brothers. Three more different individuals you would not find anywhere in Westeros he thought.
Not wishing to say too much, Edmure grunted in what sounded like agreement with Benjen's words about not wishing amputation on their uncle. "Unfortunately when he's able to rise from his sickbed, his disposition is unlikely to improve." he remarked after a short pause. "More's the pity."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 6, 2016 20:30:12 GMT
"Probably not," Benjen agreed, then added with a chuckle, "But miracles do happen." He fell into silence again, looking off in the distance.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 7, 2016 6:20:03 GMT
Edmure chuckled. He too fell silent.
After a while, he picked up a small stone and idly threw it. It landed some way from them, but given the largeness of the tower and their position, nowhere near the edge.
So tell me about Dorne." he said. "We fought them for a long while, but I should still like to visit there one day. I hear their women are beautiful.""
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 7, 2016 16:10:38 GMT
"It was hot, even in winter," Benjen replied. "Sunspear seemed so big at the time, but the whole of the shadow city could probably fit in Harrenhal's walls." Ben looked off into the fading light. "After a while they let me out of my cell in the Spear Tower, on oath I wouldn't attempt escape. And it wasn't bad after that. The food's a bit queer and the wine's sour, but you're right on their women. Honestly, the worst part of it was knowing I was sitting around being useless while you and Bel and my Da and the rest of you were still bleeding and sweating in the trenches."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 7, 2016 23:33:20 GMT
Edmure looked at him sympathetically. "I understand." he said. "I for one would not hold it against you. I spent two years in front of the walls of Riverrun. Mud and blood. I saw men killed in all sort of ingenious ways. The smell of decaying corpses - of death - never leaves you. I was just lucky that my superiors saw for to send me on search and destroy missions at various intervals over those two years. Otherwise I think I would have gone mad."
He closed his eyes as the memories came flooding back
"You were well out of it. I envy you to a degree."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 0:07:06 GMT
"Mmm," Ben grunted noncommittally. He had his own demons, but none he wanted to open up about right now. "I heard that was a nasty business. Sieges are never pretty. So much blood spilled and time spent, and for what? Tully still has Riverrun. Shit, he's our overlord now. Can't figure he's overly happy about Lord Blackfort of Harrenhal."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 0:12:39 GMT
"I imagine not." said Edmure. "From what I understand Lord Tully wouldn't be overly happy with Daemon Blackfyre planting his ass on the Iron Throne either. He has no choice though but to endure that, as he has to endure us."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 0:42:33 GMT
"I hope you're right," Ben said. "You probably are. But just 'cause he lost the war doesn't mean he has no choice. Just means if he decides to take the other choice he's got to be more subtle with it."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 8, 2016 1:09:56 GMT
"The other choice risks his life, lands and kin." said Edmure . "There'll be no second chances. For many that would be no choice at all."
He shifted his back against the short stone wall he was propped up against. "Are you going to Riverrun with my brother?"
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 5:54:01 GMT
"Fuck if I know, Edmure," Benjen said with a short laugh. "I haven't been told anything about it, but that don't mean much. Why?" Which was true. Benjen was not yet aware that his presence in the party to Riverrun would be abruptly requested the following morning.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 10:19:03 GMT
Edmure chuckled. "Just curious to see who will be remaining with me in Harrenhal. I need at least one of my kinsmen to drink with."
He reached out a hand, smiling. "Pass me that wine-skin you greedy sot."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 19:47:41 GMT
Benjen laughed too. "Well I'll find out one way or another soon enough, I expect." He passed the wineskin back to Edmure, though not before taking another pull first. "Light's going," Ben commented, looking toward the setting sun. "I'm gonna go in before it gets dark enough and I get drunk enough to trip and send my fool ass to an inglorious end."
Ben stood up and clapped Edmure on the shoulder before gathering up his loose arrows and putting them back in his quiver. He paused for a moment, thinking of the various shouting and accusations and bubbling anger of the day. "Everyone's just on edge right now, Ed," Ben said eventually. "With the new castle and new lordship and all its stress and troubles. It'll all pass."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Jul 9, 2016 23:31:42 GMT
"Life was certainly much simpler back in Harroway's Town." Edmure said somewhat wistfully. He tipped the wine skin to his lips and took a gulp before heading it back to Benjen.
"Still we're here and we need to make the most of our family's good fortune."
He stood. "I'm going in as well."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 3:41:53 GMT
"True enough, coz. True enough." The war had changed all of their fates irreversibly. For good and for ill. Ben had little else to offer than that. He climbed down the set of ladders and stairs from the towertop.
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