The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 2:41:25 GMT
"I would certainly be able to loan one of our prized breeding studs for a few months to such a staunch ally," Harys replied, before adding, "For the right price, of course."
"Well met," he said to Violet, succinct, with the same ghost of a smile he had shown Saesha. He was clearly more comfortable speaking with men, with fellow soldiers, than he was with the fairer sex.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 3:48:49 GMT
Benjen wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, a modest barrier to the pouring rain. "Well fuck if the god's aren't just pissing all over us today," Ben commented to whatever poor bastard he had pulled onto this duty with him. He looked ahead and saw nothing but more rain. He wished he was inside with the uncommonly good ale. But at least Ben had taken the precaution, as always, of keeping some moderately shitty wine in his wineskin. He took a drink of it and passed it to the guardsman next to him. "Sorry about the shit duty," Ben said in commiseration. "Ain't think I've got a chance to know you yet. What's your story?" [Charm: 50] (Benjen Increases 1 Disposition Level with Blackfort Guardsmen) "Could be worse, got food in my belly and two coins to rub together," the young guard replied, shivering in the frigid rain. He couldn't have been older than fourteen and barely looked old enough to hold his own dick when he took a piss, let alone a spear. "Name's Larry and my story's short and boring, milord. It's just getting started though."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 4:02:01 GMT
"Aye, bet it is at that," Ben smiled, humoring the boy good-naturedly. "I'll give you some free advice. Best way to get ahead in this life? Have your cousin kill an evil sorceror and become a lord. Worked out for me." Ben laughed at his own joke.
"I'm Ben." Ben figured the kid knew who he was, but maybe not, and it didn't hurt to introduce himself. "You from Harrowtown?"
[Charm: 50]
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 4:02:37 GMT
Belric smiled, "Of course, I see no reason why we cannot both profit from good business. Our lordships share borders, it would be nice to share in trade as well. Harrenhal is still in repair, but the day is forthcoming when we will have much to offer our allies. Those who help us early on will not be forgotten."
He watched as Lord Bracken reacted to his sisters intrusion, sensing uneasyness from his body language. Belric gave Violet a stern look, meant only for her. The glare translated into, Don't say anything stupid, for the love of the Gods!
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 4:13:49 GMT
"Aye, bet it is at that," Ben smiled, humoring the boy good-naturedly. "I'll give you some free advice. Best way to get ahead in this life? Have your cousin kill an evil sorceror and become a lord. Worked out for me." Ben laughed at his own joke. "I'm Ben." Ben figured the kid knew who he was, but maybe not, and it didn't hurt to introduce himself. "You from Harrowtown?" [Charm: 50] (+1 Charm. Benjen Increases another Diposition Level with the Blackfort Guardsmen) The lad chucked at that, joining Benjen in the laughter. "Part of the reason I joined up meself. Lord Belric is an inspiration to all those from lower station, proof we can pull ourselves up by the bootstraps. From a fishing village along the God's Eye, so small it don't even have a name, though some just call it Chum. Me father was a fisher and his father was a fisher, but when I heard the Ravensbane himself were looking for new recruits, I knew it was my time to be something more." Belric smiled, "Of course, I see no reason why we cannot both profit from good business. Our lordships share borders, it would be nice to share in trade as well. Harrenhal is still in repair, but the day is forthcoming when we will have much to offer our allies. Those who help us early on will not be forgotten." He watched as Lord Bracken reacted to his sisters intrusion, sensing uneasyness from his body language. Belric gave Violet a stern look, meant only for her. The glare translated into, Don't say anything stupid, for the love of the Gods!"Trade is one thing, but this isn't a charity Blackfort. If I didn't like you, we'd not be talking terms at all," Harys replied sternly. "Our steeds are the pride of Westeros, ridden by knights in tourneys and war from here to the Reach. Our studs are our legacy, cultivated over countless generations and we've been offered king's ransoms in the past for the privilege of their seed. Yet you ask me to risk my house's most prized resource on promises? Think the Forresters would trade their Ironwood groves on promises? Would the Redwyne's trade their grapevines? You can have one of my stallions for a month for breeding, but you'll pay me a respectable stud fee of one thousand gold dragons, and I promise it's worth every copper of the price. "
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 4:32:20 GMT
"Aye, the chief's a good man," Ben nodded once, a miniature shower of rain dripping off his cloak's hood at the gesture. "He looks after his own, family and soldiery both. Won't ever send you on a charge he wouldn't lead himself." Ben smiled at the boy's little story, remembering what it was like to be so young and stupid to see yourself as invincible. "And we'll need bold men, that's a fact." He glanced over at the way Larry held his spear. "You ever used that spear on anyone before?"
[Charm: 51]
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 4:48:06 GMT
(Failed. Disposition Remains the Same)
The lad beamed, practically glowing as Benjen supported the naive delusions of grandeur regarding the man he served and the feigned nobility in his lowly task as a simple guardsman. However, he faltered at the last question, losing a bit of the pep in his step. "No, just the practice dummies, milord."
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 4:58:32 GMT
"No worries on that," Ben smiled, but made a mental note not to include Larry on any bandit hunts for a few months. Especially not ones Dacey was on. Or Willis. Or Hoster. Probably not Edmure either. "Soon as we get back to Harrenhal, we'll go down to Ser Symon in the yard. He'll have you fighting like a tourney champ in no time."
[Charm: 51]
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 5:09:36 GMT
(Once you fail a social roll, you can't attempt the same one again in the same exchange.)
The lad looked practically giddy, all but ignoring the chills of the cold downpour in his excitement.
"I won't let you down, milord, or the Ravensbane. I swear it!"
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 5:22:48 GMT
"That's the spirit, lad," Benjen smiled, "I'll count on it." Ben sipped from his wineskin and let the conversation lapse into simple small talk or companionable silence.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 6:06:04 GMT
"You mistake me Lord Harys," it was obvious Belric felt embarassed for how Bracken had reacted to his request. "I would never expect a man of principle to give their namesake away without a price. Your offer is gracious, that is not lost on me. I do not ask for charity, nor would I ever view a favor as free. Your willingness to make a deal with me is exactly the kind of cooperation I am reqesting."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 6:27:29 GMT
"As long as we are on the same page, Ser," Bracken's demeanor relaxed noticeably. "We can draw up papers and exchange sealed contracts upon your return if you still wish it."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 12, 2016 9:05:04 GMT
"It may be a time before that happens," Belric said matter of factly. "There are several things that must happen before I am prepared to take on the responsibility of breeding of horses. In the meantime, I will have my Steward appropriate the finances."
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The Gambler
Administrator
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 12, 2016 14:25:06 GMT
"Well do let me know when you get your affairs in order," Harys replied pleasantly. "How are you finding the old ruin? Is lordship everything you dreamed it would be?"
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 12, 2016 17:36:21 GMT
Violet listened to the conversation about horses, thinking. The conversation had given her an idea so she waited for an opportunity to speak up.
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