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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 25, 2016 0:56:02 GMT
"They know it was you or I, I am sure of that." Willem replied. "I don't doubt Lord Smallwood would have obtained as much information as possible about the incident before meeting with you."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 25, 2016 2:07:51 GMT
"If that is the case, it may be to our advantage for me to take the blame." said Edmure. "Given your revelation, I think it would also be an advantage to take you with me across that bridge."
He took a deep breath. "Let us go then."
He peered across the bridge to where Smallwood's party waited. He could see they numbered half-a-dozen. Signalling to Willis to wait with the bulk of their men at their side of the bridge, he beckoned to Lord Vance and three other knights to follow himself and Willem.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 25, 2016 2:15:50 GMT
"If you are certain you wish to take the blame for my actions, I will not stop you." Willem replied. "But I killed him, and I'm willing to accept responsibility for that."
He then followed Edmure out toward Smallwood and Piper, leaving his visor up and his sword sheathed. He held his shield in a way to hide the damage to his plate as best he could.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 25, 2016 12:57:16 GMT
With Lord Vance beside him and Willem immediately behind him, Edmure rode halfway across the bridge with the three knights. The bridge was at least as wide so that two riders could ride abreast. Once just under halfway he ordered a halt.
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Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Aug 25, 2016 15:41:23 GMT
As the castellan and the lord prepare for their parlay, Ethan approaches the village from along the main road in. He arches an eyebrow at the tavern apparently being the sight of some form of crude siege and looks about for the Blackfort men. He strokes his five day stubble and debates the best move. No one knows him here unless some random soldier happens to recognize him from the war, which he highly doubted, and it looked like there were lots of Knights. Knights were not his favorite people in the world; open warfare being abhorrent to one who didn't wear armor and never wielded a full sized sword.
Damned hard to get a drink in a town with a tavern filled with unruly armed men being besieged by equally unruly armed men, and so for now Ethan heads a few hundred feet from the bridge to see what sort of diplomacy will follow.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 25, 2016 16:07:59 GMT
Willis was keeping an eye on the surroundings and for any treachery. But did he notice the stranger approaching? Let's find out!
(Observation 30)
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 26, 2016 3:19:33 GMT
(+4 Observation for Willis) He does indeed notice Ethan, the man sticking out like a sore thumb in the town on the edge of war, the only man not wearing someone's colors. With Lord Vance beside him and Willem immediately behind him, Edmure rode halfway across the bridge with the three knights. The bridge was at least as wide so that two riders could ride abreast. Once just under halfway he ordered a halt. As Edmure crossed the bridge, he got a better look at the party that awaited them. The first was immediately recognizable by Willem as Lord Lucas Smallwood, the liege of Acorn Hall sitting atop his steed in forest green armor, despite his house colors of yellow and brown, though the sigil of his house had been panted over his heart.. He had half smile on his face, as if this were a merry outing, rather than the serious matter it was and looked of age with Edmure. Though he wore a longsword, a shortbow hung from his saddle, the sort that could be fired without need to dismount. Beside him sat a younger man, his plate of a brilliant azure, his expression more serious than his compatriot. It was the eldest son and heir of Lord Piper, Ser Petyr Piper. He wore a flanged mace at his hip. Both men sat in silence, looking expectantly at Ser Edmure. After all, it was he who had summoned them to this parley.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 26, 2016 3:44:37 GMT
Figuring it would be a minute or two at least before the parley ended and they slunk out of town in disgrace, Willis turned his horse and trotted over toward the newcomer.
"Might not have been the best village to wander in to. What brings you here?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 26, 2016 7:22:32 GMT
Both men sat in silence, looking expectantly at Ser Edmure. After all, it was he who had summoned them to this parley. It was a small bridge, Edmure realised as he crossed. Only about sixty-seventy feet long from end to end. As he drew to a halt about 35-40 feet from where Piper and Smallwood waited, behind him his own men waited expectantly. He eyed the shortbow held by Smallwood and hoosted his shield into a more convenient position. Edmure raised his voice to bridge the gap between them. "My lords." he began politely and formally. "We come from Harrenhal to help resolve a dispute between Houses Smallwood and Vance over this village."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 27, 2016 16:01:44 GMT
"All due respect, which is little at this juncture, I fail to see the dispute," Lord Smallwood replied, hand tight on his steed's reins. "All I see is a man that has broken the king's peace through an unwarranted incursion onto my lands, as well as the assault and murder of a knight of House Piper."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 27, 2016 21:03:23 GMT
"Whether they are in fact your lands is the dispute." replied Edmure calmly. "Lord Vance doesn't see it that way and neither does my brother. Nor do I recall a royal decree confirming you in rightful possession any of these lands beyond this river."
A tinge of sarcasm entered his voice."
"Imagine our surprise in a routine inspection of the Lord of Harrenhal's lands to find intruders making free with the chattels of Lord Vance, including rape and pillage."
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 28, 2016 0:06:39 GMT
Ser Willem sat grimly astride his horse, listening to Edmure without adding comment of his own. His nose itched but he resisted the urge to scratch it.
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Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Aug 29, 2016 14:40:59 GMT
Figuring it would be a minute or two at least before the parley ended and they slunk out of town in disgrace, Willis turned his horse and trotted over toward the newcomer. "Might not have been the best village to wander in to. What brings you here?" Ethan looks both ways and shrugs. "Passing through," he said. "Apparently short cuts to Deep Den aren't as clear as they used to be." He looks to the bridge. "I assume this isn't a mid winter dance?"
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 29, 2016 16:03:32 GMT
"The lands were rightfully taken in battle before the treaty was signed, from the Lothstons, not House Blackfort" Lord Smallwood replied, lip straightening in annoyance. "From where I stand, I have not wronged your house in the slightest. His Grace granted you Harrenhal and its accompanying lands, which on the date of its transfer, did not include these lands. If my men are taking liberties upon my lands, that is my concern and the enforcement of the law my right."
"My father, in the interest of the king's peace, offers the following terms," Piper's heir spoke up. "For the murder of one of his sworn knights and trespass upon the lands of one of his vassals you will pay 600 gold dragons (3 Wealth), 4 tons of grain (4 food), turn over the murderer to face justice, and vacate these lands at once."
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 29, 2016 19:44:37 GMT
Ethan looks both ways and shrugs. "Passing through," he said. "Apparently short cuts to Deep Den aren't as clear as they used to be." He looks to the bridge. "I assume this isn't a mid winter dance?" "Nah. Pissin' contest between new lord and old lord next door. And the latter's likely in the right, but the former's my cousin, so that's just how the dice fuckin' fall." Willis looked the man up and down. "Well, I'd say you don't look like a Piper spy, but if Lord Piper's not a damn moron, his spies shouldn't have a particular look. Don't suppose you have any evidence to the contrary?"
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