|
Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Aug 29, 2016 20:11:38 GMT
"Piper doesn't need spies," Ethan said. "His regular army's running this, it looks like." He gestured with his head to the tavern and the Knights assembled on the other side. "Right ain't never had anything to do with who wins," he said. "But if your lord don't have the moral side...it'd make sense to at least bring in the military part." He gestured. "And if I did happen to have sworn loyalty to a rather attractive surrogate for a lord not a week past, ad it involved partaking in activities unbecoming a gentleman, well, it'd make little enough sense to be seen by all another lord's men showing off the proof of it." He tapped his belt, "this short sword's all I am packing, except a hunting knife. I won't swing a fight like this one way or the other."
|
|
|
Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 29, 2016 23:43:38 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." "Was your knight made of gold?" asked Edmure. "If you were truly after peace and a settlement to this dispute, you would know that Lord Belric is unlikely to accept such exorbitant terms. Lord Belric will also not accept that his forces are trespassing here. Armistead's Crossing is well known as being part of Lord Vance's lands. Neither Medgar Tully or His Grace has indicated otherwise to us, through any official decree. Perhaps we should lay this dispute before them."
|
|
|
Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 29, 2016 23:58:45 GMT
Ser Willem breathed what he hoped was a discrete sigh of relief when Edmure opted against handing him over to an undoubtedly horrible death. He tried to keep a neutral expression on his face, lest he grin and cause further affront.
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Aug 30, 2016 0:05:39 GMT
"Did I give you the impression this was the time to be glib?" Piper inquired. "That is the price of the peace you broke. Take it or be run down."
"It is well know that House Vance used to number among the river kings as well, with most of my lands and your own within their domain," Smallwood informed him, "Do you mean to return those to Lord Roger as well? Perhaps you should teach your lord to lose with some dignity." Vance gritted his teeth at the insult, but held his tongue.
"Lord Medgar is quite aware of our acquisition and did not seem terribly troubled about it," Piper spoke up again.
|
|
|
Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 1:14:52 GMT
"I am not authorised to accept or decline." replied Edmure calmly. "All I can do is take your terms back to Lord Belric. He will decide the next course of action."
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Aug 30, 2016 1:51:18 GMT
Both men blinked, staring silently, wondering if the man was daft.
"You are the castellan of Harrenhal are you not? Empowered to rule and make decisions in your lord's name in his absence?" Smallwood inquired, in a mocking tone, before turning to his companion. "Clearly I will have to chastise my castellan for overstepping his bounds, as I have always set him to his task under the assumption those were his responsibilities not just when ruling is easy and the decisions are simple. We came to parley under the impression we were treating with a man that could actually enforce the terms agreed upon, not a glorified raven."
"Wait for your brother to hold your hand if you wish, but you will not do so in my village," he declared, tone taking a hard edge.
|
|
|
Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 2:21:01 GMT
"As I said, your terms are exorbitant." replied Edmure firmly. "And as such, my decision is that Lord Belric will need to decide whether to meet those terms. We are not just talking about a simple withdrawal from these lands and a small compensation for the death of your knight. That I can authorise. We are talking 600 gold dragons and four tons of grain. Nor do your requirements settle the matter of this dispute, which is why I am here."
He looked from one man to the other. "Now if you wish to re-consider your terms and propose something more realistic which I may be able to accept without consulting my brother we can discuss this further. Otherwise in the interests of peace, I will return to Lord Belric with your existing terms for him to consider."
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Aug 30, 2016 3:23:08 GMT
(Since replacing a Knights or ransoming them costs 2 wealth, I thought 3 was pretty reasonable)
"Exhorbitant?" Piper asked, taking affront at that. "Pray tell, what price would you put on one of your knights?"
"As for your other dispute, it was decided when that treaty was signed without stipulating return of captured lands. It is mine by law and the dispute is settled as far as I am concerned," Smallwood said firmly.
"Now now, we can be more reasonable than that," Piper's heir said, holding up a hand to his father's banner. "We could always let the gods decide the matter. That would at least keep us from this pointless back and forth any longer and put the matter unequivocally to rest."
|
|
|
Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 5:05:11 GMT
"Not six hundred gold dragons and four tons of food." said Edmure with a raised brow towards the Piper heir.
"And pointless back and forth?" he continued. "We are talking the avoidance of war, Ser. This dispute is between two parties and satisfying only the claims of one does not necessarily end that dispute. If you are certain this village is yours by law, then bring the matter before the Royal Court to see if that is so. Surely if you are desirous of peace and you are in the right, as you claim, the judgement will be in your favor."
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Aug 30, 2016 16:08:32 GMT
The pair once again looked at Edmure like he had two heads.
"You're new to this, so I'll explain it slowly," Smallwood said, like he was speaking to a child, "A Lord Paramount is responsible for upholding law in his region and settling disputes between his lords. As Lord Medgar raised no objection when we took these claims, I do not imagine he will do so now, but feel free to take up the matter with him for all the good it will do."
"You have three options at the moment as far as I see it," Piper stated. "You can pay the price demanded for peace and return to your lands, you can have war and be run down by my knights, or we can hold a trial by combat here and now to settle the dispute."
|
|
|
Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 16:41:21 GMT
"Piper doesn't need spies," Ethan said. "His regular army's running this, it looks like." He gestured with his head to the tavern and the Knights assembled on the other side. "Right ain't never had anything to do with who wins," he said. "But if your lord don't have the moral side...it'd make sense to at least bring in the military part." He gestured. "And if I did happen to have sworn loyalty to a rather attractive surrogate for a lord not a week past, ad it involved partaking in activities unbecoming a gentleman, well, it'd make little enough sense to be seen by all another lord's men showing off the proof of it." He tapped his belt, "this short sword's all I am packing, except a hunting knife. I won't swing a fight like this one way or the other." "True enough." Willis shrugged. "But fair warning, if we get run out of town, the new occupants might not take kindly to an armed man here, whether you're our man or not. So I'd recommend makin' yourself scarce."
|
|
|
Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Aug 30, 2016 17:00:13 GMT
Ethan looked faintly amused and shrugged. "Well enough," he said. He looked about. "Hope there's another way across this creek." The outlaw looked to the tavern. "Ain't like an honest man can get a drink." He slung his bow over this shoulder and headed back outside of town for the moment. He'd wait for this nonsense to blow over before continuing his good work.
|
|
|
Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 20:17:55 GMT
"See you 'round," Willis said to the man, before adding as Ethan walked off, "And if you ain't too busy - and it don't look like you are - head toward Harrenhal. Looks like we'll need our share of those that can hold a sword. Say Ser Willis sent you, I'll tell 'em you're no fool."
|
|
|
Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 30, 2016 21:47:19 GMT
The pair once again looked at Edmure like he had two heads. "You're new to this, so I'll explain it slowly," Smallwood said, like he was speaking to a child, "A Lord Paramount is responsible for upholding law in his region and settling disputes between his lords. As Lord Medgar raised no objection when we took these claims, I do not imagine he will do so now, but feel free to take up the matter with him for all the good it will do." "You have three options at the moment as far as I see it," Piper stated. "You can pay the price demanded for peace and return to your lands, you can have war and be run down by my knights, or we can hold a trial by combat here and now to settle the dispute." "Do you want war, Sers? Because I can assure you that if war begins my brother Lord Belric Ravensbane will pursue that war with all the resources at his disposal, irrespective of what happens here at Armistad's Crossing. Can you afford the cost, not to mention the deaths, the destruction and the resultant misery you will condemn both our lands too. You may consider you have the support of Medgar Tully, but House Blackwood is not without friends either and Lord Belric is husband to the King's own sister. We are desirous of peace but not at the expense of humiliation for House Blackfort of Harrenhal. I ask you to reconsider your terms and for both sides to walk away from here in peace, satisfied with the outcome." [Persuasion: 53] + 5 = [58]
|
|
The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
Likes - 612
Joined - December 2015
|
Post by The Gambler on Aug 31, 2016 0:31:57 GMT
(Failed. By 2 points.)
"On my father's behalf I have been generous enough to offer 2 options that lead to peace and only one that leads to war, Ser," Piper replied. "If you fear a trial by combat would lead to humiliation for House Blackfort, then you will understand if I do not quake in my boots at the thought of war with you."
|
|