The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 7, 2016 13:14:20 GMT
"It is you that does not understand the oath between a liege and vassal," Vance spat. "I may be honor bound to answer the call to arms when your lord brother summons, but in return you are sworn to offer protection. From where I am standing you have done a piss poor job of that, refusing to risk more than a handful your own men when you knew full well a high lord I cannot contend with would likely bring a larger force. This, after slaying one of his knights and escalating the conflict. You have thrown me and mine into the lion's den of your own making , then have the gall to demand I fight my way out of it. No, this is a matter between high lords now."
"I also remind you that you do not get to choose your opponent in a trial by combat," Vance added. "Smallwood is unlikely to risk death for a single village and you are mad if you think the heir to Pinkmaiden will face you on that bridge. Piper will name a champion. So send a messenger to request the postponement and send for your man."
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 7, 2016 15:53:52 GMT
"I can deliver the message." Willem offered, eager to make himself useful in some way.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 7, 2016 23:17:18 GMT
"This has always been first and foremost a diplomatic mission." Edmure snarled in reply. "You knew that. The point has been to avoid war...not start one. Yes, the killing of the Piper knight was unfortunate and unintentional, but Smallwood and Piper have exacerbated the situation by bringing an overwhelming force to what is supposed to be a parley and then threatening to overrun us if we do not accept their terms. Had we withdrawn when I wished, we could have re-inforced our meager force with more knights from Harrenhal and negotiated for this village from a position of strength."
Edmure silently cursed his broken ribs. He would have put this whole thing to rest by fighting the duel himself against whoever they put up, had he not been injured. He hoped Belric would avenge him if he fell and there would be war anyway.
He nodded to Willem. "Deliver my message to Lord Smallwood. Remind him that we came as a diplomatic mission...not one intent on a fight. We will need to send to Harrenhal for our champion."
He turned to Willis. "Select a rider and tell him to make himself ready for a urgent ride to Harrenhal. To leave the moment we receive Smallwood's answer."
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 8, 2016 0:55:27 GMT
Ser Willem nodded before slowly coaxing his horse down the bridge. He kept his weapons sheathed so that it would hopefully be clear he came to speak to Lords Smallwood and Piper.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 8, 2016 12:35:50 GMT
"I'll admit you accepted my offer sooner than expected lad, but welcome to the right side of the bridge," Smallwood jested as Willem made his way over.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 8, 2016 12:45:29 GMT
"I'm afraid I'm still thinking on your offer, my lord." Willem replied. "I come bearing a request from Ser Edmure Blackfort. As it was his intent to resolve this dispute peacefully, many of his knights present bear injuries. He begs you for am extension so that he may send for a champion from Harrenhal, or so that one of those present may recover before they fight your man."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 8, 2016 13:14:48 GMT
"And I wonder where they got those injuries," he said, with a pointed look at Willem's own wounds. "Very well, as long as we hold the village during the wait, I see no reason not to grant his request. How long would you like?"
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 8, 2016 13:31:17 GMT
"I do not believe Ser Edmure could have any objections to your holding the village prior to the arrival of his champion, my lord." Willem replied. "And I am sure that given a week's time he should be more than capable of finding a suitable champion."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 8, 2016 13:39:37 GMT
"One week then," Smallwood agreed, waving Willem off with dismissive motion and wheeling his horse around.
(You guys can post at Harrenhal and should arrive back here on the 16th. Belric and company will arrive back at Harrenhal on the 18th. I'd like to have this duel rolled today or tomorrow at the latest, so get moving.)
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 8, 2016 15:40:51 GMT
Ser Willem turned his horse and rode back to the Blackfort group, where he relayed Lord Smallwood's acceptance of the one week delay. He then asked Ser Edmure for his leave to return to Harrenhal to seek medical attention for his wounds.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 8, 2016 21:49:25 GMT
Edmure agreed readily to Willem's request, as they were all returning to Harrenhal anyway.
He gave the order to move out towards Harrenhal. As he rode out at the head of his men, he reflected the 'negotiations', such as they were, hadn't been quite the total disaster. War had for the moment been averted, there was still a chance to get Lord Vance's village via a mechanism all parties had agreed to and still maintain the peace. And they had not agreed to what Edmure still thought were Smallwood's exorbitant terms. And only one had died. That death complicated things, but was not insurmountable.
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Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Sept 9, 2016 9:43:56 GMT
Now that the pretend negotiation team ha left, Ethan waits a few hours and finds a concealed position to observe the Smallwoods' activities following what he presumed to have been the Blackfort retreat. He is specifically interested in the movement of the fifty knights and their posturing for further actions.
75 stealth 70 observation
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The Gambler
Administrator
Alea Iacta Est
Posts - 1,984
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 9, 2016 21:40:47 GMT
(+1 Stealth)
Ethan remains out of sight. After a few hours and a word with the captain in the tavern, the Piper and Smallwood parties depart back to their respective keeps, likely planning to return in the week rather than camp out here. The score of knights that were in the tavern when the Blackforts arrived remained however, now spreading out to take up sentry posts around the village, far more vigilant than they had been before. An elderly couple and their teenage daughter are brought out of their home, screaming and crying. All three are fitted with nooses and strung up in short order.
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Post by Ethan Flatrivers on Sept 12, 2016 15:06:38 GMT
Ethan quickly realizes some sort of deal had been reached if the clearly superior side had let the other walk away, and he doubted his new friends wanted him starting a war, so he withdraws to Harrentown to wait for further opportunities for violence.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 16, 2016 14:50:25 GMT
////
16th day, 3rd moon
Edmure and his company, including Willem, Jormun and Willis arrive along with eighty knights and twenty guardsmen at Armistead's Crossing. Edmure was careful of possible treachery so he made sure to send out scouts to guide their way. As they approached he looked for signs of Lord Roger's arrival.
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