The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 16, 2016 21:52:39 GMT
Vance was present, escorted by a dozen of his own knights, having assumed correctly that Edmure had learned his lesson and would actually be bringing a force this time. He acknowledged the castellan with a curt nod, eyes on the bridge, where Piper and Smallwood were waiting.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 16, 2016 22:00:05 GMT
"Not a diplomatic mission this time." remarked Edmure matter-of-factly to Lord Roger.
"At the conclusion of this - win or lose - I expect you to present yourself at Harrenhal to swear fealty to Lord Belric. We have done our duty in this matter, in a way that you yourself have advocated. The matter will be considered concluded to the satisfaction of all parties at the end of this duel."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 16, 2016 22:18:26 GMT
"It is not, though I hope you have a worthy champion among that multitude, or the show of arms will count for little," he remarked, in the same matter-of-fact tone. "Considering you're already making demands on the condition you lose, you are not leaving me with much faith in my new overlords. My people wont survive the winter if we lose here, so speak for yourself when your tell me the matter will be considered concluded either way."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 16, 2016 22:39:36 GMT
Edmure looked him incredulously. "You agreed to this...in fact you advocated continuing the negotiations when I wanted to withdraw. Had we withdrawn when I wanted to, we would have used force of arms to re-take this village. If my cousin loses, arrangements will be made to feed your people over the winter. But only if your people are acknowledged vassals of Harrenhal's."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 16, 2016 22:54:06 GMT
"And the only reason we were in a position of weakness in the first place was because you refused to call your own fucking knights then demanded I call up my peasants, knowing full well a high lord was coming after being informed you murdered one of his knights, the one thing I advised you not to do," Vance spat, his mood and opinion of Edmure clearly not having improved. "You keep us fed if it comes to it and I'll swallow and say the words, the disgrace of a family that was once royal in these parts forced to accept charity or starve. I'd accept it because that is what a lord's oath of protection to his people means, an oath you have taken far too long to learn. Now let us be done with this."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 16, 2016 23:41:23 GMT
"We will continue this discussion later on the rights and wrongs of this dispute. I look forward to seeing you in Harrenhal by the end of the month." said Edmure in a tone dripping with disdain.
He swung savagely on his horse's reins, satisfied that whatever his bluster, Lord Vance would be bending the knee before his brother..
"Willis. Take command. Deploy the men. Stay alert for trouble. Jormun and Willem with me. As well as you four." indicating four of his more loyal personal guard. He swung his horse towards the bridge to where Piper and Smallwood waited.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 16, 2016 23:51:30 GMT
Lord Smallwood and Piper's heir awaited him on the bridge, in the exact same positions, as if they had never left. Smallwood had a pair of feasants hanging from his saddle, clearly having done a bit of hunting on the ride.
"Did you lads have a pleasant week?" he asked pleasantly.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 16, 2016 23:56:41 GMT
"Very." replied Edmure shortly. "We have our champion as arranged. Yours is?"
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 17, 2016 1:42:47 GMT
"I discussed the matter with my father and he was not eager to risk the lives of one of our household knights for something as insignificant as a border village," Ser Petyr Piper said, with an air of superiority. "Luckily, we took on a new hedge knight over the week and he is eager to prove his worth." He grinned at that, whistling. "Isn't that right, Ser Duncan?" A massive knight stepped forward in ill fitting plate, with a great helm in the crook of his arm and a shield. A longsword was tied at his waist, lacking a scabbard and secured with rope. By his face he looked to be easily the youngest knight on this field and could not have had his spurs for more than a few moons, but he was almost seven feet tall and well muscled. ![](http://awoiaf.westeros.org/images/thumb/d/d2/Dunk.jpg/300px-Dunk.jpg)
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 17, 2016 1:56:58 GMT
"I see honor is in short supply at Pinkmaiden." replied Edmure derisively. "You must have scoured the Riverlands and Crownlands for him. Not confident in the valor of your own men that you have to hire your champion for the occasion?"
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The Gambler
Administrator
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Post by The Gambler on Sept 17, 2016 2:27:28 GMT
"Scoured?" Ser Petyr scoffed. "Hardly. He came to us, a worthy portent from the gods, perhaps a sign of their divine favor in our just cause." He looked rather pleased with himself. "Or perhaps after 5 years of war it is well known that lords have knights to replace, talented young men with no means granted their spurs on the battlefield are at a surplus, and as ever a man prefers a warm hall to a cold hedge."
"Now, shall we get to the business at hand, ser, or have you lost faith in your cause?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 17, 2016 12:39:35 GMT
The skeptical look on Edmure's face at Piper's words remained. He looked between Willem and Jormun and raised an eyebrow as if silently asking them to choose amongst themselves.
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Vex
Lord Paramount
what is this
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Post by Vex on Sept 17, 2016 16:55:18 GMT
Dacey was also present, having left Harrenhal under Percival's care in her absence. She sat atop her horse, fully armed, and observed the scene impassively, wondering whether she needed to ride up there and volunteer again, seeing as no one was once again capable of making a decision.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Sept 17, 2016 18:08:58 GMT
"They can name whoever they like as their champion." Willem commented to Edmure quietly. "We agreed to this, and we ought not to abandon the course now. It will only make you look afraid or weak."
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Jormun Rivers
Guardsman
He's probably with Dacey.
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Post by Jormun Rivers on Sept 17, 2016 18:41:45 GMT
Jormun, growing slowly more appalled at Edmure's leadership steps forwards across the bridge, nodding to the men across from him. Happy, his murderous falcon, is perched on his shoulder. "A border village it might be, but there is nothing insignificant about the events that have occurred here to us. I will face your hedge knight, and I assure you that no matter how this duel goes, we will honor our word."
(Spears: 86, Chain&Shield, Animal T&D: 50, Agility: 20 (To outmaneuver the big guy), Crossbows: 40. Jormun will start the duel with his crossbow and discard it. )
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