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Post by Tim of Raventree on Aug 8, 2016 7:50:26 GMT
Jared, following, was a little taken aback by the peasant's wish. He understood it, as much as it was possible for a fatherless man to understand such desires, but there were other factors at stake here.
"Ser Willem has the right of it, friend," he said, laying a hand on the peasant's shoulder. "This man deserves all the harm you can do him, but it is our duty as servants of Lord Blackfort, and of the gods, to see the Father's justice is meted out according to the law. Although..." He paused, looked from one to the other. "Very likely he will end up with a choice between gelding or the Wall. Not a pleasant choice, either way. Come now, yield your mace to Ser Willem here."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 8, 2016 23:50:46 GMT
Edmure nodded. "Any difficulty, kill him. Might as well be two bodies to dispose of." Edmure then indicated to the guardsmen that they should follow him. He stepped out of the house and gingerly mounted his horse, making a brave far of not allowing the pain he felt to show through. He glanced at the tavern four buildings away where it appeared the sounds of carousing continued unabated. He shaded his eyes against the sun sinking slowly into the west. Nightfall was not far away. That was good. "Ready Willas?" he asked. "I feel like a drink." They moved slowly down to the tavern, where they waited outside patiently for someone - anyone - to emerge. Edmure wasn't going to risk any more men on both sides dying. At least not at this stage. It was not long before a very drunk man bearing the Smallwood insignia, came stumbling out of the tavern and immediately began taking a piss against the wall, not even noticing the group of armed men in his inebriated state. "I'll wager I'm feeling better than your friend felt when I put my sword through his neck." Willem replied, trying to hide any sign of the pain he was feeling, before inserting the gag in the man's mouth sans pig shit. "No need to thank me." Willem replied, standing and turning to face the father of the victim when he entered. "We only did what any true knight would do." He stressed "true" with a pointed glare at his captive. He glanced over at the man bound in the corner, thinking about the father's request. While he understood the man's desire, after a moment he decided that he could not grant it. He had done enough harm to the prospects of peace without allowing a man who had yielded to be murdered in cold blood. "You have my apologies but this man, swine that he is, has yielded to us. He will receive his justice from Lord Vance or Lord Blackfort; his life is no longer in the hands of you or I." (OOC: I believe Edmure took the guardsmen with him, meaning it was just the knight and Willem in the house before the father entered.) "Not many true knights left, war saw to that," the older an remarked, loosening his grip on the mace, but not relinquishing it to the septon. "Just as long as I get to see the bastard swing. Gelding or the Wall is too good for him."
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 9, 2016 0:14:11 GMT
Willem nodded in agreement at the first part of the man's comment, before shrugging in response to the second. "As I've said, you have my sympathy, but I'm afraid I can't promise Lord Blackfort or Vance will make a particular decision."
He paused, coming up with something to placate the man. "Ser Edmure is Lord Belric's brother, and as you perhaps heard he is in favor of hanging him. You may rest assured that the option will be considered."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 9, 2016 13:38:24 GMT
With a command and gesture Edmure indicated that his waiting guardsmen should surround the Smallwood man and take him into custody. Alive. By the look of him, the man would be too drunk to put up much resistance.
"Bind and if necessary gag that man. Otherwise do not harm him."
Edmure wondered how many others were in the tavern.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 9, 2016 20:11:37 GMT
Edmure had clearly not spent a lot of time with drunk soldiers. As his guardsmen went to grab the drunk knight, he turned around startled and punched the nearest one in the face. Wild-eyed, he looked to the rest as if they had appeared from thin air.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" he bellowed, drawing his blade and holding it out towards the guardsmen around him. Even drunk, a knight against guardsmen might end poorly for the latter.
Men rushed out of the tavern, at least a dozen, though Edmure could hear more preparing crossbows at the windows, some armored and some not, some drunk and some not, but all armed. One man, sober as a bird and in full plate, wielding a warhammer with an air of command, stepped out.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 9, 2016 22:19:26 GMT
"I might ask you the same." replied Edmure still atop his horse. "What are you doing on lands belonging to Lord Vance? Smallwood lands are over there."
He pointed in the direction of the bridge.
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 9, 2016 22:26:22 GMT
"Not sure if you know how war works, ser, but borders change, adopt a certain fluidity," the knight captain replied, looking around at the gathered Blackfort men. "Took these lands and this village before the treaty was signed, two moons ago. Wars over now and I don't recall a royal decree to return annexed lands. So far as I'm seeing, you're on lands belonging to Lord Smallwood. Vance lands are over there and we don't take kindly to trespassers in these parts." He pointed the way from which they had come. "So kindly sod off."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 10, 2016 0:00:03 GMT
"I don't recall a royal decree confirming Lord Smallwood in rightful possession any of these lands beyond that river to here." retorted Edmure. "Until that happens, this village belongs by right to Lord Vance and by extension the Lord Blackfort of Harrenhal, the brother-by-law to the King. You may return to Lord Smallwood and bid him to take his case to the King. Until then we will remain here. As is our right."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 10, 2016 0:03:42 GMT
"It seems you need learn how the chain of command works, before I beat you with it," the knight replied, unperturbed. "We take our cases to the Lord Paramount and seeing as it was by his leave that we took these lands in the first place during the war, I cannot imagine he'll have much to say against our keeping them. I would be happy to fetch Lord Smallwood if you wish for a word, though I fear he will say the same."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 10, 2016 4:51:59 GMT
Willem nodded in agreement at the first part of the man's comment, before shrugging in response to the second. "As I've said, you have my sympathy, but I'm afraid I can't promise Lord Blackfort or Vance will make a particular decision." He paused, coming up with something to placate the man. "Ser Edmure is Lord Belric's brother, and as you perhaps heard he is in favor of hanging him. You may rest assured that the option will be considered." "As you say, Ser," the peasant replied, not seeming convinced. It was the peasant life to be shat on, so he did not expect justice. Willem could hear the commotion brewing outside the tavern.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 10, 2016 5:36:11 GMT
"Septon Jared, perhaps it might be best if you checked if Ser Edmure requires assistance." Willem replied, looking mildly concerned at the noise coming from the tavern. He then turned to the peasant. "I'm sorry about your door, but as it may be difficult to repair quickly it would probably be best if we find somewhere to hide him," He gestured at the dead knight, "in case some of his friends wander this way."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 10, 2016 5:40:44 GMT
"There is a root cellar behind the house we use to store the turnips," the peasant offered.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 10, 2016 5:44:48 GMT
"Well, I don't want to spoil your crop, but I suppose no harm will come if we don't leave him in there for long." Willem said, after a moment's consideration.
He made his way over to the dead man and grabbed his legs. "Lead the way."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 10, 2016 5:58:33 GMT
As Septon Jared headed to the tavern, the farmer grabbed the arms and helped him lift the body, the two hefting the corpse around back to deposit it in the root cellar.
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Post by Lucas of Brindlewood on Aug 10, 2016 6:23:39 GMT
Willem grimaced at the strain lifting the partly armoured corpse put on his shattered ribs. But he said nothing and allowed the man to lead the way.
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