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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 15, 2016 0:44:57 GMT
Edmure waited close to the tavern, having seen his orders carried out. The two guardsmen with the most scouting experience had been sent up-stream and down-stream, while the tavern's entrances were now guarded. There would be no escape without bloodshed unless he allowed it.
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Post by Ser Willis Blackfort on Aug 15, 2016 16:05:10 GMT
Once they got back to the vicinity of the tavern, Willis brought the old man to Edmure. "May I present Jonas, who's something resembling in charge of this village." He said by way of an introduction. "Jonas, this is Ser Edmure Blackfort, castellan of Harrenhal, brother to Lord Belric Ravensbane, and so on and so forth."
"Edmure, please assure him that we ain't lookin' to steal any grain."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 15, 2016 16:49:50 GMT
"Milord," Joanas said in greeting, not sounding entirely awed, clearly having been introduced to a fair amount of lords over the heads as this village changed hands. "Well the grains all there," he repeated his report, that clearly being the only question highborns had ever asked.
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 16, 2016 5:09:34 GMT
Edmure nodded a greeting to the man.
"Not interested in the grain Jonas." he said. "Tell me, how long have Lord Smallwood's men been in this village and what were the circumstances of their arrival?"
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 16, 2016 13:13:25 GMT
"So hard to keep track nowadays and my memory's not what it once was," Jonas admitted. "And war has a way of making events run together. But they arrived at least 2 months ago in a raid, felled Ser Martin, and sent Vance's men off with their tails between their legs. Seen a few sorties since."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 16, 2016 22:48:23 GMT
"So around the turn of the New Year." replied Edmure, figuring that what the Smallwood knight had said about taking the village in a time of war may not be true after all.
"When did you receive news that the siege of Riverrun had ended? Before or after the arrival of these raiders. Was Ser Martin expecting an attack?"
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 16, 2016 23:27:52 GMT
(The war ended when KL fell on January 31st, so the turn of the year would be well within it)
"Sounds about right," the old man replied. "Weren't exactly marking down the days."
"Heard the war was over a few weeks ago," he continued. "Only heard because Smallwood's men drank heavy, but then they always do, victory or defeat."
"Course he was expecting an attack. We were in the middle of a war, Vance and Smallwood feuding for years. You can see which side came out the better in that one, as one had the backing of their high lord and the other did not. Lord Vance is lucky he held on to what he did."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 17, 2016 0:01:03 GMT
"That's appears so. Harrenhal didn't have a lord until about a month ago." replied Edmure frowning. "I'm here to set things to rights."
"It looks to me that they weren't treating the smallfolk that well. We caught two of them raping a fourteen year old girl. Has this been the normal state since their arrival?"
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 17, 2016 0:58:09 GMT
"As I told your men, that's the way of war," Jonas replied, raising an eyebrow at Edmure. "You must not have seen much of it if a knight forcing himself on a girl bled disturbs you so. Conquests without rape and looting only exists in songs, Ser."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 17, 2016 6:43:37 GMT
"You just accept the rape and looting of your village?" asked Edmure somewhat increduously. "My question to you, Jonas, is what sort of overlord do your smallfolk want? One thing that Blackforts will bring to you is order and the rule of law. I haven't seen much of that in the short time I have been there. "
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 17, 2016 12:58:33 GMT
"After 5 years, I just thank the Gods it's still standing and no one has burned it to the ground yet," the weathered elder replied, scratching his white beard. "You take the town, I'll serve ably. You leave it with them, I'll do the same. Armistead's Crossing is full of survivors, not starry eyed idealists. Just as long as we've got a full granary and shelter from the cold, we'll not complain."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 17, 2016 21:22:01 GMT
"Sometimes you need to fight for what you want." said Edmure. "If Lord Vance was a just lord, then why wouldn't you and your folk support him in this dispute? One thing I can assure you Jonas, is that if the Blackforts are your liege lords, through Lord Vance , you will have justice through the fair and impartial application of the law. Rape and pillage of your women and goods by those in authority will no longer take place. What we require here and now is the support of your people to ensure that occurs."
Persuasion: 53 (+5) = 58.
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 17, 2016 22:11:31 GMT
(Failed)
"Seems you're the one that needs to fight for it, Ser," Jonas replied, "Just like a noble to demand others sacrifice in their name. I'll not convince these good people to die after surviving 5 years, for a man who's been here a month. We'll stay on our homes and out of the way while you highborns sort it out."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Aug 17, 2016 23:58:02 GMT
"You won't stay out of the way." said Edmure in exasperation. "If war breaks out you won't be safe in your homes." He stared at Jonas for a long moment, as if wrestling with a response, then shrugged and waved the man away.
He moved over to where Willas and Willem waited. "Well Sers. We wait for whatever levies Lord Roger can muster to arrive here. From there I have two choices. Burn that tavern down or attempt to treat with Lord Smallwood."
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Post by The Gambler on Aug 18, 2016 3:25:04 GMT
5th Day, 3rd Moon
Lord Vance arrived with his men the morning after next, 20 guardsmen, half of his garrison, having begrudgingly left a skeleton crew guarding his keep. In addition, he brought 50 peasants from his levies.
The Smallwood captain was still waiting patiently in the tavern, his fellow knights now armed and armored to the teeth in case this came to blood.
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