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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 22, 2016 20:37:44 GMT
Violet hesitated but said "Yes. My lady, when you married Lord Tully, were you happy with the match? How much choice did your father give you in the matter of your husband? I have no mother to ask these things, as I have said."
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The Raven
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The Sept
Jul 23, 2016 1:13:59 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 23, 2016 1:13:59 GMT
"My father was quite dead by then. Heart attack at a feast. Like you, my eldest brother ruled when I came of age. You see, my mother was the second wife of Lord Ned Frey. He had only one son when his first love died. Papa mourned her for many years before being wed to my mother, a Mandrake. She was but fourteen..." Her voice took a hard edge at the thought.
"Years later, my half brother decided he would end the succession crisis by wedding my mother's children off. My sister was bartered to a Blackwood, my brother promised some foreign girl he fancied. I was to be given to some Grafton boy whose balls had barely dropped. We were being exorcised from the line of succession so he and his brats might rule without contest. But I would not go quietly. So I rode to Riverrun in the night with what loyal bannermen my mother commanded, including Ser Mors here. I told Medgar's father I feared for my life. My brother was going to ship me to King's Landing, to join Aegon's harem. You must understand, Lord Tully was quite fearful of losing influence in his own kingdom to Bracken and Blackwood, who had already turned the King's head with their painted whores."
Alynna Frey smiled cruelly. "I wish I could have seen my brother's face when he heard I was engaged to the heir of Riverrun. Did he snarl or whimper, I still wonder?
"As for the match itself..." Her smile became softer, more wistful. "Yes. I would say it been a good marriage."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 23, 2016 8:03:06 GMT
"I'm glad to hear it," Violet said truthfully. Marrying a man who made her unhappy was one of her greatest fears.
"You were vey brave to run away from your home, my lady. It was most gallant of Lord Medgar and his father to aid you. You should have a song written about your adventure."
Another pause. "I know that Belric's considerations for my future husband may not quite match mine. But I don't think he would intentionally arrange a betrothal I was not happy with. He's still more soldier than lord but he does care for his kin."
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The Raven
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Jul 23, 2016 18:54:40 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 23, 2016 18:54:40 GMT
"There are no adventures in this life. Only comedies that have yet to transition to tragedy. You're fortunate a war just ended. Many houses will be seeking to secure alliances and peace, regardless of your brother's biases. Or your maidenhead." She gave her a look that bespoke mischief. "Tell me... Are you still a maiden?"
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 23, 2016 19:00:28 GMT
Violet gasped, hand to her mouth in genuine shock.
"My lady! Of course I am."
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The Raven
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Jul 23, 2016 19:13:47 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 23, 2016 19:13:47 GMT
Lady Tully gave her a hard look that told Violet that she didn't believe her. "You're certain? No curious fumblings in the dark? No eager young squires? I don't expect your father and brother knew a flimsy piece of skin might be so important when they were still squatting in Roote's gatehouse."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 23, 2016 19:51:24 GMT
Violet winced. "I've never done more than kissing. I swear it by the Seven. I have been scarce a year out of the motherhouse, truly."
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The Raven
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Jul 23, 2016 20:37:21 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 23, 2016 20:37:21 GMT
"Hmm..." Finally, she patted Violet's hand, smiling. "Of course you are. You must understand, a mother must sometimes be a bitch when it comes to their child's future."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 23, 2016 20:43:21 GMT
"I suppose..." Violet eyed Lady Tully with a little anxiety in her eyes. Fter all, she had not even mentioned Lady Tully's son, even though she had been thinking about the slim possibility of an alliance between their houses. But she would have to tread carefully now. "I cannot fault you for wanting to protect your family, my lady. We must all be fierce in defence of our own. I wish I had a mother to fight for me." She sighed wistfully.
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The Raven
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Jul 23, 2016 23:11:28 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 23, 2016 23:11:28 GMT
Alynna frowned with sympathy. "If you don't mind the question... How did she pass?"
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 23, 2016 23:38:55 GMT
"It was a sickness," Violet admitted. "I was only a little girl at the time, so I don't fully recall the details. But she was my mother and I loved her dearly. I was fond of some of the septas but none of them could take my mother's place, not even after she died. Your children are so lucky to have you, my lady."
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The Raven
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Jul 25, 2016 3:16:36 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 25, 2016 3:16:36 GMT
"My sympathies. My own mother passed two years ago from a common fever. The siege prevented me from seeing her final moments or even paying my respects."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 25, 2016 16:16:24 GMT
"That's horrid," Violet replied. "I'm sure your mother knew you were thinking of her. She is with the gods now, protected by the Mother Above. That's what the septas told me, when we heard about my mother's death, and it gave me comfort to know that she suffered no more." She smiled a little,, thinking of her own long-dead mother.
"But I didn't come here to talk about gloomy matters, my lady. Riverrun is too beautiful to be sad in. Perhaps you might tell me a little about your children? I so long to befriend them both."
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The Raven
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Jul 25, 2016 23:21:09 GMT
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Post by The Raven on Jul 25, 2016 23:21:09 GMT
"Of course you do, my dear. Tristan is... His father's son. Clever. Patient. A student of all things esoteric. Not like that Bloodraven, mind you. A godly man. We were to send him to the Citadel for a few months before the war started. You see, a ballista brought one of the towers down. Robert, our old steward, shielded Tristan with his body, but my son's leg was still shattered. Now he'll never be a knight or go hunting or really dance with a woman, but he'll certainly be a fine lord and a good husband."
Lady Tully turned to her sworn shield. "My medicine, Mors." The scarred man handed her a flask, which she promptly swigged in the middle of the Sept. "I'll need to pray for forgiveness before I leave. Now where was I?"
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 26, 2016 16:08:29 GMT
Violet watched the lady drink her 'medicine' with curiosity, quickly guessing at the likely contents. But she knew better than to remark upon it.
"I am sorry about Trsitan's injury," she said honestly. "But not all men can be knights, and a clever mind is as valuable as skill with a sword. What of your daughter? What is she like?"
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