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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 5, 2016 16:39:24 GMT
"As you wish," she said. "But I don't envy you having to travel the Kingsroad at such a time. Fortunately for me, I am not obliged to join you there."
She glanced sadly at Edmure. She would miss him, but there was no sense in her travelling all that way. There was nothing for her in the North and she had no particular wish to see the Wall.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 5, 2016 17:08:31 GMT
"We'll reach the Ruby Ford by nightfall," he informed her. "That will be as good a place to say you goodbyes and part ways." The ford is downriver from Lord Harroway's Town, near the junction of the Kingsroad and the River Road.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 5, 2016 17:19:01 GMT
"I intend to visit Harroway's Town," she said. "I have a most urgent errand to deal with in the town. I had thought we would be travelling there together."
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 5, 2016 17:26:34 GMT
"His lordship said nothing about no errand, milady," Brandon replied respectfully, though between Edmure and Violet already felt a migraine coming on. "As I said, no unplanned stops. Without his lordship's say so, we'll not be subjecting his sister to the dangers of a city. Roads are dangerous enough, as it is."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 5, 2016 20:04:47 GMT
"I grew up in Harroway's Town," she said. "As did Lord Belric. I have been gone such a short time. My friends will hardly have forgotten me. I will be perfectly safe. Besides, there are some things a girl doesn't bother her brother with, lord or not. Female things."
She stressed the latter phrase.
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 5, 2016 21:38:14 GMT
"Not sure what manner of female things require a trip to another lord's realm," the guard replied, clearly skeptical. "Either way, I'll be sticking to your brother's marching orders. His lordship would have sent a sworn knight if he wanted you making such a visit. And don't think I missed you trying to hide from you siblings at the gate. Whatever you've planned, my men and I want no part in it. His lordship is quick with his fists."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 6, 2016 9:45:57 GMT
Violet frowned.
"You said yourself that Ser Edmure was permitted to have an escort of any family members who wished to accompany him. And do not forget, Lord Roote is my own betrothed. If I am not safe in his town, I am not safe anywhere at all."
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 6, 2016 15:51:37 GMT
"Yes, an escort of family members to accompany him to the Wall and then accompany us back to Harrenhal," Brandon replied evenly. "Neither of those trips necessitates a visit to Lord Harroway's Town, regardless of who lives there. So with all due respect, any ulterior motives you have for accompanying us other than seeing your brother off are not my concern. So we can take you back to Harrenhal now, when we get to the Ruby Ford, or when we get to the Wall."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 6, 2016 16:46:02 GMT
Violet was fast losing her temper.
"Brandon, I will remind you that I am your lord's own sister, and you are a man in his employ. You do not give me orders. I am sorry that you are obliged to carry out a task that you find so unpleasant, and I do not envy you the discomfort of a long ride north, but I cannot spare you from that. However, I came with you of my own free will, and I will not be treated like one of your subordinates. It pleases me to travel with you as far as Harroway's Town, and carry out some business there before returning home, and that is what I shall do. I don't require your permission."
She paused to let her words sink in.
"I would be happy to accept the protection of two of your men, if you think you can spare them from the difficult task of guarding Ser Edmure. come now, how do you think Lord Belric will feel if he hears you have not served me to the best of your ability? Last I heard, I bore the Blackfort name too. Now, if you would be good enough to oblige me, I will be happy to recommend you to Lord Belric for promotion."
Persuasion 81
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 6, 2016 18:17:50 GMT
(Failed. Violet loses a Disposition Level with the Harrenhal Guardsmen)
"You are correct, I serve the lord, and his orders were quite clear," Brandon replied, losing patience and halting the party as he wheeled his horse around. "You did come out of your own free will, for the transfer of a prisoner to the Wall, not a scenic tour through the Riverlands. Lord Harroway's Town is not the most expedient route there, so we will not be traveling through it. Considering the surname of the man we are escorting the Wall, I think that should tell you all you need to know about how much weight the Blackfort name carries when measured against direct orders from our sworn lord. So, let us see what he has to say about your demanded excursion."
"Tom and Lommy, escort Lady Violet back to Harrenhal, directly to his lordship," he said, motioning to two of the guardsmen. "Ser Edmure, you can say your goodbyes to your sister now. Clearly her planned trip to Lord Harroway's Town was far more important to her than seeing you off."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 6, 2016 18:43:56 GMT
Violet looked fiercely back at Brandon and then at Tom and Lommy.
"If you lay hands on me, I shall scream," she threatened. "I am a gently bred woman who has done you no harm. I came here in the hope my poor brother would have a friendly face nearby for a little way on his journey, and to visit my betrothed. That is all. If you have any honour in your hearts, you will aid me."
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 6, 2016 18:49:55 GMT
"Honor is for knights, or should be, service for us commonfolk," the man who had followed Jaime the Smith in his quest for justice replied. "We follow orders and no matter how much you insist, that last bit about a detour to visit your betrothed was not part of them."
Tom took the reins of her horse and tugged them back towards the direction of Harrenhal, while Lommy flanked the steed on the other side, ensuring the horse could only go in one direction. Neither had any intention of laying hands on her.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 6, 2016 19:15:13 GMT
Violet was fuming by now but she didn't want to take any more chances until Brandon was out of both earshot and sight. She kept quiet for the moment, thinking.
Meanwhile, she looked around to see if there were other people on the road, or any interesting landmarks.
Observation 44
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Post by The Gambler on Nov 6, 2016 19:31:34 GMT
(+1 Observation)
As the guardsmen began to wheel her horse around, Violet noted a copse of trees just north of them on the Kingsroad, about a hundred yards away. On one of the tree branches sat an unusually large crow, curiously alone, which she had the distinct feeling was staring at her. Below where the carrion bird perched, beyond the treeline, she made out the unmistakable glint of the afternoon sun sun reflecting off plate armor and the silhouettes of a few figures.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Nov 6, 2016 20:06:00 GMT
Violet disliked bloodshed but she had considered drawing her dagger before deciding that her guards were stronger than she was. She considered her other options. To buy herself a little time, she feigned a fit of coughing.
"Oh, please. I think I need to get down for a bit." She said the words in short bursts, between coughs.
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