The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 1, 2017 2:27:39 GMT
"Aye, well..." He sat down and invited his guests to the nearby chairs. Unlike Lord Piper, Orland preferred ordinary chairs over the semblance of a throne.
"I don't know what you know of our childhood. Our ancient father's quest for heirs and my half-brother's quest for power. Our dainty imprisonment in the Twins. I expect if I hadn't agreed to leave the kingdom, I'd have been murdered." He sipped his wine. His boundless energy had warped into a dark moroseness.
"Now... I have seen a particular man wandering your halls. A fat man, with a great booming voice whom your servants gather about. He no doubt says he is a knight. Perhaps he even is. Do you know the man I speak of? I think you do. I have seen him at your side more than once since I arrived."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 1, 2017 3:14:29 GMT
"The story of your house is one I am familiar with, though I'd not presume to speak confidently." He took a seat at the table, content to sit and drink. "I know of your brother's ambitions, and the circumstances that befell him. However your childhood, imprisonment and exile is something you will have to tell me of yourself, I'd not believe the words coming from another."
At the mention of Harrenhal's new Castellan, Berlic shifted uneasily in his seat. "I know the man you speak of. He is Ser Valarr, my Castellan." Not wanting to dive willingly into the fire, Belric refrained from saying more.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 2, 2017 18:17:28 GMT
He didn't look at Belric directly, instead directing his gaze towards a brick in the wall. "Yes... Aerys told me that might be the case. I am curious, were there tears in his eyes when he asked you to forgive his history of treason? Did he stand to attention like a Kingsguard? He did the same routine just before Auric banished him."
He turned to face his host directly. "Understand, I have no great spite for the man. He saved my sister's life. And House Frey is not House Blackfort. But that man was our gaoler since the day we were born. I would prefer not to come into contact for the duration of our visit."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 2, 2017 23:26:36 GMT
Belric's expression did not change, "He is the keeper of these grounds. To keep him from your sight would be an impossible task, unless you do not plan to leave your room." He spoke simply, despite finding Orland's request impractical. "I owe a great deal of thanks to Ser Valarr. He chose to be my ally when others claimed I would not survive the first week. He has been honest about his past, only accepting the position as Castellan after I insisted. I will inform him to keep his distance, but I will not keep him from doing his duty."
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Barley
High Lord
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Post by Barley on Feb 7, 2017 20:50:25 GMT
"Ser Valarr is a Harrenhal man now, my lord, the tourney is not so long, if you have not had an interaction so far I doubt you will, no one shall force to to talk to one another," Saesha assured, smiling.
Charm 55
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 9, 2017 1:35:05 GMT
(Disposition increase. 2 points awarded.)
Lord Frey immediately perked up from his brief moment of brooding. "Well... I cannot argue with the wisdom of king's blood!" He finished his drink and poured himself another. "On to more pleasant news! I am told your Knight of the Weeping... Weeping Tower, is it? This man Willis has made some attempt to court my sister. Arya, not the cold bitch who sucks our liege's cock. That would be very strange. And unhealthy. And rather horrifying for the Riverlands as a whole, I should expect. "
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 9, 2017 2:08:24 GMT
Belric did his best not to choke, "Yes, Ser Willis. He's my cousin in fact." He attempted to match Lord Frey's tone while recovering from the unexpected outburst. Horrified of what unthinkable things Willis may have done to offend poor Arya, Belric dare not say another word. Judging by Orland's disposition, he was in the clear, yet Belric feared a trap.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 9, 2017 2:40:20 GMT
"Close cousin? With a clearly marked line of descent from... Whoever founded your line?" Like most men, Orland Frey knew next to nothing about House Blackfort's history prior to the war.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 9, 2017 3:35:21 GMT
"His lineage is clear." Belric confirmed. "Our grandfather, Robert, was the first of his name. Willis is the offspring on my Robert Blackfort's brother."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 9, 2017 4:34:41 GMT
"A respectable lineage, to be the son of the man who slew Breakspear himself. And does he have any secret wives or acknowledged bastards I should be concerned about?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 9, 2017 5:23:34 GMT
"No, Lord Frey, somehow he has avoided such things." Belric rubbed at his chin. "Though I have to ask. What do you want from this?" He motioned back and forth between them.
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Feb 9, 2017 6:55:31 GMT
He sighed. "My sister is a widow past a desirable marrying age. Any potential husband would have to accept that she is not only not a virgin, but one whose childbearing years are swiftly receding. This means wedding matches are very difficult to arrange. Oh, certainly, a Frey dowry would seduce most major houses into sanctioning a marriage, but after having lost this war... Well... I have to look at every option."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 9, 2017 22:03:41 GMT
"We find ourselves in an interesting position, don't we Lord Frey?" Belric smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Some would call our unexpected assent a disadvantage, but I don't see it that way. We are not beholden to the rules of our fathers, the element of surprise is on our side." He paused for a moment, thinking on the implication of his own words. "Ser Willis is a good man, and would treat Arya well. But beyond that, I believe you and I share a common ground that the other River-Lords can never understand. Consider my house, and find comfort in matching your sister with someone she fancies."
(Persuasion: 55)
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The Raven
Administrator
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Post by The Raven on Feb 10, 2017 2:04:07 GMT
(Success. Two points awarded.)
"Well..." Lord Frey returned to his chair. "He is so far the only suitor she has not spoken of with scorn. Though abide my curiosity... What is this common ground you refer to? Does it involve the phrase 'overgrasping smallfolk'?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Feb 10, 2017 2:19:50 GMT
"Perhaps in my case, yes." Belric laughed, giving his knee a good slap. "I was going to say we are both men who never intended on being lord. Our ambitions come from a place without entitlement."
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