Piper Guest Quarters

[The Gambler]

Where the Pipers stay in Kingspyre Tower during the tourney at Harrenhal.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

3rd Day of the 5th Moon

Belric and Saesha, accompanied by servants with an array of fresh foods, request an audience with Lord and Lady Piper.

[The Raven]

They are promptly greeted by Lady Myrcella Piper. Her smile is infectious, and seems rather genuine compared to the usual courtly masks on display throughout the day. She must be entering her forties for her to be Petyr's mother, but she is still full of youthful energy. Indeed, word has reached Harrenhal having given birth again only this year.

"Saesha! Is it time for our tour already? Oh, Your Excellency! My Alyn will be thrilled to see you. I shall fetch him!!"

She then ran into an adjoining room without waiting for a reply. In her absence, the Blackforts have ample time to notice that the Pipers have taken the liberty of refurbishing this room. The pillow and blankets have been replaced with much more expensive materials, and there appears to be a new chair by the window. With a tall back and gilded armrests, it might be mistaken for a portable throne.

"Lord Belric. Lady Saesha." Lord Alyn Piper held a copy of Archmaester Haldyn's Lives of the Great Lawgivers to his chest as he entered, like a septon clutching the Seven Pointed Star. Saesha knew this book well from a more peaceful era of her life.

"I had hoped we might have an earnest discussion soon." He spoke like a scholar, each syllable carefully enunciated. Even when he asked his wife to serve refreshments, it was that curiously formal diction.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

"Lord Piper," replied Belric with a nod of his head. "It is earnest discussion that accompanies us. Would you prefer the privacy of your quarters, or shall we take a walk through the grounds? Lady Mrycella had hinted at wanting a tour, and we should have no problem finding privacy is any of the towers should we need it." Belric hoped Alyn would be inclined to follow his wife's request, it would be good for them to be seen talking together.

(Persuasion: 51)

[The Raven]

Jan 13, 2017 20:43:59 GMT Lord Belric Blackfort said:

"Lord Piper," replied Belric with a nod of his head. "It is earnest discussion that accompanies us. Would you prefer the privacy of your quarters, or shall we take a walk through the grounds? Lady Mrycella had hinted at wanting a tour, and we should have no problem finding privacy is any of the towers should we need it." Belric hoped Alyn would be inclined to follow his wife's request, it would be good for them to be seen talking together.

(Persuasion: 51)

(Failure.)

Alyn only gives him a polite smile, but his wife's hopeful look sways him. "Well, it is a beautiful day for a walk."

Myrcella claps in joy, takes a quick swig of drink, then brings her husband's coat to put on. Alyn leaves the great book on the great chair.

[Barley]

Saesha smiles at the both of them, while they are getting ready.

"That is a very interesting book, Lord Piper, I remember spending many nights trawling through it in my youth, tell me, who do you think is the best model for modern lawmakers? I myself, always found Lyonel Strong to be a great example of the wisdom that can be attained by study, but also as a warning, that knowledge itself, without application, can be a downfall,"

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

As soon as Belric heard his wife rattle off a bunch of nonsense about books, he regretted getting out of bed. However, he smiled politely and tried to feign some sort of interest.

With an open hand he pointed off towards the castle, "Very well, a walk it is."

When they eventually got moving, Belric continued, "Lady Saesha and I have obviously come with our own topics of discussion, but I would like to hear you words first, Lord Piper. What is the news from my neighbor across the water?"

[The Raven]

Alyn nodded curtly and gave a plessed smile. "As expected from the child and sister of kings. I can find no evidence to contrast your thoughts on Lyonel Strong, though lately I find myself drawn to the description of your own ancestors. In particular, King Maegor."

He turned to his peer. "News? Why, the sole news I can give is of my own fortune." Alyn stroked his wife's blushing bcheek. "Another son. We held a small festival to commemorate it, as well the ceasing of hostilities. Oh." He raised a hand up in that weird sign of distress only nobles used. "My sincerest apologies for the difficulties your brother faced at Armistead's Crossing. I was quite unaware, you see, that His Grace had granted Harrenhal to a new house. If I had known I wasn't dealing with a madwoman, I would have given quite different instructions to my vassals."

[The Gambler]

(King Harren's Revenge- Black of hair, black of eye, black of heart. You're his favorite. Flip: Tails, Roll: Inconsequential)

At the mention of Lyonel Strong, Saesha distinctly smells the pungent sickening disorienting aroma of burning flesh and hears screams of agony clear as day, loud enough to make her wince. No one else seems to notice. She recalls from her history that Lord Lyonel Strong, along with son and heir Ser Harwin, had burned to death in an "accident" in this very tower, the end of their line.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric was hardly convinced of Lord Piper's apology, he knew better than to take a man's word a face value. He hid his doubt between a placid expression, trying to determine if Alyn was simply using Lady Lothson as an excuse now that his plans had failed.

"Congratulations on another son, m'lord." He looked at Lady Myrcella, making sure to share his praise with the woman who was going to have to do all the work. "May he strong of mind and strong of fist, so he may bring honor to your house."

Feeling he had done a fine job of dispensing with the pleasantries, he continued. "Let us leave Armistead's Crossing where it belongs, in the past. What happened was resolved with minimal bloodshed, consider your apology accepted. I will be sure to share your sentiments with my Vassal, so that we may all move forward towards a more united God's Eye."

(Observation: 15) Trying to get a feel for how full of shit Piper is.

[Barley]

Saesha did not need observation for such a deduction, since Piper's story made little sense, as the events of Armistace acrossinhappened far after their marriage, and were fairly obviously timed such that Belric would have been away from Harrenhal.

She would not say anything though.

She was somwhat distracted by the horrific things she was hearing though, and put a hand to her head like she was feeling faint at the sound, another to her stomach as the smell made her nauseous.

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric took notice of Saesha's deteriorating state, quickly placing a hand at her back to help keep her on her feet.

"Are you okay?" He asked her quietly, worried she might lose her breakfast.

[Barley]

She looked to the others, deeply unnerved that she was the only one affected, so she imagined no one else heard it. She was reminded of her dream and the colour fell from her face.

"I am fine, our child is just letting me know they're there, it happens, does it not, lady piper," she gave Belric a smile, and tried to stand straight again, though still looked very pale.

[Yseult Rivers]

Yesult comes close and rests a hand on Saesha's shoulder comfortingly looking concerned. 'Would M'Lady like for me to fetch your tea or anything else that may ease you?'

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric smiled at his wife, though his eyes shared more concern. "Shall Lord Piper and I continue this while the two of you rest?"

Belric was not aware if Alyn knew Saesha was pregnant, it was not information they had been openly sharing outside of the family. "They say it is the hardest pregnancies that birth the hardest of men." He said to Lord Piper. "But I cannot help but worry. The two of you have weathered the storm before. I would hear your advice, if you would lend it." If for nothing more, Belric hoped appealing to Piper's strong sense of family would help to weaken the walls between them.