The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 5, 2016 0:06:49 GMT
Saesha took that in and made sure to remember the advice, a bear bones plan of what they should do forming in her mind. A lot of the resentment in her eyes was taken over by concern, this was still her family, she still loved them even if Daemon had thrown her away. "What are you going to do here? You cannot owe Hightower and Reyne and Tyrosh forever. Do you know how you can rebuild the wealth quickly?" Clearly unsure Daemon was prepared for this line of questioning, Aegor cleared his throat. "Lord Butterwell and I will see to the matter of the Crown's coffers and explore all of our options," he said, gruffly but diplomatically, in a manner that left no question he wanted the matter put to bed. "Harrenhal is potentially one of the most fertile and wealthy High Lordship in the realm. Seeing that it meets its potential, ridiculous Curse be damned, is all you should concern yourselves with. Anything dealings outside the God's Eye in the Riverlands is a matter of Tully's concern, and failing that, the Crown's." "Of course, Daemon," Belric said, taking the King's advice to heart. He sat down at the table, next to the seat he had offered Saesha. "I will rule in your name, but not as your proxy. With some clever diplomacy, perhaps Sarsha and I can gather the support you speak of. I will make a point of gaining Ser Valarr Rivers' ear upon our arrival, I suspect we are to be short on allies." Belric ate freely from the fruit trays before him. "I hope to reinforce your rule by converting our enemies, but if we can't, as you said, traitor's heads will roll." "You will rule Harrenhal in Lord Tully's name, with the blessing of the Crown," Aegor corrected, glancing to Belric then, with his stone-like composure "I like it as little as you, but the Crown will not be seen to usurp the authority of the Riverlands. You will swear your oath, you will pay your taxes, and you will keep the peace. There are currently four lords besides yourself we can depend upon in the Riverlands and four we cannot. Until that changes, we cannot risk the Riverlands being torn in half again, or the realm may follow. Keep the peace in the God's Eye through an iron fist if you must, but you will be a model vassal until you are in a position to put these bastards in the dirt or embrace them without fearing a knife in the back. Do I make myself clear?"
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Barley
High Lord
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Post by Barley on Jun 5, 2016 1:25:00 GMT
Saesha frowned, not happy with the manner in which Aegor spoke to her, but knowing it was his way. If she had been sitting, she would have stood, but she wasn't so she simply pushed in the chair Belfric pulled out for her. "Is that everything? If so I have a lot to prepare, if this task is to be completed. May I be excused." She asked, asking Daeron, but it was obvious the question was both a ceremony and directed at them both.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 1:38:56 GMT
"You will rule Harrenhal in Lord Tully's name, with the blessing of the Crown," Aegor corrected, glancing to Belric then, with his stone-like composure "I like it as little as you, but the Crown will not be seen to usurp the authority of the Riverlands. You will swear your oath, you will pay your taxes, and you will keep the peace. There are currently four lords besides yourself we can depend upon in the Riverlands and four we cannot. Until that changes, we cannot risk the Riverlands being torn in half again, or the realm may follow. Keep the peace in the God's Eye through an iron fist if you must, but you will be a model vassal until you are in a position to put these bastards in the dirt or embrace them without fearing a knife in the back. Do I make myself clear?" Belric assumed Aegor was speaking for the King, and respected his words as such. "I will do as I am asked, and Tully shall find a ally in me until his Grace decides otherwise. Which of these four rebelling houses, if any, do you value an allegiance? Seeing as how thin my resources are going to be stretched, it would be smart to take care of the Lordships most paramount to the crown."
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 5, 2016 1:49:27 GMT
Aegor merely nodded at to Saesha, before looking at her new husband as if he were a simpleton.
"Were you kicked in the head by a horse as a child, Lord Belric?" he asked bluntly, before waving him off to indicate that it was a rhetorical question as if he was too dense to realize that. He began to put special emphasis on words as if Belric was a child, clearly not as patient as Daemon. "Tully will not find an ally in you, he will find an obedient vassal. We require the allegiance of all the houses in the Riverlands. The war is over, at least the one fought with blades on the field of battle. There are no rebels left, only begrudging subjects. Focus on asserting your authority among your six vassals around the God's Eye and ensuring that your neighbors do not take advantage of your ignorance as a new lord."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 2:02:01 GMT
"It shall be done as you command," Belric said begrudgingly. He felt like he could almost see the steel rod migrating further into Bittersteel's rectal track. Belric would remain complacent for his King, but his fist clenched thinking about the inevitability of his sword clashing against Aegor's.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 5, 2016 2:12:31 GMT
"Good," Aegor replied, with the same steely tone which Belric should have been accustomed to at this point from the war. It was how he treated both friends and enemies, subordinates and servants, and why Bittersteel would never sit the throne. He did not have the patience or demeanor for it and he had the rare self-awareness to know it. He would never be loved and he preferred it that way. The Hand was one to almost never give praise, and when he did it was almost always mixed in with criticism. Daemon led his troops by example, idealistic and honorable, striving to be better than their foes. Bittersteel led with an iron fist, utilitarian to the bone, victory at any cost. One of these men had won the war and one of them sat the throne. "Ruling is not the same as warring. The latter you can do as well as any man. Perhaps it would be wise to listen very carefully to the counsel of your better half for the foreseeable future. If she tells you it is time to draw your sword, I trust her judgement."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 5, 2016 2:12:36 GMT
He nodded at his brother's words, before adding in his unfalteringly patient tone. "We are not commanding you to lead some noble crusade in my name. We would hope your time at Harrenhal would be rather dull. But Tully, Frey, Piper, and especially Blackwood despise the Blackfyres. These are not weak houses. I couldn't take Riverrun five years ago, and I don't expect you to take it now. But you were always a loyal knight, not a rebel lord, and a Riverlander besides. Our hope is that they will respect you enough to honor your title. That's why Butterwell isn't sitting in your chair. Few men, no matter how just or ignoble, can abide a known turncoat in their midst, even when his loyalties to me were never in question."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 2:42:37 GMT
"I will do what I can to win favor in the Riverlands, and more importantly to protect your sister. It is as you say, my mind is for warring. I shall respect her judgment on these matters, staying my sword until it becomes necessary." Belric felt alone, sitting at the table without Saesha. He had hoped they could have appeared before the King united, but he would have to make due without her at his side.
"Is there anyone within the Lordships of Acorn Ridge whom you would advise I arrange a meeting? I would prefer a warm introduction instead of walking into the lions den uninvited. The relations between the Blackforts and House Piper were shattered following the murder of my father. If I am to earn the respect of these four begrudging houses, perhaps it is wise to start with those closest to my boarders." Belric held resentment for the knight of house Piper who killed his father. Yet how many fathers, sons, and brothers had he taken from their families. The war was behind them now, perhaps Belric could put his hatred behind him as well.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jun 5, 2016 2:47:59 GMT
"First, off, do not call it a murder," was Bittersteel's biting reply. "It insults your father, insults your house, the better man that slew him, and every man that died in the last five years. Your father died in battle, a warrior's death, and a knight's death. He did not have his throat cut in his sleep. I would be surprised if the Pipers are even aware they killed a man of so little note." It was blunt, but true.
"Lord Piper is the High Lord of Acorn Ridge. Treating with any of his vassals would be a show of weakness and beneath you."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 2:57:52 GMT
Belric nodded his head in agreement, "Then it is the Piper I shall meet. Is there anything else my Lords would have of me?"
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 5, 2016 3:22:25 GMT
"Only a question. How you answer has no bearing, but I must ask nonetheless." He leaned forward, gave Bittersteel a look that suggested this topic had been hotly contested before, and then put forth the question.
"Do you consider yourself a superstitious man? Curses, premonitions, and the like?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 3:44:38 GMT
Belric took pause with Daemon's question. It was his experience that when men told him his answer didn't matter, they were in truth putting him to a test. "I have never had a premonition myself, but I have heard of men with green dreams. I cannot say as to the legitimacy of such things, it would seem easy to confuse many dreams as reality. It has been my experience that curses and dark magic are a mixture of fear and misunderstanding."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 5, 2016 3:52:12 GMT
Daemon steepled his fingers before him with the look of a man who knew much but was unsure of how much he could say. "So you don't truly believe that you slew an evil sorcerer on the Weeping Ridge? You don't believe the songs written in your honor?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jun 5, 2016 4:13:48 GMT
"I know the songs, but that does not mean I am ignorant to the truth of my own legend." Belric was curious why Daemon was asking him these questions, and it showed on his face. Did the King believe the superstitions surrounding Harrenhal? Was he sending his sister knowingly to a cursed demise? "You knew Brynden far better than I, but it was only a man I killed that day. Nothing more, nothing less." Belric paused, deciding wether it was prudent to pry. "Why are you asking me this Daemon, I would hear the truth if you would tell me."
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The Raven
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Post by The Raven on Jun 5, 2016 4:31:29 GMT
Instead of responding directly, Daemon turned his head and called for Nyles to enter.
"Just stand there and answer me this. Pretend I'm a foreign merchant asking about this strange land. Why should I care who Belric Blackfort is?"
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