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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 18, 2016 21:42:33 GMT
"We sent a diplomatic mission to try and resolve the dispute peacefully. As you know, Jon's sudden indisposition, meant I had to lead it. I have not Jon's gift of words, but there was no one else. Unfortunately an incident at the village led to a Piper knight's unintended death."
Edmure paused wondering if he should go into details about that. He decided not to.
"Smallwood and Piper came to the village with the intention of overwhelming our small diplomatic mission with force and offered what I considered exorbitant terms for peace. I refused their terms but I managed to negotiate our extraction from that situation by agreeing to a duel with the village as the prize. Our brother Jormun and our cousin Willem Rivers both offered themselves as champions, however it was Jormun who took the field and triumphed.
He paused. "I can't think of anything else to add."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 18, 2016 22:04:37 GMT
"That seems like the best case scenario. Though I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't dissapointed we didn't spill more of their blood." Belric smiled wickedly. "But I guess two of them is better than none. And Jormun you say? Perhaps I have finally found a Knight to fit the Wailing Tower. He's got the fury of Blackfort blood, regardless of name. I'd imagine one on one combat seems like a stroll through the godswood for our brother now, having slain that giant bear. Did Smallwoods man put up a worthy fight?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 18, 2016 22:52:29 GMT
Edmure didn't think it was quite the time to remind Belric that both he and Dacey had also helped slay the bear, so he didn't.
"A hedge knight." he replied. "But a massive mountain. Seven feet tall by my estimation. Hired especially for the occasion too. You should have seen the look on Smallwood's face when he fell. Piper's too. Then they left his body in the stream below the bridge where they fought."
A note of disgust entered his voice.
"Used and discarded like a child's toy. These are the type of men we are dealing with Belric. No honor. I had the hedge knight buried honorably. He was still a worthy foe."
He paused before saying. " Jormun fought well and in my view deserves knighthood, but I would also recommend Ser Willem to you. In your absence, our cousin has been my loyal confidant and adviser. But for doubt on an injury he took while helping some defenceless small folk as per his knightly vows, Willem would have been our champion at the bridge. And I would have been confident of victory had he fought."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 0:15:31 GMT
Belric grimaced at the thought of the discarded knight, his lip curling unintentionally. "Do not make the mistake of thinking these men have honor. They all stood behind those bloody banners, and would do it again in an instant if they could find the courage." He paused for a moment, "It was good of you to bury that knight. I would have left him for the birds."
Shaking his head in disbelief, Belric could not help but smile. "Slayer of bears and giants... Remind me to stay away from the end of Jormun's spear. He will make a hell of a knight. As for Ser Willem, he is already a knight. And though he has served you well while I have been absent, my only interaction with our cousin has lead to a rather nasty injury. What title would you have him hold?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 0:39:36 GMT
"Willem is reliable and honorable. His willingness to obey orders and put himself in danger undoubtedly prove his loyalty and bravery to our cause. I would recommend him as the new Knight of the Wailing Tower." replied Edmure.
He thought on Jormun's actions at the bridge. "It is my belief that Jormun's talents are better used elsewhere. Our brother deserves knighthood and I would see him have that knighthood by your hands. However surely he is too valuable as a scout and hunter, to be tied up in Harrenhal with Wailing Tower matters?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 6:54:44 GMT
"That is good advice Edmure, I will think on it. Jormun may very well deny my offer. He's always been much better with animals than people." Belric poke stoutly, his uneasyness leaving him as he heard his brothers report. "How does our bandit situation fair? Has there been word of any more raids?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 9:02:27 GMT
"Not direct word." said Edmure.
"The Shorehams have asked for our aid against bandits, which I have pledged. As soon as he heard that, old Lord Oswell demanded that he swear fealty immediately. I accepted it on your behalf. Which reminds me... Lord Goodbrook is also on his way. He should be here by now. I would recommend sending riders out to find him and escort him with honor to Harrenhal. I hear he is somewhat...prickly. I have asked Lord Vance to be here to swear his own fealty to you before the end of the month."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 16:46:21 GMT
Belric put a hand to his forehead, rubbing the tension from his temples. "I am tired of dealing with lords and ladies." He let out a knowing sigh, this was his life now. "Very well. Gather the men you need and see that our Lord Shoreham's lands are taken care of. Leave me Willem however, I have need of a good knight. If possible, take some of the bandits as prisoners. We will need men to fight in the pits, and it's time Harrenhal's chopping block was put to good use."
Belric began to walk, motioning Edmure to join him. "What do you know of Lord Goodbrook?"
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 19, 2016 23:59:43 GMT
Edmure thought for a second as he broke into a stride to match Belric's.
"Osmynd Goodbrook? Never met the man as such. But he's said to be of surly temperament, unforgiving in matters of personal honor, and remorseless in battle and on the tourney field. Has a reputation as a killer with that mace of his. I remember Harys Bracken wishing that if any adversary could fall dead in his saddle of a burst heart, it would be Seth Blackwood for hate's sake, then Medgar Tully for honor's sake, and then Osmynd Goodbrook for blood's sake."
He smiled sardonically . "Sounds like his arrival is something we can all look forward to. I think I'd rather fight bandits such as Black Bronn, than deal with him. Imagine Goodbrook as similar in temperament and outlook as our 'esteemed' Maester Percy. Just with the skills in weaponry to possibly kill us all."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 20, 2016 4:29:43 GMT
"I will be sure to deal with him accordingly, thank you for the forewarning." replied Belric.
"Had a run at the maester did you?" Belric asked, his mood slightly improving. "It's his tongue. He would be much better off without it."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 20, 2016 5:48:01 GMT
"For someone supposedly so knowledgeable and worldly, he's adept at pissing off those he shouldn't." replied Edmure. "He wants influence and power, yet his tongue consigns him to merely being no more influential here, than an above average healer. I think he dislikes immensely having to answer to those he thinks are beneath him."
Edmure gave a short bark of laughter. "And that includes you and I, brother."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 20, 2016 20:23:14 GMT
"For someone supposedly so knowledgeable and worldly, he's adept at pissing off those he shouldn't." replied Edmure. "He wants influence and power, yet his tongue consigns him to merely being no more influential here, than an above average healer. I think he dislikes immensely having to answer to those he thinks are beneath him." Edmure gave a short bark of laughter. "And that includes you and I, brother." "I am not so sure his motives have anything to do with power. Though I agree that he has no love for our famly. However, we need him... more than he needs us I think." Belric shrugged, "I've never dealt with a man so blatantly insubordinate. I'd had thought that little beating I gave him would set him straight. Yet by the look of it, he is still here of his own will, I just can't explain it."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 20, 2016 22:45:52 GMT
Edmure chuckled. "That's the question though, Belric. Why does he, as you say, have no love for our family? Have we wronged him somehow? I'm unaware of anything."
He shrugged in turn. "Anyway, enough of talking about our 'nose in the air' Maester. Surely there are more pleasant topics. Do you plan some festivities for our guests?"
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Sept 21, 2016 0:53:01 GMT
Belric could not say as the to maester's motives, happy to leave the subject alone. "I have arranged a marriage between your sister Violet, and Lord Lucamore Roote. We will be hosting a tournament in honor of their marriage and as a symbol of our lasting alliance with House Roote."
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Post by Edwyn Blackfort on Sept 21, 2016 1:17:47 GMT
Edmure nodded in approval.
"A wise move Belric. That will send a clear message both to Piper and Medgar Tully. I assume that was the intention."
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