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Post by skyman on Apr 28, 2009 21:24:29 GMT
Lord Adam had invited his family and closest advisers to dine with him: Lady Julia, Lady Marya, Dray, Irma, Erik, Sally, Courtnay and Kella, Robert and Emily, Henry and Bethany Tallfern, Maester Kalland. His younger nieces and nephews were there too, Emilia, Adam, Kayla, Elie, along with Sally's son Paul and young Alysneri, who was getting better at speaking the Common Tongue.
Abiatha had prepared a simple but delicious stew of veal and vegetables, and they were taking their meal informally in the solar at a large table brought in for the purpose.
Lord Adam was quiet, leaning back and taking the occasional bite. Lady Marya spared most of her words for telling her children to sit up straight and be less noisy with their slurping. The Old Harpy grinned, showing a patchwork of gums with randomly scattered teeth, and cackled at every joke.
Robert was beginning his usual marathon of drinking for the evening, his face getting redder and his voice louder, while Emily looked away studiously and spoke to others.
Sally had on one of her usual wan smiles and did her best to engage in conversation, patting Paul's head every once in a while, to his great embarrassment.
Bethany Tallfern was asking Maester Kalland of his time in the east, and he would politely answer each question with little elaboration.
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Post by aagon on May 3, 2009 22:27:03 GMT
Dray ate quietly for the most part, listening in on the conversations around him. He glanced around the table and eventually settled on Alys. He realized with a start that he really had not interacted with her much over the previous months- a definite oversight on his part. "Alys," he said, then paused and focused on speaking clearly and carefully. "What do you think of our island?"
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sapphire
Junior Member
Lord of Linguistic Destruction
Alysneri
Posts: 98
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Post by sapphire on May 5, 2009 21:15:34 GMT
Alys did understand what Dray was asking her, an opinion of this island. It is freezing middle of nowhere. But it would be rude of me to admit that, especially for hosts who somewhat gave her a roof to sleep beneath. She told herself as she considered how to reply. "Cold Island, Warm Family."
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Post by skyman on May 10, 2009 23:18:05 GMT
The conversation was slow that evening, but something soon happened to liven it up: a messenger burst into the room, bowed, realized he'd not bowed low enough, bowed again, and ran over to Lord Adam. He handed him a letter.
Lord Adam read for a few moments, then looked up. "Lord Harold Brenton is dead."
There was a gap of silence before people began speaking up.
"No good can come of that," said Robert, frowning. "It means The Beak is lord now."
"But he is in the East," said Henry Tallfern. "They will be weak until Ser... Lord Brynden can return. It could be weeks."
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Post by sleepingdragon on May 11, 2009 20:39:38 GMT
Courtnay had got back just too soon. Why do storms only ever undermine the foundations of our castle or sink merchant vessels shortly before I can? A storm a few days ago might have spared me this.
For all his hopes that the fall of Valyria would leave shipping more vulnerable, Courtnay had had no luck with his tax collection. They had caught a damaged Braavosi vessel anchored off a tiny island and had taken it, but the goods had been of little value.
And so they had returned disappointed, and that had only heightened with this invitation. Ser Courtnay made a poor dinner guest even when his mood was good. He had no time for useless prattle, forced humour, and pretence at merriment. Everyone understood this and made no attempt to speak to him, however, which was entirely to his liking.
Courtnay rarely drank and never to excess, but Robert was more than making up for his abstemiousness, as was his wont. He drank deep, draining bottle after bottle, and spoke endlessly, draining Courtnay's patience. If the fool ever said anything useful or interesting Courtnay could have forgiven him - he didn't like to waste his time being irritated when there were more important things to do - but his head was as empty as his bottles.
The messenger suddenly burst into the room, and the news that Lord Adam read was enough to make Courtnay forgive the good weather immediately.
"We should take action now," Courtnay declared. "Do we know this report is true? It could be a trick, but if it isn't, then this is our best opportunity to avenge ourselves on the Brentons."
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Post by Edivad on May 11, 2009 20:48:27 GMT
Erik had been more focused on savoring his stew than listening to his relatives' idle banter, though he would sometimes nod in agreement or smile at some joke or insightful comments the other made.
He had been slowly quaffing from a glass of wine when he saw the messenger enter the room so suddendly. Worried, he raised his eyebrows and thought to himself "Looks like urgent urgent news, eh?". Obviously somewhat impatient, he glanced at uncle Adam as he opened the letter and read it.
For a moment Erik looked like he might choke on his drink or spit it out, but then he got ahead of himself.What? How? Well the bastard had to die sooner or later but still...he mused as he recovered.
"Old age, I take it?" he asked to the others after a minute or so of thought "Or perhaps foul play was involved." he added, but then he shrugged, as if he didn't really believe in his own theory too much. Still, he looked to the others, obviously interested in anything they had to say.
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Post by aagon on May 16, 2009 18:41:07 GMT
Dray smiled briefly at Alys' response. "I imagine it would be cold for you. Unfortunately it will get far colder."
The messenger coming into the room caught Dray's eye. When his father announced the death, Dray listened with interest. He allowed himself a smile for the good news for a moment, then started considering the implications. His uncle's response was predictable, if problematic.
"And when the Storm King descends upon us for attacking the goodkin of his brother? Would your ships protect us then nuncle?" Dray shook his head. "If you want your 'revenge' we need provocation or alliances."
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Post by skyman on May 16, 2009 21:06:04 GMT
Lord Adam read the letter more closely. "It appears that the lord died of a sudden illness, perhaps caused by a meal, although there is no evidence of foul play. There were witnesses - he is certainly dead."
They knew that with Harold and Brynden gone, Two Tree Hall would have a power struggle between Lady Kara and Ser Yohn; Kara was a competent enough administrator, but not a politician, and most would support Ser Yohn, as a true Brenton and a man. He, on the other hand, was a fine enough tactical soldier but never a skilled commander or administrator.
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Post by sleepingdragon on May 19, 2009 20:41:14 GMT
"Excellent. If we move quickly and strike at Two Tree Hall then we can deal the Brentons a ruinous blow, and might even be able to destroy them altogether. Just give me the word, milord. The Hammer is ready to sail at any moment."
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Post by Cosmichorror on May 19, 2009 23:42:46 GMT
Irma had been eating quietly by herself for the most part. Dray was the only other person of age with her at the table and Tempest had been prevented from joining them. She had been about to ask Alys how she was, but her brother beat her to it.
When the news of Lord Brenton's death came, Irma looked up suddenly. "At least Ser Bryden is lord now and not that Nestor." She said softly to herself and waited for the men to finish speaking.
After Courtnay finished, Irma spoke up. "Didn't you hear brother? Lady Ophellia is married into the Tharons. If we attack her family, do you think she'll just sit by and do nothing? Even if she wouldn't be able to get the Storm King to retaliate, she would at least be able to cause serious problems for us in the future."
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Post by skyman on May 24, 2009 7:34:53 GMT
Lord Adam glanced significantly at Maester Kalland. They all knew he had been sent by the Tharons, and his loyalty was not to House Calderron. "I would like to speak with my family in my study," he said.
Soon most everyone retired, leaving Adam, Courtnay, Dray, Irma, Erik, and Robert.
Lord Adam leaned back slowly in his chair. "Perhaps my children are right, Courtnay. We could win a military victory, but that might bring us nothing in the long run. If we are to attack, we must know that it will be to our benefit. If a marriage could be made to bind us to the Tharons, that might protect us... Or we could even leverage the threat of attack on Lady Ophelia's house, to get her to pressure the Tharons for other benefits to us."
"These plans would take time, though," said Robert. "Our advantage won't last forever. If there was a way to court the Tharons favor as we struck against the Brentons I would be in favor, but I cannot see how."
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As many of the other adults sat for some conversation and wine, the children were left to their own devices. Young Adam, Courtnay's son, seemed particularly interested in Alys. He hadn't been courageous enough to talk to her before, but now he asked "Alys... Can you tell me about Valyria? I head there are... were wonders beyond imagination there."
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Post by sleepingdragon on May 24, 2009 21:30:03 GMT
"By the Seven, ridding ourselves of the Brentons is a benefit enough!" Courtnay snapped, annoyed. "These people abducted your daughter, milord! This is the time for our vengeance. We would be mad to let it slip by. As for the Tharons, well, I had suggested a marriage alliance with them months ago, when the Prince's wife died. Has there been any progress on that while I've been gone? I presume not, or I'd have been told already."
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Post by aagon on May 27, 2009 8:09:51 GMT
"We had our vengeance when we humiliated them in front of the entire realm by invading their land and rescuing Irma under their very noses," Dray snapped uncharacteristically. "Your foolishness would only serve to humiliate us." He took a calming breath. "Granted, it would be...gratifying to demolish them, but I'd much rather not have someone else return the favor. As for marriage," here he glanced apologetically at Irma, "we have made plans for us to go to court and seek betrothals, as I was to discuss with Irma later tonight. Assuming she was agreeable, we could be on our way soon after. As you are well aware, nuncle, this little pile of rocks that we all love is rather insignificant to the Tharons. Destroying it is not worth the effort unless we give them a reason, but they have little more cause to seek an alliance with us. Until, I would hope, they meet my charming sister."
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Post by Cosmichorror on May 28, 2009 12:53:04 GMT
"So that was the reason." Irma said looking at Dray. "I had a feeling there might have been something like that behind it." She paused for a moment. "Still... It wouldn't be likly that the Tharons would agree to a marraige from a small house like us, unless there is something more they stand to gain from such a union." Her tone suggested that she already had something in mind.
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Post by Edivad on May 28, 2009 20:22:32 GMT
"And what would that be, Irma?" asked a concerned Erik, having been thoughtfully listening to his relatives' words for a while, making up his mind "I'm all in favor of making the Tharons look the other way while we destroy the Brentons, of course. "he said sounding ambitious and even somewhat optimistic "But we need to do things carefully or we will be the ones getting destroyed instead...."
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