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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2020 17:22:20 GMT -5
The apartments of Queen Arianne and her entourage in Maegor's Holdfast, guarded by Ser Daemon Sand of the Kingsguard.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 4, 2020 7:46:51 GMT -5
After returning from her husband’s war council, Arianne summons Daemon to her side. The Princess was now Lady Regent of the whole Seven Kingdoms, and was determined not to let her husband’s recent victories slip through his fingers. Their hold needed to be consolidated, kingdoms needed to be won to his side. Dorne alone could not fend off Stannis Baratheon.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 4, 2020 9:09:06 GMT -5
Daemon arrived, wearing a white doublet and breeches, an equally snowy cloak on his shoulders.
"You called for me"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 4, 2020 14:55:02 GMT -5
”My good husband has been dallying with his duties to play at war. I must ensure that our alliance has not been for naught.”
Began the Queen, who was attended by half a hundred ladies and servants. The room stank of perfume and silk, and the ladies within gossiped and squabbled like geese. Favour was easy to earn and even easier to lose, and a dozen women competed at once to be Arianne’s favourite. It was truly exhausting.
”I name you Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. The white suits you, Daemon. I will entrust you to ensure the keep is well defended. Withdraw the Goldcloaks from the streets if you must. I will not become a hostage to pirates.”
She imperiously waved a hand and swiftly rose. Daven Lannister could not be trusted to defend a brothel, let alone the city. It would have to be taken care of.
”Casterly Rock is for now beyond our grasp, until Baratheon is beaten. We must move swiftly to bring the Tyrells properly under the King’s peace. I have sent for Willas to take up a post as Master or Laws. With the King gone, the capital is open to attack from the south.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 5, 2020 2:37:45 GMT -5
"Lord Commander? Me? I'm yet to be thirty years of age..."
Said Daemon, surprised.
"Well... thank you, Arianne"
He frowns.
"But, I'm not the man leading them, will this Lannister welp try to obstacle me?"
The knight then scowls.
"It would be well within our grasp if the king had done as we told him"
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 5, 2020 2:43:39 GMT -5
Lord Willas Tyrell, recently arrived from Highgarden after being named Master of Laws, requested an audience with Queen Arianne.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 5, 2020 7:14:55 GMT -5
"Lord Commander? Me? I'm yet to be thirty years of age..."Said Daemon, surprised. "Well... thank you, Arianne"He frowns.
"But, I'm not the man leading them, will this Lannister welp try to obstacle me?"The knight then scowls. "It would be well within our grasp if the king had done as we told him"
Replied Arianne, likewise looking rather grim. “Indeed, he dithered in the city for many days holding war councils with my kinsmen and Lord Tarly. We should aim to make safe the city by sea and land in case my husband is out manoeuvred by Baratheon.”
Which was a strong possibility. If the Faith could be persuaded to hold the walls then that would strengthen the city immensely.Lord Willas Tyrell, recently arrived from Highgarden after being named Master of Laws, requested an audience with Queen Arianne. Willas is escorted across the drawbridge into Maegor’s Holdfast, where the Queen is keeping her entire household. “Lord Willas, you are most welcome.”
Greeted the Queen with a radiant smile, extending her hand to be kissed.
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 5, 2020 9:17:02 GMT -5
Willas is escorted across the drawbridge into Maegor’s Holdfast, where the Queen is keeping her entire household. “Lord Willas, you are most welcome.”
Greeted the Queen with a radiant smile, extending her hand to be kissed. Willas elegantly takes the Queen's hand and kisses it, giving a courteous bow at the same time. He leaned on his cane as he stood up, the formal gesture clearly requiring more strength than he let on. "Your Grace, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I knew your uncle Prince Oberyn through our shared interest in horses, he was taken from far too early. I must confess that I was surprised to receive your letter, given the old animosity between the Reach and Dorne, and our previous split loyalties. Nevertheless, I will strive to perform my duties to the utmost of my abilities and serve his Grace King Aegon."He did not mention anything about the Dornish's involvement in ambushing and killing his father. That hurt too much, and he needed to do what must be done to ensure the survival of his family. Growing strong, the words of his house echoed in his mind. "Your Grace, if I may be so bold... how fares my dear sister and her entourage in Dorne? Are they at Sunspear, currently? I am glad that they are as far away from the war as possible, but I do miss them. Nothing matters as much as family, after all."
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 5, 2020 10:12:57 GMT -5
”Please sit, my Lord.”
She gestured to the Divan, acutely aware of Willas’ suffering. It amused her to think that she once desired to wed this man, and indeed had almost succeeded in running away to do so.
”The realm must heal, Lord Willas. War is a dreadful thing, and it is my interest to forge a lasting peace now that winter has come. One that will benefit all, from the highest Lord to the most simple of peasants.”
And the kingdom needed the Reach more than ever, with the Riverlands despoiled and the Vale cut off.
”Your sister fares well in Dorne. The immediate danger for her is over, for she is far from the clutches of both the Faith and Stannis Baratheon.”
The Queen’s smile was luminous.
”We could arrange for you to reunite, if you would like. Once the matter of her marriage is resolved, of course. We are certain the High Septon will understand that one cannot legally be wed to a child.”
Once Margaery was free from her match, a more fitting alliance between the Tyrells and the new regime could be brokered.
”Alas, I fear he does not know or like me. I am not well versed in dealing with Septons.”
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 5, 2020 12:04:05 GMT -5
The Lord of Highgarden nodded his thanks and sat down on the divan, easing the groaning pain of his leg. Blasted limb would be the end of him.
"Your words have lifted a great weight off my heart, your Grace. After... everything that has occurred these last months, it has been almost impossible to trust any missive or report that arrived at Highgarden."
He leaned forward a bit when the conversation turned to the High Septon and Margaery's marriage to Tommen.
"I cannot agree more, your Grace. The current 'marriage' between my sister and Tommen Baratheon is almost farcical, and should be annulled as soon as possible. Once I've been reunited with Margaery, we can discuss her future husband. I assume that Tommen's claim to Storm's End is in question? Does the Iron Throne have any legitimate claimants to the lordship of the Stormlands?"
While Tommen was only a child, from what he had gathered Myrcella was still recognized as the rightful heir to Casterly Rock. If Tommen was still Lord of Storm's End, however...
"I've... some experience with the Faith, and as the head of House Tyrell my word should hold merit when discussing my sister's current predicament. Is the Faith Militant still roaming the streets as they wish? My sister promised the Warrior's Sons and the Sparrows quite a bit of support, and so far those agreements are still recognized by Highgarden. Perhaps an arrangement could be made..."
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 5, 2020 12:34:20 GMT -5
”None, as of present. Tommen remains in Storm’s End as a prisoner of the traitor Aurane Waters. I would have him safely returned to our custody and raised at court, and then married when he is of an age to choose his own bride.”
Replied Arianne, in turn learning forward conspiratorially.
”I would be most grateful if you would approach the High Septon on my behalf, Lord Willas. I knew you to be a true friend in these trying times. My uncle always held you in high regard.”
In another lifetime, they might have married, and this entire war might have been averted. He was no warrior, but neither was her father, and he was perhaps the wisest man yet living. There was a certain foresight that being weak of body availed you, it seemed, exclusive to women and broken men.
”We will also endeavour to recover your brother, Ser Loras. Alas that he also remains in the hands of a pirate and brigand rather than at Highgarden. I am certain my good husband would be more than willing to rename him to his Kingsguard if Ser Loras so wished.”
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Post by Royal Joker on Jul 5, 2020 16:38:18 GMT -5
"I shall see what I can do. The current High Septon seems... determined in his goals to elevate the Faith to a more prominent position in the Seven Kingdoms. A worthy goal, though I fear more armed men on the streets rarely equate to a peaceful life for the faithful. Besides Margaery's marriage, are there any other matters of contention with the High Septon?"
A crazed zealot, from what Willas had heard. Cersei had been foolish enough to revive the Faith Militant and think she could control it. His father and sister had been foolish too, to 'ally' with these fanatics and give them access to resources in the Reach. Something he planned to rectify, sooner or later.
"I pray that my brother is rescued from the hands of this vile pirate. Dragonstone remains a constant obstacle for King's Landing's economy and the legitimacy of the Iron Throne, as long as Waters controls it. My brother will of course speak for himself, but I hope that his Grace would respect a request of dismissal if his injuries prove to be detrimental to his duties as Kingsguard."
Willas slowly rose to his feet, grabbing his cane once more.
"If that is all, your Grace, I must humbly take my leave and see to my duties. With the chaos of the war and the unprecedented loss of several noble houses, it falls on me to sort this mess out. Seven be with you, and I'll be at the service of the Iron Throne if I am needed."
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Post by oznerol on Jul 5, 2020 16:49:48 GMT -5
"Lord Commander? Me? I'm yet to be thirty years of age..."Said Daemon, surprised. "Well... thank you, Arianne"He frowns.
"But, I'm not the man leading them, will this Lannister welp try to obstacle me?"The knight then scowls. "It would be well within our grasp if the king had done as we told him"
Replied Arianne, likewise looking rather grim. “Indeed, he dithered in the city for many days holding war councils with my kinsmen and Lord Tarly. We should aim to make safe the city by sea and land in case my husband is out manoeuvred by Baratheon.”
Which was a strong possibility. If the Faith could be persuaded to hold the walls then that would strengthen the city immensely.Lord Willas Tyrell, recently arrived from Highgarden after being named Master of Laws, requested an audience with Queen Arianne. Willas is escorted across the drawbridge into Maegor’s Holdfast, where the Queen is keeping her entire household. “Lord Willas, you are most welcome.”
Greeted the Queen with a radiant smile, extending her hand to be kissed. Said Daemon.
"I will try to bring at least a thousand men"He assured. "What about the smallfolk, can they be armed?"
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Post by oznerol on Jul 13, 2020 9:37:21 GMT -5
The morning news of defeat reached the capital Daemon practically stormed into Arianne's chambers, he was wearing riding garments, sword in the scabbard, and light white armor made of mail and boiled leather.
"Your husband has been routed, he has lost all three battles"
He talked with urgency.
"I have two horses and enough supplies for a few days, we got to leave, in the earnest. It's better to flee and live than to be burned alive in a queer ritual"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 13, 2020 9:47:21 GMT -5
”Are we lost, then? What of the Golden Company? Does the King live?”
Arianne looked and sounded alarmed. Over the past weeks her belly had only grown heavier, the loose fitting silk and myrish lace gowns now clinging to her body. She wordlessly ordered for her ladies in waiting to gather her belongings with a look and a gesture.
”The city is closed to all who would enter and leave. If we were seen to be leaving, the mob might kill us.”
They had only grown angrier in the previous weeks, driven mad by a lack of food. Even the Faith were having trouble keeping them in line.
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