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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 23, 2021 20:17:30 GMT -5
Edric grunted in understanding. Manderwynd’s part in the Faith’s plan made a sudden sense, as well as their wider ambitions for the Reach. It was time to change tact. ”We are putting the cart before the horse, my lords. There can be no council without peace first established. I would not lay down my sword simply to get a knife in the back for my troubles.”He shot Redwyne a pointed look, a glint of mischief in the weathered eyes. ”I wish that my betrothal be recognised by all present, being witnessed by several men here and sanctioned by a Septon. Then I would have my recognition as Lord of Brightwater, as a legitimate son of King Robert Baratheon and Lady Delena Florent. Finally, oaths of friendship, sworn in this very Sept, and the Redwyne armies withdrawn from Lady Catherine’s seat at Highgarden.”Dickon took the opportunity to take a couple of strides towards Storm, a man who was forcing him to rapidly revise his earlier assessment until they were almost close enough that plain conversation would carry words between them that most of the room's other occupants could not hear. However, when he spoke, it was still loud enough to carry to all, as this was still a show they were putting on, as surely as if the lot of them wore mummer's motley.
"I would still speak to my niece in person, or at least hear her speak to me if she would rather not exchange words with an uncle she likely holds as greedy at best, if not outright treacherous. Her mother returned to my seat in Horn Hill and I am sure I can ask her to broker such a meeting. If she upholds the validity of your betrothal, and her assent to such, you will have my support at least for the recognition you desire. It seems if we are to hold Lady Catherine equal to the task of Paramountcy, we ought also heed her will in such decisions as the dispensing of her hand."
His gaze followed Edrics towards where the Redwynes stood, although the look he directed towards them was flat and dispassionate. In every regard, the twins had proven themselves foolish and incompetent. The ranting and boasting from the boorish Hobber had been closer to what he had expected from Storm, who he had thought little better than a barbarian playing at nobility with that bizarre panoply and his rag-tag band of attendants and retainers.
"The safety of Highgarden is not yours to ensure, Lord Redwyne," He reminded Horas, who seemed to consider himself the leader of the pair. "If we are to restore the seat to Lady Catherine as the latest scion of house Tyrell, a move you pay lip service to supporting, then it will be her right and burden to see to its administration and security. Along with the appropriate advisors." He added with a quick glance towards the High Septon. "Unless service in that capacity is requested of you, then there is no reason for House Redwyne to concern itself with that matter."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 23, 2021 23:57:53 GMT -5
"The safety of Highgarden is not yours to ensure, Lord Redwyne," He reminded Horas, who seemed to consider himself the leader of the pair. "If we are to restore the seat to Lady Catherine as the latest scion of house Tyrell, a move you pay lip service to supporting, then it will be her right and burden to see to its administration and security. Along with the appropriate advisors." He added with a quick glance towards the High Septon. "Unless service in that capacity is requested of you, then there is no reason for House Redwyne to concern itself with that matter." Horas Redwyne scoffs at the remarks of Tarly. This is what it had come to... Tarly seemed willing to align himself with Storm if Catherine confirmed the betrothal? Dick Tarly would then become nothing but a limp one. For all they knew, Catherine could be coerced to accept her current betrothal if she did not have the iron will of her father. She could be a puppet for a bastard husband! Or, alternatively, be a puppet of the Faith! Either way, Horas did not like the smell of either option. The Redwynes had expended much to ensure their dominance after the horrid treatment and atrocities by the Ironborn. You speak as if Catherine can rule herself. Even the High Septon suggested a council of 'godly men' to advise her. If she does have the will of her father, then we will be nothing by pawns for her bastard husband! A foreigner in these lands who uses mercenaries to do his dirty work rather than true Reachmen ruling!The Redwyne shoots a glare at Edric Storm. Eventually the gaze returned to Tarly. Redwyne would not concede to what was gained. At least House Redwyne has seen more to the security than you have done recently, Dickon! You were even unable to hold Highgarden whereas we have ensured it's security. You failed in ensuring it's safety. We have expended much to see the seat of the Reach protected! Neither reaver by sea nor bandit by land can touch the walls of the ancient home of those great rulers before us.Horas barks at Tarly, furious at the man's friendly tone towards this bastard. Why should we believe any word from this Storm? Why should we remotely believe that Catherine's words are her own and not something coerced?Long had the twin's hearts turned bitter. To even picture no place for the House of Wine in the future absolutely infuriated Horas.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 24, 2021 4:23:09 GMT -5
A voice. It was soft, child-like still, but not so much. Something in between a man and a kid. Lord Lyonel spoke:
"If my cousin wants, she shall have my hospitality. I offer the Hightower if any peer or lord or kinsman wants to see and meet her"
His eyes stared at the gathered, bickering lords. Rhonda knew better than to speak against anything his son did and remained silent, taken aback by his determination.
"I swear on my honor that nothing shall befall any of those who visit my halls. Thus may Lord Tarly meet his niece, if he so wants"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 24, 2021 8:56:16 GMT -5
Edric grunted in understanding. Manderwynd’s part in the Faith’s plan made a sudden sense, as well as their wider ambitions for the Reach. It was time to change tact. ”We are putting the cart before the horse, my lords. There can be no council without peace first established. I would not lay down my sword simply to get a knife in the back for my troubles.”He shot Redwyne a pointed look, a glint of mischief in the weathered eyes. ”I wish that my betrothal be recognised by all present, being witnessed by several men here and sanctioned by a Septon. Then I would have my recognition as Lord of Brightwater, as a legitimate son of King Robert Baratheon and Lady Delena Florent. Finally, oaths of friendship, sworn in this very Sept, and the Redwyne armies withdrawn from Lady Catherine’s seat at Highgarden.”Dickon took the opportunity to take a couple of strides towards Storm, a man who was forcing him to rapidly revise his earlier assessment until they were almost close enough that plain conversation would carry words between them that most of the room's other occupants could not hear. However, when he spoke, it was still loud enough to carry to all, as this was still a show they were putting on, as surely as if the lot of them wore mummer's motley.
"I would still speak to my niece in person, or at least hear her speak to me if she would rather not exchange words with an uncle she likely holds as greedy at best, if not outright treacherous. Her mother returned to my seat in Horn Hill and I am sure I can ask her to broker such a meeting. If she upholds the validity of your betrothal, and her assent to such, you will have my support at least for the recognition you desire. It seems if we are to hold Lady Catherine equal to the task of Paramountcy, we ought also heed her will in such decisions as the dispensing of her hand."
His gaze followed Edrics towards where the Redwynes stood, although the look he directed towards them was flat and dispassionate. In every regard, the twins had proven themselves foolish and incompetent. The ranting and boasting from the boorish Hobber had been closer to what he had expected from Storm, who he had thought little better than a barbarian playing at nobility with that bizarre panoply and his rag-tag band of attendants and retainers.
"The safety of Highgarden is not yours to ensure, Lord Redwyne," He reminded Horas, who seemed to consider himself the leader of the pair. "If we are to restore the seat to Lady Catherine as the latest scion of house Tyrell, a move you pay lip service to supporting, then it will be her right and burden to see to its administration and security. Along with the appropriate advisors." He added with a quick glance towards the High Septon. "Unless service in that capacity is requested of you, then there is no reason for House Redwyne to concern itself with that matter."
Storm ignored the pontificating of the Redwyne twins. Their rhetoric appealed to a cadre of Reachlords that would never bow to him, an unwinnable contingent that could rot in the Seven Hells. He would not waste air convincing them. The wedge he had driven between them and the Tarly faction was of far more value. “If safe conduct is given, then I shall not refuse a meeting between us. But Redwyne will not bend to a peace, nor those lords that have come to their banners.” Edric replied, his voice similarly kept low but audible. “There is also Manderwynd’s rabble. A mob that would like nothing better to hang us all for outlaws, should they catch us off guard.”
A voice. It was soft, child-like still, but not so much. Something in between a man and a kid. Lord Lyonel spoke: "If my cousin wants, she shall have my hospitality. I offer the Hightower if any peer or lord or kinsman wants to see and meet her"
His eyes stared at the gathered, bickering lords. Rhonda knew better than to speak against anything his son did and remained silent, taken aback by his determination. "I swear on my honor that nothing shall befall any of those who visit my halls. Thus may Lord Tarly meet his niece, if he so wants"Ostensibly, the Hightowers were a neutral party. They were the mightiest of the Reach houses, and even with the Faith ascendant their power was still be formidable. They were his key to the Reach, but also potentially the key to his undoing. Edric turned from Tarly to regard the young Lord Hightower, the lad being of an age with himself when he went in exile to Lys. This was orchestrated by his mother, no doubt, or else the boy was less feeble than he had heard. “I would be honoured, my Lord. I cannot refuse the honourable entreaties of her kin or bannermen to make amends, so long as their name is not Redwyne.”
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jun 25, 2021 17:31:58 GMT -5
"The matter of Highgarden is clear lords," the voice of the avatar announced as if it were so. "Lady Catheryne will name her castellan for the time she remains in our care. No other authority can lay claim to the tithes and taxes of the Tyrell estate, not when a legitimate title holder is acknowledged by us all in the body of Lady Catheryne. It is no foreign prize, nor a coastal watchtower which can be so readily passed with the winds of fortune."
He was not happy, that bastard in the robes of a poorer man. But the outcome was growing to look so much like his advisors had feared. Too ready were these lords ready to look to opportunity in opposition to his will. Too ready were they to letting the pursuits whose rewards were as fleeting as the surf on the beach shore.
"Oldtown has served as historic neutral ground in generations past. By the grace of the Seven Lord Hightower knows what such a obligation entails. By the grace of our heavenly guides we will see that the years of anarchy will be remembered distantly and with loathing by all who suffered through it. And that rememberance can begin only when you one and all accept that the cost paid has been too high already. We would not expect you to see the other as brother, but to conduct yourself in the manner by which you would claim to be king. Our traditions, of Faith and Chivalry, laid in the holy texts from which order in the Reach is maintained, do not need conquerors. We need rulers who are willing to be led, who know when it is right and just to set aside their bloodlust for the reward of eternal prosperity. Let Oldtown serve as the meeting ground in which you remember yourselves as Reachmen."
The High Septon allowed himself a sharp intake of breath. It was a luxury, a habit from his base youth when the glories of god came not in revelation but in the bloody annals of common war.
"You came to be heard, and your words reached the Seven. Now act by them."
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 26, 2021 6:32:07 GMT -5
Edric hardened his gaze, remembering that it was the Faith that now ruled Oldtown. Mighty and ancient as the Hightower name was, it was scores of the Faithful that watched the doors and patrolled the streets near the Starry Sept, lean hard men with the fire of the Seven burning hatefully within them. He doubted how ‘neutral’ they would be if the Lady of Highgarden was delivered to their doorstep, especially with this talk of holy rule by men of the cloth.
”As you say, your holiness. To this peace I shall abide.” It was a hollow peace, with Manderwynd and Redwyne uncommitted to the resolution. It did not take any heathen magic to forsee more bloodshed on the horizon, and whatever vows they swore here would be naught but stale wind.
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