|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 16, 2021 6:07:52 GMT -5
 THE HIGHTOWERLevel upon level, battlement upon battlement, the Hightower raises high above the ground, in a splendor of stone, marble and brick. It is considered the tallest structure in the Seven Kingdoms, as tall as the Wall itself. Perched upon Battle Island, the Hightower is a stronghold that has never fell in many centuries. Its profile dominates the city, and the inhabitants of Oldtown can tell the time of the day according to where its shadow falls. The tower is not only a fortress, but also a splendid seat, with hanging gardens, luminous vaulted halls and even laboratories where one can dabble in alchemy and the arcane. The foundations are made of a queer, eerie black stone, one that predates everything else in Oldtown. No trace remain of its builders, and it is a maze of vaults, corridors and chambers. Atop the tower, a colossal beacon, one that guides the ships into Oldtown's port and the river's mouth. This is the bastion that held against the kraken themselves and the black magic of Euron Greyjoy. Here, Lord Hightower has his seat of power.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 19, 2021 12:57:45 GMT -5
Following the summit in Oldtown, Lady Alysanne Bulwer of Blackcrown made her presence known at the Hightower, seeking an audience with Lady Rhonda Hightower. oznerol |
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 20, 2021 8:05:13 GMT -5
Following the summit in Oldtown, Lady Alysanne Bulwer of Blackcrown made her presence known at the Hightower, seeking an audience with Lady Rhonda Hightower. oznerol She had to go through the inmense Hightower until she reached the very upper levels, where the lordly solar was. The room was a large hall with vaulted-ceiling, with a delicate stonework and painted of a deep blue and covered with golden and silver stars, forming constellations. The walls were completely covered with frescoes and tapestries, some of them very naturalistic. Lady Rhonda herself awaited sitting in a carved chair next to a colossal window frame, two times the size of both women, the view was stunning: the Queen of Cities sprawled in every direction and the river flowing into the sea: they were so high that the boats below looked like small toys. Playthings. Even if some where carracks and war galleys. One would not realize Hightower's power until they reached the upper floors and beheld their domain. "Lady Bulwer"
A cadre of ladies-in-waiting sit nearby. Some in stone benches, some in a cushioned platform next to the window. A number of them were sewing, others were painting under the watch of a green-haired man in livery and lastly, one was reading aloud, but she stopped as soon as Lady Rhonda adressed her vassal. The auburn hair was arranged under a coif, but part of it fell shimmering in reddish gold waves. Her eyes stare at Alyssane.
"What brought you here?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 20, 2021 11:26:29 GMT -5
Alysanne walked briskly up the stairs, followed by her small entourage of knights. The Hightower was as intimidating as ever, much greater than her humble home of Blackcrown. Yet that was how it always had been - Bulwers were of martial stock, pageantry and grandiose monuments were of less interest than good, sturdy walls. Not to say that the Hightower was not a formidable fortress, quite the opposite. It had withstood the test of time and battle countless times and would do so again, Alys had no illusions of. Blackcrown had its place, just like Oldtown had its own.
She did not dwell on her thoughts of castles for long when she reached the lord's solar. While her knights were directed toward another room for rest and refreshments, Alys smoothed out her dress before entering. A few steps in, the young lady curtsied before her superior. Bulwer had always had great respect for the Lady Rhonda, who ruled as regent over the southern Reach through the Long Night. They were alike in some ways, two women ruling over their house, both of that reddish auburn hair.
"Greetings, Lady Hightower. I'm here because I am tired of all these men who've brought ruin on the Reach. Tarly, Redwyne, Storm... Seven Hells take the lot, for all I care. My lady saw how they acted during the summit, they were ready to slaughter each other if not for the sanctity of the Starry Sept. How could we allow any of these men to claim Highgarden and overlordship of the Reach for themselves? As my lady said during the summit, Lady Catheryne is still the rightful ruler of Highgarden, though still a child in need of guidance."
Alys took a brief pause before continuing. She was usually cautious of herself, but Bulwer blood was hot and could run away sometimes.
"It may be out of place for me suggest such an action, but I simply cannot stand by when Lady Catheryne, Lady Margaery and Lady Olenna are held captive by that Stormlander bastard at Brightwater, just a few miles up the Honeywine. We need to aid them, by force of arms if necessary."
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 20, 2021 17:15:36 GMT -5
Alysanne walked briskly up the stairs, followed by her small entourage of knights. The Hightower was as intimidating as ever, much greater than her humble home of Blackcrown. Yet that was how it always had been - Bulwers were of martial stock, pageantry and grandiose monuments were of less interest than good, sturdy walls. Not to say that the Hightower was not a formidable fortress, quite the opposite. It had withstood the test of time and battle countless times and would do so again, Alys had no illusions of. Blackcrown had its place, just like Oldtown had its own. She did not dwell on her thoughts of castles for long when she reached the lord's solar. While her knights were directed toward another room for rest and refreshments, Alys smoothed out her dress before entering. A few steps in, the young lady curtsied before her superior. Bulwer had always had great respect for the Lady Rhonda, who ruled as regent over the southern Reach through the Long Night. They were alike in some ways, two women ruling over their house, both of that reddish auburn hair. "Greetings, Lady Hightower. I'm here because I am tired of all these men who've brought ruin on the Reach. Tarly, Redwyne, Storm... Seven Hells take the lot, for all I care. My lady saw how they acted during the summit, they were ready to slaughter each other if not for the sanctity of the Starry Sept. How could we allow any of these men to claim Highgarden and overlordship of the Reach for themselves? As my lady said during the summit, Lady Catheryne is still the rightful ruler of Highgarden, though still a child in need of guidance."Alys took a brief pause before continuing. She was usually cautious of herself, but Bulwer blood was hot and could run away sometimes. "It may be out of place for me suggest such an action, but I simply cannot stand by when Lady Catheryne, Lady Margaery and Lady Olenna are held captive by that Stormlander bastard at Brightwater, just a few miles up the Honeywine. We need to aid them, by force of arms if necessary."Said Lady Rhonda, dry. "Horror and Wobbler, or whatever the Redwynes are called, they are by far the worst. Their father was inept. I heard now he's infirm"She waved a hand and the ladies got on their feets, bow and left. Among them was a woman with a skin as black as ink. "Do you suggest me to ride and claim Lady Tyrell?"Lady Hightower asked, tilting his head. "That would shed more blood and we would abandon the safety of those walls"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 20, 2021 18:03:19 GMT -5
Alys hesitated for a moment.
"I'm afraid so, my lady, but I fear the Mander will burn we see the end of this war. We have zealots, sellswords, and would-be kings all baying for blood, all of them just a few miles from each other. I fear for the safety of Lady Tyrell, stuck in the middle of that conflict."
While Alys sympathized with the notion of waiting out the conflict behind the safety of her walls, it felt wrong to do nothing. She felt sick to her stomach leaving the flowers of House Tyrell at the mercy of the warlords in the north.
"Does my lady suggest the south bides its time, then pick up the pieces once the pretenders have bled each other dry?"
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 21, 2021 2:42:09 GMT -5
Alys hesitated for a moment. "I'm afraid so, my lady, but I fear the Mander will burn we see the end of this war. We have zealots, sellswords, and would-be kings all baying for blood, all of them just a few miles from each other. I fear for the safety of Lady Tyrell, stuck in the middle of that conflict."While Alys sympathized with the notion of waiting out the conflict behind the safety of her walls, it felt wrong to do nothing. She felt sick to her stomach leaving the flowers of House Tyrell at the mercy of the warlords in the north. "Does my lady suggest the south bides its time, then pick up the pieces once the pretenders have bled each other dry?" Said Rhonda, looking beyond the window's frame, towards the river. "I trust you understand I cannot risk the host to save Lady Tyrell. The bastard's men are no joke, they might be a steel-covered porcupine. If I were to fail in this task my house could be gone. There are some that would not doubt to end my son and his line"
She looks at her vassal. "There could be another option. An envoy. Someone to test Edric on Brightwater, to ascertain what the truly thinks and see what we could really do"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 21, 2021 14:44:06 GMT -5
"I understand, my lady. I would not deign such a request if I did not find the situation abhorrent. We much watch over our own houses before we can aid others, and Brightwater is a formidable fortress."
Alys looked at her overlord quizzically at the suggestion.
"An envoy, my lady? To formally request the release of the ladies of House Tyrell, meanwhile studying their defenses, manpower and possible escape routes? No doubt an envoy carrying the banner of House Hightower would be received, surrounded on all sides as the bastard is. I would naturally offer my sworn sword, Ser Ulrick Ashford, to lead such an envoy."
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 21, 2021 16:58:24 GMT -5
"I understand, my lady. I would not deign such a request if I did not find the situation abhorrent. We much watch over our own houses before we can aid others, and Brightwater is a formidable fortress."Alys looked at her overlord quizzically at the suggestion. "An envoy, my lady? To formally request the release of the ladies of House Tyrell, meanwhile studying their defenses, manpower and possible escape routes? No doubt an envoy carrying the banner of House Hightower would be received, surrounded on all sides as the bastard is. I would naturally offer my sworn sword, Ser Ulrick Ashford, to lead such an envoy." She looked at Lady Bulwer sideways. "You didn't need me to explain it. Smart lass. You survived winter, I expected nothing less. You were a babe when I met you"Lady Rhonda looked again towards the city. "Send him. But, I must also know how agreeable would the bastard be for a... an agreement with House Hightower. I like him more than I like Small Dick Dickon Tarly and Horror and Wubbler"
She snorts, with a mirthless chuckle. "Someday, we will free Lady Catheryne from all her chains. And see her properly wed. But, for now, the bastard will suffice"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 22, 2021 15:18:42 GMT -5
She looked at Lady Bulwer sideways. "You didn't need me to explain it. Smart lass. You survived winter, I expected nothing less. You were a babe when I met you"Lady Rhonda looked again towards the city. "Send him. But, I must also know how agreeable would the bastard be for a... an agreement with House Hightower. I like him more than I like Small Dick Dickon Tarly and Horror and Wubbler"
She snorts, with a mirthless chuckle. "Someday, we will free Lady Catheryne from all her chains. And see her properly wed. But, for now, the bastard will suffice"Alys frowned, but bowed her head in confirmation of Lady Hightower's wishes. She personally wanted nothing to with either of the pretenders, but a temporary agreement with one against the other two made sense, especially since Lady Tyrell was the key to the Reach. She chuckled a little at the nicknames given to Tarly and the Redwynes. "I will do my part, my lady. House Bulwer stands with Oldtown, as always. Death before disgrace."House Bulwer's words, fitting for a martial house. Though not a fighter herself, Alysanne was surrounded by competent warrior ready to counsel her on matters of war. "If Storm accepts an agreement with House Hightower, is there not a risk that he will one day bite the hand that fed him? Short his list of friends in the Reach may be, he is still a spawn of the old Usurper King."Alys looked out the same window that Lady Rhonda turned her gaze toward from time to time. "Speaking of agreements, how fares Oldtown and your house, my lady? The city has gone through much these past decades, now his Holiness has returned to his old seat in the Starry Sept, along with some... motivated followers, to say the least."There was a bit of irony behind Bulwer's last words. While she had some sympathies with the plight of the smallfolk, the arrogance and the liberties taken by the fanatics was a threat to all. She shuddered at the thought, remembering the desperate times during the Long Night.
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 23, 2021 2:29:26 GMT -5
She looked at Lady Bulwer sideways. "You didn't need me to explain it. Smart lass. You survived winter, I expected nothing less. You were a babe when I met you"Lady Rhonda looked again towards the city. "Send him. But, I must also know how agreeable would the bastard be for a... an agreement with House Hightower. I like him more than I like Small Dick Dickon Tarly and Horror and Wubbler"
She snorts, with a mirthless chuckle. "Someday, we will free Lady Catheryne from all her chains. And see her properly wed. But, for now, the bastard will suffice"Alys frowned, but bowed her head in confirmation of Lady Hightower's wishes. She personally wanted nothing to with either of the pretenders, but a temporary agreement with one against the other two made sense, especially since Lady Tyrell was the key to the Reach. She chuckled a little at the nicknames given to Tarly and the Redwynes. "I will do my part, my lady. House Bulwer stands with Oldtown, as always. Death before disgrace."House Bulwer's words, fitting for a martial house. Though not a fighter herself, Alysanne was surrounded by competent warrior ready to counsel her on matters of war. "If Storm accepts an agreement with House Hightower, is there not a risk that he will one day bite the hand that fed him? Short his list of friends in the Reach may be, he is still a spawn of the old Usurper King."Alys looked out the same window that Lady Rhonda turned her gaze toward from time to time. "Speaking of agreements, how fares Oldtown and your house, my lady? The city has gone through much these past decades, now his Holiness has returned to his old seat in the Starry Sept, along with some... motivated followers, to say the least."There was a bit of irony behind Bulwer's last words. While she had some sympathies with the plight of the smallfolk, the arrogance and the liberties taken by the fanatics was a threat to all. She shuddered at the thought, remembering the desperate times during the Long Night. She smiled slightly.
"However, he needs swords and coin and food. He is alone, surrounded and holed in a keep. Any offer would be like rain in a drought, much welcomed. And he is a thirsty man, of great ambition"
Rhonda pointed out. "Oldtown is no longer as it was before, when my husband ruled. I lost much power"The treaty signed with the Faith and the commons had pawned away part of Hightower's formerly absolute control. She was a woman, and now matter what her mettle was, men always would look at her like their inferior. "I no longer reign absolute in the city. The High Septon now commands much of the commons, who see in him a true prophet, a leader. However, the richest merchants and the Citadel still are firmly subjected to obedience, as they see a threat in the fanatic rabble gathered by preachers and devouts. And the City Watch is again mine to control"
Lady Rhonda looks at Bulwer with an arched eyebrow.
"I could ask the very same to you, about your house and seat"She raises a finger. "But before that, I have another task for your man: he has to ride North, from Brightwater, and seek my forebears' house, Goldengrove, and gather as much information as he is able to from the place"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 29, 2021 4:43:00 GMT -5
"This is an agreement born out of necessity. Storm needs us much more than we need him. We could just wait for his eventual demise or bend of the knee, and nothing would change for us. The Hightower would still stand and my line would go on"She smiled slightly.
"However, he needs swords and coin and food. He is alone, surrounded and holed in a keep. Any offer would be like rain in a drought, much welcomed. And he is a thirsty man, of great ambition"
Rhonda pointed out. "Oldtown is no longer as it was before, when my husband ruled. I lost much power"The treaty signed with the Faith and the commons had pawned away part of Hightower's formerly absolute control. She was a woman, and now matter what her mettle was, men always would look at her like their inferior. "I no longer reign absolute in the city. The High Septon now commands much of the commons, who see in him a true prophet, a leader. However, the richest merchants and the Citadel still are firmly subjected to obedience, as they see a threat in the fanatic rabble gathered by preachers and devouts. And the City Watch is again mine to control"
Lady Rhonda looks at Bulwer with an arched eyebrow.
"I could ask the very same to you, about your house and seat"She raises a finger. "But before that, I have another task for your man: he has to ride North, from Brightwater, and seek my forebears' house, Goldengrove, and gather as much information as he is able to from the place" Alys was aware that the ancient and mighty House Rowan had seen better days following the time of the Long Night. While they had not been wiped out, they were divided, unable to choose a successor of the late Lord Mathis. "Blackcrown has seen better days, but we're recovering slowly. After my husband's death it falls on me to once more rule alone, but such is life. We've lost a few tenants to Manderwynd's mob, but we should have enough hands to deal with the harvest, Seven willing we don't have a bad year again. Gods, I can barely believe we survived that terrible Winter."
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jul 3, 2021 8:59:34 GMT -5
"This is an agreement born out of necessity. Storm needs us much more than we need him. We could just wait for his eventual demise or bend of the knee, and nothing would change for us. The Hightower would still stand and my line would go on"She smiled slightly.
"However, he needs swords and coin and food. He is alone, surrounded and holed in a keep. Any offer would be like rain in a drought, much welcomed. And he is a thirsty man, of great ambition"
Rhonda pointed out. "Oldtown is no longer as it was before, when my husband ruled. I lost much power"The treaty signed with the Faith and the commons had pawned away part of Hightower's formerly absolute control. She was a woman, and now matter what her mettle was, men always would look at her like their inferior. "I no longer reign absolute in the city. The High Septon now commands much of the commons, who see in him a true prophet, a leader. However, the richest merchants and the Citadel still are firmly subjected to obedience, as they see a threat in the fanatic rabble gathered by preachers and devouts. And the City Watch is again mine to control"
Lady Rhonda looks at Bulwer with an arched eyebrow.
"I could ask the very same to you, about your house and seat"She raises a finger. "But before that, I have another task for your man: he has to ride North, from Brightwater, and seek my forebears' house, Goldengrove, and gather as much information as he is able to from the place" Alys was aware that the ancient and mighty House Rowan had seen better days following the time of the Long Night. While they had not been wiped out, they were divided, unable to choose a successor of the late Lord Mathis. "Blackcrown has seen better days, but we're recovering slowly. After my husband's death it falls on me to once more rule alone, but such is life. We've lost a few tenants to Manderwynd's mob, but we should have enough hands to deal with the harvest, Seven willing we don't have a bad year again. Gods, I can barely believe we survived that terrible Winter."
She added, sternly. "Ruling is easy, my lady. The hard thing is dealing with the consequences of said ruling"
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jul 3, 2021 14:24:46 GMT -5
"I will instruct him to do so once I return to Blackcrown. I've not heard much of House Rowan these past years, but they haven't picked a side as of yet, no? Has any of your kin claimed lordship over Goldengrove yet?"Alys was aware that the ancient and mighty House Rowan had seen better days following the time of the Long Night. While they had not been wiped out, they were divided, unable to choose a successor of the late Lord Mathis. "Blackcrown has seen better days, but we're recovering slowly. After my husband's death it falls on me to once more rule alone, but such is life. We've lost a few tenants to Manderwynd's mob, but we should have enough hands to deal with the harvest, Seven willing we don't have a bad year again. Gods, I can barely believe we survived that terrible Winter."
She added, sternly. "Ruling is easy, my lady. The hard thing is dealing with the consequences of said ruling" Alys nodded in acknowledgement of Lady Rhonda's words. "I see, my lady. If there is nothing else, I should return to Blackcrown and instruct Ser Ashford in his mission in the north."
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jul 18, 2021 13:56:26 GMT -5
A raven arrives at the Hightower, addressed to Lady Rhonda, signed by Ser Ulrick Ashford, bannerman of House Bulwer. The letter details Ser Edric Storm's interest in further cooperation with Oldtown, though Brightwater Keep would need guarantees of House Hightower's commitment to such an alliance before coming to a formal agreement. The Arbor was suggested as a potential target for Oldtown's fleet that. Ser Ulrick requests further instructions for the negotiations.
|
|
