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Post by Gandalf on Jun 24, 2021 8:16:18 GMT -5
 The greatest repository of knowledge in the known world, where the order of Maesters collect and use their gathered knowledge for the benefit of the Seven Kingdoms.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 26, 2021 3:11:10 GMT -5
Lady Rhonda arrives alone at the Citadel, wearing common garb and without company. However, once inside, she requests a meeting with the archmaesters, presenting her signet ring to one of the underlings. She didn't want to arouse any suspicacy among the devout followers of the Faith, thus the quiet arrival.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 28, 2021 5:38:51 GMT -5
Given House Hightower's connection with the Citadel, an audience is quietly and quickly granted; a number of the Archmaesters assemble within one of the inner chambers. Thanks to the Winter, their numbers were not as they were, and many now carrying a rod and mask of office are much younger than their predecessors.
"Lady Hightower. You honour us." Greeted one, a large man with a moon shaped face. "What brings you to us at this late hour?"
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Post by oznerol on Jun 29, 2021 4:37:16 GMT -5
"Worry, maesters"
She said, the auburn hair falling loose beyond her shoulders.
"The Faith has gained much hold over the city and the realm itself"
Rhonda looks at the gathered archmaesters, noting to herself the masks present and their materials.
"This presents a danger to the Citadel and the Hightower both"
She added, daringly.
"House Hightower has been the defender and patron of the citadel since ages past. We have collaborated much in these last centuries and many of my son's line have worn the chains of servitude and even graced the archmaesters' council"
A pause.
"We always let the Citadel do as it pleased, for the sake of the betterment of our race and world. But, have you all considered how long will take the Faith to try to ascertain the degree of control over you? How long will it take to have a weary eye towards your research? How will they look at bodily dissection, alchemy and other matters that House Hightower has been actively involved in alongside your archmaesters?"
Their house dabbled in the ocult, but the extend of it had only been known by a few. Malora the Maid kept to Lord Leyton's laboratory, in pursuit of the maester's stone, that could grant life everlasting and turn lead, mercury or iron into pure gold.
"They will soon hawk at you, my dearest archmaesters. Thus, I extend House Hightower's protection, as always. But, I wish to know if the Citadel stands and will stand with my son, and his hoouse, or not"
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2021 15:08:15 GMT -5
“The Citadel stands apart from the affairs of men. That the Faith would dare to interfere with our order is preposterous.”
Replied one of the older Archmaesters, before being sharply interrupted by another of their number. A few of them seemed hesitant.
“The protection of the Hightower is as valued as ever. What would you have us do, my lady? We are scholars, not warriors. Reason and learning mean little to the zealous.”
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Post by oznerol on Jun 30, 2021 16:55:01 GMT -5
“The Citadel stands apart from the affairs of men. That the Faith would dare to interfere with our order is preposterous.” Replied one of the older Archmaesters, before being sharply interrupted by another of their number. A few of them seemed hesitant. “The protection of the Hightower is as valued as ever. What would you have us do, my lady? We are scholars, not warriors. Reason and learning mean little to the zealous.”
Said Rhonda. "If needed, I will employ my own political credit to safeguard the research within these walls"
She added. "And worry not, we do have warriors, clad in steel and forged in winter; not the Summer boys of the past wars, when the old Robert was gored by a boar"
She had atentively watched the reactions, mentally noting those disposed to help. "I will not ask you to fight. That won't be your role. The scholars know many things about the world and the affairs of men, of life and death"Rowan uttered the words and prepared her senses to the slightest change of posture, mood and gestures. One of the archmaesters would help. Poison was a woman's weapon. And a maester's, if one believed what was said.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 30, 2021 17:29:04 GMT -5
“We can give such knowledge to those who seek it within the walls of the citadel, my lady, if they choose to forge their chains. It is a dangerous burden.” Explained one, who bore a mask and rod of silver. The others also looked less than convinced, perhaps feigning ignorance to the request. “Do you not have one of our number to aid you, my lady? Has the Lord Hightower taken ill?” The Maesters were vaguely familiar with the conflict between the Hightowers and Faith; they had often served as intermediaries, though they were not liked or trusted by the militant zealots who wore the seven-pointed star.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 30, 2021 18:55:46 GMT -5
"Marwyn the Mague has not left someone of his ilk among you?"
Said Rhonda, clicking her tongue.
"He came, with the dragons, he came with knowledge that was thought lost or forbidden. When the dead arrived, he lit the crystal candles and made fire consume their unholy flesh. He covered the walls with arcane writtings and no matter how they clawed, not a single of those monstrosities crossed our threshold"
She crossed arms over the chest.
"Have not any of you have his mettle? Will you cower behind your walls while the Faith consumes our freedom? I did not live through hell and back, to see rotting corpses ravaging my vassals' castles and lands from here to Highgarden to let pretentious men lead our future. I did not see the Seven in the blue eyes of the undead. I did not see them when entire familes were killed and converted. Neither when the peasants ate their own kin and the slaughtered lords like cattle. Where is of Garlan the Gallant? Garth Greysteel? The Ashfords, the Merryweathers, the Osgreys? All dead"
Rowan says with spite.
"And, now, the High Septon claims regency over the realm, to subject us all to his holy thrall. Soon he will be leaping over your ivory walls, to keep you from your work. Or maybe, he could uncover all the secrets that you have gathered in your vaults and libraries, in those tomes covered in chains. I surely did not live through the end of the world to see my power, my freedom and my free will stripped from me by holier-than-thou men in dirty robes"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 1, 2021 13:25:29 GMT -5
“If they are as deadly as you fear, then it would be wise not to provoke them, my lady.” Counselled one wearing an iron rod. Apparently the Maester that held the mask and rod of Valyrian steel was absent for this meeting, with Rhonda’s question being met by a few awkward looks and shuffles. “Let them wear themselves out against the squabbling lords that compete for Highgarden. The fires of zealotry always dampen with time.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 1, 2021 14:12:18 GMT -5
Lady Rhonda looked at them coldly.
"As you wish"
They would cower themselves in fear and they would beg her, on their knees, to save them. Men, men were weak, either too bold and daring or too afraid to do anything. And the chained mouse were worse, at least those gathered there.
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