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Post by pontifex on Jul 2, 2020 20:54:03 GMT -5
Tyrion coughed politely, it would seem he had been forgotten. A common occurrence, he stood waist high on most fully grown adults.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 2, 2020 21:29:02 GMT -5
”Rise, Lannister. I have heard much of you since I left King’s Landing. That you killed Joffrey and Lord Tywin. Kevan Lannister too, others say, and the Grand Maester.”
A kinslayer and a kingslayer. Barristan felt no pity for Joffrey or his ilk, but he was wary of taking a man of such reputation into the Queen’s service. Ser Barristan frowned a little, his bushy brows meeting at the bridge of his nose.
”And now you are here. What service could you offer our Queen, one who killed his former masters?”
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Post by pontifex on Jul 2, 2020 21:42:16 GMT -5
Tyrion tittered. It made his visage grotesque to behold, the scar where his nose had been itched terribly, and he could not help himself. "Lannister-bane they should call me, may the singers sing." Tyrion replied with droll. "Many deaths have been laid at my feet, but I take credit for only one: that of my wicked father, though I wish I had killed Joffery as well, my vile nephew. His outrages were many, Ser Barristan, but his behavior towards you must not be ignored. I am pleased to see his assessment was wrong, as ever. As for my father, he had sentenced me to death, and so I claim his killing as naught but self defense. Was I to go willingly to Ilyn Payne's sword when I might be of use elsewhere? The gods are good, Tywin Lannister is dead, and here I am indeed. Here I am to serve the rightful Queen of all of Westeros, to whom I now offer my service and counsel. You know me better than most here. You know of my vices no doubt, but you must also know of my uses and beside, I am the rightful heir to Casterly Rock, and can deliver the whole of the Westerlands to our QUeen."
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Post by oznerol on Jul 3, 2020 3:55:10 GMT -5
"The West, you say"
Replied the Queen from the high seat.
"I should put you to death, being Tywin's son. Maybe my husband to be would be happy to obligue. But, we're not responsible for the sins of our fathers. Mine was a madman, a deranged man that abused my mother and burned men out of pleasure, not duty. He was no dragon, but a tyrant"
She raised a hand.
"Yet, he was king, by right. And I'm his only living heiress, like you're Tywin's"
Dany looks back at the Imp, kinslayer, a most foul sin.
"You killed your own father, you betrayed your sister and nephews and now you lay before my throne..."
She looked pensive for a moment.
"Give me the Rock, the West and help me gain my throne and you shall be pardoned of the sin of being a Lannister. You will be of my Small Council, if you're as smart as everyone gives you credit for"
Then, she turns to Mormont, equally on his knee.
"You chose to ignore my commands"
"My queen, I did so out of devotion, I simply could not..."
"But, you brought me a priceless gift, even if half-a-man"
"I did, I had to. My queen, there's none that would serve you better if you'd spare me the executioner's block. Let me take the white and be your man. I wish to atone myself with good service. Like when I saved your life from Robert's minions, defended you from Drogo's bloodriders, rode through the burning scorched lands for you, bled to gain the slaver cities: I beg you, khaalesi, have me"
Dany looked conflicted, part moved part angry by Mormont's self-entitled posture. Yet, he was right, none had been there since the very beginning, since her wedding in Pentos. The queen herself had gone through her own slavery, abused by arrogant khals who thought the dragon queen was a prize to be paraded in chains. But, now, she who could be death or languishing as a mere Dosh Khaleen in Vaes Dothrak, was khaalesi of all khals in the Great Grass Sea. There were second chances and thirds even and Jorah, just by looking at his mutilated face and bloated features had paid for his wrongs.
"Raise, ser Jorah, second knight of my Kingsguard, speak up your oaths to me and serve me well"
She lowered the stairs leading to the throne and grabbed Mormont's hairy hands, raising him to his feet gently.
"Never betray me again"
Her hand touched his cheek, where the burning iron had left a mark.
"I will not, I swear on the Old and New Gods both"
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 5, 2020 23:44:59 GMT -5
Victarion, having taken his leave rather hurriedly as the Queen turned to other supplicants strode back into the hall. His weariness and limp seemed to have been conquered by the proximity to his goal. Though he had no way of knowing it himself, in some ways he called to mind Khal Drogo, long ago. Though he wore a beard instead of a mustache, and his matted hair was not nearly so long, he cut the figure of a man who was used to war above all things, who was quite good at it, and who knew that. His back was straight, his eyes were hard, and his face was determined.
"I apologize for my rather hasty departure, your Grace," He offered a slight incline of his head, all that he could bring himself to offer, even to the radiant queen of dragons, "I had urgent business to attend to, and I was quite eager to get to it." His hand hovered to the blade of his axe, which was now slick with blood. "That business has been taken care of now however, and you have my oath that I will not leave your side again without your leave."
The ironborn allowed his gaze to fall around the room, hovering longer than anything on Ser Barristan Selmy. The King's hand. This would be the man he had to work most closely alongside. But this was not the time for dealing with the men of Daenerys' pseudo-court. He had attention only for the queen herself.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 5, 2020 23:51:14 GMT -5
The Ironborn had thought to wait until their captain's return to deal with the ships, but when the ship began to pull forward with the flag of parley, Ralf the Limper, who had been left with the the fleet, raised their own flag and allowed the ship to close, curious to see who might be approaching. Horys flagship sailed within shouting distance. Hail, Ironborn!He shouts from the deck of the Bitter Wench. I seek the Queen of Dragons and her loyalists! I come on behalf of the Lord of the Waters, Aurane of the House Velaryon!
Though saddled with a savage reputation, the ironborn had some measure respect for fellow, if lesser, farers of the waves, or at least those who followed Victarion and the old ways had such respect drilled into them. He was a captain who respected honesty and skill in his friend and his men had come to do the same.
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Post by pontifex on Jul 7, 2020 16:32:38 GMT -5
"That is very king of you, Your Grace." Tyrion said in reply. "My vile sister will be very distressed to hear of this arrangement, which is almost reason enough to do it. But now let me give you my first piece of counsel, your Grace."
Tyrion settled himself onto a stool and refreshed his glass. "The Kingdoms bleed, and have bled for years. Winter is coming, and things seem as unsettled as ever. Stannis has conquered the North it seems and a Pretender - or perhaps your nephew if the tales can be believed - have landed with an army of their own. They call this the battle of the Five Kings, but more are added annually it seems to me. One is killed and another sprouts up like a mushroom. There are several options before you..." He began, asking to see what she would add.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 8, 2020 15:09:54 GMT -5
"We shall be married, in a fortnight, in the Temple"
Said Dany.
"And, in a month, I shall leave for my kingdoms, by the way of Volantis, Lys, Myr and Pentos. They shall be brought to heel and liberate all slaves, I shall not suffer that indignity any more"
He gestured with a delicate hand, her breast bare under the Dothraki painted vest.
"My nephew? This is new to me. I have no kin left, all were killed"
She remembered the visions. A mummer's dragon paraded through the streets...
"Which options? Speak your mind, Lannister"
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 8, 2020 19:51:35 GMT -5
Victarion inclined his head again, respectfully, if somewhat stiffly. "I look forward to it your Grace... My Queen." Now that his goal had been attained he was suddenly beginning to realize that he had not been fully prepared for this eventuality. He was far from a trained member of a court, but he knew what skills he had to offer, and he would pledge them to Daenerys cause. "You can count on my men to ensure the crossing of the sea. We are reavers born and bred, and in combat on the waters, there is no equal."
He thought for a moment. "When we draw near the continent, perhaps I can send a message to my kinsmen on the Iron Islands. My bastard of a brother was appointed king on the promise of dragons, but perhaps I can take their interest back with the proof of one. Besides, I know several men, Harlaw, Drumm, among others, who care not for his reign. An attack of this host from the East here and reavers from the west, and the kingdom may fall to its knees."
He turned and listened to the Dwarf's words. "A nephew of the Queen? A false one no doubt. Do fools bow to him?"
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 9, 2020 21:40:06 GMT -5
"Then you seek the same as us! It is our hope that our Lord has found her even now!" Ralf returned from the bow of the ship, "Men call me Ralf the Limper! Who might I be speaking with, servant of Aurane of House Velaryon?" Ralf privately scoffed at the idea that any mainlander would title themselves "Lord of the Waves," but he kept that mockery to himself. Besides, if any could he supposed it might as well be the silver-haired scions of Driftmark. "So long as you bear no ill intent, you are welcome to join us aboard for what food or drink we might offer until word comes down from the city about the Queen's whereabouts, we had a great battle here and she was no where to be seen."
Though saddled with a savage reputation, the ironborn had some measure respect for fellow, if lesser, farers of the waves, or at least those who followed Victarion and the old ways had such respect drilled into them. He was a captain who respected honesty and skill in his friend and his men had come to do the same. Horys shouts from his ship. It seemed the Ironborn were here for the Queen of Dragons. How odd, thought the pirate, considering the reputation of the Ironborn. Still, if they sought the same goal, that meant his ships would not be attacked. They had come far, utilizing ports until shifting south to avoid the devastated and haunted lands of Valyria. With that, a rowboat was dispatched with Horys onboard and several of his lieutenants to board the ship of Ralf the Limp. The Queen of Dragons is not here?He inquires upon coming aboard.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 10, 2020 18:56:31 GMT -5
"Then you seek the same as us! It is our hope that our Lord has found her even now!" Ralf returned from the bow of the ship, "Men call me Ralf the Limper! Who might I be speaking with, servant of Aurane of House Velaryon?" Ralf privately scoffed at the idea that any mainlander would title themselves "Lord of the Waves," but he kept that mockery to himself. Besides, if any could he supposed it might as well be the silver-haired scions of Driftmark. "So long as you bear no ill intent, you are welcome to join us aboard for what food or drink we might offer until word comes down from the city about the Queen's whereabouts, we had a great battle here and she was no where to be seen."
Though saddled with a savage reputation, the ironborn had some measure respect for fellow, if lesser, farers of the waves, or at least those who followed Victarion and the old ways had such respect drilled into them. He was a captain who respected honesty and skill in his friend and his men had come to do the same. Horys shouts from his ship. It seemed the Ironborn were here for the Queen of Dragons. How odd, thought the pirate, considering the reputation of the Ironborn. Still, if they sought the same goal, that meant his ships would not be attacked. They had come far, utilizing ports until shifting south to avoid the devastated and haunted lands of Valyria. With that, a rowboat was dispatched with Horys onboard and several of his lieutenants to board the ship of Ralf the Limp. The Queen of Dragons is not here?He inquires upon coming aboard. A couple of men emerged from the cabin of the ship, one carrying a wide, flat driftwood-carved bowl of salt, and the other a plate of bread, though it was more of a hardtack than anything. Another carried a bottle of a particularly strong spirit, which was poured into a pair of pewter mugs, and then offered to Horys along with the food. They were not quite under a roof, but the custom of guest right extended even to the Ironborn, and Ralf was a man of tradition. "What brings men who serve the Lord of Driftmark in search of the Dragon Queen?"
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 11, 2020 18:28:57 GMT -5
"Aye, so it would seem. She wasn't seen once over the field of battle, and rumor from the some of the city's defenders after the fact was that she'd taken to the back of one of her dragons and set flight before the siege started."A couple of men emerged from the cabin of the ship, one carrying a wide, flat driftwood-carved bowl of salt, and the other a plate of bread, though it was more of a hardtack than anything. Another carried a bottle of a particularly strong spirit, which was poured into a pair of pewter mugs, and then offered to Horys along with the food. They were not quite under a roof, but the custom of guest right extended even to the Ironborn, and Ralf was a man of tradition. "What brings men who serve the Lord of Driftmark in search of the Dragon Queen?" Horys states as he takes one of the pewter mugs to drink from. He had gotten tired of stale bread and old wine. I have been sent to treat with the Queen of Dragons by Aurane Waters. He holds Tommen Baratheon in his grasp and plans to use him to rally the Stormlords to a new cause and that is supporting the Queen herself. Let it be said that Aurane Waters is a man blessed by whatever gods he follows!Isnardo proceeds to recount their adventures. Of how Aurane Waters' charisma united close to two hundred ships worth of pirates, corsairs, and more. How this fleet took both Claw Isle and Dragonstone with ease. How his skills got his nephew to ally with him. And how a bold raid, upon King's Landing, captured Tommen Baratheon and ensured the death of Cersei Lannister. Now, it seemed that the Lord of Waters had moved upon Storm's End to steal it away from Aegon the Pretender. There is no doubt of the blessed life and luck that he has on his side. He knows who the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms is and desires to be among her champions.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jul 11, 2020 22:38:38 GMT -5
"Aye, so it would seem. She wasn't seen once over the field of battle, and rumor from the some of the city's defenders after the fact was that she'd taken to the back of one of her dragons and set flight before the siege started."A couple of men emerged from the cabin of the ship, one carrying a wide, flat driftwood-carved bowl of salt, and the other a plate of bread, though it was more of a hardtack than anything. Another carried a bottle of a particularly strong spirit, which was poured into a pair of pewter mugs, and then offered to Horys along with the food. They were not quite under a roof, but the custom of guest right extended even to the Ironborn, and Ralf was a man of tradition. "What brings men who serve the Lord of Driftmark in search of the Dragon Queen?" Horys states as he takes one of the pewter mugs to drink from. He had gotten tired of stale bread and old wine. I have been sent to treat with the Queen of Dragons by Aurane Waters. He holds Tommen Baratheon in his grasp and plans to use him to rally the Stormlords to a new cause and that is supporting the Queen herself. Let it be said that Aurane Waters is a man blessed by whatever gods he follows!Isnardo proceeds to recount their adventures. Of how Aurane Waters' charisma united close to two hundred ships worth of pirates, corsairs, and more. How this fleet took both Claw Isle and Dragonstone with ease. How his skills got his nephew to ally with him. And how a bold raid, upon King's Landing, captured Tommen Baratheon and ensured the death of Cersei Lannister. Now, it seemed that the Lord of Waters had moved upon Storm's End to steal it away from Aegon the Pretender. There is no doubt of the blessed life and luck that he has on his side. He knows who the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms is and desires to be among her champions. Ralf asked, genuinely impressed, "Those are mighty accomplishments to be certain. We are here for much the same purpose. Lordship of the Iron Islands has gone somewhat downhill of late." He said, his mouth twisting slightly as he thought of Euron Greyjoy and his victory at the Kingsmoot. "I have not doubt that such assistance would be greatly appreciated. As a sailor, I know I would certainly be glad to know the waters that lay ahead of our landing were secured."As the two of them spoke, a pair of men, armed and armored in the Ironborn custom, emerged from the city, and climbed aboard the small landing boat. A few minutes later, they had rowed themselves to the boat and climbed aboard. "The Queen of Dragons has returned to her court!" One of them declared, "Even now, Captain Victarion speaks to her and her court.""Then perhaps it is our time to join them."OOC: can probably carry on to the "One True Dragon" thread at this point.
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