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Post by pontifex on Jun 7, 2020 16:47:22 GMT -5
The private residences of Stannis Baratheon and the rest of the royal household.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 7, 2020 18:49:00 GMT -5
At the conclusion of the meeting, Lord Tarly had offered a stiff bow for Lord Tyrell, and a more slight bow for his other fellow council members, before following Cersei as she had requested. Each footfall seemed to snap against the tiled walkways with military precision, accompanied by the soft slithering of his chainmail. "You have an additional request for me, my Queen?"
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Post by pontifex on Jun 9, 2020 20:14:33 GMT -5
The Queen granted Lord Tarly an audience in her private quarters. "My lord." she began, as wine was poured for the two of them" Please do come in. "As you must be aware, my son's reign hangs by a thread given the opposition we face. Yet this is always as it has; for some reason the lords of the Realm such as Stannis, this pretender to the south, and others have seen fit to assert their claims absent any evidence except the vile propaganda we are both familiar with." She sipped her wine. "My daughter and my son are spoken for, yet I am not." She said at last. "Have you a son?"
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 9, 2020 20:30:25 GMT -5
"I have but one son, Dickon, and he is thirteen and already wed to William Mooton's Daughter and heir, Eleanor." His face was as stern and dour as usual as he took the goblet of wine and took a sip, though when he said he had only one son it seemed to flash darker still, but only for a moment. "I have daughters who remain unwed. If your goal is to link our houses, perhaps there is another young man from Lannister's line. Else, I can suggest some others of the Reach who could perhaps strengthen your link to the lords, though I am perhaps not the best man to deal with such political machinations." He took another deep sip from his wine.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 10, 2020 19:27:07 GMT -5
"It is my wish that your daughters come to the Red Keep as my hand maids. They will of course be duly educated in the manners and matters of Court, and matches may in time be made for them. Matches of the highest quality, I can assure you. In the meantime, I am sure your son's training as a knight has advanced considerably. Has he taken to squire? And if so, for whom?" Cersei drank lightly, thinking of a likely match.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 10, 2020 19:44:58 GMT -5
"I would be happy for my daughters to serve as handmaids here although," he pauses for a moment, thinking of Melessa at home, "I would likely need to send a Raven to my Lady Wife before I take her daughters from her." He gave what amounted to a smile for the stern lord of Horn Hill. "My son has not been taken to squire, but he rode alongside my men and I in the van of the Reach, and was by my side when we swept Baratheon's forces from the field and then when we liberated Maidenpool. It would be good to see him taken to squire, but at the moment I have just sent him with his new wife back to my holdings that they might spend some time together even in this trying time. In a few months perhaps I can send for him again and he can take up a proper squire's roll until his knighting." He took another sip of the wine. "I might feel more comfortable bringing members of my household here once I know that an attack from this Targaryen pretender is not imminent," he remarked placidly.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 10, 2020 19:55:40 GMT -5
"It occurs to me that your son might make a fine squire to my brother, Ser Jaime. He has recently triumphed in the Riverlands and do not believe the gossip my lord. Although maimed, my brother is a force to be reckoned with. he will learn more than the way of sword and lance, he will learn command and rule, the same way my Lord Father prepared us for rule." She sipped gingerly at her wine again. "It also occurs to me that the city may be made safe by the prosecution of your campaign to the south. I entrust you with the last drops of our strength, my Lord. Your reward will be commensurate with the service rendered. I have in mind...high honors." She finished.
She rose and walked to the fire that burned in the hearth. "Tell me, what is your opinion of Mace Tyrell? Speak freely, my Lord."
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 11, 2020 5:36:04 GMT -5
Randyll took his time before responding, loosening the belt that held Heartsbane's sheath to his back and setting the greatsword down against one of the tables in the room, before taking a seat himself, looking at the Queen Regent's back, framed against the leaping flames of the hearth. He took another sip of his wine. The Lord of Horn Hill was a man of few words, as well as a man who prided himself on his honor, so when he finally said, "He was once a capable warrior, he has fine taste, in wine and food and horses, and some mind for politics. And he is my liege lord," it was the words he did not speak that were more telling. Other thoughts, perhaps, ran through his head, but he did not give them voice. Instead, he took another sip of his wine, draining the glass, waiting to see what the Queen Regent might have planned.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 11, 2020 19:33:46 GMT -5
Cersei moved forward, gripping Heartsbane. She partially drew it, admiring the rippled Valyrian steel. She sipped her wine. "Magnificent." she commented, before replacing the blade within its sheath. She drained her wine when she saw Randyll do the same and served the wine again herself, pouring the fine vintage to Lord Tarly first. "My Lord, perhaps you could engage my memory of your house? If I recall correctly, House Tarly is a direct descendant of Garth Greenhand, with all applicable claims to Highgarden? If so, I must admit that daughters from that House would not only be eligible brides for a true King of Westeros, but his Good-father would be the obvious choice for the Paramountcy of the Reach at the least as well as high appointment within the Royal House." She paused to see how Tarly would respond. Ser Strong stood in the shadows, half obscured, but he stood at ease, not expecting trouble.
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 12, 2020 8:26:00 GMT -5
Lord Tarly's voice stayed even as he set the glass of wine on the table beside him. "Should anything tragic ever happen to the young king's current bride, then, as any father, I obviously believe my daughters are fit for kings and better. And," he gently wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword and took it back, "Were anything horrible to happen to the current ruling family of the Reach and their Lord Paramount, your son's Lord Hand, then I suppose my family would have such a claim. We shall have to pray to the Seven that such things do not come to pass, musn't we Your Grace?" he queried, pushing himself to his feet and taking Heartsbane up by the sheath. Only then did he take the cup back up from the table and take another deep sip, eying the queen mother.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 12, 2020 17:28:28 GMT -5
Cersei gave a shadow of a smile. "Yes." She said bemused "Gods forbid something like that should happen." Tarly was more astute, more talented, and more cunning that five Mace Tyrells. He had a hint of father about him, which but a shadow of a doubt in her mind. "My trial will commence soon. I have elected to be tried in a Trial of Seven. Of course I have elected to have certain members of the Kingsguard participate, as they are bound to by their oaths. I have also named Nymeria Sand as a champion, though I was hoping to enlist more illustrious warriors. I know I ask for much, and yet I have so much to give. Margaery may have been found guilty by the faith, but with such a sullied reputation, perhaps she is no longer a fit consort to my dear son."
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 13, 2020 4:48:52 GMT -5
"It has been some time since I crossed blades with another warrior somewhere other than the training grounds or the fields of battle," mused the Lord of Horn Hill, "But I suppose it would be my duty to take up such a defense if the Queen Mother asks it of me." His hand slid across and tightened around the hilt of Heartsbane. "I must confess, I grow older Your Grace, and I am sure there are warriors better than I that would defend you, but if you ask me, then I will agree. The only conflict that would arise is if my own Lord Paramount expressly forbid it, and he would have to provide a very good reason for such an order, or else he would look rather suspicious, would he not?" He drained his second goblet of wine, and raised a forestalling hand before she could pour any more.
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Post by pontifex on Jun 13, 2020 18:41:18 GMT -5
"Yes, I believe he would indeed Lord Tarly." She said, raising her own glass in a silent toast. "This has been a most fruitful meeting. You may go now, I will inform the King of your loyalty."
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Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 13, 2020 20:14:36 GMT -5
He bowed. "I take my leave then. I assume I shall see both you and Ser Strong when it comes time for trial," he added with a long look towards the silent, hulking knight. He gave the Kingsguard a slight salute, and then turned and strode from the room.
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Post by oznerol on Jun 15, 2020 10:13:55 GMT -5
A raven arrived from Baelish, assuring the queen that banners were being mustered and that the Vale would march beyond its mountains. Albeit he talks about some domestic complications that would delay the march. The letter is filled with pleasantries and promises, including some implied flattery to the Queen herself. Signed as 'ever loyal, Petyr Baelish'.
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