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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 24, 2020 9:28:48 GMT -5
Rolland hoped for the latter.
It will be done, Sire. Thank you.
He says to the King Baratheon.
I will depart soon to join Lord Morrigen.
And with that, he came as Storm and left as Caron.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 25, 2020 4:05:27 GMT -5
Davos arrives to visit Lady Shireen with a small gift and then to discuss with Stannis the matter of squires and, most importantly, how his children should be wed.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 25, 2020 9:13:30 GMT -5
"Lord Davos."
Stannis was watching from afar as his daughter sat and chatted with her new ladies in waiting, maidens from the Vale and wards from the Crownlands houses that had bent the knee to the King. The King was seated in the opposite chamber, looking through some reports from the Wall that had arrived that morn. Selyse was elsewhere, apparently with Melisandre, as Stannis was alone but for the wraith-like Ser Grandison watching the door.
"The Lyseni boy died, last night. His wound went bad, and he wouldn't wake."
The King took no joy from the news.
"He was no older than Robert when he won the rebellion, and a false pretender besides. And yet half the Reach and Dorne flocked to his banners without hesitation."
The Dragon still had friends, the line of the Mad King had not been forgotten. Worse still, his daughter remained across the sea with three live dragons.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 25, 2020 9:42:11 GMT -5
"Lord Davos."Stannis was watching from afar as his daughter sat and chatted with her new ladies in waiting, maidens from the Vale and wards from the Crownlands houses that had bent the knee to the King. The King was seated in the opposite chamber, looking through some reports from the Wall that had arrived that morn. Selyse was elsewhere, apparently with Melisandre, as Stannis was alone but for the wraith-like Ser Grandison watching the door. "The Lyseni boy died, last night. His wound went bad, and he wouldn't wake." The King took no joy from the news. "He was no older than Robert when he won the rebellion, and a false pretender besides. And yet half the Reach and Dorne flocked to his banners without hesitation."The Dragon still had friends, the line of the Mad King had not been forgotten. Worse still, his daughter remained across the sea with three live dragons. He removed his hat. He was balding and lately he prefered to cover it. "Seven let his soul rest. Your brother left many wounds open. And his wife only deepened them, she and her bethren"He took a seat. He was tired, had been going back and forth whole day and going up and down his tower was starting to be felt in the joints. "Dorne has bad blood, sire, all because Tywin decided it was fine for the Mountain to rape and butcher Elia and her kids"He wipes his nose with a loincloth. The climate was harsh and getting harsher by the day. "But, you rule now and the realm is at peace"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 25, 2020 11:37:07 GMT -5
”Peace born from fear and blood. One thing that Robert was right about. Half the lords that bend their knees to me would sooner see me dead.”
Stannis’ allowed himself a rueful smile.
”When I am gone, they will fear me no more. My daughter will rule in my stead, the second queen in three hundred years. Do you think they will keep their knees bent for her, Davos?”
It was more rhetorical that genuine. The King loudly exhaled.
”It is no true peace so long as the enemies of the realm live. A dragon across the sea, the dead beyond the Wall, even my own Bannermen. It is easy to hold to your oaths in victory, not so in defeat. I remember all those that bled with me from Dragonstone to Winterfell, who flew my banners when we were few and my enemies many.”
Stannis stood to tower over his Hand, a long shadow rising with him.
”They were simpler days. Being King is my duty, Davos, but I take no joy in it. If Robert had done his instead of whoring and hunting he would have saved thousands.”
He paused for a moment, and the King’s eyes grew vacant as he recalled some long slumbering memory. Almost subconsciously, he looked down at his hands. And then the spell was broken, as suddenly as it had happened.
”But we do what we must. What news of Morrigen? I would have him hang every man that turned his cloak to that pretender. The Stormlords have turned cloaks so many times they can scarce remember their true colours.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 25, 2020 17:52:20 GMT -5
”Peace born from fear and blood. One thing that Robert was right about. Half the lords that bend their knees to me would sooner see me dead.”Stannis’ allowed himself a rueful smile. ”When I am gone, they will fear me no more. My daughter will rule in my stead, the second queen in three hundred years. Do you think they will keep their knees bent for her, Davos?”It was more rhetorical that genuine. The King loudly exhaled. ”It is no true peace so long as the enemies of the realm live. A dragon across the sea, the dead beyond the Wall, even my own Bannermen. It is easy to hold to your oaths in victory, not so in defeat. I remember all those that bled with me from Dragonstone to Winterfell, who flew my banners when we were few and my enemies many.”Stannis stood to tower over his Hand, a long shadow rising with him. ”They were simpler days. Being King is my duty, Davos, but I take no joy in it. If Robert had done his instead of whoring and hunting he would have saved thousands.”He paused for a moment, and the King’s eyes grew vacant as he recalled some long slumbering memory. Almost subconsciously, he looked down at his hands. And then the spell was broken, as suddenly as it had happened. ”But we do what we must. What news of Morrigen? I would have him hang every man that turned his cloak to that pretender. The Stormlords have turned cloaks so many times they can scarce remember their true colours.” "I'd rather be loved, but I'm not that naive. I know how foul a nobleman can be, how they can treat you like you were nothing, like a fly on the wall" He said. Davos remembered how the bannermen of Storm's End had treated him when the smuggler went knocking, one by one, calling their banners for Stannis. Many had laughed on him, a scowl on their faces. "The princess should make... hummm... that thing... a progress, yes! When the winter is gone" The smuggler said, a frown on his face. "But those who laughed of you still live, many now pretend to be the most loyal of bannermen" He looked back at the King, trying to remember what was the last he heard of the brazen knight. "Morrigen is taking back the Stormlands, castle by castle. Save for a few, sire, like your uncle who died before bending the knee, your bannermen proved to be unruly... at best. They loved Renly dearly, but I'm afraid that not translated to you" Davos almost tried to reach the missing fingertips. "Who will rule them, sire? Will you throw the princess to the wolves? I wish no ill for her. Is she prepared?" |
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 26, 2020 7:46:41 GMT -5
”If i have time, I shall seat her in Storm’s End and have her made ready to rule my realms.”
Stannis felt the growing suspicion that soon the realm would be irrevocably changed, and not for the better.
”I will surround her with loyal men. Your Devan, Caron, Morrigen. The castles of traitors will be handed to those who deserve reward for their service.”
Then we will make new lords. The King looked back at his daughter, who was still oblivious to her future being determined in the very next room.
”Let them love Shireen as they did my brothers.”
Stannis was a distant father, at times harsh and cold. But it cannot be said that he did not love his daughter, only that he did not know how to show it, for his own father and mother had been snatched from him by the cruelty of the sea.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 26, 2020 8:21:57 GMT -5
”If i have time, I shall seat her in Storm’s End and have her made ready to rule my realms.”Stannis felt the growing suspicion that soon the realm would be irrevocably changed, and not for the better. ”I will surround her with loyal men. Your Devan, Caron, Morrigen. The castles of traitors will be handed to those who deserve reward for their service.”Then we will make new lords. The King looked back at his daughter, who was still oblivious to her future being determined in the very next room. ”Let them love Shireen as they did my brothers.”Stannis was a distant father, at times harsh and cold. But it cannot be said that he did not love his daughter, only that he did not know how to show it, for his own father and mother had been snatched from him by the cruelty of the sea. Said Davos. "Shireen will be loved, she's sweet of heart and compassionate. I hope they see beyond her scars, many are superstitious about it: fools all of them"He added. Then, he looked unsure about how to proceed. "My king, talking about my sons... I came seeking counsel to have them wed. Nothing better to heal a kingdom after a war than merry weddings, I think. My two older sons could very well find a woman to marry. A knight's daughter or the like, that your Grace would like to see wed to my blood would be good enough"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 26, 2020 8:43:38 GMT -5
”The war left many widows and fatherless daughters. Marrying into the Reach or Crownlands would be a sure way to seal the wounds.”
Osgrey had left a widow, one of Lord Rowan’s daughters that were all unmarried. Lord Caswell has four daughters, and Lord Hewett did also, albeit a few had been defiled by the Ironborn. Closer to the capital was Hayford, ruled by the already widowed Lady Ermesande, a child of five.
”Hayford lies close to the capital, and it needs a Lord. I would propose one of your sons to be betrothed to Lady Ermesande.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 26, 2020 9:49:04 GMT -5
”The war left many widows and fatherless daughters. Marrying into the Reach or Crownlands would be a sure way to seal the wounds.”Osgrey had left a widow, one of Lord Rowan’s daughters that were all unmarried. Lord Caswell has four daughters, and Lord Hewett did also, albeit a few had been defiled by the Ironborn. Closer to the capital was Hayford, ruled by the already widowed Lady Ermesande, a child of five. ”Hayford lies close to the capital, and it needs a Lord. I would propose one of your sons to be betrothed to Lady Ermesande.” He tried not to gasp. Hayford was an old lordship, they even had fathered a Hand of the King, one who died against the Black Dragon, or so he had read in an old book with princess Shireen. "One of my younger sons would do, Stan or Steffy"Davos said, scratching his bearded chin. "I'm amused by the idea of having my Stan acting as Lady Hayford's wetnurse for a decade or so, maybe that'll teach him some patience. He has a short temper, I don't know where he got it"
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Post by oznerol on Jul 26, 2020 13:40:49 GMT -5
After the king allowed it, Davos sent word to Caron and Massey, the first would have Steffon as his ward and squire and the second would have Stannis. However, the Hand requested the war to be over for Steffon to leave the court and go to Nightsong.
ooc: talked this out with Gandy
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 26, 2020 14:11:47 GMT -5
”An honour well deserved. It shall be made so.”
The King was faintly amused at the temperament of Davos’ son, allowing himself the beginnings of a smile.
”From his namesake, most like. He can squire for one of my bannermen and earn his spurs.”
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Post by oznerol on Jul 26, 2020 14:27:51 GMT -5
”An honour well deserved. It shall be made so.”The King was faintly amused at the temperament of Davos’ son, allowing himself the beginnings of a smile. ”From his namesake, most like. He can squire for one of my bannermen and earn his spurs.” He said. "I've seen fewer men as temperamental, I swear I almost lost my head twice. Or thrice"Davos joked. "I'm thankful my king. Once the contract is dealt with by the maesters I shall take a ride to Hayford and see what's going on in there"He then clasped hands on his lap. "Ser Justin offered himself to take my Stan as a squire. And here's me hoping that he won't ruin my lad, the man spent too much time with your brother, my king, no offense intended"
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 26, 2020 18:35:17 GMT -5
”Robert was a whoremonger and a drunk. Every man from Dorne to the Wall knows it to be true.”
Stannis was interested in none of his brother’s vices. Not even Renly stooped to such debauchery, who fancied himself Robert reborn and made every effort to look like their eldest sibling. The King had outlawed brothels on Dragonstone and was inclined to do the same in King’s Landing.
”Ser Justin at least remembers his duties. And he wants me to think well of him, so he will try his best to keep from the whores and wine if he can.”
Or at least he was being more discrete.
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Post by oznerol on Jul 27, 2020 5:17:07 GMT -5
”Robert was a whoremonger and a drunk. Every man from Dorne to the Wall knows it to be true.”Stannis was interested in none of his brother’s vices. Not even Renly stooped to such debauchery, who fancied himself Robert reborn and made every effort to look like their eldest sibling. The King had outlawed brothels on Dragonstone and was inclined to do the same in King’s Landing. ”Ser Justin at least remembers his duties. And he wants me to think well of him, so he will try his best to keep from the whores and wine if he can.”Or at least he was being more discrete. Said Davos. "He better do, least my lad get a liking for the skirts and the wine, something that can ruin even the most promising one. I had to rein in one of my eldest, Allard, when he tried to run away with a lass who happened to be a whore and twice his age"Seaworth looks to a side, grieving. He paid for Stannis' victory with his own blood, four sons he lost at the Blackwater, something that troubled him to no end and would do until he was eating dirt and maggots. For better of worse, Allard had been a fine son, all of them were, even when they got him a headache with their errands, shit and troubles. Dale would never have a son, his wife left a widow. "And, my king, Lady Marya wishes to marry my eldest's widow to a knight of your household. He's a fine man by the name of Ser Osgred Brownhill, landless and pennyless but with a good heart. If you allow me I want to grant him and her a small tract of land in my lands of the Rainwood, to settle and prosper"
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