[D7,MA]Paving the way (Closed)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth arrived with Ser Jorah in the library to meet Grandmaester Orwyle. Despite his new resolve, Daveth found himself rather intimidated by the concept. Which is perhaps ironic, as it was just three days ago that I told almost half the maesters in the riverlands that they were wrong, which should have been more nerve-wracking. But that was just facts, and I was confident in those. This ... is *politics*, and at a scale far beyond that I've knowingly and willingly meddled in before.

He looks over at Ser Jorah. "
This is it. The first unambiguous step. Change your mind after this and we're out of pocket. So, before we begin: are you sure this is what you want? No lingering doubts or second thoughts? You're committed?"

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Jorah looked at Daveth;
the young man before him had changed a lot in the past week and here they were about to embark on something that was going to change their lives again.

"
I'm ready!"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth nods. "
Alright, then."
and he reaches out and gives Ser Jorah a reassuring pat on the shoulder. However worried I am, he's probably worse. Well, maybe worse. "
Let's go have a friendly chat with the most powerful maester in the kingdom."


And Daveth leads Ser Jorah to where they'd agreed to meet the Grandmaester.

[Reader]

Grandmaester Orwyle looked up from a tome - Arch Maester Tullow's Aegon's Peace.

"
Forgive - I arrived earlier to snatch a moment of peace to read."


[OOC: Knowledge (Education) TN 9 to remember the controversial argument at the heart of Aegon's Peace, degrees of success matter.]

[Daveth Coldbrook]

([url=Remembering Aegon's Peace (TN9)][/url]: 5d6k4 18
He's probably the most important man I'll speak with this tourney, and I want to make a good impression. I'll spend my second of three destiny points to turn my bonus die into a test die, adding 3 to my total, taking it to 21, and 3 DoS)

Daveth raises an eyebrow. "
Planning another rebuttal of Arch Maester Tullow's argument, Grandmaester? I thought your extant argument rather convincing, though I admit to suspecting that if the mood after unification were more resentful and rebellious, the rebuilding efforts alone may not have been enough. There are unfortunately a fair few people who will take with one hand while holding a dagger behind their back in the other. Still, the fundamentals of your argument, that war alone, no matter how successful, cannot bring a lasting peace, is one that I fully agree with."


Daveth gives a friendly smile, and a bow of respect. "
I am Daveth Coldbrook, and this is my father's knight, Ser Jorah Holt. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us."

[Reader]

"
An unchained scholar! Too rare a sight nowadays."
Orwyle seems pleased to have his work not just recognised but engaged with.

"
I believe I recognise both of you from the Queen's arrival. Royal prestige depends not just on military might as our friend Tullow felt,"
he closes the book with a thump, "
or on reconstruction efforts but on pomp and circumstance too."


"
Pomp and circumstance that is undermined by wading through the mud after your carriage throws a wheel."


The maester speaks as if laying out a written argument.

"
Given that, I believe this meeting is only part of the thanks the Queen and her friends owe both of you. Master Daveth displayed an engineer's touch to go with the historian's knowledge he displays today. Ser Jorah is an interesting case - some knights have the strength to move a wheelhouse as he did, but few also the intelligence to contribute to its mechanical repair."


"
A knight in service to House Coldbrook is interesting enough, but there appear to be multiple layers to Ser Lionel Darry's bane."


Orwyle regards both men with a friendly expression, but it is clear he regards Ser Jorah as nuch as an intriguing puzzle as a man.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth smiles and nods at the compliment, followed by slightly pained look. "
Unfortunately, the individual doing the engineering on the Queen's carriage was not me. I saw Ser Jorah was heading that way, and had faith that he could handle it. I instead spent my time attempting to determine if the dog's path was really as accidental as it seemed."
a small shrug. "
As far as I could tell, it was. But the one who fixed the wheels is unknown to me."


(OOC: Damn you, honourable flaw! *Shakes fist*.)

"
But yes, House Coldbrook is lucky to have Ser Jorah with us. And in fact, it is him we wish to speak with you about today.

"
As an advisor on the Small Council, you are in a position to offer advice to the King on who should replace a member of the Kingsguard should they tragically fall. I imagine that's a difficult task at the best of times, and currently almost impossible, with candidates suggested by one person pretty much automatically meeting the opposition of half the court, making it basically impossible to come to a consensus, with almost any decision likely to kick off arguments that may turn very ugly. Would you agree that's an accurate summation of the situation?"
Daveth carefully watches the Grandmaester's reaction to see if his views tend more to the pragmatic or emotional in this regard.

[Reader]

"
Near enough master Coldbrook. The pool of acceptable candidates is thinned by political considerations, and the small council will be damned before we start admitting lesser men in the name of political expediency."


He shrugs.

"
That said, it may be that damnation is better than leaving the royal family inadequately protected, should a vacancy arise."


"
The realm's knights do not help themselves - affixing their silly Green and Black ribbons at tourneys and oh so boldy bragging of their candidate's superiority. A great deal of sound and fury, and a great many new enemies to block their ambitions."


"
Find me a mute master swordsman master Daveth, and I'll show you the next Kingsguard."

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
I cannot show you a mute one, Grandmaester. But I can show you the next best thing: I assume you're aware that, as these things go, House Coldbrook leans Black? But our knight is one who has and will step up to protect the Queen from all dangers. As he would all members of the royal family. Indeed, likely all in distress. That is the kind of man he is. An honourable one, who always remembers and keeps to his oaths. And, like the house he serves, desiring to put the interests of the realm above petty politics.

"
I imagine both factions have candidates who they'd prefer. Candidates who would never gain consensus. I would like for you to consider Ser Jorah. Militarily, he's solid - he had an unfortunate draw in the joust, but Ser Lionel Darry learned this morning not to underestimate him;
morally, you'll find none better;
and politically, he should be acceptable to both sides of the isle, though ideal to neither."

[Reader]

"
Acceptable to both, though ideal to neither is it? You have a fine turn of phrase Master Daveth."


"
Any man who can best Ser Lionel is - was - a man to be feared - their duel was well witnessed."


He checks himself, trying not to take of the Northern knight as if he were not present.

"
Ser Jorah, your willingness to face Ser Lionel alone is as much worthy of note as your skill with a sword. The royal family needs men who are brave, not just strong sword arms."


"
Should you find the time, I would be keen to hear your own account of what drove you to face him alone. There would be no shame in despatching such a brigand by force of numbers, particularly one as dangerous as Ser Lionel."


"
We historians have few chances to hear the tale direct not just from witnesses, but the protagonist himself."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
I would be happy to recount it now, if you would wish Grandmaester. I believe it is best if recounted quickly, lest some of the details are lost."

[Reader]

"
I would be happy to recount it now, if you would wish Grandmaester. I believe it is best if recounted quickly, lest some of the details are lost."

"
But of course Ser Jorah, it is you who does me the privilege here by providing the first draft of history,"
the Grandmaester seems enthusiastic, but it is clear to Daveth and Jorah that is the decision making and psychology behind Jorah's decisions that interest him, where other men would simply be carried away by tales of clashing blades and rescuing maidens.

[OOC: no need to write things out in full, but you can note if desired, or simply note what you focus on in the telling.]

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah recounts the tale of Marei's seven, ensuring that all the men (and women) involved received due credit for their actions. He discusses why everybody did what they did, including the woodsmen and even discusses the tactical decisions of those involved.

[Reader]

"
Quite so."
Grandmaester Orwyle set down his pen.

"
I have lived a long life and have grown used to disappointment, but master Daveth has not misled me as to your qualities Ser Jorah."


"
See that you maintain these standards- I fear the Realm will having an increasing need for men of quality."


[/scene after any parting words/requests, Grandmaester Orwyle is impressed by Ser Jorah and will remember this.]

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