[D8,MA]Old Gods, Old Wounds (Closed-ish)

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth waited by the entrance to the Godswood, Coldbrook emblem in plain view so the Tullison witness could recognise him. He also had three guards with him. More than usual, but he was feeling more paranoid than usual that Ser Theomore might use the opportunity of knowing his location to kill him. The rational part of his brain tried to argue that if he really wanted to kill him, he could do it at any time in any place, and was far more likely to do so when he was feeling safe and relaxed, but having the extra protection still made him feel more secure, so here he was. Awaiting a man he knew nothing about, talking with one of his guards about how he met his wife.

[Maester Colton]

The witness that comes into view, unaccompanied by any sort of escort, is not the jovial Lord Tullison, nor his shrewd uncle, but rather an old man in black robes, leaning on a cane and stroking his well-grown beard. The chain around his neck is a multitude of metals.

He approaches the small Coldbrook delegation, and looks with a severe face at the only man there who did not wear the garb of a guardsman. He does not scowl, or frown, but something in his almost blank expression seems to read right through the young man. Suddenly, however, he perks up, as if seeing an old friend, thought dead, for the first time in years.

"
Master Daveth Coldbrook!"
By his tone, one could almost believe he was about to throw his cane aside and run to embrace Daveth. "
Oh, I've heard about you. How absurd, this situation we must find ourselves in."
The maester opens a wide, friendly grin, only slightly obscured by his white moustache. "
I am Colton, and I'm afraid I have come to see that you keep your... vows."
He shakes his head, and says no more, his gaze ignoring the guards completely.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth blinks in confusion at the old man for a few seconds. I'm sure Colton isn't the name of the Tullison maester. Something's going on that I'm missing. I must be cautious. Still, as greetings from a member of House Tullison go, I have to say, it's better than I feared. Daveth gives a small smile back, and extends a hand to shake. "
Good to meet you, Maester Colton. But the way you phrase that makes me sound like some escapee from the Citadel, here to be returned to dutiful chastity.

"
If I may ask, however, what is your connection with House Tullison? As last I heard, you were not their assigned maester."

[Maester Colton]

The maester shakes Daveth's hand gladly, though there is not much force to his grip. "
The escapees are allowed their escapades these days. The Citadel has little time for those that do not seek its guidance. Hard to teach those who would not learn, I say."


Hearing his question, Colton chuckles and waves a hand dismissively at him before resting both of them on his cane. "
Then the last you heard is duly misinformed, young man. I wouldn't blame you, as the rumors are being quenched even as we speak. Even I know little of this."
He nods thoughtfully, but leans forward and turns his smile into a confidential whisper - though easily loud enough for the guards to also hear.

"
It seems Maester Haelis has been snuffing his nose into entirely the wrong sort of flowers. Scandalous!"
He rises back. "
He's being taken away from Mountain's Reach. From that, I imagine you can deduce the rest."
Colton says, gesturing to himself with an 'it's obvious' expression. There seems to be some self-pity in there as well.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
Ah. How unfortunate for all involved. Were you involved in particularly interesting research before you were called on? And do you know if Mountain's Reach has a well-stocked enough library for you to continue? In a circumstance like that, I imagine you didn't have a lot of time to properly put your affairs in order."
despite his caution and the circumstances, Daveth can't entirely restrain his interest in the opportunity to pick the brain of a maester, particularly one so old and well-metalled.

[Maester Colton]

The maester's face grows faintly red. "
Interesting research? But of course! There is always research to do. The mind must never rest, young man, heed this!"
He speaks grandly, and even waves his cane about, feebly, before recomposing himself. "
Mountain's Reach. Pah! It better have a good stock, indeed, or they'll see couriers stocking their shelves for the next decade. At the very least, I can pride myself in always having my affairs in order. All but the ravens. Oh, but I'll have to care for all new ravens. The little black bastards, always trying to escape me."
He seems to be ranting to himself now.

"
But of course, this is not about me, is it? How absurd, your curiosity, even at this time."
The maester shakes his head reprovingly, but his tone confidentially suggests he is not all that serious about it. For all appearances, though, he's almost scolding Daveth. "
A man like yourself must learn to be more careful about what words you choose to share, lest you find yourself swearing oaths in gardens for the rest of your days. Pah!"

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth gives a deep nod of apology, though his smile undermines its sincerity somewhat. "
Of course, my apologies. Let us make our way to the heart tree, then."
Daveth turns and begins slowly walking alongside the old maester in such a way that his arm is available for support if desired, but not intrusively so if he wishes to make his own way.

As they walk, Daveth resumes. "
I'm not sure if you're aware, but my house currently lacks a maester, and I fill those shoes as best as I'm able. It's funny you should mention your ravens, since that's what I've been learning about this tournament, so that I can properly care for them. So, I can fully understand the difficulty of the task ahead of you, and offer you my sympathies. They are very *cunning* little black bastards. When they want to be.

"
And I would disagree with you on one point: a mind that has given up on curiosity is a mind that has given up on life. For once a man says 'No, I know enough. That's it.', his mind will only atrophy over time. And well, if that means I occasionally ask a few too many questions, well, 'tis a small price for living, is it not?"

[Maester Colton]

The maester walks without need for support, other than his cane, of course. He shakes his head vehemently as Daveth speaks of ravens. "
*Cunning* little black bastards? Cunning isn't the beginning of it. They are shrewd, despicable, conspiratorial beasts! I swear, they used to watch me in the night, searching for the key to their cages. I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up to a raven shiving me in my bed."
Colton shudders at his own joking words.

"
But on curiosity, young man. Of course the mind must never give up on it, but the mouth must learn to be tame, though it can be difficult, much like the ravens. There is a time and place for questions, and not asking them is a matter of prudence, not resignation. Politeness, some times. As an example, I am curious, myself, on many things about you. Such as, perhaps, if you know and care enough for technicalities to circumvent words that bind you. If you believe steering others, without taking a public stance yourself, exempts you from responsibility. Or if you are a truly honest man. But I will not ask any questions, despite my curiosity, because the price for such is not always small."
The maester gives Daveth a sidelong glance and a knowing smile as they approach the tree.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

Daveth can't help but mirror the smile as he shares a look with the old maester, giving a nod of conceding the point. One point to you, old man.

Kneeling before the Heart Tree, Daveth speaks respectfully. "
I, Daveth Coldbrook, born Daveth Oberyn, do solemnly swear before my gods that I will never accuse Ser Theomore Tullison of the murder of my younger brother, Joren Coldbrook."


He stands up again and looks at Maester Colton. "
Is that sufficient for you? I believe it is what was agreed."

[Maester Colton]

The maester nods. "
No more than what was agreed on can be asked of you. Let the old gods and the new know that I am witness to your oath, and by my word you will be held to it. But yes, Master Daveth Coldbrook, you have fulfilled your obligations with House Tullison, at least in what amounts to this meeting. You are free to go on with whatever young men who dabble in ravenry do at the end of tourneys."
Colton nods a second time, and his chain rattles softly.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

"
It would appear that we mostly trouble our elders."
Daveth replies with a smile. "
Still, despite the circumstances, it was a pleasure to meet you, Maester Colton."
he extends a hand to shake. "
I hope we meet again. I'm always interested in meeting those I feel I can learn from."
from his tone, he's clearly not simply talking about book knowledge.

[Maester Colton]

"
I have a feeling we will, still, Master Daveth. But until then, tread well."
With a smile, they shake hands and the maester trudges away.

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[Daveth Coldbrook]

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