D8 LE Vigil for a duel (Closed)

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah sat vigil in the Sept, his weapons and armour in a recess. He prayed in turn to the Seven for the duty he had to carry out the next day.

Outside the door, an eagle eyed Coldbrook guard kept an eye on anybody entering the Sept to ensure nothing untoward took place.

ooc
Whilst Jorah will technically be there during other threads, he stays apart.
If anybody wants to talk to him after this, pm me.

[Reader]

It is a murky evening, suiting the tournament's mood.

The evening sun only briefly emerges, but it a curious thing when it does.

The weak evening light only comes through the top of the window as the sun disappears over the horizon, producing a shaft of pure white light instead of the normal rainbow pattern produced by the Sept's stained glass.

Strange.

[Theomore Tullison]

Septs...Theomore never much liked septs. As if those who had crafted them wanted him to feel guilt. The father, mother and crone never much liked the naughty things imaginative boys liked to do, or so the septa at Runestone would make sure to tell him at every opportunity...because Theomore had surely done some mischief since the last time.

Then he grew older, and many a septon had preached, not specifically to him, mind, but still, the father does not like this, the crone does not like that, the mother frowns upon such and the maiden weeps over so...he preferred the teachings of the prince The Gods are real, but their texts are made to keep the common man docile and obedient like sheep. Dragons dine upon sheep, and it is up to you to decide whether you want to sit at that table, or be on it with the rest of the flock.

Still, it was a sept, and it had been crafted to make a man like he feel guilt. Well, it was only stained glass, yet he saw faces that surely weren't there. A grieving father. A warrior, blackened by temptation. A smith, cursing over how the sword he made was ruined by a single misdeed during the process of forging. A crone, holding strings meant for his arms and legs. A mother, longing for the day when the dashing knight would return to give her the dream that was promised. A maiden, covering herself up, tears of pain and despair in her eyes.

And the stranger, his hammer held high and holding an enormous mug aloft in salute. At least someone seems to approve... Theomore lifts two fingers up to his brow and makes a flick in response, and the moment, no more than a brief twinkling passes by.

Theomore never much liked septs, but this was where the man he had business with went...and tricks of the mind he could live with, it was probably just the place making him to reflect upon his deeds like a good man should, and Theomore is not exactly one, but to be bound by the morals of the sheep would be to lay there on the table with the rest of them when the predators comes to feast.

"
Good fortune to you on the morrow, ser Jorah."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah raised an eyebrow at his unexpected guest. They had not had much dealings since the meeting to resolve the potential feud between their houses. Truth to be told, he'd had too much to do to keep track of the knight and little reason.

"
Ser Theomore, an unexpected surprise,"
Jorah greeted him, "
are you here to pray? If so, I will maintain my vigil to one side to give you the peace of the Sept."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Actually, no, not this time, ser."
Theomore shakes his head. "
I came to deliver a warning, I fear that Ser Benjen is the sort of man that will employ whatever underhanded trick conceivable against you, including pointing his lance in the direction at your horse."


"
I have seen a few duels in my time, and the prince has spoken of a great deal more, and what usually happens when one combatant does this is that the opponent ends up trapped under his dying horse, at the mercy of the blackguard. There is, however a counter, the greater reach of the tourney lance may prevent this, especially against one with the horsemanship of Ser Benjen, he is like to be swept out of his saddle before his lance may strike."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah considered Ser Theomore's words for a moment, running his hand across his face.

"
It is a fair warning and I thank you for it. His reputation does proceed him and honestly, whilst my horse is far tougher than he would expect, I'd hate lose him so soon. A tourney lance would provide an edge, though if he does fight fairly, I will probably feel most guilty about my tactical choices."


"
Of course, using a war lance would ensure he would suffer greater injury if he were to wish to continue to fight on foot."


He stopped for a moment to look at Ser Theomore

I must confess some curiosity though. I know that your nephew was tasked with investigating this whole affair. Is it at his beckoning you come here tonight?"



ooc
Read target
[url=Read Ser Theomore][/url]: 3d6k3 8 - not even close to succeeding :;
):

[Theomore Tullison]

"
No, he did not. Though I can imagine him storming off to find you if he were the one to learn of Ser Benjen's inclinations."


"
The knowledge is yours to do with what you will, ser. But at least now you can be prepared for what he might do."
Theomore comments to Jorah's musings.

And now it was Theomore's time to pause, as something does come into his head. "
Though there is another matter that I ought to consult with a fellow knight on, I had an..interesting conversation with this woman serving under you, I did get the distinct impression that the wounds from the accident at the twins runs deeper than I had feared."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
No, he did not. Though I can imagine him storming off to find you if he were the one to learn of Ser Benjen's inclinations."

"
Aye, your nephew is not one to hide his emotions."

And now it was Theomore's time to pause, as something does come into his head. "
Though there is another matter that I ought to consult with a fellow knight on, I had an..interesting conversation with this woman serving under you, I did get the distinct impression that the wounds from the accident at the twins runs deeper than I had feared."

'Loreia, what have you said' came immediately to Jorah's mind 'and why were you talking to Ser Theomore.' Jorah sighed, considering what to say

"
When Joren died, he was the confirmed and natural heir of Lord and Lady Coldbrook. Suddenly, matters that we had not had to consider for twelve years suddenly became an immediate concern, that have finally been resolved."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Yes, she hinted to as much, ser."
Theomore is a bit surprised by Ser Jorah's reaction. "
Though I did get the feeling that the issue of replacing the heir was not at the forefront of her mind, rather she seemed to act as if she believed that the death of Joren was no mere accident."
He pauses, to better choose his next words. "
Given the encounter between my lord nephew and master Daveth, this sentiment could be rather widespread in the Coldbrook minds. I wonder if you might dispel that notion, ser."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Considering what had been spoken of this morning, it was as if the Gods were testing him. He supposed it was fitting that it was here in a Sept that it was happening, under the gaze of the Seven. His heart pulled him in several directions at once;
his fealty, his love, his honour, his faith all combating one another in his soul. People he cared about and loved hated this man with every fibre of their being. What was the way forward? He was here, helping him when he didn’t have to and Joren … poor, young, brave, foolish Joren. What had happened was a tragedy, but it had been an accident. Nobody had known whom he was and would be riding, unless there had been a conspiracy to arrange the death of the heir to House Coldbrook. They were a minor house that nobody really cared about and the only people who would benefit were either House Darry to destabilise the House and regain their lost land or …, this thought horrified Jorah that he even had to consider it, one of his brothers wanted to be Lord. Garret had given up the opportunity quickly, but that would mean …. Daveth!!!!! No, that couldn’t be true, but he couldn’t shake the thought. He had to make sure on that.

In either instance, Ser Theomore would more likely be a pawn, but the attack on Lord Tullion’s men and Marei had brought Ser Theomore into peril and they had tried to ambush them with more men. Might his death been part of the plan?
The possibilities were growing in Jorah’s mind, eating at him. ‘Do what needs to be done in the here and now. Stay the course. The rest can begin tomorrow.’

He pauses, to better choose his next words. "
Given the encounter between my lord nephew and master Daveth, this sentiment could be rather widespread in the Coldbrook minds. I wonder if you might dispel that notion, ser."

Was Theomore scared? Did he know more than he had said?
“I will do what I can,” he held out his hand to Ser Theomore, “for what it is worth, I believe you when you say there was no intent behind Joren’s death.”
He paused for a moment, his mind still whirling.
“I want to thank you for coming tonight. It is good that someone has taken the time to consider tomorrow. Everything feels like it is on the edge and about to change. As much of an animal that Ser Benjen is, he still deserves a fair and honourable duel, even if he does

Ser Jorah’s eyes sank a little, like something was weighing on him. “Maybe this is just the ramblings of a tired man, but stay safe Ser Theomore.”

[Theomore Tullison]

Interesting, and worrysome Theomore takes the offered hand, it appears he misspoke, despite his efforts...even so, he received both a pledge of assistance and the answer to the question he had meant to ask.

"
I believe you are right, ser. I fear the stormclouds this week will seem like a breeze compared to what hides behind the horizon...."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

He shook Ser Theomore's hand firmly.

"
It feels like it has been a long time since the meeting at the Water Gate. Oaths are to be sworn, and relations between House Tullison and House Coldbrook have certainly been improved, but perhaps there is more you could do to alleviate ill feeling towards yourself. You spoke last time of attempting to offer your condolences to Lord Coldbrook at the Twins, which in his grief, he did not want at the time. but I believe that now may be the best opportunity to do so."

"
I believe you are right, ser. I fear the stormclouds this week will seem like a breeze compared to what hides behind the horizon...."

He sniffed the air;
"
It would not surprise me if there was trouble tonight. It has an ill odour about it and war feels like too much of a possibility not to affect men's minds."


"
I should be clearer when I ask you to stay safe. Be careful on your way home. The Faith Militant are still out there and they have proven to have no compunction about killing Tullison men. Everything we know suggests there are more of them."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
It might be somewhat weird to approach him now to proclaim that my tilt against Joren is the one thing in my life that I most wish had turned out different, ser"
Theomore wasn't dismissive of the idea, but it had been a year and simply walking into his pavilion was not like to change much, however..

"
Though if an intermediary where to suggest to Lord Tomas that maybe he could have a few ales with a man he no doubt have words that he would like to share with, perhaps at the huntsman."
A knowing smile forms on his face. "
Should he be receptive to the idea, the intermediary would likely find success persuading the other man to come as well."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
I will make the offer to him."
Jorah was hopeful that this could alleviate some of the tension.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I would like nothing more than for Joren to be put to rest in the hearts and minds of his family."
Theomore nods, though he wonders if Lord Tomas would accept the offer.

[Scene? Or que septon Arlyn?]

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn enters from the back of the Sept and sees the two knights whom appear to be in a conversation. Feeling slightly guilty and not wanting to interrupt any important business they might be discussing. Noting that Ser Jorah was the one tasked with the responsibility of being the sevens champion and wondering what business he could be having with the Tullison knight, he walked on the far side of the Sept. Septon Arlyn was attempting to make his way to the door in a nondescript fashion, but failing pretty terribly.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
I would like nothing more than for Joren to be put to rest in the hearts and minds of his family."
Theomore nods, though he wonders if Lord Tomas would accept the offer./Scene? Or que septon Arlyn?]

ooc/Scene for us
Now for Septon Arlyn

He shook Ser Theomore's hand again and watched him leave, concentrating on him before turning back to his Vigil. He noticed Septon Arlyn banging into things in the background. 'so much for a quiet vigil to prepare for tomorrow.'

"
Septon,"
he said, his voice lacking the warmth it normally did.

[Septon Arlyn]

"
Ser Jorah,"
replies the Septon, noting Ser Jorahs cold tone. "
I hear that you where chosen to be the champion for the seven. May the Gods favor your blade so justice may be served."
Septon Arlyn hoped that this would defuse whatever tension had developed between himself and Ser Jorah.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
Thank you, mayhap I will be able to undo the damage you have wrought. I heard you in there inciting the crowd. As foul a knight as Ser Benjen Frey, nobody deserves to be gelded like a dog."

[Septon Arlyn]

The Septon cocks his eyebrow at the accusation. "
My Lord, forgive me for saying this but are you accusing me of inciting the crowd to give a punishment meted out to the smallfolk on a regular basis? For having a knight answer to the same justice that he inflicts on his people when they commit the same crime that he is alleged to?"
The Septon takes a moment to study the knight, thinking through Jorahs championing of the seven. So he thinks that I am causing more damage then good. "
Tell me Ser, do you think that Ser Benjen Frey is innocent?"

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah is matter of fact in his reply, sure of his righteousness in this matter.

"
I believe Ser Benjen to be guilty of this crime. I would not have volunteered if I believed there was doubt. The Seven will guide my arm and if I am successful, then he will have been judged.

Whether I believe Ser Benjen to be guilty is irrelevant though. You say that this punishment is meted out on the lowborn and that the highborn should also feel the consequences. I say that no man, be they highborn or lowborn, deserves to be gelded, though this is a heinous crime. There is a better option always available;
joining the Night Watch to serve penance for their crimes and serve the realm. The fact that they will no longer be allowed to be with a woman and any highborn will be stripped of their status and forced to serve alongside all as equals should serve as punishment, especially for a man like Ser Benjen. I intend to offer him this option.

If he refuses, I suspect that Ser Benjen would rather be dead than gelded. I know that I am capable of meting out death if required.

I believe Ser Benjen joining the Nights Watch is the best option. He is still alive and still intact, but still with some honour, having had some choice in the matter and a long way away. Gelded, he is a wounded beast, still in the Riverlands and desperate for vengeance of whomever he decides has wronged him. Dead, that provides House Frey further reasons to cause disruption and then Houses Blackwood and Bracken will likely end up at war again. This at least provides one less reason for that to occur."

[Septon Arlyn]

OOC potentially triggering subject ahead



"
Ser Jorah, I believe that taking the black would be the most honorable thing that this blackgaurd could do. But what punishment is normally handed out to men like Benjen Frey? Fines, turning this bike act into little more then an exchange of services for coin."
The Septon almost spits those words out.


"
I'm my time I have had to counsel people whom have been savaged by men such as this Frey. Do you know why they do no speak out against their attackers? Because they know that even *if* the men whom attacked them are found guilty that the only thing that will happen to bring them this justice you seem to value is they are fined. And generally that fine will go to the Lord of the small folk whom was raped, not even the women of man that suffered the trauma. This in turn would make the men like benjen realize that they can rape whomever they please add long as they are willing to pay, in a sense turning every small folk into a whore and their Lord's into madame's."

Septon Arlyn emphasizes that last phrase.


"
Is gelding a perfect option? No my Lord, for it leaves Benjen Frey down here, where he might kill Brenna for speaking out against him off she is not hiding from him. But gelding will make him more likely to accept your condition and be sent off to the wall. But death would be the second best option my Lord. For even though it is harsh this man is a killer and will most likely turn his sword and his house against those whom he thinks where involved. This would put everyone and their respective houses in danger from this beast as I'm sure that, should he simply have to pay a fine or be castrated, he would imagine that he could take his revenge. His Leige Lord might even support him in his quest, leading to war."


"
Ser Jorah. You and I are in agreement. When you do defeat him, Please offer him the black. It would be the safest option for Brenna that way."
Septon Arlyn thinks back to the haunting testimony. To the hollow and defeated sounding answers to the questions she answered at the trial. "
The seven will be with your arm that day, my Lord. And may the mother guide your hand in offering him the black."
or the crone guide you in choosing his death.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah paused and then continued in an understated manner.

"
We have entered onto a subject that angers you. I can understand why you feel this way, but do you assume that I am blind to this? Any man caught on House Coldbrook lands who commits a crime like this is given the same option - the Wall. There is no place for this behaviour. Can we stop it from occurring or convince other nobles? We can try, but we are considered little more than commoners ourselves. If you want there to be a better way, then it has to apply everywhere and to everyone. Let me send this bastard to the Wall or the grave, but inciting hatred does nothing to help people and brings you down to a level you really don't want to be."

[Septon Arlyn]

After a few moments of red faced puffing the knights words seem to reach the Septon. In a calmer tone he continues, "
Yes, but with Lord Tully's ruling now there will be echos amoung those in power, and echos lead to whispers, whispers lead to a change of precedent and a change for how things are done. I hope that I can be the small stone that starts the mighty avalanche of change."
The Septon looks wistfully at the knight. "
You have done a good thing Ser, standing up to Ser Benjen and being the Sevens chosen. I'm glad that Brenna has a man like you to defend her word."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah considered what had been said;
both of them had valid points and were trying to prevent the use of that punishment. His anger dissapating, he placed his hand on the Septon's shoulder.

"
Hopefully Lords will think twice about using such a punishment."

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