Day 2 - ME - Crossroads Devils

[Athelstan]

Athelstan returns from Raventree after having a word with Maester Arran and is looking forward to some food and company at the Green Door Inn after a long day of work and riding, his ironborn companions close by, until he happens to meet an unexpected person traveling the roads in such dangerous place "
Ser Theomore, good evening how was your day?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And to you as well."
Theomore sort of enjoyed these little trips out in the open, clear his head. People seemed to stumble upon him though, not so surprising perhaps. "
Nothing to tell stories about, I did not find the time to join the hunt, so I can't even make up some tale of how I almost got that fabled shadowcat."

[Athelstan]

"
It was a nice hunt, in a very awkward time but it got me to drop some of the heavy thoughts about Blackbuckle, horrid sight."
looking away for a moment and looking at Ser Theomore "
Any luck with the investigations so far?"
Athelstan leaving behind the other ironborn to have some privacy with Ser Theomore and their conversation, after all it's not convenient if everyone listens sometimes.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, we did get quite a few questions answered today, but like yesterday, I think I carry more of them to my bed than I woke up with."
Theomore shrugs. "
With all the talk I hear, Blackbuckle is not like to lighten that load."

[Athelstan]

"
No, it won't it's a poison I've never seen before and killed both Bracken and Blackwood men, but the motive escapes me, it was village with no military strategy for it. yet who ever did such thing was sure to silence everyone, so I suspect someone with the knowledge of a maester in poisons and things of that sort to come with such a poison"
shaking his head remembering the children dead in the dirt like nothing.

"
What places have you investigated?"
looking to no where in particular, just the surroundings "
I would like to compare notes and help each other make things right and maybe get some peace here while we are at it"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
As if someone thought the blood feud might mask an experiment of their own devises?"
Theomore is now even more convinced they need to visit Blackbucle on the morrow. "
We have covered the Iron Mines, Pennytree and Lord Blackwood's halls thus far, only the former seems to not hold many mysteries."
And was that because it was Dunstan doing the investigation on his own?

[Athelstan]

Athelstan nods "
I have seen the mines, and its a pitty they are all damaged not one that did not suffer fire damage, its good they were reinforced or they would have collapsed, did you find anything else in the mines?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
What we found suggests rather clearly that Bracken troops were involved in the burning of the mines, but then again, is anything in this mess as it seems at first glance?"

[Athelstan]

"
I'm not sure really I found the mines are burnt with regular flames, but also found something else in some mines or traces of it. Someone has been playing or thinking of playing with wildfire, but I believe it has to be a third party. Lady Corrine suspects the murder of lord Blackwood was an inside job with the help of someone in the Bracken's camp, but I have not looked into that yet either, but that is something I will investigate when the time comes another day, tomorrow I'll probably go back to the Iron Mines and make certain of things with the Marsten's"
rubbing his chin and nodding to himself.

"
I will question the Bracken's in the matter, but I doubt lord Haigh participated in the murder, but someone else within his household just need to find him"
shrugging and smiling "
After all, that person might be more open to me because of who I am than the rest of those investigating, have you find anything in regards of the assassination or anything suspicious in the Blackwood's?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Wildfire you say?"
That was indeed curious. "
I would imagine that the lengths one must go through to procure that and bring it here would require more effort than to simply put it to the torch the old fashioned way."


"
As for the assassination, I would not rule out anything presently, Lord Haig may not have a direct hand in, but someone in his house did, question is who and how many. Did anyone at Raventree assist them? I would not rule out that either."
It is rather likely, actually, but Theomore did not wish open speculation with Athelstan just yet.

[Athelstan]

"
Yeah, I believe someone is up to no good in Raventree, but there is no hard evidence yet against either House. What did you find in the village of Pennytree, I remember you were investigating it during our last talk at the Green Door Inn, anything came up with it? I just rather cross out places that are investigated and focus time in the more pressing ones, after all I rather have a neutral outcome that might bring peace than levy heavy charges both ways that might end up bringing more bloodshed"
honestly wishing and end to the madness it has become after seeing Blackbuckle, but knowing that regardless of the out come, a skirmish was highly likely regardless, only the scale of it is undetermined.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
What I found at Pennytree were Bracken shields and uniforms, or pieces of them, and a raided Dornish caravan."
Theomore recounts, he had told the Longshores that part, no? "
And word were that Bracken troops had openly flaunted various exotic goods, it all seemed a bit too conveniently obvious, I dare say. I hired some old acquaintances of mine to dig deeper, to see what locals with an ear to the ground and not wearing an investigator's mark might find. I hope that I will receive word on the morrow, though I think Dunstan will want to head out early, so it might be that these news will be received by a trusted retainer of ours."


"
I can leave instructions for him to seek out Yoren if my friends found anything worth looking at, the latest word from Pennytree does raise a few questions, I think."

[Athelstan]

"
Same with the Septry, Blackwood shields and uniforms, but it ended up being some bandits using them, yet I believe according to what I've heard there is more than that in the case, and so far I bet that in most things it would be the same"
Athelstan nods again.

At least he kept his story straight, I knew better than to doubt him, but in this times is best to check just in case.

"
I would be grateful if you did that, and Yoren would be pleased also, I just need to figure out Blackbuckle and the Assassination, those two are the most important things I believe, as far as the Darry lands problem, it's a minor thing that the Blackwood troops under emotional duress and opportunity, so a minor act of contrition or apology and some minor compensation, but nothing serious really"
shrugging his shoulders "
I do need your help with something and I would be grateful for it"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
How can I be of assistance?"
Now, this began to sound interesting.

[Athelstan]

"
I have thought of things, and I wish to be a knight"
looking a Theomore with seriousness "
You can laugh, I would too, but I wish to portray that I'm repenting for what I did and would like your help with that"
smiling a wolfish sinister smile "
It is but another tool to give me more liberty to do other things, of course I will extend you my aid in what I can in return"
the horse moving slightly and Ahelstan pet's him as a nice cold breeze passes by quickly, but his smile remains.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, I suppose I could draw my sword here and now and simply do it."
Theomore might actually be susceptible to do just that, though it is hard to tell if he is entirely certain. "
But it is perhaps, more prudent with something more elaborate, yes? Better if you might earn your spurs through some valiant deed?"

[Athelstan]

"
That is correct"
nodding to Theomore's words "
Just need to make the did or fabricate it, and you could Knight me or even a Bracken wish would have more weight to it, but also put me in a dire situation with the investigation, but this is more important than that to me"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
You should not speak so loudly of fabricating such deeds, I am a knight after all, anointed by the seven oils at the hands of a septon, and charged with upholding justice."
His mischievous smile is helped by the memory of his own vigil prior to the septon arriving on his mule, that one had been spent. in a nearby barn, along with the farmer's daughter "
But the tales of a villain redeeming himself to save the day are often well received from the mouths of the singers, that is true, but did you not express a desire to invoke dread and terror at the mention of Athelstan the slayer?"


"
Or perhaps you desire to be Ser Athelstan the slayer?"

[Athelstan]

"
Saying Ser Athelstan has a more interesting ring to it, and allows me to travel to places I couldn't otherwise, there is a big difference between being and not a knight, I won't fabricate my deeds, but helping me find something suitable would be great help"
smiling still "
I'll help rebuild the Sept by hand if I had to Ser Theomore, but I doubt that would be enough"
shaking his head "
It is only a means to open doors that are closed to me now, which is just a tool to move around with greater ease, and fear can still be earned against those that would oppose me after all"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I see."
Theomore can't say he has any ideas quite yet, but it could come, solutions to problems oft came to mind if one gave these problems some thought, frequently when observing the sleeping form of a girl he had just laid with. "
It does sound like something I may well be able to assist you with, though a chance to prove one's valor does not come by just because you are looking for one, still, easier to spot if you keep an eye out."


"
Though you have me curious, what doors exactly do you want open? And what will you want to do with that which is inside?"

[Athelstan]

"
Well, a knight can find himself with a better sponsor and a landed knight heading a House wields some more weight than one that is not"
a chuckle "
I can also move through more noble circles were people in the need of my skill would be more willing to deal with me, not to mention I would support the right color and the Houses aligned to such side when the time came"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
To be a landed knight, one needs knighthood as well as lands, and the latter one can have without the former."
Theomore shrugs. "
But as far as colors go, you mentioned that you wanted to achieve peace, what price is acceptable to be paid for it, you think?"

[Athelstan]

"
For this fight between Houses, mitigating the damage done and some kind of punishment, that is not to mild or severe either"
rubbing his chin "
It would be hard, but it's the best way to make them hold each other at bay as they know they got a good deal out of it, but a threat that if they continue we would punish both Houses regardless of who starts it, that way they will try to keep peace between their own ranks. This is just quick wishful thinking, but it's a way to achieve peace among to great Houses"
looking at Ser Theomore "
I am open to better ideas of how we can do this in a less aggressive fashion, were both Houses pay a price, but not enough to turn it into another skirmish by the end of our investigations"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Seven houses must come to an agreement though."
Theomore muses. "
Lord Benedict and Lady Corrine talks of impartial justice, as if justice is something rigid, a system of scales upon which all crimes have a clearly defined weight, and punishment must be meted out in the quantity that creates balance. I fear that no peace will come of that sort of thinking."


"
Then there are those that I suspect will be prejudiced towards supporting one side, on account of past relations with it. Others again will simply pursue their own interests, whatever those might be. Could even be a peace that lasts until the king passes away, I don't think this feud will remain dormant through that which happens after this."


"
The king's justice has always been about balancing the need for maintaining the king's peace with the need to enforce the respect for his laws, in many ways, it is the art of choosing the best possible compromise."

[Athelstan]

"
House Marsten is a bit naive with that thought, House Longshore really wants to remain neutral and just come out without to much damage and enemies and hoping to support the right decision that would bring the King's peace, then again who will enforce it?"

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