Re: Day 2 - ME - Crossroads Devils

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, it does sound like something House Tullison can be of assistance with."
Theomore says thoughtfully. "
It actually does echo my own advice to my nephew, peace must be enforced, yes, those that have done wrong must be punished, yes, but in the end, it is for the best if both sides can accept the verdict as fair, or at least, one that they are not willing to brave the risk of contesting."


"
Squeeze too hard, and they might hope that the shifting winds at court might allow a rematch."

[Athelstan]

"
I agree on that, except on House Tullison, the Bracken's won't have it unless there is a second house involved that supports them, and then it's the start all over again. Longshores are more neutral if it comes down to that, but we don't really want such involvement unless we are compensated somehow, also were would the Houses garrison their troops for that, Bracken's one have a single Tullison man, while the Blackwood's run free without equal burden placed on them"
rubbing his chin "
unless of course the Overseeing Houses have a better grasp of things and can work together like Tullison and Longshore perhaps"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Ah, well, I was talking more of the matter of securing a treaty that safeguards the peace for as long as it is reasonable to hold it."
Theomore had not considered enforcement, but House Marsten would probably be given that role. "
Until the bells of king's landing chime their dirge, that would be, then the realms will have bigger concerns than a feud between two houses that matters little in the great scheme of things. And both Blackwood and Bracken knows this."

[Athelstan]

"
Let us hope that it does not come to the use of force to ensure a treaty that safeguard the peace, and House Marsten is probably the one getting the "
honors"
of that burden"
Athelstan laugh's "
Do they even have enough men to be able to send here and who can they send that is not tied to Raventree if they did?"
shaking his head "
In paper and socially it might seem like a great thing, but they will be weak, and the mountain clans,may have been defeated with the force of many Houses, but by themselves doubt they can do much"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
We might be so bold as to task the Tully's to enforce the peace we have brokered"
Theomore smiles wickedly, that would be amusing. "
But first there must be a peace to enforce."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan returns the smile to Theomore at the mention of the Tully's "
That would be asking lord Gorman to do his job"
he chuckles "
Wouldn't be this way or this bad if he acted on it. Then again, I would help House Tullison to broker peace that all could agree on, so count me in if you need my help to do so"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
That is good to know."
The Longshores seemed to be somewhere on the green side of the swing vote, but for all their neutrality, it did seem to be sufficiently flexible. "
But where does Yoren stand?"

[Athelstan]

"
Yoren, stands by himself, he wishes to remain apart from choosing sides, and have the Longshore's endure and pick whatever side is convenient at any time in this conflict and the one coming later on"
a heavy sigh coming out of Athelstan noticing a bit of his breath as it's getting a tad cold outside, but nothing really to worry about, "
In this we wish to remain neutral and find peace, but Yoren can be naive or just plain stubborn to try and see good were there is none to find. In regards of the greater scheme of things, I told him to choose already before someone chose for us, and than abandon us when it was convenient, it's not like people enjoy having ironborn living in the Riverlands"
shrugging his shoulders

Moving his horse around for a bit to keep it warm and petting the animal.

"
We still don't know what side we want to move towards, in some occasion's he wants us to show for the Blacks on others the Greens, keep them guessing you know, but eventually people will tire of it and force us to choose, and when that time comes it won't be much of a choice either, I tell him it's foolish and to pick a side already, House Longshore is sorely lacking in true friends"
looking to the sky for a moment "
I know partially I'm to blame for that, but if he is so close to that Coldbrook weird..."
lacking for better words as he was about to say queer or strange, something was wrong with him and he was no less lord to Baelon the bastard in more then the literal way "
Lordling"
he finally says and picking up quickly after it.

"
We tried getting close to the Tullison's, but Dunstan does not like me and he cancelled his deals with Yoren, back then judging an entire House for the actions of one"
waving it away "
Whatever. Marsten's are neutral to us, and well the problem with the Coldbrooks is that at some point or another me or Baelon will provoke each other, and blood will run, like a Bracken against Blackwood feud or worse, so I don't make it easy for him to work because of either me and Baelon in that aspect, so we must look to the Dulver or Kytley perhaps, yet we don't know much of their motives either."


"
Hence our need to find a good match for Alya and an ally for our House of the proper color and influence"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The safe bet might be to simply not pick a side, and march with your liege lord when the banners are called."
Theomore mulls. "
It is a struggle between dragons first and foremost, and when one side has achieved dominance, those who followed the other will by and large, be allowed to bend the knee and be helped up by a king more interested in getting the realm back on it's feet than to inspire rebellious action."


"
Though the possible rewards of picking the right side to serve does indeed outweigh the risk of picking the wrong side, after all, there are always spoils left after any war, but both sides will find themselves depleted even so."
And the war would not be won in the Riverlands, even though that this might well be where the battles will be fought. Many will die on both sides, men and houses both. One might as well toss a coin to find out who would suffer that fate, and not Theomore's. "
And lords and knights will remember the ones they stood shoulder by shoulder with."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan nods "
I rather win or lose fighting for what I chose and with those that will remember we picked the side, and not force to fight with those that the only reason I'm there is because we are being made to do so, it's a very big difference, and people will remember you fought, but not out of loyalty or friendship, but out of necessity and that kind of courage can be found in a cornered rat that"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I believe that House Tullison and our friends may well offer such an avenue, should you wish it."
Theomore put the offer out, but no more than that. "
If he is cultivating a friendship with the Coldbrooks, then he may be considering something similar to begin with."

[Athelstan]

"
I believe that is for the best, after all we have to start somewhere"
Athelstan nods to Theomore's offer "
House Longshore would be more than interested in taking such road, after all it's safer to travel with friends than by your self"
a scowl in his face "
I will have to behave towards Baelon, but distance and minimum contact is the best way in that regard, I have made peace with Dunstan, so if you wish to enter some trade agreement's we could offer many things a small visit and we could flourish together"
Athelstan takes Theomore's offer and offers support of trade between the Houses to start their friendship, not a serious compromise, but a start to build friendship between both Houses.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Nobody likes being stepped on their toes, but when the dance hall gets too crowded, one must be skillful indeed to avoid it."
Theomore agrees. "
Though few things cannot be forgiven if one is willing to bow low enough when asking for it. Sometimes, one isn't."

[Athelstan]

"
I do believe I need more practice on it, and yes there is a certain point that I can't or should I say won't back down"
Athelstan looks at the men waiting there still "
I understand sometimes you have to move within the constrains of a situation, but every man has a point were they will break through it regardless it's just how things work"
shrugging his shoulders "
All I know is that my axe can open some doors, fear will close some and open others, but in the end it's all a game. Regretfully it costed me an eye to see it, and applaud those that have gained power through my fall, but eventually they will reach a tad bit to far and I'll be there to remind them how falling looks like shall they fail"

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