[D4:MA] Touring the Devastation (Open)

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan dismounted. "
We should walk from here, my Lady. There is no longer any danger to the horses, but the smell will make them difficult to handle. Only warhorses are used to the likes of Blackbuckle, and even they are uncomfortable around corpses so long dead."


When Lady Marsten had requested to see Blackbuckle, Nathan had not hesitated in agreeing. She was the chief arbiter of the investigation. It was her duty to view the crime, and his duty to show her. There might be some who would wish to shield her from such a terrible tragedy, but that was misplaced. She could not perform her function properly if she did not understand the scope of the crime. In truth, he wished he had never seen the village, but the more people that saw might mean that no-one need ever see such a thing again. She had been clear from the moment they had met she wished to be treated as any Lord. Nathan had done so without question from that moment on. To shield her from things due to her gender was disrespectful to both her and her position. Moreover, If she believed, as the Blacks believed, that woman could rule, this was the consequences of that belief.

Ser Wyll Bracken rode beside her. Nathan had suggested he should be brought. Lord Bracken obviously chose to ignore the village, but perhaps the Bracken Heir was not as callous. The Lord of the Warrior Seat was willfully negligent. Perhaps the Heir was only negligent, or even unaware... although Nathan was unsure how the last was even possible.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

At Nathan's suggestion, Corrine dismounted. She had remembered Athelstan's advice, and she drew up her scarf to wrap around her nose and mouth. She walked to Nathan's side, and from the proximity, the tinge of anxiety in her eyes was evident.

"
I am ready then. Lead on."

[Nathaniel Mason]

As they approached the village, the most obvious sight was the massive bonfire that raged in a pit downwind of the village. The pyre had been burning for a two days and a night and even still, cartloads of animal carrion were waiting to be added to the fire. Nathan had been true to his word. Not a single human remain had been touched (at least not with his authority). The guards still remained at their posts, still waiting to meet their final rest.

Nathan knelt beside a guard inside the gate and said "
Cendra sends her love. She has your locket. You can rest now."
Rising, he does not explain himself, he simply moved on.

"
The most difficult part so far has been the horse carcasses. Many were heavy draft animals. Some weighing as much as two thousand pounds. Had they been dealt with earlier, it might have been easier, but now they are so rotted they tend to break apart when you try and move them."


Entering the village proper, Corrine could see small makeshift brazers. The air was heavy with the smell of smouldering pine and lavender. It did very little to help with the smell, but was extremely effective in driving off the inexhaustible supply of flies. Many of the corpses still seemed to move from large infestations of maggots.

"
I suppose you should see the gaol."
he said absently. His tone had been very professional throughout. His attitude was grave but matter-a-fact. It was obvious he had had to divorce himself from his emotions in order to do what needed to be done. It was completely understandable, but a little disturbing.

"
Lady Marsten,"
said Nathan standing in front of the stone building. "
This is arguably the most unsettling building in town. This is where the Blackwood men were kept, and this is where the Blackwood men were tortured."
He did not shy away from the word even in the presence of Ser Wyll. "
It is a sight I would not wish anyone to see. It is a sight that I did not wish to see. I will leave the choice to you if you think you need to see it or not."
It was abundantly clear that Nathan's hesitation had nothing to do with her being a woman or not.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine was horrified by the sight of strewn, rotting corpses, the land sapped of life and littered with the dead. She was grateful for her scarf and the burning of the pine &
lavender, but all it really did was lend a sickly sweet edge to the pungent stench of decay. She put a hand to her stomach, willing it to cease it's lurching. She was not easily squeamish, but this was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

The sight of an infant corpse in the decaying arms of one of the adult bodies chilled her to the core, and made the pain of the gulf between her and her own child all the greater. She tried not to meet anyone's eyes while she steeled herself, reminding herself that she had to stay calm.

She nodded when offered to be escorted into the gaol.

[Reader]

Ser Wyll Bracken was his father's son in frame - broad bodied and powerful.

But his mighty shoulders were slumped at the horrors of Blackbuckle. Perhaps he was not his father's son in character?

"
The Seven have abandoned this place."


He shook his head.

"
I know not whether you do me a kindness or a cruelty by showing me such sights."


He guides his horse adroitly through he carnage, but dismounted at Nathaniel's warning.

His countenance is steady at the mention of torture - he has seen his share of combat already and seen criminals tortured. The young man's face is easy to read - he is not aware of the depths both warring Houses sank to in Blackbuckle.

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan entered the building. The flies were still thick here, safe from the burning lavender from outside, and the stench was much worse in the enclosed space. "
Be careful where you step, please."
he commented. "
The guards are unremarkable. They are no different than any other of the town's victims. It is the cells that should be seen."


Picking his way through the room, he made his way to the iron barred rooms. The doors stood wide open and corpses littered the bare floor. After taking a moment, the sight clearly bothering him even now, Nathan removed a stiletto from his boot to use as a pointer and began to speak in a rather dry, clinical voice;
as if he was teaching a class of students on anatomy at the citadel.

"
There are approximately forty of them, ranging in age from late thirties to as young as twelve. Bloating of the bodies makes it difficult, but Maester Forthwind estimates all were starved to some degree based on muscle wasting prior to death. All show signs of lacerations to the back, indicating flogging. Two show signs of flaying.

This one, this one, and that one have been hobbled. You will note the fractures in the ankles and legbones. Two thirds have either missing or broken fingers or toes. About half have scorch marks, or burn marks of some description. Most people when they think of torture picture darkened rooms with large machines or specialized equipment. The reality is much more mundane. I am an expert in inducing pleasure in the body. The motivation may be different but the principle is the same and all it really requires is a creative mind. That large tub, for example, was filled with water for dunking and you will note the various iron pokers laying in the hearth.

Even with all this, there are three victims of special note."
Nathan kneels beside a man laying up against the wall. "
You will notice the wide discoloration of the throat on this one. A leather thong is soaked in water and then fastened around the neck. As the leather slowly dries it shrinks, strangling the victim. Eventually they die of asphyxiation if the thong is not removed. This one was spared that fate if only to meet a different one with his fellows."


Rising Nathan leaves the large cell and walks down a hallway. "
This way please."
he says lightly. Opening a door reveals a small cell with the body of a young scout in the corner chained to the wall. "
This man has no signs of physical torture, but you will notice the plates of rotted food in the opposite corner. I estimate the food was about a foot out of reach. He does have a dislocated shoulder, but that was likely self inflicted."


Closing the door he proceeds to the next. "
In here is the only man in Blackbuckle who did not die of the poison, although the poison likely did kill him none the less."
Opening the door reveals the mutilated remains of a man and the bodies of hundreds of rats. "
This man was trapped in this room with a legion of vermin who began to eat him alive. Perhaps they intended to let him out once he had revealed the information they wanted. Unfortunately, after the poison took hold, there was no-one left to release him."


Nathan closes the door. "
Normally, I would say that's the most heinous thing I have ever seen, but little about this is normal. For most of the Blackwood men, the poisoning might be considered a blessing. I'm sure whoever did the poisoning thinks that way. A blessing for the Blackwoods and vengeance for their treatment. Were it not for their extremely broad definition of vengeance, I might even agree."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Gods..."
Corrine murmurs, her breath choking a moment in her throat, stunned by the horrific sights and smell. "
I can barely believe my eyes."


She looked earnestly at Nathan;


"
We must find who did this, Nathan. The poison and the torture. This is a terrible picture of cruelty."

[Reader]

Ser Wyll makes a gesture to ward off evil, but stoically manages to keep his lunch down despite the vile sights and smells.

"
I know combat, I know bloodshed. I know some prisoners or criminals must be put to the question."


"
I do not know this."


"
This seems cruel sport rather than a search for answers."


"
By the Seven, it would be a mercy to condemn Blackbuckle to fire. My Lord father is short-handed by the war, else I am sure he would not allow this blight to linger."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ser Wyll makes a gesture to ward off evil, but stoically manages to keep his lunch down despite the vile sights and smells.

"
I know combat, I know bloodshed. I know some prisoners or criminals must be put to the question."


"
I do not know this."


"
This seems cruel sport rather than a search for answers."


"
By the Seven, it would be a mercy to condemn Blackbuckle to fire. My Lord father is short-handed by the war, else I am sure he would not allow this blight to linger."

"
The land should be cleansed fully, of course, but, perhaps, someday, it could be resettled, once it recovers. What better answer to one who destroys than to prevail and rebuild, despite their efforts,"
Corrine offered, softly.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
We must find who did this, Nathan. The poison and the torture. This is a terrible picture of cruelty."

Nathan returns to the larger room and waves his hand absently, a little irritably. "
The torturors are all here, my Lady. They are well beyond your judgement. Did Lord Ser Bracken know of what was happening here? If Ser Wyll is correct, he did not. We must give him the benefit of the doubt in any case. Do you know all the things people do in your name, Lady Marsten?"
If Nathan's tone was any indication, it was abundantly clear he knew she did not. "
Do you approve of all the things done in your name?"
That more pointed question obviously referred to yesterdays events at the mine.

"
By the Seven, it would be a mercy to condemn Blackbuckle to fire. My Lord father is short-handed by the war, else I am sure he would not allow this blight to linger."

Burning the entire town to the ground would be easier. The poisoner wins. We all move on. You passed my camp. They are the people of Bracken lands coming together to right a grievous wrong. Your people, Ser Wyll. Would you rob them of this fight against treachery? There are even Blackwood people there, although I doubt you could point them out. They think this was an abomination as much as any Bracken. It is easy to draw a line and say that side is good and that side is bad, but the reality is far messier. I think the victims of this atrocity deserve better than a quick burning and to be forgotten.

I have already spoken with Ser Myles Blackwood. He believes, as I do, that this was grotesque, and he has offered his assistance to Blackbuckle's restoration. That sounds to me like the seeds of something neither House has enjoyed for some time. What you do with that will be up to you. I and the other investigators will be long gone by that point.

Nathan looks around the room with weary disgust. "
I think we are done here. Shall we head to the well?"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
You know that I don't,"
Corrine answered him, a little confused by his tone. She couldn't quite tell if she was being accused of something.

"
I would not want anyone to commit atrocities in my name."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan nods. "
So we must give Lord Bracken the benefit of the doubt."
He turns to Ser Wyll. "
I believe we also must give House Blackwood the benefit of the doubt."


"
When I spoke to Ser Myles today, I believe he was genuinely appalled by the situation here. From what I have learned of the late Lord Blackwood, I do not believe he was the kind of man that would approve of the cowardly poisoning of an entire village either. I believe that whoever did this was a Blackwood supporter, but I think they acted on their own initiative and that those of the House were unaware of their actions."


"
So catching and punishing the individual who did this is really our only option. I am not really sure what punishment would be suitable for such an act."
By the look in his eye, it seemed he did have one or two ideas, all of them extremely unpleasant. This was the man who was arranging to have forty bandits impaled alive on spikes before the shattered Sept. What punishment would Nathan consider appropriate for the one who committed this vile crime?

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
So, have we leads on who may be culpable?"
Corrine asked. "
We can all agree this is awful, but it means little if we cannot act."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan glances at Ser Wyll. "
Certainly whoever did this was educated, but I cannot say right now who might be suspects. I have people looking into it. When I have a better grasp on the situation, I will happily inform you. Until then, all I can do is try and reclaim the village and mitigate some of the damage."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
That is understandable. What can I do to assist you in this? Is it possible to give all these poor souls a proper burial? I am putting funds and efforts into repairing several of the sites we have investigated. I'd say this one is a high priority."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan thought for a long moment. "
Yes, there are a few things, if you are willing."


"
Up till now, I have not dealt with the human remains. In part, I've been busy with the carrion, but the other reason is my not wanting to tamper with the area in light of other investigators. If you could announce an official deadline, I can start the work of laying these people to rest on the following day. Septon Arlyn has already arranged for the monks and the silent sisters to help."


"
Also, you could give official permission for the Blackwoods to come collect their dead. Given the white flag incident, I have been reticent, but Ser Myles assures me there will be no incidents. Lord Bracken might have..."
Nathan glances at Ser Wyll. "
security concerns, but if there is neutral oversight, that would probably address those concerns."
And take it out of Lord Bracken's hands.

"
There is one other thing. I need firewood. Lots of it. I know that sounds like a small thing, but it is critical to cleansing the town. I have food coming in from the Reach and Lannisport, but wood must be sourced locally. There are very few wooded areas that have not been damaged by battle, and they are protected by law. I can't simply just start chopping down trees. My efforts up till now have been frustrated by either legalities or politics."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
I will get you as much firewood as I can. Perhaps I can have words in a few ears about that, get an area of the woods allocated for the purpose. I'll declare tomorrow to be the last day Blackbuckle can be investigated, at the meeting tonight. I will ask for those who wish to collect their dead to come forward. Hopefully, that will give us time to get stockpiles of wood coming in."


She placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder;


"
Do you need more hands to help build pyres and move bodies? I have men to spare."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan gave a sort of winced smile, like she had struck a nerve and he knew she did not mean to.

"
I appreciate the offer, my Lady. Your men are trained fighters and I think they would be better served keeping the peace."


"
The locals do not trust the investigation forces."
By his tone, perhaps with cause. "
I think the people might resent the intrusion of strangers upon their grief. Laying their dead to rest and working toward restoring the village might take longer without outside help, but I think it will be better for them in the long run. The do need help, but I would advise a light touch here.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Very well. I understand. Grief is deeply personal. And I expect there is nothing I can do to convince the people to trust me,"
she replied, sadly. "
If I cannot get them justice, then they will be justified."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I am confident we will find who did this."
replied Nathan with a slightly viscous edge. Then his tone softened. "
Do not take their distrust personally. They have lived for many centuries in an environment of hate and fear. Perhaps they thought their problems would be magically solved with your arrival. The common people do not understand the problems and politics involved. Sometimes I don't understand the politics and problems involved."
Nathan shrugs. "
All we can do is our best."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
The subtleties often elude me too. Especially in looking upon something that seems so senseless. Hopefully, giving the others a talking-to will have lit a fire beneath them to get them co-operating better."


She gave Nathan's arm a little squeeze;


"
I am sorry that you have been dealing with this alone for so long. This must be so difficult. I should have come sooner. But I greatly commend your efforts, and I am glad you think we can catch the culprit. I will get you anything you need, I swear it."

[Reader]

Nathan nods. "
So we must give Lord Bracken the benefit of the doubt."
He turns to Ser Wyll. "
I believe we also must give House Blackwood the benefit of the doubt."


"
When I spoke to Ser Myles today, I believe he was genuinely appalled by the situation here. From what I have learned of the late Lord Blackwood, I do not believe he was the kind of man that would approve of the cowardly poisoning of an entire village either. I believe that whoever did this was a Blackwood supporter, but I think they acted on their own initiative and that those of the House were unaware of their actions."


"
So catching and punishing the individual who did this is really our only option. I am not really sure what punishment would be suitable for such an act."
By the look in his eye, it seemed he did have one or two ideas, all of them extremely unpleasant. This was the man who was arranging to have forty bandits impaled alive on spikes before the shattered Sept. What punishment would Nathan consider appropriate for the one who committed this vile crime?

"
Are lords not responsible for the conduct of their men? A failure of discipline reflects on a commander - he cannot simply was his hands clean."


"
The people will take it ill if a single rotten apple is blamed for this outrage. The punishment must be severe, but my imagination fails to conjure up deeds strong enough to be called justice here."


"
As for firewood, you shall have all that you need. Before we depart here, I will sign papers and affix them with my seal to grant temporary logging rights to your men."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I agree, Ser Wyll. Lords are responsible for the conduct of those who serve them. Ser Myles has already agreed to try and help the people of Blackbuckle as best he can. So heinous was this act, even your staunch enemy is disgusted. Perhaps you have suggestions for how House Bracken can atone for the the treatment of their prisoners."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Thank you, Ser Wyll. That solves our firewood issue,"
Corrine says, with a respectful nod. "
Though I too cannot think of a sufficiently severe punishment for... this."

[Nathaniel Mason]

[Going to open this up. I know that the Septon wants to say a few things, at least.]

They continued their tour, proceeding to the well. The corpses still strew the central square, but Nathan seemed to give the impression that that much of the worst of it was hidden inside the silent building they passed.

"
There was substantial looting in the first few weeks. Mostly by bandits or the desparate. Not much here now worth stealing. At least nothing that only the most greedy or determined theif would want to search for."


"
The well is capped and guarded. As I said at the meeting this afternoon, we hardly want anyone with a bucket to have access to such a toxic poison. Maester Fortwind is continuing his research. The poison does lose some potency over time, but we have not discovered a way to counteract it yet."


Eventually, they found their way back to the front gate and their horses.

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