Re: [D4:MA] Touring the Devastation (Open)

by **Nathaniel Mason** Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:37 am

Nathan listen's attentively, or appears too. He has also seemed to regain a healthy appetite. "
Don't worry, Septon, I understand completely."
He reaches out and gives the man's arm an affectionate squeeze. "
You wish to maintain the appearance of compassion and mercy. I would expect no less."

"
Do not worry, Septon. There shall be no repeat of the Benjen Frey situation."
he says in between bites. "
I have long sought for a suitable end for this mass murderer, whoever they turned out to be. The Father speaks through you, even if you might not have intended it. I shall be happy to champion such a right and just punishment in your stead. Have no fear. No unfortunate consequences shall befall you in this matter."

"
I wonder if we can lay our hands on any of that missing wildfire."
He says absently. "
That would make his end swifter... more compassionate, and it would be very satisfying display for the people."

by **Septon Arlyn** Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:43 am

(OOC I cant, I just cant say anything, laughing too hard)

Septon Arlyn looks at Nathan, jaw slightly dropping open in shock, Oh my Gods, Jowels wobbling.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:53 am

"
I am not sure trying to find the missing wildfire, for the purpose of burning maester Arran, is wise."

by **Nathaniel Mason** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:04 am

Nathan shrugs. "
It was just a thought. It's not necessary."
Incredibly satisfying, but not necessary. "
It does need to be found, though. Have we any leads on that?"

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:10 am

"
Not now that Athelstan is gone. There is suspicion that whomever has it intends to attack the royal party, so we have men searching near the roads, as it will most likely be an ambush."

by **Septon Arlyn** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:24 am

At the mention of where the wildfire could be, Septon Arlyn recovers from his shock. "
What I have discovered is not nearly as frightening as what I have not. For there is little speculation on the wildfire, and I would expect such a juicy rumor to manifest itself somehow. It is almost as if this story has been hushed up or suppressed."
Septon Alryn chuckles ruefully.

"
If it was not such a dangerous topic I would frankly be impressed... However from the tracks we discovered at the cave it can be assumed that the wildfire was moved by wagon, but to where I can not say. It is evident that whoever did this was clearly well organized, as the speed of removing such a dangerous substance so quickly shows that much skill went into this plan. It also shows that whoever did this had to have access to horses, enough men to move the amount of wildfire quickly, and carts that would not needlessly jostle such a volatile substance. Needless to say this is not a singular man, such as with the poisoning of black buckle, but instead a group of people, planning on something foolishly reckless."

Septon Arlyn sighs, "
I only hope that we can find them before they do whatever it is they are planning"

by **Nathaniel Mason** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:25 am

Nathan thinks for a moment. "
Before we leave I will put the word out to some of my contacts. If they are going to attack the royal party, they will have to be moving the wildfire. Not the easiest of tasks."

Wiping his hands, he goes to the desk, leafing through papers. "
This is my speech tonight. You might want to read it."

viewtopic.php?f=193&
t=2171#p60983

He hands her a small stack of papers in addition to the speech. "
Here are also some reports I have been getting about the investigation military forces. Please keep in mind that I have not had time to confirm many of them yet.... but they are numerous. Too numerous for them all to be fabrications. I hesitate to burden you with unconfirmed allegations. I have confirmed these three assaults on women. I plan on looking into some of the others later this evening."

by **Septon Arlyn** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:48 am

Septon Arlyn reviews the report, face contorting at the mention of abuses of power of the peacekeeping forces. "
Master Nathan, this is disturbing to read. I do not doubt the validity of the claims, as idle hands cause great mischief is what they say. Septon Arlyn glances through the report again. "
Hopefully with Lady Corrine asserting control over the fractious nature of these noble houses, we might wish to do the same with the peacekeeping forces. Maybe we can set the soliders to purpose of repairing the damage caused by the fighting. Of course ever effort should be made to root out the perpetrators of these crimes, but maybe if we had them help clear fields, remove stones, and till the land, the small folk might view us more favorably. "

"
Lady Corrine, would this be something you could authorize? I know that the Coldbrooks have set to work in repairing the Septry, but perhaps if we give that charge to every house, to help repair some of the damage done here, the small folk might view us more favorably."
Asks Septon Arlyn.

by **Loreia** Fri Dec 04, 2015 1:53 am

Nathaniel Mason wrote:[You would certainly not be kept from examining the town, and you would recognize some of the Marsten men waiting for their mistress. You would probably recognize Lady Corrine's horse. Any guard could tell you that they toured the town and then retired to the Bartheld pavilion. You could tour the town and then join us if you wished.]

[I didn't realize you'd moved to a pavilion. I will keep that in mind. Feel free to respond to me timed when you feel it most appropriate.]

The first thing she sees is smoke billowing across the sky, aloft on the balming winds of a summer day in Winter's thaw. The smell of rancid pork crosses her nose and causes her to lurch. Remembering what they'd spoken of about this place, Loreia ties her horse at the outskirts of the village and orders her dog to guard him. Nearby, she notices guards standing watch over other horses. She recognizes one, but can't place whose possession it was in - Ben's? Someone from House Marsten had ridden that horse. She keeps one hand on her hilt as she strides over to them.

"
Move along,"
one of them gruffly warns.

"
Whose horse is that?"

"
It belongs to Lady Marsten."

"
She's in the village?"

"
Was. She's under guard at a Bartheld pavilion nearby."

"
I might visit later."

"
We'll keep that in mind, Shieldmaiden. Move along."

Not much for conversation, but neither is she, not with the smell of death around them, a pestilent stench visited upon them by devils from all the Seven Hells. Guards remain posted at the gates, eyes milky white and half-open, ever vigilant. They can only be so vigilant. Past the gates she sees the fire, big enough to burn horses in. Flames lick at a stray hoof poking out of the blaze, and she steels herself against the nausea. In the thick of it now, the pale stench clouds her senses. The sight of normal everyday folk scattered about, fallen dead where they stand, eyes glazed, missing, shut. She wondered what their thoughts were in their final hours. Confusion, panic, despair. Did they know what was happening, even if after it was too late? They would have sent for help. They would have begged their lord for aid. A parent clutching a child they likely survived just before their time came have the effect of making her like them for almost an eternity to her mind: lifeless.

Later at the pavilion, a guard opens the tent flap to inform the occupants of a new arrival. "
Lady Marsten, Loreia of House Coldbrook wishes to enter."

Upon entry(assuming after being allowed in), the northerner, towering for one of her gender, bows to the lady. "
Lady Marsten. Master Nathan. Your Holiness."
Addressing Nathan sounds like the first steps into a cold, shallow shoreline. "
Thought I'd come announce meself, m'lady."

by **Nathaniel Mason** Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:05 am

Nathan rises to greet Loreia, hesitating just a moment, not quite sure what title was appropriate. He decides to dispense with it entirely. "
Please join us."
He notes the frosty tone. Far from the first time he has heard it. "
We were just having some food before returning to the Warrior's Seat. Please help yourself."

by **Septon Arlyn** Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:07 am

Septon Arlyn smiles at the shield maiden. "
I must apologize for the other evening, I was unaware that Lord Dustin wished for me to sit with him, but by the time I could break away, it appeared you had already left."

by **Loreia** Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:55 am

"
I'm not hungry, but thank you."
Well, he's not much younger than Daveth...

"
There's no need, septon. It wasn't your fault, and I left because...well, I think I made it clear how I felt about Yoren's half brother this morning. I wanted to be there for him, but I don't believe I had a right to say anything."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Fri Dec 04, 2015 5:50 am

"
Greetings, Loreia. Have you come to see the devastation for yourself?"

by **Loreia** Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:23 pm

"
I did, m'lady."
The dim warmth in her eyes as she answers pales in comparison to previous run-ins. "
I felt I needed to. I only knew what Master Daveth told me. When I heard you were here, I hoped I could get a sense of where you stand. There was quite a lot on the table this morning, not the least of which bein' the new arrangement for reports of our houses' investigations."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Fri Dec 04, 2015 6:54 pm

"
It was rather a trying morning for many of us, yes,"
Corrine agreed, with an apologetic look. "
I shall do my best to answer any questions you have."

by **Loreia** Fri Dec 04, 2015 10:38 pm

"
Thank you, m'lady. I was worried when you stated those changes. I'm not fond of the idea that one house should rule this investigation. To be blunt, you had everyone cowed in there. Why did you decide to take charge like that?"

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Fri Dec 04, 2015 11:43 pm

Loreia wrote:"
Thank you, m'lady. I was worried when you stated those changes. I'm not fond of the idea that one house should rule this investigation. To be blunt, you had everyone cowed in there. Why did you decide to take charge like that?"

"
As I'd said, the royal banner was entrusted to me, as head of my House,"
Corrine explained, gently. "
That action is a symbolic one, expressing the King's wish that House Marsten lead the investigation. It does not give me supreme power, but it does give me the power to take charge when it is needed. I felt that, in the light of all that was happening, that I had to take charge and try to establish some sort of order, before the whole investigation imploded into political in-fighting and paranoia. I was just doing what I believed was right, and I stand by it."

by **Septon Arlyn** Sat Dec 05, 2015 7:05 pm

(OOC this can happen on the trip over to the brackens, just placing this here now so that I do not forget it later)

"
Lady Corrine, On behalf of House Dulver I would like to accept your offer in searching for the smiths hammer, We will happily install a mosaic in your houses sanctuary (1 influence) that we will build honor and deference to the smiths hammer if we find it on your lands. We would also like to offer 200 hundred gold dragons if you can assist us in its retrieval."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Wed Dec 09, 2015 4:57 pm

Septon Arlyn wrote:(OOC this can happen on the trip over to the brackens, just placing this here now so that I do not forget it later)

"
Lady Corrine, On behalf of House Dulver I would like to accept your offer in searching for the smiths hammer, We will happily install a mosaic in your houses sanctuary (1 influence) that we will build honor and deference to the smiths hammer if we find it on your lands. We would also like to offer 200 hundred gold dragons if you can assist us in its retrieval."

[ooc: perhaps best to stick it in your personal forum for now, as it seems a bit of a non-sequitir at this point. Or make a new thread.]

by **Loreia** Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:57 pm

Lady Corrine Marsten wrote:"
As I'd said, the royal banner was entrusted to me, as head of my House,"
Corrine explained, gently. "
That action is a symbolic one, expressing the King's wish that House Marsten lead the investigation. It does not give me supreme power, but it does give me the power to take charge when it is needed. I felt that, in the light of all that was happening, that I had to take charge and try to establish some sort of order, before the whole investigation imploded into political in-fighting and paranoia. I was just doing what I believed was right, and I stand by it."

Loreia watches intently, leaving a small gap after Corrine has finished speaking. "
I see. Well, I don't see how a colored flag adds words to paper, but if that's how you feel about it, mayhaps it was right. All the houses here trust you in some manner, m'lady. And I don't believe Lord Drakeson should be taken to trial, least of all for an Ironborn - among other things - but I trust you'll be fair. You were there when...'that' happened."

Her face softens as they retire the issue. "
I truly didn't know how bad things were before I came here for meself. I'd invite more to come an' see, but it's not for the faint of stomach. I saw carts full of animals, a fire to burn them, but people left where they are. Why? Why aren't they bein' burned, too?"

by **Nathaniel Mason** Wed Dec 09, 2015 11:49 pm

"
They will be. Unfortunately, I could not deal with the human remains immediately, for fear of being accused of tampering with evidence. Lady Marsten has decreed that tomorrow will be the last day of investigation into Blackbuckle. The following day, the Septon and the Silent Sisters will begin the long process of putting the victims to rest."

"
I agree it is long overdue."

by **Septon Arlyn** Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:16 am

Septon Arlyn nods and makes the sign of the seven. "
For too long have the remains called out to the seven for justice, at least the guilty perpetrator was caught, due to the diligent work of House Coldbrook."
Septon Arlyn states with admiration. "
Unfortunately it was a Maester who committed the deeds."

by **Loreia** Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:54 am

"
Honestly, I'm not surprised. When our squire showed us that bottle of glass whatsits, I had the maester pegged from the beginning. If it were up to me, I'd trade the chains of every maester in the realm for leashes."

She looks back to Nathan after an awkward pause. "
Pardon me, but are you with House Marsten, Master Nathan?"
She had never heard his last name, and in fact the assembly was the first time she'd met him, and had hardly arrived for timely introductions.

by **Nathaniel Mason** Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:12 am

"
No, I am one of the investigators appointed by Lord Davain Bartheld."
he replied. "
Although I have been fortunate to assist House Marsten from time to time."

by **Loreia** Thu Dec 10, 2015 2:07 am

"
Oh. You must be someone important, if you've been 'appointed'. What do you do for Lord Davain?"
She pulls out a chair and takes a seat, briefly eyeing the food and the clean plates and forks in the center of the table. I may go back on what I said earlier on not feeling hungry. Ah, Davain inherited, then? I wonder how Fendrel's taking it...oh well. Sorry, Jon.

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