[D4:ME] Ser Niall, You are the Weakest Link (Openish)

[Nathaniel Mason]

[This thread is a continuation of viewtopic.php?f=191&
t=2141 . It is open to Ben, Corrine, and any others they wish to allow.]

Ser Niall Lucas is escorted into the Marsten pavillion, Ser Jon Roxton behind him, looking grim. Nathan bows to Lord and Lady Marsten. "
I appologize for the interruption, my Lady. As your Lord, and probably you are aware, I set a trap to see what unseen hand moved behind the vile attack on the Septry. It would seem that the effort has caught a very large fish.

Ser Niall was sent by his brother to deal with the man, although he claims he was told that Pate was part of a conspiracy to dishonour their Father. He and his men attacked the place where Pate was held, but by providence, we arrived to check on our young bandit at that precise moment."
Nathan gave a soft smile. "
I thought you might be interested in speaking with him."
he said blandly.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ser Jon. Nathan,"
Corrine greeted them with respectful nods. She regarded Ser Niall coolly, then glanced at Nathan.

"
Well done, Nathan. As ever, you are exceptionally efficient."


She offered a small, tight smile, trying to convey the genuine praise without losing her poise in front of this new captive. She turned her eyes back upon Ser Niall;


"
What have you to say for yourself?"

[Reader]

"
Ser Jon. Nathan,"
Corrine greeted them with respectful nods. She regarded Ser Niall coolly, then glanced at Nathan.

"
Well done, Nathan. As ever, you are exceptionally efficient."


She offered a small, tight smile, trying to convey the genuine praise without losing her poise in front of this new captive. She turned her eyes back upon Ser Niall;


"
What have you to say for yourself?"

The brawny Ser Niall had recovered some of his composure, but had not grown any smarter during the ride. Little attempt was made to dissemble.

"
My men. Dead for a lie."


He at least has the sense to start from the beginning.

"
My brother, Olyver. He did me what I then felt a kindness, telling me that a fellow called Pate was being held in an abandoned farmhouse. That he'd bought his life with lies about our Lord father's conduct against the Faith Militant. Dangerous lies."


"
Said it were best if we silenced those lies with steel, lest grasping enemies or parties in the royal court side against us, no matter the evidence we mustered."


"
My Lady, I will admit we struck at royal investigators, but we thought to find the man poorly guarded and merely subdue his captors. Afterwards, with the truth clear, men would judge our actions more kindly."


"
We acted from loyalty, and now my men are dead or injured far from home."


Having kept his head level throughout his brief tale, the large knight stares at his feet in shame after recounting the fate of his men.

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan waited patiently for Lady Marsten to continue her interrogation. He made no comment, although he likely had many, but none he wished to voice in front of the beleaguered Knight.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine's demeanour softened somewhat, and she looked to Nathan;


"
Nathan, what say you? Does he speak truly?"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I think so."
Nathan said with a shrug. "
In any case, I expect he could have thought of a better lie than 'my brother made me do it.' If Ser Niall is willing, he may be able to help close this matter."


He motions all involved to move away from the Knight and speak softly.

"
It seems clear that Ser Olyver is responsible for the attack on the Septry and the framing of the Blackwoods, however confronting the man with this knowledge gets us no-where. He can simply lie and say he was misled just as Niall was and Lady Marsten will end up having to hang some poor peasant who probably had nothing to do with anything. We also do not know 'why' this attack was done or why they attempted to frame the Blackwoods, although the fact that they are Black could be reason enough for a Lucas. I also want to find out if Lord Connor Lucas was involved.

Olyvar does not know the outcome of his raid. He will assume it was successful. It probably would have been were it not for the timely arrival of Ser Jon and his men. Let us present yet another problem for him to deal with. Ser Niall can send a message to Olyvar that Pate is dead, but there were complications. One of the Royal Investigators was questioning the man at the time, me. I will be Ser Niall's prisoner, and he will anxiously be asking his brother what to do. Ser Olyvar will have to respond for two reason. First, he needs to find out what I know. I will have obviously recognized his brother. He will also need to find out what I have told Ser Niall and if his ruse is still intact.

"
Absolutely not!"
says Ser Jon in a loud voice. He looks at Ser Niall and lowers his voice again. "
It's too great a risk."


"
It is a risk, yes, but a calculated one. I may be able to draw out answers from the man. Even if I can't, attempting to murder a royal investigator, even one who is not noble, would be more than enough for you to arrest him. Either way, we will get to the truth. I trust Ser Jon and Lord Marsten. I am sure either or both of them will be able to handle Ser Olyvar. He likely won't bring many men. If he plans to kill me, he won't want an audience. If his brother is as honorable as he appears, that would be problem enough for him."


"
If we do this, though, we must act swiftly. Now would be good. We can't wait and risk Olyvar finding out the truth."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben clasps Jon on the shoulder, understanding the man's concern. "
Ser Jon at this point we hold all the pieces. We can also set the board in our favor. Nathan's safety is paramount to Lady Corrine and I. We would do everything in our power to keep him safe."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine thought carefully for several moments.

"
Do it. Nathan, Ben and Ser Jon will be charged with your safety, but they are to give you the space you need to make this work."


She looked to Ser Niall with a gentler gaze than before;


"
Ser Niall, this is your chance to redeem yourself. Help us bring the orchestrator of this travesty to justice, and I will see to it that you are exonerated."


But, if any of these three men are betrayed by you, the Wall will seem like the Water Gardens, compared to what I will do to you.

[Nathaniel Mason]

[OOC: Assuming Ser Niall agrees:

Reader will have to assign how many +D I get to my Cunning roll based on our preparations (Taking time rules). Corrine and Ben can assist/Co-ordinate (which co-ordinating would depend on who has the higher Will.)]

[My plan is to Intrigue Olyver for information. He can't really Quit in this situation. That leaves Yield (which I won't accept), losing (which would be bad for him), or Switching to Combat (which would be really bad for him).

[Reader]

It was settled: Nathaniel had promised to spare Ser Niall Lucas execution or the wall, but the fate of the Lucas heir's children, his wealth and his reputation still hung in the balance.

As did Nathaniel's fate, curiously.

The Bartheld aide sat in the centre of Ser Niall's recently erected tent, his hands loosely bound, but convincingly enough to pass inspection. The young man had been roughly treated to all apearances, hauled her after being carried slung over the back of a horse.

The room had a sinister air, poorly lit in places, completely dark in others. Outside, Ser Jon Roxton and Lord Benedict Marsten waited, but could they act quickly enough if events spiralled out of control? A table held Ser Niall's weapons along with several finely crafted trophies he had seized from his "
prisoner"
.

Olyver Lucas, a slight, bearded man of noble bearing and modest dress enters. As at Riverrun his voice is quiet but even.

"
Speak swiftly, I have a Maester on his way to tend to you. My good brother, Ser Niall has ever treated the injured well, unless they need be put to the question."


Cards close to his chest at first as if nothing untoward had happened. This was a craftier foe than many Nathaniel had crossed swords with so far. Given the location Olyver decided that dissembling as to Ser Niall's identity was pointless, better to probe for a reaction to the name.

"
What did you learn from the prisoner? Events move apace and I cannot risk the royal party's safety to you holding back or drifting off under a dose of milk of the poppy."

Cunning roll at +1D (there isn't huge time before Olyver arrives), assist from Ben, Coordinate from Corrine. TN ??, opposed by opponent's passive awareness.

[url=Coordinate][/url]: 4d6 11

+2 from Corrine, +1 from Ben, +1 from Ser Jon.

- Ben, Corrine, I took the liberty of assuming your aid with this as it seemed to be given in the narrative and rolled for Corrine to speed things along.

If the cunning roll doesn't trigger his suspicion, we'll be on to an intrigue.

Olyver Lucas
Intrigue: irrelevant, opponent has Eloquent
DR 5
ID 11
Composure 12

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan smiles softly, looking at Olyvar through bland hooded eyes. "
Ah, of course. I should have known you were involved. Ser Niall is a skilled swordsman, but not the cleverest man. Still, by your reputation, I would have thought the Septry attack was not your style. Bit of a blunt instrument, was it not."

[Reader]

Olyver's hand goes to the longsword at his hip. A trained swordsman, but more used to wielding words than steel. He manages to control the rest of his reaction, but seems unnerved.

His voice remains even, despite the unconscious reassurance sought in steel.

"
My reputation is known to all, House Lucas's integrity helped bring Ser Benjen Frey to justice at Riverrun. We tricked the Faith Militant in to thinking us allies, then helped open the gate to Targaryen loyalists."


"
More than I can say for a simpering Bartheld aide."
Sarcasm drips from the final word.

"
Again. What did the prisoner tell you? Royal lives may be at stake."


His cover story remembered, Olyver barely breaks character.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Really, Ser Olyvar."
says Nathan dryly. "
I am not sure what audience you think you are playing to. Ser Niall does not have enough information to appreciate your performance, and I have already seen it. Now, your performance at the Benjen Frey's trial was inspired, and the audience was large and appreciative."


"
What I don't understand is the motivation behind the attack. It can't be just to slander the Blackwoods. They can do that on their own with no help from you. What do you get out of it?... This time."

[Reader]

Olyver begins to feel his resolve crack. The hand now grasps the longsword's hilt, rather than merely resting on it.

"
Where is my brother? His bumbling proves the risk he poses to House Lucas in these times."


Maybe Ser Olyver had designs on becoming heir, or at the very least removing a politically inept sibling out of loyalty to his father?

The darkness is now Nathaniel's ally, rendering Olyver unable to observe those who lurk outside.

"
Now it is not just royal lives you'll be preserving. Speaks swiftly - what the prisoner knows, what lies have you spun to my brother?"


Olyver was not used to being on the back foot, but perhaps he could manipulate his foe in to bargaining for his life.

[OOC: he's "
read target"
and is now a bit worried from disposition loss and the read target, albeit still not entirely sure what's going on. We're handling the mechanics in Nathaniel's private forum, but for those following along at home, Olyver is now trying to "
manipulate"
his foe.]

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan sighed, "
You know, Ser Olyvar. I am just here to find the truth. I'm not here to pass judgement on you. If you drop this fiction, I may be able to help you."

[Reader]

His hand retreats to the pommel - a clear tell.

The façade drops a little, although his opening demands are perhaps a little ambitious. He still feels he's the man with a physical advantage here. Given Nathaniel's words he now suspects a trap, but backs himself to slit the "
captive's"
throat even if he is nothing of the sort."


"
I'll be treated no worse than by brother. Remember which of us is standing and armed."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Do not get my wrong, Ser Olyvar. I value my life. I know you can kill me at any moment. I am a whore. You know that. You would not be the first man to threaten my life. Or the first man to tie me up."


"
If I am going to die, I would like to know why. You are a clever man. You would not attack a Sept for no reason, and you would not attack a Sept just to give the Blackwoods a black eye... even if they are black."


"
House Bartheld is a loyal green supporter. 'I' am a loyal green supporter. If your fiction was actually true I might be the first to support you... but it's not. We both know it's not. I doubt the attack had anything to do with that."


"
You want to know what the prisoner told me? He told me House Daleford sold the bandits those shields. Complete nonsense and we both know it. That was clever of you, too clever. You overplayed it. Lord Daleford is up to his ears right now just trying to keep his lands together, the son is desperate to find his missing sister, and the entire clan would sooner attack an orphanage than a Septry."


"
Did Lord Connor Lucas plan this? Is he trying to cement power by assisting the Brackens?"


That would be an interesting test. Was it Connor Lucas' plan? And if it wasn't, how would Olyvar react to him getting credit for it?

[Reader]

"
It is good that you remember you holds the power of life and death here."


Olyver managed to keep his voice from cracking, sounding more confident than he felt.

"
Lord Connor? He couldn't have planned this if Prince Daemon himself and Larys Strong stood beside him to council him."


A hint of pride as Olyver's resolve weakened? He's suddenly wavering, desperate.

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan gave the man a slow... almost evil smile. So he was the one responsible.

"
You think you have power here."
he said softly. "
The only power you have is to kill me. A child can kill, Ser Olyvar."


"
Do you know who has the true power here, Ser Olyvar? The Seven. Does it surprise you that a whore is also a man of the Faith, Ser Olyvar? When I die, the Seven shall welcome me."


"
What of you, Ser Olyvar? You are a 'Ser' after all. To have that title you must have sworn vows to the Seven. Did you even think about what you were saying when you spoke the words? Oathbreaking to a man is bad enough. Oathbreaking to the Gods? I cannot imagine what your welcome will be once the Stranger finally comes for you."


"
Do you honestly think your plots unraveled by chance? Did you think the Seven would ignore the desecration of their House and the murder of their children? Did you think that because you manipulated others your hands were clean?"


"
The bandits are routed, but a witness to the shield delivery survives. The delivery points to House Daleford, but circumstances prove that to be incredibly unlikely. You lie to your brother, dishonoring him. He does your bidding, but things get even worse. Now you would kill me, and even more problems will spring up. I am not just a whore, Ser Olyvar. I am a royal investigator. You seem to have forgotten that. If you think I can simply disappear, then you are a fool, and I do not think you are a fool."


"
So what will you do, Ser Olyvar, as the Seven continue to curse you for this vile act. Do you think you can hide from them? How much more will you burden your soul? It is not too late to turn back. It is not too late to atone."


"
Perhaps my words are wasted. Perhaps you do not even believe in the Seven. Perhaps you think that everything that's happened is simply 'bad luck' or mistakes by your foolish minions. If that's true, I pity you, Ser Olyvar."

[Reader]

The emphasis of Nathaniel's royal backing alongside the threat of eternal retribution is enough to cow Olyver, who is at least clever enough to now strongly suspect this is a trap.

He throws himself on the mercy of his interrogator, offering words in exchange for promises of clemency.

"
All I have done I have done for Lucas."


A look at his questioner reminds him that his normal dissembling won't fly here.

"
...and to drive my own power and influence, but again for Lucas. My lackwit brother will lead us to ruin and worse, by the Seven. He's a man made for fighting alone, a natural second son where I should have been first."


This last part is said with some bitterness.

"
Even a deed men laud me for, in speaking out against the feared Ser Benjen Frey, was motivated by land and gains for myself and Lucas. Our lands are adjacent - it is true we have often suffered at Ser Benjen's hands, but I sought to peel off his tower for reparations, to be held by me personally. I tarnished my honour as a knight, but for a good cause."


"
As for the Sept, I swear by the Seven that this was not deliberately struck at. I am an anointed knight! Some of those men were mine, funnelling coin back to me. Self-advancement needs coin, sometimes coin that cannot be easily traced as I imagine you know. Although I hear Lord Marsten's lance has robbed me of a competent captain."


"
The Blackwood shields were easily acquired through intermediaries - Daleford has enjoyed its share of victories in the past and it is no surprise to find such a holy house warring against tree-worshipping Blackwoods. Most men would have been happy with the thought of Dalefords funding their empty coffers via banditry or simply selling the shields even if they would not sink so low themselves."


"
Some base irony is at work here - the shields were intended to be no more than a smokescreen with a plausible explanation for anyone curious enough to look."


"
It was a genuine Daleford wagon - easy to come by now. I have one Daleford guardsman on my payroll - Richard, he'll confirm the tale."


"
I owe my brother an additional apology - I had used him as a catspaw, to take the blame as I sought to silence what I thought was my own man, brought over the wall by the late Randolf."


"
I trust that satisfies? I am an open book, if only from necessity - I fear your scheme has shattered my spine, if you'll forgive a literary joke."


"
What is to become of me? By now I have no doubt that rough men stand ready to do violence outside this tent, and have heard every word said here. I assume there was some signal word or phrase - I am quite out maneuvered. I am not the first noble to arm and support reavers - I was not to know their hands would fall upon a sept."


There is a note of grudging admiration, amidst Olyver's concern for what will become of him.

[OOC: reduced to 0 composure, with quasi-yield instead of going for his sword.]

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan removed his bonds, dropping the ropes on the ground, confirming that Olyvar was lost from the very beginning. Had Olyvar attacked the young investigator, he might be dead or worse right now.

"
I knew about the situation with Benjin Frey. He was a monster who was guilty of terrible crimes many times over. I do not know if what you said at his trial was truth or lies. I didn't care. Is it an injustice to condemn a man for a crime he didn't commit if he is punished for a thousand crimes he did? I know about the lands too. I didn't care about them either. You helped bring Benjin low, why shouldn't you be rewarded for it?"


Shaking his head in disappointment. "
But the attack on the Septry... that was no righting of a long overdue wrong. That was a cowardly act born of greed, nothing more. Sacred treasures were stolen, the Septry was grievously damaged, and innocent monks were killed. I don't know how you think you can justify any of that."


"
Tell yourself it was for you House, if you wish. Perhaps that lie will let you sleep a night, but it is a lie whether you know it or not. You were enamored with your own cleverness. You did this out of arrogance and greed. You did this because you think you deserve to be Lord. If you truly cared about your House and your family, you would have stood beside your brother and helped him to be a better man, instead of using and dishonoring him."


"
And what of House Daleford? They are an honorable House that sacrificed much... too much... five brothers dead and a sister missing... impoverished by doing their duty. Had they not suffered enough? Was it necessary to try and bring even more misfortune to their door? I nearly fell for that ruse, Ser Olyvar. I will give you credit for that, but it made no sense they would attack a Septry. A counting house, perhaps. A tax wagon, possibly... but a Sept?"


"
Pate is still alive, Ser Olyvar. He knew nothing. He was just bait for a trap to lure the guilty party out. I knew whoever was behind this could not risk any loose ends. Ser Niall might have succeeded, but Ser Jon and I arrived just as he was about to attack. I had decided to check on Pate on a whim and arrived at that precise moment. If you need more proof that the Seven were against you, I can see no better proof than that."


Nathan gives a sign that Lord Marsten and Ser Jon Roxton should enter.

He looks at Ser Olyvar sadly. "
I admit I do not understand people like you, Ser Olyvar. You are gifted with so many blessings. You come from a noble House. You are... or were... a respected Knight. You are wealthy, intelligent, skilled and persuasive. There is so much good you could do in the world, yet you conspire against your family and plot to rob churches."


Nathan shakes his head. "
I promised your brother we would not kill you or send you to the Wall. I try to always keep my word, but by this time tomorrow everyone in the Riverlands will know what you've done. You've destroyed your reputation, Ser Olyvar, and severely damaged the reputation of your House. I will also be informing House Daleford what you tried to do. I expect they will require some compensation."


"
I expect, given time, you will blame me for your misfortune."
Nathan rises. "
'I would have gotten away with it were it not for that meddling boy.' I doubt that's true. Were it not me the Seven would have found another way. The first step in atoning is taking responsibility for what you have done. People will judge you for what you've done, but they will also judge you for how you deal with the price of what you have done. I will say a prayer for you, Ser Olyvar."

[Sponsored content]