Re: Maintaining Friendships

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren chucles a bit to himself. "
I can only wish you good luck in your endevours. It's actually possible that you can manage to do it, so I will wish you good luck."

After a little while Yoren adds: "
Just remember that the support of your lance will be more important to many than the support of your house. Good jousters are a rarity this far north, the best tends to keep themselves around highgarden. To be frank: If I ever need a good jouster I think that you would be among the first I'd call upon."

Yoren delivers the compliment offhandedly before he turns around to look into the fire.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The wind of fortune can indeed carry you quite far."
Theomore nods in thanks. "
Though I prefer not to rely upon it, as I have seen it run out of gust for those who had flown very high indeed. It did not end well."
Falling usually did not.

"
They like to clam so at Highgarden, though I would say that the Stormlands could make the more truthful boast, I would find it difficult to name a jouster of the Reach besides Ser Alayne Tarly that would be a match for Ser Derrock Swann, Ser Harwyn Baratheon or Ser Criston Cole. But they are rather fond of their magnificent tourneys with a thousand and more jousters where only knights of proven pedigree are allowed to take part."
He chuckles as a certain image forms before his inner eye. "
I should like to see the shieldmaiden ride in one of those, or rather the sight of a thousand ladies, fainting. It would be well worth a king's ransom in bribing to make the tourney master go along with it, I should think."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Perhaps to the next tourney a mystery knight will ride? How is anyone to tell a gruff northern male voice from that of a female?"
Yoren asks, enjoying the image of dozens of women fainting in shock. "
Perhaps she could even get quite far? I know of quite a few people that she could unhorse with ease, myself being one of them..."


"
I note that you do not mention the royality in your list of great jousters, is there not quite a few proficient jousters among those of royal rank? The man who knighted you was considered a great one back in the day, was he not?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Many ladies of the north have soft and lovely voices"
Theomore objects, not quite so for Loreia, so he doesn't dwell on that argument. "
The issue arises if the Coldbrooks are present, as any tourney master would then be extra careful about any mystery knights attempting to enter. And I dare say that the Shieldmaiden would find herself outmatched by a challenger of noteworthy ability, there is considerable strength and will in her, and she is better with a horse than most knight I know. But it shows that she lacks the training at jousting that other knights does, her seat in the saddle is rather unstable, and her aiming, for all the power behind it, is not better than your typical knight. She would likely not gain much attention at the lists of Highgarden if she were born a man, no."


"
Prince Daemon was considered a rather formidable jouster, yes, though more than twenty years ago, a young knight that later rose to become the current Lord Commander of the Kingsguard defeated him, twice. I do not think Ser Criston's can cross his blade with Dark Sister and the man who wields it and live, but in the joust? I would bet on the white cloak against the black."

[Yoren longshore]

"
I don't see the issue with not winning, very few of the knights in these tournaments win, but that does not diminish the fact that they showed their martial skills in front of thousands of onlookers. You can learn a lot more about a knight from the way he handles failure than you can of his successes."


"
It is said that Criston is a man well accustomed to the blade. He is a larger man than the prince, and therefore can put much more bulk behind each hit. A white cloak may devote his time purely to martial aspects, while a black one can be sullied a great deal more, as a lot of the responsibilities surrounding it will handle more lax tasks, where you may sit, and do not need to stand in attendance each day."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
In that you are wrong, master Yoren. Nobody remembers how I got to the fourth round at Riverrun, though they all remember that I unhorsed Ser Rickard Thorne in it, and how I gave Ser Derrock a good fight in the fifth. People recall that I unhorsed Ser Tymon at your sister's wedding, the more astute might also remember that Ser Reinmark fought valiantly, but nobody remembers the names of all those other fourteen though, only that they all were unhorsed on the first tilt. She can provide an upset, like what happened to an injured Jon Roxton, who really rides much too aggressively on account of his inconsistent balance in the saddle, but most times, her actual accomplishments will be unremarkable, a solid enough performance I would grant, but unremarkable. Of course, nothing she does will go without remark from now on, Ser Eoric has seen to that."
Theomore leaves no hint of whatever he thinks of the Tully heir's actions.

"
Ser Criston is more capable with the morningstar than sword, actually, and while he did knock Dark Sister out of Prince Daemon's hand at the melee in the very same tourney where he also unhorsed him in, nobody fears Ser Criston's morningstar half as much as Prince Daemon's dragonsteel, and the reason is simple."


"
I have faced men more skilled than me to the death, and remained pretty. I know not if Prince Daemon has ever met someone more skilled than he, for the list of men that are is rather short, but he has met a few who could give proper challenge before he opened up their throat. Ser Criston has more training and talent than most, but consider the tourney at the marriage between Ser Laenor Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra, Ser Harwin Strong was called Brokenbones by mushroom after the melee, and Ser Joffrey Lonmouth died after six days of unconsciousness. It was an act of blind rage on Ser Criston's part, clear enough to see for those with an eye for such a thing, Prince Daemon's rage is something else entirely, all the maesters would be able to do for Ser Harwin and Ser Joffrey would be to call for the silent sisters if he had such a dislike for those two as Ser Criston did. Tourneys are for sport and entertainment, and Ser Criston has dominated those. Death, however, is a domain that the prince is considerably better versed in."
The way Theomore attacks the subject, he seems to coldly weight up the strengths of each man, assessing their worth in a true fight.

[Yoren longshore]

"
That is true, nobody would care if you'd fallen in the second round, however, unless my perception has fully failed me, you are no woman."
Smirkingly he adds: "
Had you been a woman, all would care."


On the subject of duels Yoren pinions: "
A duel is a duel, regardless of if it's to death, or simply until a clear winner is found."
Yoren simply sips some ale.
"
If it had been a real fight, Daemond would not have lasted long after he lost his weapon. You could argue that in a foght to the death Daemon would be fighting harder. But so would Criston. The melee is nothing but a show of skill, a playful way to prove your mettle. If Criston won in the melee, I'd guess he would win just as soundly on the battlefield."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Special attention will be afforded a woman, that is true, though the point remains, had the shieldmaiden been born a man, none would take particular note of just another warrior of the north, capable enough, but not more so than a multitude of others as far as the lists are concerned. Some refinement, however, and that may well change."


"
Had it been a real fight, I have a feeling it would go differently."
Theomore dismisses the notion that a tourney melee had all that much to do with a real fight. "
Some men are knights of summer playing at war in tourneys, others are killers, Prince Daemon is the latter, and an experienced one as well, Ser Criston we can only guess, though I do not think the outcome of such a dance of death will be clear until one man sees an opening and can take it before it closes. I would not stake any coin on who would emerge victorious."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Maybe some refinement will be in order then? However, I do not think her skill will matter overly much, as long as she manages to best one reach lordling histowry will have been made. For them being beaten by a northener would be incredible enough, now add that she is a lowborn woman... The outrage would be incredible!"


"
The prince has his valyrian sword, that is true"
Yoren amends, "
However, ser Criston has size, strength and experience. Although one blow could change the outlook of the duel I suspect that nine times out of ten the stronger Criston would return victorious...
Not to take anything away from Daemond's skill, it's just that sometimes bulk will matter just as much."
Yoren tells Theomore

[Theomore Tullison]

"
There is of course one more thing to consider."
Theomore shifts his cup gently to study the swirl of the wine within. "
In real battle, Ser Criston will be mounted on his magnificent Destrier as is his wont in tourneys as well, the prince, the prince rides upon something else entirely than he does when partaking in the field of glory with the knights of summer."


"
A single steed can make all the difference, as it did for me when fighting besides the Shieldmaiden in King's Landing three moons ago."

[Yoren longshore]

"
A dragon is certainly a gamechanger, I'll give you that."
Yoren admits while raising his cup.
"
There are few things capable of stopping a fully grown dragon, and even fewer are at human disposal. However, before we talk about dragons, I believe we should talk about our position in market town, as I fear that dragonfire will not be a feasible solution to this problem."
He tells Theomore in a slightly lower voice.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
The king decreed a joust, that rules out dragons indeed."
Theomore agrees. "
As for such advice I might give to my lord nephew, first I must make inquiries with those here assembled to see what is possible. If Tullison cannot have a champion in the joust, helping Marsten to victory is most likely our best option, though with Longshore support of House Marsten, it is, as I said, potential for those loyal to the king's will to ensure that the bounty of Market Town will support the cause of the future Queen Regnant should that which I believe to come to pass transpire."


"
I think it would be in the best interests of House Tullison to see the Marstens emerge victorious even so, or make some other arrangement in which both houses profits. The key might well be the Coldbrooks, I am unfamiliar with Daveth, but if his inability to control his bannerman a year ago and how it seemed it was not him that spoke for castle Grenward during the treaty proceedings is anything to go by, I fear that Lord Baelon may well have both his ears in this."
Theomore decides to play that card to see what reaction the mention of Baelon might bring forth, was there a lingering resentment still? That could be useful knowledge to have, and something that could aid him here. "
And he is the type to demand a rather dear price in any negotiation. I suspect that he may well be pondering how he might secure a Coldbrook champion in the joust, himself of course, just as I am pondering if I might not have the chance to ride for my lord nephew."

[Yoren longshore]

"
If you support the Coldbrooks they will no doubt turn out vicotious, for they do have the best lancer."
Yoren agrees: "
If you support Marstens, then they will turn out victorious, because in a joust between their best and Dulvers best, there will be only one result. If you decide to support the Dulvers, and you decide to ride for them, then they will prove victorious."
Yoren smiles to Theomore: "
Fate has set you up nicely here, it is solely your choice who will win. For the people of this towns sake, I hope you choose wisely."
and he becomes grave as he says the last words.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Should I ride for the Dulvers, I imagine that House Marsten will seek the services of Lord Baelon, and I might as well flip a coin as try to predict the outcome, and I have a rather mixed experience with such tosses."
Theomore surpresses the urge to give a chuckle. "
Though the fact that both Dulver and Bartheld provided invaluable assistance at Riverrun does make me rather unavoidable for others who seek to secure an outcome more to their liking than the greens gaining the wealth of Market Town, though I shall not presume to hold the only keys, though mine might fit more doors than most."

[Yoren longshore]

"
So you stand between a secure victory riding for the Marstens, where you would come against the Dulver champion and a secure victory for the Coldbrooks, without you having to ride at all. Now, as I support my friend, Kevan, and as he is a bannerman to the Marstens, it is no secret who I would like you to support...
But regardless of who you choose, know that you have my full understanding. I like to think that I am not a sore looser, and I will put in a good word for you whenever I can, regardless of the outcome of this duel."

Yoren waves to the innkeep, telling him: "
I'd like a pitcher of wine, and if you would not mind: a mug of water too, helps your stomach settle."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I know not if those are my only options, lord Yoren"
Theomore muses. "
The votes of four houses, including that of my lord nephew, still remain up for negotiation, and each of those might conceivably manage to field a champion, though under most circumstances, myself or Lord Baelon can only be matched by the other, thus granting the two of us the ability to decide this on our own once the votes has been counted, but it does also grant us no small influence, a house seeking to secure their bid would not be unwise to ensure that one rides for them while the other sits in the stands."
Theomore gives a smile at that. "
I am not one to let anything of value go to waste, but am I to understand that you have no further comment concerning your preferences beyond favoring the Marstens?"

[Yoren longshore]

"
What more is there to comment on? The Marstens will not do much better than anybody else here, but they won't do much worse either."
Yoren shrugs: "
I can help a friend, without needing to do more than to speak a few words in his bannerlady's favour. I don't much care for the politics, I just don't want it to create rifts between friends. I guess mine is a cravens approach to the situation, but why show courage without anything on the line? Not even I am that bullheaded, I don't thrive of conficts, they only make me uncomfortable."

Yoren recieves the two mugs, in exchange of a few coins, before he again devotes his attention to Theomore, asking him: "
How do you find all these conflicts? Do you seek them, or is it they who seeks out you?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Yes"
Theomore answers with a smile. "
I am a man that have created a fair amount of friends by solving various problems of theirs, and when you have done enough of it, others bring troubles that they would like me to solve. Some ask nicely, others demand."


"
I should like less trouble in the future, and the smallfolk pray for a summer that never ends, no wish ever comes true unless it`s fullfillment comes at the expense of another."
Theomore voice holds a hint of something difficult to place, regret? Resignation? He himself have difficulty deciding that one.

[Yoren longshore]

"
If someone just notices someone when they need them to do their dirty work, can they really be considered your friends?"
Yoren asks before following up: "
Who will the Tullysons actually support? As it all hinges on you to decide who will controll this town, you must forgive me my curiosity."
He smiles as he shifts the conversation slightly back on topic.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I cannot tell you what I do not know myself, though I have a feeling that supporting House Marsten will be my advice to Lord Dunstan should we not find it worthwhile to push our own claim."
Theomore muses.

[Yoren longshore]

"
It's a good idea, if you get some support for it."
Yoren agrees.

"
I just wish that we could get this resolved and head home, it's strange that they set us to figure out what to do, when we have no local ties. Why do you think they did not just get the local council to take charge over their own affairs?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Because we all have some sort of claim to it, though nobody have much cared to pursue it before the king decided to have the matter settled. Though it is curious indeed how so many different houses somehow happens to contest for this place."
Theomore seems amused. "
Me? I never much see the point in fighting hard for something I never expected to get unless the prize is truly worth it, but if I can obtain something of value, I do not back away from the opportunity."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Yet why they cared about the claim is what I'm confused by. None of us have been too vocal about our claim, and surely landing a knight would work better that to have already existing lords fight over it? The fact that the issue will be settled by lance is strange, it's a recipe for creating grudges, especially if someone gets injuried."


"
The question is what is of value to you? This area could yield a bit of coins, but I'm afraid that it will yield you a lot of grey hairs too. Many amass wealth and power, but few consider why they do so."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Perhaps someone had a look and figured that in a duel of green vs black, the latter would field the better lancer now that it looks like the Aurochs has finally decided to leave the field to younger knights?"
That sounded much like the line of reasoning he himself would carry. "
Perhaps someone have noticed that our respective houses so happens to have considerable influence over which side the Riverlands will take in the struggle to come and wants to learn more of our strengths and weaknesses?"


"
A pack of dogs may seem like a happy family until a juicy bone is thrown in their midst, funny that, though more wealth and power is better than no wealth and power, plans and ambitions or not, it just so happens that the one who know what he wants and makes plans for how to get it tends to be a succesful man. For myself, I know exactly what to do with whatever I might gain from this little spectacle, but my priority is to seek value for House Tullison, and here it can come in the form of wealth, lands or allies, perhaps two out of three. Mountains Reach has enough things it desires to strive for in the future to make use of any of these."

[Yoren longshore]

"
I find that power usually brings more responsibility than what it's worth. The carpenter will never have to sit over ledgers for all of the night to protect hundreds of people. The beggar will never need to loose sleep over not being able to feed the orphans. It's true that people with ambition finds power, but sadly, their ambitions rarely coincidence with that of the powerless."

Yoren shrugs: "
The moment I get heirs of age, I'll be leaving my house to them, then I can return to wandering, it's hard to travel with a lordship attached to me."

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