Re: Aftermath D1 ME

[Baelon Drakeson]

Patience sighs.

"
Oh do sit down girlie. I've no intention o' killin' anybody. Just warnin' yer pappy not to get too full o' hisself on account o' being a fancy 'ser' an all."


She shakes her head.

"
Lemme give you a piece of advice young 'un. This world isn't no storybook where a pretty knight in a shiny plate's gonna ride in an' save the day. You see a knight 'round here you don' know real well, I suggest you run an' hide. Bad news, the most of 'em."

Her voice dips in tone, and the barest hint of sadness creeps in.
"
I had a daughter about yer age and... well, just stay clear of 'em or ya might get hurt real bad like she did."


Clearing her throat, Patience returns to her usual demeanor.

"
Now, I don' know yer pappy real well, so I'm treatin' him as I would any other knight - like I would any other kind o' thug. 'Cept I haven't got much left to lose, so won' be pushed aroun' by that kind o' ilk no more."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
No need for threats, woman,"
Ser Devyn retorts, tersely. "
And correct, you don't know me, so do not presume to speak like that to me or my daughter. I'll help anyone in need, but if Blackwood men weren't welcome here, Coryn shouldn't have invited me. House Terrick has long been a friend to House Blackwood, and I have seen with my own eyes the good and true among them, and I can attest to the honour of Blackwood men, as I have fought and lived alongside them for near forty years. I find it galling to hear such venomous talk of a House in the depths of grief, beset by House Bracken in the foulest of ways. If any of you want my help, you'll keep your Blackwood-bashing to yourselves in earshot of me. It is unnecessary and irrelevant to the task."


He remained standing, looking around at the others in the room.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Brant rolled his eyes at the arguing;
from everything he had learned, the area was still a powder keg, but this was an odd mix of people to say the least. Perhaps it would be better that many of them pursued an investigation separately. Ammet seemed less obtuse than he was last night, so something already seemed strange about this situation. He banged the floor with the end of his staff repeatedly to get everybody's attention


"
I am used to this behaviour from unruly children, not grown adults, whom have been asked here in common cause. Remember that we have been asked here and our dedication to House Blackwood is not in question. House Blackwood may have been convicted of several crimes but are they responsible for whatever crime drives your passion?"


ooc

[url=Awareness Empathy][/url]: 5d6k4 11 - evidently he is distracted

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
With all due respect, Maester, no convictions have been made, only accusations. And I'm not rightly sure what passions or dedication have to do with the matters at hand. Since it seems this lot are more interested in blaming others for your problems than getting things done, I think I shall take my leave. By all means contact me when you're all done bad-mouthing House Blackwood and are ready to act like civil folk. Until then, good luck to you."


He looked at Daeryssa;


"
Dae, with me,"
he commanded simply, gesturing for her to follow him out.

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
Oh"
Daeryssa looks embarrassed, worried she'd made of fool of herself when Patience reveals things are not as serious as she thought. "
Well, I'm glad to hear there won't be any killing here."
Her embarrassment only gets worse after the scoling by Maester Brant, although in her defense she was an unruly child.

"
I'm sorry for your loss, goodwoman"
she says softly to Patience, her eyes sad and sympathetic. Daeryssa might not agree with Patience, but she certainly felt sorry for the poor woman who had lost her daughter.

She comes with her father as she's told, but says quietly to him "
Father, are we being a little hasty? Maester Brant is a Blackwood man himself. And we are here to help, after all."

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ser Devyn's tone was much gentler to his daughter;


"
If the good Maester is happy for the others to defame House Blackwood, then he is not a Blackwood man. Not a man or woman here could do better in the circumstances, so until the fingers of accusation are withdrawn, we can do what good we can on our own. I was willing to join in to help, but not if I have to duck from all the muck-slinging. They know where to find us if they change their minds."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

"
Yes father, I understand"
Daeryssa says softly and follows Devyn, casting an apologetic look to Maester Brant before they leave.

[Benedict Marsten]

Griff was unsure whether his fellow knight was naive after all these years or blind to the world around him. Either way the bickering between the old fella and damaged lass, tickled him. So much so that an uncontrollable bark of laughter escapes.

He quickly goes silent, but his body continues to rumble with laughter. "
Do excuse me. Perhaps a drink is needed to drown this animosity. Then we can start again with some proper introductions and a halt to noble bashing ... till the good Ser is out of hearing ... or not, I don't really give a f-"
with a quick glance at the lovely young girl he holds his tongue and gives her a nod and smile.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Ser Devyn takes note of Griff's words.

"
If we can agree to be civil, then aye. I understand the frustration with not enough being done, but it helps no-one to just idly moan about who is at fault. If folks do their Blackwood-bashing in their own time, then we won't have a problem."

[Loreia]

"
We're all still here 'cause we want ta help. Right, ser knight?"
comes a pleading tone from the corridor. Out of the darkness steps a waifish boy looking to be on the short side, lighter than most in the room at about 5 stone, wearing padding underneath a tunic with a diamond pattern that looks like it was colored on with charcoal. His short, uneven brown hair is a mess, like he'd just woke up and didn't bother to wash before coming straight here. Shadows dance on his face, playing with the color of his eyes, eyes full of purpose and fire, like he's about to run his mouth. They settle on green briefly between the flickers of shadow from the light of the hearth. "
I'm Gordon, an' I know we don't look like much, but we can do more for Ammet an' proper justice an' all that together 'stead of on each other's own. So don' go, please. You don' 'afta like us, ser. Some of us think diff'rent about the people who rule these lands, but I hope you'll see there's more to us than just that."


He looks at Patience, as if he recognizes her. The eye contact appears to have made him uncomfortable. "
Madame,"
he stammers out in greeting. "
I only heard wot 'appened after Ser Knight entered with the fight goin' on, but I know ya sawr it. I heard him shoutin' for peace, prob'ly protectin' Daeryssa. An' 'e's here to help now, just like he did at the alehouse. 'Stead of treatin' 'im like dirt for it, just give 'im a chance to show that he's wot he says he is."


His voice shakes as he dares to raise his voice to a knight, and to Patience. W-we're not 'ere to change minds, both o' ya! We're 'ere 'cause somethin' bad 'appened an' we want do somethin' about it."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Brant is not disenchanted with the local houses, but is an outsider that has sworn allegiance to House Blackwood as part of his duties as Maester. Still, Ser Devyn’s comments riled him slightly as he took his oaths seriously.
“Lord Wylde has accepted the treaty put forward by the six houses. I doubt much will change Ser Devyn and despite our sworn allegiances, there are many instances where House Blackwood fell short in its duties in the recent unpleasantness.
However, as should be noted, Ser Devyn and I are sworn to House Blackwood and will not sit here and listen to your rants. If you want our help, then you will refrain from your inflammatory comments and understand that if we are to help, then you are accepting the aid of House Blackwood. If not, then we shall take our leave.

Turning to Patience, he fixed her gaze.
“If your problem is because of Pennytree, House Blackwood had nothing to do with that. Cast your ire at House Bracken if you must, but everything I have heard tells me that the truth about Pennytree is not yet fully known.
If it is in relation to Blackbuckle,” his face grew dark and solemn, “that was the actions of a rogue member of my order that has placed a stain on our reputation that cannot be easily removed. I hope in a small way to be able to make restitution for that vile act and I offer my commiserations and sincere apologies for what little that is worth.”

Turning back to the Old Man, “Now tell us why you believe Ammet was targeted? And by whom?”

[Baelon Drakeson]

Patience laughs.

"
You wanna blame it on me, so be it, I don' care. Seven save us all, I have an opinion and aren' too 'fraid to speak it aloud. I've done no rantin' an' if speakin' my mind's treatin' 'im as dirt tha's too bad. Methinks Ser Knight is a bit sensitive 'bout his lord an' master, but truly, if you wanna prove me wrong the bes' way ta do't is ta stay an' make this place better, not run off offended by a passin' word or two. I don' give two shits about honor or nobility - honor don' feed no children, an nobility don' keep away no bandits - but do good things, an' you'll get my attention."

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Daeryssa is obviously relived by the agreement. Griff's laughter under the circumstances irritates her, but she returns Griff's smile when he controls his language and offers friendship to the group. Still, she does not return to the group until her father does, following his lead.

She starts in surprise when Gordon comes up behind them, gasping and spinning around to face him. But her manner is friendly once her surprise wears off. "
Not to worry Gordon, my father will surely find a way to help the people of this town"
she says gently. "
Anything you can do to help would be most appreciated."
She is a bit surprised when he raises his voice to Ser Derwyn. It was disrespectful but brave, so confusing as far as virtue was concerned.

Although she is glad Maester Brant is with them, she shifts uncomfortably as he talks about Blackbuckle. She had passed by Blackbuckle, and though her father had shielded her from the worst details the unnatural quietness of the ghost town was unpleasant enough on its own. She didn't like to be reminded of it.

Daeryssa winces at Patience's language.
The peasant woman was talking nonsense. The whole Seven Kingdoms were nothing but honor;
an array of oaths that bound knights to lords, lords to lords paramount, lords paramount to the King. And she is cross the way Patience talked about her father. But Daeryssa says nothing. A lady controls her temper and is courteous at all times.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Though Patience has rankled him, Ser Devyn chooses to ignore her, paying attention to Gordon &
Brant. He gives the Maester an accepting nod, then looks to Gordon.

"
You speak from the heart, lad. I will not deny your earnest plea."


He returns his attention to the rest of the gathering.

"
House Blackwood has, as the good Maester says, fallen short at times. I don't deny it at all. All I ask is that we try to remember that they are in the depths of grief. I am sure that they would do more if they could, if they were not mourning such a terrible loss. Let us try to have some compassion, and try to do the good that they cannot at the moment, together."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Thank the Seven we found somethin' t'agree on. Don' get me wrong - I've not been sayin' the Blackwoods're any worse'an any other nobles or mos' anyone else fer that matter, an' anytime a child is orphaned 'tis a sorrow. But no amoun' o' grief makes it right to be saltin' fields an' makin' people starve, so don' be sayin' they never done wrong."


She shrugs.

"
At the end o' the day it don't matter if they could do more or they couldn', or why. What matters is that they aren', an' we can, an' so we should."

[Kevan Lyras]

Jojen has been following the conversation in silence. He did not like being drawn into other people's business without his consent. And his host would be enough to deal with without the other guests bickering about the situation. With a sigh, Jojen stood up and grabbed the metal box. He opened it and emptied its content on the table for all of them to see...

[Yoren longshore]

Silver lockets, small mirrors, handfulls of coins of different size and value. A fur pelt is wrapped around a few silvered glass candles. An old, finely engraved dagger lies to the side. There is even a few old, musty books.

All well taken care of and and the metal is recently polished, all the different valuables the farmers have been able to scrounge together.

[Loreia]

Gordon brightens up at Daeryssa's kind words, his shoulders visibly relaxing when Devyn gives his assurance. He casts a nervous sidelong glance at the maester's elaborations on the recent damages, wary of the offense shifting from Devyn to Patience, tensing again as she responds. Doesn't have to like us indeed. If we don't drop it soon, he never will.

"
We oughtta learn why somebody came at Ammet from the start,"
he suggests, glancing down the hall toward the room Coren was supposed to be. He hadn't been there to see how it started, but the others may have a name and a face: Mortin Hollard's. "
Some drunk at the alehouse could give us a clue."


As Jojen empties the contents of the box, the clatter draws Gordon's attention and he steps toward the table, leaning over it while his eyes light upon the valuables. He considers the glass candles in passing. How're those s'posed t' light?

[Kevan Lyras]

Jojen looked at the boy, who seemed close in age to himself. "
Aye, I'd agree, the regulars at the inn seem like a good starting point. However, I still do not know what to think about all this."

As he empties the metal box, he takes a look at the valuables clattering onto the table, before putting them back into the box. He closes the top and puts the thing back onto the table.
"
But whatever we do, I agree with old nan, I am not doing it for this poor substitute of a payment. Either I am doing it for the people here, or not at all..."

[Benedict Marsten]

Drink splashes into Griff's rough wooden cup, excess dripping over his stiff knuckles. "
Well it appears you have an applicant for squire, if you are in need good Ser."
The old man's eyes look from the ex-Bracken boy to the Blackwood knight.

He raises his cup hastily spilling more. Holding the darkness in check, he refrains from laughter and cynicism as he offers. "
For the people."

A small slip, a chortle of laughter, shakes him as he guzzles down his drink.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
I do not require any of this. We should ask around to find out who knows what."



ooc
Bizarrely, because of his knowledge, Brant actually has the best streetwise roll

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Drink splashes into Griff's rough wooden cup, excess dripping over his stiff knuckles. "
Well it appears you have an applicant for squire, if you are in need good Ser."
The old man's eyes look from the ex-Bracken boy to the Blackwood knight.

He raises his cup hastily spilling more. Holding the darkness in check, he refrains from laughter and cynicism as he offers. "
For the people."

A small slip, a chortle of laughter, shakes him as he guzzles down his drink.

"
I expect my dear daughter would feel put out if I took on a squire,"
Ser Devyn replies to Griff good-naturedly. "
Mayhaps after I find her a husband."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I do not require any of this. We should ask around to find out who knows what."



ooc
Bizarrely, because of his knowledge, Brant actually has the best streetwise roll

"
Of course you do not, Maester. All your needs shall be attended by the lil Lord I would suppose. Do appreciate you lending these fine folks your wealth of knowledge and learning."
Griff tries to not sound extremely sarcastic or condescending. He was going to leave that to the feisty widow.

"
I expect my dear daughter would feel put out if I took on a squire,"
Ser Devyn replies to Griff good-naturedly. "
Mayhaps after I find her a husband."

His eyes narrow and his jaw tightens, before being replaced by a well rehearsed smile. "
Well with such a well mannered, beauty that should be an easy task. The boy may have a shot."
Reaching to refill his drink he pauses to fix on Jojen. "
What was your name again, son?

[Ayleth Bartheld]

Although some of the jewelry on the table is pretty enough to draw Daeryssa's eye, she isn't a selfish girl. If her father isn't accepting payment for this, she won't either. She seems more relaxed now that the tension between her and Patience is mostly defused.

She nods in agreement with Gordon. "
And we might have someone watch the inn for future trouble, or guard Ammet. Whoever wants him dead might try again, or start more trouble"
Daeryssa suggests. The mystery was certainly exciting.

Griff was laughing again. Griff seems a jolly fellow. Odd, in such a place, but welcome. The talk about why everyone were helping doesn't seem to apply to her family;
helping the people is just what knights do, as far as she knows.

Daeryssa blushes prettily at the mention of finding her a husband. "
It is kind of you to say so. May I know your name, goodman?"
she responds to Griff

[Ser Jorah Holt]

"
Of course you do not, Maester. All your needs shall be attended by the lil Lord I would suppose. Do appreciate you lending these fine folks your wealth of knowledge and learning."
Griff tries to not sound extremely sarcastic or condescending. He was going to leave that to the feisty widow.

Brant suspected there was derision behind his comment, but for now he would choose to ignore it.

"
My learning and knowledge are at your disposal."

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