[Day 3: Early Evening] Judgement

[Athelstan]

Athelstan is looking for a meeting with Gorman to move along with what needs to be done, bringing Yoren along as his barrister, which he is not sure if that makes him a look like might have had a hand in it, or helps his case.

[Reader]

Lord Gorman Tully's face is set in determination, his wife beside him.

Ser Florian Greysteel stands watch closest to Athelstan, but the great hall is packed with knights, lords and ladies, all keen to hear the dark deed that transpired that morning.

"
Speak kin-slayer, I would have the tale from your own mouth,"
announces Lord Tully, his voice resolute despite his age. "
You shame house Tully by bringing violence to my lands when I had promised my guests food, shelter and security."


"

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren is present, but waits until Gorman speaks before he speaks himself.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan bows deeply to Lord Tully "
I bring shame to myself also, for he was my brother by blood and in combat"
raising his head to meet Lord Tully's gaze "
It was to be a regular practice day my lord, I started with Yoren, he honestly needs a lot of work and ample space to improve"
looking and pointing at Yoren "
My lord I have fought with Roddric many times, when its hate we do it with our fists and arguments beyond words we also use our fists, when we train we do so like I did with Yoren, specially to teach other man. I'm sure my lord knows about the heir issue of House Longshore, and how I have publicly renounced any such claims, other than the wants to be recognized only as a Longshore myself. So when I called Roddric to spar and let Yoren see how it was done, he came at me in full force, I took his hit first he beat me by just barely a moment but the force behind his blow to me was not like other times when we practice, no there was malice and attempt to injure me or worse, so with the same momentum I was bringing an upward blow and I also used all I had also, for he set the tempo of the combat"
looking at his hands "
Now my hands are stained and men see only the fight between brothers to have an heir"
crossing his arms "
I'll swear it by the drowned god and the seven, my intent was never to kill him, but his intent was not to practice, for I was also the champion in the pageantry to represent House Longshore, since I'm the only decent jouster we have, which I'm sure irked him more, and he was known for his... let's say anger management and he can be reckless and I was not going to suffer a grave injury or death because of him"
standing as straight as he can and looking at Lord Tully "
Now everyone thinks, that I did it for him"
pointing at Yoren, or that I was jealous or any such things, but I'm here of my own volition because I know I am innocent."

[Reader]

"
FUCKING LIAR!"


"
KIN-SLAYER!"


"
BASTARD SCUM!"


Curses ring out, first from many Ironborn but then joined by several several Riverlander voices.

"
Testimony I have already heard from witnesses contradicts your tale and it is known that bastard blood is treacherous indeed."


"
Although his temper was known even at Riverrun, the departed Roddric was no tilter. Your words ring hollow to me, yet Lord Longshore will look grimly if I simply throw you to Roddric's men."


"
You many thanks Athelstan - a bold fighter, a skilled rider and brave, but also a bastard and a kin-slayer. Mayhapy you seek a path to ruling House Longshore carved in blood?"


As Athelstan's mention of Yoren, he turns to the first born son of House Longshore.

"
And you Yoren, the beneficiary of this happy accident, in the unlikely event it is such? What shall your father make of this? Perhaps he may suspect you planned the whole sordid affair."

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren closes to Lord Gorman and lowers his voice: "
Mayhaps he will, but remember that the agreement we made yesterday only counts if I'm all well when my father departs, so you should probably swing your influence around if we are to fulfill both of our obligations."
Yoren pauses for a moment, letting Gorman figure the implications of this for himself. Then he speaks up again, so the people gathered may hear him.

"
No matter who attacked who, I suspect Lord Ferris wants his say in the matter. As he is not present I would suggest that Athelstan is kept guarded, as he has been for the remainder of the tourney. Then, as we make our way home Ferris and You lird Tully, may togethet come to a conclusion about the actions of today."
Yoren looks at Gorman: "
would you deny a father his right to speak to his son? I am not asking you to show mercy, simply to consider discussing this with Ferris himself. Athelstan is no rabid dog, he is of no threat. You may allow him to wander about untill you and Ferris has settled matters."
Yoren says before going quiet, watching the situation.

[Athelstan]

"
Lord Tully all ironborn men here from House Longshore have heard me say it and abide by it, I do not seek to rule House Longshore, I was happy commanding men and fighting for the greatness of my House and those allies of my House"
as he turns around to face the ironborn.

"
They can challenge me, they know this if they want to, and it's nothing new to me to be insulted for being a bastard, for we bear the burden of the miss deed of those of noble birth, but no one chastise them or punishes them for their sin, instead we bear the brunt of it all"
raising his arms towards the audience "
Yet I bleed for my men, fought for them and led them in many victories, they were happy to have me then, but the moment of our usefulness runs out we are back to being just bastards"
turning to look back at lord Tully.

"
So my lord, I am guilty of being a bastard, there is nothing I can do of that, and bear the since of a noble men, like all bastards do and we are chastised for it, instead of the nobleman that committed the sin before the Gods."


"
All men here who have fought in battle can tell the difference between a practice blow in the practice yard and a blow with the intention to kill you, but you can't tell them apart as a bystander"
shrugging his shoulders "
Besides, if I were to kill Roddric, I would have done it in the cover of night while he slept, with no witnesses or during the hunt when it was just the three of us hunting my lord. As you can see chances to do this I have had plenty and where there would have been no witnesses"

[Reader]

Lord Tully fixes Yoren with a glare at his attempted threat - the impertinence, here in the seat of his power!

Athelstan's incendiary words fire up both the Ironborn and the Riverlanders present. Lord Tully attempts to call for calm, but the din is too much.

It takes the experienced knights Florian Greysteel and Fredryk Vance to still the crowd.

Lord Tully resumes once order has been restored.

"
Athelstan, you have wronged both House Tully and House Longshore. For reparations, you shall pay blood money to House Tully for breaching our peace, and I expect Lord Longshore to impose a similar debt at least."


"
Further, you place me in a bind. I doubt your story, as do many here. I cannot impose a full Lord's punishment and deny Lord Longshore his turn at justice."


"
Blood money, and some blood to wash the sin of breaching my peace clean. I leave the rest to Lord Tully."


"
You shall lose either the hand that struck Roddric or an eye. It appears you see the incident differently to other men, so the loss of an eye shall make this obvious to all. A loss of an eye for a one-eyed retelling. There will still be enough of you to satisfy Lord Longshore's justice too."


Lord Tully seems pleased with his little jest.

[Yoren, this scandal will cost House Longshore 3 influence, or two if you roleplay a convincing speech andHit a TN (14) persuade (charm/convince) roll. Additional DoS will lower the penalty further.

-3 Wealth to House Longshore payable to House Tully, if you're willing to pay it! Otherwise Athelstan can attempt to incur it as a debt, but not paying up for your man costs you 1 status.

Athelstan, you can pitch for trial by combat as discussed via PM.

Other PCs - Leifnarr has first right to trial by combat for the prosecution, then PCs, then Ironborn NPCs, then Riverlander NPCs - status and persuasion rolls to break ties if we get lots of volunteers.

Yielding will be permitted by either party.]

[Athelstan]

"
Well my lord Tully, I do not agree to that, so I will have a trial by combat, before I lose a limb to this farse of a trial, were I'm to give an eye for a one sided testimony when I think the same of those false witnesses that only seeing to their interest and not the truth."
shrugs his shoulder "
Come now, who will be the man I must fight, a rather sad affair that more blood has to be spelt to satisfy a crowd rather than justice, so let's all do this now, get me my axe, armor and shield and lets get this over with my lord Tully"


Athelstan awaits to see who he will fight this night, more than likely Leifnarr himself, but then again it might be someone else entirely.

[Reader]

[Pause for champions, but trial by combat will be Day 4]

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren adresses the assembly: "
The bloodmoney should not be paid by Longshore, as it was a Longshore man that was struck down. As this happened on Tully land, by rights, should not Tully pay us for the grievances caused?"

Yoren asks.

OOC
writers block, sorry cannot think of much else.

[Reader]

A great, unintelligible sound of disapproval goes up from the riverlanders present, and it takes the knights and guardsmen present longer to restore order.

Lord Tully's experience allows him to check his fury, but it's clear from his tone he is close to breaking point.

"
Your house shall pay, or bind your man to do so, else Longshore vessels will find no port in the Riverlands. No Tully man had any part in this, unless he strikes your man down in trial by combat, delivering the Seven's judgement."


"
There shall be no more such ludicrous impositions Yoren - a robber does not steal an innkeeper's guests and then demand recompense for the rope used in his escape."


Lord Tully's weak joke takes some of the edge off the atmosphere, but the environment in the Great Hall remains tense.

[OOC: no need to rush, big scene and it's only Tuesday - lots of time to think of a mollifying speech or even just something simple and make the roll - your character might know what to say even if you don't.]

[Athelstan]

"
I will pay my lord Tully, it is I who is at trial for it, I will not burden House Longshore, but my self"
Athelstan bows slightly to lord Tully "
I apologize for breaking the peace under your watchful eye, my lord it was never my intent as I have stated before, and not that it matters, but if I do best the champion in my trial by combat, it would be proven before the seven and everyone as my witness that I was right and I beg you then to reconsider it, since that would exonerate me of all charges laid against me."
as he bows deeply then appealing to lord Tully's small grace of showing him that he is honorable by taking the blame himself and loyalty to his House by bearing the burden of repayment.

[ooc]Of course if I lose that's a different story, but if I win then I am right and he can't demand such high price without looking bad himself.[/ooc]

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren draws a deep breath and tries to overcome the noice that has spread through the room: "
Lord Tully, this is uncalled for. Do you believe that just because I am grieving the loss of my brother I will let you slander my house? It was not your fault what happened in the training grounds, but neither was it Longshores! Athelstan spilled the blood of his brother, that is not the fault of an entire house. Ask any ironborn here if they would wish for Roddrics death, you would get the same answer from all of them! No we did not murder Roddric, and we will not pay tribute to house Tully! we are free men! Greyjoy are our protector, not you."

Yoren scowls at the mighty man in front of him: "
So here is my suggestion: we pay you 400 dragons for the fact that the blood was spilled in our camp. You pay us 400 dragons for the fact that Roddric was killed on your land, and then another 600 for that he was killed under your protection. In addition Ferris will relinquish his claim to prosecute Athelstan and will let that right be fully upon your shoulders"

Yoren says: "
I would not have given you this opportunity had I not respected you, Lord Tully."

[Reader]

The room erupts.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan tries to bring some calm to the room, knowing full well the futility of it, barking to the ironborn to remain as they were, but they don't hear anymore, it's as likely that the crowd would tear each other apart due to the old fears and bad blood, than the fact that he was on trial. Athelstan searches for Corrine with his eyes amongst the crowd make sure she is safe, for a death sentence will fall to anyone harming her, be it lord or smallfolk, once sure she is in no real danger Athelstan turns to lord Tully "
We need more men or empty the room my lord, I will try to hold the ironborn my lord"
bowing towards lord Tully and giving Yoren a glare with his eyes "
I'm responsible for my doing, but by the gods man what have you done"
moving to join the lord paramount men to stop the ironborn from fighting and prevent any more bloodshed.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren sees that his thought exercise of using his opponents logical fallacies against him had not worked so at the glare from Athelstan he swallows his pride, figuring there are worse things than admitting defeat to a dolt. So in the noise he walks over to Gorman and talks in a low voice. "
I don't want a conflict, but I know that my father have lost much when his son died, don't add this insult to the injury the loss of his son has created. Think of our previous dealing, it benefitted you to a large extent, we were building an understanding between ourselves, we should not alienate each other."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan can't believe Yoren's words waiting for the right moment when more guards come in Athelstan walks close to lord Tully "
I serve House Longshore, but we are part of the riverlands and you the lord paramount so I beg of you my lord forgive my brother's words. We want to be peace with the riverlords, that are our neighbors. I will send a raven to Lord Ferriswith your proposal that you can read so it satisfies you with what it says. Pleading Lord Ferris that you are compensated for my transgressions as well as those from my brother."
a death glare towards Yoren as he takes a knee and bows his head slightly.

[ooc]I'll offer +1 Wealth on top of what he already wanted, hopefully it will work, at this point its damage control mode for House Longshore.I hope that Yoren stop talking[/ooc]

[ooc]Edit: Sworn to Greyjoys, Yoren was right making a small amend[/ooc]

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren raises his voice: "
We ironborn see that as Athelstan is our kin we get some of the blame for his actions: we have scraped our coffers, and will be willing to give 400 gold as reparation! This is a good offer, please accept it with our apoligies!"

[Reader]

Yoren's impassioned pleas help still the crowd.

Lord Gorman Tully was placed in a rare opportunity, the Longshores had chosen the path of wisdom and fortified his position in front of his vassals.

Champions had stepped forward from among prominent blacks, further extending his gains. Truly there was opportunity in every setback!

Lord Dunstan - he wouldn't do at all. Can't have the male Tullison heir die, leaving only young Yve from the main line, no, no, no. Those rich Tullison mines are too close to Arryn lands to risk losing to conquest or marriage if the Tullison leadership is weakened.

But Ser Benedict and Ser Baelon - servants of black supporting houses - were ideal candidates! Should Athelstan prevail, then a prominent black is felled, particularly grand if Ser Baelon were to be cut down in front of his supposed father.

Should Ser Benedict or Ser Baelon prevail, then justice would have been done in the eyes of Seven and men, vindicating his judgement.

All in all, it had turned out better than the old Green hoped.

He cleared his throat to speak, now quiet had been restored....

[OOC: done. Yoren rolled a 16 - bravo - and so the penalties are reduced slightly. The would be heir makes an impassioned speech and helps restore order. Yoren/Athelstan, please mark the influence and wealth losses on the house resources. Athelstan, you owe a 1 wealth debt to House Tully. Sorting out champions via PM first then dice rolling if necessary now Leifnarr has pulled out - he'll be missed, made some fine posts!]

[Reader]

"
Ser Baelon Waters shall stand for the departed and the justice of the Seven in this trial. The trial shall resolve the intent of Athelstan's blow - the penalty for the general disturbance and breach of my welcoming hearth is not in dispute."


"
Let this outcome determine the matter of intent - further judgement for ill-discipline and kin-slaying I leave to Lord Longshore, for this too is not in doubt."

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