Re: [D4, ME]Oh what tangled webs we weave[Closed-ish]

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn frowned ever so slightly and searched Theomore's face as she reviewed his words of their encounter. What was the old goat up to, exactly? Asking not to be wed, then seeming to lament he was not wed, and now chuckling over his conquests?

Or was that what he was doing after all?

[url=Awareness (Empathy) - What tangled webs vs Theomore][/url]: 6d6k4 22

(I think you done got smoked out. )

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore was usually very hard to read, the man being quite adept at sequestering his feelings deep inside. But what seemed to differ now was his control over them. There was someone special on his mind. And clearly not something he was uncomfortable with. Theomore was a man with many desires, with a weakness when it came to indulge them. But it was always his own choice to give in, and his push against resistance was forever gentle. He accepted a true no for a no. Even though he might ask a different question later in the hope of obtaining the answer he wished for. This..desire, one he could not control whether or not to indulge was grating on him in ways that a certain observant lady could see.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Many someones,"
Gwyn repeated musingly, "
But still something troubles you. Someone in particular? I won't press the matter if you truly don't want to speak of it...but I've found that, at times of uncertainty, an outside perspective sometimes is needed to bring things into focus. And while trust is hard-won, you at least do know that it's in my best interests not to anger you unduly."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Well, if her ladyship could find a way to solve my most present challenge."
Theomore didn't seem to allow it to dent his high spirits. "
Then I would be inclined to dispense with septon and ceremony and carry her to my nephew's tent to be done with the important part."


"
Needless to say, it is not exactly a game without danger I would have to play. A more prudent man than I would not even entertain the idea."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn chuckled at that. "
Well, here I am with you...a dangerous place for any lady to be,"
she teased. "
But what help could I offer for this most mysterious malady of yours?"


"
Unless you mean convincing Ser Lyras to stand for Lady Blackwood...in which case I have already agreed to help."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Ser Benjen needs killing in the trial by combat that is to come."
Theomore waves that away. "
On horseback, I can do that myself, but we are somewhat too close to the Blackwoods, a Lyras would provide a prudent distance."
Of the things Theomore wants, slaying the brute is among them. But duels can be dangerous enough that avoidance might be better.

"
For this malady, I do not yet know what anyone can do, except walking away and hope it passes away."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth is taken aback by that, and it shows on her face.

"
Is that really... I know he's a deeply unpleasant man, but...surely now that the wedding is off, he's no further threat to her. So long as the trial finds him guilty, that would be that."


"
Why would you say he needs to die?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
A man with the temperament of the furious Frey..."
Theomore pauses. "
He struck the lady Sofia quite savagely I am told, and will remain a danger to all he perceives to be against him."


"
Dunstan amongst them, my lady, you know how he is. I suspect Lord Tully did us all a service when he tasked him to gather evidence and witnesses, or else I and Ser Benedict might have been forced to pull him out of a bloodbath in the Frey camp. On the other hand, my nephew is not amongst the most subtle of men, if Ser Benjen does not know where Dunstan stands in things quite yet, he most certainly will."


All true words, Theomore better finish what he had started, and a trial by combat was the original plan all along. Though where it not for Dunstan, Lady Sofia's boldness could have ended things where they were.

"
It seems Lord Tully is most eager for coin, and he might thus be so inclined to accept a fine for what Ser Benjen did. Some problems, there is only one certain way to ensure that they will not return."

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyneth lowered her eyes, trying to think things through. She saw what he was trying to say but...

"
It seems to me that if Benjen dies, the Freys could be moved to war,"
she said, looking back up. "
They're a clannish bunch, and Ser Benjen isn't some distant cousin. It's one thing to be defeated in trial by combat, but another entirely for him to be struck down. I suppose if it could be made to look accidental, or struck in defense of his life...but that's a thin thread to pin such hopes on. If Benjen yields, or is simply struck senseless, or incapacitated...then our champion would have no choice but to murder him in cold blood. And that wouldn't make our problems disappear. Not by even a little."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Then we must hope he is too stubborn to yield..."
Theomore agrees with that point, he must be seen to die fairly.

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