[Day 4, MN] An Indecent Proposal

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Finally, a long last, after an ever longer list of distractions, Gwyneth finds her way to the Lyras tents. Her head's spinning with far more than just fatigue, but for now she has to put all that behind her. The issue of the trial, and Kevan, is entirely another thing...and one that will need all her focus.

She catches a servant scurrying somewhere and asks, "
Is Ser Kevan in his tent?"
The boy nodded, and bowed, and nodded again, and Gwyn let him go.

At Kevan's tent she said thorugh the flap, "
Ser Kevan, it's Gwyneth. May we speak? I apologize for the late hour."

[Kevan Lyras]

"
Hm? Gwyneth? Just a moment, please..."


After about a short pause, Kevan opens the flap of his tent and motions for Gwyneth to enter. He wears a simple robe and his face still has a dozy look. He picks up a small bucket with water and wets his face.

"
I am sorry,it was a long day... How can I help you?"
he says, with an apologetic look.

Great, you look like a lazy fool, not exactly the impression you want to make on her, given that she is helping you...

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwen winces inwardly. She'd woken him up, and after he'd been injured in the joust, or so she'd heard.

"
I hope to be brief. May I come in?"


When he'd let her in, she said, "
I've gotten some information for you about Sofia Blackwood. And an opportunity, if you wish it. There's considerable risk for you, but I think the rewards should you succeed could make it worthwhile, in your pursuit of her hand."


She looked at Kevan, forehead knit slightly in concern.

"
I've learned that there will be an attempt to settle matters between Lady Blackwood and Benjen Frey, who is expected to demand a trial by combat. It's politically explosive, of course, and the question of who should face the Ferocious Frey goes far beyond simple skill at arms. However, you have no strong affilition with either side, and most importantly...if you stand for Sofia's honor and prevail, then you will most certainly come to her attention in the best possible light."


"
Don't feel like you have to do this. The danger is real. Ser Frey is an immensely strong oppoenent, and isn't known for granting mercy to those he defeats. There are other paths to Lady Blackwood...longer, less certain paths, but no less viable."


Gwyn looks down and adds softly, "
Assuming she survives, of course."

[Kevan Lyras]

Kevan listens carefully at Gwyneths proposal, showing a frown at the suggestion to face Benjen Frey, during the Tourney no less...

"
I knew you are the right person to ask for help, you found out more thant I did in such a short time. To be honest, I am not sure what to answer right know. My mentor thaught me early on, that a fight is won by wits as much as a strong arm. What you are suggesting now, is to base the whole outcome of this on my skills at arms and that against an opponent like Benjen Frey, when a more balanced approach could still succeed without the same risks for failure..."


He looks at his late visitor: "
I am not saying, I am not willing to put myself into danger for this, I am just not sure it is the most successful path to choose. Do you know, when the trial is planned for?"


At Gwyn's last comment, his eyes slightly widen: "
What do you mean? Why would her life be in danger?"

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
It's nothing I know for sure,"
she says quickly. "
But...Benjen Frey has been injured by Lady Blackwood. Badly. This public affair has drawn out into the open things he'd much rather have kept locked away. And he's not the type to let that go unanswered. If he wins the trial, he's exonerated...but I and the people I've spoken with sincerely doubt he'll let it go there."


"
He may decide to make an example of Sofia."
Gwyn doesn't offer any more detail than that...the imagination served very well indeed.

"
On the other hand, if he were struck down in the trial...so long as it did not seem to be by malice, or an act of outright murder, then the Freys would most likely see their best move was to limit the damage. They'd shift all the blame to Benjen, lamenting that he had hidden his monstrous ways from them, but now the gods have had their justice and we can all just move on. No one left has any personal vendetta against the Blackwoods, and so...it ends."


She grimaces. "
Of course, if Benjen is defeated and he lives...then he has far fewer resources at his command to exact vengeance with, but also nothing to lose. And if he dies in a way that makes it look like...well, the Freys would not sit still for cold murder of a kinsman."


Her eyes meet Kevan's.

"
It's not a light thing I bring you. The decisions you make now will affect far more than just yourself. My suspicion is that there are hands at work here that hope for a Blackwood, or an open supporter of them, to step in as champion. To kill Benjen, to protect Sofia, and thus to incite the Freys into taking arms against them. It's just another move on the cyvasse board to them...a Green pawn removing a Black one."

[Kevan Lyras]

"
Yes, it is that last comment of yours, I am worried about the most. I loathe being just a pawn of someone's game. But at the same time, this would significantly improve my chances to marry Sofia and could shorten what would likely be a long and complicated undertaking..."


If I survive it

"
So, the Blackwoods will demand justice in front of Lord Tully today, I guess? I think I need an opportunity to speak with Lord Blackwood before the trial itself, if I am really going through with this."


His face shows that he is not yet convinced that this is indeed the right way to go.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

"
Tomorrow, I imagine,"
Gwyn agrees. "
And I freely confess there are moves being made on a level that I can't see. Will you doing this help avert a war, or start one? I can't say. But as far as your pursuit of Sofia Blackwood goes, this is a high-risk, high-reward situation. That's why I bring it before you."

[Kevan Lyras]

"
I fully realize the opportunity you brought me, and I thank you for it. I will decide in due time, whether I will step forward for Sofia..."



[OOC: Sorry, I was confused, because this thread is still on Day 4 :-) ]

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