Hi dad!

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Lord Brynden Malroy
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15t70f-uSAGgm9tFSADoJfgfhcQwaAHKMSEVeTTIhkho/edit?usp=sharing

Day 23, Month IX - 285AC ~ Mid-Morning
King’s Landing - The Malroy Villas

Another cold night, another empty morning. Obella had risen early again, when you had gone to roll over to take her hand out of half awaken instinct she had fixed you with a look of annoyance and gathered the sheet about herself, leaving the room in silence. You had rolled over, the dawn having broken through the window, and stared at the sliver of sunlight that slowly drew across the ceiling. With a deep sigh you stir, after a moment, scratching at your beard, it having gone neglected since your time in Highgarden. Between war, travel, and stresses in Steadhold you realize you had begun to let yourself go. Resigning yourself to a day of self care you rise from bed, thoughts still in turmoil and mind adrift as you considered ways to make up with your wife. At the very least you had found some true peace with the Langwards to the north. War was still yet to come to The Tear, and no doubt Ser Jon Longwaters would be keen to join your campaign and submission of the former Langly holding particularly if you promised to see his younger twin landed there after. But the dealings with the Faith and Redward’s continued perplexing silence left your mind muddled, and in truth you felt slightly lost without your other half there to rely upon the past couple of days.

Swinging your legs off the bed you call for Armen Hunt, your new squire. The lad was attentive, slightly more so than Arron Qorgyle was, and he peeked his head into your chambers with half the grog the dornishboy typically did, “Yes my Lord?”

“Gather Ser Lucas and Ser Victor,” you say after a moment of thought, they were the two that cared for their appearances the most, they’d probably enjoy the day as much as you did, Lucas in particular had been bemoaning his loss of a favorite doublet on the return journey from Highgarden since Tarth. Ser Victor had rode in with the rest of the Sons of Gold yesterday evening, bringing with them a few of your captives, Ser Brandon Blount and the wagon driver they had captured on Obella’s orders once they found out he was working for the Red Bastard. He was a low-born nobody, but he knew far more than he should have, something that benefitted you greatly. Traveling alongside them upon a grey mule was the Septon Tytos, though you did little but regard him with the modicum of respect his station called for, he had his place in dealing with the High Septon. A meeting had been set for the afternoon, Obella had said to you before you went to sleep, the few words she had said. Cracking your jaw and standing to your full length with a stretch you consider for a moment, “Have Arron saddle our horses as well. Yours as well.”

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The youth smiles and nods hurriedly, allowing the door to thump closed. You shake your head and go to draw a bath for yourself, attempting to wash at least some of the days thoughts away for a moment.

---

A slightly hungover Ser Victor and Ser Lucas wait for you in the Villa’s yard, chatting between themselves with a laugh, the two Knights had hardly seen each other in the past couple of months. Arron is holding the reins to Lady Dawn, who you pat on her cheek, a gesture she nuzzles into drawing a small smile from you as you swing into your saddle with an easy motion and click your tongue pushing your spurs into her lightly to turn and begin moving. You pick through the laborers that have begun to arrive early in the morning, Rickard hadn’t wasted a moment in rebuilding. Half the furniture was in a pile outside of the Villa itself, and you watched as two men lead a donkey with a cart full of white stone and several masons following behind it. At least it gave Obella something to keep her mind occupied, the less chance to stew on things likely the better.

“Lucas, where would we find a barber of worth?” you ask, throwing the question back, leading the small group out of the Malroy’s courtyard and onto the streets of King’s Landing, your squires making up the rear, holding up a banner of House Malroy.

He tsks slightly, tapping his chin with a gloved hand, “Like as might down by the docks,” he says after a thought, before smiling and laughing, “Man my brother likes to go to when he comes into port. Blade sharp as one of Yarson’s swords. Get that tangle of a beard of yours in proper shape.”

You join in his laughter, punching at his arm and nodding along as you press Lady Dawn towards King’s Landing’s wharf. In truth you felt just a comfortable there than in the high streets. It would be nice to look out across the Narrow Sea towards your old home. A nostalgic thought.

A number of early morning vendors were about the docks as you pass through the minor gatehouse, Victor stoops down and throws a few silvers towards a girl pushing a cart of clams, cracking them with his dirk and slurping them down much to Armen’s visibile disgust, the boy gagging when offered one, causing your party to burst into a fit of laughter again. The fog about your mind lifts slightly, enjoying the sea breeze, the smell of salt purging your nostrils of the piss and stink of a hundred thousand souls in King’s Landing. You take your time picking through the narrow streets here, stopping a half dozen times to buy this or that. You find an Essosi merchant selling an ornate box trimmed with gold and lined with satin, big enough for several toys for a child, and buy it for your little Lorelei as well as a doll set; two ladies, a knight, and a horse. Lucas picks at the thought as well, though bites off a bit more than a newborn could possible chew when he buys a wooden sword and shield.

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“How you even know it gon be a lad, Luc?” Victor asks, his cocksure smile plastered about his face leaning on the neck of his courser, one he refused to replace, of ruddy brown and speckled white, “Think Lady Racheal bought to spew out the bleedin’ Warrior imself?”

Lucas fixes him with a flat look, pulling himself back up into his saddle, “He kicks like a boy. He’s strong and healthy. Racheal knows it’ll be.”

Victor spits off to the side, and your mind picks on something that Mason had told you since your arrival home but hadn’t had the time to inquire about.

“Ser Victor?” you ask drawing the man’s attention, “What is this Mason tells me of a commonborn girl coming to Steadhold a fortnight past claiming she gotten with child?”

Victor’s smile disappears and he fumbles for the words for a moment, looking off towards the side. Lucas in absolute hysterics beside him.

“Do you plan to keep her about?”

“Ain’t much of a choice fars as I see it,” Victor responds after a moment, “Likely mine, took the girl’s maidenhead in Fairbanks. Recognize her, do the whole lot. Ways I see it ain’t much better place for a bastard to raise up in the Crownlands. Sure as fuck ain’t sending her back home.”

You nod silently pushing onwards, stopping again when an old crone of a woman waves you down and offers a score and a half animals for sale. The boys are drawn to a litter of newborn pups, playing with a particularly slobbery one for a moment. The old woman had birds, lizards, insects of all sorts, though nothing of a particularly exotic nature, and a litter of kittens to boot. They mew and reach for you when you come upon their cage and you carefully pick up a little tabby by the scruff, scratching behind her ear. You remember having an old tomcat growing up, your father had been fond of them, and every spring there would be a new litter of kittens about Steadhold, hunting and mousing, keeping the place clean of vermin. Before you had been sent to King’s Landing to squire for Ser Sunglass one had been taken with you, staying in your room and eating from your scraps. Oddly you had always been more of a cat person, rather than dogs, the latter being more of Mason’s thing, as well as your elder brother’s Donold, his pack of hunting dogs taking up most of his time as a youth. You wonder whatever became of him, and shudder at the thought remembering the times Steadhold had experienced during the Rebellion, no doubt also the reason there weren’t anymore cats about the castle anymore. Placing the little creature back you turn and see Lucas furiously scrubbing aware at his shoulder with a handkerchief, the boys laughing at him, and a bird squawking with its own laughter.

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Gathering your party again you arrive at the barber’s storefront, a small place underneath the docks, the boys have to wait outside holding the horse’s reins waiting as the three of you enter. You have to admit, he was definitely a deft hand, he washed your hair and beard, untangling the knots with practiced hand before taking to them with scissors and a blade. He speaks Pentoshi you realize and communicate with him in what little Low Valyrian the two of you shared. Once or twice he tries to offer to dye your beard, nodding his head enthusiastically with a bottle of blue dye in his hand which you have to talk him down from. When he is done you are more than thankful for it, giving him a small purse of silvers with a gold piece, and gesturing towards Victor and Lucas as well which the man nods his head and begins work on the former as you look at yourself in the mirror again, carefully braiding the front lock of your hair back and behind your ear as it had been before and running your fingers through your moustache and goatee again, twisting the ends into points and appreciating just how close of a shave he had gotten on your cheeks a few times before smiling and finding yourself again. There he was the true and proper Lord, frankly, you’re shocked Obella let you go to court looking half the mess you did. Though knowing her it was either a calculated move or her just being too annoyed to tell you.

You sit next to Lucas who is looking out the open door, attempting to ignore the stain on his shoulder. And he turns his head slightly, chewing on a thought before speaking, “Racheal and I are thinking of naming our child Wesley,” he says suddenly, “For… Well for Wes. If its a boy that is… But… Seven.”

He chokes on the thought for a moment and you place a hand on his shoulder, giving it a firm grip, and he composes himself, “I think that’s a good idea Lucas,” you respond simply and nods with a half smile, wringing his hands together.

Your conversation turns to the war, particularly the breaking of the Siege, Lucas’ Knight and the Sons of Gold had done particularly well, a point of pride for both men. Lucas is excited for Mason’s wedding, planning to compete in the Tourney and see if he can find a proper match, and hopefully the eventual man who would become champion and be offered a place amongst his Knights. Victor brings up Lucas’ capture of Ser Brandon Blount, and the death of a half dozen other men in the process, and Lucas beams with pride.

“What’s the plan wit that milord?” Victor asks as he rises, “Blounts still ‘bout to be a spine in our damn sides, eh?”

“He’s still worth a ransom,” Lucas says, “If I may Brynden. My Knights, your Knights rather, could use the funds from his ransom, new barding, superior weapons, the lot of it.”

Lucas had captured the man, would be fair to give him the lion’s share of the prize for his ransom you think to yourself and chew on the thought.

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“Otherwise,” Lucas says moving on as you thought, “Victor has the right of it. Can’t trust the Blounts down south, and with the death of Linden and Lady Blount the hand behind her eldest, they’ll probably double down.”

“Less we git someone bigger to tell ‘em to bugger off,” Victor chimes, the Pentoshi barbering cursing at him to be still only to have the curses spat back, “If the Blounts sendin’ their own to a war the Crown just declared unlawful, than ways I see it Lord Blount just got caught ‘is pants down. Ain’t no bleedin’ secret the Blounts in the Lion’s pocket. Play the cards.”

Lucas fixes him with a queer look which he turns to you and notices you understood half of what Victor had said. You had a fairly full deck of cards to play here. The Langwards had a connection to the Redwards, one that if it came out in full would be half a measure more than just a scandalous event. Likely enough to embarrass a Queen who had given favor to someone in the past. You were not above being bought to keep your tongue, especially if it meant the Blounts would no longer be a spine in your side.

“Who you thinkin’ milord?” Victor asks, having watching the wheels turn in your mind, Lucas absolutely shocked to realize Victor wasn’t half as dumb as he appeared most times, he was a rather cunning son of a bitch, “Queen still ‘ates you I’d wadger, probably be more effective though. Kingslayer? Apathetic arrogant shit he is, could you even get ‘im to care now I wonder.”

You shrug slightly and lean back, you would need to do it soon, ask for an audience before you left. And either way it would be a difficult ask, without it coming off as blackmail or the wrong way to two very different but still prickly with pride Lannisters. Or you could very well leave well enough alone, deal with the Blounts in the future upon the field of battle.

Ser Brandon Blount’s Ransom:
>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields)
>Keep the ransom for the House (3 Wealth)

Dealing with House Blount:
>Ask an audience with Queen Cersei Lannister, she backed the wrong horse, you had an out for her and a way to save face, in yourself
>Ask an audience with Ser Jaime Lannister, he saw firsthand what had occurred, nobody better to tell them to stay out of it
>Leave it alone, you’d deal with them on the field.
>Something else?(Please Specify)

Purchase anything else while we're out and about?
>Please Specify

>>3747590

>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields)

>Ask an audience with Ser Jaime Lannister, he saw firsthand what had occurred, nobody better to tell them to stay out of it

Can we look for dornish herbs or spices for Obellas garden? Try to ease the tension a little bit and give a small peace offering?

>>3747590
>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields)


>Ask an audience with Ser Jaime Lannister, he saw firsthand what had occurred, nobody better to tell them to stay out of it

Purchase anything else while we're out and about?
>A fishing rod

Maybe try out some river fishing. See if its the kind of hobby Brynden would like

>>3747590
>>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields)

>>Ask an audience with Ser Jaime Lannister, he saw firsthand what had occurred, nobody better to tell them to stay out of it

Grab the kittens and anything Arron might like.

>>3747618
>>3747616
oh yeah the kittens. Obella might also like them

>>3747590
>>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields
>>3747590
>Ask an audience with Queen Cersei Lannister, she backed the wrong horse, you had an out for her and a way to save face, in yourself

Get some kittens, Brynden being a cat person amuses me for some reason.

>>3747606
I'll second this. Also grab those kittens on the way back, cats are great for hunting rats and cuddling.

I got my cat Tumbles on my lap as I'm typing this. He's a sweet lil nugget.

>>3747586
Hopefully we don't both have boys then cause we were planning the same thing.

"You think bribing me with kittens is gonna make things better between us?"
"Nope, I got them for me."

Alright looks like a pretty solid win for giving the ransom to the Knights. So some positive rep there for both Lucas and the Knights.

And a surprising landslide for Jaime. Really thought that would be more split.

Also get some kittens. Because Brynden needs a throne of cats, apparently.

Alright writing.

>>3747649
you know you love how we vote sometimes dad

>>3747590
>Give it to Lucas as reward to spend on Malroy Household Knights (Superior Barding, Superior Weapons, Superior Shields)

>Ask an audience with Queen Cersei Lannister, she backed the wrong horse, you had an out for her and a way to save face, in yourself

>>3747649
Just make sure to give a girl to the wife.

>>3747649
I think it has to do with Jaime having at least earned our respect in battle and the fact that he helped save our home, whereas our only interaction with Cersei is her being a spiteful cunt and adding another 1000 dragons to our debt.

Should we start panicking about father leaving?
Or just keep calm and carry on?

>>3747799
I'm crying myself to sleep as we speak.
Just kidding, Dad's probably just been called back to work or something. He'll be back.

R-right?

“Have the men make their commissions while they’re in the city Lucas,” you say returning to the earlier thought, “The barding and shields can be done here, make sure they keep the same theme as their armour, but if they wish to have their arms painted upon them I see no reason why not. I will have Rickard send a letter back to Steadhold to have Kate start some new blades, lances, and whatever else mess they wish to have. Have them bill it to the House and we will seen it done. As reward for good and leal service, and your capture of an incredibly valuable hostage.”

Lucas smiles broadly and takes your offered hand the two of your half embracing for the moment. You wondered what his reaction would be once you saw him landed upon the Tear. The two of you let go and you call over Armen just as Victor is finishing up, “I want you to send a request for audience to the White Sword Tower, Armen. Ask Ser Jaime Lannister if we attend myself in the Malroy Villa for an evening of dinner and drink, while we discuss something of importance regarding the end of the Langward War of Aggression. Upon the morrow’s evening if at all possible as I intend to make for Steadhold three days hence. Can you do that lad?”

Armen nods, his hands kept at his side, he lacked the nervousness most his age still had, likely a trait picked up from his father. He turns on his heel, the three of you stand to admire your fresh faces a final time before leaving off. The four of you come back the way you came, though you find yourself lingering as you pass by the old crone’s animals, and after passing find yourself conflicted before making a quick turn and coming back. You give her a handful of silvers and some bronze and in return are handed a litter of kittens, mewing and clawing at their cage. The mother of the brood, a fat calico with fluffy fur looks back at you with blue eyes, stretching lazily and yawning in response to your dumb grin. Victus got it from somewhere. Lucas sneezes the moment they come near him, frowning at the creatures. You hand them off to Arron, who happily plays with them in the rear of the small wagon that had trailed behind your entourage, filled with other various items. You had stopped and picked up some Lyseni orchid bulbs and a few packets of hot pepper seeds from Volantis as well, lacking any specifically dornish items about the docks, and thought they would suit Obella’s glass gardens well enough and hopefully take the edge off if the kittens had not.

Lucas breaks off for the Villa, Arron in tow, to meet with his Knights and tell them the good news once you pass under the gatehouse again. It was mid-day now and yourself and Victor had found yourselves hungry and with a want for food and decide to track down the seediest tavern you could possibly find for the laugh of it, a nostalgic trip to days passed. You come by a place called The Red Fool/i] on a backstreet near a half dozen lesser blacksmiths, some winesink known for a particularly pungent barleywine, thick as molasses. The two of you take turns with a skin, repulsed by the taste, but enjoying the absurdity of it all. You split a chicken, greasy and crisp all the same, and a handful of roasted potatoes and root vegetables and leave off with a mild buzz and a full stomach, laughter shared between the two of you. Perhaps it would be considered uncouth for a Lord to enjoy such things, but it was rare you could spend any time with your Sons of Gold, particularly Victor, who had remained a steadfast and staunch friend throughout the years. You would need to make some time for Illiad once you returned home, and Solhas once he returned from the Citadel with Maester Benjin. You were ever the true Lord, but there was still a side that enjoyed they nostalgia of the sellsword.

The two of you ride for the Red Keep, Victor breaking off just before you begin to ride up the hill towards the towering gatehouse. You instructed him to bring Ser Brandon to the Red Keep, with your demand for ransom from Lord Blount. He would be treated fairly there, and you already had everything you needed from him. For now you had a date to keep with your sister, Isis. It was a brief moment the two of you would have, taken away from Lady Lysa Arryn, who you no doubt would have the displeasure of meeting again. The guardsmen hail you, alone as you are, but five fold the man you were nearly two years ago, dressed in your family’s colors of the finest tailors and craftsmen the mantle of gold fox about your neck and your brother’s black as night scale cloak flowing from your shoulders despite the summer’s day, your hair long and silver shining in the sun, upon your family’s pride and joy, and you respond, your voice filled with pride and smug satisfaction, “Hail gatekeeper! I am Lord Brynden Malroy, Lord of Steadhold, Lord Marshal of the Southron God’s Eye River, and Knight, anointed in the Light of the Seven. I come to take audience with Lady Lysa Arryn, by her request.”

Oh it had felt good. Carathic even. To say those words, dressed as you were, upon what you were, as you were. No man dared to call you the sellsword playing at Lord now. Unless they wished to see themselves upon the receiving end of your bow. You fidgeted slightly at the thought of receiving your new bow soon, less than two months now. You would just need to see to mason and Lady Elionwy’s wedding first. Taking an easy step from Lady Dawn’s saddle you hand her reins to a stablehand, allowing him the moment of wildfire to assure he treated her with the utmost respect and dignity and make your way to the Red Keep. A squire in the Arryn colors finds you, bouncing on the ball of his feet before you come into sight and standing properly and bowing to you clumsily. You allow the bow to lead you through the Keep, taking a turn here and there. Your eyes follow the litany of Baratheon banners and tapestries. Off in a corner there is a painting of the three Baratheon brothers and you give it hardly pause though think to yourself your home certainly lacked for such things. Perhaps you could commission an artist yourself and have him paint your family once they were together again. Soon, so very soon.

The boy leads you to the garden and you find Lady Lysa Arryn in a circle with her Ladies-in-Waiting, doing whatever it was they called that useless time pass, embroidery? You recognize a few of the other Houses about her, Riverlands, Crownlands, and Vale mostly. But your eyes fall upon Isis who is practically bored to tears with her own embroidery, despite it looking far better than anyone else here. She comes alive when you come into sight though attempts to hide it by burying her face in the work, the small smile she shared with your own, curled at the ends of her lips. Lady Arryn is the first to greet you, positively squealing with joy when you bow with a flourish and asking for you to turn about so her and her ladies may appreciate you better. You find the thing… Strange to say the least, though think it better to keep the woman that had kept your sister safe from the Red Bastard for the past few months happy and indulge her. After a few more moments of hearing her speak of how she had been crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty at your own wedding no less, and remembering that Obella still had yet to let that one go and realizing she was probably holding onto a couple points of resentment lately, you finally are able to beg leave of her and escort your sister about the gardens. She takes your arm and urges you to move quickly under her breath until you are out of sight at which point she let’s out a sigh and looks up to you.

“It is good to see you brother,” she says, “I am sor-”

“No,” you cut her off, “We are not speaking of that. I am here to see you. My dearest sister.”

“I am your only sister Brynden,” she says back with some snark and two of you laugh as you had as children and she pulls herself closer to your arm.

Isis leads you about the garden and into the courtyard, speaking of mundane things, her time here in the Red Keep, how Lady Arryn’s gaggle of Ladies could not possibly come up with the names of the Free Cities between the lot of them, and her general well being. Eventually you duck back into the castle itself, and travel the hallways and staircases until you are at her room where a wetnurse is looking after the twins. Isis breaks away from you at the doorway and takes them in her arms, speaking to them on quiet breath and nuzzling them with her head. You find yourself somewhat awkward, standing in the doorway, unable to force yourself forward. Heart and mind a turmoil of emotions. It isn’t until she turns back to you, smiling as she did, and beckoned you forward and to close the door that you finally manage to move, taking a seat at the small table there and picking at a grape idly. Her face turns to a frown and she sits across from you, taking your hand in her own, and casting a look back to the twin’s crib before fixing you with a hard stare.

“Do you hate them?” she asks you pointedly, refusing to break eye contact, “I see your discomfort any time you are near them Brynden, how you stiffen, quiet, smile fades. I saw how much you loved Lorelei. Can you not pass even half of that same love to your nieces?”

Your mouth gaps a few time, false starts to a thought that you cannot put together, you found yourself conflicted. Your family… It, it was everything. Little of it that you had. Victus and Lorelei, Dontos and Isis, Wesley and Samuel. Your wife. Your aunt. Your cousins. Everyone. You loved and cherished them and it tore at your heart to see some dead and others angry. But they… The two red headed little girls that your sister fussed over and seemingly loved so much were born of death, rape, and torture. How could she even love them you had struggled with many a night when thinking of what was to be done with them in the days that had come. You dreaded the thoughts, and yet they were here. Soon to be done and you felt no more clear on the manner than you had before.

“I… I do not… They were born of him,” you manage out, “That bloody Red Bastard that-”

“That raped me,” she cuts you off, her face strong, her voice stern and level, “That tortured me. That scalped me. That nearly killed me half a hundred times with not but his hands.”

You can feel the wildfire in the corners of your eyes, and she shakes her head.

“No, no Brynden, you do not get to feel that anger now,” she says, “I did, I lived that. Not you. I remained strong, for you. For them.”

She looks back at the two girls, babbling happily in their crib.

“You need to look past the sins of their father. And find the man that I know you are. He will die by your hand some day, I know it, the Seven knows it, yet you allow him to occupy and color everything that you do. You have never not loved any member of your family. Even when you and Donold fought you still were brothers and more than once he wished for you to be home so that things could be right again. You wear his cloak even now and I know you feel the same. What has happened has happened Brynden. I no more wished to see our mother raped and murdered before thinking the same would happen to me than you did. But it happened, and now we are here to deal with the consequences of it, but I will never EVER play the girls for what their father did, they are mine, are of our family. Do you hear me brother?”

You cast your eyes down, for once in your life being the first to break eye contact with someone. She squeezes your hands, though her face remains still, besides the slight tremble on her lip.

“What do you plan to do Brynden? I know you, Obella has slipped me notes and said that things were to be done soon. And yet I remain in the dark. What do you plan to do with me Brynden, the girls?”

You find your voice, searching for a moment for the words, “The marriage will be annulled. By the High Septon himself. We… We have a plan. I cannot tell you of it all now, but, a plan. You’re coming back with me Isis. That Red Bastard be damned.”

She sits quietly, licking her lips, and digging one of nails into your hand, “And my daughters Brynden?”

Your quiet again distresses her. And you can feel anger in her voice when she speaks again, letting go of your hands and drawing herself fully and coming around the table to stand in front of you.

“What of them Brynden? They are coming with me. To live in Steadhold. I swear upon the Seven. Upon our mother. I will not leave without them. And they will live with our family. You can leave me here with them if so much as think to lay a finger upon them Brynden. Do you hear me!” her facade has broken, anger and tears having broken her face and she pushes your shoulder, gaining your attention, though your eyes feel hollow and they look forward without word, you barely feel the palm of hand as it draws across your face with whatever strength she had to slap you, her tears running freely, her voice choked but raised all the same, “Are you listening to me you stupid angry man! Put your wrath aside for one god’s be damned moment! Let them come home! LET THEM BE YOUR FAMILY! Promise me! PROMISE ME! Or I swear Brynden, I swear…” she repeats the threat several times, attempting to draw a response from you, pushing your shoulders, punching your chest. Attempting to get anything from you.

Your lips tremble. With anger. Sadness. Wroth and pain. You attempt to catch your breath, and breathe life into your eyes again but you find yourself in such endless turmoil. You…

Isis’ Children
>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold
>Make no promises
>Something else? (Please Specify)

Notes:
>This isn’t locking you into a what to do about the twin’s names after the annulment but should give you a good idea of what Isis would prefer
>This isn’t locking you into where they ultimately end up, but for the foreseeable future Isis and the twins will live in Steadhold which is her preferred location
>This isn’t locking Brynden into his opinion of the twins, he can still be conflicted about them, but allow them to live in Steadhold

Sorry that took so long, it's a very emotional scene and wanted to do it right.

>>3747837
>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold

>>3747837
>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold

Man dad you really don't pull punches in these scenes

>>3747837
>>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold
Right in the feels father. Right in the feels.

>>3747837
>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold

The town. But they will never enter the castle. We will set them in that nice house just outside of the castle.

>>3747837
>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold

But they arnt staying in the same nursery as Lorelei. Full God damn stop.

>>3747837
>Make no promises

>>3747863
>The town. But they will never enter the castle
No, they'll be in the castle. We'll force ourselves to be civil.

>>3747869
Fuck no. Those shitstains will never set foot in our ancestral home. They can take it or leave it.

>>3747871
They're our beloved sister's daughters and for her we will be the bigger man.

>>3747837
>Make no promises
Just kiss her, for god's sake.

>>3747876
They are the spawn of Redshit and the only reason why we havnt smothered them with a pillow is because we love our sister.

>>3747863
If it wasn't obvious Isis means the castle. She wants to live in her childhood home. If that's a hill you're willing to die on we can do a vote for it. But I don't see a lot of support for it.

>>3747837
>>3747888
Changing my vote to
>Make no promises

Then

>>3747892
Fair enough and calling the vote now.

Writing.

The kids will never know hunger or want, and we'll ensure that they can always be with their mother, but letting them live in our home is one bridge too far.

>>3747940
I disagree. We brought our own bastard to live with us, there is no reason we shouldn't allow our sister to bring hers to live in her own ancestral home. However, there will be rules and guidelines like separate nurseries, until and it's a big big IF Brynden warms up to them.

>>3747826
I'm really happy we actually took some time to stop by a seedy tavern. Puts a big smile on my face to see us bro'ing it up with Vic. I'm afraid of Brynden getting sandblasted down by the demands made of him and our desire to live up to people wanting us to be the perfect lord and it's nice to spend some quality time with the boys.

>>3747961
There is a MASSIVE difference between Victus and the girls

>>3747961
Those two things are fucking nothing alike and I'm honestly insulted that you'd try to compare them.

>>3747900
Ah missed it.
Was going to vote to allow them back.

Yeah we hate the red cunt, but the daughters are innocent. Malroy has all the reasons in the world to be uneasy about them, but it smacks of some serious hypocracy to not accept them when victus is so near and dear to him.

Children are not responsible for the actions of their parents, and really shouldn't have to suffer for such.

>>3747984
I missed the vote too and would have voted for no promises so don't feel bad, we can pretend we both got in.

>>3747974
>>3747978
Not to Isis there isn't. She clearly loves her daughters as fiercely as Brynden loves Victus, and harming Isis in such a way by depriving her of her children seems out of character for me. I coudl see anger, resentment and even rage, but in the end, I like to think Brynden is ruled more by the love of his family than his hatred of Redward.

>>3747994
But here the things. Redward is not family, They will never be family. And as you said. Brynden love his family, so he loves his sister and that is the only reason why the girls are still alive.

>>3748000
You're wrong though. They are Isis' children, and therefore our nieces. They are family, no matter how much you (and Brynden) wishes they weren't.

>>3748000
This.

>>3747994
The children are alive and will never know hunger.
At some point we have to put our fucking foot down. Not even Ned Stark was as willing to bend over backwards as some anons are.

>>3748000
And again, your confusing the feelings.

Isis loves her daughters as much as bryden loves victus.

If you accept ones love then you have to accept the other as equally valid or else one or the other is not human.

Therefore: For B to stop I from having her daughters is to harm her. And he will never do that. His selfishness to keep his sister close will twist his hand on this issue.

>>3748010
Have the girls stay at the estate in Steadhold town. There they will know no hunger, no want and will be provided an education. But they will not enter the castle.

Doing so would be an insult to our brothers, our father and mother.

>>3748018
Father said Isis wants to come back to the castle and if she goes somewhere her daughters go with her anon.

>>3748018
And I think your putting redfucks stain on them.
Just as westeros judges victus for not being in wedlock.
Its bullshit that won't pass muster in Isis's eyes. She will work him round to it.

>>3748022
To which we should say "no"

>>3748026
Yeah except you lost the vote so it's happening. Y'all need to accept that

>>3748045
Yeah. Anon is a spineless fuck

Your hands go up, to finally defend yourself, catching Isis by the wrists which she attempts to wrench from you, tears still streaming down her face. Her words continue even as you pull her towards yourself, your eyes coming alight with wildfire of your own and life as you stare back at her, standing and embracing your sister. She sobs into your doublet, and finally relents, allowing her arms to go limp as you hold her close.

“They will come with you Isis,” you say quietly, looking over her head at the twins in their cribs, “To Steadhold. Back home. With you. To… To be with their mother.”

You almost had said family. It was a hard word to say. Perhaps too far of a word to say as of now. But even despite your hatred for the Red Bastard, they were still born of your sister. Would it happen some day? You could not say. Despite her demands for you to look past your anger it was nearly to forget any time you saw even a glimpse of their hair. Time would mayhaps be your friend here, but for now… It was the furthest you could go. And it was all to simply have your sister home when this was all said and done.

Kissing the top of your sister’s head she breaks away from you slightly, her eyes cast down now, “I’m sorry Brynden. Thank you.”

---

Your return to the Malroy Villa takes a moment longer than it should. You allow Lady Dawn to make her own path for awhile, just trying to compose both yourself and your thoughts. The Septon and Obella would be waiting for you to arrive to talk of the annulment. And frankly you had little to no idea of where to go with it from here. Crossing the threshold into the Villa’s courtyard you find the laborers hard at work, some cleaning the outside of the Villa itself, and stripping it to its bare stone and wood. A handful are carefully deconstructing the broken horse statue that once reared back proudly in the center of the courtyard. And you find yourself wondering what Rickard had planned for that now. None of your Household Knights are about the Villa at this hour, more than likely all off about the city commissioning their new kit. Arron and Armen are in the great hall, playing with a few of the kittens they had prematurely let out of their cage and are just as likely to now belong to the Villa rather than Steadhold. You pass by them into your father’s solar in the back. It had been a long time since you had been here, the secret entrance to the undergound vault was sealed off as of right now, but no doubt Obella had been using it with how clean the fireplace was at the moment.

>>3747837
>>Promise her they will come back with her to Steadhold

They are family, so I will do right by them, I promise. However, I cannot promise to love them sister.

Rickard looks up to you from his seat, nodding as he stands and leaving off to deal with the Villas as you spoke privately with your wife and the Septon. You rarely had measure of the man, Septon Tytos, he had performed your wedding vows and that was about all the more you could say for the man. He did eye the wine you poured for yourself a little longer than a man of the Faith should. Obella idly plays with a feather quill in her hand, sitting lazily with a leg over the arm of the chair, though she does regard you when you sit, and you notice the amount of letters and papers she had brought. Good to know she still cared.

“Septon,” you say simply, “To hear it plainly from your own lips. How do you propose we annul my sister’s marriage to Royce Redward?”

The elder man clears his throat, sitting forward, you look over him, he looks nothing of a lion, an old fat man, his hair gone, his face smudged and pock marked, he licks his lips and speaks in a pleasant baritone you remember from the wedding, “My Lord, my Lady. The matter of your sister’s annulment is a delicate one. The Most Devout, of which I am a member, would more than like here your petition, all evidence gathered of the Lord Redward’s infidelity, abuse, and breaking of his vows as both a Knight and leal and true husband. Given that he was granted leave to marry Lady Isis by the Crown who had assumed no other living Malroy relatives were there to give her hand we can safely say the marriage itself was wrong with poor decision from the beginning. Once the Most Devout hears your case, and considers all evidence, including the… Indiscretions of the High Septon during these times, I am sure he will hear it himself and be quick to give you the annulment you so desire my Lord.”

“Definite quick Septon Tytos,” you respond.

The man ruffles himself up, put more in discomfort than what Benjin usually did in annoyance, “My Lord it would perhaps take… Six to eight months for the case to come before the Most Devout? B-but rest assured that is the longest it could possibly take and they will surely rule in your favour. It is the proper way to do this my Lord.”

Six to eight months? Your grip tightens on the chair, knuckles turnt white. Isis only had four months longer in King’s Landing before she’d be returned to the Red Bastard. That was too long. It was unacceptable. You could not risk any amount of time with her being back in his clutches. She could be dead before the Most Devout and the High Septon gave their conclusion.

Obella scoffs at that and sits up properly leaning back in her chair as she crosses her legs and her arms, looking off to the side, muttering to herself. You hold back a sigh, attempting to not give her any more reason to be annoyed and angry with you, but instead ask for her opinion fully, without any hint of condescending in your voice, “Obella? Do you have another way?”

They can live in steadhold for all i care and they should be cared for and educated as is proper for their station but that's all. Cold father figure all the way

“Do you truly care to hear it or are you paying me lip service, husband, before going with the Septon’s ‘safe plan’?”

Your sigh escapes this time and her lips keep held together in an angry pout and her eyes remain unhappy. You speak, “I care to hear it wife. The Septon’s timetable is unacceptable for me.”

Septon Tytos attempts to stammer out a response but is culled by Obella’s cutting look as she leans forwards and picks up several letters, leafing through them and tossing them towards you. Each says the same as the last, very little but they are damning all the same and your stomach goes sick when Obella begins to speak again.

“The wagon driver that Solhas and Ser Victor captured was transporting two boys, young and unspoilt, as the letter requests. In fetters, within a wooden crate. Apparently this wagon driver had made this delivery several times and was well aware to whom he was taking these boys to, and what their fate would be.”

The Septon looks at the floor, his own face that of guilt, shame, and queasy disgust.

“The boys served the High Septon, as those given to the Faith would, but were abused; verbally, physically, and sexually by the deprived leader of the Faith,” she says almost spitting with disgust, “We have the evidence that Redward has been supplying the High Septon with these poor boys to keep the Faith on his side. Which is why they have not previously denounced his marriage to Isis and have formerly kept from taking sides in your conflict as well. We have every ounce of evidence to blackmail the High Septon into submission, and have him come out against Royce this very day, and annul the marriage. Isis could return with us to Steadhold. And you can keep the Faith out of your dealings with Redward when you finally kill him. It is what we in Dorne would do. Lady Elionwy says the Spider would be more than happy to help should we turn over such things to him. A favor for a favor. I have little trust for him, and believe we could do it ourselves, but she tells that you have dealings with him in the past.”

You slowly turn to regard the Septon, who barely returns the look. You had a feeling he wasn’t telling you everything he knew, but hardly had the time to question him over it, nor did you care to. You shake your head, fingering at the damning letters with disgust before speaking again. A decision clear in your mind.

How to gain the Annulment:
>Septon Tytos’ plan
>Lady Obella’s plan, no Lord Varys
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys
>Something Else?(Please Specify)

>Questions?

Notes:
>Tytos’ plan is the “safe plan” it has the lowest chance of failing, but your timetable to have Isis returned gives 2-4 month gap where she might be back with Royce. He may not return her. He may harm her. He may harm the twins. Things could get messy quickly.
>Obella’s plan, alone, is perhaps the most dangerous of the plans. But it means you dictate how everything goes down. It is as equally likely that the High Septon attempts to gain some revenge on you in the future should you succeed. But you aren’t beholden to Lord Varys’ machinations. You could literally do this tonight and bring Isis home with you in two days. So long as you succeed.
>Obella’s plan but with Lord Varys, takes the risk out the latter, but at the cost of Lord Varys’ defining how these things will occur and when. It will be an even trade considering you want a marriage annulment out of it for some serious dirt the Spider isn’t aware of and would use long into the future, so you won’t be in debt to him. It won't be immediate, but definitely before the four months until Isis is returned to Royce is up.

>>3748097
>>>Lady Obella’s plan, no Lord Varys

>>3748097
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

>>3748097
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

>>3748097
If we go with Lord Varys will the High Septon still want to take revenge on us?

>>3748097
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

Planely he just has the right network already set up. Plus if he knows we can provide new information Obella may be able to tap into his network in turn in the future. A trade for trade as it were.

>>3748097
>Obella’s plan but with Lord Varys

Time to make nice with the wife a little bit, and honestly I think Brynden would be more trusting of Varys than he should be due to our previous interactions.

>>3748097
>>Questions?
Tytos, you know I would do this carelessly, but He WILL kill my sister before the timetable happens, and then disappear her corpse as "bandits," or worse. He is slime and scum of the lowest order and if my sister goes back to him? She may well be truly lost. Is there any way you can get you fellows who actually follow the religion they preach into a better position with this? I would prefer to limit the power of a paid for man how mumbles hollow words and instead of god Seven fearing men like you instead.

>Obella, you're right not to trust the spider overly much, but, he is our best choice. I do not want to be declared a heretic and make an enemy of the church, The spider holding the sword over the high septon's head is safer for us, we're not strong enough for it, yet. Otherwise your plan would be the best. With this in mind, what can you do make sure to limit the blowback on us, and can you get the boys to be ready to testify against redward but not the church by the time we need to nail the bastard to the wall?

>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

>>3748097
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

>>3748114
He's less likely to try it as Varys is going to have him by the nuts. If he does it'll be more subtle.

>>3748097
>>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys

>>3748097
>Lady Obella’s plan, no Lord Varys
Screw Varys.

>>3748097
>>3748127
thanks dad
>Lady Obella’s plan, with Lord Varys
Damn we're so lucky with our wife. We don't always go with her plans but damn she's good. Giselle would just sit there and look pretty

>>3748124
>Tytos

There's little he can do at this juncture. He's already pushed the timetable up as far as he can, usually it could take years to hear such a thing.

I'm trying to articulate a response to your actual question there though. In short, no, because of how the Faith works and how much information he'd have to give out to do so. And the Most Devout is just clergy, while they may have power to deliberate and bring things before the High Septon and do everything else expected of a Septon/Septa, ultimately the High Septon makes the decisions. They could oust him if you gave them all of the information, but then you lose all of your power in this situation.

>Obella

She's already taking precautions and measures to assure that this effects us as minimally as possible. Going with Lord Varys will mean it comes out more like the High Septon suddenly renouncing Redward's actions and that of the past and declaring the marriage unlawful and annulling it. And less that Brynden and Obella had anything directly to do with it. Because yeah, to be frank, Varys does have the stronger network and hand to play here in King's Landing.

The boys. Well... There's a reason that there have been several shipments. Only the pair that you found are alive or around and obviously they can't testify because you found them before they made it to him.

I'm trying to be clear on this but the wording of the questions kind of threw me.

Alright, looks like a pretty clear Obella plan with Varys.

If it isn't clear this was some serious ground work by Obella and while she'd prefer to do it herself working with Varys isn't the end of the world either. I set this up a long time ago but it kept being pushed to the side and I had to deep dive my notes to remember Obella had been asked to get some dirt on the High Septon and rolled incredibly well on my side for the job. Something that the spider didn't know? Pretty big stuff.

Anyway, I'm going to stretch and grab dinner then get back to writing in like 20 minutes.

>>3748183
Can we pay her a little lip service and tell her the plan is solid, and getting Varys involved is only a fall back to prevent the High Septon from retaliating as Varys has the kings ear at all times?

>>3748195
let's make sure though it isn't condescending and just us trying to make our wife happy

>>3748251
Exactly. I just want her knowing that we trust her, and have faith in her work, enough so in fact we can inform the spymaster himself of the news.

“Septon you may leave us,” you say, watching from the corner of your eye as Obella lips turn from a pout to a devilish little smile.

He looks at you, squinting and blinking a few times, “My Lord surely, you wouldn’t-”

“I would. And I shall,” you respond simply, “And I trust that this discussion will never leave this room.”

Septon Tytos gathers himself up, his face red and sweaty, his eyes beady and scattered, “I will pray for you both my Lord, my Lady. May the Seven be kind to when judgment comes for your actions.”

Obella leans on the arm of her chair, staring up at the Septon, “Oh if only they knew about everything else Septon. Have a good evening, don’t find yourself in that winesink you did last night again. It would be ungodly of such a good and righteous man as yourself, no?”

He stares back at her before relenting to the cruel smile she wore with such ease. Leaving quickly the door thumps behind him and you find yourself left with your wife. Her face maintains the same smugness as before but she speaks to you without the annoyance from before, “You want to work with Lord Varys don’t you?”

You roll your eyes and lean back in your chair, interlacing your hands behind your head and staring at the ceiling, before responding with a short sigh, “Yes. The Spider’s network is stronger than our own, and he is more readily poised to hold the sword above the High Septon’s neck than we are.”

“I knew I should not have mentioned Elionwy,” she says with a huff, standing from her chair and coming around the table and sitting on the edge to gain your attention again.

You allow a small chuckle before regarding her fully, she idly plays with her ringlets at the end of her hair as she leans over the table leafing through the letters again and placing them in order.

“Truly it is a thing of brilliance though, do you not know that?” you ask gaining her attention, “Something even the Spider does not know. I could not believe it myself and not only do you have witnesses, you have letters, proof, everything that would damn even an innocent man. And you did it for my sister. For someone I love so dearly and has been wrongly kept from me for so long. With this one thing, you have done more for me than any Lord, Hand, High, or Low ever has. You are an incredible woman Obella and truly I am lucky to have you for my wife.”

Her face falls flat at your praise and lip service, and she rolls her eyes before standing and gracefully sliding onto your lap, reaching a hand upon your cheek and kissing the opposite side, “Oh I know dear husband, but you can keep singing my praises until I tire of them.”

You kiss her back and she nestles into your body, despite the heat of the day, and you do, you do continue to sing her praises, for better or worse. She laughs at your explanations and goes into length and detail regarding the detaining of the wagon driver and learning of the High Septon’s past indiscretions that had been swept under the table when he ascended only to be dug out by herself and a little bribery and blackmail of the clergy. Surely the Spider had at least caught wind already of something being amiss, but he had not made it known that he knew what she was up to. And when she finally scored she knew that this would do it.

“I do not forgive you yet Brynden,” she says, rocking on your lap, holding your hands above her head with her own as she peppers your neck with teasing kisses and bites, “But I will damned if I am denied the warmth of my husband after nearly two months becuase he is half a fool who cannot appreciate the ‘brilliant incredible’ wife he has.”

You roll your eyes and she takes the opportunity to kiss you fully, her tongue darting into your mouth and playful teasing your own. Her hands slide from your own, carefully undoing your belt and freeing your member that she takes in her hand while her other hikes up her skirts. She lowers herself onto you, the warm embrace of her entrance a welcomed sight for sore eyes. Obella slows begins to ride your length, arms wrapped around your neck, her breath caught with pleasure. Your own hands go to work, gripping her ass and aiding in the endeavour. Her own pace quickens as you do so, her moans into your neck definitely loud enough for the laborers and servants outside of the solar to hear but neither of you cared. This woman, your wife was something else and she made the turmoil and clouds of your mind disappear. Perhaps you were becoming less of the man she had fallen in love with, as the sellsword had been left behind for the Lord, but you hoped to still be the man she desired. If the song she sung into your ear right now was any indication that was certainly still the truth and you feel yourself build and thrust into her to hilt, spewing your seed into her insides, a contented sigh leaving both of your lips as she moves her head to your own meeting at the forehead and she smiles.

“Still have not forgiven you,” she says with smugness before kissing you again.

The two of you stay together for a moment, your softening member remaining inside her as she went through the finer details of the plan with you. For the most part she would be taking point on the endeavour, and would push for it to be down within the next few months. Ideally when you returned from Lys and Long Isle so you could simply bring Isis and the twins home then. She would be placing a few of her agents about King’s Landing to keep tabs on her and the High Septon and would be in regular contact with Lord Varys as he made his own plans. The blowback should be minimal as the two of you would be remaining out of sight and mind, and the announcement should come as a surprise to nearly everyone. At worst you may need to make an appearance to collect Isis and the twins from the Great Sept of Baelor as they are likely to be taken into the Faith’s custody for their own protection in the days following the annulment.

Eventually Obella rises from your lap, cleaning herself with your handkerchief and redressing herself, as little good as it did. You told her you expected Ser Jaime tomorrow evening for dinner and though she scowled at the thought she did think it smart to attempt to take the Blounts out of the fight with words rather than with your sword for once, “My husband uses his silver tongue for once. I had thought it lost in battle,” she remarks with a tittering laugh.

Obella takes her seat again, crossing her legs over the arm and going through the letters and papers about her. She sighs and looks up at you backwards, “I am sorry I have not been able to get more of Redward’s actions,” she says, “I do not know what to think of it. It makes little sense.”

“Agreed,” you mutter, remembering the useless pile of letters of his coming and goings over the past few months and of absolutely nothing else.

“Though, now that this thing with the High Septon is done, or mostly rather. I can refocus myself and my personally agents to begin work on something new, if you desire. Either Redward. Or this Myrish magister of yours. Or the Langwards even.”

“How so?” you ask.

“Well the Langwards are still likely to be a mess of chaos and dissent in the wake of the war. I am sure I can find a way, even without Lyonel to cause them further harm and make rebuilding more difficult. I will admit to knowing little of Myr but from what you tell me of Tychano Osten he is a person to be feared, I can find his connections to the Free Cities, his sponsors, his mistresses, his family, and we can be sure to have someone under our thumb before he tries to meddle in the affairs of Westerosi again. Or… And I think it mostly likely for you to wish this, I can double down on Redward. Perhaps I have missed something, or the messages are coded or… Something. I do not know, but I will dedicate all of my time to figuring it out.”

Obella reaches a hand out, taking your own, and squeezing it, “Do not allow me to waste Brynden. I find no more hurtful insult than when my talents are not used by the man I expect to appreciate them the most.”

Who should Obella focus on?
>Lord Lucos Langward
>Magister Tychano Osten
>Lord Royce Redward

Notes:
>This will be in addition to the cells you have placed in these three domains already. Obella will give considerable bonuses in the find of information or actions taken.
>Obella might not get as big of a score as she did with the High Septon, but she's definitely more able of figuring out what's going on or causing chaos than just her cells alone.
>Obella is still a bit miffed with Brynden but she's better now, ignoring this huge of a score would have sent her off for awhile
>RETURN OF THE CASUAL SEX SCENES

>>3748357
>Lord Royce Redward

>>3748357
>>Magister Tychano Osten

>>3748357
God damn this is a tough and choice. But if Royce isnt giving up any answers, maybe Lucos will reveal what's going on.

>Lord Lucos Langward.

>>3748357
>>Magister Tychano Osten

>>3748357
>>Magister Tychano Osten

>>3748357
>>Magister Tychano Osten
We need proof of foreign influence with the aim of hurting us before using our dirt on Redward for maximum gain. Otherwise the crown won't leave the situation to us but handle it themselves and land a knight with ties to the crown. If i understand what dad's been saying.

>>3748357
>Magister Tychano Osten

>>3748357
>Lord Lucos Langward

Shaking your head you flip through the bound notes regarding the Red Bastard and allow a sigh, if he was not giving you anything perhaps your old enemy and his sponsor would, “No, Royce is useless without someone smarter leading him. The falling out between him and Linden lead to latter’s death, and Royce going to ground. He would not do that unless he had been instructed to. Magister Tychano Osten is still my greatest enemy and his meddling in the affairs of the Crownlands will only go on for so much longer. If Ser Jon is right and this false Malroy has stolen the Celtigar boys ship and is transporting their slaves for them, then we have something to work with but I know so little of his plans otherwise and what he is doing that I may as well be in the dark. He should be your target, for the foreseeable future.”

Obella turns her eyes back to her letters, shuffling them with a slight frown before coming on one, “Well I know for a fact he knows we are coming to Lys. So it would be in our best interest to bring some guards. Oh I will get to spend more time with Illiad!” she rambles off on her own for a bit and you keep your own throughts. Lys it could get rather… Messy. As far as you knew the Orlisis family still loomed large there and recently Ysaeria had taken over her mother’s perfume business. You did not know if your child with her had ever been born, but judging by the strength of your other children it was just as likely they had been. Of all the women in your past life you can firmly say that only Ysaeria would ever give Obella cause to be jealous, petty, or angry. Sighing you push the thought back, best to come up another day when Obella was in a better mood.

Your night is a simple affair, you take dinner in your quarters with Obella and Lorelei. Holding your daughter for a long while and dozing off until Armen arrives back to inform you that Ser Jaime had accepted your invitation.You send him off to find Rickard to tell him to make the Villa ready for the Kingsguard and pass Lorelei off to her wetnurse so that you could spend some more time with your wife alone. For once your dreams are quiet and you manage a good night’s sleep, only interrupted by the celebrations of your Knights deep in their cups late at night, a note that hardly worried you when Obella had crawling upon your lap in her own half awakedness.

Alright so kind of weird stop point but I'm struggling to get a Jaime post going and everything that entails right now. So, sorry guys, not a great amount of story content tonight. Just kind of off my game and wasn't thrilled with anything I wrote today.

Anyway... Next thread will be sometime next week, I'll let you guys know when I have a firm date. I think I'm going to try to at least bang out the Jaime post and do it at a really weird time and let people roll/vote to get him to tell the Blounts to fuck off.

Thank you for playing as always. I'll be around for questions for a bit.

>>3748545
thanks for running dad

>>3748545
Thanks for running.

Did we ever give Obella the scorpions yet?

>>3748545
Thanks for the run Dad. Honestly I thought it was some pretty heart wrenching stuff so well done. Looking forward to next week!

>>3748545
I think you're killing it. The thread was great. Especially the scene with Isis.

>>3748565
We have not. I'll probably do it when. We get home.

I appreciate the kind words everyone. Glad you guys enjoyed.

>>3748668
It is always enjoyable to read your threads. Not so much DURING them but reading them is fun.

Great thread Papi! Only regret is I was working and missed my chance to vote, but I'm very happy with the way the votes went. Speaking of which...

Soooo when are Marqus Reynold and Jessamine Waters (Redward?) getting married?

Also

>Brynden Malroy is a cat person

It is such a shame that I have to stop following this quest after all this time because the MC prefers fickle felines to courageous canines haha.

I enjoyed that tidbit dad, as well as the rest of the thread. The Isis bit really hit home.

Still gutted we didn't seize on the moment of high emotion to make out with Isis. Ah, well. There'll be other opportunities if she's coming to live with us.

>>3748127
>Varys is going to have him by the nuts
I'm sure there's a eunuch joke in there somewhere.

So i was thinking. What shall we name the kittens ?

I was thinking about naming them after note-worthy horses of our family's history, is there any Father ?

>>3748732
>Soooo when are Marqus Reynold and Jessamine Waters (Redward?) getting married?
How old is he in this timeline, breezy?

>>3749549
Marqus would have just turned 4 about 2 months ago, so the age gap wouldn't be especially large.

>>3749693
I am sure the Reynold would love to see another redhead married into the family. And Brynden would probably be happy to get rid of the girl

>Implying Ellanor would allow her favorite grandson to marry a bastard.
Assuming she'd still be alive by then.

>>3750297
You never know, anons may vote to keep their names intact.

>This isn’t locking you into a what to do about the twin’s names after the annulment but should give you a good idea of what Isis would prefer

From the above vote. That would make it a pretty good match.

>>3750304
That's true. Isis nearly broke my heart with that last scene, and honestly I kind of want to give her daughters as best a life as they can have now. If Isis can put their father out of the picture, Brynden should be able to as well. Luckily they're both girls and once they marry, the Redward name still dies out forever, but this way, Isis is happy

I kind of expected the twins vote to be a lot more contentious with how much shitposting there was about it.

Subverted my expectations

>>3748545
If they're allowed to stay post babydom will the twins be great friends with Lorelei?

>>3750297
Elleanor? Absolutely not. Mervyn however I don't think would give a rats ass one way or another seeing as he himself was born a Hill. A bastard daughter of a noble house and the son of a (hopefully) landed knight? I don't think that would be a bad match were it to actually happen.

>>3750304
I highly doubt it to be honest. I know I'd vote to have them delegitimized.

>>3751204
Yeah. No way Brynden should accept such a thing. But i am sure he'd gladly send one of them far away to the Westerlands.

>>3750985
I think it was just one or two very vocal anons who were really against it.

>>3750985
Isis and Obella will spend their entire time making sure that they're friends, so that everytime Brynden tries to scowl at them he can't because Lorelei is there as well

>>3751283
Those wicked women scheming behind Brynden's back!

>>3751293
>Bryden scowling as he watches his daughter and nieces playing in the nursery
>Brynden scowling as he watches his daughter and nieces gallop around the fields on their purebreed ponies
>Brynden scowling as his nieces wish him a happy birthday with the gifts they made for him
>Brynden scowling as he gives away his niece in marriage to one of his knights

>>3751611
More teeths shall be gritted that even Stannis will be put to shame

>>3751640
Taking Redwards kids and making it so they hate him and everything he did is probably the single biggest own we can do to him, even more so than cooking him alive inside a brazen horse.

>>3751676
That and litreally removing his name and house from history.

>>3750320
>Isis nearly broke my heart with that last scene, and honestly I kind of want to give her daughters as best a life as they can have now.
And Brynden isn't (wasn't?) a sentimental shit like you. But voting decides.

>>3751809
He also isn't a cunt like you. So stop with personal attacks mate. We are better than that. At least for Father's threads.

>>3751817
Look at the modern sentiment bandwagon talk. Go vote on fighting for bastard equality or something.

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>>3751830

>>3751830
as much as I despise modern sentiment in a feudal setting its neither Impossible to possess or uncommon for it to exist as something players can discard easily.

>>3751830
>>3751852
>modern sentiment
Not sure what the modern sentiment is about "we love our sister dearly and want her to be happy and close to us, so we will put up with little redshits being close to us as well"

>>3751204
Same, to be honest. Assuming it would be done when he's still alive so he has to live knowing that he and his line are always going to be no more than bastards in our eyes. Unless they can somehow be Malroys. Normally impossible, I think, but given the Faith's precarious position... Still seems like a stretch though.

>>3751809
Well you could argue Brynden does have a lot of modern sentimentality because he left his family because he loved a whore who was going to have his bastard son. He spit in the face of convention and went into self imposed exile for her. I think they should still be delegitimized, forever known to the realm as Jessamine and Camelia Waters, but if Isis wants them to live in the castle, I think Brynden would eventually cave to her wishes as she is the only sibling he has left.

>>3751809
I mean... he carried a braid of hair around for a pretty long time. And he's done quite a lot for a horse past his prime.

>>3748732
I think Brynden would be a pet person in general, I think he'd like both.

>>3751204
Fucking thank you joe. At the rate we're going we're going to be stuck raising them and being railroaded into loving them.

Seven Above I have come up with alot of questions for you Dad.

1. Is Dontos still a gold star gay or is Lady Chelsted taking her marriage rights from him against his will?

2. So Elionwy is mute, but is she mute as in she cant talk, or she just cant make any sounds at all as in her vocal chords are ruined?

3. Are we going to meet the Celtigar girl when we go to Lys and Long Isle?

4. How much shit can we expect if we meet our bastard daughter and her mother? Is it something that can be avoided?

5. Magisterial Tychano is obviously a bastard and out to get us, but would it be possible for Obella to ask Varys for help finding dirt on him seeing as his spy network is much more thorough across the narrow sea?

>>3748732
>Soooo when are Marqus Reynold and Jessamine Waters (Redward?) getting married?

Weirdly that isn't an oddly horrible match. I don't think Alyssa would like it much, but I definitely don't see Mervyn caring much.

So during the WotFKs when all hell is breaking loose.

>>3748890
She received a non-lewd kiss on her head and you'll appreciate it!

>>3749195
>So i was thinking. What shall we name the kittens ?
I'll probably only keep one of them about as a point of reference the rest of them are probably going to disperse about Steadhold. The plan for that background bit is for one to bond with Lorelei and grow up with her. So maybe she'll name it whenever she's verbal.

>>3750304
>You never know, anons may vote to keep their names intact.
Man that's going to be a fun vote.

>>3750985
>If they're allowed to stay post babydom will the twins be great friends with Lorelei?
Very likely. Obella understands how important Isis is to Brynden. So she's making her best effort to befriend her and of course being too recent mothers their children are just as likely to become friends as they are only months apart. Jessamine and Camelia are very likely to becoming Lorelei's partners in crime and in the future Ladies-in-Waiting. Unless Brynden specifically does something to separate them or says no.

>>3751809
>And Brynden isn't (wasn't?) a sentimental shit like you.
I don't know about that, Brynden has definitely been written as someone who wears his emotions on his sleeve. He kept Isis braid for a long time, he wears his brother's cloak, made a very large effort to be close with his mother's family. He's definitely sentimental when it comes to specific people, sort of the whole Family motivation. That doesn't prevent him from making decisions against that nature, but its definitely something that's always been there.

>>3752046
>Unless they can somehow be Malroys.
That's the third option. When I do the vote for what will become of the children when you meet with Lord Varys it'll be, delegitimize them (Waters), allow them to keep their name (Redward), petition the Crown to recognize them as Malroys. I have a good feeling where that vote is going but the options are there.

>>3753190
This is true. Brynden is definitely an animal person in general, Victus picked that up from him. He just slightly prefers cats and it might entirely be a thing to spite his elder brother because of their constant bickering in their youth.

>>3755498
>1. Is Dontos still a gold star gay or is Lady Chelsted taking her marriage rights from him against his will?
Gold star for life. Alexes doesn't have any interest in pursuing a sexual relationship with Dontos, even though she enjoys making him sweat.

>2. So Elionwy is mute, but is she mute as in she cant talk, or she just cant make any sounds at all as in her vocal chords are ruined?
Elionwy is non-verbal and has been her whole life, no noises whatsoever. If my notes are correct, I can't remember if I said otherwise.at some point. She communicates with notes, a bastard form of sign language, and her eyes.

>3. Are we going to meet the Celtigar girl when we go to Lys and Long Isle?
If Ser Jon is half the sea Captain as he boasts to be and you guys track down the King Crab and Ser Ambrose 'Malroy' then yes there's a good chance. Jon is going to have his 10 ships and then another five and a flagship from House Velaryon. There's going to be several options of how you take down the pirate's hidey-hole and there's a chance that some of them escape. So maybe.

>4. How much shit can we expect if we meet our bastard daughter and her mother? Is it something that can be avoided?
Ysaeria is the one woman that Obella would find herself jealous over, even despite Brynden bailing on her. But between Visenya looking like Brynden to a T and her being a powerful woman in her own right, Obella is not ever going to like her and will be incredibly cross if she ever finds out about her and Visenya. Despite being a spy she still keeps lines when it comes to Brynden's history.

Best way to avoid it is to just never talk to her. Brynden will receive a single secret letter when in Lys and will have the option to meet with her or not. The Orlisis family is powerful, and while Ysaeria doesn't need or want anything from Brynden, at the moment, she is aware that she has something he wants.

>5. Magisterial Tychano is obviously a bastard and out to get us, but would it be possible for Obella to ask Varys for help finding dirt on him seeing as his spy network is much more thorough across the narrow sea?

Possible? Yes. A good idea? Ehhhh, Obella isn't particularly thrilled about sharing her big find with the Spider already and she's an agent for Doran Martell, not the Crown, and she is not interested in working with Varys anymore than she has to. It'll also come off as Brynden not trusting in Obella's agents and their ability. You've already asked Obella to directly work on finding dirt and anything you can use to get to Magister Tychano, suddenly asking her to work with someone she doesn't trust and has advised not trusting in the future, might not go over well.

Anyway, next thread will be Wednesday, 21 August. At 2PM EST.

>>3755670
>Gold star for life

Godspeed Dad. Godspeed. The fact that Dontos is goldstar and still married is absolutely hysterical, not to mention an absolute unit of a warrior and all around well written character just makes me happy. He might be my favourite character (aside from Victus obviously) you've written dad.

Poor Mason. No dirty myrish pillowtalk being whispered in his ear. Oh well.

See you Wednesday Dad!!

>>3755669
>petition the Crown to recognize them as Malroys.
I can't see that happening unless we get some kind of package deal for Victus as well.

>>3756356
I dont think it works like that. I think the reason we'd be petitioning the crown is that the children were born from a marriage, but the marriage is getting annulled. So the children in this scenario should let be viewed as bastards but instead given the name of their mother instead of their traitor father

>>3755670
>Ysaeria is the one woman that Obella would find herself jealous over, even despite Brynden bailing on her. But between Visenya looking like Brynden to a T and her being a powerful woman in her own right, Obella is not ever going to like her and will be incredibly cross if she ever finds out about her and Visenya. Despite being a spy she still keeps lines when it comes to Brynden's history.

>Best way to avoid it is to just never talk to her. Brynden will receive a single secret letter when in Lys and will have the option to meet with her or not. The Orlisis family is powerful, and while Ysaeria doesn't need or want anything from Brynden, at the moment, she is aware that she has something he wants.

Hahaha oh man I know what I'm voting for already.

>>3756625
And Brynden's not gonna want to do that unless he can make his son who he loves very much a proper Malroy at the same time as the nieces he barely even considers family.

>>3757333
Well to be fair, his nieces are still technically the products of two nobles.

>>3757333
Which isn't going to happen because Obella would flip her shit since Victus would become our heir.

>>3757333
The shitposting, it never ceases

>>3755669
>Jessamine and Camelia are very likely to becoming Lorelei's partners in crime and in the future Ladies-in-Waiting
ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NEVER

>>3759008
I'm sorry anon, but Lorelei is going to have her cousins and the entirety of Steadhold wrapped around her pinky finger by the time she's 8, and Obella will be incrediblely proud about it.

>>3759020
And poor Brynden will be powerless to stop her.

>>3759008
>>3759020

>but...daddy... why do you always get so grumpy when I play with Jessie and Camelia? You always say family is important, and they're my cousins. Auntie Isis says its important for cousins to care about each other

Brynden has no chance.

>>3759582
Probably grumble some quiet agreement, tell her to go back to play with her pony and continue to scowl

What do you guys think Dontos thinks about the girls?

alright for my turn im gonna splooge all over the horses face

>>3760624
Probably something sensible and pragmatic.

>>3760746
Isn't he just the worst?

>>3761374
When ever baby Dorian cry, It is Dontos fault

Hey Dad, how's that Jaime post going?

>>3766680
Eh it never did. Unfortunately looks like I'll be opening with that tomorrow. Or maybe fortunately. Either way.

>>3759582
>>3759640
It's too real.

>>3760624
That they are his greatest failure to his family.

See you guys tomorrow.

>>3766910
Awe Dontos. Where would his opinion lie on having them delegitimized? On one hand, creating more bastards goes against his character, but mayhaps he already looks at them as bastards and wants to see the Redward name eliminated as much as Brynden does. I could see Dontos actually being the one to suggest petitioning the crown to call the girls Malroys with regards to his views on natural born children.

See you tomorrow Dad!!

>>3767183
>with regards to his views on natural born children
Eh, I dunno. Dontos seems to have a thing for propriety, so kids born of rape in a forced marriage probably fly under his radar as far as legitimacy is concerned.

>>3767183
>>3767590
I think his opinion on them is slightly more nuanced than whether he thinks they're bastards or not.

Hey everyone, quick update. I'll probably be about an hour late today, so start time will be 3PM EST. Have to take a conference call at our usual start time, not sure when that'll end. Still plan on running, just letting you guys know where I'm at.

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>>3767962
Ha ha ha....see you soon daddy...ha ha ha

>>3767962
Haha... Its just small delay... hahaha Nothing to worry about hahha...

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3:01...EVERYBODY PANIC!!!

Day 24, Month IX - 285AC ~ Evening
King’s Landing - The Malroy Villas

Master Rickard Wence did not have a dedicated chef on retainer at the Villa as of yet, and by the look that Obella had given him was any indication when she was planning the small affair with Ser Jaime Lannister was any indication he likely would the next time. Thankfully, your Lady-wife had been able to find someone of some worth, though not to her particularly liking as he had been a Riverlander, rather than the Essosi or Dornish she typically employed. All the same to you in truth, your mind had been left unoccupied for the majority of the day about the Villa and that had allowed it time to wander and remind you of desire to be home. Dontos had already made for it after seeing Ser Silas Langward off this morning to his new exile in Essos, doubt lingered in your mind whether the elder man was capable of making his way there and more importantly why your uncle had seen fit to spare the man and beg for his exile. Knowing Dontos it was unlikely you would ever know. Lady Alexes Chelsted and her Household would be attending Mason’s wedding, and with them your son, Victus, no doubt already planning to stir up trouble with your squires and attempt to participate in the Squire’s Melee. Lady Lysa Arryn had given Isis leave to return with you to Steadhold for the event as well, and had thankful declined your invitation to join herself. For once you would have the majority of your family home without the overbearing presence of the Crown or Dorne or of your enemies. If nothing else the Red Bastard’s quiet had given you some room to breath with the Langward’s defeat and soon to be pacification of the Blounts your borders would be secured and Steadhold at peace. For the moment at least.

You blink away the descending sun as you stand before the Villa’s doors with your family and Household waiting to greet Ser Jaime. Obella stands to your left with Lorelei in her arms. To your right is Ser Lucas Longwaters, resplendent in his full plate and mantle of crimson. Beside him is your new ward, Landon Langward, dressed in his family’s colors though quiet and defeated. Beyond him are your Household Knights and your squires, all in full garb as well, the onyx plate trimmed with gold shining brightly. And beside them your ragtag Sons of Gold, a mixture of Essosi and Westerosi that looked more and more out of place as time went on. Beside Obella are her handmaidens and Ladies-in-Waiting, the dornish and essosi women she kept on retainer and you knew were far more dangerous than they let on. And finally Master Rickard Wence and his son. Queer you had thought it, though left it little mind, Rickard had clearly found his patron in your Lady-Wife, perhaps for the best, such things were hardly your concern.

The laborers had been cleared away and the Villa’s courtyard looked… Acceptable. Bare but acceptable. In truth it reminded you of the castle proper before Obella had taken to redecorating and fixing the place up. You shake your mind of idle thoughts as you see Ser Jaime Lannister turning his lone horse through the Villa’s gates. He had come alone, bedecked in the white plate of the Kingsguard, though his fashion otherwise screamed that of the Lannisters. He takes his time, meandering towards your collected household before dismounting and offering a bow of some respect to which you return and he removes his helmet, his golden locks falling gracefully. You click your tongue and one of the stablehands takes his horse, a curiously golden thing that looked familiar though you could not place it.

“Lord and Lady Malroy,” he says in simple greeting, taking your wife’s pre-offered hand after bowing to you and kissing her ring delicately though she remains stiff and tight lipped before standing to his full length again, “I thank you for your invitation. I had not thought to enjoy your… Hospitality, again, so soon.”

“House Malroy always stands ready to entertain and house a gallant and noble Knight of the Kingsguard, Ser Jaime,” Obella replies, her smile somewhat forces and voice perhaps allowing far more sarcasm than it should have and Ser Jaime picks upon it, eyeing her sideways and thinking it better of the thought before turning to you again.

“Lord Malroy, shall we?”

You part, splitting your Household and leading the way with Ser Jaime by your side to the great hall. A great hall that far out performed the exterior of the Villa. Rickard had been hard at work to assure the new furniture had arrived and was placed and that the old tapestries and standards of your family were dusted and gone over to pick away at any pills or loose threads. You pass by the newest of them, a banner of House Baratheon where that of House Targaryens once graced your walls. Better that Dontos had left this morning. Your Household fills in the great hall and soon chatter and laughter begins to fill the hall as the men and women get ready for what is otherwise a small feast to them. Ser Jaime takes his seat to your right, Obella your left, handing Lorelei off to her wetnurse to be put to bed for the night. A part of you dreaded the game that was to come, and in truth you could swear Ser Jaime did as well. You wondered if he knew your reason for inviting him here tonight, but the way he sat, leaned away, fingers rasping the arms of his chair indicated he was either uncomfortable or already annoyed. He takes wine, though hardly touches the golden vintage as everyone settles in.

Obella interlaces her fingers in your own when you sit, giving you a reaffirming smile and urging you on with her eyes. The two of you had spent some time to gather your thoughts on the best way to approach Ser Jaime and asking for his help, or rather the Queen’s help, in regards to pacifying the Blounts. At least you already had one piece, Ser Brandon Blount had readily admitted his cousins actions and having been sent on his order to aid House Langward in their War of Aggression under the guise of banditry. You had supposed his own honour and knightly vows had been what made him speak so quickly but either way it was to your benefit. Lord Beros Blount was married to a Lady Cerenna Lantell, the sister of Cardyn Lantell, and their twin boys were almost two now. They had been married after the Sack of King’s Landing, Lord Beros loathe to join the loyalist during the Rebellion and remaining neutral in the conflict until the lion had stirred when he joined the Rebels. Ser Boros Blount had fought your uncle to spectacular disaster as the Queen’s champion in her petty trial against you upon your return to Westeros. It could not be anymore obvious that House Blount were in the Lannister’s pocket. All you needed was for one of them to tell them to back down, whether it be to save their own face or under threat of future war you cared little, just that it was done and you could be home.

The first course begins to arrive a selection of cured meats, shaved razor thin, buckwheat crackers, and cheese one of which nearly made Lucas retch when he smelled it and forced you to stifle a laugh. There were olives, pickled blueberries, artichoke hearts, and a tacky sort of fruit leather that tasted tangy and sweet at the same time. Laughter and joy abounds about the great hall as your Household partakes in the feast that was for you a cover for a conversation so that you could avoid another greater war in the future. You stand, bringing attention to yourself with little more than your figure and a raise goblet of wine.

“A toast,” you say simply, quiet having taken the room, “To my Lady-Wife, Obella Qorgyle, our daughter, Lorelei, and future child that we shall meet soon enough. For all that they have abided, for that all will be to come, for being the pillar that I, and Steadhold, lean upon during darker times.”

The great hall erupts in response, taking drink happily in your wife’s good name. Though again you raise your glass, calling their attention. Oh what pride had wrought.

“And another,” you begin just as simply, “To Ser Jaime Lannister and the good men and Lords of the Westerlands. For aiding me, us, in the defeat of House Langward, and bringing about the King’s Peace to Steadhold once again. For his valour upon the battlefield and honour off.”

The response is quieter. And you notice Lucas not drinking as well as every one of Obella’s handmaidens as well. It was not for them, you knew, but all the same you knew they did not forget the Rebellion, what the Kingslayer truly was. Your words were hollow.

You sit again, picking at a piece of cured duck breast and regarding Ser Jaime slightly as he sits up properly, his face still annoyed though he takes drink now.

“Unnecessary flattery Lord Malroy,” he says, “I am not my father, nor my dear sister.”

“But you are a Lannister,” you respond, turning slightly and catching his full regard.

“That I am,” he grinds out, “Let me tell you something Lord Malroy. I did not come to Steadhold for you, nor am I here in your Villa for you. I am here upon the Queen’s order. And in truth I wish to be within my chambers in the White Sword Tower before the hour of the wolf, and would prefer if you would be forward with me in regards to why I am here. Again.”

Your eyes narrow slightly. The pride of Lannisters is what had been wrought. You bite back words but instead set mind to task. If he was here upon the Queen’s orders than perhaps she too knew that the Red Bastard’s ship was sinking, it was not the first time that a Lannister had been sent to clean up the mess of those that had failed. Lord Dresden Drox, Ser Lestor Langward, and now hopefully House Blount. You but needed to choose your approach.

How to approach?

>Floor is open for suggestions and write-ins. I have some vague ideas for voting options but I wanted to see if you guys had a specific way you wanted to go about this.

>>3768298
If he wish to have it over with then let us be blunt or rather Blount. We wish for him to convince his sister the queen to help us pacify the Blounts and prehapes help us in dealing with the Redward who has become a very poor friend and partner. We will find a way that make it out to be her being tricked and lied to be a man she thought was a noble and just friend of her family and husband. That way we she can save face

>>3768298
>"you are right ser, and have my apologies. The political game is a distasteful one for a warrior, but one i must needs play. Therefore I will be as straightforward as I can. The blounts bow to your house, and though the glory of our dawn charge against the langwards was great, I would rather not have to ride down the blounts as well. Will you help me keep them from any fights to come?"

>>3768298
I know the Blounts are your sisters and fathers pets. The marriage to Cerenna Lantell says as much. Your sister and I have quarrelled before and I have no desire to make an enemy of my queen. As such, I bring you the opportunity to allow her to save face rather than have another of her creatures be revealed for a scheming traitor on the wrong end of this conflict.

>>3768315
>let us be blunt or rather Blount
I hope we literally say this with a dramatic pause before the word Blount. And then act like it wasn't stupid at all.

>>3768298
You’re right See Lannister, but this is politics, were the nice inanities must be observed or else you’ll shoot yourself in the foot. I do apologize for dragging this out. The matter of the issue is the Blounts. See there was a Blount aiding the Langwards banditry of my land, and that concerns me. Because we are neighbors. Now I know the Blounts are patroness by your sister, who has little like for me, but did send you when the langward’s made thier final desperate gambit. Therefore I assume that the aid leveled at the Langward’s was because they thought to gain favor with your sister under the believe she wanted my house gone, or for how Boris was bested so soundly when you or Ser Barristan would have achieved victory instead. All I ask was that the Blounts don’t continue to pursue conflict with my house. Given your sister is a patron of theirs, your word would carry far far more weight with them than mine.

>>3768298
Probably start with agreeing with him. Not sure why we would like this any more than he does. Point out that the Blounts are known to be beholden to his own house. We don't care whether it is true or not, only that they be told in no uncertain terms and for the good of all involved parties (or uninvolved, if they'd like to play coy about it) to cease meddling in our affairs before they make things more difficult than they already have.

Then move on to horseflesh. Surely a topic he can better relate to. He'd cut a more impressive figure on a horse of gold. Good for him, good for our business.

>>3768359
>He'd cut a more impressive figure on a horse of gold
He already has one.

Oh wow, alright that was a lot of good write ins.

They all generally have the same feel here, nothing too crazy but hitting the keypoints. I can use a blend unless one really stands out. We'll do some rolls and then another vote for the finality of this and go from there.

Thank you guys, I was worried that this would fall flat and I'd have to pull. Struggled with the set up for this.

>>3768384
>actually helping father with a write-in option
this must be what being goldsong feels like

>>3768402
Smug as fuck living the good life?

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>>3768402
>NEIGH NEIGH

>>3768369
Could've sworn we only gave one to Tygon Reynold and there was a comment somewhere about Jamie and his men riding red horses. I could be wrong though.

>>3768443
No I remember that too. But notice how Brynden notices that it's strange Jaime is riding a gold horse. Maybe he pulled one from the kings stables? We should mention that to Jaime and ask where he got the horse from

>>3768443
Our horses were stolen during the Sack of Steadhold, remember? Here's concrete proof that Jaime has a golden Malroy horse:
>>3768295
>You click your tongue and one of the stablehands takes his horse, a curiously golden thing that looked familiar though you could not place it.

>>3768415
>>3768430
Ain't that the N E I G H-ked truth

>>3768447
>>3768452
Oh man... could it be from the House Baratheon trade deal? If so, those aren't quite our best horses.

>>3768484
Guys, he had them by the time we got to Westeros at the start of the quest. Take a wild guess how he got them

Straight forward, to the point, rip the bandage from the wound quickly as to see this done. You hated this part of the game nearly as much as he did it would seem. And you would much rather enjoy a drink and food, rather than sour taste and disdain. You take a breath, then a gulp of wine and steel your mind and self.

“Apologies Ser Jaime. I find this game of politics and words without their truer meaning just as distasteful as you or any other man of the battlefield such as ourselves. The inanities of custom must be observed lest I look half the fool myself, when every other man wishes to call me but the sellsword playing at Lord. But alas I find myself with need to play these games, at least until this is done. However, out of my respect for you, and our like mindedness, I will be as straight-forward as possible. The matter at hand is of House Blount.”

Ser Jaime grimaces, picking at an olive idly, while he waves his free hand for you to continue.

“As you well know, and as all well know throughout the Crownlands, House Langward and their poor attempts to hide behind the guise of banditry assaulted my home, my people, and ourselves. Whether through misguided madness or a fallen brother’s final order I care little now. But aside that all, amongst their numbers were men of House Blount, led by a cousin, Ser Brandon Blount, who now resides in the Red Keep’s cells waiting to be ransomed back, as his station and name decitates. Though that he was there at all concerns me greatly Ser Jaime. See, though it remains unsaid the Blounts are heavily beholden to your own, particularly your Lord-Father and sister, the Queen. Their marriage to a Lantell despite remaining neutral during the Rebellion, Ser Boros championing the Queen’s cause when either you or Ser Barristan would have made quick work of my uncle and given her the victory she desired speaks volumes to this, Ser. Perhaps their aid given to the Langwards was in the misguided believe that your sister wished my House gone and seeked to gain further favor from her. I know your sister holds no love for me nor my House, but I have not now, nor ever desired to make an enemy of the Queen. Nor to tarnish her good name, through actions that have yet to come.”

“Such as Lord Malroy?” Ser Jaime responds after a pause.

“Truly you do not think that war has come to an end within the Crownlands Ser Jaime?” you ask pointedly, “The man that killed my mother and betrayed my father and brother yet still lives. And if the Blounts remain so misguided in their effort to appease the Queen and curry her favor I have little doubt they will see fit to continue to aid that man in the future until his eventually ruination and their own. I do not intend to stop Ser Jaime. I intend to win.”

The first course is being cleared away as a silence looms between the two of you, Ser Jaime flicks his nail on the edge of a cheese knife and you idly swirl your goblet and take another drink as the second course is brought out. A salt baked trout, served upon a cold sauce of lemon dill custard and broccoli rabe coated in butter, shallots, and garlic.

“What is it you seek from me then Lord Malroy?” Ser Jaime asks, having taken a single bite from his meal before beginning again, “Or rather what is it you seek from the Queen? This conversation reeks of intentions and favors desired, yet not for me, but from her. Do you truly think I hold her ear so well that your words would be better heard from my lips rather than your own?”

“I believe the Queen would see me as she did nearly two years ago. A sellsword with a grudge, some horses, and a claim to a plot of land that was intended for another. One that gained her favor. My words would ring hollow from mine own lips, at least from you she would listen. And I seek your audience born out of respect Ser Jaime. A warrior’s respect. The only thing I seek is that of peace. That House Blount be told under no uncertain terms that continued conflict with House Malroy and her allies is in the interest of no involved parties, either now nor in the future. All I ask is that the Blounts do not pursue further conflict with my House nor meddle in my affairs any longer. Lest they bring about their own ruination and cause your family, and Queen untold amounts of embarrassment.”

Ser Jaime nods slightly, dabbing at the side of his mouth with a cloth before taking another sip of wine and fixing you with a hard stare, “Do you think to threaten the Queen Lord Malroy? All it would take for her is to renounce their actions but once and then they are done. And you can roll them into an early shallow grave and she will not be any the wiser nor care. What is it you think you have here to make such demands, that the Queen, my sister, would listen to such absurdities, let alone entertain the thought of giving into them?”

You lick your lips, and Obella reaches over, squeezing your hand, and you remember her words, those of before your time in King’s Landing, the things they never thought you would hear or know, you speak, lowly, so that only he may hear, “Because the Queen has once favored the Lord Royce Redward. Outwardly, within court, before the eyes of Gods and men. While the King saw fit to marry my sister to that man it was she who pushed his claim to my family’s castle. And when I arrived home to stake my claim, and it was given to me. She was wroth, and she pushed him to take the actions that he since has. The Langwards, the Langlys, the Blounts. All allies of his in this war. And it has soured, gone to waste against myself and my House. He is left with nothing now. And your sister, the Queen? Now finds herself with a lackey that has failed her in every possible way, and who will soon be dead. Bringing her words of endorsement down the bloody shit stained road to the Seven Hells I intend for that Red Bastard. I do not seek to threaten the Queen, Ser Jaime, I seek to give her an out. One that she has made ever so clear to me by your orders to attend me.”

Please roll 5D+2 for Persuasion(Intimidate).

Hope that works for everyone. Felt I got a good blend of the write-ins and intentions.

Rolled 1, 6, 6, 2, 4 + 2 = 21 (5d6 + 2)

>>3768564

>>3768564

Rolled 2, 6, 1, 4, 3 + 2 = 18 (5d6 + 2)

>>3768566
Whoops

Rolled 1, 6, 5, 2, 1 + 2 = 17 (5d6 + 2)

>>3768564

>>3768565
>>3768569
>>3768574
21,18,17

Good job first anon. Hard DC, good roll.

>>3768577
It was a 21 wasn't it? Seven above good job first anon

Lord Brynden Malroy’s Persuasion(Intimidate)
DC: 21
Rolls: 21,18,17
>Success, one degree.

The silence remains between the two of you for a moment, more than a moment in truth. Ser Jaime in fact turns from your wildfire after a lingering silence and continues to eat in his own. You almost think him mad, wroth that you would ever deign to come to him with such things, or perhaps he is more intelligent of a man than he is given credit for, and he considers the possibilities of your words. The second course comes and goes and it is well into the third that Ser Jaime begins to speak again, having ignored the food before him for some time as you picked at it, a slight nervousness in it.

“Damn that woman, the things I do...” he mutters under his breath, perhaps louder than he should have before speaking fully again, “She will want assurances. Of your word. Of your silence. Of your intentions to kill Lord Redward.”

“She can have them, all, easily,” you respond, “In private. No big affair. Or, Seven, even now. My word is as good as gold. As good as your own. Not a soul upon this world or the next will ever hear of her poorly given favor.”

“And it ends with him, once your campaign of revenge is done so too is the Queen’s part in this, do not ever think to call upon her for aid again. What happens thereafter is your own problem. Do I make myself clear Lord Malroy?”

“As clear as myrish glass,” you respond, a slight smile upon your lips, “The Blounts?”

“Are a House of cowards and fat worms. They cower before behind and before my sister. A single letter sent back with Ser Brandon will suffice. Your borders will remain secure. And they, as they always have been, hidden in their castle far away from your conflict. Is that enough for you Lord Malroy?”

More than, in fact, it was a risk, a gamble to call upon the Lannisters in such a way. It would not give you any favor in the Crown’s eyes in the future. At least upon that side. But for now, it had gotten you what you desired. The Blounts were done in this conflict and your focus could fall upon the Red bastard singularly. Obella is positively delighted by your side, squirming in her chair at your words, your unwavering resolve in the face of a man many would call more powerful than yourself. To see him have to take the hand you offered pleased her in ways you could not imagine, rare it was to see the Kingslayer humbled. In truth you still maintained some degree of respect for the man, that born of battle and that born of knowing the better part of valour here. You find your appetite again, taking a particularly rare serving of beef deckle and eating it ravenously. Stopping only for wine or to entertain the joy of your wife.

It is not long into the fourth course that you can tell Ser Jaime is readying himself to beg leave, though is of course not willing to break decorum. Instead you take the lead, allowing the merriness of your great hall to continue, and allow him an escape by your own hand. A gentle reminder. You rise and offer to walk him to his horse, making excuse of needing a breath of fresh air.

“Ser Jaime? I thought to ask, where did you find yourself with such a horse?” you ask.

“The Red Keep’s stables,” he says after a moment, “Do the look familiar Lord Malroy? I am told that he was the product of breeding from your family’s horses, taken as reparations after the Rebellion, and the stock of the King.”

Upon arriving at the stables and having the stablehand fetch and saddle the horse you finally get a good look at it again. Oh how wroth Gawen would be to see his horses in such a state. Poorly bred horses used for nothing but war, hardly trained as they should have been nor carefully selected to maintain the golden sheen of their coat. That is what had felt off about them. Familiar, but foriegn. You can’t even feel the warmth of the creature when you go to stroke its cheek. Like seeing a dead body, the light of its eyes were gone. Oh what had they done to your family’s prized bloodline. It was a disgrace, even more so to see a man who should be better than that riding one. Had it been intentional you think, to remind you of what your family had done, of where they stood? A poor ploy. You could turn it upon them you think, stroking the poor creatures cheek. Offer a true and proper horse of your family’s stable or perhaps it was funnier still to see a Lannister riding fool’s gold.

Offer Ser Jaime Lannister an Extraordinary Golden Valyrian Courser to replace this horse?
>Yay, as a gift
>Yay, sell
>Neigh

After this we're heading back home to do House Fortunes. Which is thankfully smaller this time. And then getting into Mason's wedding and tourney.

>>3768662
>Yay, as a gift

In return for him talking to his sister and getting the blounts out of our hair. Not that were buying goodwill or anything but showing him we help those who help us.

>>3768662
>Yay, as a gift

He has been helpful.

>>3768662
>>Yay, as a gift
Mention that we respect the man, if we don't always end up on the same side

>>3768662
>Yay, as a gift
He may be a Lannister but he helped us out.

>>3768662
>I can see that, they broke the poor thing. Useless as a doll and about as intelligent. It may have been a Malroy horse, once. No longer. If you wish Ser Lannister, I can offer you a REAL Malroy steed, one not broken and ruined by dabblers with no real ability to understand a horse master's art. I guarantee you'll appreciate the difference.

>Yay, as a gift

>>3768662
>>Neigh
Fuck the Lannister's and Fuck Jamie. REEEEE

Gift yay it is. Writing.

“I can see that,” you say sadly, allowing your hand to fall without hardly a response from the horse itself, “That might have been a Malroy horse, once. But now it’s little better than a child’s doll, half as intelligent to boot,” you sigh, running your hand through your silvered hair in thought, “As a sign of good faith, Ser Jaime, and for your aid in these past few months. I would like to gift you a true Malroy steed. Not something as broken as this poor creature, the work of a dabbler rather than a true master of the art. True gold, not this fool’s gold they have you prancing about on. You will appreciate the difference, I can guarantee it.”

Ser Jaime sniffs, seemingly for a lack of words and mounts, “Have it sent to the Red Keep Lord Malroy. My thanks. Let this be the last time we need conduct business any time soon.”

You incline your head, and allow Ser Jaime to leave off without further word. You watch him leave through the front gates and take a moment to yourself. There was a peace upon your mind now. Two of three of your major enemies had been dealt with. The Langwards put to the sword, the Blounts cowed through fear of the Queen, and all that was left? The Red Bastard himself. You but needed a few more months to gather everything, everyone, and then you would bring upon him a reckoning. Soon, so very soon. You allow a breath to escape, contented with your time in King’s Landing coming to an end, and all it had brought about. Success, in all forms of the word. But there was much to be handled in Steadhold now, your people, your lands, your family all needed your hand for guidance. But tonight? Tonight you could drink. You make your way back into the great hall, to find it quiet, all eyes upon you. They knew what tonight had been, but they did not know the results. Finding your seat again you sit, quiet upon your own lips before picking your silvered goblet up in a quick motion and raising it high your voice tilted with laughter and genuine happiness, “Wine!”

And they all sing back.

---

Day 3, Month X - 285AC ~ Morning
Steadhold - The Bailey

Since your return to Steadhold the place had been absolute chaos. The northern curtain wall was being repaired, and according to your Chief-Engineer, Rolf Harling, it would be another nine months atop of the time year and some months it had been previously to fully repair it. He requested stone, and better engineers and laborers several times over, though at the moment you had no way to gain the stone from House Brune without the draft horses he desires and had no room for a dedicated unit of engineers. Obella and her handmaidens being home had also livened the place up again, constantly at work on making the place more presentable especially with the guests that would be arriving shortly and for the grand feasts that were being prepared for Mason and Lady Elionwy’s wedding in the next few days.

You had taken some time to ride north to the Honeyrun alongside the Sons of Gold and the heavy cavalry, getting a better lay of your new lands. It was very likely you would need to send some men here for a few months to help reestablish law and order. One night at camp you had met with several brown brothers, according to them their monastery had been burnt and ransacked by the Langward army as they had traveled through to war, you promised to hear their concerns at court and three had ridden back with you upon their mules. At one point your outriders had sworn they had seen a force of scouts or guerillas riding away from them, flying no colors, just as the Langward ‘bandits’ had been before, something that had concerned you greatly but were never able to find any traces of them.

Illiad had been hard at work at establishing trade connections and maintaining the current ones you had already agreed to. One evening the two of you had sat down and you signed half a score documents and edicts regarding trade and logging and other such things before the night turned to old stories from across the Narrow Sea. Your dear friend told you how your wife had asked him to tap his resources in Myr, and how the two had begun to work closely at infilitrating Magister Tychano Osten’s inner circle, though it was slow going. The Princewood’s logging campaign was similarly slow going, but moving along at pace, another few months and it would be ready for your use, whatever that may be. Steadhold’s restlessness had quieted with the men away at the logging camps but still the refugees were in a poorly situation. Many that had stayed behind now worked on the walls or helping to clear away the ravages of war. The old townhouse that once sat at the foot of the hill now lay in ruin after taking a trebuchet shot as cleanly as could be. Illiad suggested having it rebuilt, Steadhold’s Outer Ring was growing and it would not be a poor idea to either invite a close ally to build a townhouse here, or establish old connections to Essos and have a merchant prince and his family move here once the marketplace and port are rebuilt. Thoughts for later, but you did have the room for it now, all the same.

File: HouseFortunes.png (481 KB, 1202x1110)

481 KB PNG

Upon this particular morning you stood within the Steadhold’s bailey with nearly the entirety of your Household and retainers. Over night the executioner had come into town and had went to task, building the place where Marcelline Sand would be hung. As promised. Your wife holds onto your arm, angrily staring at the women who killed her cousin and assumed her place. Beside you are Mason and Elionwy, the two most affected by her sabotage. The executioner marches her from the castle, keeping a hand of chain at a distance as she walks barefoot with little more than a roughspun tunic to cover herself from the looks of the smallfolk that lined the small walk. You watch as she is struck several times by rotten produce, assaulted with words and vitriol, and when she trips on the short fetters that hold her and your household guard having to hold back the masses from killing her. The horror in her eyes was real now. Not that faked look she had given you many times over. In truth your people hardly knew her crimes. Just that she and several others were to be executed today, and her at the order of Lady Obella Qorgyle, their beloved new Lady of Steadhold. That was all they needed. Eventually she is placed alongside the other four men to be executed today, the noose fitted about her neck. Her tears and cries for mercy fall upon deaf ears. And it is not even you that gives the signal. Obella’s nod is all it took and you watch as she drops alongside the other four. Struggling for breath and kicking furiously until the life in her eyes final dies, and her body hangs limp.

“Thank you husband,” Obella says quietly and she turns, leaving off with the rest of her handmaidens for the castle as the crowd disperses.

You make your way back as well alongside Mason and Lucas, the latter in full garb, he intended to ride at the lists for the majority of the morning while you were at your monthly council and later meet with you for some refresher training, your sword arm had felt lax the past couple of weeks and you needed the workout. The grand hall of Steadhold is quiet for once, and the two of you pass by the shields of your family’s past with quick approach to meet with your council and see to your House’s needs. Obella, Acolyte Ashby, Elionwy, Gawen, and Captain Jonos Stroumen all sat waiting for you already. Taking your seat you nod at Ashby to begin.

“Well Lord Malroy…”

House Malroy of Steadhold Stats:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ok_UzOYKm6XyIPb4Gs6xNyiL3IPXCl1CFBS9CBpAC4g/edit?usp=sharing

Please roll 9D+4 (5D Status+3D Holding Bonus+1B Bannerhouse+2 Head of House+2 Blood of Valyria) for House Fortunes.

What to talk about first?
>The Honeyrun & The Tear
>Langward Reparations
>Reestablishing Law in your Domains

These are the only major three this month. We'll decide what resources we want and do those rolls once we're through this and then spend resources if we're able to.

Rolled 2, 5, 1, 1, 5, 2, 4, 6, 1 + 4 = 31 (9d6 + 4)

>>3768838

Rolled 2, 4, 3, 1, 2, 5, 5, 2, 5 + 4 = 33 (9d6 + 4)

>>3768838
>>3768838
>>The Honeyrun & The Tear

>>3768840
>>3768838

1. Langward Reparations
2. The Honeyrun & The Tear
3. Reestablishing Law in your domains

Rolled 6, 1, 6, 6, 4, 2, 1, 6, 2 + 4 = 38 (9d6 + 4)

>>3768838
>>Langward Reparations

Rolled 6, 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 3, 4 + 4 = 36 (9d6 + 4)

>>3768838
>The Honeyrun & The Tear

>>3768840
30
>>3768843
32
>>3768853
37

Best of three gives us a Growth, so +1 to 1 resource, plus whatever bonuses we might have.

>>3768838
>>Langward Reparations

>>3768856
wealth imo.

>>3768856
Wealth that shit up

>>3768856
Do we have 7 wealth? Cuase I wouldn't mind putting it into Law

>>3768860
>>3768861
We'll get to that once everything else is done.

Alright we're going to start with the Langward reparations. Which is going to be a nightmare vote. Can't wait.

“...word from the Lord Hand has arrived of the last of your repariations being ready to be collected my Lord,” Ashby says, picking out a particular scroll with several figures and resources upon it, “After doing a tally of the Lord Lucos’ inventory, coffers, and military outfits he has sent the following for you to decide of what you would like to take in recompense.”

You scan the figures for a moment, it was a healthy list, the Langward economy had been strong prior to the war, and in their folly their stood to lose much more than just coin. They had significant food stores, though between trade and your own food stores you did not have as much of a need, as well as mead, particularly high quality mead from the brown brother’s monastery as well as what looked to be a family heirloom in a recipe book, such a thing would certainly allow you to restart the meadery in the Honeyrun with greater ease and likely please the brown brothers as well when you spoke to them, taking either alongside coin would further cripple their economy and put them in the red for the year and likely behind on any trade they might have once held. There was also the matter of quality weapons and armour, while your army was experienced and bloodied, most still used common grade weapons and armour, and taking them from the Langwards would cripple their ability to field a respectable military again, at least for some time. And there was also the matter of taking smaller bites, but eating up claims of land, influence, or power. You were owed nearly two thousand dragons worth of goods and coin and you planned to drain them.

Passing the scroll about the table your council offers several suggestions. Illiad is the most for taking mead and the heirloom, as he had had the monk’s mead before it was of exceptional quality and having such a thing under the Malroy banner would most definitely aid in the future gains of coin.

Meanwhile both Jonos and Mason are of the opinion that the First and Second Malroy Infantry and the Blackflower First could all use some new armour after the batterings they took during the war. The Heavy Cavalry could also have a case made for needing new weapons as well.

Obella, Gawen, and Ashby are of a single mind agreeing coin is the most necessary thing as of right now to regrow the house and it would cripple them all the same.

But ultimately the decision is yours, you ask for a quill and parchment and begin to write your demands.

Langward Reparations

The following is available:
>200 Gold Dragons: 1 Wealth
>1 Wealth: 40 Food
>1 Wealth: 20 Superior Mead
>1 Wealth: Superior Melee Weapons or Superior Armour
>1 Wealth: Mead Recipe Book (-2 Cost to Apiary>Mead Distillery) - Only Once
>2 Wealth: 1 Any Resource

You have 2000 Gold Dragons aka 10 Wealth to spend on any combination of these things. You can put it all in Wealth, put it all in Food. Doesn’t matter, but we’ll have to come to something of a consensus on it and I’ll do small votes if necessary.

Notes:
>You currently have 53 Food with a +20 coming in every month for the next few months food shouldn’t be an issue with your current trade deals.
>There are Houses out there that would be keen on picking up trade for the Mead immediately, having a stockpile while you rebuild the Meadery holding will net you income and steal trade from the Langwards
>Superior Melee Weapons will confer a +1 Damage bonus to any unit, while Superior Armour will give a unit +1AR & -1AP
>House Blackflower lost a lot during the war, so throwing some coin or other goods Mason’s way will help him rebuild
>You currently have 1 Wealth after everything is said and done this month. There are a handful of things at 5 Wealth you might want to purchase this month (Master-of-Horse/Mead Distillery)

>>3768926
Take the Mead recipe book and the 20 superior mead at least once, Give one/two wealth to Mason for being our best bro and as a sort of wedding gift? Save the rest to get that apiary into a meadery.

At least that is what I think we should do.

>1 Wealth: Mead Recipe Book (-2 Cost to Apiary>Mead Distillery) - Only Once
>1 Wealth: 20 Superior Mead
>3 Wealth: Superior Melee Weapons (2) or Superior Armour (1)
>1000 Gold Dragons: 5 Wealth

Get some mead for the immediate trade and the receipe book is a 2 for 1 wealth deal and an obvious lock.

The weapons and what not are for Mason, and obviously cash is king.

>>3768926
>1 Wealth Food
>1 Wealth Mead Recipe Book
>3 Wealth Superior Armor For 1st, 2nd Malroy and 1st Blackflower
>1 Wealth Superior Weapons Heavy Cav
>2 Wealth 2x20 Superior Mead
>2 Wealth 2x200 Gold Dragons, half goes to Blackflower

>>3768943
seems like a solid plan

>>3768926
>1 Wealth: Mead Recipe Book (-2 Cost to Apiary>Mead Distillery) - Only Once
>5 Wealth: 100 superior mead
>4 Wealth: 800 dragons

>>3768943
I'd support this.

>>3768943
>>3768948
>>3768956
Alright well three votes is pretty good in what I expected to be nightmare trying to figure out.

Can we all get behind this plan?

>>3768943
I could get behind this provided we take more mead instead of wealth. The distillery takes 7-12 months to be completed and 20 units isn't enough to hold over trade until then. Still have house fortunes for wealth, if needed.

>>3768963
I'll support this guy's compromise >>3768966
take less gold, take some more mead

>>3768963
>>3768966
>>3768943
Supporting

>>3768966
>>3768970

Fair enough let's lock some stuff in then.

>1 Wealth: Mead Recipe Book
>1 Wealth: 20 Superior Mead
>3 Wealth Superior Melee Weapons (2) and Superior Armour (1)

So that's 5 Wealth spent.

If we just want to have enough to purchase the Mead Distillery we'll only need to take 2 Wealth, leaving us with 3 more to spend, so let's lock that in so we can guarantee purchase that at the very least. And from there we'll spread the rest of the 3 Wealth purchase out.

I will remind that Law is also a big issue right now and might be something we'll want to invest our House Fortunes into and we need 10 Power to land Lucas as well.

So we have 3 more Wealth to spend on:
>200 Gold Dragons: 1 Wealth
>1 Wealth: 20 Superior Mead
>1 Wealth: Superior Melee Weapons or Superior Armour
>2 Wealth: 1 Any Resource

>>3768988
We need cash asap to expand our herds. Delaying it further isn't an option if we want a chance at winning over the Tyrells.
>600 dragons

>>3768993
can you elaborate on this? I was gonna vote for more mead but I'd like to hear you out

>>3768988
Alright well lets go with

>1 Wealth: 20 Superior Mead
>2 Wealth: 1 Any Resource (Law)

2 months of Mead Trade should be enough to give these prospective buyers a taste for our goods, followed up with a genuine deal when our meadery is functional. Law because cant have bandits running amok on our lands so close to Kings Landing. Not a good look.

>>3768988
>3 Wealth: 60 Superior Mead

>>3768995
We need the Master of Horse and Warhorse Herd holdings to be purchased in order to expand our herd production to cover what the Tyrells want. When we were given the choice between the Baratheon trade deal or the Tyrell trade deal we realized that by clearcutting the princewood and buying a second Herd we could produce enough horses to satisfy both, with some haggling rolls to convince Willias Tyrell to accept a small delay before we can get started, but that REQUIRES that we start building the second herd the instant the Princefields are prepared. Any more delay and we won't be able to keep them on the hook.

>>3768993
Honestly you need Wealth for a lot of stuff.
>Master of Horse
>The trade with House Chelsted in the future to secure enough lands to upgrade into a Small Town.
>More horses because horses.
>Rebuilding the Marketplace or Port

But you also really need Power
>The longer you wait on taking the tear the harder it's going to get, that needs 10 power
>Your commitment to putting a Trained Garrison in the Villa which is 5 Power

And your law score isn't great right now either, you're getting negative penalties from it for the first time and that is going to have some story implications.

>>3769027
Well in light of this, changing >>3768997
from Law to Power. Let's claim that island fucking pronto.

>>3769027
>>3768988
>>3769024
Okay I'll bite, but i still want to keep the mead boys on the hook, so I'm voting
>2x Wealth 400 Dragons
>1x Wealth Mead

Alright I'm going to push this along because we're at a stand still and I want to get House Fortunes done tonight.

Vote:

>Option A
3 Wealth

>Option B
2 Wealth
1 S. Mead

>Option C
1 S. Mead
1 Power

>>3769043
>Option B

>>3769043
>>Option B

>>3769043
>Option C

>>3769043
>Option C

>>3769043
>Option C

>>3769043
>Option B
>2 Wealth
>1 S. Mead

>>3769043
>>Option B

>Option C

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Alright calling it here after 15 minutes. This is the kind of tooth pulling I expected. I want to get this done tonight.

I'm going to lose my mind so I'm flipping a coin for it.

1 Option B
2 Option C

>>3769075
God fucking damn it

>>3769075
HUZZAH

>>3769075
not the plan i wanted, but i can live with this. don't let our complaining get you down wardad

>>3769075
Sweet

>>3769043
A please

“Illiad begin to put feelers out for potential buyers for the Langward’s mead. I want to take as much of their business away as quickly as possible and avoid any lapses of supplying demand. Also inform them that we hold a significant part of the Langward reserves, and are currently rebuilding the abbey. Leave out where we took the heirloom, not important, so long as the quality remains the same.”

“Yes Lord,” Illiad says with a quick nod and some scribbles on his own parchment.

“Mason outfit the First Blackflower with new armour, and obtain new weapons for the Heavy Cavalry, both. And see if we can’t entice some of the former military to serve us now. We’ll need as much power as possible to take The Tear anytime soon.”

“Of course Brynden, thank you as well.”

You nod and write down the rest of your demands, coin of course, enough to begin rebuilding the meadery and abbey. You would be in significantly better shape following the war than they would between the reparations and the ransom. In particular your military was more than formidable now and Kate Yarson and Horthor Hardy had both made it known they would be set up enough soon to begin making superior arms and armour with the processed iron you had brought in with the Longwaters trade. The Malroy military would be feared once again, and the Red Bastard would be the first to know of it.

“What is next Ashby?”

“Well there is the matter of the Honeyrun and of the Tear, my Lord,” he replies, “The former alderman of the domain died during the Langward’s war, and there have been some calls to elect a new one. Though I do worry any man they pick would remain loyal to the Langwards as there is very likely to be some holdouts.”

“Put a man from Steadhold in charge then,” Obella says, “Offer him some coin to move their assure he stays under our thumb, I am sure my ladies could see to it.”

“Milord, might I make a suggestion,” Jonos says, which is unusual for him, you wave him on, “Way I see it, any man you puts there from Steadhold ain’t gonna be trusted, while you can’t trust any man from the Honeyrun. So why not make the Brown Brother Horick the alderman, they’re only loyal to the Seven and pay tithe to you with the mead and honey that’ll come through the region. The people there will trust ‘em to right by them.”

Mason continues, “The former is in desperate need of a military presence to help maintain the peace during the transition. Send Danse’s cavalry and the First to help establish ourselves there for the next three months. Plus these rumours of guerillas still being about is disconcerting, at the very least we should be ready to strike back immediately and not be a three day march away.”

“And meanwhile the Tear remains a holdout for the Langlys as well,” Obella says, oddly enough, “With Ser Leo Langly dead by his son’s hand and Lyonel off to the Wall by my Lord-Husband’s decree, their remains only the Lady Langly and her daughter. No doubt Lord Lucos will be reeling too much to aid his cousin. We will need to occupy the area quickly.”

Elionwy taps on the map of the Crownlands and frowns, her fingers both up the God’s Eye River. She had a point. You could not send troops by land, lest the Thornes or Langwards think you were threatening war, and you had no ships to send men by river either. And of course you hardly had the power to muster the claim as of this moment. Not to mention how thin you would be spreading yourself.

“We could always offer the young Lady sanctuary here,” Ashby offers, “It must be a frightful time for a newly made mother. Perhaps she would be more comfortable here?”

“The idea is not without merit,” Obella says, “If we had her here we may be able to put it in her mind that her family has abandoned her and we are her only hope. Perhaps have her agree to marry her daughter to Ser Lucas’, hopeful, son and renounce her claim once we take the island.”

“Or we could call upon the Longwaters now and sail for the island and blockade it,” Mason says, “Put her in the position where she will have no choice.”

Obella rolls her eyes and clicks her tongue annoyed at the thought.

The council bickers over the thoughts for a moment while you think.

The Honeyrun

The Alderman:
>Allow the people of the Honeyrun to elect their own Alderman
>Place a pawn from Steadhold there as your appointed Alderman
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick

Send your Military to keep the Peace?
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Yay w/ different units
>Neigh

The Tear

How to deal with Lady Lysana Langly:
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her
>Call upon the Longwaters to send a blockade and force her to comply
>Something else?

>>3769161
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick

>Yay w/ Mason suggestions

>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on he

However, Obellas suggestion only so far as to offer her sanctuary here. If she says no, call up Ser Jon and blockade that bitch.

>>3769161
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

>>3769161
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
We're not very religious, but we fucked off our Septon with the way we dealt with the annullment - it's possible giving some concessions to the faith will win him back over.

>Neigh
Rooting out guerillas is a good shout, but putting troops in the Honeyrun makes them a target and makes it look more like a military occupation. Better to just improve Law ASAP and get local bailiffs or whatever to deal with it.

>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her
If she doesn't bite we can always move on to more overt measures. No harm in making the offer.

>>3769161
>>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

>>3769161
>>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick

>>Yay w/ Mason suggestions

>>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

>>3769161
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

>>3769161
>Allow the people of the Honeyrun to elect their own Alderman

>Allow the people of the Honeyrun to elect their own Alderman

>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

Alright looks like a pretty clear:
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

Writing.

>>3769161
>Give the responsibilities of Alderman to Brown Brother Horick
>Yay w/ Mason suggestions
>Offer her sanctuary in Steadhold and allow Obella to work on her

I swear if Obella gets upset at this...