Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 13:24:51 GMT -5
Tent of the Stark Prince
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 13:25:42 GMT -5
Before the peace talks, Killion arrives for a word with Prince Benjen, feeling that a few matters required discussion to ensure this conference did not end like the last.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 13:46:54 GMT -5
Prince Benjen is in his tent, oiling his sword, while Amelia Royce is seated nearby. The two seemed to have been chatting and when Killion is allowed entrance they both look up. Benjen gives the man a civil nod while Amelia shoots him the dirtiest look he has likely ever seen.
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 13:52:53 GMT -5
"Excellent, you are both here." Killion said, winking at Amelia as he took a seat. "The matter I have come to discuss involved the both of you. I do hope I am not interrupting."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 13:54:14 GMT -5
"You are but you're here now," Benjen responded, not setting his sword down. Amelia leaned forward and lit a nearby candle before returning her attention to the two men.
"What do you want?" Benjen asked Killion as he continued to oil his sword.
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 14:07:55 GMT -5
"Correct me if I am mistaken, bit I think it safe to say we both want the same thing. I think we both wanted the same thing at Riverrun. Despite the short-sighted nature of our fathers, bannermen, and cultural prejudices I think we both see this continent for what it can be rather than what it is. The world becomes smaller by the day while Westeros tears at itself." he explained, uncharacteristically frank. "We will be kings one day and for change occur it is a king who must fight against the current. We failed at Riverrun, though thankfully it left neither of us worse for wear, but if we fail here that will not be the case. We both know now what awaits us to the North."
"There are obstacles to overcome before the peace summit, variables that must be removed if it is to end better than the last time we shared a table."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 14:24:38 GMT -5
"Spare me the speeches Prince Killion and get to the point," Benjen replied when the man was done, his eyes still on the sword Vhagus had given him as it began to shine with the oil that was being rubbed in.
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 14:38:30 GMT -5
"I had hoped such sentiment would have a warmer welcome, but very well." he replied, taking a swig of rum from a skin at his belt since he had not been offered a drink. "Dorne and the Kingslands will not join another war and if you and I are of like mind that leaves only the Goldlands. If Serett walks from the table it will all be for naught and he he is not overly fond of either of us."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 16:03:09 GMT -5
"Tomas Serrett is a hawk, though his problems aren't with the North," Benjen responded, finally setting his sword down and eying Killion. "I fear he feels decidedly less warm about you than he does about me. He wants the Arbor back."
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 16:22:46 GMT -5
"Of course he does, but he will not be getting it just as I am not naive to think you would be willing to return our territory in the Flint Cliffs. That is the nature of war." he offered the skin of rum. "I am however willing to negotiate fair recompense for his losses. However, Lord Tomas is in no mood to take advice from a current enemy or his wife's former husband."
"We simply need the man open-minded enough to talk terms rationally, in the interest of the greater good. I do not think either of us will get him to such a state, but I know someone who could." his gaze turns to rest upon Amelia. "My spies tell me he has a wandering eyes and a particular weakness for vivacious young women."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 16:31:45 GMT -5
"That is hardly something that you'd need spies for," Benjen commented, while Amelia focuses on the flame of the candle. "You suggest she seduces him, uses her wiles? Tomas Serrett is married to my former wife - I am sure Joanna has enough trouble dealing with Serrett's other philandering."
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 16:39:11 GMT -5
"I suggest she persuade him to come to the meeting with an open mind and high spirits to avoid dragging us all into a prolonged war none of us can afford." he replied. "Whatever means she uses are none of my business, but getting him to dance to our tune will go much easier if the song is sung from her lips. We both know how persuasive she can be."
"I would not have come to you if I had one of her talents in my employ. I came here for the sake of the living."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 16:43:59 GMT -5
Benjen studied Killion. "And what is our tune? Do we have a tune? After this business with your idiot bannerman Goodbrother as well as finding out that your people have been selling the red powder, I do not think we have a thing in common. I will be at the meeting, as will Tomas Serrett. Whether he decides to act cordial towards you is none of my business."
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Kurts
Prince
Posts: 3,760
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Post by Kurts on Jul 25, 2015 16:53:55 GMT -5
"I had assumed our tune was peace and unity against the dead." he replied. "What political climate and conflicts we must tackle afterwards can be sorted after assuming we are not all shambling corpses."
"As to Goodbrother, there are always those who fight progress and hold onto old grudges. I have Lord Harwyn and you have Lord Kalvin. That is why royals exist, to keep petty squabbles from coming at the expense of the greater good. Whether Serrett comes to the meeting with his mind open to negotiation or closed is your business as well as mine. I cannot aid against the dead if I am fending off the Goldlands. They cannot aid against the dead if they are fending off my ships. Who stands the most to lose if the dead come through the Wall and the line there is not strong enough to hold because your southern neighbors were busy fighting one another?"
At the mention of red powder, he looked genuinely puzzled. "You are misinformed, Prince Benjen. I admit to sending out feelers to ascertain the origin and source of the substance, originally with plans to corner the market, but nothing ever came of it. Knowing now what it is, I want nothing to do with it."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Jul 25, 2015 17:04:50 GMT -5
"I am disinclined to believe you, Greyjoy," Benjen responded, pouring himself a cup of ale. "I am sure you do not begrudge me that. As for the dead... we may have more time than I previously believed. My tune is peace, as it may be yours, but it is not unconditional. Kalvin Stark is a wild card, yes, but he is not the type of man to steal a lady from your lands then parade her in front of you at a tourney."
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