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Post by Amelia Royce on Feb 25, 2016 9:41:25 GMT -5
"Look at Myr," Benjen said, pointing out of a porthole. "Look at the city. Do you truly believe this place will be a threat to you ever again? The only reason this happened is Frances Dayne. You claim this could happen again if Myr doesn't become your vassal - what of any of the other Free Cities? Comparing this to Oriax is a whole different matter." He dropped his arm again. "Oriax was a threat to the entire world - so much so that even Vhagus was worried. You and the others aided because if you didn't, Westeros would have fallen. I brought men here because Frances Dayne needed dealing with not to help you expand your lands and power."
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Kurts
Prince
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Post by Kurts on Feb 25, 2016 10:21:33 GMT -5
"Representing a people that have risen from the ashes of destruction time and time again, aye it can be a threat again. Cities rebuild and their people breed." he replied. "As for the other Free Cities, the two closest in proximity are Pentos and Lys, both of which I have secured alliances with to ensure a peaceful future."
"It is naive to think we are all here to stop one evil man. In the history books I am sure that is how we will put it, that a grand alliance joined together to overthrow the vile Frances Dayne, but it is a lie. You were each paid to be here, out of my pocket, and most of you would not be here otherwise. I aided against Oriax because your father and I sat down at Mason's Keep, where he pledged his men in my war if I aided against the undead threat on your border. You are here because honor demanded you be." he asserted, looking around to those gathered before returning his gaze to Benjen.
"But perhaps you are right to alone decide the fate of the city. You must have been at war with Myr the longest to claim such a right. No? Oh wait, that was us, fighting Myr for the last five years while you have done so for only months. Of those gathered, the North actually devoted the least time to the war we just won. Then you must have devoted the most resources? No, wait that was also us. The North actually devoted among the least troops and ships to this conflict. Then you must have the closest proximity to Myr and therefore its fate affects you the most? Still us. Then you must have the most need for an additional city and more lands? Wait, you actually have the most land and most cities under your rule, while we have the least. Then you must have organized this grand alliance, bribing the leaders of each kingdom and free city present to lend their arms to the fight? No, that doesn't sound right either. Shall I continue?" he asked, with a pointed look. "By all rules of warfare, the city is mine by right and mine to decide the fate of, the same as Karissa Dayne's fate will ultimately be decided by your sister. We continued this blockade for five years, Ironborn blood spilled in these poisoned waters breathing poisoned air. We raided its coasts and held the line, while awaiting the North to find time in their busy schedule to send the aid your father promised. I was generous to offer two options and I will be willing to haggle the compensation and duration of payments you think you are due."
"We are allies are we not? The strengthening and gain of one should be cause for celebration from the other. Not resistance. A secure, strong, and prosperous Iron Empire only further ensures the happiness and safety of your daughter."
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Post by Marlow on Feb 25, 2016 10:32:38 GMT -5
Harwyn gave a quiet laugh at the end of the small speech. "No, these Northmen do not trust us, so a stronger Iron Empire is only another threat to their great rule, yes? Ignore that we gave many lives of our own against Oriax, how men starved on the march back, burned in dragonfire, and gave their lives in battle. The lives of our Lord Captain Uhtred and his men mean nothing, or the life of Ragnar given today so that we may finally be lands at peace. No, the North must keep us under their heel, because we are only strong if they allow it, the great and prosperous Benjen. We are not allies, and the blood spilled to save them from Oriax means nothing to them. We are a threat and they can't allow that."
Turning to look at the assorted faces gathered, Harwyn shook his head. "The only right by which Benjen has to deny us Myr is his own selfish greed. We helped kill Oriax and the evil god who controlled him, and asked for no further reward than what had already been agreed. You have helped us kill Frances, and you will ask for no further reward unless you would forsake your honor for personal gain. I hope that is not how the North is ruled."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Feb 25, 2016 10:52:19 GMT -5
Benjen kept his gaze on Killion, responding calmly. "I speak only for the North, not the Goldlands or Kingsland or any region that assisted with this war, so there is no need to bring them up. You can insult me all you want but in the end it won't change my opinion that the city should not be handed over to one faction. I will gladly hear what the representatives of the other factions have to say and will cede to the majority."
When Harwyn spoke he simply ignored the man - he was a common reaver who had kept a northern woman hostage. He wasn't worth his words.
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Kurts
Prince
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Post by Kurts on Feb 25, 2016 11:02:28 GMT -5
"I offered no insults, only statements of fact" Killion replied, in the same even tone. "War is not a democracy, to be decided by majority. It is a meritocracy decided by those who fought the longest, contributed the most, and lost the most to achieve victory. The Ironborn can claim all three and your attempt to deny me the rights that come with that is the only true insult."
"But after the Iron Empire, Pentos and Lys fought the longest and contributed the most." he said, looking to the Karellians of Lys and Bela Velisek, the Hand to the leader of Pentos. "Both have already been awarded territorial gains for their involvement. The Kinglands and Dorne come next, then the Godlands and North. The city is my prize and the portion of its profits I offer your own. The rewards match the efforts."
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Post by Robyn Stark on Feb 25, 2016 13:07:57 GMT -5
"This is not just the stretch of time you have been at war wth Frances Dayne. This was the end of much longer war against Bryce Dayne and his son, which cannot be taken into account apart." Robyn said, leaning back in her seat.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Feb 25, 2016 13:14:50 GMT -5
Benjen looked to Robyn and then back to Killion. "Indeed. And where were the Ironborn when we marched on Bryce Dayne? I do not recall you fighting, though your departed friend Uhtred took part. The man you had sentenced to death."
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Kurts
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Post by Kurts on Feb 25, 2016 13:15:15 GMT -5
"I speak only of the war against Myr, though will remind you we aided against his father as well. He had a fleet before we became involved, one which he could have struck at the North with. I also remind you that we were not allies at the time. In fact, your father had declared war on us." he answered. "It certainly can and is being taken into account apart, else the rest of you would not have been so willing to sit back and let us face Myr alone for as long as we did. An accord was struck with each of you, which I paid my end in full. It is time you returned the favor. Each of you has already profited from this and my people will not have given the most and walked away with the least."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Feb 25, 2016 13:17:59 GMT -5
"Return the favour?" Benjen asked. "We brought men, we fought and defeated Frances Dayne. That was the accord that was struck. We are even and yet you demand the city. Find me a piece of paper where my father promised to aid you in taking Myr for your own and I will gladly let you have it."
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Kurts
Prince
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Post by Kurts on Feb 25, 2016 13:21:53 GMT -5
"You were each paid for your men to aid us in taking the city, not claim it for yourselves. Its fate is ours to decide." he repeated. "As I said, claim the lands North of the Wall and I will not demand a share of them."
"Your father offered us aid and named his price for it. He did not demand a share of the spoils and I suspect he knew exactly what we meant to do with the city. He was no fool and knew why wars are fought."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Feb 25, 2016 13:25:33 GMT -5
"Paid? What payment did we receive?" Benjen asked him. "If you mean to say that you provided assistance in turn then say so? And I am not claiming Myr for my own. I stated that it should be under shared governship, between the victorious parties."
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Post by Robyn Stark on Feb 25, 2016 13:29:49 GMT -5
"Suspicions are light as air." Robyn said with a sigh, maybe ellaria would be right.
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Kurts
Prince
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Post by Kurts on Feb 25, 2016 13:31:30 GMT -5
"As I have said numerous times, he offered his aid against Myr for mine against Oriax." he repeated, yet again. "Call that what you will, it was payment, in the blood of my people. An accord of some kind was struck with each leader present at this table and I guarantee none of you would be here had I not paid my end."
"You have had what you were owed and I offer compensation based on the efforts and resources put forth. The kingdom that contributed the least will not dictate the terms here. A governorship cannot and will not be split seven ways. Its fate affects my kingdom the most and we have earned the right to decide it."
He looked oddly at Robyn's comment, but left it unremarked.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Feb 25, 2016 13:31:40 GMT -5
Aaron is noncommittal, while oddly, Hector doesn't seem bothered by the idea too much. "Well, this has been fun," the Prince Consort said, "but between accusations of dishonor from your yapping dog and the clear disdain you have for twenty thousand allied soldiers, I have heard my fill. May our next meeting not be marred by the stammering of our inferiors," he said, looking at Harwyn cheerfully. "But I have a home to get back to." He waves a hand and the Goldlands contingent rises to exit the ship.
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Post by Marlow on Feb 25, 2016 13:36:37 GMT -5
Harwyn gives a cheerful wave to Hector as he moves to depart. Insults were the true form of courtship among the Ironborn. "It will be a grand reunion, I'm sure. I'll bring flowers and wine."
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