|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 17:11:49 GMT -5
"Malryas Bolton?" Benjen says, the surprise in his voice real. "The last time I saw you was... three years ago - in Winterfell?" He laughs and shakes his head.
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 17:17:50 GMT -5
"Indeed. Not hardly the last time I've seen you, however." His smile is amused and small, but genuine enough. Benjen has no idea what game the crazy Dreadfort expat is playing, but he seems to play it well. "The lady brings up a good point, you know. Everyone in Westeros is waiting to see who will be the future Queen of the North. Many fortunes will be made and lost on bets that were placed years ago on who the lucky lady is."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 17:24:15 GMT -5
"People should have better sense than to bet on a Prince's marriage," Benjen commented with a wry smile. "I get the feeling though that this upcoming meeting at Mason's Keep will lead to my eventually marriage." She shrugs his shoulders. "I always knew it'd come eventually."
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 17:27:45 GMT -5
"You sound so resigned to it. Wealth and privilege have its price," he chuckles, "such as having to sleep with a no doubt beautiful woman the rest of your life. My bet is on Lady Tully or old Rickon's great-granddaughter Ella, though. From this kingdom. If you set your gaze farther out, well..." he laughs once more. "Even I wouldn't bet, then." He looks out the same window Benjen was. "Winter is coming at a metaphorically appropriate time, I feel."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 17:32:52 GMT -5
Brynden was intrigue by the mention of Ella, not having seen the girl in half a decade. "And what will it bring, Master Bolton? No doubt there is some ancient truth behind the stories of Snarks and Grumpkins."
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 17:56:15 GMT -5
Bolton rolls his eyes. "No, my prince, I strongly doubt that, though the Frozen Lion writes that the wildlings have begun moving in more organized forces under the traitor Manderly. Across the Sea the dragons without wings try to pretend they control dragons with them, and even here in our lands the Faith seeks to regain its former position of prominence. there is plenty to do." He put his hands on the window sill and just for a moment seemed much older than his barely thirty years. "For now, I am sure your father will inform you it is your duty to find a woman so that he can feel secure in his golden years. Or at least I hope that is why he's had me roaming the land scouting out all the eligible ladies on display." He chuckled. "I've had worse assignments."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 17:59:52 GMT -5
The Prince's eyes widen a little. "Oh? Pray, do tell me of the prettiest that you have managed to scout out." He laughed. "I assume it will still be up to my father where I go to help out? I wouldn't be averse to venturing north and aiding Winterfell, should the Wildlings brave the Wall." He shook his head at an unvoiced thought.
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 18:10:44 GMT -5
"I assume he wants you to help out in your bedchamber, with a new wife. I confess I have little knowledge of things beyond the Wall; even my spies have limits." He thinks on the first question. "Well, of course there is that Ellaria Dayne girl, if you like the dreamlike golden-haired type. Meghan Lannister if you are slightly less stuck in the clouds and slightly more interested in brains. I shouldn't have to tell you about your dear friend Lady Tully there. And then there's always Vanessa Redwyne...but even you aren't good enough for her tastes, I don't think."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 18:17:50 GMT -5
"Challenge accepted, Malryas," Bryndens said, turning away from the window and putting the names to memory. "I doubt I'll get much choice anyhow but the illusion is worth enough to not give me sleepless nights. At least for now." He thought of who she would be, that lady that was still a faceless question mark. "So where to next for you?"
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 18:23:37 GMT -5
"I'd ask your father, my prince. He's been lenient so far; if you presented him with someone you are interested in he'd probably be too happy to much care who it was." He idly spins a gem on a fob chain around. "I will follow you all to Mason Keep; it's like a spy's glimpse up the Maiden's skirts, after all."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 18:29:34 GMT -5
"Of course," Benjen said, nodding. "Perhaps I should pay my father a visit before we leave. Let him know I am aware of his... shall we say, plans for my close future." He smiled again. "Will we actually see much of you at Mason't Keep?"
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 18:40:45 GMT -5
"If you do, it probably means something bad is happening." Malryas bows correctly then leaves as suddenly and quietly as he came.
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 18:56:26 GMT -5
Brynden smiled, wondering when he'd see the man next. He turns and heads for the city, deciding an afternoons stroll would calm him a little.
///////////////
Ami Royce had only recently returned from her last visit, having gone to Lord Harroway's Town for a brief visit after her sojourn in the Iron Islands. She'd spent a little time with Benjen but more by herself and decided to visit the gardens, seeing who might be around.
Dressed in a respectable blue and silver dress she made her way down the paths alongside bushes, keeping an eye out for potential conversation partners.
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 5, 2012 19:05:02 GMT -5
She sees two women sitting at a table overlooking the waters of the God's Eye, the Isle of Faces faintly visible along the horizon. One is wearing purple and white, the other grey and green, and Ami notes with some distaste they are both more attractive than she is. Ella Stark and Catherine Mallister, it had been a while, but she still had little enough trouble remembering them from growing up. Catherine notices her and smiles. "Ami! So nice to see you again! We were just talking about how nice it is to meet old acquaintances here; maybe this meeting has some value after all."
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 5, 2012 19:17:23 GMT -5
"Catherin, Ella," She said, smiling genuinely at both girls as she went over to greet them. "It has been quite some time, has it not? You two look absolutely beautiful!"
|
|