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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 1:20:39 GMT -5
"There is little more to tell you other than what you probably already know." replied Rycherd, looking briefly in the direction she had pointed.
"I'm a soldier. I fight my enemies. I support my friends. Life is simple is it not?"
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 1:28:13 GMT -5
Yes, he was just like her brother. Simple, indeed.
"I am sure nothing is so simple as that. There are not just friends and enemies in this world."
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 1:36:54 GMT -5
"Is that right?" asked Rycherd, with a slightly mocking edge to his voice. "And what would an innocent girl know of the world?"
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 1:43:55 GMT -5
And so he thought he was cleverer than she. She ached to tell him what she knew; all the things she had learned from the whores and streetrats of Oldtown. But that would not do.
"I know rather alot. The Hightower's proximity to the Citadel affords many opportunities, even for an innocent young girl such as myself."
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 2:09:50 GMT -5
Rycherd's eyes twinkled with amusement. The Hightower girl certainly had a high opinion of herself.
"Ah yes. The Citadel. I didn't ask what you knew of the Citadel or Oldtown or what you have read in books there. I asked what you actually knew of the world. What have you actually experienced yourself Arania Hightower? Mad passionate love that engulfs your every sense? Red rage on the battlefield? Overwhelming euphoria at the moment of triumph? Have you ever faced down the very spectre of death itself?"
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 2:25:17 GMT -5
"I..." Arania began confidently, though she had nothing to follow that first syllable. She bit her lip, pouting a little. "None of those things," she admitted, feeling a little defeated. "But..." she began again. She hated to be like this, without a word to fling back in his face. He looked like he enjoyed her discomfort. That was not kind. If she were five years younger, she would stamp her feet and run off, but at eighteen and speaking to her family's liege lord, that was not an option.
"Very well then, you have me. But even in your words you admit that life is not so easily divided into black and white, do you not?"
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 2:31:47 GMT -5
"I didn't say it was." replied Rycherd. "I asked whether you thought it was. Clearly you do not. And that is pleasing to me."
His eyes bored into hers. "I have experienced all of those things Arania Hightower." he said softly. "There is far more to the world than just what you read in books."
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 2:44:15 GMT -5
"You implied..." She was forced to stop again. It was bothersome, not being able to finish one's sentences. She let out a small, defeated sigh.
"I'm sure you have." She looked back at him, fearlessly, transfixed by his stare. "And I am sure there is. However, for now books are all I have."
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 2:50:35 GMT -5
"You have this." said Rycherd spreading his hands again to indicate their surroundings.
"Watch well Arania Hightower. Learn well. I shall ask again what you have learnt of the world at the end of this gathering."
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 3:09:06 GMT -5
She looked around at all the tents and the sigils of countless houses of the Reach and the West. She would learn what she could, that was certain. It was what she intended all along.
"Will you find me, my lord, or should I seek you out?" Like a schoolmaster, he was, but with a sword instead of a switch. And not so simple as he first seemed.
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 3:19:45 GMT -5
"I'm sure we will find each other, Arania Hightower." replied Rycherd, his eyes still boring into hers, as if he was looking into the depths of her mind and soul.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 3:24:13 GMT -5
Again she wanted to flee, but her feet were frozen to the spot. She hands clenched in the fabric of her long skirt. "Of course," she said smoothly, as if her brain weren't in turmoil. "I am sure we shall. my Lord Tyrell."
She chewed her lip again, unconsciously this time. She hoped her siblings would not hear of this; Arania Hightower with nothing to say for herself, and the knowledge of a thousand books forgotten.
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 3:39:24 GMT -5
"Very well Arania Hightower. I look forward to it." said Rycherd.
His eyes finally lifted from her face and he pointed in the direction of where he thought she had said her father was.
"You said Lord Beric was over that way. I shall need to speak with him."
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 8, 2012 3:46:55 GMT -5
"Yes, and the tent is flying the Hightower sigil." She wondered what they would speak of. Man's business, Lord's business, things that she was not and would never be privy to.
"Until next we meet," she said as a farewell, curtseying again.
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Post by Lord Lyonel Vikary on Oct 8, 2012 3:55:39 GMT -5
His eyes again twinkling with amusement, Rycherd gave a short nod and turned on his heel. He had only taken a couple of steps when he stopped briefly and turned back to her.
"Should the subject arise, I shall inform Lord Beric that we have met. Farewell Arania Hightower."
He strode off.
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