|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 19:45:59 GMT -5
"What part, son?" Terrence leans back. "I have thoughts on so many things. I cannot say I think your...coupling with your betrothed was the wisest decision...though it isn't hard to see why you did." He looks at his heir. "You cannot carry the whole world on your shoulders, son. Even a Stark has limits."
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 19:49:14 GMT -5
"It was a terrible idea," Benjen replied, shaking his head. "But what could I do... she was there, needy..." He drinks again. "She can't stay here."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:00:17 GMT -5
"Beautiful, tempting, and she wasn't the only one who was needy; I do not care what front you put up for yourself. You nearly lost her today, nearly lost yourself and your friend Amelia." He rises and seems old, but hardly crippled, regal and wise. He holds his glass thoughtfully while looking out the window. "I remember when you were born, the very hour you came out of your mother. My own father was away, making sure the border was secure with Prince Kyle Lannister, at the time. We had our own version of Cassadar, then; a young man named Gracen Glover; angry northman, spent three years evading us, committing acts of violence and terror around the kingdoms. My father couldn't stop him, Kyle Lannister couldn't stop him...Rickon Stark couldn't stop him. I received a visitor that day you were born, all red-faced and squalling like the little warrior you've become. His name was Darryn Snow, and I learned that he was my father's acknowledged bastard. He offered to slay this Glover if he would receive an appropriate reward. I accepted.
He trapped Gracen Glover at a little town called Glen's Rest, but no one would tell him where he was. He was running out of options, when he had an idea. An idea to end the threat he saw." He sipped the wine again. "He burned the village down, and killed everyone who tried to run."
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:04:58 GMT -5
Benjen watched his father in silence, wondering at the lesson. "What was the reward?" He finally asked, still trying to digest the message.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:12:29 GMT -5
"We never got that far. He killed two hundred people. I sent Lord Jonarth Corbray and a dozen men to bring back his head." Terrence turns around, and looking through his sex and booze-addled haze Benjen realizes his father is far drunker than he is. "Say what you want to ask, son; do not hint around the edges."
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:17:36 GMT -5
"Catherine needs to be somewhere safe; very safe," He said, finishing his wine and pouring more. "East; Danya and Ami will look after her, as well as anyone else we can send. Malryas... we need one of his best with her." He paused. "It will have to remain a secret too, at least until the group are on their way."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:20:38 GMT -5
"Keeping it secret is already impossible; the camps have been bursting with word of your betrothal. And if our best are watching her, who will be watching YOU? Cassadar has plenty of other targets, you know. You have sisters." He says it with a Stark chillness in his voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:24:31 GMT -5
"Anyone but her," Benjen said, imagining Cassadar putting a knife to Catherine. "Damn it," He swore, drinking deeply. "Not all of his best, just one..."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:26:37 GMT -5
"It will have to be Kal, then, but Rickon will not like his favorite great-grandson, and heir, heading east." Terrence swallows his wine and pours more. "But he will accept it, because he knows it is necessary, after the letter I sent."
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:31:46 GMT -5
Benjen nodded with a dark frown. "It does not make me happy, father, but it would I cannot handle putting others in danger anymore. It would kill me."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:33:38 GMT -5
"Then prepare to die, son. Ruling IS putting others in danger." He hugs Benjen. "Kal has his greatsword and plenty of training. Catherine will be safe with him." He left unspoken Kal's well-earned reputation around women...
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:37:16 GMT -5
"As safe as can be," Benjen agreed. "Gods, I am drunk now... perhaps I should go back to her and apologize for walking off like a sulking child."
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 20:39:59 GMT -5
"Perhaps." Terrence claps his son on the back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 17, 2012 20:44:02 GMT -5
Benjen shook his head and laughed. "Until the morrow, father," He said, making his way to Catherine's chambers.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 17, 2012 21:25:25 GMT -5
Catherine is sound asleep, but presumably no one would see a point in bothering to ask whether it was proper for Benjen to be visiting so late at night anymore.
|
|
