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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2015 22:19:45 GMT -5
Two nights before the march Prince Benjen hosts a small dinner in his headquarters for his family, friends and advisers.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2015 22:25:14 GMT -5
Benjen awaited his guests at the door, dressed in simple greys and black. His sword was not at his hip, though it leaned against his chair.
Danya Frey was present, seated at the table. She wore a pretty black dress.
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 2, 2015 2:05:56 GMT -5
Lars entered, wearing some of his nicer furs draped over his shoulders. He had a fine black leather tunic on. Over all his outfit was much fancier than he had ever worn growing up with the mountain clansmen, but mostly moderate for anyone of higher birth. He assumed many nobles would be in attendance and did not wish to stand out by looking like the new clansman he is. Lars was happy to see Prince Benjen awaiting the guests at the door. "Greetings, my Prince. Thank you for inviting me to this fine dinner." Lars said with a bow.
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Post by Lyonel on Mar 2, 2015 5:53:39 GMT -5
Lord Galbart had not changed his clothes since earliear, at least it seemed so; Karstark was a practical man with simple needs, he liked things to run homogeneously, so great part of his wardrobe consisted of exact copies of his favorite outfit. After the morning gathering he started to feel the Night's March taking it's toll from him, so a hot bath was ordered and he soaked in the water just until the Feast.
"Your grace..." He gave a quick bow and kissed His Majesty's hand, the black bags under his eyes were heavily apparent, but nothing that he couldn't take care of.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 2, 2015 7:05:01 GMT -5
Benjen extends his hand to Lars. "Good of you to come, my friend. It's been a while since we were able to speak in a more peaceful setting, but I thought we all deserved a reprieve. Come in though and have something to drink."
He pointed at a large but not vast selection of bottles on a nearby table. There were no servants present, the only time they would be when delivering the food.
Benjen turned to Karstark. "Lord Galbart, it looks as though you should be abed!" He said with a chuckle. "Be assured that the marching from hereon will not be as speedy as last night; though we do need to push to Acorn Hall swiftly. But let us not talk of the war..."
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Post by Lyonel on Mar 2, 2015 7:43:08 GMT -5
"This? Oh no, sire, this is nothing." Galbart rubbed his hands against his eyes, trying to diminish the aspect of it.
"Let us not." He agreed.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 2, 2015 7:47:26 GMT -5
Benjen smiled. "As you say. My I introduce you to Lars Liddle?" He said, indicating his friend. "Lars is a good man and a better scout; between him and Jackson Snow I do not think there is a part of the Riverlands that we haven't got under constant surveillance." The Prince grinned.
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 2, 2015 8:30:12 GMT -5
Lars smiled as he extended his hand to Lord Galbart. "Well met, my lord, I am Lars Liddle, the Prince honors me with such a description. I was glad to see you were able to make it here so quickly."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 2, 2015 9:58:24 GMT -5
King Terrence enters the room for dinner and wine. All rise and he waves them back to their seats as he sits next to his son. "You have done well, my son. I am very proud of your efforts towards defending our kingdom." He beckons for a large glass of wine, then changes his mind and orders whiskey. "Malryas Bolton writes from Maidenpool. His spies report that some man is trying to reclaim Cassadar's...legacy. However, good news from the Vale these last few hours. Lord Fillmore says Lord Durand Goldwater and himself have checked the advance of Grafton's mercenaries three days south of Heart's Home, and driven them back. That should buy us the time we need to deal with this battle in the west."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 2, 2015 10:08:15 GMT -5
Benjen poured his father's glass himself, before pouring himself a tall glass of beer.
"Another sorcerer? At least we have Oriax to deal with him if necessary." He shook his head. "That is good news regarding the Vale, though Grafton's men are closer to Heart's Home than I'd like."
He sighed. "Father, what have we done? Lord Lannister... his business is with me, not your lands. There isn't a night where I don't dream of Meghan Lannister lying at the bottom of the Sept..."
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Post by Lyonel on Mar 2, 2015 10:29:45 GMT -5
"A clansman." Galbart shook the man's hand in excitement. "You people seem tend be really reclusive most time... I must say I'd never thought I'd met one of you this far south."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 2, 2015 10:34:48 GMT -5
Terrence snorted. "I suspect she is an excuse, not a reason, my son. His other daughter went missing herself and was found in our lands, supposedly. Lord Stafford has been no friend of mine since we were children. He is like a shark that smells blood in the water." He seems uncomfortable a minute. "Since Cassadar's death there has been little of the...unnatural occurring. If Oriax can find this...successor, then I want him dealt with swiftly and without remorse." His right arm shakes slightly. "I have never been able to wield a sword my son. When I was your age I was strong and wise, but then I fell ill around the time of your birth. When I recovered, my sword hand had no more strength in it, and only through a maester's most secret arts can it function at all." His voice is quiet but intense.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 2, 2015 10:49:59 GMT -5
Benjen frowned, this story unknown to him. "I never knew about this illness, father. Do you know what caused it? Strange for it to affect your sword arm so."
He drank deep from his beer and set the glass down. "Master Oriax will be sent to deal with this new threat. When Lefford has been smashed we will forge a peace with the Western lords, Stafford Lannister be damned. If necessary I will send The Crowl to deal with Clegane."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 2, 2015 11:26:26 GMT -5
"Let it be as you say, my son." Terrence rises. "Don't send one man after Hollis Clegane. Even one as...special as Lord Crowl. Armies hesitate to face that knight, and for good reason." He chuckles. "We should send him after Lefford. Hard to be a general when that man is coming after you."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 2, 2015 11:32:23 GMT -5
Benjen smiled. "I had intended to send Crowl after Clegane with some men, hunt the dog down, but you are right. A man of Clegane's size is best taken down with more subtle means."
He took another big drink from his beer. "I have to admit that I feel outclassed and... overwhelmed sometimes, father. Facing men such as Stafford Lannister, giving orders to men like Everett Blackwoood and others on our side. Men twice my age! It feels wrong."
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