Re: 'Poppy Ale' Tavern
In reply to Mardax Kaldor (msg # 4):
Once the tavern has cleared out, Ser Ackley raise up from his set. "BY the SEVEN, ... what the hell happened? Mardax, where are the others? We were to meet in secret and it looked like a royal procession gathering for some kind of conference!" He is exaggerating greatly but, Ser Ackley is very upset at the events that took place at the slaughter house and his face and body language is clearly aggressive.
Osgred Selmy walks over to his son as the other men take a guard positions within the tavern. "Men guard the door and rare entrance," .... "Son stop!, we can not change this, we most now gather or wits and spin this so that we are not figured out. These are nolonger our enemies, ... we most focus on the enemies of the throne and protect our king. We have a duty, we have our responsibilities and we must be more carefully going forward."
Odgred turns to Mardax, "We do not have much time. I have paid many of the guards to delay them and re-route their patrols but with the combat outside the town they will be forced to act and begin a search. Your people will need to shatter and regroup quickly back at My Lords home before his son accuses your people of conspiring against him."
"He will look for any reason to place as many under confinement and delay you to King's Landing."
"Sit Mardax," as Odgred pours a glass of ale. "In some circles they call me the 'Butcher', I play my part in the game of thrones as a weak servant for other nobles and lords, but in fact I control a large number of skilled men who's unpleasant duties sometimes includes killing others for the better of the kingdom. Some months ago my agents were approached by members of House Chiffon, and House Steiner .... They paid well to have members of other Dornish family heads killed and were looking to establish trade north of the Boneway. These 'Princes of Dorne' put in motion events that just continued in the deaths of many, it was meant to join the nations and bring peace. But the worst has come up in these men and I was a foul to believe them. My circles have uncovered that they were never interested in peace, but wanted to make sure those that did, were killed and stopped. This is not new news to you but since our regions were not at peace the news traveled to my spies slowly"
"It turns out Mardax your family is in great danger and so are the rest of those you travel with. Lord Kolwyn's ships are being followed by Ironborn raiders and spies, when ready they will attack his ships as pirates under false banners, their plan is to disrupt you and the other families so that you do not make it to King's Landing and gain anymore favor from the throne, .... I have called members of House Fell of Timberwood, they are loyal to the throne and will escort you all to King's Landing. But These Devil of Noblemen look to kill you in particular Mardax, it seems your fathers lands and his favor with certain noble lords is a large enough threat to them that they wish to slowly end your family line. Your brother knew these things but was delayed, I fear he maybe in the hands of the enemy. They want you to look for him, do not fall into their trap. Make it to King's Landing and gain the King's favor, if your houses succeed them there effort will be wasted."
"I most speak of a greater threat, unfortunately I have yet to uncover all of it completely. What I do know is that members of my circle were paid a kings ransom for a kings death. These men are no longer in my service for I would not ever go against my king. But it seems they have gone to extreme efforts to place and blame these events on your family and their allies. This is why it's so important that you and the rest make it to King's Landing. I do not know who is part of this conspiracy, but it must rank high, ... could be as high as the kings family. So we can not just approach the king and accuse his most trustworthy as betrayers and traitors of the crown."
"DO you understand what must be done?"
Osgred is emotional his voice sounds sincere, his son has claimed as he too listened to his father's words, then Ser Ackley Speaks Up "Father! Do not forget the price for such information, ...."
"Yes, Son I have not forgotten, .... Mardax this information and our support as allies comes at a price, ... as all things do in life. My son needs to wed, and our circles need to grown in the south, so Ackley needs to marry and if you and the rest are successful we wish our pick of House Ravenhowe. My son fancies the Lady Fatimah Ravenhowe. Have House Ravenhowe sworn to this and I will use all my influence and circles to see that you and they are successful, .... not only for the kingdoms, .... but for our known families as well"