Part MDCCCXXXI: An Evening To Remember
An Evening To Remember
Twenty-Fourth Day of the First Month 293 AC
You keep silent and, as you had expected, Waymar agrees to his sister's request. "I shall have to speak to father, but if that is truly what you want I'll do all within my power to see that you learn, if not from me then from another whose arts might prove a better fit."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she says, the words flowing together in her rush to get them out. The hug she gives her brother is only slightly less enthusiastic than the one she had offered in greeting. "When I'm done learning you will be able to come home too and if anyone dares say anything nasty about our magic we can..." she hesitates a moment. "We can challenge them to a wizard's duel."
"That would be rather unfair if your hypothetical adversaries are not mages," you put in, amused.
"Don't care," Ysilla shrugs. "Robar says that if you can't hold a sword you should not run your mouth in front of those more skilled than you. No reason why it can't be true for magic, too."
"If only things were that simple..." you trail off imagining for but a moment a world where you could simply preset yourself before the gates of the Red Keep and challenge Baratheon to a duel for rule of the Seven Kingdoms, spell against hammer. From what you know of the Usurper's character he just might do it too if his blood was up. Alas that he would leave behind an ungovernable realm.
Meanwhile Tyene and Waymar between them take it upon themselves to actually explain as best they are able the hurdles facing those who would use magic, how superstitious mumblings may hide something far deeper, fear of the unknown and above all else of change. Ysilla listens with a look of determination upon her face you rather imagine her tutors would envy. By the end of it she concludes drolly, "So because a mage is neither fish not fowl nor good red meat, some fools would rather they all be fed to the hounds."
"Just so," Waymar agrees proudly, before wistfully adding. "Best be off now, there's only so much gawking at strange wares you can reasonably be expected to do."
***
That evening you are invited to dine not in the great feast-hall of Runestone, for that would be impossible given the absence of servants once the table had been laid out, but in a smaller chamber, set aside for times when the lord and lady might wish to escape the noise and eyes of half-the-keep upon them.
For all its secrecy, however, an air of good cheer hangs over the hall that night, as gifts are given and received, and tales told of things fantastical and commonplace. Waymar's mother shows herself rather concerned with the danger her son has been throwing himself into, in spite of the fact that he is intentionally omitting he worst of it, a position you can certainly sympathize with.
Lost 200 Gold in Trade Goods
Lost Rhoynar Mace (Reforged into gifts)
His bothers by contrast seem at first as much bewildered as glad to see him, because, it transpires lord Royce had not shared most of his correspondence with Waymar with the rest of his family until tonight. His purpose in so doing is clear enough: to ensure that any punishment from his liege-lord regarding too close a connection to you should fall on him alone. In that context the choice to break said secrecy speaks volumes in and of itself, though you are careful not to even hint at such matters tonight.
Alas that not all family matters can be so lighthearted. Once the desert arrives, almond milk cake glazed with honey, Ysilla rises to her feet and clears her throat uncomfortably, obviously about to launch into her confession.
How do you handle things?
[] Try to be supportive
-[] Write in
[] Let her say her piece and then reassure Lord and Lady Royce
-[] Write in
[] Write in
OOC: I struggled for a bit as to where I should put this vote, because on the one hand seeing the reaction to Ysilla's words first would have given you more to work with, but on the other hand how she pulls off her revelation will be very important to her parents' reaction, and thus your plans. Therefore a case could be made for Viserys to use his impressive social skills to try and help her out.
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I'm never giving up on my goal to get the very best wards. I want those anti-god wards, epic First Men wards, and epic Valyrian wards all rolled into one.