A Most Uncommon Messenger
Twenty-Eight Day of the Ninth Month 293 AC
After experiencing it so many times Rhaella had almost become used to the disorientating jolt of translocation, or at least so she told herself as she let go of the young Dornishwoman's arm, looking out over the narrow streets and busy harbor of Maidenpool. If nothing else the town did not seem to have suffered overmuch from House Mooton choosing to stay true to the crown during the Usurper's War. Lord Tully likely reasoned that with Ser Myles dead his elder brother would lack the spine to cause any further trouble. William had seemingly lived up to that judgement so far, though the presence of his younger son at the Tourney of the Deep was a good sign that not all his House agreed.
Perhaps the proverbial reluctant mule might yet be prodded if not into a charge then at least a trot while he carries the bags, Rhaella thought in a moment's whimsy
"I'm glad you are feeling confident about this, Your Grace," Tyene noted, seeing her smile. "I am
not looking forward to dealing with a coward without the guts to avenge his own blood."
"There are worse qualities to find in lords than timidity," the former queen replied. Neither of them needed a reminder of what those were.
From the Dornishwoman's other side the clink of steel marked Clegane getting impatient, or perhaps uncomfortable. As strange was it was to have a scion of that House as her guard for the day, Rhaella trusted her daughter's judgement, and she knew better than to judge others by their kin.
"The Stinking Goose's this way," the warrior said, pointing down one of the alleyways with some confidence.
***
Rhaella had briefly wondered why any establishment that sold food and drink would call itself 'Stinking'. Upon actually seeing the tavern she at least had to credit whatever proprietor had come up with the name with the virtue of honesty. The knacker's barn one had to pass through to get into the tavern certainly carried the odor of its trade, and even after descending the long narrow stairway into the basement Rhaella could not help but wonder if some of the blood and offal seeped in this deep.
I'm not eating anything there, she told herself. The subterfuge would work well enough.
After all, who would expect a king's envoys to be meeting the son of the local lord in such a place amid the old wine casks made into tables for drunks to lounge on... quite literally in this case. The only common patrons in the tavern were two passed out sailors still cradling cups of cheap wine. By contrast, Ser Raynald Mooton was quite easy to pick out despite the patched cloak.
"Your..." the young man stuttered, starting to get to his feet.
"Sit down," Rhaella replied, voice firm but soft. "I am only a messenger now, albeit one who speaks with more authority than most. Your reply by raven said we should be discrete, but you did not specify why."
"I was afraid the bird would be captured by the Lannisters..."
"What do the Lannisters have to do with all this?" Tyene cut him off. The glamour may have hidden the usual blue of her eyes beneath muddy brown, but the look could be just as sharp.
"A pair of Golden Shields came up to the keep with a royal writ demanding aid in hunting down... outlaws," the knight replied. For a moment he looked almost like the was considering drinking the swill in front of him.
"I imagine your father was less than pleased with such heavy-handed interference," Rhaella prompted.
"My father is a cautious man, he has to be with all the lives that depend upon him," Ser Raynald Mooton said almost in challenge, not that anyone was of a mind to take him up on it, much as the Hound looked like he might like to.
"I'm assuming he would prefer the sorcerers removed before we speak?" Tyene asked. For all the words were neutral, it was not hard to guess her mind had already gone to poison.
"Not necessarily," the knight replied, his answer slow, awkward, mirroring an uncomfortable position of having to prod his father in a position he would very much wish to take. "He would prefer some proof that they are... unimportant."
How would you prefer Rhaella and Tyene handle the mages and set Lord Mooton's fears to rest?
[] Write in
OOC: I was not really planning a vote for this interlude from the start, but the more I considered the situation, the more this made sense as an obstacle, and it will give you guys something to debate overnight. It also gives me the chance to showcase Sandor more as something beside Dany's shadow.
Good night guys.
