On the Path to Conquest
Twentieth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
Ser Halmon Paege reacts with surprising sagacity to having an unexpected letter drop onto the saddle pommel in front of him while he is riding. True, his eyes widen and his knuckles go white on the parchment as he reads, but he does not linger overlong on the task. The fact that it is printed in true-speech, like the parchments you spread last month, speaks to its veracity more than the wax seal ever could, but you included that as well in case he is inclined towards tradition. He does not
look the sort, between the faintly disheveled hair and scruffy beard, wearing boiled leather and chainmail while on the hunt and counting somewhere around thirty namedays, but in such unsettled times many look to tradition for security.
Thus when he dismounts and warily looks about, you come before him as the heir of Aegon, his crown clear upon your brow with Dark Sister at your right hand, though you hide neither the cloak of flowing gold nor the arcane rings upon your fingers. "Hail and well met, my lord," you greet. "If your horse can bear to bide a while along the trail here, I would speak with you on matters that concern all of the Riverlands, and all of the Seven Kingdoms in truth."
"A grim day for the Riverlands when it is involved in matters of all the Seven Kingdoms... Your Grace," the knight replies with only a moment's hesitation. Perhaps to gather his thoughts, he glances over at Rina and Ser Richard who introduce themselves in turn, one curt, the other still uncertain what greeting one is supposed to make upon appearing from thin air in the woods like a grumpkin in a child's tale. The real answer is, of course, 'whatever greeting suits you', but that is something she will have to figure out for herself.
"You speak of war," Ser Paege says, turning back to you again.
Is he usually this blunt, or has the surprise not quite worn off and this is how he shows it, you wonder. Regardless, you appreciate the plain speaking.
"I speak of war, yes, but also of what must come after war, infrastructure, trade, the turning of the world," you answer smoothly, for these are words you would carry to all the Riverlords. "It is a sad truth that war for the Iron throne so often leads to the burning of towns and the scouring of fields. Why is it that in one of the of the Seven Kingdoms, with rivers to serve as its arteries and the King's Road for its spine, there is not one city worth the name? Because warriors visit it too often and builders too seldom."
So, unhurried and with care, you lay out your infrastructure projects with examples of what you have done already in Essos and the Stepstones, the message clear in every account. He does not have to risk anything besides the scowls of Hoster Tully to raise his banners in your name. You do not need Paege armsmen to win the Riverlands, but you would very much prefer not to see them stand against you.
It seems you have judged the man well, for he does not seem insulted by the unspoken implication, taking the knee and reciting his vows as so many other lords and ladies had done already. Not your most enthusiastic supporter, certainly, but there are far worse things that can be said of a lord than that he prefers a quiet life.
Your next meeting, however, will be perhaps a touch more tricky. While you have never met Lord Chester Roote, you have certainly made the acquaintance of many of his people at Harroway, and while you had given aid there, it had not been in a way to leave the House in a good light. The fact that the lord had been trying to contact the Mootons was certainly encouraging, and the divination you worked hours ago an assurance of the fact that he will meet with you, but you will have to tailor your introduction with more than a letter from the blue.
How do you meet with Lord Chester Roote?
[] The Merchant Gambit, if it isn't broke...
[] Pass a letter though the septon of Harroway, he seemed a diplomatic enough fellow
[] Send a construct raven with a letter, its almost traditional
[] Write in
OOC: And here we are, not the most complex discussion, but then this guy is far from a major lord so he would not have many requests at the best of times. In the middle of the woods with an unexpected dragon is not that time.
