[X] [Write-in] Duel and kill him with your barehands. A traitorous cur like Arnold doesn't deserve a proper duel, but to be brutally stomped into the ground like the worm that he is.
"Ser Tarly? Lend me your blade. If the traitor wishes for a swift judgement by steel, I shall grant it to him." You called over to your sworn shield while your gaze was still boring into Arnold. Suddenly the failed pretender no longer seemed so certain of himself and you savored his expression of worry far more than you should have. Far away you heard shocked gasps and murmurs from the court, but it did not matter.
"My lady," your sworn shield began, but whatever else he wished to say died in his throat as you rose your hand to him. He knew your choice had been made and that there was little he could do now. The hilt of his sword felt cold as ice in your grip. The longsword seeming light as a feather as you weighed it in your hand to feel it's balance.
As you strode around the Moon Gate, Arnolds hands were unbound and he was given a blade of his own. A few times he seemed to wish to say something to you, but it was clear that words escaped him for the moment. Until he rallied himself, plastering that smug look onto his face once more. "I will not have your father come for my head. I will show you the folly of pretending to be a man and then you will yield. One day, you will be thankful for the lesson I am about to teach you." He spoke as if he truly believed it. As if there was one and only one way this could end.
You did not deign him with an answer, taking a proper stance opposite of him instead. The dress was straining ever so slightly under the movements and you quietly thanked the royal seamstress for having taken you seriously when you asked for clothes that would not constrain you.
Ser Arnold Arryn had been a knight for many years, though not a renowned one, and you could see why. Even when he finally decided to take a proper stance, it was sloppy. His footwork was decent enough, but his balance was lacking. Or was he just not taking this seriously, even now that steel had been drawn?
"Ser Arnold Arryn," the voice of lady Jeyne managed to reach you even through the roaring flames burning in you heart. She spoke with all the gravitas of court, her voice not betraying the slightest hint of what she thought of your actions. "You stand accused to have committed treason by trying to usurp your liege lady's lands and titles. As it is your right, you have been granted a trial by combat. May the Seven guide us today, so that justice may prevail."
"Begin."
He rushed forward, blade extended. Not to the body. A low stab to the thigh. He was still a step out when you knew what he was doing. Half a step to the side and turn, just as the blade passed. Your own sword slashed upwards and caught his swordhand. His blade clattered to the ground from limp fingers. Before he even could register what had happened, the pommel your blade crashed into his face. Dimly you felt the warm wetness on your hand as his nose broke.
Most swordfights were decided in a single exchange, so you had been thought, and no one could doubt if this was a duel, then that it was over. But it was not a duel. As he fell to his knees, you were already standing beside him. The fire burned ever hotter as it demanded you do what you had to do. What you wanted to do.
With a single strike, you cut through Arnold Arryn's neck and sent his head rolling.
The court was so silent that the dull thump of his body sounded like a thunderclap.
And suddenly, the fire was gone. Instead of unbearable heat, you could only feel cold and the blade so heavy all of the sudden. You stared at lifeless head before your feet, blood pooling around it. You had killed him. Just like that. You had spent days pouring over the minutia of this mans life and follies. Talked with people who knew him, called him a friend even, to find the right thing to do with him. And now was gone. Just a body waiting to be burried. No more taunts and sneers. No more insults and grandstanding. And with horror you realized that part of you was proud of having murdered him.
A hand fell on your shoulder, gripping it firmly. "You have fought well." Ser Tarlys voice seemed far away at that moment. It took a moment until you could tear your eyes from the man you killed and to him. Alicent was with him, pale as a ghost and with shaky hands began to dabb at you with a handkerchief. It turned more and more red with every time it touched you.
You sworn shields hand rose and you stared at it. "I hope my blade was of good service," he prompted and you numbly handed it to him. Gently but firmly, he and Alicent guided you to a door behind the Arryn's weirwood throne.
Behind you, Jeyne's voice echoed through the hall. "The Seven have shown us their will and we all should reflect on it. The court is adjourned." Then she too followed you out of the room.
Gained +30 Stress
The sitting room they had guided you to was nice. Probably. There was a roaring fire in the hearth, comfortable couches and beautiful window of Myrish glass letting you look down onto the mountains peeking through the clouds. But there was no joy in the sight and no warmth from the fire reaching you. The strengthening draught Jeyne Arryn had procured from her maester vaguely reminded you of a certain concoction you had in Harrenhal, though it was like comparing plain water to a hearty stew. Still. You cradled the cup between your hands anyway, the hot brew warming your fingers at least.
Alicent was still pacing up and down, a washcloth clutched between her hands being twisted and abused by restless fingers. Once Ser Tarly had suggested to get your dress changed, she had slipped into her familiar role. Without hesitation, she cleaned you up and put you into a warm, wooly winter dress. She even reprimanded you for ripping a seam in the fine dress, as if that was the most important thing that had happened. But now her task was done and she had nothing else to focus on. It hurt to see her like this, yet try as you might, you could not find the words to say or even the strength to utter them.
The door briefly opened, admitting a tired looking Lady Jeyne and Ser Raylon into the room. His expression was hard to place, shifting between worry and thunderous with every moment. "Ser Gwayne volunteered to guard you door in my stead, princess. Unless the king himself demands entrance, you will not be bothered by anyone."
"The court has dispered for now," Lady Arryn began, hesitating for a moment next to the couch before sitting down next to you. "I can play it off as giving the rest of the rebels a chance to reflect on matters for a while, so feel not pressured on my behalf to continue the trials by the morrow."
"What are they saying?" Hearing your voice surprised yourself. You had not meant to say it out loud. Yet you needed to know. Not wanted, but needed.
The way you sworn shield squared his jaw in response was enough for you to know the gist of it. "The court is divided."
"Into sensible men and gallows bait I concur," Alicent all but hissed while she twisted the washcloth as if she was wringing a chickens neck. All of you looked at her in shock at the response, but she was not deterred in the slightest. "Not a single word of remorse. Instead he bragged... bragged about trying to usurp his liege. He insulted Rhaenyra to her face and told the heiress of the Iron Throne that she was unworthy. He all but outright rejected the kings word naming her his proxy!"
With every word, he face was getting redder and her voice harsher. "I have seen duels fought for things not half as crass as what that cur said to her and lady Jeyne. That he had the gall to claim knightly honours. Had the king heard what he had said! A pox upon him and his-" Suddenly her own words caught up with her and Alicent stopped herself, glancing fearfully at Lady Arryn for the curse she had nearly spoken out loud.
She waved her off though. "Desperate men are the greatest of fools, and without Arnold, they only have a boy too young to sit a throne. Let them be my problem."
You took a small sip from your cup as all of them turned back to you. Alicent was still tense, though her outburst seemed to have taken some of it from her. Your shoulders felt ever so slightly lighter upon seeing her feel better. "I..." you began haltingly, trying to gather the loose wool in your head into a proper thought. "It just hit me as I stood there." Your gaze fell into your cup. Looking at the people around you was just too much right now. "I killed a man."
A soft hand gently laid itself on yours. Alicent knelt before you without saying a word, merely holding your hand and waiting for you to find the right words. She was still there. She did not hate you for what you had done. In the jumbled mess of emotions and thoughts right after, there was the jagged fear that she might no longer stand your sight after what she had witnessed. But here she was and in her eyes was only worry for you. Perhaps things would be fine in the end.
"I must admit that I feel I have failed you, princess," Raylon said from behind you. "As your tutor, I should have broached the topic long ago. It is never a kindness to take a life and it weighs heavy on the soul."
You took a deep breath to calm yourself. Mocking voices whispered into your ears. That you were just playing at knighthood. That you had not what it took. But then you felt Alicent thumb gently running circles on the back of your hand, and the whispered bile no longer mattered so much.
"If things had been different, I would have suggested for you to swing the executioners blade. Many squires are blooded first by giving justice to brigands that way." The contrite tones didn't fit your sworn shields voice at all. He had always been the stalwart knight around you, a kingsguard as the bards sung about. "I apologize for having neglected to train you for this."
You could tell he truly felt he had wronged you. "It's fine, ser. You did not push the blade into my hand. I demanded it from you." Silence fell for a while, your emotions slowly turning from a jumble into something you could name again. But was still much. Too much. But it no longer felt so infinite and terrifying.
"Is there something you would suggest now?" you asked him cautiously, almost wishing for a magical draught that would bring you from here to feeling fine again in an instant. Alas, there was no potion brewing witch at hand.
"Some say that drinking dulls it, but I think it only dulls their wits. A knight takes no strength from cups of strongwine." Ser Tarly still sounded worried, though it slowly seemed to sink in that you bore him no ill will. "When it was my time, I had other knights and squires around me. It helped me greatly to talk about it with those who understood."
"Don't you think it is a bit early for that?" Jeyne asked him, clearly out of her depth with the situation. "Maybe you should rest first. Talk with someone about other things. It can wait a day or two for you to gather some strength again." As if in agreement, Alicent squeezed your hand as she said it and a short glance at your sworn shield showed him not opposed to the idea either.
"I know it is not quite your way of things," your beloved lady began carefully, "but in Oldtown, many knights prayed in the Starry Sept for guidance when they struggled with their duties. Maybe...?" She drifted off without finishing the thought, clearly hopeful, but not wishing to push too much.
The Realm Will Take Notice of Your Actions
What do you do?
[] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
[] Spend some time with Alicent and try to rest. Her presence has already helped you so much.
[] Go and see Syrax. A flight around the Giant's Lance might clear your head.
[] If the Seven guided your blade, they might be willing to guide you too. Go to the sept. QM's Note: Thanks again to @Azel who wrote this entire section. Which is also how it's done already because it was written at the same time as the last update. Would have been very awkward if the vote went another direction. Now you may think 30 is a lot of stress for this but uh, Rhaenyra just killed a man, that was always gonna cause massive stress. But it can be managed, I did not trick you.
QM's Note: Thanks again to @Azel who wrote this entire section. Which is also how it's done already because it was written at the same time as the last update. Would have been very awkward if the vote went another direction. Now you may think 30 is a lot of stress for this but uh, Rhaenyra just killed a man, that was always gonna cause massive stress. But it can be managed, I did not trick you.
Well, that is fair, and honestly, if we were always going to take this hit the first time we killed, it is much better to do it now that we still have a large stress buffer rather than in the middle of a battle or in the middle of a tourney...
Ok, I think this is a good idea, hit the Iron while it is hot and try to get some networking with the knights of the vale, instead of relying only in the Arryns, and Joyces
[X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
Alternatively, Best Lizard is Best Lizard and she is a great listener...
[X] Go and see Syrax. A flight around the Giant's Lance might clear your head.
Hmmm not surprising honestly. First kill is always the hardest. More leaning towards the knights because they actually understand. Would love to have said conversation with Ser Tarly if possible.
[X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
[X] Go and see Syrax. A flight around the Giant's Lance might clear your head.
[X] If the Seven guided your blade, they might be willing to guide you too. Go to the sept.
[X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
knighthood has a sort of espirit de corps, right? getting to know that culture might be a big help with the goldcloak stuff we wanted to do.
and they've gone through this sort of thing before and might have practical advice instead of just words of sympathy
[X] Go and see Syrax. A flight around the Giant's Lance might clear your head.
Let's fly around in the moonlight while weeping silvery tears.
Alternatively: [X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
My head tells me Ser Raylon has the right of it, that hearing tales from other lawful homicides (we thought ourselves a murderess, it is not so, our deed was sanctioned by the law and by the Seven) will comfort us somewhat.
[x] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
But my heart tells me to remember what we are. Fire and blood. And for experience, there is no more wanton manslayer than a dragon.
[x] Go and see Syrax. A flight around the Giant's Lance might clear your head.
Adding an approval vote to seek comfort in our beloved's arms.
[x] Spend some time with Alicent and try to rest. Her presence has already helped you so much
Like I get from a narrative perspective why you did it. Taking the easy path often has unintended consequences and our character made a hasty decision and regretted it.
But from a game/quest perspective, you presented us with three red/stress options, and then when we picked the only stress-free option, you said "j/k did I say no stress? I meant max stress." This is a mechanics-light quest, but it does still have game mechanics, and this latest post has basically completely killed my interest in engaging with those mechanics since I no longer trust them to reflect my voting intentions or the real narrative of the story.
I'm still going to continue reading, the writing of this story is good, but I'm not likely to bother voting again.
Like I get from a narrative perspective why you did it. Taking the easy path often has unintended consequences and our character made a hasty decision and regretted it.
But from a game/quest perspective, you presented us with three red/stress options, and then when we picked the only stress-free option, you said "j/k did I say no stress? I meant max stress." This is a mechanics-light quest, but it does still have game mechanics, and this latest post has basically completely killed my interest in engaging with those mechanics since I no longer trust them to reflect my voting intentions or the real narrative of the story.
I'm still going to continue reading, the writing of this story is good, but I'm not likely to bother voting again.
Like I get from a narrative perspective why you did it. Taking the easy path often has unintended consequences and our character made a hasty decision and regretted it.
But from a game/quest perspective, you presented us with three red/stress options, and then when we picked the only stress-free option, you said "j/k did I say no stress? I meant max stress." This is a mechanics-light quest, but it does still have game mechanics, and this latest post has basically completely killed my interest in engaging with those mechanics since I no longer trust them to reflect my voting intentions or the real narrative of the story.
I'm still going to continue reading, the writing of this story is good, but I'm not likely to bother voting again.
Okay, here's the thing, there is a difference between a decision that simply taking causes stress and a decision that results in stress. The former is in red because fundmentally in that moment it is a choice Rhaenyra really doesn't want to take but can force herself to. The Red is to indicate that Rhaenyra really doesn't want to take that option. The latter is not gonna be foreshadowed because, for one the red is there to indicate the character's personal preference, and two because that's a bit of a spoiler, like imagine if the option for talking to the Queen was in red but you had no context, it would be more confusing then informative because you'd have no idea before that the Queen was just gonna unload homophobic slurs like crazy.
[X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
[X] If the Seven guided your blade, they might be willing to guide you too. Go to the sept.
The septon probably also has some wise words to share.
[X] Speak with other knights as Ser Tarly suggests. There are some friendly faces here that you would trust.
[X] If the Seven guided your blade, they might be willing to guide you too. Go to the sept.
...
