Conundrums of East and West
Eleventh Day of the Seventh Month 293 AC
Of all the things you had thought yourself likely to do when first you came to this estate, establishing an affinity to the Faceless Men under false pretenses had not been one. But if these past tumultuous years have taught you anything, it is to seize opportunities where you find them. So you bow your head and answer lightly: "I too see great worth in future meetings, whether to exchange knowledge or other aid for mutual benefit."
The assassin nods, and again you can see the faintest edge of satisfaction behind his mechanical motions.
Had that always been there and you had been unable to discern it before, you wonder You watch with polite interest as the man before you dons the mask that is behind the mask again, until he is the mysterious man with the villain's name, his movements, his gaze all perfectly aligned with what you had seen of him when you first arrived. Even knowing that it is an act you can find no seam or flaw within it. Once more you are reminded, if there is any need, not to take the Faceless lightly.
On returning to Lys proper you find Tyene in a foul mood, for her task is proving even more difficult than she had anticipated by reason of Aedon's temperament and that of them men he raised up to be his officers. "The imbeciles are quarreling over who should get to have
authority over the healers even as their army is shitting itself to death. Thank whatever gods may be looking in on this festering pile that Azema has their 'glorious leader' enthralled or I would not be getting anything done. The army should be able to march out in about two weeks."
"What about acting closer to home?" you ask, thinking of the coup you have planned.
"Need you even ask?" the Dornishwoman sniffs. "There are always plenty of sellswords up for murder and looting." Seeing your wince at the mention of a sack she shakes her head, growing serious. "I know you would rather not have any of that done, but even unused to the ordering of armies as I am it's plan as day that it would take months to beat any sort of discipline into this gold and glory thirsting rabble."
Alas before you can move on to planning in earnest you hear an unexpected voice in your ear, Lothos, speaking from the deck of the Queen Rhaella by sending stone:
"We've uncovered something that's a mite hard to move, Your Grace. Something that needs a royal touch."
"Do you want to come or stay?" you ask Mereth and Leto.
By now the two Furies have grown used enough to your manner not to be surprised by the question. After a moment's thought both decide to stay in Lys and help Tyene and Hermetia with the plot against the Spicers.
***
So it is that you arrive alone save for Varys in the midst of a meeting so tense you can almost hear the sound of sword rattling in the air. Anchored in the shallow waters twenty leagues east of Sharp Point, three Redwyne Galleys float about what Moonsong assures you is the final resting place of House Gardner's lost Crown of Flowers, something she had supposedly learned from chatting with a wind fey.
The presence of Tyrell ships would certainly lend credence to the notion, but it also places you in something of a delicate situation. House Tyrell had been among the loyalists in the Usurper's War, however ineffective their efforts. To give battle here would likely send them into the arms of the Baratheons and Lannisters, not to mention that it would be a poor sign for other potential supporters. On the other side of the scales you cannot very well let the Tyrells take up a crown of the Reach and dream of kingship.
"Paxter Redwyne himself is in command," Asha explains, spitting over the rail in disgust at the mention of the lord. "He wouldn't even talk to me or Theon. He called him a boy playing at being a man and me a girl dressed as a reaver on a lark. It's a good thing I wasn't captain just then or I might have given him a right
sharp answer," the young Ironborn admits. "Captain Moonsong just laughed and said they aught to remember how well having a chat with a dragon went for the Gardeners."
"Then captain Saan tossed some bolts over their bow and called up the tritons to make a show of spears," her brother picks up the tale. "He said they aught to be careful who they send into the water."
What do you do?
[] Confront Paxter Redwyne
-[] Write in
[] Just clear out the wreck and sail away, if the Tyrells feel like getting in the way the more fool they
[] Write in
OOC: There were some botched diplomacy rolls on both sides.
