Reading Runes
Twenty-Fourth Day of the First Month 293 AC
A good sign that lord Royce had chosen to come alone, given the tales he must have heard about you and the company you keep, though perhaps not wholly unexpected, you think as you follow the lord of Runestone into the private parlor. Any man of character would be inclined to trust his son over words on the wind. Best to leave Waymar to it then for the sake of your hopes for the Vale... but mostly for his own, for he deserves a homecoming unshadowed by the games of power.
No sooner had the innkeep departed than Waymar dispels the glamour hiding his features, and father and son fall into a sort of half-hug-half-grasping of the arm, both obviously overcome with the emotion of their reunion but not quite certain how to treat each other after these years apart. Waymar had been a boy when he left, and now though he is not quite five-and-ten he returns a man having seen wonders and terrors most cannot even imagine, having done deeds that echo through this world and others farther than the stars above.
"Good to see you back safe and sound, my boy," Bronze Yohn says with feeling, the simple words carrying pride and worry, fear and relief, but above all joy. "The world's grown strange and dark enough a place without a father hearing that his son is in the thick of so many dreadful things, with naught but the weight of parchment and the cawing of an over-clever raven to know that you are safe."
"I'm sorry," Waymar says after a moment. "For leaving without..."
Lord Royce waves off his words. "Never you mind that, it was a noble thing. Foolish of course, but the sort of folly worthy of the Royce. You've apologized enough in letters there's no need to do it again to my face." Then for the first time he turns to look at the rest of you. Bronze Yohn bows in turn to you, to Ser Richard, and even to Tyene. "I'm glad to see my son found such fine company to watch his back and keep him from mischief in the east."
From the faint blush upon his cheeks you suspect Waymar rather objects of the word 'mischief' but he still introduces you in turn with a smile: Ser Richard by his knightly standing and the title that recalls the banner of House Lonmouth: the Knight of Skulls and Kisses, Tyene by her heritage, though he stumbles ever so slightly over 'Sand' as though not entirely sure how his father will react.
Judging from the way the elder Royce's eyes move between his son and the Dornishwoman he guessed quite a lot that was yet unspoken, not that Tyene shows any nervousness for it. She seems to be balanced at an odd half-way point between the ingenuous facade she had so painstakingly perfected and something closer to her true boldness, keeping her replies light and vague.
"... and finally my lord and friend Viserys Targaryen, King in the Stepstones," Waymar finishes a little quickly, obviously banking on you providing a distraction for now.
You are of course happy to oblige. "Hail and well met, Lord Royce. Glad am I to meet you in truth whom I have only seen from afar before, as a child of an unhappy court."
"Prince Viserys," he offers without prompting. You are not sure if it is a first step in positioning himself and his House under your banners, or simply the courtesy he thinks fitting for a close companion of his son. "Whatever may have been said after the rebellion, I was glad to hear and your sister are well. The war's end was dark enough without claiming yet more blameless lives."
Even if it should lead to another war? you think but do not say, though the words hang heavily between you. Instead you smile and say, "Let us not darken the light of day with talk of past misfortune, and instead look to the future." Producing the dagger you had prepared for a gift you add, "A future that we would all be best served not to meet unarmed, for there are evils in this world that care little for the quarrels of men, save where they would use them to doom us all."
"Fine craftsmanship this," the lord says, running a gloved finger gently along the edge of the blade.
"It's a little more than that," Waymar interjects. "It will cut demons and the fickle fey as deeply steel cuts men, though," he adds quickly, "I'd not want to fight either with naught but a knife."
Bronze Yohn's frowns not in disbelief or suspicion as you might have feared, but thoughtfulness. "So I have heard, or rather read, though I must confess that it is no easy thing for me to see in my mind's eye the horrors those letters spoke of..."
Now is your chance, you realize. It would be the simplest thing offer aid and counsel against inhuman foes, ones that even Stannis
bloody Baratheon agreed in the end you have a right to protect the realm from. But by what measure should such aid be offered? Too little and it will not weigh enough in the balance against Bronze Yohn's allegiance to his liege, too much and he might grow wary of your strength.
What do you offer Bronze Yohn in an attempt to sway him to yours side?
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OOC: OK the fist impression worked out well, as was likely given Viserys and Tyene's social skills. Now's your chance to capitalize a little, offer information and help.
Also a few scrolls using Viserys judgement.
