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Post by Vhagar on Dec 5, 2013 20:44:57 GMT -5
White Sword Tower contains the chambers of the Kingsguard. It is a slender structure of four stories built into an angle of the castle wall overlooking the bay. A circular white room, known as the Round Room, has whitewashed stone walls hung with white woolen tapestries, and forms the first floor. A large white table (weirwood carved in the shape of a shield) with seven chairs provides a meeting space for the order. The undercroft holds arms and armor, the second and third floors the small spare sleeping cells of the six brothers of the Kingsguard, and the topmost floor is given over to the Lord Commander's apartments. His rooms are spare as well, but spacious, and they stand above the outer walls
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 1, 2014 14:11:58 GMT -5
The Lord Commander summons all his brothers, except who is with the King to the White Tower to discuss matters of security.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 1, 2014 14:21:49 GMT -5
When all the brothers are seated, there are five of them gathered. Brandon is joined by Ser Derryk Moore, Ser Symon Buckler, Ser Jon Gaunt and Ser Olyvar Webber. The last knight, Ser Moryn Stokeworth, is attending upon the King. The Kingsguard is missing one member due to losses caused by the war.
Ser Jon, ever courteous, bowed to his Lord Commander. "My lord."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 1, 2014 14:25:21 GMT -5
"Who attends the King?" Brandon asked, the question entirely ceremonial since he knew perfectly well the answer.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 1, 2014 14:44:15 GMT -5
"Ser Moryn," said Ser Jon. "All is well, my lord. Her Grace the queen is guarded by her own champion."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 1, 2014 16:36:05 GMT -5
"There are a number of matters I wanted to discuss. Filling the empty seat is among them, as well as matters with the arrival of the envoys. The entourages of foreigners are always attractive places for assassins to hide themselves," Brandon said. In truth Brandon did not dislike foreigners any more than he disliked most men. Still there was no dispute that the King's life was under constant threat, since the Faith Militant did not lack men who would gladly trade their own lives for His Grace if the opportunity presented.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 1, 2014 16:42:10 GMT -5
"Then what would you have us do, my lord"? Ser Jon asked. "We are but six men and Prince Maelys has the Goldcloaks, anyway."
Their fellows exchanged glances among one another
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 1, 2014 22:15:59 GMT -5
"I will speak to Prince Maelys when the opportunity presents. In the mean time I want us to increase our guard on the King. We can do two 12 hour shifts of three men each at least in the short term. Also I want one of us to have tasted everything that comes out of the kitchen which will grace the King's table. Wine cellar as well."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 2, 2014 6:05:09 GMT -5
That didn't go well with the kingsguard knights, who murmured various kinds of objections and expressions of horror.
"Us? But a White Sword is not a food taster. That duty is beneath the finest swords in the realm, my lord. Can't we hire some servant for that? Someone the realm won't miss. We can organise the shifts easy enough, my lord, but a knight of the Kingsguard serves best with his sword."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 2, 2014 9:16:26 GMT -5
"A white sword serves his King with his life, however it can best be used." Brandon replied softly. "And these Militants are willing to surrender their own lives. They are not above taking a position as food tester than poisoning the King and themselves both. Against such fanatics, I trust only the six men in this room, and no others."
This was not entirely true. As a point of fact Brandon trusted no one, but that did not need to be said.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 2, 2014 10:49:18 GMT -5
"As you will, my lord."
But it was painfully obvious that none of the knights liked this plan.
"Is there anything else, my lord?" That was Olyvar Webber speaking.
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 2, 2014 23:22:28 GMT -5
"There is," Brandon replied, "the matter of adding a brother to our ranks. I should like to hear your opinions of possible candidates I might recommend to his grace." He cleared his throat, "the choice of course is the King's alone, but you men know the quality of chivalry in the kingdoms as well as anyone, and I'd have your opinions noted."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 3, 2014 8:35:58 GMT -5
The white knights looked at one another. "So many good men died in the war, my lord," said Ser Jon. "The best die first, 'tis always the way."
"Aye, I knew a few who would have done well," Ser Olyvar agreed. "Ser Danwell Piper, mayhaps. Or...Lucas Marbrand?"
"Or Ser Valarr! I've seen him fight." That was Ser Derryk, the youngest of the White Swords, a slender youth not known for his intelligence.
"Aye, we all have but Ser Valarr won't do, he's aleady the Queen's Champion, stupid boy!" Ser Jon plainly had no patience with young Ser Derryk.
"Besides, he likes women too well to go celibate. There likes the rub, my lord," Ser Olyvar said to Brandon. "The man who takes the white cloak must take no wife and father no children."
He looked pointedly at Ser Jon, whose paramour was an open secret among the brothers.
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 3, 2014 9:16:30 GMT -5
Brandon had not made issue with Ser Jon's paramour as yet, largely because he did not feel his own moral character lent itself to making judgments of others. If the matter began to interfere with his duties, action could be taken at that point.
"The Kingsguard must put the King before all else, that is the crux of the oath," Brandon said, "Ser Valarr's loyalty is foremost to the Queen. I should like to have occasion to meet Piper and Marbrand, if they are not at the front of course."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 3, 2014 9:31:39 GMT -5
"Last I heard, Marbrand was fighting in Ser Maekar's army," Ser Olyvar confirmed. "Heard he distinguished himself at the Battle of Oldtown, and later as well."
"Maybe Ser Maekar could-" Ser Derryk began, before Ser Jon interrupted.
"I think not, stupid boy! What of Piper?"
""Likely in the south too," Ser Olyvar remarked. "The fighting is done most everywhere else. So most men will be at home, if they are not still fighting. I know neither Piper nor Marbrand is at court. Of course, my lord might make enquiries among the knights at court as well."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 3, 2014 9:38:53 GMT -5
"Yes, that will have to be done," said Brandon with a nod. He himself had abandoned the front many years ago, after horrors seen, and perpetrated, but he still held a great deal of admiration for those who had remained while he had faltered.
"I thank you sers. I believe that will be all for the now, but if you have matters that need my attention, you know where I will be." Typically Brandon could be found either in the White Sword Tower, or else the Godswood or Yard if he was off duty.
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Post by Daemon Waters on Jan 4, 2014 8:35:17 GMT -5
As she grew closer to the quarters of her brother's protectors, the Princess always felt it looked like a huge symbol of purity, not because of who lived there but because it was so "white". She began to think on the words of her siblings.
She was not afraid and she had no doubts, as stopped at the entrance. "I would like to see Lord Commander Snow."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 4, 2014 10:39:00 GMT -5
There were no servants keeping her out and so she presented herself directly to Snow himself.
"Greetings Princess," he said, in a tone of voice that sounded like he has been expecting her. "How may I be of service?"
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Post by Daemon Waters on Jan 4, 2014 12:45:46 GMT -5
"Hello, Lord Commander Snow", she smiled lightly,"I should take by your tone, that you are not surprised to see me?"
Arenya took a seat,"Am to guess that have been talking to the King? if you have then you already know my purpose and intention on being here in your presence."
She looked at him, he was not a huge man. He did look strong. She found herself searching for any semblance of her father or brother In his face. Arenya didn't see them only the features of the Northern folk. His grey eyes were deep, and almost warm.
"I do wish to be taken seriously, if you please."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 4, 2014 12:56:29 GMT -5
"A Kingsguard's ears should be open, and his mouth shut," Brandon replied, "But no, I have not spoken to the King so I can only speculate as to what you might wish to discuss. Please, say what you have come to say, in whatever manner it most pleases you to begin."
Brandon was solidly built, it was true, and shared few of her fathers or brother's features. Instead he resembled some errant Northman, uncermoniously plucked from the frigid mountains and deposited in King's Landing without so much as a by your leave. Although perhaps elements of the jaw were familiar, or the way he held himself.
There is no indication that Brandon has any other mode than serious, and he intertwined his fingers, and leaned forward slightly, waiting for his half-sister Arenya to begin.
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Post by Daemon Waters on Jan 4, 2014 13:21:13 GMT -5
She felt his seriousness, Arenya knew this was no time for her to be jovial with him. She stared at him, deciding the being direct was the only way to approach her request.
"I wish to join the Kingsguard and acquire all the duties and tasks required to protect our king, our family and our lands." As the words left her, she waited for a reply. Arenya studied his face for a hint of anything close him not taking her seriously.
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 4, 2014 13:24:59 GMT -5
He nodded gravely. He paused, and looked at her for a moment. She looked every bit the Dragon, as so many of his... relatives did.
"Why?" He asked, after a moment.
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Post by Daemon Waters on Jan 4, 2014 13:35:39 GMT -5
It was the question, she already knew the answer but would it be good enough for him. It was not good enough for Maegor, but he at least listened to her. She sat straight with her shoulders back, her lilac eyes on his,"I wish to protect my brother as you do. My life as a Princess is not fulfilled and it never will be. I would rather die with a sword hand protecting what I believe in, than as some trophy wife of some Lord to perpetuate an alliance."
She sighed,"I feel deeply that is not my purpose. That is not how I want my life to end, meaningless and redundant. You brave men have given up the worldly things because you see your purpose is greater."
"And so do I."
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Post by Lord Commander Brandon Snow on Jan 4, 2014 13:44:39 GMT -5
"So you seek a White Cloak so that you cannot be obligated to marry?" Brandon asked, cocking his head slightly.
"I ask because otherwise, I do not understand how not having a White Cloak prevents you from carrying a blade in the defense of your family. It does not prevent you from serving as your brother's champion, in whatever regard you wish. You are, after all, the woman who single-handedly sacked White Harbor. I should think His grace will call you to hold his banner again, regardless of the color of your cloak."
His voice remained steady and was not harsh nor critical. He seemed genuinely confused as regarded motivations.
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Post by Daemon Waters on Jan 4, 2014 13:55:49 GMT -5
She shook her head,"No, I do not have a problem with it. But what would it mean. Anyone can marry, but I see a bigger purpose."
"Being a White Cloak is more than a blade and a pretty suit of armor. It means you are willing to do more than just sack White Harbour single handed", she grinned. "It means you're willing to die, that you will obey with no questions asked for your king and country."
"Lord Commander, my brother has his champion. it is you." Arenya looked at him,"You who have saved him more times than I care to remember. Even in the midst of my fighting a battle, I could not protect him."
"I want this, not to shirk my duties of marriage, but to do what I believe is right."
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too