| Three Letters From The New Lord of Seagard |
| Summary: | Patrek sends out a trio of missives to three very different women. |
| Date: | 1/02/2012 (OOC Date) |
| Related Logs: | Lots, but mostly the Seagard Siege logs |
| Players: |
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| 1 February 289 |
| The first letter is conveyed by Ser Drakmoor, the second by Hardwicke Blayne and the third by an established courier who has served to send and receive messages of particular specificity for the Mallisters. They are all written in a hand that is clear and tidy, but a bit unpolished yet. Each bears the Mallister seal. |
My Dearest Cousin Muirenn,
I am sure that by now you have heard all the news I may impart, but I wished to tell you in my own words, regardless. The siege of Seagard has been lifted and our home is truly ours once again. There is much work to be done here, the Ironmen were as brutal as we may have feared, but Seagard is mightier than any godless man's axe, and we shall repair what has been broken and restore what has been lost.
Nearly all that has been lost.
Many good men fell in the defense of our lands, and Lord Jason, my father, your uncle, was among them. He engaged Rodrick Greyjoy in single combat and no man could have fought more bravely or with greater honor. It was not lack of skill that brought him low but a moment where the Warrior blinked and, in that instant of darkness, the Ironer landed a fatal blow. Westeros is lesser for his passing, but he died in the manner he should most have wished: bravely, honorably and in defense of that which he loved. The fury born of his death spurned those who remained to reclaim Seagard and push the invaders back to the sea, there to be defeated by the Royal Fleet.
It is with heavy heart that I inform you that I cannot return to the Roost, now, and shall instead remain in Seagard to oversee its recovery. I expect you shall wish to return here as well, at the very least to pay proper respects to Lord Jason upon his pyre. I should welcome your company.
Terrick's Roost has also suffered and has been more severely damaged, much more of their cropland lost. I would ask, sweet cousin, that you might consent to remain there as a ward of Lord Jerold and his family, after Lord Jason's funeral. Though Seagard has her own mending to do, I would not forget those who kept us both safe when all seemed bleak. A Mallister ward will remind all that the Terricks have the favor of our family, and I know your skills with herbs and wounds could well be used there. I would ask, too, that you see fit to write to me as you might of how repairs go. I have every faith that Lord Jerold will keep me fully updated on such, but he is a proud and honorable man, and I fear he may not wish to burden me with concerns of the Roost when Seagard must hold my primary attentions. Regardless, I would not see the Terricks forgotten.
If you find the idea of remaining abroad unbearable, I will, of course, welcome you home to Seagard. But, if you feel you could make Terrick's Roost your home for a time, if you can find the mettle to help them restore their town and spirit, I should be even more proud to call you cousin than I am, now. Consider and please tell me of your decision. We can speak on it when you have come to Seagard.
Seven watch over you and bless all that you do.
Your Cousin,
Patrek Mallister
Dear Mistress Blayne,
I send this letter home with your knight in the hopes that it may find you well, though I must apologize straight off that I will be calling him away again in so short a time. I will endeavor to do all that I might to see that war does not lose you a second husband. I know, too, that Captain Blayne will fight as fiercely on the Iron Island to which we sail as he did at Terrick's Roost and Seagard, so I have great confidence that his own skill will exceed any of those who would dare try to fell him. In truth, his scowl alone is mighty fearsome and should, in itself, ward away most attackers. I know his glower intimidated me the first time I witnessed it at Terrick's Roost. And, beyond even that, he has you to come home to. That knowledge shall give him new strength. He is not a man who permits himself to disappoint.
We now both have loved ones who have fallen as heros of war. I will confess to you, mistress, though I am shamed to do so, that I have moments yet where I wish my father was less honorable and more alive. And yet, I know too that he lived his life as he deemed most righteous, and I am proud of his strength and bravery. I know he died the way he would have wished and in a way I might wish for myself when I become adept enough at the art of the blade to hold a candle to my father's prowess. Still, I never once imagined that when we parted for my journey to Terrick's Roost that it should be the last time we would ever speak, and words I wish yet to say, questions I have yet to ask, rest heavy on my tongue, though there is nowhere they might go, now.
I think I am fortunate that there is so much to do, so many places where I must set my attention, that there has been little time to fall back on darker thoughts. The ravages of war are wretched, but they keep a mind occupied. And, thankfully, the moments where the other lords and our retainers look to me with expectation, and I wonder why, since my father has not yet come to the Hall to begin the meeting, are already becoming fewer.
Mistress, as you must know, I will not be returning to Terrick's Roost, when there is so much yet to do at Seagard and it seems I shall be the one to do it. And so I wished to take the opportunity to send word of thanks for your kindness and your friendship during the time I was at Four Eagles Tower. You are brave, mistress, and bold, and a person I have been honored to fight beside. I shall be a better man for knowing you.
I also wish to say, on your husband's behalf, as I do not think his temperament should allow him to mention it himself, that Captain Hardwicke has been a true friend to me at Seagard in a moment when I dearly needed one. That fearsome scowl conceals a deep well of kindness, though having married him I expect this is a secret you already know.
I see this letter has run longer than I expected, and so I shall conclude here, less Captain Blayne suspect I am sending poorly-writ love letters to his new bride. Be well, mistress, and may many years of happiness stretch out before you. I hope we might yet meet again in some of them.
Patrek Mallister
Mistress Colmes,
I understand that in the years since King Baratheon has taken the throne, you have been a loyal and gifted retainer serving Seagard and my father. I ask that you continue your duties in his memory but, now, my name.
It has come to my attention that Kingsgrove has been more fortuitous than her neighbors in what the Ironmen took from her lands. Certainly, it is the clear duty of the Groves family to offer what aid they may to those vassals of their liege lord whose luck was thinner, but history has shown the Groves do not always do their duty.
Focus your efforts on encouraging Kingsgrove to assist and support Terrick's Roost in these difficult times, however you might. I would not see food and goods that could be used to rebuild a town that nobly defended our coasts instead sold off to the highest bidder. I shall rely on your skills and intellect in this endeavor.
Patrek Mallister
Lord of Seagard
