| Treason And Sympathy |
| Summary: | Rafferdy remains to have a few words with Rygar after Jarod leaves. |
| Date: | 20/11/288 |
| Related Logs: | Immediately after Black Or Death |
| Players: |
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| Tower Hall - Tordane Tower |
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| The entrance to the tower opens into a larger common room for receiving guests. Effort has been made to bring warmth and light to the interior, as well. Rugs have been hung from the stone walls as well as placed on the floor to bring at a welcoming ambiance. There is a large table with several chairs off to the left of the door, a cooking hearth against the back wall, and a wooden staircase that leads up. An antechamber behind the stairs is where the servants live and bed down. |
| 20 November, 288 A.L. |
Rafferdy waits as everyone leaves the room. He lingers however, turning to watch Rygar, laying his hands behind his back.
"Cousin," Rygar acknowledges Rafferdy aloud as he notes the other Nayland lingering in the room with an eye upon him. It's as much an invitation to converse as Rygar tends to give.
Rafferdy considers things a moment, and then just speaks his mind, "Ser Jarod is a knight in good standing. He's asked you, as a knight, to spare the life of his brother and send him to the Black…"
Rygar inclines his head, once. "So he has." His even blue eye holds upon Rafferdy as the younger Nayland lays out his thoughts.
Rafferdy lifts his chin just slightly. "Ser Jarod is an honorable knight. He took my brother as squire when no one, even within our own banner, would take him. He treated him well. They are friends, even, it would seem. A gesture I would hope could be in some way considered here."
"Lord Rafferdy, should this request be refused, it is not for want of respect in Ser Rivers," Rygar answers. "If it is your wish to persude me, you may seek to do so, presently," he allows, regarding his cousin anew at the invitation. "Tell me why we ought offer this mercy to a knight who has committed high treason against the King's Law and worked to incite revolt against our family."
Rafferdy tilts his head a bit, "As one who once committed treason against a King, having to surrender to our own family and was granted full pardon, I would expect some sympathy from you on the matter."
"I have no pity for traitors, cousin. Kin or no," Rygar returns cooly to Rafferdy. "Robert Baratheon was an uncrowned rebel when I stood against him, and I have never regretted that choice. Only the result." A slowly drawn breath, "Although your misplaced observation does illustrate keenly the risk of sparing such a man: rebellion, if tolerated, breed further rebellion.
Rafferdy smirks, "You don't like me, cousin." He unfolds his hands from behind him, and walks around the table so he is a bit closer to Rygar. "I can tell in how you look at me. The tone of your voice." He leans against the chair, "But like me or not, make no mistake, I'm still my father's son."
"I dislike faithless men," Rygar returns. "Whatever their parentage." Nostrils flare with a slowly drawn breath. "And that, not mere disdain, nor empty cruelty, is why I am of a mind to bid Lady Valda take Ser Jaremy's head. In the end, once a man has broken faith, how can any oath of his ever carry weight again? How could an honest man trust the word of such a traitor?"
Rafferdy lifts his chin again, "I see." He purses his lips a moment, and then slowly nods. "Well then," he offers a short bow, "I'll take my leave of you then." He turns to go.
"I know not whether it will soothe of bruise your pride to hear such, cousin," Rygar comments evenly as Rafferdy turns to leave. "But you are not alone: I do not like any of those around me." That said, he returns the bare courtesy of the short bow Rafferdy had offered him.
Rafferdy pauses his departure, looking back at Rygar. "Then how will you ever keep them following you?" He shakes his head, "You are a sad man, Rygar. I hope your bitterness doesn't cost us Stonebridge in the long run."
"Love is the least enduring of emotions, cousin," Rygar opines in return. "Respect does not require affection. Nor does fear. I prefer either to fickle sentiment."
Rafferdy nods, "You're right. Respect and fear don't require affection. But loyalty does." He shakes his head, "I have archers to train," and he once more turns to leave.
Rygar does not stop him, nor comment on Rafferdy's parting words. The stern knight simply turns toward the tower stair and begins his climb, business still to be attended.
