@MrDidactWillas shrugged, sighing. It was a hard question to answer, because it had so many connotations for the outcomes of what could happen, and he really didn't want to answer it. But he had to, and he knew he might be the wiser of the responses to that question, given he'd seen all sorts of madness in this realm.
"War is a big word. Many consider it not as an option. I call it our last, not our first. Let them destroy each other, realise that when they tempt the wrath of the largest Kingdoms in the known world, backed up by tens of dragons and their riders, they are starting a fire they cannot possibly control. We are stronger, but we can never underestimate them." Willas said, rather dramatically, as he took another sip of Arbor, turning to Tyrion.
"We're both aware of mistakes that come from inaction of war. You've told me about Slaver's Bay, I'll tell you of the acts of the Reach of centuries past. But my position is as it's always been. Keep the peace. Help people, provide support, and only resort to the sword when they choose to start killing the people we send to help. Stop the developments while we can in the Stepstones, in the Vale, in Dorne, put them to the sword and make sure they never let their fingers slip beyond what they have. Let Essos destroy itself if it so wishes, I do not wish to shed any of our Seven Kingdoms' blood for a scattered realm across the Narrow Sea that means little to us in any strategic value. Our Queen may want slavery to end, but how many lives, how much blood must be shed, of our kind, so we can stop a trait of men far more barbaric than us, far more uncivilised in doing as they please? Our trade wouldn't even be affected, Tyrion. The Iron Bank of Braavos itself is already of the position of neutrality, and only acting as a neutral bank for mercenaries and merchants that allay themselves to either side. If they see the Roses, like I do, then we'd be wise to not to act on them. Perhaps that is a wise course of action." He added, as he finished his cup.
"It repeats itself, no matter what, Tyrion. You think you see a greater world, yet people still want to kill each other and they do horrible things for minimal gains. My brother would disagree, but I have learned from experience, as have you. War, greed and our selfish cravings that lead to the ladder of chaos, rather than a Kingdom that works. That makes the coffers money, so we can afford the armies we have, for when we need them, for the resources we need, and you know the rest. Lest chaos embed and take it all." Willas concluded, his side showing some sort of experience, though he seemed to present it as honestly and optimistically as he could.
"That's all I think we want to prevent. Targaryen, Tyrell, Lannister....they are a part of the wheel as much as we are. It will never break, it keeps spinning, and spinning, and spinning. My sister was a part of that game, and unfortunately, my brother was caught up. That great game, we will never win. But we will play for the highest stakes, so we can do the best we can for the people we love more than anything. We can't let go of what we have." He replied to Tyrion, and the way Willas sounded, he seemed to know what he was talking about. The kindness and good will of his heart still shone through what he said, as harsh and as unabating as it was, it was the honest truth, and not hidden away.
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Alerie herself turned red, smiling to Jaehaerys, nodding.
"She has scales as maroon as my hair." She said, smiling, Voshcaris looking in her direction, as Alerie kept looking at the dragon, right into it's eyes. She saw madness, total insanity, and didn't want to look, her heart pounded, her skin felt a little trembling. But she blinked, and felt fine with it, felt suddenly just fine. Gently placing her hand on Voshcaris's scales, the gentle hiss of it's nostril felt warm, but not unknown. Alerie had to say, this was a fine beast, and if Jaehaerys was using this as a chat-up line, well, it was a very good one. But still, there were other dragons, and other Targaryens. She could see Baela with Lyrax, it's blue scaled form completely at ease with the Princess.
"Perhaps you'll have to take me up there, Jaehaerys."
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Ellion smiled, seeing Tom Lannister, and his two twin brothers, the three just as blonde and Lannister-y as he would have come to expect. He remembered Garlan telling him about them. How they'd nearly come to raise hell against the Lannister armies, when they found out what had happened to Margaery, Loras and Mace. He knew that old man still had his hate, and well, Ellion knew that whilst it wasn't his buisness, it was merely a generation ago. Forgetting would be stupid, but he could reconcile that this particular Lannister had nothing to do with it, as he looked down at them. Tom was only 15, but he looked like a strong lad, certainly. One that acted older than his age, certainly.
"Thank you, Tom. It was a good joust...and I'm acquainted with your entourage." Ellion added, Duncan keeping behind the Tyrell, as he looked over at the Florent and Hightower boys, probably unaware of the politics. Ellion knew that across from his uncle's keep at Manderford, Brightwater Keep tormented him and reminded him that he'd had a higher position once, rather than a mere defender of the marches. Ellion knew Garlan was happy, contented with what he had, but it was always an uneasy pact to keep up.
"Your brothers have certainly grown since I last saw them. I don't fancy fighting in that melee, not after today's jousts. So why not....they are fine things to be in the presence of indeed. I'm sure Duncan would like to as well." Ellion replied to Tom, as he led the way, Duncan following behind, Ellion letting his squire stay with him, knowing so long as he kept his trap shut, he'd probably not be in the way.
"I saw my father speaking with yours, Tom...they're either trying to get my bloody sister engaged to you, or something or other. It's all politics, I suppose." He said, commenting to the Lannister, as they headed towards the pavillion, where some of the dragons lay. It was still a fine day, despite the fact that a few clouds sometimes blocked the beating sun, it felt like a wonderful place to be, and Ellion was in his element, just enjoying himself as he could, knowing he would need some rest after this. As they headed into the Pavilion, the sight of the scaled beasts could be seen, in their various colours and sizes. Ellion himself found them wonderful beasts, but they were monsters, after all, they burnt people, sheep, and did so only under the Valyrian blood of the Seven Kingdoms, which to the Tyrell, felt a little unfair. Whilst magnificent, the damage and the destruction they were capable of reminded him they could scorch and burn all that was green in the world.
Ellion saw Alerie, and almost broke away from Tom, a little suprised to see her here, with Prince Jaehaerys, of all people. She probably knew what she was doing, but he was curious, as he headed over to Voshcaris, and where Alerie rested her hand on her snout.
"Sister, I didn't take you for someone who liked dragons." It almost seemed at that moment that Voshcaris turned it's eyes directly on Ellion, a gentle hiss from one of it's nostrils instantly freezing the Knight in his steps, as Alerie giggled, the shiny metal and Ellion's very stance one that seemed a little...well, unnerving, as well as his speech, perhaps.
"Ellion, you're rattling him. They're smarter than you think." She smirked, chuckling as she looked back at Jaehaerys, firing a very distinct wink at Ellion, almost one that you couldn't see, just knowing he'd get it all. Ellion calmed himself, as he came by Alerie's side, looking back at Voshcaris.
"Fine...he seems friendly enough?" Ellion meekly said, as Alerie giggled, turning to Jaehaerys.
"Oh, this is Ellion, my brother. He's a fine jouster, dashing and beautiful, isn't he?" She said, almost half-leaping up onto her tall brother, gracing her hand through Ellion's curly and floofy hair, smirking, his fair curls gently swept by her hand.
"Or so he seems to like himself to be, when he's in that armour of his. Takes more care of himself than I do in that thing!" She smirked, as she knew that right now, she'd manage to well, make two men blush. One was a Targaryen prince that had a dragon, the other was his brother. To say Alerie lacked in courage, was seriously difficult to say. She looked over, seeing Tom Lannister headed over, as well as his small group of followers, his twin brothers and the other Reachmen.
"I suppose your dragons have interest, Jahaerys. Tom, you've grown quite a bit, since I've last seen you?" She said, Alerie looking over at Tom, staying close by Jaehaerys's side, so as to not lose his particular gaze, or interest.
(I'm not feeling incredibly creative, and yes, I want to link up with Merebelle- though I think Ellion hasn't seen it as I planned this post for a long time. Sorry :( )
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