;; as high as honour

“Many men do. Was the fall of the Targaryen dynasty when they left. The ones who did seek counsel and looked to others for wisdom and allies were the ones that put them back in power. Took the name back from the shame it had been in for years before.” One Lord of house Arryn didn’t put that kind of stain on a house, but it would always be rebuilt even from one man who tore it apart. Mors was hardly a sentimental man, but the idea that this was possibly a new start in many ways pulled a string in him. “The family that was forever loyal even after it took them from their high seat. I do quite like their words, very different from the others.” The Tully’s words were something every man should live by. “If you take the right path it is, three great rivers all meeting on one place. Beautiful.” Everyone probably thought that of their homes. 

tfw u dont wanna use a modern picture of richard but this one was the best with the colours sIGH

she ruled nothing, had power over little, and yet the death of a stranger still weighed heavily on her heart. not only had she mourned the murder of a man who did not deserve to die in such a way, but the house colors found near the scene named her sister’s family. it was worrisome, to think of katherynne tied to such a crime, let alone the rest of the hightower family. they were innocent, there was no doubt, though that left house stark and martell  —  were they innocent as well, or was one of them guilty ? would they ever find the murderer or would they roam free, able to chop at the realm’s peace until it was severed ? there was much to consider and few answers to dwell over.

as one not much involved in politics and certainly not in the position to speak of them, karliah would have taken her leave if not in the presence of the vale’s ruler. the last thing she wanted was to appear inconsiderate or rude and so the girl gave a small turn of her head, engaging the man. “ do you think the repercussions will be severe, my lord ? ” he questioned, unsure herself. “ i would like to imagine this death will not have a hold over us. ”

rydan hadn’t meant for his thoughts to be aired in such a way. discussing it how he was implied he was worried or, on the opposite end, he was perhaps alluding to a knowledge of what would happen but it was the former of the two that was correct. the only reason he worried so was living through the turbulent time of the vale, the time where his father believed he could rule on his own and then allowed anger and fury to get the better of him when it didn’t go to plan. the last thing rydan wished upon the king was a similar reign; the killing of a guard was all it took for the previous lord arryn’s descent into isolating house arryn from it’s bannermen. 

he smiled apologetically at first. he didn’t intend to burden the other with his thoughts and now he felt as if he had. “i was just airing some thoughts,” he said simply before shaking his head. “i’d like to think not too and i believe under his grace’s rule it won’t.” he paused for a second. “the only thing that concerns me, as i’m sure it does everyone, is the fact that three houses were seen. it’s reminiscent of my father’s early troubles, that’s all.” he nodded once, “i believe as much as the next that his grace will lead us through it unharmed.”

          HANDS CLASPED IN FRONT OF HER WAIST ,       as she offered a light laugh in return of his slight jest .      ‘     i can say that some would enjoy that . however they’ve missed out this time .       ’      she gave her own jest , a small , almost cheeky smile peaking on petal lips .      ‘     oh ! yes      but perhaps my brother with pardon my absence .      ’      she knew he would , augustine was very much soft towards her , the youngest hightower . not that she wanted it any other way truly .     ‘     i was invited for supper with my good-sister and himself , but i’m sure he won’t mind so much for my lateness . he knows me too well for anything less , i suppose .       ’      she rambled fondly , eyes peaking with joy at the speak of her brother .

he nodded, the smile remaining on his face. “perhaps in the future they can have something.” rydan’s head tilted a little, smile widening upon seeing her face change with talk of her brother. perhaps it was because he and his siblings were always so close, but rydan enjoyed it when other people got along with their siblings, it was something he could relate to. “perhaps i could walk you down?” he suggested, “to save you from nearly running into anyone else?”

“Of all people he should have kept you at his side. Tried to continue his legacy, instead he sent you here to learn alongside a King?” Not smart at all, but Mors didn’t say that aloud of course, he was still a great lord once, even if he was a bad one. There were some he would speak ill of, of course. But not one that he didn’t truly know enough about. “Cheers to a new start in the Vale.” he nodded to him, a smile on his face as he stared out at the city once again. “House Tully, that’s a name you don’t hear very often anymore. But it would explain the hair.” Tully’s were once the Lords of the Riverrun, the River kings at one point. “You should also make a stop in Godsgrace for a rest, I promise you’ll have a grand time in my home.”

“he preferred ruthlessness over counsel and wisdom,” rydan replied simply with a light laugh. for however renowned his father would be for his brutality, his intelligence or lack thereof would be forgotten. still, his father was his father and while resentment was a large feeling that rydan felt towards him, a strained love remained and it was because of that love that rydan would make sure his father was remembered in some way, even if it was just the acknowledging that he fathered the new age of arryn’s. he nodded, smile present on his face, “a new start.” another nod was given to the other male. “she’s about as tully as you can get,” he laughed, trying not to get into gushing over his wife, “a name you don’t hear but a name that was once great - a thing my father cared deeply about.” rydan raised an eyebrow before nodding, “is it on the way to sunspear? maybe we’ll take a few days rest there.”

“Before you informed them it was guaranteed. To hear it in the Vale it must first be heard on the path to the Vale.” There had been a time when House Stark and Arryn were close, but those days had gone with the Lord’s father. “Thank your gods for that then. The Vale is just starting to thrive again, it would deal a harsh blow to have that taken.” No matter how he felt about the crown or those who so blindly followed it there was no denying that Lord Rydan had done wonders for the Vale. A smile came to his face, of course he would ‘interrogate’ him. “And yet it is shared with House Martell and Highgarden.” Still no one seemed fit to question them. “I have no worries or fears from this business. If House Stark colors were involved it was a rouge who will be questioned by the crown and then executed by my hand.” It was the Norths way, if he was from the North he would be the one to take their life. “Risk marriage to Princess Alyssandra by killing a kingsguard? Do people truly take me for a fool Lord Arryn?” Why shy away from the meaning behind the Lords words.

rydan opened his mouth to say something about ravens and perhaps more direct routes for the rumours to take, if that was what those responsible wanted, but he conceded. debating on anything was bad in the current climate but to argue over something as trivial? it wasn’t worth it. he nodded, smiling slightly, “the vale can’t and won’t have it’s progress taken away.” his smile was somewhat forced, just like always whenever somebody complimented the vale’s growth since it’s rule under his father. it was never because he didn’t appreciate the observation - no he’d worked hard to ensure the vale was restored to before his father ruined it - but any memory of his father’s reign irritated him. “i haven’t yet seen the lord of hightower or the prince of dorne,” rydan said; he could only imagine how much the lord stark had been asked about it but he, like all, was curious, “when i do, i’ll be make sure to ask them too.” rydan raised an eyebrow and shrugged, “perhaps, lord stark, that’s why people ask how it’s been for you? out of all the houses seen, stark’s makes the least sense because of your engagement and they know how something serious could effect that. anyone who thinks you foolish would do something like this in light of your marriage proposals are foolish, not you.” 

          she scoffed, a wry smile twisting her lips, still, she did not look at him, watching a pair of squires sparring in the courtyard below. breathless, they hacked clumsily at each other with blunted swords. the two of them were doing much the same, trading blows that bruised but did not cut — bare steel in this conversation would beget blood, and draw the vultures. “you’re right. house arryn became the oldest line of andal nobility by honor alone, isn’t that the story ?” though spoken sweetly, a current of venom ran through them. they both knew well enough what she though of the arryns’ honor. “if i’ve offended my lord, i do apologize,” she assured, nowhere near repentant despite her words. “i would never question your devotion to the crown. it is after all only with its protection that house arryn… thrives. i’m merely suggesting that if you have reason to believe the king is in danger, you ought to speak more freely.”

“that’s correct your grace, honour is what keeps house arryn strong. a rather romantic concept.” he said, eyes landing on the pair of squires. he was sure he recognised one of them, perhaps a son of one of his bannermen; not that he’d be able to tell wholeheartedly. “honour and putting our loyalty sensibly; there’s a reason we weren’t usurped a hundred years ago.” he was deliberate with his words. although they seemed like simple small talk nothings, the subtle challenge of her telling him how house marbrand was able to become of such esteem was present. “no need to apologise your grace,” he said, tone mirroring hers. “do you not think he’s in danger?” he asked, almost in disbelief, gaze falling on her, “the chance that three houses sworn to him murdered one of his kingsguard, does that not worry you?”

Talk of the late lord Arryn had been heard by him in Dorne but it never really concerned him. If the Vale could effect them in Dorne they had more problems than he. “And yet as hard as he tried you still rule the Vale and he is dead. Men can ruin themselves to keep power and they always end up dead in the end, I will never understand.” He’d not called Godsgrace home for years, but he was still in their lands, being sent away was a close reality for him. He shuddered at the thought. “Your Lady Arryn, the red haired beauty yes?” He should have made note of all the Lords and Ladies when he arrived but he had been distracted by calls of a brothel near by. “You should, my Prince would be happy to have you, it is possibly the most beautiful place in all of Westeros. Especially to foreigners.”

“he always accepted me as his heir. he never wanted me in the eyrie but he knew i was the one who’d continue his name,” rydan said, gaze landing somewhere in the distance before nodding, “but you’re right, he’s dead and his destructive legacy is being forgotten.” memories of his father crept back into rydan’s mind. the only thing that prevented him from falling down that slippery slope into all the negativity he faced because of his father was talk of his wife. he smiled, glancing over at the other and nodding again. “that’s her - lady morgana of house tully.” even now, years after their wedding and betrothal, rydan didn’t once count himself lucky for his wife. “i can imagine, i’ve heard great things. maybe i’ll speak with his grace and coordinate a trip.”

true or false meme: accepting!

true or false meme: accepting!

true or false meme: accepting!

“true. he never showed me or my siblings any love, affection or attention, really. he let down the people of the vale and gave the arryn’s a bad name.”

true or false meme: accepting!

“partially true. before our marriage i was afraid to get attached to her and it’s only been since our marriage that i can say i love her. if we weren’t married i’d be inclined to think the former scenario would still be apparent.”