by undertheweather » Fri Aug 30, 2019 11:45 am
──────── willem tully ♆ lord of riverrun ♆ thirty five ♆ at riverrun ♆ tags; percy rivers
will let out a breath of relief at percy’s answer. at least he had his brother to back him. sure, the lannisters had more gold and glory, but siding with them was just because they are likely to win was a cowards gamble and lacked honor.
"and what do you suppose we do when vaera lannister sends a small army to collect her son?" his fathers words were harsh and pointed, a direct challenge to willem’s leadership and decision-making abilities. the man pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. these talked with his father had always brought on migraines for will. since he was a child, he had dreaded them. he looked out at the map, assessing the new placement of the lion’s figurines.
“it doesn’t make any sense strategically to keep an eight year old child as a prisoner. we could ransom him, but there is no guarantee that the lannisters will pay. they may just attempt to take him back by force. we may be able to arrange some sort of trade, not a ransom exactly, but a transaction.” he looked at the map again. they were already overpowered and the smaller houses wouldn’t even declare until later. they weren’t prepared for a battle with the lions right now, but they may not have a choice. “we could just give him back when they ask, as honor demands” he said hesitantly. he knew it would appear weak. will didn’t often show his gentle interior, but he had grown a soft spot for the boy in place of where his own children might have resided. willem had hoped to teach their little ward how to fight and hunt and strategize. eventually, how to impress the little ladies. didn’t want to see the child hurt.
he picked up one of the three wolves and placed it heavily on casterly rock. “we mustn’t forget that the starks are bound by oath to follow the lannisters. I doubt they would abandon one of their own in the lion’s den,” he said surely. the youngest wolf was to be married to tobias. he had met her and her brother, benjen stark, a while back. their family bond was strong. he also looked to the east of the map. their father had placed no markers on essos but he had hear rumors of dragons and hoards. he knew they needed to focus on more present threats, but he couldn’t discount them. “we must also keep our eye on those across the sea. even if the targaryans make no move for the throne, hired armies can decide a war.”
the old lord looked at his two sons with a shake of his head, “whatever is happening in essos, there is no doubt the lannister witch has a hand in it. I knew we never should have made a deal with her husband to take in their son. now look at the problems he is causing us.” the words were a stab at willem, who had been the one to initially agree to take in orian. the dark haired man felt the muscles in his face tense at the comment. he had meant to facilitate peace, not chaos, but intentions meant little here and now. he looked to percy to see if the youngest tully had any ideas.
