eachdraidh | (fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

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(fifth lemon cake) video ✧ open to both courts

Fellow Shardholders. [ what follows is a rehearsed speech, likely written beforehand and committed to memory. sansa stark (better known by most as alayne stone) sits before her locket in troichean beinn. she has, pinned to the shoulder of her fine silk dress, a direwolf. every instinct in her body tells her she should not say what must be said. should not announce what must be announced. but before his absence, her father had been giving her gentle instruction in how to meet these responsibilities. it makes her weep to imagine disappointing him -- yet she is far out of her depth. she needs help. but the speech she must do on her own. ]

With a heavy heart I tell you that Lord Eddard of House Stark -- Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, and a Keeper of Cothromach -- has left these lands. H-he is gone. [ she does not elaborate upon the very grief of his absence, but the cause cannot be too difficult to surmise: else why should anyone's heart be heavy for a man returned to his own world? ]

Yet if Lord Stark has made you promises or oaths of any sort, no matter your court, I wish to see them honoured and fulfilled. [ it takes tremendous will not to beg for the opportunity. she swallows hard. ] And if any have in turn have sworn service to him, I tell you now that I am his eldest daughter and the noble city of Cothromach has deemed me heir to his title. And to his duties. I would be humbled if those sworn to him would consider entrusting me with those same vows -- though I understand asking you to put your trust in a daughter of his house is not a thing easily done.

Likewise, if any in these lands wish to take refuge or make their homes in Cothromach, I would speak to you. My Lord Father wanted to see the city built up to its proper glory, and any Shardholder willing to join us in the task will be welcomed within its walls. For now, Lady Meera Reed sits as castellan while my family travels. Once my efforts in Troichaen Beinn are finished, I look forward to to returning as Sansa of House Stark.

[ by now her voice is shaking and it was a challenge merely to say her true name. it had been a lie, of course: she does not look forward to being herself once more. she knows such honesty runs against every lesson taught to her in the south. honesty leaves her open. vulnerable. but in the south she'd not had jon. nor arya, really. nor any manner of true ally -- none like those allies who have helped her in these lands.

it is for those sweet supportive souls that she speaks her final piece. it is the most difficult thing to ask, and it isn’t hidden behind rehearsal. it is not courtly. ] To those who knew and cared for the girl Alayne Stone: I apologize for my falsehoods. I swear I meant no harm. Please -- forgive me.

[ this confession is done. and so too was alayne stone. ]

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[ Oh, to hell with reverent awe and flattery for most joyous occasion - take indignation. ]

...you have rule of a city.

[Waver would have simply written a polite very nicely done to Sansa's message if she had not mentioned Cothromach. But she has, and that means there's information vital to her tenure as keeper of the area.]

My sympathies regarding his departure. I am certain you'll do very well in his absence.

With that said, I have information that you need to be aware of in respect to your new duties.

[ while he gets the gist of it there's enough that flies over his head to leave him wary of speaking. not on something that sounds so personal. rather he listens for a while before he sends sansa a short message. ]

When you're done with this, mind helping me with something?

[Had Ganondorf known that the man he met at the gates of Caer Glaem was the man spoken of here, he might have hesitated in speaking. But he did not make or know the connection between the two. Though the sigil of the wolf was of note. The boy king Joffrey had spoken of wolves. He had his own wolf at home that needed dealing with.

His tone remained diplomatic all the same.]

You are young to inherit so early. [So he says! But he was born a king and so always had that weight upon him.] But I expect you will manage all the same.

I am Ganondorf Dragmire, Lord of Castle Mair. When you have returned to your rightful place, I would speak to you on matters of trade. Our courts may be at war, but that is no reason our people should go without.

[He was keenly interested in the capabilities of the dwarves. He had seen hints of what they could manage from his time in Redgate. Troichean Beinn was a long way to go for trade, but Cothromach was close. Too close to Caer Glaem to be easily captured and held, but close enough he could still make some benefit from it.]

[well. when he was promised the city of cothromach, he wasn't aware that it was already owned. not that that's ever stopped him before, but it certainly changes how he handles things here.

at least he should get to know this "keeper of cothromach". for now, he'll go with simple sympathy and improvise from there as needed.]

I am sorry about your father. You're taking on a great deal of responsibility for someone who has just lost that much.

[She's sitting in a fine hall, smiling at the video. The other name never suited Meera well, but she's never overtly judged Sansa either. They've never much talked about home, but knowing enough of what has happened, they all have done things to survive.]

He would be proud.

[Well... some of these responses have been worrisome. But the speech was good - save the trust in a daughter bit, that was a stumble, but not a large enough one to ruin it utterly. He hopes the reason he can tell that her confidence is tremulous and hard-won is only because he knows her and leaves it at that, when he pokes his head in the room.]

Have you need of anything? [Is anyone being mean?? Jon can take them.]

[That explains some of that, doesn't it.

The meaning of all the talk - an alias, activity in Troichean Beinn - is lost on him, but the simple bottom-line message isn't. And the difficulty of the message isn't difficult to surmise, indeed, especially for one who's probably in the same position...

His brow's tensed when he establishes connection. Voice is quiet, and dipped, and so is his head. Not much his place - but the sentiment's one he nonetheless wishes to offer.]

-- My sympathies as well, my Lady.

[And now this might be overstepping.] I -- spoke with your father... on only a few occasions. He - seemed a Lord, indeed.

Your father sent me a fresh horse once, when I went to help a friend. I never did have the chance to repay him.

[ He doesn't comment on her lie. He supposes he can understand why. ]

I will come with you.

Perhaps you'll get a chance to build one of those great bridges, now.

[ In other words, congratulations. ]

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