Post by The Light on Jan 5, 2013 13:30:06 GMT -5
“Lord Baelish, finally we meet…” The Sealord was old, yet youth leaked as sweat from his skin. Podrick was taken by surprise, he expected to find a frail sickly and white bearded men. He rose from his chair to compliment the arriving visitants. The Sealord spoke before Pod could do anything other than make a half bow, as befitted this occasion. “Why would you give me the honor of your visit?” Pod could feel a bit of sarcasm on the man’s tone, which indicated the Sealord was already aware of his intentions. Once again, before Pod could answer the Sealord spoke. “Let’s cut off these formalities, huh… I see you’re a good fellow, come let’s talk privately.” Even taken by surprise by the ruler’s merry treatment Pod followed the Sealord into a small private room, much alike as the ones Pod so loved to work at. The Sealord dismissed his guards, and as soon as the door closed all the merriness of the meeting vanished. The Sealord’s smile now turned into a thin line and his eyes stared deeply into Pod’s.
“Tell me, boy…” He gave a harsh tone to the last word. “Why would you think I’d give you my daughter’s hand?”
Pod saw himself reflected in the old man, this was good, if there was someone Pod knew how to deal with, was Podrick Baelish…. “I see, you’re quick to the point, I’ve heard tales of the bea…”
“Don’t come with the story about the young Westerosi Lord who came to search for his origins and prove how brave he is in order to marry the Sealord’s daughter… I know who you are Lord Podrick Baelish, I know about every single of your ancestors; I know you’re a business man… And don’t pretend you don’t know that I command one of the largest fleets of the world, that I AM the Iron Bank and that my city is one of the largest ports of Essos… So let’s be practical, what will Braavos win with this alliance?”
Pod grinned, this was the kind of man he liked: Practical and direct. He cleared his throat. “Indeed, my lord, what could I give to Braavos? Since to you I can give your greatest desire…”
The Sealord started to laugh. “And why would you think that?”
Calmly Pod said. “I can read you, my lord… I see right in your eyes that your fear for her safety. You’ve dismissed all of her other suitors, of course they were all from here. Then suddenly comes the young westerosi lord, searching for his roots in the city of his ancestors, planning to marry the Sealord’s daughter and take her away. It’s was the perfect opportunity, you knew she would be safe on the other side of the Narrow Sea… But why? That is the only thing I can’t piece out of you…”
The Sealord seemed shocked, he sprawled his back on the chair. “How?”
“No… The question is: why?” Pod said with a low tone of mockery.
The Sealord gapped a bit, before he started to talk again. “You got me, boy… She is my most precious treasure and Braavos is a dangerous city, my political opposition is powerful and they’re also backed by that damned Red God… The populance is converting very fast, I fear for the worst…”
Realization and confusion hit Podrick, If R’hllor was against the Sealord, why would Donal be helping him? But this would need to wait, that was not the time… “My lord, I promise I will guard her as I guard my own sister, I promise I’ll love her and she’ll be as happy in my home as she is here...”
The Sealord seemed contempt. “I hope you will, Lord Baelish, as I said you look like a nice guy… Though I also expect us to make that classical marriage terms… As my old father would said: Commerce, Protection and Power!” The Sealord smiled and shook Pod’s hand. “I expect for you to leave soon…”
“As soon as my lord wants… If you give me your leave I believe it’s my time to go…” He got up from his seat.
“Just one thing before you live…” The old man cleared his throat. “Meralyn, please come in…” The door opened and a young skinny shy girl entered the room. Black haired, pale skinned, when the girl looked up at Pod he could see pale icy eyes… For most she would pass unnoticed in a crowd, but for Pod she was beautiful, just perfect. Their eyes finally met, and the world turned, he could see in her eyes and she could see in his, pardon for the cliché, but it was love at first sight. “Podrick Baelish, at your service my lady…” He gave a bow grinning as he never did before.
Pod's Persuasion advances to Master
“Tell me, boy…” He gave a harsh tone to the last word. “Why would you think I’d give you my daughter’s hand?”
Pod saw himself reflected in the old man, this was good, if there was someone Pod knew how to deal with, was Podrick Baelish…. “I see, you’re quick to the point, I’ve heard tales of the bea…”
“Don’t come with the story about the young Westerosi Lord who came to search for his origins and prove how brave he is in order to marry the Sealord’s daughter… I know who you are Lord Podrick Baelish, I know about every single of your ancestors; I know you’re a business man… And don’t pretend you don’t know that I command one of the largest fleets of the world, that I AM the Iron Bank and that my city is one of the largest ports of Essos… So let’s be practical, what will Braavos win with this alliance?”
Pod grinned, this was the kind of man he liked: Practical and direct. He cleared his throat. “Indeed, my lord, what could I give to Braavos? Since to you I can give your greatest desire…”
The Sealord started to laugh. “And why would you think that?”
Calmly Pod said. “I can read you, my lord… I see right in your eyes that your fear for her safety. You’ve dismissed all of her other suitors, of course they were all from here. Then suddenly comes the young westerosi lord, searching for his roots in the city of his ancestors, planning to marry the Sealord’s daughter and take her away. It’s was the perfect opportunity, you knew she would be safe on the other side of the Narrow Sea… But why? That is the only thing I can’t piece out of you…”
The Sealord seemed shocked, he sprawled his back on the chair. “How?”
“No… The question is: why?” Pod said with a low tone of mockery.
The Sealord gapped a bit, before he started to talk again. “You got me, boy… She is my most precious treasure and Braavos is a dangerous city, my political opposition is powerful and they’re also backed by that damned Red God… The populance is converting very fast, I fear for the worst…”
Realization and confusion hit Podrick, If R’hllor was against the Sealord, why would Donal be helping him? But this would need to wait, that was not the time… “My lord, I promise I will guard her as I guard my own sister, I promise I’ll love her and she’ll be as happy in my home as she is here...”
The Sealord seemed contempt. “I hope you will, Lord Baelish, as I said you look like a nice guy… Though I also expect us to make that classical marriage terms… As my old father would said: Commerce, Protection and Power!” The Sealord smiled and shook Pod’s hand. “I expect for you to leave soon…”
“As soon as my lord wants… If you give me your leave I believe it’s my time to go…” He got up from his seat.
“Just one thing before you live…” The old man cleared his throat. “Meralyn, please come in…” The door opened and a young skinny shy girl entered the room. Black haired, pale skinned, when the girl looked up at Pod he could see pale icy eyes… For most she would pass unnoticed in a crowd, but for Pod she was beautiful, just perfect. Their eyes finally met, and the world turned, he could see in her eyes and she could see in his, pardon for the cliché, but it was love at first sight. “Podrick Baelish, at your service my lady…” He gave a bow grinning as he never did before.
Pod's Persuasion advances to Master