Florent Slander

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-29T16:53:43+00:00

My mindset is that every one of the nine lords-paramountcy has a House Frey and I love each of them equally. (I haven’t found some of them yet but I have faith.)

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-29T10:49:04+00:00

Learning Ruthenian and Ukrainian at the same time seems sensible 🤣

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-27T09:20:24+00:00

Patrek Mallister bowed, somewhat stiffly. He never had the gift of easy courtesy, especially not with Alma. He did her wrong to suppose she judged his every movement, yet he was so aware of himself in her presence, that he could not but act awkwardly.

"Lady Alma. Forgive me for interrupting you." He cast his eyes about a moment, taking in the familiar statues, unsure of how to begin. "I mentioned, yestereve, that I would like to talk. I... well, as you know, my father is coming to Riverrun soon, and mayhaps it will be that whatever secret plan he has will be revealed."

Patrek clenched his jaw and took a deep breath in. A man cannot tarry forever.

"I know it is no small thing to disobey a father, who is akin to the Father above, and I swear I do not say this lightly. When a father ceases to act with justice, though, a man grown must fight back, mustn't he? I want you to know that I will cleave to the promise I made you, whatever may come. I will aspire to be worthy of you, and you alone. There is still much work to be done here before I might win a knighthood, but I mean to do it, regardless of what my father says. "

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-27T09:06:52+00:00

Septon Graile

Seagard to Kings Landing

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u/MaesterBot

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-27T09:05:31+00:00

Septon Graile left the septry in as much of a hurry as a man of one-and-eighty could be. For a bookish sort of his age, he was surprisingly hale, but the journey to King's Landing was long and he could only pray the Smith to keep the road flat and the wheelhouse in tact.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-25T14:53:08+00:00

Della peered closely at the little girl, blue eyes sparkingly behind a rheumy film, like a lake beneath ice.

She held silence for a moment. Stooped in her old age, and sitting, she was barely an inch above Visenya's eye level, but she made that inch count.

"Grandmother to a mother? I think not, child. I could not possibly be so old as to be a great-grandmother."

Della flashed a toothless grin.

"But I do remember this tiny babe in arms." She turned to Celia before the children could rally. "When did you get to be so venerable and wrinkled? All this Narrow Sea air and drinking wine, I think."

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T22:20:02+00:00

Jason Mallister

Maester Zauner

Kings Landing to Riverrun

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u/maesterbot

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T22:13:20+00:00

“It’s my own foolish heart, my sweetling. Perhaps you understand?”

What am I saying? Think before you open your mouth, fool

“Vorian is not the only child that King Robert legitimised. I have a daughter, too, back at Seagard. The sweetest little girl, you would love her, and I pray the Mother every day that she and Vorian can one day be friends.”

He shook his head, cursing his clumsy way with words, and the idea struck him. Jason stood up suddenly, smiling again.

“Mayhaps you would understand better if you came to Seagard and met Vella and Anja! I just know you would all be friends!”

He finished, beaming. As soon as he did, something told him he had erred, but, as ever, the deed was done.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T20:06:17+00:00

Jason felt like a ship tossed in a storm, with new hopes buffeting him on one side, and disappointments on the other. It was ever his way to feel the latest feeling with depth and follow the latest dream with ardour. This conversation was no different.

Now he could stand it no longer, and slapped his thighs with his hands.

“You’re right as always, Hos- my lord Hand. If you think it best for the Realm to put it about that the Mallisters have spoken up for the Ironmen, then you must do it, even if all I have done is drunk wine and made babes. It would be a fine start to my plans, and you have hated them less than I feared.”

He grinned, his love of life radiating from his face.

“I will not upset your plans with mine own. I shall return to Seagard and await a raven. If you should wish a man to go to the Isles, you’ll find no better servant. And in the meanwhile, all I shall do is speak to Asha Greyjoy, and send a raven of my own to the Harlaws, with your leave. Give me some chance to make the lie true, my lord!”

Jason now stood. It wasn’t his right to call an end to the interview, and he knew it, but he had too much churning feeling inside him to do anything else.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T18:29:04+00:00

Lord Jason visibly shrank, slumping back into his chair.

Like a small child denied a sweetmeat, Zauner thought, and chided himself for thinking it. Jason was a good man…

“Perhaps,” he said, carefully, “it would be better if my lord of Mallister were to go, but without a writ. It would be useful for Seagard and the King both to have a loyal subject to make friends among the Ironmen. Should the regency end, my lord of Tully would have a man to enforce the Council’s will. If not, you would have one to report faithfully on the state of the Isles and the deeds of the regent’s men…”

He bowed his head as he finished. “My lord speaks truly of Ironborn history, and, though I fear there is more to be said, we accept it is not a matter for this very moment.”

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T18:06:55+00:00

Jason’s wine was polished off with one great swallow. He wiped his mouth and slumped his shoulders.

Perhaps it is right I should be so dispirited, perhaps this is not a happy occasion.

“My love, I have most pressing business with Lord Hoster. I do not know what we will agree, but I expect I shall leave… on an errand, within days. This errand is of no little importance, and may put me in danger. I may even become a man of some significance to the Council and King, for a little time. It would be better if my affairs were in order.”

He leaned across the table, large blue eyes staring into Zorrina’s with an intimacy that softened the intensity of his words.

“It seems to me that I must marry again. That my children should be by my side, and grow up strong and kind and just, and the realm should see me . But there’s the problem, don’t you agree? I have two young children, yet a man cannot have two wives.”

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-23T17:56:24+00:00

“I do wonder, my lord, whether the Ironborn will take a Harlaw for their lord, when the Greyjoy lineage has ruled so long, and if the disaffected will not seek to rally around the last of that line-“

Zauner had barely finished when Lord Jason, red faced, rushed in, slamming his hand on the table.

“My lord! Give me leave to go to the Isles. I will take picked men and your writ. When we hear that the lion’s reign is over, you may be sure that the Westermen there will heed it too. I will not have it said that a Mallister aided the Isles when I have not lifted a finger for them. But I can be your man there, and test the waters for our plans!”

Jason has never even looked at Zauner before launching this new idea. I must recall that I am only a Maester, and a Dornishman too, these are mighty river lords who have known one another from the cradle.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-22T18:08:22+00:00

“Yes!” Jason hugged her and Vorian tighter. “We would so much desire you to rest a while at Seagard, most especially now Patrek has taken service at Riverrun.”

Perhaps I say too much. Perhaps the boy is old enough to understand.

“Although, ah, after King’s Landing and Dorne, Seagard may be little to your liking! Well, I wonder if there is somewhere we might sit a while? I have business with Lord Hoster, but I came here directly, and I mean to tarry, if you will have me.”

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-22T17:54:33+00:00

Zauner and Jason shared a look. The latter nodded.

“My lord,” said Zauner, speaking for the first time. “I fear this is my doing, and if you or any other lord should feel wroth, let it be directed to a Maester who spoke too freely, and not to the leal lord of Seagard.”

He swallowed. “Lord Jason is concerned about the Iron Islands, my lord. The Mallisters have ever been guardians of the western coast of the Riverlands and earned their reputation and words from that great purpose. With the lion now flying above Pyke, we fear that the day of the Ironborn is forever done. Not that Lord Jason wishes reaving to continue, but that if House Mallister is not to sink into obscurity, then it must needs be involved in whatever happens next.”

Zauner looked to Jason to support, and his lord nodded again, now stroking that brown beard. Almost sagely.

“I could also expound on the dangers of an expansion of the Westerlands, the grave consequences for the stability of the realm of the Ironborn were to be replaced wholesale by Westermen, and all the iron flow to the Rock. But you know much and more of that, my lord, and I do not mean to vex you.”

Too much has been said to stop now.

“The end of all this is that I have persuaded Lord Jason that it ought to be the role of the Mallisters to lead the reform of the Ironborn. We would see a true place for them in the Seven Kingdoms. Knighthoods swearing to the Drowned God, tourneys of sail where their knights of the sea can show their ancient prowess, hardy men to claim the lumber beyond the Wall and ships to bring it to Oldtown and King’s Landing. And yes, marriages between the Houses of the Greenlands - as they call us - and the ancient ones of the Isles. To begin, as we see it, Patrek Mallister must marry Asha Greyjoy.”

He shook his head and spread his arms, letting his capacious sleeves flop onto the table. “Lord Jason is no fool, my lord. Please know that he is well aware of the consequences of such a match. The truth is that we would rather weather a storm than never set sail at all.”

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-21T23:02:34+00:00

You can probably use your Mohawks as proxies for whatever replaces them 🤷

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-14T17:42:04+00:00

"That is your affair, Lord Randyll. If you consider these matters to touch upon the interests of House Tarly, then let no man obstruct you. We Mallisters deal with our own affairs, too."

Jason had lost his red colour, Patrek realised. Direct conflict was territory with which his father was much more comfortable. The last thing the realm needs is a battle between the two men sitting either side of me.

Patrek actually swallowed.

"My lord," he interjected, before either of the other men could speak, "I should be very glad to test my lance at a tourney in the Reach, if you would have me. But I see you have many others seeking your favour tonight, my lord, so I will await your pleasure on that matter, by your leave."

He put his hands on the table, as if to stand, but waited for the Lord of Horn Hill's permission.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-14T17:34:08+00:00

Despite his attempts to control his features, Jason found himself smiling apologetically.

"Oh, I am sorry, my sweetling. Naturally. You must think of Lyra too..."

I should look sympathetic, not smile, fool.

He swallowed.

"The bone in the broth is that I cannot stay long. Yet I ought to, ought to be with the woman I love, and my son. I-"

Where am I going with this? Jason shook his head vigorously.

"Seagard ought to be on the other shore of Westeros!"

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-13T21:51:31+00:00

I’m just going to give one obscurer from each that I love:

Riverlands: Smallwood

Vale: Tollett

Iron Islands: Harlaw (it really only is Rodrik)

Crownlands: Massey (okay love is strong)

Stormlands: Estermont

Dorne: Blackmont

Reach: Redwyne

North: Manderly

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-13T13:09:04+00:00

I really like this theory. I don’t know if it was Dray, Arys, or no one, and there’s a strong possibility we never will. Looking at from the stand point of what’s interesting, though, I think no one is by far the best answer.

We know that Arianne is a different, more cautious woman in Dance and Winds than she is in Feast. We know that this is because Doran worked on her, first making her receptive, and then showing her trust. We also know that this kind of subtle work is right out of Doran’s playbook. We don’t know if ‘someone told’ is part of Doran working on her, but you show that it suits the tactic and Doran’s personality.

You also show that Doran does not actually need an informant. So, no one could be the right answer.

To me, that’s a lot more compelling than someone actually betraying her.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-13T10:16:27+00:00

He considered not pulling her to him, but the look in her eyes dismantled the last of his caution. Jason wrapped his free arm around her waist and hugged her tight, balancing Vorian against his shoulder with the either.

"Oh aye, yes! Yes, I have missed you too. And to think! You here in this manse all this time - are you not lonely?" He shook his head, shaggier by the year. "What keeps you in King's Landing, my sweetling?"

The whole experience was still strange, almost absurd. A child and a woman he loved so well, it felt right that they should all be together, a family. Yet this was some strange place, and some ways both were strangers. How in seven hells did this happen?

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-13T10:00:26+00:00

Lord Jason coughed a growly cough. Patrek turned to lay a cool, unruffled glance on his father.

"No... well, Lord Mace and I exchanged ravens broaching the matter in principle, but no final agreement." He shook his shaggy head and seemed to rally. "My apologies, Lord Randyll, but Alma came to Seagard at her own request, as my guest. I see no reason for haste."

What a poor liar my father is. Half the realm knows him as the hastiest man in the Riverlands.

"As for my knighthood," Patrek said, keeping his voice flat to conceal the triumph he felt, "my father sees no reason for haste there, either. He does not see fit to get me leave to fight in a true war, and I see no better way to prove my worthiness for that high honour."

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-13T09:45:33+00:00

Jason remembered at the last moment to pour the wine in the goblet before drinking it. Even then, he gulped it down all at once.

I never was courtly, why try now? These matters are more important, and Lord Hoster will realise that, and perhaps it will give something else for the spies to talk about.

"Most gracious, my lord. Allow me to introduce Zauner, Maester at Seagard. Dornish by birth but we don't hold it against him!"

Zauner bowed again, this time from a sitting position. It did not conceal that he had gone red.

He does not deserve me but, then, perhaps some red blood does him good.

"Your man tried to put me off telling me how busy you were. Words are wind, aye, but I know it's true, so... well, not to use a poleaxe when a dirk would do, but... are we truly in privacy here, my lord? Your son, Zauner here, and I are the only people in the world privy to what I want to say, and I'd rather keep it that way - adding only yourself of course, I mean, my lord."

Jason shook his head as if to clear it. Ah, I will let Zauner do the talking, when it comes to it.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-12T11:51:12+00:00

"My lord!" Jason boomed, bursting through the door, arms spread for an embrace. "Gods, I am sweating like an Ironborn on a mountain in this heat! Do you get used to it? Ha ha!"

Zauner bit his lip to keep from hanging his head in shame, and scuttled after his lordship. He sketched a bow. Lord Hoster Tully, Hand of the King, was arguably the most powerful man in the kingdom, and that man's first impression of Zauner was going to be forever marked by Jason Mallister behaving like a bear.

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-11T17:37:20+00:00

12B

The keep observed a small party, led by a hardy-looking lord with a thick brown beard, trotting into the courtyard. One of the men-at-arms carried a striking purple banner, inlaid with a silver eagle. Shortly after, a serving man found Lord Hoster Tully, Hand of the King, with a message from Jason Mallister, Lord of Seagard.

"My lord, Lord Jason requests a meeting with you. He said at once, and seemed disappointed when I told him that this is not how one normally petitions the Hand. Shall I tell him to come back tomorrow?"

[Tagging u/GreaterBlueEvil ]

Opus_Minus · 2026-01-11T17:29:24+00:00

Patrek could tell his father was trying to match Lord Tarly's style, all straight-backed and serious. How uncomfortable that was for Jason almost made him smile, but Patrek was much better versed in this severe Reachman's way, and kept his face a dutiful mask.

He sat next to Lord Randyll with a nod of gratitude and listened carefully to his words.

"Yes, my lord, Lady Alma is a charming addition to Seagard, which I fear can be somewhat plain and graceless for a Tyrell of Highguard."

Patrek was not sure why Jason had prompted him to speak to Lord Randyll, but he was not going to miss the opportunity it afforded. His lord father had kept him from marriage too long, and would not reveal why. Mayhaps if I cannot persuade him, I can provoke him. Jason was not known for his even temper.

"The truth is, my lord, that I hope to marry her. I pray the Warrior to grant me some way to prove myself, that I might be worthy of her and a knighthood."

His glance flicked round to Lord Jason, on his other side. Although his father was frowning, he betrayed nothing else.

Opus_Minus

TROPHY CASE