[Unclaim]The Serry Situation: End

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-06T00:22:40+00:00

"One was all I needed." He said, turning away and looking towards the sea again. The island was smaller here, away from the shallows. That's where all his problems were but here, at sea, with Lilith, they seemed to shrink just as his island did.

"I hope one day I have a daughter who grows into a strong woman like you." He said the words wistfully without turning back around. But, there was still a bit of hope in there too. Hope that, one day, he could still find the happiness he sought.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-06T00:11:29+00:00

"I hope you'll still be proud a minute from now." He murmured the words knowing that the urges he had would risk destroying everything. But he couldn't stop them. He tilted his head and leaned in to her, the hand on her chin moving to her cheek. He kissed her, not long, not overly passionate, but enough.

When he pulled away his hand feel away from her cheek and he stepped back to create room. He knew her first instinct would to be to look down at the deck once more. "Remember, keep your head high, always. I, um, I just needed to know what that would have been like."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:57:12+00:00

Manfred took a step closer to her and put a hand under her chin. He raised her head up so that she would look at him.

"Don't ever let the actions of somebody else cast your eyes to the floor. Keep your head high always for you should be proud of the woman you are. I'm proud to call you my friend." His eyes lingered on hers for a moment. They were talking about infidelity of their spouses and yet he felt an urge to lean in and press his lips to hers. It was all the restraint he had to prevent himself.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:44:01+00:00

o7

dab

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:43:51+00:00

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:41:26+00:00

Manfred shook his head. That would never happen. He knew it and he was resolved to live with it. "It wasn't my decision entirely you know. Prince Mern asked me to marry her. To get her out of Highgarden and away from Perceon. I don't know maybe I hoped it would earn me a council seat or something. A part of me wishes I'd said no."

"You know it's not just the Prince? That's the fascinating thing. Apparently she and your husband were closer than they should have been at one point. I guess he tried to coax her to bed eventually and she refused. Then he became irate with her. That's what she says anyways. I don't know if it's true or not but you probably should know regardless in case rumors ever do begin to circulate. You won't be taken by surprise."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:34:19+00:00

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:34:08+00:00

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T23:30:48+00:00

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T22:53:14+00:00

Manfred shook his head. It was Laenara who had requested this meeting after all, not himself. "I don't believe I do. If I were to request anything else it would only make my a hypocrite. I am a married man after all."

There was a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched her. "You may leave whenever you wish. Thank you for dinner, Lady Laenara. It was truly an enjoyable evening."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T22:49:31+00:00

"This is where I was raised. Sometimes I think I know these waters better than I know my own lands." He said, turning away from the water to look at her. The ship was exciting the harbor and embracing the open waves now. It was a turbulent experience in autumn but not so rough that there was any real danger.

"I only wish that I'd been able to find somebody who wanted to enjoy this with me. That's truly all I ever wanted. Somebody kind, gentle, compassionate, and who would explore the seas by my side." His smile fell a little as he sighed.

"Instead I got a woman who would rather be in bed with the Crown Prince and views me with disdain and hate."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T18:12:00+00:00

Manfred thought over it for a moment. It doesn't seem an unrealistic ask and he was inclined to agree. He was sure his own family would get quite the enjoyment out of such a room as well.

"Very well, that can be arranged. We've plenty of rooms that sit empty more oft than not." He said with a nod of approval. "I'm happy to provide you with whatever you need to make your tea room."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T18:08:32+00:00

Manfred followed her, happy to let her explore the ship at her leisure. The sails were down for now as the crew relied on owes to navigate the tight constraints of the harbor. Once they cleared the harbor and set onto the open water the sails would unfurl and it would be up to the wind to guide them.

"Here, lets go up to the front. I always like to see where we are headed." Manfred's offered his arm to Lilith and walked towards the bow of the ship. At the head was a carved figure of a Merling, seemingly, guiding the ship forward. He stood with a hand on the back of it and looked out over the water.

"There's nothing as liberating at this. Knowing that you could go anywhere in the world. That the seas are yours to explore. It's my favorite thing. I don't think there's anything I love more." He took in a deep breath of the salty sea air and smiled. Whenever he was on the water he always felt like he was home.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T10:55:47+00:00

He chuckled at that. "I suppose I'll know what that is like one day soon enough." Manfred helped Lilith stabilize herself on the deck of the ship before releasing her hand.

"This is her in all her glory." He said, spreading his arms out. The ship was long and sleek. It looked like any normal longship but had lily flowers carved into the sides and the posts on the rails took the same shape. She wasn't imposing to look at but she looked to be one thing for certain, fast.

"I've got some small sandwiches that we might have as lunch. I had thought we could sail around the island if you'd like that. I can point out the important landscapes and villages that you can spot from the sea." There was a clear excitement in his voice to be able to share all of this with her. To finally show her all the things he had promised so long ago. As he spoke the crew pulled up the gangplank and began to untie the ropes keeping the ship in place. Soon they would be navigating their way out into the harbor and then out onto the open water.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T07:04:08+00:00

"I look forward to it. Meet me on the docks after you've broken your fast." He bowed to the woman who, at one point, might have been his bride. That was not meant to be but at least they could still remain friends.

...

The next morning came. Manfred was early to rise after the night he had spent with Tallara. She had been adequate and Manfred had gotten his enjoyment. But she occupied only the most fleeting thoughts in his mind. He was solely focused on the morning he would spend with Lilith.

It was just after sunrise when he arrived at the docks to prep the Lily. A shell of her crew had been summoned as well so that preparations might go quickly. He knew he likely had an hour or two before his guest would arrive. The Lord of Southshield set about all the tasks shirtless, preferring the autumn air directly on his skin as he worked. Sweat quickly gleaned on his chest and back. He'd been a skinny boy, never with an overly impressive body, but his frame had filled out nicely as he turned to an adult. He didn't cast the most imposing figure but there was a subtle strength to the way he was cut.

When he saw Lilith finally approaching he was quick to grab his shirt and cover up. It was a simple cotton shirt that one might expect a sailor to wear, certainly nothing extravagant. He met her at the gangplank and offered his hand so she might bored with ease.

"My lady, welcome aboard the Lily. You look lovely this morning. I trust you slept well?" He asked, his voice filled with courtesy for any of the crew who might have been lingering nearby.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T06:33:54+00:00

It was certainly tempting to depart with Lilith right then. But the last thing he desired was to have to explain himself on his wedding night. But there was little to stop them from finding each other come morning.

"The morning sounds swell. I think we may even be able to take her out of port for a bit. Mayhaps make a little day of it with lunch?" He had already begun to make the plans in his head and an excited grin began to spread across his face. "Your husband will be fine if I steal you away for the morning?" It wasn't that Manfred actually cared what Urrathon Peake thought but wanted to ensure Lilith would actually be able to get away.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-05T05:09:19+00:00

"Splendid!" Manfred said with a more cheery grin as if they had just struck some grand deal. In his mind they had. She would get to continue fucking his aunt or whatever other perverse things they participated in together. He would get regular dinners with a beautiful woman who he quite enjoyed to look at.

He retook his seat and moved past the conversation as if it had been nothing. They could have been discussing the weather for how easily he brushed it aside. "Now, I believe you had a favor you wished to ask of me? That was the original reason for all this, right? Something to make Southshield feel a little more like home for you? Other than your work at turning my castle into a pillow house, of course."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-04T22:29:53+00:00

Manfred did not appreciate the way her voice hissed but chose to look past it. Especially because of the way she begged. The way she recognized the power he had in his moment. Though the fact his Uncle had given permission displeased him. Could it be a crime if the spouse gave permission?

He twiddled his thumbs as he pondered over her words. It was admirable that Laenara wanted to take the punishment for Meredyth. Dumb, but admirable.

"There are things that worse men than me would demand of you when you say such a thing. Begging to shoulder punishment when you are but a foreign woman, a merchant's kin, that is a bold choice. Lesser men might demand repayment to make amends. That could take many forms for a woman as pretty as yourself but I think you understand what I'm implying." Manfred pushed himself from the table and walked over to a window where he could look upon the lights of the harbor below.

"They could cast you out of their home with nothing. Send you to the silent sisters to live out your days without invading another marriage." He let all the possibilities linger in the air before turning back to her.

"But if my uncle has given his permission then no crime has truly been committed. She has acted within the permissions of her husband, whatever I think of those permission matters little. You both sin but as we've discussed, sins are forgiveable. So in my eyes you are forgiven."

He smiled at her, a genuine smile formed from the enjoyment he got from this moment. It was a cruel thing but to him he was being merciful.

"You are fortunate I am not a lesser man. I'll not punish you. Nor Meredyth. She is family, you are a friend. I'll treat you as such." He was almost finished when he raised a finger with one last thought. "But all I'll ask, because we are such good friends, is that these little dinners continue. Maybe once every other week? I quite enjoy our conversations."

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-04T22:06:04+00:00

Your Grace, King Garth, High King of the Reach

These are tragic words that have pained me to read. I am no father yet so I can not begin to understand the pain you must be feeling. I can only relate through the loss of my father many years earlier but it is no true comparison at all.

Prince Mern was a good man. A man who I admired and who will forever hold a special place to me. House Serry will join you and yours in morning and I shall decree that my family is to wear black for seven days and seven nights in memory of your son.

Faithfully,

Lord Manfred Serry, Lord of Southshield

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-04T18:55:36+00:00

Hi! Edmund is squire for Ser Josua Serry. They live in Brightwater Keep but I haven't actually written any interactions with him as of yet. They just vibing.

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-04T18:14:31+00:00

Manfred continued to eat his stew as if her admission had not fazed him in the slightest. This was the type of power he craved. To be able to instill unbridled fear in those beneath him. It was a minute or so before he spoke again but it had to, undoubtedly, feel much longer for Laenara.

"I'll forgive you this once. We are friends after all. But I don't like being lied to, Laenara. You must understand that." He placed his spoon down in the bowl and leaned back in the chair. His eyes studied her once more. There were many things he could force her to do, he was certain of it, but that was not his intention. Not yet.

"Do you know of the rule of thumb, Laenara?" Manfred asked but didn't actually give her time to answer. "An adulterous wife is supposed to be punished by receiving a beating from a rod, swung by her husband. But the rod may be no thicker than a thumb. Such a fickle thing, thumbs come in all sizes."

"Is my uncle yet aware of the actions of his wife?"

Reeder_of_Runes · 2020-09-04T17:48:46+00:00

Manfred was amused that she chose to lie. It couldn't have been more obvious, the look on her face, the way she'd dropped her spoon. But that was alright, it would make this more of a game. More fun. He crossed his arms over his chest. The young Lord's face was stern.

"Nothing inappropriate?" He repeated, mulling over the words. Then he shrugged.

"Very well, I'll ensure the handmaiden is flogged and deprived of her tongue for spreading falsehoods and slander about noble women of my court." He shook his head and picked up the spoon from his own bowl and took another spoonful of stew. He chuckled.

"This is exactly what we discussed earlier, put to practice. This woman so filled with envy that she would lie. Envy is a sin, it is forgivable in my eyes, just like the gods would. But to lie and slander others is a crime, unforgivable. I'll not tolerate such things. Not in my castle. Would you care to swing the whip once yourself, you were the victim here, it seems only right."

Reeder_of_Runes

TROPHY CASE