Robert Chapter II [Voice]

[stagstrong]

What is the use of these damned vendors? I’ve no shortage of gold in my own keep, but these stubborn fools won’t take my word for promise of payment. Not even the bloody bank of Braavos is as hard nosed as these damned fools. The closets are little better. I've tried a dozen times to find a bow or spear for hunting, but all I have to show for it is are there tiny wooden sticks.

[Toothpicks! Why does he need toothpicks? Is he supposed to be hunting moths? He groans, rubbing his temple at the growing frustration of negotiating with the people who occupy this pace. It’s part of a larger symptom in that he simply craves some action, whether it’s fighting or fucking, he’s not picky.]

What this place could use is decent entertainment. We have a tavern, aye. But a sad one at that. But where are the tourneys? The action? Gods, but what I wouldn't do for a melee now. Seven hells, but I’ll end up fat and soft if I’m expected to live like this much longer. My armor will rust before it sees use again.

[A moment's pause. He adds testily:] And to anyone who might ask, I have no wish to read anything.

Comments

voice;

[stagstrong]

Aye, that's a sensible thing. No good has ever come from any magic.

voice;

[unsullies]

On that, we can agree.

Have you seen much magic since you were brought to this realm?

voice;

[stagstrong]

I suffered a curse of wanting to read far more than is healthy.

voice;

[unsullies]

[ squint ]

... A curse of books, in excess? How can that be?

voice;

[stagstrong]

I was driven to read. It was a madness that I could not conquer. I would not sleep or eat so long as I knew there was knowledge I could gain. If the damned thing hadn't passed within a few days, it might have bloody well killed me.

voice;

[unsullies]

[ ........ ]

That is complete madness. [ Not that she doesn't believe him; Dany herself has seen more than one person's share of insanity thus far between her own life and her time in Wonderland. ]

And how did you overcome it?

voice;

[stagstrong]

I didn't. It faded on its own.

[He admits it reluctantly. It humiliated him that not even his own betrothed could draw him out of his obsession. It was the first time he'd truly been made to feel weak.]

voice;

[unsullies]

The mansion grew tired of its game.

[ It's said with contempt; she is loath to believe that the very building has power of its own. ]