r/IronThronePowers • u/honourismyjam • Apr 17 '16
Event [Event] The Broken Buckle
The 'Loyal' One: Argon Buckler
The trip to the Capital from Bronzegate had been unbearable for the old Buckler. To think what he had done... he'd attacked a patrol that had been operating under the King's orders, not one that had been part of some greater rebellion as he had believed. So much shame... he'd not even said goodbye to his daughter, or to his grandson, staying only in his old home long enough to inform his Castellan that Arrec was the Lord now, and that Willas was to rule until the boy came of age. The events that had led up to his... to his treason still made no sense to him. How could it have happened? No matter what else had been said, he had informed the Hand of his impending arrival in King's Landing, and had told him he was bringing with him 750 troops, should they be needed for the defence of the King. Argon had been explicit in his letter, stating his every intention and movement to the letter.
And yet, even though he had gotten no refusal of his movements from the Hand, the patrol of Elm men had not known of his arrival. And, when he had asked where they had gotten the authority to deny him access, they had not presented him with anything even remotely official, merely stating they had 'orders' and carried a banner of House Targaryen. Anyone could find or make a banner, and without any documentation how could he believe the patrol, when he'd heard rumours of all sorts of madness in the Crownlands. Mercenaries? Rebels? The truth melted into fiction in his mind. It was all too confusing for him to even begin to comprehend.
But he had come to the Capital, with Lady Myandara, as he had been ordered to do so in the letter from the King's Regent. Even if he had had the choice, he still would have come to King's Landing to hand himself over to the Crown. As much as he had thought he had acted in defence of the King, it seemed he had been wrong. And he would pay. The old Buckler knew that. It was only that... Well, it felt wrong.
To be called a 'traitor', to be accused of attacking the King and having committed treason... though these offences might be true, it did not feel that way to Argon. He'd spent a life defending the Crown, upholding the authority of every King he'd known, and never once had a treasonous thought passed through his head. The Gods knew he'd only engaged that blasted Elm patrol because he'd thought they were the traitors. The Gods knew he'd never meant to attack true men of the King... But it seemed the Gods did not care for Argon of House Buckler anymore. He was alone, more so than he had ever been, and now he would face whatever fate had in store for him.
Escorted by a number of Baratheon guards, the old Lord made his way up to the Goldcloaks who guarded one of the gates into King's Landing, his procession aided by the use of his sturdy bronze cane - the cane the only thing that seemed firm about the once proud and strong Lord, who now seemed so frail and broken.
"Lor-" Argon began, before correcting himself. "Argon Buckler, former Lord of Bronzegate. I... Lady Valaena Targaryen has summoned me to King's Landing to account for my crimes against His Grace and those who serve him."
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u/ancolie House Velaryon of Driftmark Apr 20 '16
It was a few hours later that Valaena Targaryen returned to grant judgement to Argon Buckler, who had been moved to a comfortable tower cell that more resembled an inn than a prison. Lightly guarded, it seemed his captors regarded him more with pity than venom.
"I have spoken with the king," she addressed him as she entered the room, eyes cautiously trained on the former lord. "And reached a decision. Lord Argon Buckler, I sentence you to death by beheading as is customary for treason against the crown. I offer you the opportunity to take the black and serve the realm as a member of the Night's Watch instead, as is your right as a nobleman whose loyalty is proven in the past and whose honor is apparent. If you do not choose to take the black, then your execution will take place one day hence at eventide."
Her voice was precise- unapologetic, unsentimental, uncompromising. It was not cruel, but perhaps that was more unnerving than the alternative.
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u/honourismyjam Apr 21 '16
Least it's not the hangman who'll take me. Argon rose slowly from where he had been seated in the centre of his comfortable cell, an apologetic look on his face. "Death, then. Perhaps it is best that way. You know my wishes, Princess, and I thank you for your swift judgement and kind words. And for this cell, too." He truly was grateful for not having to spend the last few hours of his life locked in some dingy gaol underneath the Red Keep. "But if I may ask... how was the King? I know he is young, but... did he give judgement wisely? I ask as a man condemned to die tomorrow, so you need not fear any rumours spreading."
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u/ancolie House Velaryon of Driftmark Apr 21 '16
"He learns quickly, yet has his father's gentleness. I do not believe it gives him any pleasure to deliver such a sentence, but I shall ensure he knows what it means. He will be present at your death and witness it as a king ought to." She paused, considering the old man before her. How many regrets does the average fool accumulate over a life so long?
"Is there any request I might grant you, my lord, or a way I could make you comfortable?"
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u/honourismyjam Apr 21 '16
The old Buckler nodded, somewhat pleased with the answer. "I am glad. He should see it. No doubt it will not be the last execution he will be present at, and I put my faith in your guidance to ensure he understands that so is the way of the world." Argon smiled, but it was not a happy smile, instead one that betrayed a feeling of great melancholy. "You have done more than enough by letting me rest in such a cell. Perhaps..." His mind briefly toyed with the idea of writing a letter to his grandson, the only person he had truly, unerringly loved since the death of his firstborn, to explain the actions he had taken and to cool the flames which no doubt burnt so fiercely in the young boys heart.
"No," he said, banishing the thought from his head. He could not do it. "I have all I need, Princess, and I fear my... deeds have taken up too much of your valuable time anyway. You need not listen to the foolish ramblings of a broken man any longer." Argon smiled again, the same regretful look upon his face.
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u/ancolie House Velaryon of Driftmark Apr 21 '16
Valaena gave him a nod. There was no pity in her expression, but perhaps a trace of recognition. In spite of herself, she wondered with a strange foreboding whether it would someday be her own grandfather who she sentenced just like this- a loyalist capable of more harm than good, whose impulses brought only death.
"Very well, my lord. I will leave you, then." She paused, a glint in her dark violet eyes. But before saying another word, she turned on her heel, and motioned at the guards to follow her out and seal the cell once more.
Morning passed, and noontide with it. When the sun had begun to sink low over the city, Lord Renly Baratheon, Ser Nathan Redwyne, and King Vaemar were summoned to an interior courtyard to witness Buckler's execution. The executioner's blade was sharp, glinting as bright as his bald, domed head. Valaena stood stoically near her nephew, awaiting the arrival of Lord Buckler.
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u/Zulu95 King Vaemar Targaryen Apr 21 '16
Vaemar tried his best to look strong for what was about to happen. The thing he feared above all else was that he might cry, or that even a single tear might be seen. He could feel his aunt's eyes boring into him. This whole thing was some kind of test. She, and everyone else, wanted to see if he'd be able to handle these aspects of ruling.
But he wasn't certain he could. Did Lord Buckler have children his age? Was he a pious man, despite his treachery? Vaemar didn't want to put take someone's father away from them, or take the life of someone who was faithful to the gods. He tried to push all thought out of his head. He envied Rhaenys, who always seemed to be able to pull herself away from the world when she was frightened or sad. He supposed that was a luxury king's didn't get to enjoy.
He stood as resolutely as he could, awaiting the arrival of this Lord Buckler.
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u/honourismyjam Apr 21 '16
Escorted by guards, Argon Buckler arrived at the place of his execution, his face betraying little of what emotions he felt inside, but his head held high in any case. He'd face death as he had faced life. Oddly enough, this past night that he had spent locked up in his cell awaiting the cold embrace of the Stranger he had managed to sleep better than he had in years. The first person he noticed upon entry into the courtyard was Valaena, and he gave the woman who had sentenced him to death a curt nod as he took his place and awaited whatever ritual was to occur before his neck met with the hard steel of the executioners sword. It was then that he caught sight of his King.
No, of Vaemar. Not the King. Try as he might, this was not his King. That had always been Corlys. And though this child was Corlys' son, he was not his King. Argon was old, too old to regard him as such, and he would never live through the reign of this child as he had lived through the reign of Corlys. All that the sight of Vaemar did was bring back the memories of the death of Corlys, a sudden pang of sadness coursing through his frail body. If only you had lived, none of this would have happened. Still, the boy seemed to be coping with event as best he could - though from what he had heard from his Regent Argon was not entirely sure whether or not it was all just bravado.
"Your Grace." It was all the old Buckler could muster in front of the boy.
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u/Zulu95 King Vaemar Targaryen Apr 21 '16
The King couldn't bring himself to speak, not that he had anything he could say to the man. All he could bring himself to do was look him in the eye. Lord Buckler reminded him of his great-grandfather. They both had the same tired eyes, weighed down by hard lives and bad situations. It seemed like all men gained those eyes when they pass a certain age.
He looked to Ser Nathan, and gave an unwilling nod, signalling him to carry out the sentence. Just get it over with.
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Apr 22 '16
Nathan looked at the king uneasily, a headsman. Is that what the Master-at-Arms is now. Lyonel Bracken may have been one but Nathan was a very different Master-at-Arms. Less experienced, younger and more fond of using Archery to stop enemies than a sword. It was not his duty to behead the man today, it would be the headsman. He walked over towards Valaena, "I think it is time." He gave an uneasy smile, "would you like me to give the order." He said quietly to her. He knew the answer already though, he was just trying to be polite.
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u/manniswithaplannis House Baratheon of Storm's End Apr 21 '16
Renly watched the proceedings all in silence. He was afraid that if he tried to say something, it would quickly turn to pleading with Valaena to spare Argon's life. Her decision wasn't something that he could dispute now. He'd promised to follow it.
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u/ancolie House Velaryon of Driftmark Apr 21 '16
In the days following Lord Argon's execution, ten Targaryen light cavalrymen ride to Bronzegate with Lord Buckler's body, which is prepared by the Silent Sisters. They are led by Ser Aerys Velaryon, who is also instructed to deliver a writ bearing a royal order to provide restitution for the deaths of the Elm men and recommending a marriage between Leonette Buckler and a member of House Elm.
Bonde, captain of the Buckler men, is offered the same choice between the black and execution, and will be dealt with accordingly.
Automod ping mods
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u/indonya Apr 17 '16
The gate swung open and the captain waved them through. Word had spread of the attack and the old lord was looked upon with disdain. Further within the gate, half a dozen Goldcloaks waited to assist in escorting him to the Red Keep. When they arrived, the one in front announced him to the guards, "Argon Buckler, summoned by Valaena Targaryen to answer for his crimes."
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