Temple of the Lord of Light

[ficenzi]

Temple of the Lord of Light

The temple is a humble yet beautiful building, financed by Branston Rosby, Shaera Targaryen and Larraq of Braavos. The entirety is mate of white marble imported from the Vale. The main entrance into the temple is a wide staircase protected by polearm infantry. Above them, on the many balconies, there are archers planted ready to fire at anyone who would trespass into the temple. Above the entrance is a marvelous fiery heart made of ruby. Inside the building the biggest room is the great hall where people prayed. In the many chambers behind were the quarters of Larraq and Thorgen Pyre. The inside of the temple is guarded by Ser Pyre's knights. If one wished an audience with any of them or to deliver a message, this is where one could find them.

Population of King's Landing that worship R'hllor: 10%

Characters

Larraq of Braavos A red priest from the Temple of R'hllor in Braavos, tasked by the High Priest with a special task in the Seven Kingdoms. This man is skilled with both tongue and sword. Usually not seen without his red cloak. Born 224 Traits: +4 Duel +3 Survival +3 Charisma +1 Assassin Possessions: A bastard sword (+4 Duels, +4 Survival)

Larraq's Forces:
600 Heavy Infantry
300 Polearms
300 Archers

[Pontifex Maximus]

Ryker Frey of the Kingsguard arrived searching for the red priest

[ficenzi]

Noticing the Kingsguard, Larraq approaches the man at the construction site. 'Ser Frey, how may I help you?'

[Pontifex Maximus]

"The king has invited you to his quarters" Frey said mechanically

[Gandalfus]

Larraq is summoned to the Red Keep to speak with Lord Baratheon. He is advised to make haste, and avoid the main streets, for mobs of the faithful plague the city.

[ficenzi]

Following the sighting of the Golden Company's fleet in the blackwater bay, Larraq seeks out Ser Thorgen Pyre. 'Ser Thorgen, I presume you have seen the menace that approaches King's Landing. It is an opportunity. I want you to take all the men we have and destroy the remainder of Baelor's Sept during this city's siege. The sept must not be rebuilt.'

[Lord Dread]

The man looked worried towards the Red Priest, seeing no actual point in doing so. Sure, he knew that he once planned to do the entire same thing as Aerys - yet it was to remove an enemy of the King, while hoping to gain his support for the Red Faith. Yet Aerys was dead and the Faith was gone from King's Landing, rumored to have reformed somewhere else.
"If these forces reach the capital they might do the the dirty work anyways", he grumbled, "I doubt however, that it would be a wise move. We benefitted from Aerys, while we know nothing about this Baratheon and the other Targaryens. And people say they hunted those, who burnt the Sept - too risky and we won't get supporters.
I rather say we aid them. The citizens will have more respect, if the Red God ensures the safety of the capital than using it for their own opportunities.
Let them know that R'hllor aids them against these foreign invaders."

[ficenzi]

'Yes, perhaps you are right and we should leave the sept be. But I don't believe we should aid the defence of the city. The reports say that the enemy has far vaster numbers, something even the Lord couldn't mitigate. We should rather see to it that we defend this temple. Surely we can take some refugees of different faiths inside to show tolerance.'

[Lord Dread]

"If we want to defend the temple, we can only do it by defending the city", Pyre replied dry, "We know nothing about these invaders nor their intentions - they won't halt at anything, once we get conquered. And I'm certain R'hllor wouldn't wish to see this temple getting in danger by us allowing it to happen, Larraq. I'll be present to hold them off actively."
While I won't risk my head for remaining passive in a doomed city, when I can finally proof the realm my strength, he added in thought, If they overwhelm us, they might anyways pillage through the entire city and not make halt at the Temple. And I'm not fool enough to believe that the Lord of Light wants to see me die for the cause of some foreign forces.

OOC: I don't think there are any reports about an approaching fleet.
Made my decision anyways.

[ficenzi]

'Very well, I respect your determination. You show courage in times when I myself blunder. Inspired by this, I'll lead my polearms to defend the gates. May the Lord grant us victory.'

[Lucius Malfoy]

Shortly before the battle to decide the fate of Westeros, Daemon came to the Temple of the Lord of Light, seeking the Red Priest, Larraq of Braavos and his retainer, Ser Thorgen Pyre.

[ficenzi]

'Your grace?', Larraq answers Daemon.

[Lord Dread]

Ser Thorgen was present as well, curious of why the King himself came towards the temple.
With an interested look, he eyed him, knowing that he had to tell him anyways a suspicion he had, while asking for his grace knowledge regarding those, whom he considers his loyal allies.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Daemon looks at Thorgen and Larraq for a moment before speaking.

I have a task for you; if Baratheon wins the coming battle, you must come with the remnants of the Golden Company and retreat to Essos with them. Baratheon has the High Septon's support and will surely ensure your deaths in order to keep such support within his hands. At least, if you go to Essos with the Golden Company, you will be among allies and friends who would not see you as heretics.

[Lord Dread]

Ser Thorgen nodded, though remaining calm.
"Give Larraq this task, as his life matters more than mine, your grace", he replied with a nod,"I am the sword in the darkness, who once defended the capital, I will do it a second time. By nearby woods I was born, by nearby woods I shall fall - R'hllor has guided us this far and I believe that it was fate that we met."
He made a brief pause.
"The conversation regarding the betrayal upon you makes it even more necessary, that you need someone trustworthy to defend you", Pyre then continiued, "And given by this, I wish to discuss with you discrete. My master may join the conversation if he wishes so, but I let him decide as I want to ensure his safety. Though it is based on assumption and only logic, given by what we heard within the Great Hall, I might know who the traitor is - what misses is the actual proof. Else I would have spoken freely within this hall, if my word could have ensured to safe your life once more."

[ficenzi]

'Your grace, you can't be suggesting that I flee before the battle? My sword has already been tested in battle and it would be a dishonor to R'hllor if I fled.', Larraq spoke.

[Lucius Malfoy]

R'hllor is the Lord of Light, Life and Heat, Larraq. Surely he would overlook your flight to Essos so that you may continue his work. There is no hope if you are killed for your followers in the capital... for if you live, they may leave Westeros as well and follow you back to where the Red Faith is truly strong. After all, if I am to die upon this battlefield, I need as much protection for my heirs as possible. You, along with others, would do great works helping my wife in ensuring my children grow up strong.

Daemon then turns his attention to Thorgen who brought up the subject of the traitor. He sighs lightly, knowing that still lurked within the recesses of his mind.

When I burned the letter, I showed that their plot had failed. When Aerys died, it showed that their plot was never meant to succeed. With me alive, their treachery was undone. At this juncture, I cannot call an inquisition especially upon those who brought me here and ensured that I could one day become King. However, Thorgen, I will hear your words on the matter and see what you have to say.

[ficenzi]

'As you say, your grace. I shall go to Essos. May the Lord light my way.'

[Lord Dread]

"Nontheless, be careful, your grace", the Wildfire knight replied concerned, "I don't know how your relation is towards her, but by Westerosi standarts it would be your Queen who would benefit from your death.
The Golden Company fought once the King and I assume Tyrell has enough guts to not betray you for the one, who slayed his brother, for redemption - her grace, however, is something I can't estimate and by your word she is a Blackfyre.
A Blackfyre, who would be in charge of your offspring, while nobody would suspect a mourning widow."
He eyed Daemon careful, uncertain how tempted the King was to arrest him for these words - within the Great Hall he was sure that the accusation would be high treason.
"Forgive me, if I see phantoms in the darkness, as R'hllor does not grant me the same wisdom with which he blessed Larraq - yet there is a reason why the knightly House of Pyre is as good as extinct in lights of my forefathers and in background of our history, I'm not naive enough to think that past crimes can't be repeated by greater Houses or families.
I do not seek to harm your wife nor try to sow distrust between her and you, your grace. Yet it seems better to share my suspicions, so you can proof them wrong, as I am worried about your safety, once we dealt with Baratheon and other possible claimants. It would relief me to hear that you have no doubts in her loyality, so I do not have to be concerned about my own doubts and phantoms."

[Lucius Malfoy]

It struck Daemon suddenly... what if Thorgen was right? Derrick needed Daemon to reclaim Cider Hall, Moryn desired to regain Reach prominence and neither Lashare nor Tom had a reason to betray the Blackfyre for they did not love Aerys either. Yet the one to stand out alone was Serra, his own wife. He was a Targaryen and she was a Blackfyre; sure their union could bring harmony between two houses, but she would rule over his offspring if he were to accidentally or suddenly die. What if this knight of the Red Faith was right? What if Serra was behind the treacherous letter sent to Aerys in the hopes that she would benefit from a Targaryen death.

For a long time, Daemon remains silent, not even blinking. After a moment of collecting his thoughts, the Blackfyre speaks.

Thorgen... Larraq... keep these words to yourself. Such accusations would harm her dignity and surely rupture my family in twain. I ask you both, keep these words unspoken and within your minds. For the sake of my mind which needs clarity at this time. I had sworn to set this, a gesture that was shown when I burned that letter and I wish to keep that oath now more than ever with my reign still insecure.