(set:$foresterBrotherName = 'Rodrik') (set:$foresterSisterName = 'Mira')
$foresterBrotherName Forestter looked over the dying forest lands through cracked window panes. Heaving a sigh he turned his gaze to the family portrait hanging in splendour at the centre of the Great Hall. The once happy faces of his family stared back at him.
'Do you miss them my lord,' said the lone servant in the room mopping the hall.
[['Half the people in this painting are dead. Ofcourse I miss them']]
[['House Forrester will rise again']]
[['It doesn't matter. We must focus on survival']]
'H-how did you ...'
'Wrong question. What you should be asking is what do we do with it,' said $foresterSisterName.
'Do you realize what you've done?' said $foresterBrotherName.
'This is it,' whispered $foresterSisterName. 'This is the only way.'
'We will find another,' said $foresterBrotherName.
[[Stakes]]
'There is no other way. You really think the Iron Bank will grant us coin. To us - a broken family with absolutely nothing to offer - and for what? To revive dying forest lands ...'
'But ... a word from Marjory Tyrell,' says $foresterSisterName picking up the seal. 'One word from Marjory and we can bring it all back. We'll have all the coin we need to revive the forest.'
'Do you realize what will happen if the Tyrells discover? What will happen to you?'
'They won't. They have no way of knowing once the loan is granted.' $foresterSisterName produces a parchment and hands $foresterBrotherName the seal.
[[Sign Document Approving The Loan with Marjory Tyrell's Seal]]
[[Throw the Seal in the Fire]]
(set:$sealSigned = false)
$foresterBrotherName paused for a moment and then flings the seal into the fire.
'I lost Ethan. I won't lose you as well.'
[[The Iron Bank]]
(set:$sealSigned = true)
Reluctantly $foresterBrotherName placed hot rubber on the parchment and sealed it with the Tyrell family crest.
'May the Gods be with us.'
[[The Iron Bank]]
A week long journey across the Narrow Sea brought Mira and Rodrick to the shielded gates of the Iron Bank. Rodrick felt a sense of foreboding as the Forestter fleet passed underneath the colossal statue of Bravos.
Stepping through the hourglass segil, Rodrick felt the prickles of eyes and sneers follow him through the vast golden hall. Eventually they reached the entrance to the great juror's room.
The guardsman sized up Rodrick. 'Who are you? Only lords are granted an audience with the Iron Bank Jurors.'
[['We have setup a meeting with the Grand Jurors.']]
[['You know exactly who I am. Now get out of the way.']]
[['House Forrester has done business with the Iron Bank for decades']]
It was Ramsey Bolton.
'Did you see.' Mira nodded her eyes closed.
'We have to leave,' said Rodrick.
'We can't turn back now.'
'Have you lost your mind,' said Rodrick. 'He's a monster.'
'Let me handle him. You go on. We have to finish this before he finds out we're here.'
'Mira you don't know Ramsey like I do. You - You didn't have to watch Ethan die.'
'That's why he musn't see you. He'll know something is wrong. I on other hand am a resident of King's Landing, a handsmaiden to the royal family. I have every right to be here.'
'But ... No. Let's just slip through. We'll be in and out before he finds out.'
'No. We need more time. I can do this.'
[[Let Mira try to distract Ramsey Bolton and meet with jurors without her]]
[[Refuse and take her into the jurors room with you]]
(set:$sisterWithRamsey = true)
Rodrick looked at his younger sister's face full of determination. 'Go, but please be careful. Don't let him lay a finger on you.'
Rodrick watch Mira flit through the crowd and engage Ramsey effortlessly. He felt his skin crawl as Ramsey eyed Mira up and down and lick his lips.
Unable to watch any longer, Rodrick walked into the juror's room.
[[Judgement]]
(set:$sisterWithRamsey = false)
'I lost Ethan. Never again will I put my family in that monster's path,' said Rodrick and half dragged Mira through the banker's chamber into the juror's room.
[[Judgement]]
'My lord, I Rodrick on behalf of the noble Forester family would like to petition for a loan from the Iron Bank for the redevelopment of Wolfswood.'
The juror took the petition from Rodrick his eyes sneering through the document. He fixed Rodrick with his eerie gaze.
'Are there any more documents you wish to present.'
(if: $sealSigned is true)[
[[Present Juror with Signed Letter from Marjory Tyrell]]
]
[['No my lord.']]
The juror's face changed instantly as his eyes move towards the seal.
'Yes ofcourse, the loan is granted. I'll have a letter sent to King's Landing at once. We'll make arrangements to deliver the first chest within the month.' He signed a parchment with the seal of the Iron Bank and handed it back to Rodrick.
(if: $sisterWithRamsey is true)[
[[Risks Well Taken]]
]
(if: $sisterWithRamsey is false)[
The door behind Rodrick swung open ominously.
[[All Out Of Time]]
]
'No my lord I have nothing else to offer. But if you'll give me chance I can explain why this would a mutually beneficial enterprise.'
(if: $sisterWithRamsey is false)[
'In normal circumstances I might have considered it, but we have an important guest waiting.'
'Ah Lord Bolton you're already here. Welcome.'
[[All Out Of Time]]
]
(if: $sisterWithRamsey is true)[
The Grand Juror checked the clock. 'You're in luck Lord Forrester, our next appointment seems to have been delayed. Go ahead, we're listening.'
[[Passion or Lack off?]]
]
'Well well well, what have we here,' said Ramsey's drawling voice.
'What might a little Forrester prince be doing in the Iron Bank,' said Ramsey flashing a sadistic smile. Paralyzed with fear, Rodrick and Mira said nothing.
'What's that,' said Ramsey pointing at the scroll in Rodrick's hand. 'Give it to me.'
Ramsey's smile vanished as he read through the parchment. 'Five thousand gold. Why would you Forester scum need that kind of coin?' Ramsey's blue eyes bore into Rodrick's.
(if: $sealSigned is true)[
[['Queen Margaery approved this loan']]
]
[['We are going to rebuild Wolfswood']]
Rodrick headed out of the juror's chamber, drawing his hood over his head passed through the door into the entrance hall once again. From the corner of his eye he could see Mira fluttering around Ramsey. Rodrick smiled as Mira's fake laughter tinkled in the air at something Ramsey said.
Rodrick marched through the hall making sure the hood still covered his face. Ramsey stood leaning against a wall, his back to the exit. Whenever she could Mira's eyes would dart around the room.
He was within meters of Mira and Ramsey, but Ramsey's gaze was transfixed at Mira. He watched horrified as Ramsey caressed her cheek with his hand.
Rodrick's heart skipped a beat as he listened. 'I want you to come to Winterfell with me,' he heard Ramsey say in a drawling slur.
[[Tap Mira on the back and tell her it's time to leave->All Out Of Time]]
[[Proceed towards the exit]]
Fighting the urge to pull Mira away from the conversation, Rodrick proceeded to the exit. Standing right next to the door, he kept his gaze trained on Mira willing her to glance at him.
Eventually there was a pause in the conversation and Mira's eyes flitted across the hall. As she pointed her gaze towards the exit, Rodrick's eyes met her's briefly. He could barely discern half a nod and a smile on her face before transferring her gaze back to Ramsey.
Not staying a minute longer, Rodrick slipped out of the door and towards shelter. The seconds ticked by uncomfortably and Rodrick's trepidation grew by the minute. He paced back and forth uncomfortably.
At long last Mira emerged from the exit. A big smile broke over her face when she saw the parchment in Rodrick's hand.
'Let's talk later,' she said and the two Forester's disappeared into the crowd.
THE END
'Queen Margaery?' said Ramsey unable to hide the confusion in his voice.
'What are you doing?' whispered Mira. 'She'll have me killed.'
[[Hand Ramsey the scroll with the Tyrell seal]]
[[Recant your statement and leave->Leave the Iron Bank without the loan]]
'You're going to do what?' said Ramsey mockingly.
'We're going to rebuild Wolfswood,' said Rodrick with more force in his voice.
Grin back on his face, Ramsey tore the parchment into two halves, then four quarters. He blew the pieces into Rodrick's face.
'How about this? You run along back to your broken city and we'll forget about this little show. Or else ...'
(if: $sealSigned is true)[
[['Queen Margaery approved this loan']]
]
[[Leave the Iron Bank without the loan]]
Rodrick turned his back and walked away half expecting Ramsey to follow him. He refused to look at Mira's dejected face as they made their way back to the fleet.
'It's ok Rodrick. We fight another day. Iron from Ice.'
Rodrick looked at his sister's pained face barely holding back tears.
'Iron from Ice,' he repeated.
THE END
Ramsey's eyes grew incredulously as he read through the scroll, his gaze lingering on the Tyrell rose. He turned to one of his guards.
'Send a raven to King's Landing immediately. I want to speak with Margaery myself.'
'This is a dangerous game you're playing little Forrester prince.' He reaches for Mira's hand and kisses her wrist, before leaving them in silence.
THE END
'It's time. Ready the horses.'
Before the servant could scuttle away, the doors of the Hall swung open revealing a healthy young woman at the entrance.
'$foresterSisterName! Welcome home,' said $foresterBrotherName. 'I was beginning to worry.'
'You won't regret the delay.' $foresterSisterName reached into her bag and pulled out the lone item in it.
$foresterBrotherName studied the object curiously. Turning it over he ran his fingers across the rubber crevaces forming the shape of a rose. His eyes grow wide as he deciphered the name.
[[Fear]]
(set:$passion = 1)
The servant nodded sadly. 'I miss them too my lord. I hope the men who did this to us will suffer.'
'I will make them suffer,' said Rodrick.
[[Reunion]]
(set:$passion = 2)
The servant saluted. 'Iron from Ice,' he said holding back tears.
Despite himself Rodrick felt the servant's passion bring back his resolve. 'Iron from Ice. We will overcome.'
[[Reunion]]
(set:$passion = 0)
The servant looked for a moment like he would respond. Next moment he shook his head and turned his back on Rodrick.
[[Reunion]]
From the corner of his eye, Rodrick saw a man step through the entrance to the Golden Hall. His face turned white as snow. Grabbing Mira, he pulled her into the chamber trying hard to stay calm.
[[An Unexpected Visitor]]
'Name?'
'Rodrick Forrester.' The guard consulted his list and nodded letting Mira and Rodrick pass through.
[[Surprise]]
(set:$passion = $passion + 1)
'Yes ofcourse my Lord. My apologies. Please step right through.'
[[Surprise]]
(set:$passion = $passion + 2)
'Yes ofcourse my Lord. My apologies. Please go right through.'
[[Surprise]]
'My Lord, we seek coin to revive Wolfswood. As you may be aware, Ironwood is the largest production source of Ironwood in all of Westeros,' said Rodrick speaking as fast as he could. 'In the wars to come, the crown will need Ironwood to fight it's enemies on land and sea. The Iron Throne will benefit tremendously of Ironwood was plenty.'
The Grand Juror leaned forward on his desk. 'That all sounds well and good Rodrick but your house is done. Finished. What assurance does the Iron Bank have? How can you guarantee we will get our gold back.'
(if: $passion >= 3)[
'My Lord if you know anything about House Forrester, you will know that we will never fade. We are as resilient as the woods we tend to.'
'Rodrick spare us the theatrics please.'
'When King's Landing's fleets are in disrepair. When they're chariots are falling. They will know who was to blame,' said Rodrick locking his gaze with the Grand Juror.
The juror considered Rodrick for a moment. Next moment he picked up his quill.
'Very well Lord Forrester. I'm far from convinced. But we will give take this chance.' He signed a parchment with the seal of the Iron Bank and handed it back to Rodrick.
[[Risks Well Taken]]
]
(if: $passion < 3)[
'My Lord the growth of Ironwood is one of great skill. That knowledge resides with House Forrester alone. With this knowledge we will return to wealth and power.'
'That's bullshit Rodrick and you know it.'
'My lord - I ...'
'Your petition is rejected Rodrick.'
The door behind Rodrick swung open ominously.
[[All Out Of Time]]
]