(no subject)
Harriet had, of course, not intended to get into an argument about democracy when she'd walked into the kitchen. In fact, she’d only wanted to make herself a cup of coffee and some food but the kitchen was generally busy and so she’d got talking with a man named Davos who’d had similar ideas. By the time Harriet had settled down with her drink and meal the conversation had, naturally, turned to politics and in particular Davos’ opinions about the council.
He hedged at first by saying that they seemed fine men to him but some gentle pressing revealed that he felt no loyalty to them. Which Harriet found interesting enough by itself even before she learned the cause for it. The man was quick to point out that he wished to cause no trouble but further questions revealed that he would not follow any law that he did not deem just. It turned out that he still saw the world through the lens of a feudal fealty which meant, to him at least, that you had loyalty to individuals rather than governments. So he still held to the rules of the King he’d left behind him and more than that he disliked democracy as a concept.
Which was enough to make Harriet wish to change his mind even though it was clear that he did not want to have this conversation. She had nothing but respect for the Royal Family but she felt strongly that kings and warlords did not deserve true power because they spoke for no-one but themselves. Only those who were chosen by the people and so could be removed by them should be allowed to make important decisions.
She tried to explain this to Davos but it was clear that he was not open to be convinced though that did not stop her trying. He wished her well of democracy if it worked for her but made it clear that it was done differently where he came from and kings and lords had always been good enough for the Westrosi.
“I am no learned man or noble,” he had replied when she asked him if he didn’t want a say in who ruled. “What do the likes of me know of such things?”
“I am sorry but I disagree completely. After all your lords don’t automatically know such things either,” she had responded. “Surely it is better to have your leaders be those chosen for their knowledge rather than an accident of their birth?”
It was clear by his face that she had scored a point but he recovered quickly and struck back with a swiftness that told her that he was in no way as cautious as he liked to think.
“I do not claim to understand such things,” he had started, using his ignorance as a shield once again, “but even a smuggler knows that the size of a man’s purse and the strength of his army have more to do with his popularity than anything else. In truth, m’lady, I doubt your councils are full with maesters.”
“But, you see, unworthy officials can be removed from office whereas an inept or greedy aristocrat is in charge until he dies.”
“Mayhap. But if he has no support then that will not take long, by my reckoning,” Davos responded wryly.
Harriet grimaced at that, “I would hope that you would appreciate a less violent method of changing government.”
(OOC: Davos and Harriet are bickering about politics in the kitchen. Feel free to have your pup hear as much of their argument as you want and have them interrupt wherever you want. Tag one, tag the other, tag them both, just let me know.)
He hedged at first by saying that they seemed fine men to him but some gentle pressing revealed that he felt no loyalty to them. Which Harriet found interesting enough by itself even before she learned the cause for it. The man was quick to point out that he wished to cause no trouble but further questions revealed that he would not follow any law that he did not deem just. It turned out that he still saw the world through the lens of a feudal fealty which meant, to him at least, that you had loyalty to individuals rather than governments. So he still held to the rules of the King he’d left behind him and more than that he disliked democracy as a concept.
Which was enough to make Harriet wish to change his mind even though it was clear that he did not want to have this conversation. She had nothing but respect for the Royal Family but she felt strongly that kings and warlords did not deserve true power because they spoke for no-one but themselves. Only those who were chosen by the people and so could be removed by them should be allowed to make important decisions.
She tried to explain this to Davos but it was clear that he was not open to be convinced though that did not stop her trying. He wished her well of democracy if it worked for her but made it clear that it was done differently where he came from and kings and lords had always been good enough for the Westrosi.
“I am no learned man or noble,” he had replied when she asked him if he didn’t want a say in who ruled. “What do the likes of me know of such things?”
“I am sorry but I disagree completely. After all your lords don’t automatically know such things either,” she had responded. “Surely it is better to have your leaders be those chosen for their knowledge rather than an accident of their birth?”
It was clear by his face that she had scored a point but he recovered quickly and struck back with a swiftness that told her that he was in no way as cautious as he liked to think.
“I do not claim to understand such things,” he had started, using his ignorance as a shield once again, “but even a smuggler knows that the size of a man’s purse and the strength of his army have more to do with his popularity than anything else. In truth, m’lady, I doubt your councils are full with maesters.”
“But, you see, unworthy officials can be removed from office whereas an inept or greedy aristocrat is in charge until he dies.”
“Mayhap. But if he has no support then that will not take long, by my reckoning,” Davos responded wryly.
Harriet grimaced at that, “I would hope that you would appreciate a less violent method of changing government.”
(OOC: Davos and Harriet are bickering about politics in the kitchen. Feel free to have your pup hear as much of their argument as you want and have them interrupt wherever you want. Tag one, tag the other, tag them both, just let me know.)