Seff returned from the stables to the yard and saw that the girl from the mummer's troupe was still watching. The girl had been carrying supplies from the castle to the troupe's wagon but had stopped to watch the fighting and never left.Earlier Seff had been drilling with Daeron, Ser Roger, Ser Malcolm, and Ser Bohemund. When Daeron and Malcolm had gone to the council meeting Malcolm had told Seff to see to his horse and that he was then free to do what he wished until further notice. Now only Roger and Bohemund remained. Roger had moved a wooden target into the yard and Bohemund was carrying several throwing axes from the armory.
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ReplyDeleteIt felt good to spar, though Ser Roger was a bit concerned with Daeron's performance. Daeron seemed to have trouble keeping his ground during practice (and Ser Roger was being easy on him). Ser Roger pondered how Daeron might perform during live combat, while moving the target into place.
ReplyDeleteSer Roger
So, Ser Bohemund, is this where you wanted it?
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ooc: What might Ser Roger be noticing in the vicinity?
Awareness roll (12)
Roger notices a girl from the mummer's troupe watching the fighting in the yard, Seff Storm returning from the stable, guards along the wall and the tower, and the mummer's troupe loading up its wagon near the gate.
ReplyDeleteRoger is also starting to ache a bit from practice himself. Though he got the last and decisive blow, Daeron got the first five. Smaller blows to be sure, but starting to ache nonetheless.
Seff returned from the stables with his dog, Yawn. Seff had left Yawn tied up near the stables while the men were fighting. Yawn was no warrior, but he got too excited when the men fought. The last thing anyone needed was a broken ankle from tripping over a hyperactive dog while drilling.
ReplyDeleteSeff stopped by the girl, picked a stick off the ground, and threw it for Yawn. He looked at the girl. "It's considered rude to stare. I know I'm pretty to look at, but I get a little bit shy when a girl stares at us so intently while we practice."
"That's fine, Ser Roger." Ser Bohemund let out a belly laugh in anticipation of a joke he was about to tell. "Perhaps next time I need something carried I'll just come to you instead of loading up one of the mules."
ReplyDeleteSer Bohemund handed Roger three iron hatchets. "Now lets have a go at that target. Care to make it interesting?"
"Seff, you interested?" Bohemund laughed again, "how about you, girl? Ever juggled hatchets before? I think the Ironborn's mummers do that trick."
Ser Roger laughed at Ser Bohemund's joke. Roger was not one to feel awkward about his size. He had learned long ago that his massive size was one of his best assets. If it meant carrying around heavy things, then so be it.
ReplyDelete"Ah, but you must have forgotten how horrific a marksman I am," Said Ser Roger to Ser Behemund. "I'm not one to place a bet, unless I at least have a chance of winning. I don't much like throwing away money."
Ser Roger takes the three hatchets and lobs one toward the target.
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ooc: Marksmanship Roll (6)
Lara can't help the mischevious smile that comes to her face as she turns to Seff.
ReplyDelete"Sorry, didn't mean to make you nervous, just was fascinated watching the big one," she gestures distractedly toward Ser Roger, "try to hit the little one," she gestures vaguely toward the main castle where Dearon disappeared into.
Lara clears her throat, and talks louder, using her stage voice. "But I guess Ser Roger is not used to those pesky moving targets." Lara bends over and lays her head on a box, as if it were a chopping block. She rolls her head to the side, exposing the skin of her neck.
Lara jumps up and pantomines readying a heavy sword. She imitates Ser Roger's heavy baritone as best she can. "Hey you, stop squirming!"
She quickly lays her head back on the box. She rolls her eyes up to meet eye contact with her imaginary executioner, "Sorry, ser Roger." (Performance Roll 16)
She flashes a smile back at the squire before turning her attention to Ser Bohenmund and Ser Roger back in the courtyard.
"Juggling hatchets? Hmm... can't say I've ever had the pleasure, though I'm sure I can get one to travel in a generally more Westerly direction than your friend's last throw. How interesting were you hoping to make it?"
Roger turns to look at the girl as she mimics an execution at the hands of Ser Roger. He stiffens to the mention of moving targets on the chopping block, but finds the little lady's performance entertaining.
ReplyDelete"Trust me, the blow is much less painless when they don't squirm," Ser Roger states matter-of-factly.
Ser Roger makes his way toward the girl and hands her the two remaining axes in his hand. "Here you go," Roger remarks, "Just don't hurt yourself with those."
Roger steps away to get a better view of this friendly competition.
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ooc: btw, who is Seff? How well do I know this invidual?
ooc: I added Seff's info to the character concept thread. Check it out here. He's Malcolm's squire.
ReplyDelete"Such concern, for both me, and your 'clients.'" She takes the axes, from Ser Roger, feeling suddenly ill at ease, despite her self-assured posturing. Ser Roger is all that much bigger looking up close. She turns to look at the target and then turns back to Ser Roger.
ReplyDelete"Hurts less? I imagine the scream less when you take it off in one blow. But, how would you know? First hand accounts?" Lara gathers the two axes into one hand and pantomimes picking up a severed head. She holds it up to her face as if inspecting it.
"How would you rate the service I provided?" She again mimics Ser Roger's impressive booming voice.
Roger's 7'6" body rocks with a deep guffaw.
ReplyDelete"I have yet to receive a rating less than 10 out of 10," Roger joked with the stranger, "That is, from the 'clients' that don't squirm."
Roger's axe barely catches the outmost edge of the target. The force behind the throw is enough that it doesn't stick, but splinters the wood off the edge and then somersaults to the ground beyond.
ReplyDeleteSer Bohemund burst out laughing at Lara's mimicry of Ser Roger, as did all the garrison within earshot along the walls and in the yard, and the stablehand.
"You've got a wicked tongue, lass," said Bohemund, "but to wager for true at hatchets with a knight you'd best have a wicked wrist as well." He grows suddenly more serious, seemingly unsure how to proceed given how the situation has developed. Would he, a sworn sword, be a silly fool to wager at hatchets with a a young girl, a performer no less? "The bet is 5 stags. Best of 3."
"I've got 1 on the girl," shouts out the stableboy.
"I'll take that bet. The man's got 'axe' in his bloody surname," shouts back one of the guards on the wall.
Suddenly the yard is humming with bets and speculation and people are gathering around to watch.
ooc: Markmanship (Thrown) applies with no penalities/bonuses?
ReplyDeleteCorrect.
ReplyDeleteThe gathering crowd, the clamoring, all makes Lara feel the same giddy thrill of fear she feels before every performance.
ReplyDelete"5 stags?" She seems to be weighing the gravity of it, subtlely mimicking Bohemund's own. "Done."
"Shall I?" Lara asks, gesturing with a flourish toward the target. Bohemund nods in assent. Lara turns to the target.
Only now, her back to the gathering crowd, the unfamiliar weight of the axe in her hand, does she let the mischevious smile drop from her face.
I think I'm going to be sick.
She rears back and lets the axe fly.
(Markmanship Test = 16)
The axe spins through the air and embeds itself in the 1st ring outside the bullseye.
ReplyDeleteBohemund's face turns grim. He's too tense when he makes the throw and his first axe lands squarely in the outermost ring. (9)
The crowd begins to murmur. Bohemund doesn't say a word.
Ser Roger chuckled.
ReplyDelete"Well, I'm glad I didn't take that bet. How are you feeling about it Ser Bohemund?" Roger asked, poking fun at Bohemund's current misfortune.
Lara feels relief flow through her body, bouyed by the sudden hope that perhaps she isn't out of her depth.
ReplyDelete"Beginner's luck," she shrugs, "and perhaps performance anxiety?" She flashes her grin again at the scowling Bohemund.
She scans the crowd for her troupe, especially the stern face of Niccolo Grissio. Some part of her feels it desperately important that he sees this.
This time when she faces the target, it's with a cool sense of calm. The feel of the axe's worn handle feels more familiar. The release feels smooth and true.
(Markmanship test = 18)
The axe lands in the first ring again, even closer to the bullseye. Niccolo cheers and many in the crowd clap as well.
ReplyDeleteBohemund takes a deep breath and lobs another axe. His buries itself in the first ring also. (16)
The guards cheer for Bohemund as he finds the mark this time.
"I seem to have run out of axes," Lara notes, spreading her hands out to reveal that they are indeed axe-free.
ReplyDeleteBohemund hands her another axe. Her eyes scanned the crowd, finally seeing Niccolo. His elderly eyes squint with pleasure.
Always save your best for the third act. He taught. Well here goes nothing.
She throws her final axe. (13)
Lara scowls as she releases it. She involuntarily bites her lip. So much for that advice. Her smile is back on her face before she turns back to Bohemund.
"Your turn..."
The axe lands in the second ring, still a good throw and better than Bohemund's first.
ReplyDeleteBohemund lets fly his final axe and it lands in the first ring again. (16)
"Well that's two in the first, and one in the third for me, and two in the first and one in the second for you, miss. It appears you've bested me."
One of the guards on the wall started to chuckle. "Well perhaps I should give her a crossbow and put her up on the wall in your place, Rod, and have you come down here and dance for me," Bohemund shouts at him. He pulls out five stags and hands them to Lara. "Lets havea round of applause for the victor, quite a performance I must say."
Lara bows, and remembering Niccolo's advice on exits quickly disappears into the crowd.
ReplyDeleteShe finds Niccolo sitting on the front of one of the troupe wagons.
"No live targets until you can control your throws better," Niccolo says gruffly.
"I guess I'll just have to practice with the puppets," Lara laughs. Niccolo scowls, the Russios always hate it when Lara ties one of their creations to a target.
"First cut to the troupe," Lara says as she drops two stags into Niccolo's hand.
"And second cut to your opening act," Niccolo reminds her.
"The squire?" Lara asks. Niccolo just nods. She looks around the courtyard.
"That was Ser Malcolm's squire, wasn't it? The knight all the old ladies in the kitchen prattle on about? He was here a few minutes ago..."
She looks around the courtyard for the squire until she's brought back around by Niccolo's sigh.
"You know so much about these people."
"Think of it as raw material," Lara teases.
"The air here is getting stale," Niccolo sighs.
"I think the air here is quite nice, thank you," she turns, but can see sadness on Niccolo's face. She scans the crowd for the squire.
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ReplyDeleteSer Roger begins to move toward the performer, but before he gets a chance to congratulate her properly, she is gone.
ReplyDelete"Well, she made her way out of here pretty quickly with your money, Ser Bohemund," Roger remarked with a chuckle.
Seff had been watching the performance from the side, with the ground. Now that the action was over, he walked up to Ser Roger and Ser Bohemund.
ReplyDelete"Ah, performers. They wow you long enough to get access to your coin purse and then they're gone. Don't worry though, she'll be back to dazzle us some more when she feels that she needs a few more stags."
"Ay, that is something I would be willing to bet on," answered Ser Roger.
ReplyDeleteSo are we still waiting on some Seff/Lara interaction?
ReplyDeleteSer Malcolm strode out from the armory onto the practice yard, where a crowd was beginning to disperse. He saw Seff standing in the shadows near the door to the stables, playing with that overactive dog of his, Yawn. As he walked, he saw Ser Bohemund and Ser Roger returning to the armory with armloads of throwing axes. Roger was uncharacteristically grinning from ear to ear, while Bohemund was muttering about the balance of the axes being off. Malcolm nodded politely to them both, then walked over to Seff.
ReplyDelete"Good news, lad!" Ser Malcolm opened in greeting, grasping Seff's shoulder to get his attention, "Master Daeron has need of your talents," he continued more quietly, "It appears a priest of the Drowned God has taken up residence on the shores near town, and is drawing quite a crowd. Has the Septon all in an uproar, he does. I think it'd be good to know what he's about, and what the locals have to say of him before we take any actions. How 'bout it, can you manage to make his sermon this afternoon?"
Lara leaned against a troupe wagon. She danced a silver stag across her knuckles, practicing coins tricks (8 - as if it matters). She watched Ser Malcolm come out and greet Seff, but couldn't hear the rest of their conversation.
ReplyDelete"Hey, Peg!" Lara stopped one of the running red-headed troupe children. "A half-penny for you if you figure out where the squire is headed."
The little red-headed boy looks over at the squire with very little interest. He crossed his arms and frowned. "Half-penny?"
Lara rolled her eyes, actors. "Fine, a penny."
Seff spoke in the same quiet tone as Ser Malcolm.
ReplyDelete"The Septon is often in an uproar. We'll see if he has good reason. I assume that I should be discrete and not let on that we have the priest under our watch. It's been a while since I've attended a sermon." Seff smirked.
"Is there anything else I should keep a look out for?"
"Keep it nice and quiet like usual. Focus on the priest and the crowd about him. I trust you can look the part of a penitent soul.
ReplyDelete"Be aware, we may have trouble brewing with Ironborn up the coast toward Seagard, but Riker and his lot just left to look after that. I expect its all nothing, but you can never be too careful." Ser Malcolm smiled before adding, "Of course, you'll have to walk through the port district on the way. If you see any of those brazen lasses, be sure to give them a wink for me. It seems to work better when you do it."
While returning to grab the wooden target, Roger saw Ser Malcolm had arrived from the council meeting. Rather than fetching the target Ser Roger made his way over to the man and his squire .
ReplyDelete"How is dear master Daeron doing after I plopped him into the mud?" asked Ser Roger. "I pray he made it to the council meeting in time."
"Is all well with House Castriati this fine day?" Ser Roger asked, giving little time for Ser Malcolm to answer the initial question.
Ser Malcolm turned abruptly from his conversation with Seff when the shadow of Ser Roger blotted out the sun that had been bearing down on him. He turned back to Seff to make sure he understood his task, and satisfied he nodded and said, “Off you go, then.”
ReplyDeleteTurning back to face, or at least face in the direction of, Ser Roger, Malcolm said, “_Master_ Daeron was remarkably timely for a boy who spent him morning poking bears with sticks. I think he’s retired to the tower to stare at the sea again.”
Ser Malcolm lowers his voice so that they can retain some semblance of privacy, saying, “Like all meetings of the council, a lot of worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. Maester Aldrik says that the boy’s father is still quite ill, and hopes to send men to collect berries and leaves for some miracle cure. I swear, Ser Roger, if that’s what we’re left with, it’s grim news indeed. Septon Ravel is worried about this and that in town, but I don’t think it’ll amount to much. Oh, and Maester Aldrik received Mallister birds that have him flustered. Ironborn longship off the coast up north went missing. Even if they’ve beached the ship, doesn’t sound like much – I remember when their sails coated the horizon, and I’m still here. Keep it to yourself, of course, no need upsetting the smallfolk and the maids are less pliable when they’re frightened, I’ve found. We’ll know soon enough if there’s anything to worry about. I wish Lord Castriati would hurry back and take Tidehall off my shoulders, that’s for sure.”
Thinking back a few minutes earlier, he added, “What had you grinning like a blind man in a harem, and Ser Bohemund cursing like he dropped one of those axes on his foot?”
As Seff and Malcolm are talking, Seff notices one of the troupe children has wandered over nearby. Though he appeared to be just playing at first, he's clearly trying to eavesdrop. Seff's Awareness (18) vs. Peg's Stealth (8)
ReplyDelete"Ser Bohemund decided he wanted to make a few stags by betting on his ability to hit his mark with an axe. I refused to take part, but a mummer girl took him up on his challenge and quickly left 5 stags richer," chuckled Roger.
ReplyDeleteTurning serious, Roger acknowledged Malcolm's desire to see Lord Castriati return. "Any need for a Lord's Justice come up in that meeting of yours?" Roger inquired. Lowering his voice, "Is it possible that I may see some Ironborn on my block soon?
Ser Malcolm always found the gleam in Ser Roger's eyes when he spoke of his duty a bit unnerving.
ReplyDelete"None yet, but we will see. I'd be more concerned about ones that aren't bound and crying."
Slightly disappointed, Ser Roger clapped Malcolm on the shoulder and complained, "Well, do you have anything I can help you with? I'm getting a bit tired of carrying around targets for Ser Bohemund and I can only brush my stots so many times in a day."
ReplyDeleteSer Malcolm hoped that he meant his steed, but couldn't help but smile wryly.
ReplyDelete"Ser Roger, you have leisure today, friend! Take full advantage of it. Don't you have a girl in town? I, unfortunately, am duty-bound to sit here behind the wall like a woman, waiting for word from up north which, invariably, will amount to nothing. But I'm afraid I shouldn't venture too far until we've heard more, not while Tidehall is in my hands. I was thinking I'd see what the cooks are preparing for the evening meal. I can't claim adventure, but you're welcome to join me of course."
Seff sees the child eavesdropping, but he figures that the child couldn't have heard any of Seff and Ser Malcolm's quiet conversation. He figures that he'll just try to lose the child for now and deal with him later if necessary.
ReplyDeleteSeff wraps his cloak around his body and attempts to blend into the crowd as he starts making his way to the shore. (Stealth = 10)
Once he is a small ways from the practice yard, Seff looks around him to make sure that the boy hasn't followed. (Awareness= 15)
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ReplyDeleteThe town is right outside the castle.
ReplyDeletePeg reports back to Lara. "I heard every word," he brags. "A priest drowned at the shore, he was carrying a chest of gold that got buried in the sand. The squire is meeting the Septon at the shore to dig it up!"
ReplyDeleteooc: rewind
ReplyDelete----------------------------------------------------------
"Perhaps I will make my way into town," Ser Roger decided. "Might I pick anything up for you while I'm in town?" He asked of Malcolm.
Roger adjusted his great sword and made his way into town.
"Uh-huh." Lara couldn't decide whether to be bemused or annoyed. For the moment she settled on stunned.
ReplyDelete"You'll make a fine spy someday," Lara pushed a half-penny into Pegs palm.
"HEY!" Peg said noticing the coin in his palm.
Lara produced the other half penny, showed it to Peg. She got down on one knee so she was face to face with Peg.
"The other half, if you get this question right, sept or beach?"
"beach!" Peg shouted as he grabbed at the coin (Fighting 5).
ReplyDelete"Uh, uh, uh..." Lara stood up pulling the coin back. Opening her hands, she revealed nothing but empty palms (slight-o-hand 16).
ReplyDelete"When I get back, if you are right." Lara started to run toward her carriage, she turns back toward Peg. "And feed my dog!"
She jumps up on the back of her carriage, ignores the sudden shocked barks of her startled dog, grabs her backpack of performance equipment (Knive's, outfit, makeup), and starts running toward the seashore.
Ser Malcolm waved to Roger as he departed, then went about his usual business in the castle, waiting for news from either Seff or Riker.
ReplyDelete--------------
ooc: holding pattern activities - I'm sure the castellan has a variety of things he can attend to that need doing.
As Roger was moving to leave the castle, the portcullis was suddenly raised up. "Make way for Lady Ayala!" shouted the gatekeeper.
ReplyDeleteSeconds later Lady Ayala rode through the gate at a fast pace, she barely acknowledged Roger, riding so close past him that she barely avoided him and kicked dirt up onto him. Right behind her rode a young knight wearing a cloak of blue, his shield a field of blue emblazoned with a gold heron eating a fish.
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ReplyDeleteAs Ser Malcolm opened the door to the armory to return inside, he heard a clamor behind him in the yard. Lady Ayala had entered the castle and was trotting quickly through the yard, followed by a young man.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm turned and ducked his head in a bow.
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ooc: passive awareness to notice them entering (12? dunno if notice ranks increase passive awareness, but I figured that was enough either way)
knowledge check for recognition of the knight or the coat of arms? (6,3 = 9)
The knight is Ser Rymon of Runningbrook, sworn sword to Lord Brook, Lady Ayala's father, newly annointed after fostering at Runningbrook and serving as a squire to Lord Brook's youngest son.
ReplyDeleteSer Malcolm strode forward in greeting.
ReplyDelete"Welcome home, dear Lady. We were not expecting you back at this hour, or we would have rode out in escort. My deepest apologies."
Turning, he added, "Ser Rymon, I presume? I am Ser Malcolm Fendry, as of late Castellan of Tidehall. Thank you for seeing our Lady safely here. How may Tidehall be at your service?"
Ser Malcolm whistled for Bryn the stablehand, "Come lad, see to their horses!"
"Do not trouble yourself on my account, Ser Malcolm. I need no escort to my own castle. I'm sure you have duties to attend to in my husband's absence, Ser Rymon will be more than adequate to see to my needs."
ReplyDeleteSer Malcolm, nodded, "With your leave, Lady. Ser Rymon," and went about his duties.
ReplyDeleteAfter delivering his charge back to Tidehall, Roger finds himself alone in the yard,or so he thought. He catches sight of two men talking by the stables. He can't make out what they are saying or who they are in the dark, but before he can get a better idea of what is going on, one has saddled up and is beginning to ride for the gate.
ReplyDeleteRoger walks to the stables and calls out to the man still standing there, straining to make out the figure. "Where is he headed to in this darkness? Everyone seems to be so busy this evening."
ReplyDelete----------------------------------------------------------
ooc: Awareness= 14
Ser Roger's keen ears hear a woman's voice giggle from inside the stables and say, "come back here." The man turns, startled, as Roger calls out. He shushes her then coughs, trying to mask his action. Roger can make out the figure of Ser Rymon as he approaches. "Ser Roger, what are you doing out in the yard so late? I had to send my squire back to Runningbrook unexpectedly. A messenger came from there."
ReplyDelete"Ah, Ser Rymon," replies Roger, "Nothing but good news I hope."
ReplyDelete"And what brings you to House Castriati today?" asks Roger as he points toward the stable with a large smile plastered to his face. "I think I already know what's keeping you here."
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ooc: Awareness (Empathy)toward Rymon: 13
Awareness toward the stable: 16
"Lady Castriati's father sent me with messages from her family." He stops at that and stares at Roger expectantly. The stable has gone silent. Roger gets the sense that Rymon is telling the truth, but offering as little detail as possible and trying not to reveal any information.
ReplyDeleteSer Roger gives him a wry smile.
ReplyDelete"Well, enjoy yourself this evening and let me know if I can be of any assistance," Roger says jokingly with a low laugh and a slap to Rymon's shoulder, nearly knocking the knight off balance.
Roger turns on his heal, and remembering Ser Malcolm's directions, heads to Maester Aldrik's chambers, which appeared to still be lit with candle light.
Roger keeps his ears perked as he walks off, still curious as to who Ser Rymon has found within these walls to bed.
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ooc: Listening in hopes of recognizing the woman's voice/laugh or hearing Rymon whisper a name. Awareness: 16
The stable has gone quiet as Roger moves closer, and he is unable to catch any hint as to the identity of the secret occupant without prying further. He makes his way up to Maester Aldrik's chambers in the tower. A heavy oak door stands at the entrance.
ReplyDeleteSer Roger gives a heavy knock on the door, "Maester Aldrik, its Roger, I have need to speak with you on direction from Ser Malcolm."
ReplyDeleteMaester Aldrik's steward opens the door and admits Roger. The quarters are musty and full of books. Aldrik sits at a desk by a window, still writing ledgers by candlelight.
ReplyDelete"Ser Roger, come in have a seat. Reese, fetch some wine for Ser Roger." He proceeds, "Malcolm has left to ride north and investigate the ironborn ship. The Fog have not returned yet, nor has Lord Gilder. I am concerned that something is afoot. I asked him to bring Daeron back to the castle. I believe he named Ser Bohemund as castellan. I don't recall any specific instructions for you. So you may do as you wish, though be wary, I have a feeling that something is wrong."
The halls are empty and quiet as Daeron walks through Tidehall. The guards at his father's rooms nodded at him as he passed. There were no guards around Lord Gilder's rooms, presumably due to his absence, but strangely none around Lady Castriati's rooms either. The kitchen may still be busy, and Maester Aldrik is usually up late.
ReplyDeleteRoger finds a seat, but takes time to pick up and move the manuscripts strewn upon it before resting his legs.
ReplyDelete"Daeron is back, safe behind our walls," Roger replied, wondering why Ser Malcolm had sent him to speak with the Maester if he was unneeded. "I spoke with Ser Rymon in the yard and he mentioned the delivery of some messages. What news is there from House Brook?"
Seeing Reese return with the wine, Ser takes the glass with a hearty thank you and a deep swig, "You always have the best wine, Maester Aldrick. I dare say, even better than Lord Castriati's private store."
"Speaking of Lord Castriati, have you seen his Lady about today? How is she taking this late arrival of her husband?" Ser Roger takes another deep draught from his wine.
"I am aware of no news from House Brook. It must have been a rider for Ser Rymon personally, no raven has come. As for Lady Castriati, I sent a message to her as to what is happening but have received no word back from her. She keeps to herself, as always, and I try to avoid her as much as possible. I would guess she thinks as little about her husband as he does of her."
ReplyDelete"hmmm. I was speaking of the messages brought by Ser Rymon. Perhaps they were for our Lady's eyes alone, if you have not seen them," Roger spoke thoughtfully.
ReplyDelete"You have been within these walls much longer than I. How is it that Lord Castriati came to find himself married to our fair Lady from House Brook?" Ser Roger asked. "There appears to be no love between the two."
Tidehall yard glowed orange under the illumination of torch light and cooking fires. The troupes' wagons had been pulled into a circle, the same formation as if they were spending the night in the open field.
ReplyDeleteAt the center of the circle was a smoldering fire. There an elderly woman stirred a pot. The women's hair had once been red but was now streaked with grey and pulled up into a messy ponytail.
"Silvia?" Lara kept her distance from the fire.
"Lara," the woman replied warmly. "Stay out of trouble?"
Lara just shrugged. "Have you seen Niccolo?"
Silvia gestured up toward the dark windows overlooking the courtyard. "They wanted someone to read stories to the sick lord."
Lara followed her gaze. Silvia Russio gestured over toward Lara's carriage. "Peg, however, has been waiting all day for you."
Lara's dog, a long grey haired mutt, was the first to notice her approach. He was laying on the edge of the wagon bed staring out. He looked up at her pitifully from the center of a swarm of playing children, clearly exhausted and exasperated by their boundless energy. Next to him sat Peg, who occasionaly scratched the back of the dog's neck, right behind his ears.
"Did you feed him?" Lara asked.
Peg looked up at Lara, sticking out his bottom lip resentfully. His expression changed instantly as Lara produced the other half penny.
"So you found him!" Peg cried as she flipped the half penny over to him. He tried to catch at it, but it fell from his hand. He jumped down and grabbed it triumphantly from the mud.
"It was just like you said, Peg," Lara leaned down conspiratorially, which made the other nearby children instantly interested. "When I got to the beach the priest and the squire were already digging, but the treasure, wasn't just any ol' ordinary buried treasure. It was pirate buried treasure." Lara gave Peg a knowing look.
Peg's eyes went wide, he just nodded silently. The other children had fallen quiet.
"And not just ordinary old human pirates, either. These were fishmen, with gills," She ran her fingertips along the sides of her neck illustratively, "bald, and with big teeth. They had woven wigs out of dead sailor's clothes, and wore bandanas to hide their teeth and gills, so they could pass for human. The three of us were digging up the treasure when they came at us, rising up out of the sea. The Septon, he was swinging his shovel, trying to keep them at bay..."
Daeron wasn't particularly hungry, yet he still found himself in the kitchen. The cook's family and a couple other servants were hard at work preparing for the next day. Seeing them pleasantly reminded Daeron of his time aboard the Water Lily; he smiled in greeting to everyone when he entered, then nodded his head towards the apple barrel in the corner. When the cook glared at him, shaking her head and shooing him away, Daeron shrugged and began to turn away; he then heard some giggling by the barrel and looked over just in time to see the apple flying towards him. Catching it with a flourish, Daeron broke into a wide grin, then blew a kiss to the daughter who threw him the apple, causing her to blush, her sisters to glare at her, and the cook to shout, "Out now! And stay out unless you're to help! And the rest of you back to work!", which in turn caused some hearty chuckles from the men (who were wise enough not to stop working). Biting into his apple as he made his retreat, Daeron began heading towards an exit to view the night sky and breath the fresh sea air, whistling a bawdy Braavosi chanty as he walked.
ReplyDeleteAs Daeron exited the kitchen and moved into the yard, a flustered Lady Castriati ran into him and knocked the apple out of his hand and to the ground as she rushed by toward the keep. She stopped momentarily, "Oh! Pardon me, Daeron, I didn't see you there." She quickly turned and hurries inside the keep.
ReplyDeleteOutside, the troupe's wagons and the fire within provided the most activity and noise, with guards along the walls and towers the only others out.
Daeron did see a man near the stables who, by torchlight at least, appeared to be in his early 30s. Daeron didn't recognize him and he wore a tabard that appeared to bear heraldic colors which he also didn't recognize. He was speaking to four guards right outside the stables.
At the troupe wagons, the children were listening intently to Lara's story. One of the children, a small girl, looked worried and scared. "Did the Septon beat them all? What do we do if the fish pirates come here?"
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ooc: feel free to intervene in any part of that.
Aldrik said to Roger. "It was a few years before you came. House Brook is a powerful neighboring house, and the marriage would have made a strong alliance. Ayala was pregnant soon after the wedding, but the child was stillborn. The next one too. After that, they started sleeping in separate quarters. Seems like they like to antagonize each other more than spend time together since then."
ReplyDelete"By your tone," Ser Roger remarked, "I take it we have not developed a strong alliance with House Brook. And I'm sure my knighting by Lord Castriati in the Brook dungeons did not help the situation."
ReplyDeleteA spark ignites as Roger finally begins to realize why Lady Castriati disdains Roger's presence within these walls.
Lara couldn't help but smile down at the little Andrea Grissio staring up at her earnestly.
ReplyDelete"Don't worry - I think they only eat children who stay up too late."
Andrea's eye's grew several sizes larger. Lara quickly continued.
"Luckily I was there to save them, so things were alright. Until of course we got to their underwater cave..."
Andrea couldn't help herself. "But what if you aren't here?!"
"Well," Lara looked up at the night sky, "I think we'll all be safe here. No fish pirate is going to be foolish enough to mess with my troupe - especially not with the whole host of Tidehall..." Lara looked up and gestured dramatically at the walls rising around them, but fell silent as she noticed the young lord Daeron looking at her from the center of the courtyard. She couldn't tell how long he had been there, or if he had been paying anymore than passing attention, but the sudden appearance of royalty - no matter how commonplace in Tidehall - still had the power to rattle Lara's nerves.
"...um... the whole host of Tidehall protecting us." Lara stumbled and recovered in a markedly quieter voice. "Did I mention the pirate's underwater lair?"
Daeron picked up his apple and examined it. No, he could not salvage this early evening snack. He started to sigh, but then remembered Wesley, and began heading towards the stables, his smile returned to his lips and a spring to his stride.
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