A Game of Thrones - Defenders of the Vale

[Bleak Knight]

Jasper

“Ser Rycen, welcome back”. Jasper wasn't certain whether he remembered the man or not, but he smiled and greeted him nevertheless. “You should dine with me and my brothers tonight, and tell me what you have seen while campaigning with Father. Lady Opel and the girls will be interested too, I am certain”. Once more, he cursed himself for almost forgetting about Father's new wife. 'Of course she'll be anxious to hear news of him'. It wasn't that he disliked her, it was just hard to think of her as a member of the family. She was still an alien. Hopefully, Father's return would change that. “You must excuse me for now though, I have to talk to my brother, and see to the new maester”.

Creighton wasn't practicing. That however, didn't come as a surprise to Jasper. Creighton wasn't fond of swords, or combat, or any other martial pursuits for that matter. Ever since he was a kid, Jasper had tried to help Creighton along, giving him advice, assistance and every bit of support he could muster to make him the pride of his father. There had been bad incidents. He still remembered the time when he had shamefully thrashed his poor brother in the yard, venting years of frustration at his incompetence – and his own failure as a tutor – on him.

However, that was long ago, and though the memory remained, he hoped Creighton had forgiven him. Still, Jasper got a feeling of failure whenever he watched Creighton practicing. 'What will father think?' That thought had been with him often, but Creighton had many other good qualities. Still, if he could only learn to grasp the sword properly, things would be so much better.

Coming up to his brother, he clapped him comradely on the shoulder, and smiled. “So, how goes the training, brother? Slacking again?” He immediately knew he had chosen the wrong words. He raised his voice slightly, so that everyone in the vicinity could hear him. “I just received news from Ser Rycen McFaddyn, one of the men who just came riding in. Father will be home tomorrow”. He gave him some time to think that through, before continuing. “I'm going to go see the new maester. He seemed quite the giant for being a scholar, don't you think? I think Mycha is there too. Come, join me, and let's see what villainy they are up to”. The last was a jape, but still, that girl was somewhat unnerving.

 

[dave_o]

Rhin Snow, the yard

When Ser Rycen is introduced, the Braavosi gives a small, close-eyed nod. Another Westerosi, perhaps this one will know the meaning of swordplay. He looks Ser Rycen up and down, noting the armor, the blades -- the standard cut-out knight of Westeros. Crossing his arms, Rhin then turns his gaze to regard Jasper and Creighton leaving the yard. Those two, cut out for ruling. I bet I could do that, as well. The skill of a water dancer is not limited to his sword. Rhin allows himself a small, pert smile.

His gaze slides back to Ser Rycen. Rhin gives a small bow, this time, his black hair tumbling forward off his shoulders, only for Rhin to shake it back again. "Dragonstone, yes? The Braavosi let the word hang in the air, weighing it. Dragonstone is not so impressive as Braavos, but still, I wonder what he may have learned there. Holding his hand open, palm up, Rhin gestures to the knight. "If you are not too tavel worn, of course, do you fancy a spar?"

 

[WargamerX]

The Maester's Study

Mycha rifles through the old books and papers and happens upon a very old book which appears to be a stained, leather bound book with rotted and dogeared pages. The writing is smudged in many places and there are holes in some of the pages where insects and mice have eaten away at it. It's cover reads "A History of the Redforts and a lineage of the Clan". Which seems odd for the term 'Clan' isn't normally used when referring to a Noble House.

Fascinating. Knowing that Brandon will be away delivering the message the raven brought and seeing as how the book has not had much love recently, Mycha decides to take the book with her when she returns to her room. She has some substances that may restore some of the pages & leather cover and prevent further wear on the book. Better yet, she could copy the book as practice; both learning more of this new house and creating a present for her new father on his return from the war. Maybe, she could ask Melyssa if she would stitch the Redfort Arms on a leather cover?

Inwardly pleased, the girl finishes neatning the Maester's study and returns to her room to begin work on this new project.

 

[Tyrmatfrage]

Melyssa

Melyssa walked the stone corridoors of Redfort, head bowed deep in thought.

Her conversation with Lady Opel earlier in the day had unnerved her. Melyssa had always been keenly proud of her powers of observation and intuitive understanding of other people (she had once said to Maester Brandon that it must come from her Andal heritage, and he had replied only with booming laughter), but today they had failed her. Lady Opel was opaque to her. She did not know what to make of it.

Her attempts to find out more about the Dornishwoman by talking to her household staff had resulted in even more befuddlement. What kind of hold did her lord father have over Lady Opel? And what difficulties had been faced after the consummation of the marriage? (Melyssa had only vague ideas of what exactly 'consummation' entailed - the general idea she had was that it was something silly only grown ups indulged in) It was a mystery, and Melyssa hated mysteries - she would not rest until it was put to an end.

She thought briefly of asking Mycha about it... but the very thought left her uncomfortable and she quickly put it away. No, Mycha would not be of help, not in this. Instead, perhaps she could ask...

And suddenly she realized she was standing in front of the door to Maester Brandon's study. Of course. Who knew more than a Maester, after all?

She quietly opened the door and slipped into the room. The maester was busy at his desk.

"Maester Brandon!" she declared, making the giant man jerk in surprise. Why were adults always so unobservant? "Lady Opel has invited me to go hawking with her. What can you tell me about hawking, and what can you tell me about her?"

OOC: Heh, didn't realize there were so many people converging on Maester Brandon. Must be getting crowded in there...

 

[Khairn]

Although he was happy to see Jasper, his older brothers words stung sharply and brought blood to his cheeks and made him lower his head in an attempt to hide his shame.

Taking a few steps back away from his brothers grasp, Creighton kept his eyes lowered and listened to what was being said. He was glad that his father was coming home but dreaded it at the same time. Father would want to know how he had progressed with his lessons and his training. Neither of which had gone well at all. They were all boring, and took up far too much time in Creighton's opinion.

But the news of a new Maester piqued his curiosity, especially one that others claimed was a giant.

 

[Munin]

Rycen

It had been a long, dusty ride, but one made that much easier by the gentle amble of the old palfrey. Giving her a well-deserved scratch behind the ear, he surrendered his last apple before turning his attention to the waiting stableboys. Giver 'er an extra spot of oats, she's earned it, and I'll make sure the cooks treat you right come supper.

Crossing the yard, Rycen spotted the familiar face of captain Costen among the company of several young men, most of whom he recognized only by association. He nodded to the captain before turning his attention to the others.

“Ser Rycen, welcome back”. Jasper wasn't certain whether he remembered the man or not, but he smiled and greeted him nevertheless. “You should dine with me and my brothers tonight, and tell me what you have seen while campaigning with Father. Lady Opel and the girls will be interested too, I am certain”.

Rycen gaped. He could never work his mind around the intricacies of the highborn; Lord this, Ser that, for the life of him he could never quite figure out who was called by what title. Even now the he was a Ser, it still baffled him. Uh...yes..Uh..Lord Redfort...I would be pleased to dine with you and your kin. I'm not sure if the dinner table is the place for battle-stories, and besides, most of my time was spent with Lord Tully's men under the Blackwood banner, but I suppose it wou... he realized he was rambling and abruptly stopped. Yes, dinner would be fine, thank you.

He didn't know if if was pity or curiosity that moved the Braavosi to interrupt and offer to spar, but he silently thanked the man nonetheless. Dragonstone, yes. But if you've seen one heap of rocks, you've seen them all, I say. I'm not too tired at all, the palfrey was kind enough to do all the walking today. If you'll lead the way then.

 

[dave_o]

Rhin Snow, the yard

The Braavosi nods, once again, and takes a few steps away from the knight. Amiable enough. Reaching down with a slender hand, Rhin holds his blade straight forward, before tapping three fingers in succession -- one, two, three, on the edge just above the pommel. He offers a small smile.

"When you are ready, yes?" Rhin holds his blade aloft in an overhand stance, keeping his left hand behind him, curled slightly. He raises on his toes almost imperceptably.

OOC: Setting Rycen as my Dodge. No Combat Expertise for now, and I'm not totally sure how Parry works.

 

[Munin]

Rycen

Rycen watches Rhin assume his fighting stance with unmasked curiosity; he'd never before encountered such a peculiar ritual. He looks more apt to fall over than to fight.

He unslings an old pine shield, so full of scrapes and gouges that heraldry has long since been erased. He draws his sword, adopting a relaxed, almost casual stance. Aye, I'm ready. Not sure if I'm fightin' or dancin', but my sister says I'm equally bad at both, so I suppose it don't matter anyhow, he says with a wry smile.

 

[Ibram Gaunt]

Rhin immediately leaps to the attack with no warning jabbing quickly to the right in an attempt to get around Rycen's battered shield but Rycen is too quick twisting around to his own right and slamming the the shiny tip of Rhin's blade away.

Rycen slashes low in a counter-swing but with a deft nimbleness Rhin jumps clear of the blade and backs off a couple of steps to consider his foe.

OOC: Rhin and Rycen, actions please. Also, Rhin you can select to either dodge or parry an incoming attack that would beat your AC. Since you are in light armor you get a +2 for parrying whereas you only get a +1 from dodge. Also, when fighting someone with a shield you need to specify whethere you are trying to get past the shield or batter through it.

That makes a difference because shields either provide AC or DR depending on how the attacker chooses.

 

[Munin]

Rycen spares a quick glance down at his shield. Now why'd you have to go and put a new ding on her? After all the trouble I've gone through to keep 'er nice and painted!

Rycen again squares up against his foe, readying himself for the next strike.