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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 10, 2019 3:30:46 GMT 1
The vigil had become too crowded for a private conversation, so Daeron led Ser Trystane to a secluded corner.
"I must have missed your introduction and I don't believe that I saw you at the Black Tourney. Forgive my manners, who are you exactly?"
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 11, 2019 0:30:13 GMT 1
"I was not present at the tourney, Ser," Trystane explained. "I'm a more recent arrival, from Sunspear. My name is Ser Trystane Sand. It is my understanding that we are related. You are also a son of Aegon IV, yes?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 11, 2019 2:19:19 GMT 1
Daeron offers another polite bow.
"It is always an honor to meet a son of a king, Ser Trystane. Under different circumstances we would be princes rather than swords sworn to other houses. If you don't mind me asking, what brings you to the Reach? I saw you with Ser Mikel earlier. Can I assume that you are a guest of Lord Starkwood?"
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 11, 2019 17:22:08 GMT 1
"An honour to meet you too, Ser, despite the less than ideal circumstances," Trystane responded with a sympathetic nod. "And no, I don't mind you asking at all. My connection is a more familial one. My mother was a friend of Lady Allyria Starkwood, so the House has kindly offered me its hospitality while I indulge in my voyage of discovery beyond Dorne. Needed to get out and see more of the world, and I felt my new-found heritage warranted some exploring."
It was not entirely a lie, at least, though of course nobody needed to know the chief reason for Trystane's presence outside of his homeland.
"Ser Mikel invited me to the vigil just to pay respects, though he did mention that I might run into a half-sibling or two. I never met Ser Roland myself, but by all accounts I have heard, he was a good man and a fine knight. Were you close?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 12, 2019 3:32:04 GMT 1
"It seems that my family is large and ever growing. Then let me formally welcome you to Kingsbridge, brother. Should you ever grow weary of trees, swamps, and superstitious heathens then perhaps you would enjoy some time here as well."
At his mention of Ser Roland, Daeron's demeanor noticeably saddens.
"Aye. As a fellow Companion he was like a brother to me. Though I might have disagreed with his cause, I cannot deny that the man lived and died by his principles and code. He was perhaps the finest knight here at Kingsbridge, other than me of course."
His last comment seemed impish, but its unclear if it was meant in jest.
+1 Disposition to Ser Trystane for being a Great Bastard
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 12, 2019 4:00:46 GMT 1
"Then I am all the more saddened to have never met the man. Such knights are not as common as one might like. Though we can take heart that there are others like yourself to remember him and to uphold the knightly values."
Trystane offered a small but sincere smile. It occurred to him that one generally found people at their best at funerals and the like. It seemed easier to be kind in such times.
"And I have no doubt you are formidable, Ser. Ser Mikel and Ser Davos have both mentioned your name in passing as an accomplished knight. I had not heard of the Companions though. Are they unique to House Starling?"
Best avoid addressing the House rivalries for now, Trystane thought. Focus on the common ground and make friends before you go alienating people with your big mouth and your opinions.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 13, 2019 1:53:45 GMT 1
“Aye, it seems that only in the Reach is chivalry still valued the way it should be, and even here there are men that make a mockery of their sacred oaths.
As for the Companions, we are truly unique. We are sworn swords to House Starling who have vowed to uphold the highest standards of gallantry. Many of us are from Starling lands, but several in our ranks are from other houses. Lord Willem is always looking for more worthy men to join our ranks however.”
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 13, 2019 2:31:49 GMT 1
"That sounds like a great brotherhood to belong to, and noble goals," Trystane nodded approvingly. "It is easy to see then why so many speak well of Ser Roland here today, and across so many divides. I am truly sorry for your loss."
There was a slightly awkward beat of silence, as Trystane searched for helpful words, but found none.
"What are you doing after this? You look like perhaps you could do with a drink."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 13, 2019 3:45:27 GMT 1
"We appreciate your sentiment. The Companions are lessened by the death of each brother. We lost another one not long ago at the Black Tourney, murdered by a blackguard in the melee."
He gives an appreciative smile.
"Gods I could use more than one drink. Kingsbridge is woefully lacking in a decent public house, but there are plenty of good spots around the castle where we can share a wineskin. I'd love to hear more about the knight who decided that this was a good time to travel from Sunspear to the Reach."
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 13, 2019 22:44:45 GMT 1
Trystane lets out a small but genuine chuckle, low enough to remain polite to the others at the sept.
"I fear my story will not be very exciting, but still, we must drink then, to drown out your Black Tourney and these blacker times. I'd like to learn about what's been going on here, actually. I was spared most of the details back home. I have the broad strokes, but clearly things have been even more eventful that I expected."
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 14, 2019 17:46:38 GMT 1
He gives a wan smile as the sneak off to drink.
"I doubt that there isn't much that I need to tell you. The kingdoms are approaching the brink of civil war, sped along by the king's weakness and attempts to disguise patronage as peace offerings. Here at Kingsbridge we are simply trying to prepare ourselves to weather the storm by making new alliances that might stand against the depredations of Longtable who would certainly use the chaos of a war to pillage Starling holdings, while in the Riverlands the Blackwoods have rekindled old rivalries by raiding Bracken lands which was responded to in kind by the Brute of Bracken slaying the Lord Blackwood in the Grand Melee.
I fear brother that you have chosen a harrowing time to leave Dorne. The Reach has become even less hospitable to those of a darker complexion and many here will see you as a foreign bastard, not as a dragon as I do. Live your own life, but if you wish my advice, play up your Targaryen blood over that of your Rhoynish, and watch out for hosts. They have the tempers of the Dornish and the wildness of the Northerners, and even though Lord Ulbert seems a reasonably decent man, his predecessor was a pimp who sold his own daughter to our vile father."
He takes a long pull from his wineskin, seemingly conjured out of thin air, before offering it to Trystane.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 15, 2019 2:28:28 GMT 1
Trystane takes the wineskin gratefully and takes a quick swig. It's not nearly as good as the wine in Dorne, to his tastes, but it's perfectly serviceable, especially when quantity is now the watchword, rather than quality.
"Lord Ulbert strikes me as a good man. For all I can tell, he is devoted to his family and dedicated to righting the wrongs of his father, if that sets your mind at ease on that front. And I'm not just saying that because the Starkwoods are family. I would sooner strike out alone than serve a dishonourable man."
He takes another short drink, deciding whether or not to address the dig at the King. he decides against it.
"Though it seems there are blackguards all around us. No House I've heard about so far is completely devoid of them. I suppose there's at least one in every family, and you just have to try and not be it. Speaking of family, this thing between Starkwood and Starling. What's it about? Is it an ancient feud that nobody really remembers the source of, like with these Brackens and Blackwoods?"
He lets out a little snort and looks amusedly self-effacing.
"Or am I hugely misrepresenting complex political issues like a clueless foreigner? It would not surprise me if I was," he says, passing back the wineskin.
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 15, 2019 4:22:09 GMT 1
He takes another swig.
“There are many rivalries in this land, but I wouldn’t call the political differences between some of the Companions and House Starling that. For the most part our houses have no contact and fairly amiable relations, but I personally have found individuals lacking, such as Ser Symon, who murdered a man in the melee and then quenched his temper by allegedly raping a noblewoman afterwards.”
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 15, 2019 5:11:58 GMT 1
"Gods..."
Trystane looks genuinely surprised and troubled by the information.
"That's worrying to hear. Was there no trial?"
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Post by Daeron Wildfyre on Apr 15, 2019 16:35:30 GMT 1
"No. It seemed that every party was interested in sweeping it under the rug, so who am I to tell the wronged party what justice they must demand?
Anyway it's like I said, there are good people at Starkwood, but there are also some dangerous ones. Watch which ones you involve yourself with.
Beyond Starkwood, I'd say that it would be best to avoid most of House Blackbriar. They're a good and godly house, but they've long feuded with the Starkwoods and are not particularly fond of the Dornish. Some of them might not care that you're half-Targaryen. Then there's the Levalles, second only to the Merryweathers when it comes to vile deeds. Lord Levalle, or Lord Spongeholder if you will, was far worse than Lord Brandon Starkwood when it came to securing women for our unworthy father. That house is built upon the rape and pimping of noblewomen and they have enough gold and power to keep justice at a safe distance. The only hope for that family is that outsiders who marry in manage to dilute the Levalle taint instead of catching it."
Daeron goes on for a bit longer telling him which other families are exceptionally unfriendly to the Dornish, which lords were unworthy of the title, and who he suspects might actually be illegitimate bastards. Typical gossip of the Reach.
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