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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 18, 2019 15:32:28 GMT 1
[Branching off from - greatbastards.boards.net/thread/1017/phase-toast-who-make-event]
Trystane had not seen what Ser Roland looked like, so it wasn't until the name Cordwayner came up that he looked round and made the connection that the people a few tables over were crowing the praises of that Ser Roland.
He got up, drink in hand, and approached Ser Roland with an amiable smile, giving a respectful bow.
"Ser Roland Cordwayner? Ser Trystane Sand. Ser Daeron Wildfyre speaks very highly of you indeed."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on Apr 24, 2019 10:00:18 GMT 1
Roland turned to face the questioner, immediately struck the strange colouring in the man's left eye.
Ser Trystane, a fine lance and a friend of Ser Davos Dayne's. Mainly distinguished by his birth for the moment, but with the skill to spin his own story.
Roland was merry from the drinking, but not yet drunk.
"I am indeed he, though men are oft asking after my namesake, Redtusk rather than for me."
This was offered with a smile rather than the bitterness that sometimes accompanied the young knight's comment on rank and status. Redtusk had knighted him, and the Cordwayner's unlikely victory over his namesake at Highgarden had done much for his self confidence.
He returned the bow, dipping more deeply in acknowledgement of Trystane's better birth on both sides. By heritage at least, rather than the father's character..
"Praise from your half brother is an adornment to any man - few knights can match him with lance or blade."
Nor in anger or avarice, but such is best left for Kingsbridge. A true friend is a critic at home and a loyalist abroad.
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Post by Trystane Sand on Apr 24, 2019 13:13:50 GMT 1
"So I have heard. I look forward to witnessing Ser Daeron's fabled prowess myself in the upcoming tourneys," Trystane says cheerily. "And hopefully avoiding being on the receiving end of them too early on," he adds with a chuckle. "I am familiar with Redtusk too. I only managed to last two rounds in my first tilt against him, but made up for it in drinking rounds that night," he laughs. "I hear you unhorsed him recently. Impressive. Though I imagine you tire of people comparing you both."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 6, 2019 11:47:24 GMT 1
"Lasting a pass against my namesake is better than many men can boast. You had gone far, but one oft has to overcome a champion like Redtusk to prevail even at smaller events in the Reach. We take our jousting seriously here."
Roland raised his glass in his left hand in a salute.
"It is a curious thing - he gave me my knighthood and we share a name, so we are forever bound. Some men might argue there are worse knights to be in the shadow of, but a Cordwayner cannot submit to such. Our boots may be humble, but they are still on full display rather than hiding behind another's light."
"Truth be told I know from many tilts in the practice yard that he is the better jouster, but the Seven's will and fortunate tactics have given me the victory in our most recent clashes in the lists. I will take victories in tournaments and use the practice yard bruises as an instruction to improve!"
"A few more victories and perhaps more knights shall come seeking me than my friend from House Redwyne."
It will need many such hours and great deeds indeed for such to become regular...
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 7, 2019 1:06:25 GMT 1
"I have definitely noticed how seriously you lot take jousting," Trystane laughs. "Not that we don't take it seriously in Dorne, it's just... well, here, it's more like part of the Reach's entire identity. Part of the whole 'seat of chivalry' image, I suppose."
When Roland speaks of humbly standing in one's own light and improving oneself, he claps his fellow knight on the shoulder.
"Fine words, Ser! You are dedicated to self-improvement and forging your own path. I respect those things greatly. Were it that all were as virtuous. I am sure your boots will not stay humble long. Do you wade into the melées too?"
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 8, 2019 10:25:56 GMT 1
"Indeed Ser - at some tournaments in the Reach only knights can ride in the lists. A worthy tradition, although at times I wonder if it denies us in the chance to compete against the fullest range of talent. Such would be more of an issue in the other Kingdoms, for even restricting matters to sworn knights still leaves us with a surplus of champion jousters."
Said with a smile but also notable pride in the region.
"I am no stranger to the melee - enjoyable sport, although I will confess that the shameful displays at the Black Tourney soured my experience as a melee captain there. There were so many deaths and broken bones that you would have been forgiven for thinking the event took place North of the Neck rather than at Highgarden."
"Tempers are frayed, so we may see attempts to settle scores here too. A smaller scale, but this may still be blood. As I said, this is meant to be a sport - we do ourselves a disservice if in training for war we simultaneously hollow out our numbers, leaving us worse off than when we started."
Roland pursed his lips and shook his head.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 8, 2019 11:27:26 GMT 1
“That is fair,” Trystane nods solemnly. “From what I have heard, that tourney was horrific. I wouldn’t blame anyone for being put off by it. I would ordinarily say that I hope the tourneys to come cause the memories of it to fade into their deserved obscurity, but perhaps we should remember such things, lest the mistakes leading to them be repeated. Or perhaps I am being overly charitable in calling all the factors ‘mistakes’. From what Ser Daeron told me, at least some of it seemed deliberate.”
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 8, 2019 16:22:36 GMT 1
"I share my Companion's judgement."
"Seeing his lord father struck down by the Scorpionbane with murderous intent, House Starkwood's own heir struck to kill, slaying his father's conqueror. Given the aggressor and his reputation, many did not blame Ser Symon, but for my own part I cannot countenance thrusting at an opponent's visor during a melee. As I said, it is meant to be sport and training. I tried to haul the lad in during the match and told Ser Symon what I thought of the matter after the fact. I did what I could to make matters right, but such always seems too little, too late."
Roland shook his head once more, although it was unclear as to whether the gesture was directed at Symon's deeds or his own part in them.
"Still, every man who disgraces himself is a chance for another to stand up to dishonour. Ser Daeron proved his mettle in setting aside thoughts of victory to put an end to Otho Bracken murderous rampage - that one had none of the excuses of youth or stricken family members that Ser Symon can lay claim to."
"A most thoughtful remark when it comes to memory, I had not considered the topic much before."
Truth be told, Roland did not consider much at all.
"My natural instinct is to agree with you - black deeds should not be forgotten, lest we repeat them."
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 8, 2019 21:18:47 GMT 1
"Ser Symon loves his family and is given to rash action. Those things are a difficult combination to manage when someone starts hurting or insulting one's House. I thought to keep an eye on him, but, well, I'm a relative outsider. He has little reason to listen to me. I can only hope that his betrothed might temper him somewhat. As you say, once you're no longer a youngster, it becomes harder to excuse. I've never met any of House Bracken. Are they all the brutes they are claimed to be? Ser Daeron was a little circumspect about them and the feud with the Blackwoods."
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 9, 2019 11:09:58 GMT 1
"I would have an eye on him in subsequent melees, both for his own safety and for others. Reputations are swiftly gained and hard to lose."
"I know House Bracken well - I served with House Blackwood for some years during skirmishing in the Riverlands."
Roland gestured with his left hand towards his squire.
"My squire, Hugh Blackwood is a worthy remainder of my service there."
"Some may expect me to think ill of the Brackens due to my service with their storied rivals, but for every Otho Bracken that house has also produced a devout knight. Their family's devotion is most laudable, although their current lord is too close to ambitious men agitating for Ser Daemon Blackfyre to press a claim for the throne. If such moves from thoughts to action then it shall be my duty to cross swords with them once more."
Such was stated as plain fact, or as a merchant discussing prices. Warfare was Roland's place in society, after-all.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 9, 2019 20:55:28 GMT 1
“Yes, that is an unpleasant business. I have met half-siblings of mine on both sides of that divide, and some who want no part in it at all. And I have found things to understand in each of them. But I fear no amount of mutual private understanding will be enough.”
He realises he’s letting the conversation get on the bleak side, and changes the subject.
“But best not to dwell on that. Tell me more of yourself, Ser. Are you married? Betrothed? Anything of that sort?”
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 16, 2019 17:19:14 GMT 1
A wide smile.
"Half the Reach knows the matter - I have the good fortune to be betrothed to the enchanting Lady Alicent Yronwood. My lord brother has sanctioned the match, as has Lord Tyrell. We simply await Lord Yronwood's say so. We met during Summerhall's sorrow's and I do not think I gave him cause to argue against the match."
The gap in rank between Roland and his bride to be was not insignificant, but for many of the nobles involved political expedience and an end to a knotty problem seemed to overcome such. For Roland there was only love and a desire to overcome any obstacle to his heart's desire.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 17, 2019 0:28:55 GMT 1
"Wonderful! I have not had the pleasure of meeting her, but I'm sure she's delightful. I can see how she lights you up, Ser. That is a rare and lovely thing. I hope Lord Yronwood gives your union his heartiest blessing," Trystane chirps, giving Roland a friendly clap on the shoulder. "You say though that you don't think you gave His Lordship cause to argue. Has there been past tension between your Houses? Or is this in relation to Summerhall's sorrows, as you put it? Surmountable either way, I'm sure," he added optimistically.
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Post by Roland Cordwayner on May 18, 2019 19:27:41 GMT 1
"House Cordwayner is old and noble, but it does not rank as highly as Yronwood. Such attention as I have gained from House Yronwood was historically of the wrong sort. I widowed one of Lady Alicent's cousins in the war afterall. Still, he seemed to appreciate my toast at Summerhall."
"Your own father may be been prolific, but your parentage at least would have eased such a match. If it were not for my betrothed's broken betrothal to the beast of Longtable then I would scarce have been chosen for such a match."
"And for your own part? Are you here to cement a marriage alliance?"
The crown was keen to bind Dornish houses together with the rest of the Seven Kingdoms by marriage pacts and a Great Bastard may have a role to play in such, however traditional the Reach.
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Post by Trystane Sand on May 18, 2019 22:56:54 GMT 1
"Well, probably for the best that she isn't marrying someone called 'The Beast', regardless," Trystane says. "If I were a lady, that would be a warning sign, for sure. There used to be a bandit chief back in Dorne called the Beast of the Boneway. If anyone was married to him, I pity them. But that's by the by. To answer your question, I did not come to the Reach to secure a marriage for myself, though I'm not averse to the notion."
He scratches his jaw thoughtfully.
"I should probably take a more active interest in marriage, to be honest, but I have yet to meet someone I feel strongly about. It's early days, I suppose, and I have not raised my profile very high yet. Perhaps, with some more tournament successes and more doing my duty for House Starkwood will make me more attractive as a prospect, and in the meantime I have all these feasts and other people's weddings as opportunities to get to know more eligible ladies. If you think of anyone who might be a good match, do introduce us. Likewise, if you know of any who hate Dornishmen or bastards or both, and are liable to set their Septas on me for so much as saying hello, point them out so I can avoid them," he laughs.
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