[Day 2] Young and Innocent [Roland]

Roland returned the curtsy with an equally practiced bow.

A proper Andal maid, devoted enough to honour her family in her attire but not overly showy with it.

"My lady, I hope you found the ceremony as uplifting as I did. Much can be said of a man's worth by who make him a knight, and who he in turn makes a knight. Ser Preston could not ask for a more auspicious start than the be knight by Prince Baelor himself."

Roland was no dolt, but was inclined to believe the best of the Reach's fine young women unless evidence suggested otherwise. It would take more than one intelligent remark for Roland to move from appreciating her diction, eloquence and good bearing to spotting the political acumen beneath.

"If I am to fall in battle, I can arrive confident from the Stranger's embrace and inform the Warrior that I have earned Lord Tyrell's approval."

"I fear my own knighting would be less politic today, for I won my knighthood against the Dornish. The Seven were with me that day, and though but a squire I slew one House Yronwood knight, then wounded a knight of House Dayne and took him as my captive."

"My namesake, Ser Roland Redwyne took my oaths and raised me to knighthood. It gladdend my heart to have my knighthood attached to a deed and feel I merited it. A curious symmetry, to earn your knighthood from a fellow second son with the same given name and against the same foe. I strive to prove myself worthy of the honour he did me."

As he was in polite company, Roland gave Redtusk's full name, too well mannered to draw attention to how Redtusk earned his name, as glorious as stabbing a Dornishman to death with a hunting trophy was.

Having entertained the question, he attempted to remember his etiquette and open the conversation up and display interest, rather than simply droning on about his martial prowess.

"I still rode my first proper mount that day, though I fear my lady would mock me at my lack of imagination as a young squire. 'Greyfoot' deserved a better name, for all that the title at least made him easy to identify in the stables. Does my lady ride? Highgarden is well situated for such pursuits."

[OOC: Simple intrigue here to try to create a good first impression]
JHightower Persuasion (Charm): 4d6k3+3 17

Roland offered a half-bow at Janna's kind words.

"Ser Roland and I know each other well, and I am indeed pleased to count him among my friends. He is a true knight in both prowess and spirit."

"Brotherhood forged on campaign is not soon forgotten, after all. He spoke for me, and indeed knighted me, after I took my Yronwood foe's widow back to Dornish lines. I know not if she had the composure of a Septa or was simply in shock as her late husband's vanquisher turned her escort, but she came calmly and seemed grateful."

He shakes his head.

"It may be hard to credit, but we even corresponded for a period after the fighting. Last I heard she had taken holy orders."

"My namesake is a man who can be trusted to do what is honourable, rather than seeking short-term advantage or gaudy baubles at the expense of his knighthood. We agreed that the Dornish womenfolk should be treated as we would want our own sisters and mothers."

Not taken as prizes of war and held prisoner for ransom or worse.

"He is yet unwed my lady, too busy at campaign to arrange a betrothal as yet. Evidently the name Roland is one for battlefields rather than dance-cards, as we share this unhappy status. With the Kingdoms at peace he shall make a fine husband and I hope he finds a worthy match."

"If I may be so bold, I will strive to prove myself worthy of carrying your favour by my performance at the opening parade today."

"With you favour to guide my hand, I would hope to overcome many foes in your name."

Roland offers a bow.

"I can but hope my deeds prove worthy of earning my lady's token."

"My lady is correct to remind me of my vows, the Warrior seems to lend me more courage against Dornish spearmen than I can muster when faced with the flowers of the Reach."

"A match with Ser Roland would hopefully be a credit to both of us, with many shattered lances on both sides. That said, I would sooner face my brother-in-arms in the quarter finals than do him the disservice of unhorsing him in the first round. Better if we face each other later on, and better still if we do so while both wearing the favour of the Reach's most noble ladies. I would be honoured to have you keep count of our broken lances, helms removed and vanquished foes in the early days. It would make a grand contest for you and another lady in waiting to cheer both of us through the early rounds, then for the two of us to face-off near the climax. Your reputation precedes you, so if you can find your like among your cousins or Lord Tyrell's court, then my namesake and I shall be fortunate indeed."

"Fetch us a singer and we'll have the opening verses of 'The Rolands Battle for their Ladies' before the tournament has packed up."

Rolands laughs.

"Best to stay out of such verse, agreed. The dwarf has a mind to match a maester, but manners to match a mercenary."

Roland bowed.

"I have imposed enough on my lady's time, but hope to earn your approval at the tourney parade."

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