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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Apr 22, 2019 10:04:24 GMT 1
Upon noticing Balon's mood deteriorating Mikel said, "I have an unfortunate habit of over analyzing, consider the subject of Dorn and its people forgotten." When Balon began speaking of the melee Mikel absorbed everything that he could. The men he spoke of had earned their martial reputations and Mikel would recall this conversation later and give in to his habit of over analyzing for the sake of his own learning. "I would like to say I hadn't had proper instruction on riding until my fourteenth year when I became a squire, but that is a poor excuse. It was often in my head that sooner or later I would be pulled from my horse, or the horse would be killed and then I would be in a much more difficult position - on foot and surrounded. Perhaps there is some irony in that during my first real fight that is exactly what had happened." Mikel told Balon of the time that he, a few other squires and their Knights, the men at arms and the handful of wagons they were escorting to a tournament in the Vale and were ambushed by burned men. He told of how on the second charge his horse was killed and gave the few details he could remember of his scramble to the line the men at arms had formed. "Had my horse killed out from under me at the riot of the Black Tourney too. Perhaps my thoughts have become a self fulfilling prophecy, and if that is the case I should certainly set to learning to ride instead." Mikel skipped the details there, he had no wish to remind the son of his fathers death.
"Youth, skill, and the renown of your exploits from the Black Tourney are still fresh. What will you do with it all? Do you have thoughts on where you would like to be in, say, ten years? Or are you content to take life one day at a time?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Apr 23, 2019 6:07:44 GMT 1
Balon simply nodded when Mikel agreed not to continue on the subject of Dorne anymore.
He listened as Mikel talked about his lack of experience riding as a child and the "habit" of losing his horse from under him in real combat. "I'd say it's time for you to buy your mount some armor." Balon noted dryly. "But if anything your stories confirm Fireball's mantra. You're a fighter. You might not win any equestrian events or a major tourney but when the dust settles on a battlefield you'll be one of the knights still standing I reckon." He saluted Mikel with his cup, "I'll take survival over tourney wins any day."
Balon didn't feel like sharing his hopes and dreams with a knight from House Starkwood so he kept his answers vague, "My dreams are no different than your average knight not set to inherit. A beautiful, fertile wife who likes to fuck. Lands and a stout keep. Right when I get to the age of becoming useless a war will break out and I'll die gloriously in battle and men will sing the song of Balon the Brave and my children and grandchildren will tell tall tales of my exploits." Balon smiled at the imagery of children with the Blackbriar robustness and Targaryen silver hair.
"And what of Ser Mikel? What do you want? Does serving House Starkwood satisfy you or do you want to return to a life in the hedge?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Apr 28, 2019 3:06:26 GMT 1
Mikel nodded a humble thank you to Balons assessment that he is a fighter, and not a tourney knight. He listened to Balons modest ambitions and was surprised then considered his own answer to the same question.
"I use to have an idea but I think it has fallen from my favor. Part of me wishes I had spent some of my time traveling the seven instead serving with a professional company in Essos." Thanks to Ser Davos, Mikel thought. "I suppose I still could. But service in House Starkwood has been pleasing, so I think for now I shall focus on each day and let that shape my future. Considering this discussion I believe riding will play prominently in each day." He sighs, though with humor. Mikels lack of answer does not appear to be intentionally vague, but honestly so.
"Forgive me, I have heard your brother Titus has recovered and given good accord of himself in recent tournaments, but do not know anymore than that of his current affairs. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Black Tourney but only once and it was brief. What has Titus been doing with himself outside the tourney circuit if I may ask?"
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Apr 28, 2019 7:19:57 GMT 1
"Selling your sword in Essos." Balon considered the idea. "It has pros and cons I suppose. That kind of combat experience will be coming in handy soon enough..." Balon trailed off, lost in thought. "But I imagine it's a hard and usually short life." How could anyone choose House Starkwood over, well, anything. Balon thought about asking what made the Starkwood so appealing but decided against it.
"Praise the Seven Titus has indeed recovered. Blackbriars are notoriously hard to bring down and Titus lived up to that reputation. He recuperated at Highgarden then left Gyldenhaal and serves at Starpike now with our cousin Lord Gormon. I know he attended the trial of Septon Abelar but other than that he's focused on tournaments and martial pursuits." He'd also traveled the Reach recruiting men for Blackfyre's cause but that was a detail that didn't need to be shared.
"What about you? Do you plan to head to Whitewalls for the tourney being held there?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on May 1, 2019 17:30:14 GMT 1
Mikel raised an eyebrow. "Everyone can feel a war coming, but have you come across something more informing than a feeling?"
"I would like to see him again. I shall keep my eyes open for him at any coming tournaments. Is he enjoying service with Lord Peake?"
"I do! It will be nice to see the Riverlands again, its been two years. Have you ever been that way?
[OOC: Sorry its kind of dry, somebody woke at the sound of typing]
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 2, 2019 6:28:39 GMT 1
"I haven't seen anything." That was mostly true. The signs were there. Houses were being swayed. He had his own plans for a certain lord. He'd been traveling the Reach recruiting men for Blackfyre's cause but as for actual plans or information? No.
"Ser Titus has found it to be more rewarding at Starpike than Gyldenhaal. He'll be at Ashford and Kingsbridge and I don't see how anyone could keep him from the Whitewalls Tourney." If Titus had been training as hard as Balon heard he had Titus should be a favorite to win the joust at Whitewalls. "I've been to the southern parts of the Riverlands but I've never spent any real time west of the Green Fork. Harroway's Town is nice. Do you have family there still?"
I know all about little ones. No worries.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on May 15, 2019 18:03:07 GMT 1
"I believe so, though it is possible that they have moved on. My father and mother often spoke of moving to the Mountains of the Vale. As for my siblings, I imagine they would would go with them if they had gone, unless obligations kept them in place. Perhaps come the tourney at whitewalls I will see if they remain in Harroway."
"Speaking of Whitewalls I believe you will find the city beautiful, and plenty entertaining. Its no Gardenton, but what is? There is an establishment called the Rutting Boar there, I think you should find time to visit it if you make the tourney. It may turn out to be the place you never knew you were always searching for."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 22, 2019 21:22:35 GMT 1
"Hopefully your family is still there and you get a chance to see them." Balon wondered how close Mikel was to his kin that he didn't even know of their current whereabouts. Is that what smallfolk life is like? No fucking thank you. "I'm fortunate enough to have my family at Starpike so I can send a raven to let them know where I am and what I've been up to."
"Rutting Boar huh?" Balon put the name to memory, "I'll have to visit it when I get there." Sounds like a whore house. Good. Balon thought of Ghost, then of Laena. Maybe both will be there and we can all have a tryst at this Rutting Boar. Balon realized he'd stopped talking and was staring off into the distance, his imagination running wild. He cleared his throat, "Sorry about that, was thinking about something. Anyway here is to family." Balon held up his cup and took a drink.
"May we find coin and glory at Whitewalls!"
Sorry about the long delay. We can call it a scene if there is nothing pertinent you want to ask Balon.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on May 25, 2019 6:58:00 GMT 1
Mikel raises his cup for another toast. "To family." After enjoying the drink and making other small talk, Mikel thanks Balon for the wine and company before excusing himself. "Whitewalls won't know what hit it, Ser. See you there."
[OOC: No apologies necessary, thanks for the fun and patience!]
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