[Phase 2] My Brother's Brother [Trystane & Roland]

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.

"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...

"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.

"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."

"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.

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.

"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.