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Post by Titus Blackbriar on May 16, 2019 11:40:41 GMT 1
This scene takes place on the road to The Tourney of Ashford Meadows.
Ashford Meadows lies little under a week's travel from Starpike - much faster for a single rider but the retinue of Lord Gormon Peake and his Household trails along the roads connecting Starpike to Whitegrove and onwards to the banks of the Manders and the Cockleswhent in a pleaseant pace. The Peake banners, three black castles on burnt orange flutter effortlessly in the warm breeze of a summer that seems like it would never end.
To travel from Starpike to Ashford one can simply follow the Marsher Roads that goes from Whitegrove and north-east but Lord Gormon has ordered the procession to not take that way, instead preferring the slight detour of going north, to Cider Hall and Fossoway lands before joining up with Lord Jaime's retinue and striking east together. Following the Black Tourney many more Reacher Lords, Lord Jaime amongst them had flocked to Gormon's camp - That of the Black Dragon and Titus was sure that his liege would have much to discuss with the Horselord.
About a days journey left to Cider Hall, they had struck camp for the evening. While the servants struck up the tents Titus could be found at the outskirt of the encampment, aimlessly sliding a whetstone along his sword, lost in thought. The slow and rhythmic sound from the sharpening of the blade gently follows the melody of a few soldiers singing songs further down, enjoying their meal as evening settles.
Titus does not notice the rider in the distance, slowly but surely closing in.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 18, 2019 7:18:50 GMT 1
Balon and his small retinue were making their way to Ashford for the wedding of the new Lord Meadows when he saw the banners. A smile crept onto his face when he recognized the sigil of House Peake. Riding forward he waved to the sentries, recognizing some of them as men he'd trained with over the years. "Kindly show my friends where they can set up camp." he said to the serjeant before moving on. He'd speak with Lord Gormon later but for now he had a more important objective; Titus. Word had reached Balon that Titus had healed enough to make the trek to Starpike where he finished his recovery. After asking a few men-at-arms and knights he was pointed in the right direction.
Balon dismounted and approached his brother from behind, noticing he was absentmindedly sharpening his sword. "Quit stroking that sword like it's your cock!" he barked at his brother before laughing and moving to hug him, "Good to see you." He gave him an appraising look, "Happy to see you on your feet!"
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on May 22, 2019 11:57:27 GMT 1
He jumps as Balon gives him a good fright. Quickly he gets to his feet and embraces his brother. "You bastard!" he laughs, "What in the seven hells are you doing here? Are you joining us to Ashford?" Following up on Balon's appraising look he punches him in the chest and puffs himself up. "We're Blackbriars! Takes more than that to take someone like us down."
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on May 28, 2019 21:39:02 GMT 1
Quickly he gets to his feet and embraces his brother. "You bastard!" he laughs, "What in the seven hells are you doing here? Are you joining us to Ashford?" Following up on Balon's appraising look he punches him in the chest and puffs himself up. "We're Blackbriars! Takes more than that to take someone like us down." Balon laughed as his brother hugged him, "Just because I enjoy making bastards doesn't mean I am one!" It was good to see him in such high spirits. "I figured my motley crew and I would join you all on the way to Ashford. Plus I'd heard you'd recovered and wanted to see for myself. Looks like Blackbriar virility served you well."Balon went to take a seat and motioned for his brother to join, "I take it our cousin has treated you well? Hopefully he had Lady Tanda give you sponge baths while you recovered. If not her at least Lady Joanna." It was no secret between the two Balon had fantasies about both cousins. "How is the family? I'm guessing Starpike is much more to their liking than Gyldenhaal?"Balon became serious for a moment, "Did you hear about that bullshit letter that was discovered? I have yet to discover who wrote it but I'm going to wring their fucking neck when I do."
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Post by Titus Blackbriar on May 29, 2019 1:40:33 GMT 1
”I stand before you a testament of our proud and hardy stock, brother!” he jests with mocking pomp. Taking a seat next to Balon he offers him what food and drink he has at hand. Simple things; dark ale and salted dried beef - what they where raised on, absent gruel.
”Lord Gormon has been most gracious to me... not that gracious, mind.” he smiles. ”They are well, Wart takes well to Ser Horas’ instructions. Swear he has grown at least an inch since we arrived at Starpike! He should be around here somewhere, polishing armour I imagine. Or digging latrines depending on Ser Horas’ mood.”
He frowns and scoffs at the accusations towards their mother. ”Lies and slander. Nothing else. Lord Gormon has many enemies I have come to realise and the name Peake isn’t always favoured. Lady Erena seems to have filled the wake left by Mother’s departing though...” there is an accusation, or at least a suspicion hanging in the air from his tone.
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Post by Balon Blackbriar on Jun 3, 2019 20:22:41 GMT 1
Balon took a long drink of ale. It tasted good after a long day on the road. "Ahh!," He wiped off his circle beard, "Thank you but I'll pass on the dried beef. Been chewin on that shit since Tornbury."
"Wart has a fine teacher. He'll be giving us fits at the lists soon enough." Balon smiled, "Too bad to hear about our cousin's hospitality. If Lady Tanda can sing like she does just think what else she can do with that mouth." Balon was smart enough to never say those kind of things around any Peake or retainer of theirs.
"Lord Gormon has enemies but I feel like this was directed more towards us. Framing Gormy for meddling in Gyldenhaal affairs doesn't make sense. House Blackbriar doesn't warrant that kind of attention. If I had to guess it was aimed at mother or myself." Balon looked to the horizon as he thought of who could do something like that. "The end result is Lady Erena rules Gyldenhaal in all but name." Balon spit on the ground in disgust, "Fucking bullshit. What makes it worse is her loyalties." Loyalties meaning her support of the Bloods.
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