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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Feb 27, 2019 7:12:35 GMT 1
When Mikel's sense returned to him he was laying in the road in front of the Golden Rose Inn. A young woman knelt over him and spoke gently. Her voice altered slightly with anxiety or excitement. After a moment he recognized Mina Storm who he had been speaking with before he excused himself and joined Eldon and his men.
As he lay there he ran his tounge over his teeth, satisfied that he still had them all. He ran a hand over his face and it came away bloody. He tested his body with movement and wasn't sure where the pain came from, as it seemed to be everywhere.
He managed to roll to his side but even with Mina's help was unable to get to his feet. "I'll try again in a moment." He muttered, breathing deeply and listening to Mina go on about what she had seen.
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Post by Alliser on Feb 28, 2019 20:19:02 GMT 1
A loud noise accompanies a brightly dressed performer exiting the revelries, along with the light from inside the inn. "You sure do know how to make friends don't you Mikel." A dark skinned figure smiles at Mikel and his rescuer, "perhaps I may be of assistance My Lady?" The accent was noticable, but he was still clearly understood. "My name is Regyn." The stranger offers the young women.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 1, 2019 22:40:15 GMT 1
While Mikel looked to Regyn he closed each eye in turn and was satisfied that he could see the man equally well with each. Mina looked back at Reygn and thanked him for the help, moving aside so he could better assist as she introduced herself. Regyn may have noted that while she was concerned that did not seem to be what brought her to Mikel's side. There was hint of some type of excitement in her eyes.
"Very kind of you." Was all he seemed able to get out as Reygn helped him up. Once they were moving he added, "Have we met?" The thought had come slowly but perhaps Eldon had sent somebody out to finish him quietly. Or somebody simply knew him from events of the tournament.
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Post by Alliser on Mar 3, 2019 4:16:49 GMT 1
Alliser smiles, "not directly Ser. But you have met my Master. He is not that fool Eldon either, but it's just as reviled." Taking the young Knight by the arm he gestures with his head to an alleyway nearby. "Best not disturb the guests and there revelries. The servants entrance is to the left here."
With the young women's help the mummer makes his way to the back entrance, and bracing the Knight against his side he frees his hand to rap on the door.
A disheveled portly matron answers, "no scraps until..." She paused as the light shown over the tangled trio, "Regyn." She points at the Knight," that boy has mucked up my clean floors. Not to mention the cups broken in the tussle. Do you really think I'm going to..."
"He will behave himself," Regyn vouched, "he is going to be too busy resting in one of your rooms, " he looks pointedly at Mina, "right my Lady?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 5, 2019 0:10:34 GMT 1
It took Mikel a few heartbeats to understand who Reygn had meant, if he was speaking the truth. The thought of moving through the alley did little to comfort Mikel but luckily he was too beat down to show any tension.
As they arrived at the servants entry and Reygn knocked Mikel thought perhaps he had been telling the truth after all, but stayed aware none the less. "I shall be on my best behavior, and I apologize for the mess. I'll ensure you are compensated for anything broken." Was his response to the matron at the door.
Mina could only nod and blush at Reygns question, which seemed funny as nothing about her struck him as shy up until that moment.
"I hope your Lord is having a better night than I am. May I ask, will he be leaving soon or staying to see the results of the latest Trial?" Despite his condition Mikel felt the need to convey his appreciation, and felt conversation, even if not the most stirring, might do that well enough.
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Post by Alliser on Mar 5, 2019 13:12:29 GMT 1
Regyn moved with the knight and the lady into the Inn, the Innkeepers women grudgingly letting them past, pointing them to one of the few unoccupied rooms. As they move Regyn answers, "Moving on. As quickly as possible. Malyk has had enough of this tourney and My Lord complains that the bed is not nearly as soft in the campaign mattress as his bed at home." Regyn pushes the door opens with a slight grunt, then gestures to the simple, if not well made, accommodations, "Perhaps Ser could sit before he tires us both out. You knights are always heavier then what is expected."
He exhales after the weight is off him and his female companion, "Now hurry along Mina, you probably have some things you wish to gather before you return. I promise I will leave him in fine enough shape." Regyn's words are soft and gentle, but guiding nonetheless.
After she leaves he turns back towards the young knight, "So my Lord will take care of any damages, as much for Lord Eldon as for yourself, but I do have to ask." Regyn cocks his head curiously, "Why? Why risk your life for that girl?" he shakes his head slowly waiting for an answer, "I have met many knights, but few knights take their vows as literally as you. And that Otho fellow, the one My Lord spoke out against. I heard rumors that this was not your first encounter."
Regyn sits with a small sigh, catching his breath as he awaits an answer.
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 8, 2019 4:43:43 GMT 1
A Lord has many responsibilities and it is no surprise that Lord Alliser will be returning to his. Doubtless he will know how the trial by combat goes whether he is near or far.
Mikel took a seat and smiled to Mina as she hurried out, leaving the two. When Reygn asked his question, Mikel gave it serious consideration.
"It wasn't like I had heard screams from within his camp and charged in. I knew there was risk involved but it was far from a suicidal act. I imagine you know what I thought was about to happen. I believed I could have an effect on that, and that I probably was not in what I would call in danger of serious consequences."
"As to why, that is more difficult to answer. I can think of a dozen answers but which is mine? Helping somebody who is in a situation that I would desperately help for hope in?" He shrugged. "Maybe something closer to stopping men who do terrible things just because they don't think anybody will stop them. Or something as simple as the golden rule, as odd as it may sound. Treating others as you wish to be treated, and assuming others are acting as they should be treated."
"I wish I could offer you a better answer. As to what happened with Otho, I had stopped him from beating a man to death after a tourney in the Riverlands. Thing is the man died the next day. I stood as witness against Otho in a trial, which passed judgement in his favor, and when I left the town soon after that trial he had his men hunting for me. You could say there was some tense moments in those words, but Harold and I found our way clear."
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Post by Alliser on Mar 8, 2019 23:00:53 GMT 1
Regyn smiles, "well I guess foolishness is a qualifier for jumping up on a horse and bashing each other with sticks."
Regyn studies the young man before continuing, "you mentioned a Harold. Is that your squire? I've heard of knights naming their swords, but they tend towards women names and Harold?" He shrugged, "doesn't sound like a girl's name to me."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 10, 2019 0:12:15 GMT 1
Mikel nods and even managed a smile at Regyns comment of foolishness. "That's fair."
"Harold is my squire, I had received him at a younger age then is ideal for a squire but it has worked out well. He is a promising young man."
Mikel confesses that he had never given much thought to naming a sword. He saw weapons as tools, each fulfilling a function differently than the next. He did allow that if he ever decided to name one that he would keep Reygns thoughts in mind.
Curiosity was taking a hold of Mikel as he felt more himself - a pain drenched version of himself at least - and he could not help asking, "Master Reygn, may I ask, what does somebody in your role do exactly?" He did not think he would get an exact answer, but felt Regyn might give him something.
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Post by Alliser on Mar 10, 2019 1:28:41 GMT 1
"you serve Lord Starkwood with your sword, I serve him with my japes." the Myrish man smiles, "it is my lot in life, just like it is most men's. It's a happy place, and comfortable. Much better then the streets of Essos where he plucked me from." he holds up his hands, which were callused on the pads, not the palms like was common with knights, "as you can see, entertainment is a pastime of the nobles, my Lord enjoys the violin, while Lady Rhonda enjoys the brush. Lord Starling? His song is one of swords on Shields." Regyn smiles, "it can pay well to know what songs the powerful Lord's love to hear. It can let you move men of greater standing then yourself, if you know how to harmonize with them." He tweaks his head towards the Knight, "your own song speaks of honor and duty. Some may call such things chivalry, others foolishness. But tell me Ser, what did you accomplish this tournament with your song?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 10, 2019 23:05:51 GMT 1
Mikel absent mindedly runs a hand through his short hair as he considers the question. "The only thing I believe I can say with a degree of certainty is that during the riot, by riding through the crowd to reinforce the merryweather camp, in the least I kept a few men who ended up on deaths door from crossing the threshold. Not necessarily due to my personal skill, but through the culmination of all our efforts." He smiled a sad smile. "Though it saddens me to think that my mounts life was traded for a few of Merryweathers enablers. I prefer to focus on how it enabled me to fight by Ser Roland Cordwayners side, and perhaps helped Ser Titus and Ser Donnel in their efforts to take the helpless to safety."
"Beyond that I can only count on having won the resentment of men with more resources then I have. Do you judge my actions the same?"
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Post by Alliser on Mar 11, 2019 4:07:54 GMT 1
Alliser nods, "that is a fair assessment. Although I would add your stepping up to defend that squire yourself and the Knight you fought out if the melee. And I doubt the squire beater really learned anything if value from fighting yourself, as he nominally won the fight and proceed to prove himself right, as well as those knights who value the skill of arms the fact that Ser Simon* was correct to punish his squire as he did."
He leans back in the chair. " they say hindsight is the clearest vision one can have. So tell me, how would you change your actions if presented with the same scenario again?"
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 12, 2019 9:30:42 GMT 1
"I had not considered that his victory would lead to others approving of his actions. I must confess that I have a tendency to overlook such things, in the same way in which I imagine everybody is aware that a trial by combat is not decided by the Gods as we like to say but by the men in the fight. I will keep what you say in my mind, thank you. As for what I would do differently with Ser Simon? I would fight more cautiously. Laying near another man on the ground is no place for stabbing with longswords, and I feel foolish having done just that. Creating space or closing to grapple were the options I should have picked between." Mikel does not lay the matter out fully as he had with Laena, that he believes he fought with the crowds approval in mind. "I take some small joy from knowing that he did not partake in the melee because of our duel. By extension - as he is a man of skill - I refused him whatever glory he would have found in that melee and any opportunities which may have come with it."
"Most may have said they would have stayed out of the issue when the gift of hindsight was upon them, or perhaps that they would have spoken against his actions yet waited for the Redwyne family to correct his ways in the melee - as they surely would have. But most did nothing, so comparing my actions and thoughts to them doesn't seem quite right. May I ask, in your opinion, how should I have acted?" There is no edge in his voice, no tone. Mikel is interested in Regyn's opinion on the matter.
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Post by Alliser on Mar 13, 2019 1:28:17 GMT 1
Regyn smiles, "You are correct in saying that most nobles do believe that a trial by combat is not solely the province of Divine intercession. But just as many see the strength of arms as a qualifier for nobility." he opens his hands and gives a shrug. "look at your own rise. You act in a way that most would consider Noble, and have clawed your way up thanks to your skill with your sword. But you shouldn't forget where you came from. Most nobles do not think of us peasants as any more then tools, and sometimes a swift beating is what is needed to fix an incorrect job. The small folk know better though, and squires in particular are close. Sure, some may get into pissing matches about their knights and who is better in the joust, but squires talk, and often are trained by their knights. Knights who spare regularly with someone leads that person to know how they fight, and the best way to best them."
another smile
"there are also men who are good at carousing. And squires often serve their knights cups. Having Ser Simon fight you with a hang over is likely to put him at a disadvantage..."
Regyn gives a chuckle, "when fighting for what is right, but facing an equal or stronger opponent, don't fight fair. Fight smart. But I'm a mere entertainer Ser, I don't understand how your vows work." He gives a frown, "or don't work, as the case may be."
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Post by Mikel of Harroway on Mar 20, 2019 23:20:41 GMT 1
He nodded agreement when Reygn said that most nobles see the small folk as tools. Now that he mixed with them he saw it as even worse then he had thought it was, it was one of the more troubling truths he had uncovered in his life. He also agreed with Reygn that if something was worth fighting for it was worth fighting unfairly for. Mikel thought himself somewhat of an oddity in that regard, that the ideals of chivalry should come second to victory and survival. Kill their horse, attack them from behind while they are preoccupied, anything to make the fight as one sided and effortless as possible. -Train so that it isn't a fight - was something he'd been told as a squire. And yet here Reign was introducing Mikel to concepts which had never crossed his mind. He wondered at its application, and when he might consider their use.
"I confess to have never thought of that, and I can already see how it might have benefitted me. See Simon was already in his cups when I made the challenge, paying a barmaid to keep the drinks coming, and the encouragement to indulge, might have had a drastic difference. And coupling that with speaking to his squire to learn of his style would have helped even more." Mikel sighs, thanking Reygn for the insight.
"I am a cautious man and will remain so, but by your perspective, do you believe Eldon will find a time to repay my actions, or will he allow it to wash out considering what I had done on the day of the riots?"
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