[P1, Summerhall] Friends & Foes of Times Past(Davos, Roland)

Roland's left hand remains holding his goblet, but Davos's opening remark prompts his right to make a reflex move towards his dagger before Roland can will it to stop.

The accent was strange indeed to Roland's ears - he knew Dornish accents from campaign, a range of Reach accents from tourney travel and even the Riverlands passing well from his time serving House Blackwood. This "Ser Davos Dayne" did not quite fit any of these.

Roland offered his right hand, racking his brain. He knew Alicent when she was young, perhaps in Dorne before she was at Highgarden but hasn't seen her in a long time... A strange accent that isn't quite Dornish... Seven be kind, we were on opposite side of a battlefield over a decade past! This is the Dayne that was the brains behind the Second Sons for many a year, at least according to Redtusk.

Roland had never left Westeros, but knew men who were better informed of events further afield.

"Ser Roland Cordwayner, sworn sword to Lord Willem Starling of Kingsbridge. Pleased to meet you, the Second Sons' loss is Westeros's gain."

"I am fortunate indeed to know Lady Alicent well, there seems little point pretending anything but the truth. We merely await Lord Yronwood sanctioning the match. I am recovered from my injuries defeating Ser Rennifer Waters, but you look strong enough to reopen them. Perhaps we could resolve this injustice with a game of cards instead?"

This was offered with a smile, returning the jest.

F&F of Times Past Knowledge (Breeding) TN12-1 for Davos's 1B rep = 11: 4d6k3 17

[OOC: Roland continues to chuck out great rolls on non high stakes incidents, but adds some nice depth to him and play in to him being increasingly less of a dolt. I set the TN above based on p85 of the GoT edition.]

Roland sets the cards down, running a hand throw his hair.

"I know a thing or two about the trouble nieces and nephews can bring. At least you are back from Essos to keep watch over them now."

Roland went back to shuffling, gesturing with a noble's familiarity for a servant to bring another drink and dealing the cards as he talked.

"Lord Ulbert Starkwood recruited tirelessly for my team in the melee, and he fought beside me bravely. His son was of a wilder sort - seeing his father struck down he stabbed the assailant through the visor. Understandable fury, but not a knightly blow in a melee. He over imbibed at Lord Willum's wake afterward and was over familiar with some young lady. I did not see such myself, but was informed by my Companions and they are men that I trust. I had hoped the incident at the melee was a young man's passion getting the better of him, but this begins to be a troubling picture when the incidents are set together."

It was an honest inquiry, and deserved an honest answer even if Roland did not not this Ser Davos well enought to lay out his plan to give Ser Symon a drubbing in some subsequent joust and reclaim the blade he had gifted to the young knight. Ser Addam was right on this matter - Roland should act to correct matters if given the opportunity.

"As for Ashara, I would counsel you to take a softer view. She was more sinned against than sinning, and I fear my own family in House Cordwayner bears much of the blame. My sister by marriage was wroth at my lord brother for making a match between their son and your niece and was intent on provoking Ashara to break the betrothal. Any ill words you hear are likely the prejudices of those who cannot set aside yesterday's battles, too blinded by the past to see the accomplished young woman before them."

After all, Ashara had proved herself a lady of virtue throughout Lord Tyrell's tourney.

As they spoke, they played King's Cups - a typical soldier's game blending luck and strategy. Roland played competently but no better - solid, but predictable in the main rather than creative.

Ever the competitive sort, Roland saw an opportunity and focused more on the game, speaking more freely. He confessed his belief that Lady Ashara may have initially been the instigator of some plot, but that having followed the trial he was confident she was the victim of some mummer's act with another mimicking her. Or, whisper it, even some glamour or spell may have been used, for Lady Ashara is most distinctive in the Reach.

"We are in agreement on both matters involving your nephew then. A knight riding to his father's rescue is most understandable, particularly given the antagonist, but grabbing at the Reach's well born daughters cannot be countenanced. I would perhaps split the difference and have it an excessive blow to a vile blackguard."

He nodded along at the emphasis on discipline.

"My squire, Hugh Blackwood, has a lesson or two to learn there but I have not yet found the right method to make lessons stick."

"Did you know the current Lord Yronwood well? Tragedy has elevated him at a young age, but I must have his approval if I am to complete the theft of Lady Alicent's heart."

The knight's face lit up at discussion of Alicent, as ever steering the conversation back to her. There was little hiding his certainty and desire on the matter.

"The child is father to the man, so even old knowledge is more helpful than I whatever I learn from the other guests here. If Lord Yronwood is a friend to his new King then he shall not find me wanting."

Most of the men present, Roland included, could hardly be trusted to give accurate opinions of their old foes in Dorne.

"I was House Cordwayner's spare, but my brother's wife bore a son."

Fixated on following his strategy through at cards, Roland continued to speak freely as he pushed the advantage from winning hands. Still, he had only just met Davos and did not yet recount House Cordwayner's all too public woes.

"Sorrowfully, I suspect you are right as to the inevitability of conflict. Is that why you have returned from Essos?"

Roland's focus on the game was broken.

"Seven be kind, I am sorry for both the question and your circumstance."

"Let us raise a glass to your lost Alia and your heir."

Suddenly the atmosphere was heavier, and Roland paused awkwardly after raising his glass and drinking.

Relaxed, Roland returned to what he enjoyed - competing and discussing his betrothed.

"Do not get me started - I have probably bored half of Kingsbridge on Lady Alicent's charms already."

"Our old maester at Hammerhal used to quote some Valyrian text as telling us that 'everyone is a barbarian to someone', but I confess I cannot remember the translation or source."

"If she was free with her words that must have been some familiarity at least. You would have the advantage on the rest of us in such interactions in Essos."

Everyone knew this was a common characteristic of all Dornish women.

Roland gestured at the room with his left hand, clearly meaning Westerosi nobles. He was a loyalist, true, but "us" still meant the Reach and further North to those that had fought in the war.

"Where did you meet? I do not know if dances and tournaments are common in the East."

"My your heart continue to carry the happy memories your Alia would want you to keep, and cast off she would have you discard."

A match made far from the sanction of lords sounded most irregular to the traditionalist Roland, but such freedoms began to appeal the longer he waited for Lord Yronwood to deliver his heart's desire, or to shatter his happiness. By now he would rather know, even if the answer was grave.

The game neared it decisive point, Roland continuing to focus on it and grinding towards victory in his straightforward style.

"While your heart was with your wife, did you feet oft have cause to leave Braavos? News of the Seven Sons oft reaches us in Westeros and a mercenary's life involves significant time on the road."