The Training Yard

[Tynian Lannister]

ooc: How do we not already have a thread for this? It should have about 6 pages of posturing by now! 

A small square training yard, measuring about 80 feet in diameter, enclosed on all sides by the walls of the Red Keep, save for a few covered corridors running parallel to it on either side. Inside, there is a main circled area for combat practice, as well as several wooden or straw-filled dummies which can be moved as desired. Wooden and blunted weapons are contained in racks against the wall, as well as padded armour in various sizes.

Lord Gerion Lannister walked into the yard, with his sons, Aurane and Tynian beside him. Ser Audric, the captain of his guard and a few men followed behind. "Ok son, time to show me what you've learned so far" he said, uncorking a wineskin from his waist and taking a large swallow. He takes a seat nearby as Audric helps fit both Aurane and Tynian with padded armour and finds a suitably sized blade for both. Tynian looks nervous as he hefts his wooden sword uncertainly, as Audric shows him the correct way to grip the hilt.

[Marie]

Gwayne Hightower trotted happily into the training yard in his padded armour. He waved his wooden sword as he yelled threats at a hundred fictional opponents.

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

Lyssandra nearly had to pull at the Septa's skirts to get the woman to make her go to the training yards with her. Of course the guards had to come to. The Septa insisted that the yard was too dangerous but Lyssandra was persistent and the Septa did not want to deal with a tantrum so she allowed herself to be pulled into the yard. A crazy looking bearded fellow handed Lyssandra a polished red apple, "Always good to have the ladies about I say," the man said in a gruff voice. The septa gave him a look and he replied, "What?"

Lyssandra hummed and asked a million questions about fighting and weapons to her Septa, who answered half-heartedly and with sighs. Lyssandra pointed her finger at Gwayne, "He's going to fight one of them big men".

[Marie]

Gwayne heard. He laughed over at the girl as he ran over to her.

"Have at ye!" He yelled, waving the sword at her septa. "Fear not, sweet princess. I will save you from the dragon!"

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

Lyssandra smiled and the Septa frowned at always being the target of children's games. "Slay her, slay her!" Lyssandra shouted excitdely, "She's mean and old, but wise! Be careful sweet knight!" The septa frowned deeper...Certainly she wasn't that old yet..And not mean either. "Princess, keep your voice down!" She said in a harsh tone, moreso than she intended. "She's breathing fire now!" Lyssandra called out, "Waaahhh!" Lyssandra ran around in circles pretending to dash away from flames.

[Marie]

Gwayne laughed aloud and pretended to hit the septa. One of his swats hit, though not hard.

"Die, dragon!" He yelled. "I will take your head home for my prize and marry the princess!

He glanced at Lyssandra. "Did the dragon hurt you?"

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

"She tried to eat me," she said sweetly. She looked from Gwayne over to her Septa innocent-like. The Septa stood there statue-esque and sighed. She decided to play along maybe just this once... "Oohhh no I've dieeed." She put the back of her hand against her forehead and pretended to topple over. "The charming knight has bested me."

"That's how its supposed to happen!" Lyssandra nearly yelled out. She felt bad suddenly and remembered the apple in her hand, then handed it to the Septa. "Eat this instead of me." She turned to Gwayne, "Who are you?"

[Marie]

The boy made a dramatic bow to the young princess.

"Ser Gwayne Hightower, future lord of Oldtown."

He was, of course, much too young to be a knight, but he spoke earnestly.

"I am at your service, princess. You have to tell me your name now. Like the princesses do in the stories."

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

Lyssandra tried a a curtsy and did it cutely to the admiration of her Septa. "I'm Princess Lyssandra Martell." She clumsily leaned forward and gave Gwayne a kiss on the cheek. "And that's for winning against the nasty dragon."

[Marie]

His eyes widened when she said Martell. He hadn't been expecting a real princess. He shuffled in embarrassment as she kissed him and tried not to pull away.

"Thank you," he said. "I never met a princess before. You're pretty. Your name is pretty too."

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

Lyssandra did not know what to say for once and she could not remember what was in the stories. Usually the princess and knight got married But as much as she dreamed about it she did not want to yet. "Thank you Lord Gwayne, you are really nice and handsome. A way a proper knight should be!" She looked at her Septa for assistance, but the Septa stood there silent, perhaps with a look of chagrin on her face.

"I want you to save me some more, do you want to play?"

[Marie]

"If you want. Saving princesses is fun!" He said with a wave of his play sword. "What can I rescue you from next? A giant or a robber knight?"

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

"A giant so scary! Or, uhm, a bunch of giants that all want to eat people! Or um, savage northmen!" Lyssandra spouted off excitedly. The Septa put a hand to her forehead, "PRincess, the northmen aren't savages, they are good people despite not following the seven."

[Marie]

Gwayne had to fight to say something reckless about northmen and their gods.

"The Warrior is the best god," he said. "He's better than all of them. But a giant would be good. Where can we find a giant?"

He glanced all around.

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

"I think there's a few giants even in here! We should be careful you know. We do have the warrior, but I like the Mother the best." She looked up at Septa for approval for once, and the Septa nodded, "The Mother is quite important, but so is the Warrior as Master Gwayne has noted. Pray to the mother and the warrior and they will help protect you. The septa put the apple Lyssandra gave her into her deep pocket. "Be careful looking for a giant the training yard is not a good place to play Princess. And it is no place for a lady."