|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 1:32:40 GMT -5
Doreah sat astride a beautiful golden palomino Palfrey she affectionately called Sunspear. “Stay close dear,” she reminded Amelia, keeping her face ducked beneath her drawn hood. No one could be allowed to know of this meeting.
She scanned the gates for any sign of Ser Oswyn Baratheon. They could not let him know of this deceit either. She lowered her hood as they left the stinking bustle of the city behind, trying to calm her jittery nerves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 1:57:17 GMT -5
Ser Oswyn was waiting at the edge of the Kingswood, astride a powerfully built dapple gray palfrey that he affectionately called Traveller, accompanied by four mounted Baratheon guardsmen. He was dressed in brown riding leathers and a ruffled white shirt, his sigil emblazoned upon a green cloak he often wore while hunting.
He looked momentarily puzzled to see the younger Lannister girl, having received a message from Doreah requesting a riding lesson in the Kingswood. Having spent most of his youth hunting and hawking in its dense embrace, he saw himself as worthy a guide as any.
"Do you ladies not require a chaperone?" he asked curiously, forgoing any greeting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 2:11:48 GMT -5
“Ser Oswyn,” Doreah greeted with a bright smile, smoothing her skirts unconsciously. “We are in your debt for this lesson. I brought dear Amelia along as she’s awfully fond of horses and jumps at any chance to ride.” Almost as an afterthought, she added, “You and your companions will be quite enough—I feel we shall be quite safe.” She looked at him reassuringly. “My husband is well aware of my Dornish nature and is admittedly free with me.” Her words were open, not hinting at or hiding anything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 2:22:09 GMT -5
Oswyn raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth, as if considering voicing his discomfort that by "chaperone" he had meant a member of their family, but he thought it rude to contradict the woman.
"I fear I have little to teach." he said, observing that the women already looked fairly comfortable in the saddle. "But I would never pass up a chance to explore the Kingswood...especially with such welcome company."
Despite the ride, Oswyn's love of the hunt was apparent in the gear his compatriots had decided to bring. They all had boar spears with them and there was a yew longbow and quarrel of arrows plainly visible in the pack on the Baratheon heir's palfrey.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 2:28:13 GMT -5
"That is quite an accomplishment for one so young." Oswyn exclaimed, genuinely impressed." These woods are rife with quail. Perhaps we will get the chance to test that claim."
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 2:36:36 GMT -5
“It appears that you have more than quail in mind, however,” Doreah observed after a brief survey of his horse. “We should not be worried of being left behind, I hope; for as much as Amelia may rave about our riding, I fear we may not be able to keep up to your demands.”
She looked over to the child. “Amelia is quite a wonder with the bow already. Don’t be shy, Amelia, come ride up here child and tell Ser Oswyn how much you enjoy hunting.” She laughed lightly at the girl's sweet attempts to flatter her before Ser Oswyn--she was the ideal mentor for her Teirney, who could use a gentle influence on her. The girl was far too wild by half. "I hardly brought it down by myself Amelia. Careful what you tell Ser Oswyn--otherwise he may ask us for a demonstration!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 2:51:06 GMT -5
"You misjudge me, Lady Doreah." Oswyn replied, in mock indignation. "I have only the ride with two noble women in mind, but if a prized stag or boar happens to cross our path I would be remiss not to be prepared."
He reined his horse towards the forest and set it forward at a steady cadence.
"I would never demand more than I expected you could handle." he continued with a laugh. "Though a demonstration might have to be in order. I must admit I have never seen a woman wield a boar spear."
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 20:08:52 GMT -5
Well, it was uncomely, to say the least, Doreah thought. There is a reason women play dress up instead of chasing boars with spears. Doreah laughed. “It was all happenstance, truly. My husband has never been the most noteworthy hunter and found himself on the wrong side of the chase. The spear was inconveniently right before me so—“ she spread her hands. “He was already terribly wounded beforehand—I did little but strike the final blow.
“My interests lie elsewhere Ser Oswyn," she continued, rather mysteriously, "although, I hope we are fortunate enough to come across something a bit more exciting than quails so we can see a hunt done properly.” She included Amelia in her gaze. “What is your favorite game?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 22:28:44 GMT -5
"In a boar hunt, the final blow is the only one that matters." Oswyn replied, impressed. "Do not sell yourself short."
"I am curious where exactly your interests do lie, Lady Doreah?" he inquired, curious. "As for my preferred hunt, I prefer something with a challenge. Boar are fair sport and the Kingswood has been known to house brown bear. Wolves are an enjoyable quarry with some trusty hounds. Though in truth, I dream of more dangerous game such as shadowcats and lizard-lions."
As they rode along, Oswyn admired the canopy above them was a satisfied sigh.
"I am surprised you did not invite your mother-in-law to this outing."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 22:41:02 GMT -5
The knight reined his horse in hard, wheeling around to face the women.
"So your family is not aware of where you are at the moment?" he inquired, voice losing its friendly tone, bordering on annoyed anger.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 22:57:06 GMT -5
"Ser Oswyn, be at ease," Doreah interjected airily, nudging her horse abreast Amelia's so to block the girl from view. "You misunderstand the poor child. Her mother is made terribly anxious by this hunting business and prefers to keep Amelia as out of harm's way. She does not realize others are more naturally gifted in the saddle than she--she can hardly get on as oft as not. You are familiar with Lord Gerion, however--he much prefers his children to grow more...resilient from these experiences. He insisted she come, in truth. He even bough the girl her own hounds for her Name Day. You train them, don't you, Amelia." she turned to the girl so that her back was to Ser Oswyn, and raised her eyebrows expectantly. Foolish child, don't falter now!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 23:13:14 GMT -5
Oswyn relaxed noticeably as Doreah interjected, but his narrowed eyes indicated that he was still slightly skeptical. Nonetheless, he turned his house back around and continued their ride.
"What is your favorite game then?" he inquired, returning to the topic at hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 23:23:09 GMT -5
Doreah's body didn't betray the tensity leaving her body, but she was relieved, nonetheless. He didn't seem fully convinced, however, so she would need to keep an eye on the situation.
"Have you ever hunted a lion, Ser Oswyn," she said, looking straight ahead with a smile curving across her full lips.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lord Oswyn Baratheon on Sept 12, 2013 23:23:16 GMT -5
"You must be handy with a bow then." Oswyn said, humoring the girl despite most of his attention on Doreah. "Large game are the bane of the inept marksman."
"No, but I am sure a lion hunt would be thrilling, despite the inherent danger to the hounds." Oswyn answered Doreah, returning her smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Teirney Lannister on Sept 12, 2013 23:51:35 GMT -5
"Amelia is quite the useful child. You are favored by this union, Ser Oswyn." She lapsed into several seconds of awkward silence before peering over at him and continuing.
"There are few lions left to hunt in the Westerlands, but we keep some at the Rock. I breed them, in truth. Seeing creatures so majestic, fierce, and wild, it seems a terrible tragedy that they should die."
|
|
Hope you all are well and happy.