|
Post by swammeyjoe on Nov 28, 2007 0:16:16 GMT -5
Randal nods calmly to the Hand, "Go see what Tallahar has done now."
|
|
|
Post by Horas on Nov 29, 2007 17:01:36 GMT -5
Great crowds gather around the giant structure Randal has constructed. With three spots open on the Kingsguard, two men will be appointed before the competition, and seven lesser known names will compete for the final spot. The full Kingsguard is present to welcome their new brothers. The King, the Regent, the Hand, and many other important figures also stand nearby.
The first man honored with the white cloak is a legend in the Westerlands. Ser Pedryc Yew's skill with the sword is unmatched, and he is renowned for his honor across Westeros. Ser Giles Grandison clasps the white cloak around Ser Pedryc's neck and the crowd cheers.
The second man honored is a northerner, from the Manderlys of White Harbor. No man, north or south of the neck, is his equal in the battle axe, and he is a famed military commander. Ser Berrim Manderly stands tall and is welcomed by his new brothers.
The crowd cheers and waits eagerly to hear the names of the seven men who will be fighting for the honor of the final place in the Kingsguard.
|
|
|
Post by Horas on Nov 29, 2007 23:34:10 GMT -5
The Seven competitors in the Pagaent are announced. A few are known names, but many are young men who have shown a spark of brilliance.
Ser Felwick Gower, called the Gatehouse. A massive Stormlander, famed for riding with Lord Rhodri Arryn.
Tytos Blackwood. Leader of the Raven Riders, Tytos has proved his skill in battle as both a sellsword and an outrider.
Ser Justin Prestor. The only man in the competiton not to compete in the tourney, Prestor earns his spot for his formidable reputation as a swordsman and a general.
Ser Addam Marbrand. The second son of Lord Lannister's admiral, and a local hero to the people of King's Landing. Ser Addam performed abley in the tournament and is looking to prove himself further.
Ser Martyn Darry. An outrider and a skilled lance. Darry barely qualified for the tournament at all, but proved his skill by advancing deep into the tourney.
Ser Benfry Smith. The least known name on the list, Ser Benfry has nonetheless attracted the attention of some for his skill.
Ser Brandon Rivers. A seasoned and chivalrous knight from the Riverlands.
|
|
|
Post by wookie on Dec 3, 2007 9:05:08 GMT -5
Benfry was lost in thought as he lined up next to the other knights. He was still coming to terms with his appointment to House Lannister when the Hand of the King had personally invited him to compete. The Hand of the King himself! he thought. Somewhat in a daze, he had told Lord Randal of this, seeking his permission to join the other contenders. His mind raced as he stood nervously at the start line, imagining the prize on offer. To join the ranks of such legends as the White Bull, the Sword of the Morning and Barristan the Bold. Barristan himself had started his career from a tourney, he remembered. Even though he had come from a noble family and was not the son of a blacksmith. He glanced down the line at the men alongside him, men from great and noble families across Westeros. Even the bastards had come from a more noble lineage. He shook his head in wonder at his destiny so far. He did not expect to win, but to even be permitted to challenge for the right on offer was a victory in itself. He wondered what his father would say if he saw him now...
Benfry was still musing to himself when the race began and he blinked rapidly and gave chase to the crowd as they muscled each other out of the way for the ladder. After Blackwood, Gower and Marbrand had forced their way to the top, Benfry waited patiently for his chance to scale the ladder, not willing to barge his way past the others. His reticence continued once he reached the top and gingerly climbed onto the log as it slide down the ramp. This was totally outside his experience and the occassion was unnerving to him. He fared better on the sandbags course where his youth, speed and quickness allowed him to overtake some of the clumsier knights. He deftly, but cautiously, negotiated the narrow walkway and braced himself for the leap of faith across the gap. He muttered a quick oath to the warrior and leapt...
|
|
|
Post by edricdayne on Dec 3, 2007 18:06:12 GMT -5
Tytos had been very nervous. Competing with six others to get into the Kingsguard... He would have to win. He sprinted over to the ladder and went up it with almost inhuman speed, amazing everyone else. He looked over his shoulder for a mere moment, to see Ser Gower holding up everyone else. He ran and went down the log, looking back again to see Ser Gower bridging the gap. Tytos ran through the sandbags, and several people were catching up. He walked across the narrow walkway, being sure not to fall. He murmured a quick prayer to the new gods and old, which he had only started to worship upon his return. He got ready to jump, and hoped the gods would carry him across..
|
|
|
Post by swammeyjoe on Dec 3, 2007 19:02:31 GMT -5
Randal sits in the stands, watching Benfry and Marbrand's progress with interest.
|
|
|
Post by edricdayne on Dec 3, 2007 22:42:46 GMT -5
Tytos pulls into the lead again, with Gower close behind along with several others. The competition is nearing its end, and Tytos once again does a silent prayer. Kingsguard... I have to make it!
|
|
|
Post by wookie on Dec 4, 2007 8:54:10 GMT -5
Benfry scrambles up the ledge but is starting to tire badly. He just tucks and rolls down the net to the ground, which seems to work surprisingly well, and then heads off towards the sound of fighting as the leaders tackle the rest of the Kingsguard.
He knows he could perhaps even the odds a little by striking out at his fellow competitors but he does not wish to act so dishonourably and so charges forward against the common foe.
He struggles past the white knights and as he gets towards the action he spots Ser Martyn Darry smashing into Ser Anselm and Brandon Rivers, knocking them both out of the contest. He curses angrily at such tactics and when he spots Ser Darry launch an attack against Gower's flank he reacts on instinct, blocking the coward's strike before it lands. Ser Prestor has recovered ground and then hammers the knight to the ground. Benfry grunts in satisfaction, nods at Ser Prestor and together they both go forward in a spirit of comradeship. They join the Gatehouse in his assault against Ser Pedryc. Benfry hung back, gauging the enemy. He had never seen a knight move so fast! He would not have believed it possible, had he not witnessed it with his own eyes. His hands grow clammy as he awaits his chance. As Ser Prestor falls with a wicked blow to the head, he seizes his chance, recklessly launching himself at Ser Yew, knowing that his only hope was to surprise the superior knight and possibly get lucky. Sadly, Ser Yew moved gracefully to one side and Benfry ran straight into the rail and a blow on the back toppled him over it. He pounded the ground in frustration but was overall pleased and surprised at how far he had gotten in the contest.
Once Gower was defeated, he clambered to his feet and clapped Ser Yew on the shoulder and said "Well done, Ser. I have no shame at being defeated by so superlative a swordsman as you". With a grin and a nod, he moves off and tries to revive some of the fallen knights, starting with Ser Prestor who had aided him in removing Ser Darry from the contest. He scowled to himself as the thought of such as he wearing the white cloak.
|
|
|
Post by House Dustin on Dec 4, 2007 14:32:50 GMT -5
Roland watches with approval as Tytos and Gower near the end of the competition only to meet the stout resistance of the best of the White Brothers. He couldn't help but feel a slight tugging at some decisions he'd made.
He gave an audible cheer as a hedge knight he did not know selflessely acted with great courage, defeating Martyn Darry and his dishonorable attempt at Gower.
|
|
|
Post by edricdayne on Dec 4, 2007 17:39:15 GMT -5
Tytos sighs as he gets back up. He had come so close, only to be defeated in the fights. So close... But nobody else made it either, so who gets it? All Tytos could do was hope, hope that he would wear the White Cloak.
|
|
|
Post by Horas on Dec 4, 2007 17:43:31 GMT -5
Ser Brandon dusts himself off and claps for Ser Pedryc Yew, whose phenomenal defense stopped four Kingsguard hopefuls in their tracks.
|
|
|
Post by wookie on Dec 5, 2007 6:40:40 GMT -5
Benfry was heading back to his quarters in the Rock when a page found him and told him to return to the field of honour to take part in a final set of duels for a place in the Kingsguard. Surprised but pleased to have one last chance he hurried back, barely in time. He missed the first duel and saw that Ser Prestor was his opponent. He smiled, happy to see the noble knight as his foe. He saluted him and waited for the signal to begin. He did not even hear the roar of the crowd. He clashed blades with the westerman in an epic to-and-fro contest and landed a lucky blow to defeat his skilled opponent. Breathing hard, he helped Ser Prestor to his feet, saying "Well fought again Ser. It has been a privilege to cross swords with such as you". Bone-tired and weary now after a long day he saw with something approaching horror that the huge Gatehouse Gower was his final rival. He murmured a quick prayer to the Seven as the fight began and barely blocked his first attack. To his stunned astonishment, his riposte squeaked through a gap 'tween axe & shield, knocking the giant to the ground. Turning to face the stands, slack-jawed in amazement he realised the impossible... He'd won!!
|
|
|
Post by edricdayne on Dec 5, 2007 13:54:39 GMT -5
Tytos got up and watched Gower and Benfry fight. His faced went from shock to awe, as Ser Benfry Smith managed to defeat Gower. Tytos walked over to Benfry, a sad smile on his face. "Well done, good Ser. You managed to defeat Ser Prestor and Gower, you are truly a great swordsman. Congratulations on making the Kingsguard."
|
|