Courtyard in Runestone

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Aye that he does. I'm Bran of Braavos, though some would probably name me Brandon Stone. It doesn't have the same ring to it though. As for why I'm here, I've never been to Westeros before and I got tired of the free cities. Besides I was told that I was a baseborn son of a Royce, so this would be the best place to start then. You wouldn't happen to know Howland Royce, would you?" Brandon asked eying Laren curiously.

[mel]

Laren swallowed. "Well as it happens my fathers name was Howland. You're sure about him being your father?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Unless my mother lied to me at her deathbed, I'm pretty sure yes. So I have a brother now, how splendid! Where is our father though?" Brandon wondered.

[mel]

Laren wasn't sure if splendid was the right word. One didn't just get a brother.

"He is dead. Died a year after my birth. I was raised by my aunt, his twin. I think we should talk to her about this. Besides the kitchen is not the right place."

Behind them the grey-haired knight, who as Edd had told them was about to set out to aid another family member stepped on a bench waiting for the men assembled in the kitchen to listen to him.

OCC- have to continue this later, I need some sleep

[Lord Howland Royce]

Brandon was about to say something, but Baelor nudged him with his foot unseen. "Aye, we should be more discreet perhaps. So for now I shall be Bran of Braavos, unless everyone here listened to us and turned into gossiping little girls".

OOC - sleep, hmm good idea that.

[House Dustin]

Edd said, "Uhhh, a Royce. Uhm, they called him Black Ogre. Or Black.... Black Odhar, I think."

///// Later //////

The old knight stood up on a bench. "Some of you may know me, others not. I'm Ser Jaremy Donniger. I've fought in my share of wars, though the last was some years ago. I've always fought hard for the Vale, and always true. I've come across many men of the Vale during my years of service, and one of those was Ser Odhar Royce. Now there is a man who always did his duty." He paused and looked around.

He continued, "Ser Odhar, still doing his duty, and some thankless one at that. I'll tell you a tale, now. Some call the youngest son of Edric Royce "the Black." Black Odhar. Being the fifth son of a great lord, there was some question what is the honorable thing for him to do? Take the black? Go off to serve the faith? Wear a Maester's chain? Certainly, a marriage would not be arranged. Who marries a fifth son?"

The old knight smiled nostalgically, "It turns out a girl named Malla Bushy would. She was just barely noble, a daughter of a very junior branch of a minor house of the Reach. A young Ser Odhar had proven himself a capable knight, and after a memorable performance at a tourney at Cider Hall, she would catch his eye. They were married not a fortnight hence, much to the chagrin of the great lords of the Vale. In a rage they sent him packing to a small holdfast far into the Mountains of the Moon called Tedmyn's Down. In fact, it were the last bastion of civilization, and formed the shoulder of the fertile lands that ran north and west of Strongsong. Ser Odhar took his young wife there, and started a family... Some of you will have heard of his son, Knight of the Gate, Ser Roland Royce. And for years has he kept the Clans in check, protecting the smallfolk and their harvest."

Darkness passed across Ser Jaremy's face. "Once again, the great lords of the Vale seek to forsake Ser Odhar Royce, who has ever served them faithfully and valiantly. Ser Odhar has sent for help, whatever can be spared, as the Clans threaten his position there. The castellan Jon Royce left behind literally laughed at this request. As luck would have it, however, this foolish castellan values me as much as he does Ser Odhar Royce, and has allowed me to take what help I can gather, and ride to Tedmyn's Down. There we can help with this Clannish problem. Now, who among you will stand with me, and stand with honor?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"I came too Westeros for adventures of sorts, and that is what I shall have ser," Brandon Stone answered. Baelor Quickstrike remained silent but stood up behind Brandon as to support his decision.

[mel]

"I will! It can't be that a family member in need is left alone. Especially if one who has always been true to his family. And if the other Royces are to busy or not caring about what is happening here in the Vale and to its people I, Laren Royce will go!"

Perhaps this speech was a bit too much for a 15 year old boy. But if he kept acting the boy they would always see him as that. It was time he did proof himself and this Clanthing could be the right opportunity.

"Looks like we'll be brothers in arms as well.... Do you have any special training?
But before we leave we should seek out my aunt, to tell her your interesting bit of news. Perhaps she knows something. And besides she could be of some help to find a place for you friend, since he is hardly fit to go to the Mountains of the Moon with only half his wits about him."

[House Dustin]

Others joined their voices to the call. All-in-all, the old knight, a one-handed Ser Uller of the Standing Stone, their squires a sellsword (hearing Royce, thinking money), and nine squire aged boys would form a company to travel to Tedmyn's Down.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Don't fear, I was only jesting although sometimes it may seem hard to notice. He's actually quite good with daggers and he has some skill with healing which could be very useful. He just prefer to keep quiet unless there's something exciting happening. I don't have any special training, unless you call learning the water dance of Braavos by trial and error training. I wouldn't feel comfortable mentioning any other of our training in a not so secure area though," Brandon whispered. "Lead the way to our aunt, so we may inform her".

[House Dustin]

OOC: I'll let you guys RP a bit more in Alayne's Room, before we head up to Tedmyn's Down. By the way, with the death of Jon Royce, Black Odhar is about to become Lord of Runestone. Campaign wise, I'll have you guys meet him on the road through the mountains. It's up to you all if you'd like to continue on to the Down and do the Clan thing, or go back with Odhar to Runestone and play here.

[mel]

Brandon, Baelor and Laren were crossing the yard towards the armoury. They could see others readying packhorses over by the stables.
"There is a large wooden chest in the armoury with old cloth. We should find some fitting things for you in there. By the way, how did you get to Runestone? You arrived by ship in Gulltown, didn't you? Have you bought there some horses? "

[Lord Howland Royce]

"We bought two horses, though one broke a leg due to poor riding so we had to kill it unfortunatly," Baelor replied.

Brandon looked through the chest and found three white cloakes, while Baelor searched through the armory for some light chainmail. He came back with studded leather armor instead. "Seems like all the chainmail was gone, probably because of the war," Baelor shrugged.

[mel]

"Yeah, and I fear it'll be the same with the horses. I was out riding a few days ago and only the old ones were left. But for the Mountains we won't need no warhorses. Some of the smaller ponies are better. They are more sure-footed anyway."

[Lord Howland Royce]

"I'll take the pony then. I'd rather not break my neck," Baelor said quickly. "So, when are we leaving?"