Training Yard

[Horas]

With the banners called, several lords and knights from around the Riverlands train in the yard. Lord Tristane Ryger practices his archery, loosing shaft after shaft into the targets.

[edricdayne]

Tytos walks over to Lord Ryger. "Hey. I picked up archery myself not too long ago."

[melon]

///////////////

William trained in the yard building up his strength. He wondered if anyone was going to come and challenge him.

[Ollie]

Dismounting his horse and handing the reins over to one of his men, Burqe makes his way around the edge of the grounds, avoid the soldiers at work. The sharp sounds of metal on metal sing throughout the courtyard as the Lord of Pinkmaiden approaches the child Lord Paramount and his Regent.

“My Lord Terrence,” Piper says, bending a half-bow with an arm across his waist, “And his Regent, Ryan Blackwood.” Straightening himself with a friendly flash of teeth, he continues, “I am Lord Burqe Piper of Pinkmaiden. It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

[Horas]

The child lord looks up with curiosity at the newcomer. The yard is chilly in the early winter cold, and young Terrence wears a warm hat that looks several sizes too large.

"Are you a knight?" he blurts out before his uncle can say anything.

Ryan gives a slightly embarassed cough, then chuckles and extends his hand. "Welcome to Raventree Hall, Lord Burqe."

[Ollie]

His crooked grin only growing wider at the child’s confusion, Burqe grasps Ryan’s hand firmly as they shake. Giving the Regent a knowing nod, the Lord of Pinkmaiden drops down on one knee, bringing him to his Lord Paramount’s eyelevel.

“No, Lord Terrence. I am a lord of the Riverlands; my house is sworn to you, my liege,” he says, followed by a chuckle, “I am no knight… though with time, who can tell, eh?”

[Horas]

Little Lord Terrence nods solemnly. "A man does not have to be a knight to know honor and warfare," he says with the air of repeating something someone else has told him many times, "You may rise, Burqe Pinkmaiden," he says with the same immense gravity.

"Do you have any knights with you?" Terrence asks quickly. He peers around Burqe as though the Lord of Pinkmaiden might be hiding a tourney ground behind his back.

[Ollie]

Burqe rises to his feet with a smiling nod, ignoring the slip-up of name, “Wise words, milord.” At the boy's curiosity, he gladly steps aside and beckons his men over.

“Indeed I do! Two in fact. I present to you Ser Isaac Mollace and Ser Jerrit Hawthorne,” he says gesturing to the two older looking Pinkmaiden men. The former carries a bastard sword, the latter a spear. A considerably younger guard is standing slightly to the side of the knights. “And this is master Bryard Mollace, Ser Issac's son,” Burqe introduces the lad, no more than 16 years of age, equipped with a short-sword and shield.

[Horas]

"I wanted to go to the Tourney in King's Landing with Uncle Graham," Terrence says, "But Uncle Ryan wouldn't let me. Did you know the king is only a little older than me? Isn't that funny?"

"Let us not pester our guest more than is necessary, Terrence," Ryan says. "Had we knew you were coming, we might have prepared a feast. But the food at Raventree Hall is always hearty, and you and your men are welcome at our table, Lord Burqe."

[Ollie]

He can’t help but grin at Terrence’s youthful enthusiasm. Gaze dropping sympathetic at the thought of his own sheltered youth, Burqe’s grin droops momentarily. “Oh, he’s no great bother, Ryan,” Burqe says, looking down to the boy warmly, smile returning, “I can understand the excitement of having visitors.”

“It’s no tourney, my Lord Terrence,” Ser Isaac interjects, “but mayhap you’d like to see Ser Jerrit and myself trade a few blows while your good uncle and Lord Piper talk?”

[Horas]

"I would like that," Terrence says. He sits down on one of the logs serving as benches that surround the training yard and waits for the two men to begin.

With the boy distracted, Ryan turns back to Burqe. "So does anything in particular bring you to our halls, Lord Burqe?"

[Ollie]

Ser Jerrit swaps out his spear for Brynard’s short sword and shield, and turns to face the his fellow knight. The two knights quarter off, then begin to trade blows, the echo of the steel adding to the din of the training yard. After a few seconds, it’s obvious to tell that the spearman’s skill with the sword is nowhere near Ser Isaac’s ability. Lessening the intensity of his blows, the knights continue as Burqe approaches the elder Blackwood.

“I trust you received our missive from Pinkmaiden, Ryan, with the news of my late lord father?” Lord Burqe says, without his former enthusiasm.

[Horas]

Ryan nods. "I did. My condolences, Burqe. I didn't know your father personally, but I only heard good things about him."

[Ollie]

“Kind of you to say,” Burqe nods thankfully. “It was a hard loss to bear, not only for myself but for all of Pinkmaiden. Lord Edwyn was well liked by our people. I can only hope I can serve my people half as well.”

[Horas]

Ryan smiles at the younger man. "I am sure you will do an admirable job, Burqe. Lord Terrence would expect nothing less." He casts a glance at the boy who still sits fascinated, watching the duel.