Stoatheart

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Well it would be unlikely that any army would attack us this far south, the mountains being the way that they are, probably could set some fine ambushes if they did try it," Alexander states, trying with difficulty to show he does know something of martial matters.

[The Flint]

Ser Torn smiled, "And if they go by sea, and land at Sun House, destroyed as it was in the disaster? Who will watch our rear?" He laughed again, until he coughed. "You're a spirited lad its true. But don't think us old codgers so soft in the head just yet."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Alexander laughed with the old knight, he felt a kinship with him despite having just met him. Perhaps it was because he had fought with his father or perhaps because he too had suffered under Jarrad Varner. "Ser Torn can you tell me about my father, he never spoke of his military service or about the founding of Irwyn, my father told me that my grandfather had served Lord Vern Varner some time ago, but all I've ever known is Irwyn village the shoddy holdfast and the road to Bandallon."

[The Flint]

"If ever those wooden walls are between you and thousand screaming dornishmen you'll never have seen such magnificent fortifications in all your life. Oh how you'll praise them." Ser Torn said, chuckling lightly. "Your father was a good man. Had a strong arm. Good with an axe. Although he limited himself to just the one, not as ambitious as you I suppose. He served Lord Marcus faithfully, and was our best fighter. 'sides myself of course, but he'd have argued the point." Ser Torn drank deep of his wine glass. "We fought together everywhere the Reach army went, and took the knee to the King when the Tyrells did. Your grandfather was given those lands long ago, because he was the only one man enough to take them. Thieves, robbers, bandits and highwaymen of all kinds terrorized that area until your grandfather built that little shoddy holdfast. But your grandfather dispensed rough justice. Rough and fair, and the lands are some of our best now. The crops decent, but its the timber thats good."

[The Flint]

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The next day, Ser Torn of Blacksable had Ser Alexander brought to the training ground. All around him men-at-arms were honing their skills at sword, and shield and horse and spear. Ser Torn was dressed in mail, his shield showing a black weasel with a sword in its hands against a white field.

"So you talk a good game Ser Alexander, let's see how those axes do."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Very well old man. On Guard" Alexander raises his training axes to respond to the challenge.

[The Flint]

Ser Torn laughed as a woosy Ser Alexander picked himself back up to his feet.

"And that Ser Alexander, is how it is done. Still, not bad for a man knewly anointed, that first hit did sting something terrible." Ser Torn took Alexander by the arm and gave it a shake. "Welcome to House Varner, We'll need your axes before long I fear."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Your clever old man, hiding behind that cough. A valuable lesson that everything is not always as it seems." Alexander says trying to hide the pain. "I'll have Ser Gilbert check the water they are serving our prisoners, six years in the dungeon and you still hit like an ox."

[The Flint]

Ser Torn gave Ser Alexander a playful smack on the arm with the flat of the training blade.

"The cough's real enough boy, I promise you that. And if you want to sample what they give you to drink down there, I assure you, it's no water." Ser Torn took a glass of wine from a nearby servant to quench his thirst.

"Alright, enough play. You want to do something serious?"

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"Aye, as soon as the castle stops spinning, I feel like a cat thats got caught in my village's water wheel," Alexander says.

"Aww quit complaining you tart" Ser Gilbert adds, "you know your fond of wet pussy."

Ser Gilbert lets out a thunderous laugh quite proud of his little jest.

[The Flint]

Ser Torn chuckles, but than grows serious, "Perhaps I should send Left Foot, and let you two nit-wits take the motley. A messenger came today, saying there were riders near Irwyn. Plundering, and thieving. We don't know if they are raiders from another land or mere thieves, mayhaps some criminal types up from Sun House. Take 50 horse, and scout them out. If they are mere thieves, deal with them. If they are more than that, send a rider, and we'll deal with it."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Alexander quickly goes somber at the news, "Brigands likely, though I am surprised they took hold so quickly, I'll check on the town, and I'll be sure to keep this fool in line" Alexander stares harshly at Ser Gilbert. "Yet you might want to warn Left Foot he might have some competition when things calm down in the Reach."

Alexander waves to Ser Torn and then goes to saddle his horse.

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

A rider approaches Stoatheart keep, as he comes closer the familiar banner of the Irwyn family can be seen. The gate is lowered and Ser Alexander Irwyn and his horse Ivy's Edge enter the Keep.

"Please see to my horse. Is Ser Torn of Blacksable available? I have news of the Brigands in Hanley woods."

[The Flint]

Ser Torn strides out to meet Ser Alexander.

"Ser Alex, welcome back. I take it our brigand problem has been dealt with satisfactorily?

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"They won't be causing any trouble for us for the time being. Five of the men are in the ground and the remaining six are in the stocks with the villagers giving them their proper reward," Alexander pauses for a second, "Ser Torn I think these men might be more organized then our typical Hanley Wood bandits though, they all had a brand with a red sun on the small of their back. Does that mean anything to you?"