|
Post by mark on Apr 5, 2008 20:03:45 GMT -5
The feast went on late into the night, but Bret did not speak to Alyce again. He felt strangely hurt at the girl's refusal of him, as he was used to girls flirting with him over his good looks. He took his farewell in the morning, riding back to Blackhaven with his men. He was determined to win Alyce's respect.
|
|
|
Post by mark on Apr 14, 2008 14:59:28 GMT -5
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Robb and his men arrived at Three Towers after disembarking from the ships. They carried his brother's remains with them, and only the memories of 1,000 other men from Horn Hill. Robb was returning a war-hardened, very respected warrior; he had performed bravely and impressively throughout the campaign, and was now one of the best swords and leader in the kingdom. That did nothing to lift his spirits, however. The guards allowed Robb and his men entrance, taking the horses to the stables and showing them to their rooms. Robb only had one thing in mind; and that a was a talk with Lord Costayne and his daughter Alyce, whom Bret had been courting heavily.
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Apr 14, 2008 15:05:20 GMT -5
Lord Costayne, and his daughter Alyce approach the fallen soldier and his brother. As Alyce sees young Bret's face, she begins to cry, biting her fist to keep from wailing.
Lord Costayne sighed, his heavy frame rising and falling.
"Lord Tarly welcome, to Three towers. I am sorry for your loss. Your brother died a hero's death."
|
|
|
Post by mark on Apr 14, 2008 15:08:02 GMT -5
Robb bowed to the older man. "Yes, milord, he did. I am proud to come back victorious, however. Your son and nephew fought well."
Turning to the girl, he said, "You must be Alyce. Your beauty is everything Bret spoke of; I wish you to know that he loved you, and wished to have your hand in marriage, with your Lord father's permission, of course. I am sorry."
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Apr 14, 2008 15:13:12 GMT -5
Alyce weeps feeblely, and falls to her knees beside the pallet carrying Ser Brett's body.
|
|
|
Post by mark on Apr 14, 2008 15:46:35 GMT -5
Robb watches, frozen in place, before breaking into action by striding forward and gently helping her rise to her feet. "Grieve not, Lady Alyce. Your knight will forever feast in the hall of heroes." Turning back to Lord Costayne, he said, "Lord, would it be best for Lady Alyce to retire to privacy for a while? I was wanting to ask if you would have my men and I in your Hall this evening. Perhaps the Lady would feel a little better then?"
|
|
|
Post by The Stranger on Apr 14, 2008 16:05:14 GMT -5
Two young maids escort the young Alyce away. She leans on them heavily, not trusting her own knees.
"Lord Tarly, though the marriage ties between your family and mine were not completed, I you are always welcome here. Please forgive my daughter, but she truly was fond of Ser Brett. She had us at the end of our ropes worrying about him, and inventing fanciful stories of his heroics. It is a great shame." Costayne frowns, but shakes his head. "Please, take an apartment for yourself and your men, and we can sup whenever you are in the mood."
|
|
|
Post by mark on Apr 14, 2008 16:09:20 GMT -5
Robb earnestly thanks Lord Costayne before dismissing himself to change and rest. Three hours later, he enters the Great Hall of Three Towers. The feast had already begun sometime earlier, but Robb knew that given the circumstances, he would be excused. His men were in high spirits and he could not blame them; they were nearly home after a perilous year of battles, in a court with several beautiful women. Trying to put his grief aside, Robb assumed the seat of honor beside Lord Costayne.
|
|
|
Post by mark on Apr 14, 2008 17:10:34 GMT -5
Robb and his men leave the following morning, after he had repeatedly thanked Lord Costayne for his hospitality and Lady Alyce for her strength and bravery.
|
|