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Post by Ollie on Mar 11, 2008 0:35:19 GMT -5
South of Riverrun and East of Golden Tooth, along the Red Fork, lies Pinkmaiden. It's a modest structure, as far as castles go, nevertheless well constructed and maintained. Banners bearing the arms of House Piper (a dancing pink maiden, swathed in white, on a field of blue) hang from the ramparts. Fluttering in the breeze, they beat endlessly against the pale red sandstone.
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 11, 2008 10:28:45 GMT -5
Jacob Blackwood and a couple of his servants lead a wagon and a couple attached carts into the city. Jacob, the eldest son of Alexius Blackwood the Kingsguard and widower, is a local Riverlands wine distributer. In his carts are several great barrels of red and Arbor Red which had been shipped north from Sunspear.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 11, 2008 12:55:41 GMT -5
Shouts of the wine seller's arrival echo up from the watchmen to the ramparts. Within minutes a messenger exits the castle gates and makes his way down the town's main street to meet the company of carts.
Approaching Jacob with a weak smile, the runner gives a bow of courtesy, "Master merchant, you are welcomed to Pinkmaiden by my master Ambriet, serving as head of this castle in our Lord Burqe's absence. I've been requested to lead you to the castle courtyard, where the Castellan eagerly awaits you."
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 11, 2008 13:00:35 GMT -5
Jacob smiled easily. "Thank you friend", he said as he followed the messenger into the castle's courtyard in no great hurry. He is wrapped tightly in the the black and red of his house, despite the fact that he played such a minor role in his house's management.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 11, 2008 13:16:11 GMT -5
Ambriet Mollace was awaiting the barrel laden caravan inside in walls of Pinkmaiden Castle. With a thin-lipped smile, the castellan inclines his head politely to Jacob Blackwood.
"Welcome, friend. What brings you and your men to Pinkmaiden? Truth be told we haven't had guests to our castle in quite some time," he says, the corners of his smile drooping slightly.
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 11, 2008 14:10:37 GMT -5
"So I heard" Jacob said, gesturing towards the other side of town, "I know a friend here who told me of some hard times. Thats why I thought I'd bring my business here. Nothing lightens up the mood quite like a nice wine", the dark haired man smiled.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 11, 2008 17:01:10 GMT -5
Ambriet let his grin grow large once again, “Yes, wine-seller, indeed it does. I am Ambriet Mollace, Castellan of Pinkmaiden, welcome.” Approaching Jacob, the castellan wraps an arm around the Blackwood kindly, “Come, my friend, let us treat you in the solar. Your servants are free to visit any of the local taverns while we discuss prices and trade news.”
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 11, 2008 17:23:03 GMT -5
"Thank you", Jacob said in his soft voice, "Let me address them and then I will return". He left Ambriet for a moment to discuss with his servants, and as he returned to the Castellan, his servants walked away from the wagon and into the town. "Lead the way, friend", Jacob said as he gestured forward.
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Post by Ollie on Mar 12, 2008 10:00:29 GMT -5
Without a moment lost, Ambriet leads the wine-seller through the courtyard and into heart of Pinkmaiden Castle. A solar had been modestly set with a platter of breads and poached fish, accompanied by mugs of cellar-cooled ale. Offering him a seat, Ambriet politely remains standing until Jacob sits. “Please, sit, sit!” he pips with a smile. “Freshly caught," he gestures to the spread. "Please, indulge.”
“So, tell me friend, how fares House Blackwood as of late? I couldn’t help but notice the colors you wore,” the castellan begins as he takes a seat, leaving the food untouched in favor of words. “Our newly seated Lord Burqe set off to Blacktree not only a few days ago,” he nods, “I suspect he should be arriving soon.”
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 12, 2008 12:40:00 GMT -5
"Thank you", Jacob says as he looks up while eating his food. "House Blackwood fares well. Raventree Hall is lonely with Lord Warren though." He frowned and continued to as he said, "And there is the matter of Horas's dismissal that is regrettable for the entire family."
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Post by Ollie on Mar 12, 2008 16:39:47 GMT -5
At the Blackwood’s shift in mood, Ambriet Mollace adopts a similar grimace. “I can sympathize, friend. The people of Pinkmaiden where greatly saddened by the early death of our Lord Paramount.” Finally reaching for his mug, the Castellan downs a mouthful of the cool, if bitter drink.
“We were struck a double blow at the loss of our own Lord Edwyn not long ago,” Ambriet says solemnly. Raising his tankard in the air, he looks to Jacob and gives a slow nod. “To them we serve, and to them who serve us.”
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 12, 2008 18:17:02 GMT -5
Raising his tankard, Jacob says the same line as Ambriet and take a drink, "This winter has been quite less than good to us, hasn't it?".
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Post by Ollie on Mar 12, 2008 19:20:13 GMT -5
Ambriet nods. "In truth, it has friend. I was more than a little surprised when I found you had come bearing wines all the way from Dorne. Quite a feat in these times, is it not… er…” the castellan hesitates. “I’m sorry, I must not have caught your name, Blackwood.”
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Post by Imry Willfyre on Mar 13, 2008 8:03:57 GMT -5
"Jacob Blackwood. Ser Alexius Blackwood of the Kingsguard is my father...". He grew quiet, "He joined after my mother died."
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Post by Ollie on Mar 13, 2008 23:33:41 GMT -5
Ambriet averts his gaze politely. “These certainly are hard times we face,” the castellan says somberly. “Still,” he continues, the tone of his voice turning optimistic, “we do what we must to alleviate those times. A pleasure to treat you and your men in Pinkmaiden, master Jacob.”
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Hope you all are well and happy.