Post by The Stranger on Apr 6, 2008 14:38:12 GMT -5
The Red Keep was filled with intricate passageways and dark, endless halls. The layout and many secrets hidden within its strong, bloody walls were truly fascinating, yet Robb was not even a tad bit interested as he made his way aimlessly throughout the maze. For the thousandth time in the past few months, Robb found himself thinking of his father and his father only. He was thinking of their hunting trips in the woods by Horn Hill, the way his father had slapped him on the shoulder, so proud, when he speared his first boar. He was thinking of the many feasts in the hall, the way his father had slapped him on the shoulder, so proud, when he had drank more and danced more gracefully than any other man there. He was thinking of the time his father has sobbed beside his bed after he had been wounded fighting against some brigands in the area. His father hadn't known Robb had awakened, but when he saw, Trevor had gently slapped him on the shoulder and said simply, "My son". His father truly had been his closest friend.
Sighing, his grief as raw as ever since Robb was now in the very place where Trevor had died, Robb ventured out onto the battlements and looked out onto the vast city. He had not been told that this is where his father had fallen, but somehow Robb knew. He had been wanting to ask one of the nobles who were present during the coup the question of how and where his father had passed, but hadn't been able to bring himself to do so.
His eyes wandered over the Blackwater, and then the Great Sept, and the Dragon Pit. He saw the cluster of buildings and wooden shacks that was Flea Bottom, and then the innumerable colors of tents, banners, and pavilions outside the city walls. Much closer, however, he saw a large, pressing mob approaching the gates of the Red Keep itself and he could just smell something going amiss. In front of the mob, as if they were leading them, was a small mounted party displaying the Baratheon colors. The Royal family.... why aren't the gold cloaks flanking them from the commons? This is wrong. Springing into action, he whisked down the towers and towards the gate. "You! And you," Robb snapped, pointing to two guards who were looking hesitantly at the situation that was nearing the keep. One wore the deep purple and black Dondarrion colors and the other Connington colors. "Gather some men, quick. I do not know who the approaching party is, but I believe they are royalty, and the mob is getting angry. Let us protect the King's family." Robb stood beneath the gate, completely sure that the guards would soon return to him with three score men at their backs. He was right. The Dondarrion man returned first, with two score men dressed in the same colors behind him, all mounted. Robb was brought a horse from a stable boy as the Connington man returned, with a score of men of various sigils and devices.
Robb rode up in front of them, and ordered them to make a column. "Alright, men. The royal family is approaching our walls, without protection. I don't know what in bloody hell the gold cloaks are doing, but it looks like it is up to us. Protect your king always." Robb ordered the gates to be opened and they left the confines of the Red Keep.
"Do not attack anyone," Robb cautioned as they made their way down the street. "We are to escort them back, that is all."
Robb had expected to see the young king approaching, but his jaw slightly dropped when he heard the name the smallfolk were yelling. Elyssandra? The queen of my father's youth? His father Trevor had told him many tales of the Queen's beauty. He could see for himself that she had not lost it all, as aged as she was. Without thinking, Robb ordered the guards to establish a perimeter and to quickly proceed towards the Keep. He sent one Connington man ahead to tell them to open the gates ahead of time. He himself rode at the front of the column, keeping a tight hold on the reins of his horse. The streets and mob did not make it easy to manuever on horse, but Robb showed skill and courage by clearing a path.
Finally, once the had entered the safe confines of the Keep and the rowdy mob had been shut out, Robb dismounted and knelt in front of Elyssandra. "My queen, it is a great honor. My lord father often spoke of your great beauty when he would return home from King's Landing."
Queen Elyssandra looked down at the young man kneeling before her, before gently touching him on the shoulder.
"I thank you for your assistance my young lord. You may rise. And may I enquire as to your name?"
Robb rose, his eyes stuck on the regal figure in front of him. This woman is older than my father, yet he is dead. He died much too young, Robb thought. "Lord Robert Tarly of Horn Hill, my queen."
Queen Elyssandra inclined her head towards Lord Tarly.
"Your father was....."
she paused briefly trying to remember,
"ah yes...Trevor. I have not been to Kings Landing for some time, but I do remember him. And you are his son? How time flies. Well your father was most kind, but I am afraid that whatever beauty I had has disappeared over the years."
Robb smiled. "Do not be so humble, my queen. Your beauty shines bright still." Looking at the waiting host, he then hastily added, "Forgive me, I know you must be ready to proceed to your rooms." Turning to the guards, he ordered them to escort the queen and her men to their quarters in the Keep, before bowing and retreating to the training yard.
However, the yard was empty, and Robb decided to mount up and work on his riding. He went full tilt a few times, working on his shield and lance maneuvers. Finally, he returned back to the pavilions outside the walls, awaiting the long anticipated Grand Council of Westeros.
Results:
Robb gains beginner leadership.
Robb gains beginner horse riding
Sighing, his grief as raw as ever since Robb was now in the very place where Trevor had died, Robb ventured out onto the battlements and looked out onto the vast city. He had not been told that this is where his father had fallen, but somehow Robb knew. He had been wanting to ask one of the nobles who were present during the coup the question of how and where his father had passed, but hadn't been able to bring himself to do so.
His eyes wandered over the Blackwater, and then the Great Sept, and the Dragon Pit. He saw the cluster of buildings and wooden shacks that was Flea Bottom, and then the innumerable colors of tents, banners, and pavilions outside the city walls. Much closer, however, he saw a large, pressing mob approaching the gates of the Red Keep itself and he could just smell something going amiss. In front of the mob, as if they were leading them, was a small mounted party displaying the Baratheon colors. The Royal family.... why aren't the gold cloaks flanking them from the commons? This is wrong. Springing into action, he whisked down the towers and towards the gate. "You! And you," Robb snapped, pointing to two guards who were looking hesitantly at the situation that was nearing the keep. One wore the deep purple and black Dondarrion colors and the other Connington colors. "Gather some men, quick. I do not know who the approaching party is, but I believe they are royalty, and the mob is getting angry. Let us protect the King's family." Robb stood beneath the gate, completely sure that the guards would soon return to him with three score men at their backs. He was right. The Dondarrion man returned first, with two score men dressed in the same colors behind him, all mounted. Robb was brought a horse from a stable boy as the Connington man returned, with a score of men of various sigils and devices.
Robb rode up in front of them, and ordered them to make a column. "Alright, men. The royal family is approaching our walls, without protection. I don't know what in bloody hell the gold cloaks are doing, but it looks like it is up to us. Protect your king always." Robb ordered the gates to be opened and they left the confines of the Red Keep.
"Do not attack anyone," Robb cautioned as they made their way down the street. "We are to escort them back, that is all."
Robb had expected to see the young king approaching, but his jaw slightly dropped when he heard the name the smallfolk were yelling. Elyssandra? The queen of my father's youth? His father Trevor had told him many tales of the Queen's beauty. He could see for himself that she had not lost it all, as aged as she was. Without thinking, Robb ordered the guards to establish a perimeter and to quickly proceed towards the Keep. He sent one Connington man ahead to tell them to open the gates ahead of time. He himself rode at the front of the column, keeping a tight hold on the reins of his horse. The streets and mob did not make it easy to manuever on horse, but Robb showed skill and courage by clearing a path.
Finally, once the had entered the safe confines of the Keep and the rowdy mob had been shut out, Robb dismounted and knelt in front of Elyssandra. "My queen, it is a great honor. My lord father often spoke of your great beauty when he would return home from King's Landing."
Queen Elyssandra looked down at the young man kneeling before her, before gently touching him on the shoulder.
"I thank you for your assistance my young lord. You may rise. And may I enquire as to your name?"
Robb rose, his eyes stuck on the regal figure in front of him. This woman is older than my father, yet he is dead. He died much too young, Robb thought. "Lord Robert Tarly of Horn Hill, my queen."
Queen Elyssandra inclined her head towards Lord Tarly.
"Your father was....."
she paused briefly trying to remember,
"ah yes...Trevor. I have not been to Kings Landing for some time, but I do remember him. And you are his son? How time flies. Well your father was most kind, but I am afraid that whatever beauty I had has disappeared over the years."
Robb smiled. "Do not be so humble, my queen. Your beauty shines bright still." Looking at the waiting host, he then hastily added, "Forgive me, I know you must be ready to proceed to your rooms." Turning to the guards, he ordered them to escort the queen and her men to their quarters in the Keep, before bowing and retreating to the training yard.
However, the yard was empty, and Robb decided to mount up and work on his riding. He went full tilt a few times, working on his shield and lance maneuvers. Finally, he returned back to the pavilions outside the walls, awaiting the long anticipated Grand Council of Westeros.
Results:
Robb gains beginner leadership.
Robb gains beginner horse riding