The Great Hall of the Dun Fort

[barker520]

Jon didn't immediately respond but Ser Patrek nudged him in his ribs, causing him to break from his reverie. Blushing, he hid his face in his plate and mumbled something about an upset stomach....

[Deleted]

"Oh," Aranya grinned. "Well as to that, I have heard little."

[Fel]

Ser Marq catches Rhae looking at him and offers her a wink and a smile. He approaches her and bows. "My lady, care for a dance?"

[Deleted]

Rhae blushed a little a being caught staring, and pretended to look aloof. "Ser, the feast's not done yet. But I would love to dance with you later." She flashed him a dazzling smile. "Are you Lord Tallahar's son, William?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"You never did told me how you managed to gain Duskendale," Brandon said to Aranya.

[Deleted]

Aranya swirled her wine and leaned back, relaxed and in a talkative mood. "Well, that goes far back. You would have been very young when the Targaryens were in power, but I was seventeen when King Aemon's prisoner, Callen Baratheon, jumped from the Red Keep into the Blackwater Rush to escape Prince Maerys, who was trying to kill him. Damn foolhardy thing to do, but what I did was even more stupid. When I found Callen, bruised and bleeding and broken - near death, really - I got help from my aunt Lilith, who helped me save him. The men of our family would have killed him, but I couldn't, for some reason.

"So I hid him for weeks while I snuck him slowly to the Saltpans, where we boarded a ship for Braavos. We were hunted every second of our lives," Aranya smiled slightly at the memory. "It was dangerous, frustrating, and exciting. I relished it. Callen and I sailed the east for four years before returning to Westeros, after which he began to gather allies. One of the first men to join him was my cousin and lover, Selwyn. When Selwyn and I got married, Callen gave us Duskendale as a reward for our loyalty." She shrugged. "As to why he chose Duskendale, I cannot say, but I am fairly pleased with it."

[Fel]

Apr 9, 2008 17:38:18 GMT -5 @elane said:

Rhae blushed a little a being caught staring, and pretended to look aloof. "Ser, the feast's not done yet. But I would love to dance with you later." She flashed him a dazzling smile. "Are you Lord Tallahar's son, William?"

Marq laughed, "William? That brat? No, Ser Marq Tyrell, at your service. And who might you be, my lady?"

[Deleted]

"Oh, Marq," Rhae said, remembering. "I'm Rhae Rykker."

[Fel]

Marq frowned for a moment, as if trying to recall the name, then said "well it is my great pleasure to meet you, Lady Rhae."

[House Dustin]

Jonas Waxley quietly attended to his drink. He once met Rhaes glance, but his expression was hard and distant.

[Deleted]

Rhae looked slightly piqued, and tossed her hair. "So has Lord Tallahar taken you into his service, ser?" she asked, drinking her wine.

[Fel]

Marq allowed himself a boyish grin, and continued speaking politely as if this was their first meeting, "he has, my lady. I have been squiring for the Dawn Raider for the past few years, and he recently knighted me himself for my many, many valiant and heroic deeds. Would you like to hear of some?"

[Deleted]

Rhae's bright eyes sparkled with amusement. Then she said in a cool voice, "Of course, ser. I'd love to hear of what gallant deeds you have done."

[Fel]

Marq took the seat beside her, and spread his hands out as if to create a blank canvas for her to view the events he was about to retell. "Picture this, my lady," he says, in an excited voice, "the evil pretender Regent has King's Landing locked down. The Stormlords' forces are at the gates, they know the fate of the realm rests on their ability to take the city, but storming the walls would be a bloody and suicidal affair. There is only one hope, only one chance to undo Blackwood's corruption, and return His Grace King Rickon to the throne, and it rests and the brave and chivalrous shoulders of the men of the Reach."

"In a rare moment of cunning, Lord Tallahar had remained within the city under the pretense of being allied with Blackwood, but secretely awaiting just the right moment to strike. We left Tallahar's manse that night sure that our mission was doomed to failure. We were so few, surely Blackwood would uncover us before we took the gate!" Marq laughed, "but those were the childish fears of a squire who did not realise his own skill. Five goldcloaks I slew, taking the gate, standing besde Tallahar and Rindwynd, and William and Aegon. Arrows flew down on us, and one took poor old Rindwynd in the face - Father judge him fairly - but the rest of us fought bravely on, knowing the gravity of our task."

"One man came this close to slicing young William's head off," he made a small gap between his thumb and forefinger, "only to find my steady blade in the way, and then he found that same steady blade again lodged in his throat."

"Of course, as you know, we did take the gate, and the Stormlanders took the city, and the rest is history," he grinned confidently.

[Deleted]

Rhae had listened attentive, and there was admiration and just a hint of amusement in her blue eyes. "A fine tale!" she cried. "Ser Marq, you are indeed a knight worthy of your name. Who knew the Dawn Raider was so cunning?" She sighed. "I have been away from home so long, I have forgotten the sight of knights riding to save the realm - or to a play a tourney." She winked.