Post by The Stranger on Apr 18, 2008 11:05:17 GMT -5
It had been a while since Beric had felt fresh air in his lungs, a while since he had walked through a streets. Nearly two
weeks he had stayed secluded in his room but now he felt he had to get out. He could't stay locked up from the rest of the
world. No one would wait for him. It was a busy day in Braavos and Beric enjoyed the colorfull people. Every now and then
he'd nod to a person who in return would wave or greet him in bravosi. When he finally got to the market it was bustling.
The shouts of salesmen were filling the air, as well as the smell of fish. He had allready sent Morho to the market and
so Beric turned off into a smaller alleyway and kept walking.
As he came to a square, Beric saw a small group of young boys who looked like they were up to mischief. They were all
brandishing stick-swords and one of them was wearing a yellow hat, which Beric though meant to represent a crown. As he
approached them the boys shyed back. "So, this is still the favoured playing spot of boys in bravos? And what game is it
you are playing?" The little boy with the hat proudly stepped forward. "We are playing Westeros knights! I am the king
and we are hunting the Dorne-people!" Hearing that Beric sighed but forced a smile. "Well, I could help you ambush them.
There's no point in meeting them head on; that will just hurt too much." Beric waved for them to slowly follow them as
he stalked through the small alleys. He looked around a corner and saw another group of boys heading towards the square.
"They think you are still at the square, which is good luck for you. Follow me." He led the boys back the way they had
come but made a turn at an even smaller alley, which was full of empty boxes. "If they want to get to the square, they
will have to come through here. Hide behind the boxes and charge at them when they have just about made it through the
alley. You should win." The boys scuttled off to hide and Beric left them to their game. A while later he heard shouts
and the sound of stick hitting stick, and bone and he wondered who had actually won.
When he arrived home he was greeted by Gaharr, who was preparing food. "Had a nice walk, Beric?" "I did. It was good to
get out of the house. By the seven, I can't believe I stayed in that room for so long." Gaharr gave him a smile and
Beric went to his room. He sat on his bed for a while, contemplating, and finally decided to go to the training yard.
But when he got outside it was not the sword he took, but the crossbow. It was a weapon he hadn't handled in a while
and so he was a little bit rusty with hit. By now, he guessed that Janos had become better at him with it so he decided
to give the boy some competition. It had been the young Dornishman's nameday a while back; his own, Beric had missed.
The boy, even though he wasn't one, was only five years younger than Beric, yet it seemed he could almost be the man's
father. And that might as well have to do, for Beric didn't know if he would ever be a real father to a child. He did
not know if he would ever love a woman again, as much as to make a child with her. He supposed he could always father
a bastard with the hopes that he would one day be legitamized, but it was not an honorable thing. 'And since when have
you been so honorable, Beric Dayne?'
After setting up the target, Beric got into position. His first bolt missed, but the second hit the target square on.
He was relatively fast at reloading a crossbow, and after a few shots Beric attmepted to reloard with his eyes shut.
At first the thought he was succeeding but when he finally opened his eyes, he saw that the bowstring had somehow got
knotted around the bold, however that was possible and so, laughin at his own stupidity, Beric disarmed the weapon
and picked up the other crossbow. He was not an expert at mending things and so he would ask Gaharr to restring the
weapon later. He spent the next half an hour shooting at the target and when he was out of bolts he collected them and
went inside. Food was ready by now and so Beric supped with his friends. Morho was bragging about a girl he had bedded
the night before and even Beric could not help but laugh at his descriptions, some of which were very graphic.
After the meal, Beric decided to go for another walk, to compensate for what he had missed the past few weeks. He did
not plan to go to any certain destination, yet when ahead him loomed the house he could not help but enter. It was
one of the better brothels in Braavos, albeit that had been many a year ago. Not it was a shady little place, with
few customers and fewer whores. A big fat lady approached him upon entering. "Ah, customer! Come in! Drink, perhaps?"
It took him a moment to recognize her, but when he did he could not believe it. When he was last here the woman had been
the depiction of beauty, with silky skin, firm breasts and long legs. Where that beauty had gone, Beric did not know.
"No, thank you. I only came by because... I used to work here many years ago." Sudden realisation came over the womans
face. "Beric? Is it you?" He nodded and the woman almost immediately sweeped him off his feet. It was a hug nearly as
strong as Gaharr's had been. "Where have you been all this time? One day you were here, the next you were gone!" "That
is a long story, which I may be able to tell later. However, first I want to talk of a different matter. In private."
The woman nodded, and so the two of them left for a small room.
Beric advances to Noteworthy with the Crossbow
Beric advances to Apprentice Ambushing