The Tourney Grounds

[mark]

Aranya greeted Robb Tarly with a smile, thinking with amusement that she should really introduce Aerie to him. "I am glad you could join us," she told him. "I have heard you have shown great skill at arms in the war."

Aranya eyed the dark Dornish beauty with interest, noting the girl's observant eyes. They greeted each other courteously.

"Thank you, milady," Robb said, not modest in the least. "I am very impressed with the tournament," Robb said, gazing around at the huge crows and numerous tents. "I have not missed anything, have I? I came from Dorne as soon as I could, but I feared I may be late."

[Deleted]

"The games will start tomorrow morning, and the lists are up now. You are just in time."

[mark]

Robb smiled, relieved. "May you direct Lysette to her quarters, Lady Royce? I wish to get to the training yard and scout out the competition," he said, grinning.

[Deleted]

Lysette kissed Robb and pinched him lightly. "Don't let anyone knock you out cold."

[mark]

"They can try if they wish, although I think it will be me doing the knocking out," Robb said, teasing. With that, he bowed to the ladies present and nodded to Ser Grant, before heading to the yard.

[Deleted]

/////

On the first light of the next day, the tourney grounds stir awake. Horses snort in the soft morning light as they brushed and groomed while they feed, and in their tents the knights stretch, eat and ready themselves for the lists.

In the great wooden stadium that has been erected for the tournament, the lists have been set up, with long tourney lances lined up and ready, tassled in silk. As the sun climbs higher, people pour into the stands from Duskendale, arriving early to get the best seats.

The lord's box is set on high, and begins filling up as well.

[Imry Willfyre]

Lord Gerold Kellington joins the group of Stormlords in the lord's box, dressed in some of his finest blues and blacks He sits with his wife and their two small children, as they enjoy the sport of the nobles.

[Deleted]

Aranya Royce ascended to the lord's box, with her knights. Following behind was her son Brynden and her daughter and her wards. The other lords and noble's assembled in the box and sat down. Everyone was chattering and laughing and placing bets.

The commons were waving banners with the sigils of their favorite knights, loud in their excitement.

The trumpets blew, and the herald stepped forward to cry the names of the knights in the first tilt.

[Sam]

Alyana Connington walked up into the lord's box with her handmaids, and took a seat near the Lady of Duskendale. Her brother and husband were both riding in the lists today, and she sat wearing a gown of red and white, with a black swan on her breast, in support of them.

[Deleted]

Before the joust, the archery contest gets underway, and the archers line up at the butts. Arrows fly thick and fast, and with each round a number of participants are eliminated.

People watch, sometimes catcalling or making indecent remarks, but enjoying the show and cheering on their favorites.

[Imry Willfyre]

Lord Gerold Kellington applauds politely along with his wife. His children cheer more adamantly.

[Deleted]

It is a close finish. Tregar Reed and Lady Aranya Royce are finally beaten by Graham Blackwood, who wins the Archery Contest. Mallery looks delighted, and actually runs to her husband and kisses him. It is so rare that he excels in anything or outshines his brothers.

Graham is awarded a trophy, a longbow gilded in silver and studded with garnets and amethysts on the ends of the boy, and and ring of strange red gold, with a large sparkling black diamond encased.

[Deleted]

After a break, the competitors line up on their mounts for the horse race. Aranya's grey mare dances to the line, snorting and mouthing the bit, but alert and attentive.

[The Stranger]

Scav lays beneath the constructed benches, staring up at the splintered wood, and listening to the cheers.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Ser Patrek Redfort helps up Lord Francis Blackwood, and begins to walk back to the stands.