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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 2, 2008 19:58:31 GMT -5
A large, luxurious house of black and white timber set in the hills overlooking Lannisport, affording excellent views. This is the home of Ser Steffen Lannister, a cruel man who takes no nonsense from his serfs, the serfs themselves never asking for much as they know they will not get it.
At the back of the house there is an extensive and well-kept stable, surrounded to one side by an elaborate and immaculately kept garden.
A high stone wall surrounds a large area around the house, and there are always guards posted, ensuring that any nosy children of commoners are sent off with a sore head.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 2, 2008 20:07:50 GMT -5
September 524
Ser Steffen shouts at the stable-boy to hurry up as he saddles his horse for him. The boy begins to panic somewhat, and fumbles, making himself more worried. Steffen shouts at the boy some more, then reveals a sly smirk when he knows the boy is not looking. He is in a relatively good mood today.
A few minutes later, 'the worm' is sat atop the impressive dappled grey horse, and is trotting him around the yard. Seemingly satisfied, he signals to the crew of household men he has assembled that he is ready for the off. The six men, who are to protect his luggage and act as bodyguards, snap into action - and then they are off, Stefan leading the way at a canter. They head off down the track from the house, for the Gold Road.
Steffen is on his way to King's Landing, for the first time in over a decade.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 17, 2008 2:24:59 GMT -5
November 524
Having been turned around on his journey to King's Landing by the mysterious 'Lord Morde Walder', Steffen has spent a few weeks back at his manor house - biding his time, sending occasional letters.
He has ordered the recruitment of some of the cheapest, but most highly skilled archers of King's Landing and Oldtown, expecting the first trickles to arrive within the coming weeks.
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 17, 2008 5:21:48 GMT -5
Rowyn Oakheart and the other five recruited archers arrived at Lannisport a week after their departure from King's Landing.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 17, 2008 5:44:21 GMT -5
Steffen is informed by his head guardsman Henree that the first party of archers has arrived from King's Landing. Nodding, he heads out to inspect the new recruits. My man in King's Landing is either going to receive a raise, or the sack, he thinks to himself, smiling at the man's future hanging in the balance in such a fashion.
The archers outside are told to form a line, which Steffen walks up and down a few times, scrutinising the men's appearance.
"Well!" he calls to Henree, who is stood back a bit, holding a bow. "They certainly look like archers - dirty, scruffy long-haired bastards, the lot of them." He considers them further for a second before taking the bow off Henree and handing it to Rowyn. "You," he says, "Show me what you can do." He looks around for a second or two, before his eye falls upon a speckled brown pigeon sitting on one of the house's chimneys.
"Shoot that fucker up there, the one shitting on my roof," he says pointing, before adding menacingly - "but don't you fucking dare damage my house." The look on his face as he says this is truly something to behold.
"Go."
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 17, 2008 6:08:16 GMT -5
Rowyn fumbled with the bow for a second, notching an arrow shakily. Wondering if his luck was still with him he sighted down the shaft, focusing on the damned bird.
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 17, 2008 12:33:15 GMT -5
//
He cursed as the arrow sailed past the bird, and turned to his would-be employer uncertainly.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 18, 2008 2:26:02 GMT -5
Steffen's mouth formed a straight line. The left side of his face twitched. "You missed," he said coldly. "Not. Good. Enough." he spat, his face just inches from Rowyn's. After an uncomfortable silence, he stepped back.
"Are the rest of you so fucking useless? I haven't got time to check you over now, so I guess you've got time to improve if you'd have missed that bird too." He seemed to soften. "You'll be shown to your accommodation down the hill in Lannisport now. I've gone to the trouble of renting out a inn for you all, for the whole time you are here. The Ship's Anchor, it's called. You'll be required to train each and every day, under supervision from Henree here," he says, pointing to the older man. "You do whatever this man says, without balking. You're dismissed. Go."
As the six men form a rabble, and Henree moves in to show them the way to their inn, Steffen points at Rowyn. "You," he says, "the one that missed, you stay here a minute."
He waits for the other men to move away a little, some of them looking back with sympathy at Rowyn.
"What's your name?" Steffen asks.
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 18, 2008 14:06:41 GMT -5
Rowyn steeled himself under the man's searching gaze, too proud to let himself be intimidated. "Rowyn Oakheart. Ser." he said evenly, meeting Lannister's eye.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 19, 2008 2:05:56 GMT -5
Steffen regarded this man carefully with icy blue eyes.
"So, not just another piece of lowborn scum then," he said slowly, quietly and softly. "It would seem my judgement is still bang-on. I had you marked down as the 'noble' of the group from the start. My men told me to expect five lowborns and a knight. It is a shame my 'knight' is not a demon bowman." He gestured to the chimney from which the pigeon had been allowed to fly away safely.
He paused for a second. "You shall have authority over the rest of the archers already here, for now. Depending on what calibre of man turns up later, you may maintain it over the men yet to arrive. You will be paid accordingly, however I will expect more of you. Presumably you already know your men, having travelled with them. Get them to respect you - use whatever means neccessary." Steffen smiled, thinking of the possible means he could pull out of his personal repertoire if it was he who had the task.
"We are unlikely to be stationed here forever. Expect reassignment soon. Bear that in mind."
"Anything to add before I dismiss you and get on with my day?"
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 19, 2008 5:52:17 GMT -5
"Just my thanks, my lord. I can be useful to you, I think, unless it's an army of pigeons you are moving against."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jun 19, 2008 6:20:14 GMT -5
Steffen snorted and smiled briefly, before his expression melted back to become as stern as it was before. "If you can be useful, do so, and I shall reward you. If not, you will be replaced," he said in summary.
"Now - go to the Ship's Anchor. Know your men, return here tomorrow and report to Henree. This is the way your life will go for the foreseeable future." He nodded, then turned and returned to his house.
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Rumor
Hedge Knight
Posts: 288
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Post by Rumor on Jun 19, 2008 6:23:09 GMT -5
Rowyn grimaced at the back of Lannister's head, but on a stern frown from Henree he turnedand hurried away.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jul 8, 2008 5:51:26 GMT -5
///////////////////
The man Steffen had sent to give a message to Miselle at the Sleep's Nector returns, message still in hand.
"A fucking BUTCHER'S SHOP?" Steffen bellows. He seems to force a facade of calmness. "Thank you, that will be all for now," he says, dismissing the man with a quiet strained voice.
The messenger nods and leaves the room. As the door is shut however, he hears the man within scream with fury. The worm had been out-wriggled.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jul 9, 2008 11:29:31 GMT -5
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October 525
A young guard Steffen knows as Bosmyn comes to his solar, knocking timidly.
"What is it?" Steffen asks, looking up from whatever it is he is reading as the boy enters.
"My lord, you have guests. Lady Lysa Farman has arrived with a few men from Faircastle..."
Steffen looked concerned. "Lady Lysa? Are you sure? I received no prior warning. Her father isn't here is he?"
"Yes, it is definately Lady Lysa. And no, her father is not here as far as I can tell. Just men in the service of house Farman."
Steffen sighed. "Very well," he said after a moment pondering, "bring them up. I shall receive them here."
"As you wish ser," Bosmyn replied with a nod and a small bow, as he left the solar. Steffen was left alone, clenching his teeth and rubbing his bald scalp in thought.
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Hope you all are well and happy.