Post by The Stranger on Jul 4, 2008 1:20:16 GMT -5
It was chaos: servants scrambling around the keep and grounds, carrying anything from barrels of ale to giant tables and benches. Drilling was going on in the training yard, 100 guards being specifically trained to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and deal with it discreetly, and being taught the exact procedure for if something does happen.
“Ser Tristifer, how goes the training of the guard?” Ser Byren Selmy asked.
“Very well, my Liege. I have instructed them on their conduct during this event, and they all understand they should be seen but not heard, or even noticed. They are all acquainted with the procedure for if someone dies in the Melee or Joust, accidentally or purposely, although I am confident it wont happen.” Ser Tristifer Errol stated proudly.
Byren frowned, “But what if it does? What will your men do?” He asked his Master-at-Arms.
Tristifer scrunched his nose at his Lord’s meticulous questions. “Should someone be accidentally killed, if it is the Joust their horse will be lead off the field into a small holding area, and the body of the man will be carried off the field by designated guards and moved to a tent where the Maester is waiting with an ample amount of supplies. Guards will be at the tent at all times, in the front and inside, to prevent tampering with supplies or bodies. A dozen guards will always be standing around the melee and jousting grounds to readily stop any murders or assassins.” Tristifer concluded.
“Very good,” Byren said, nodding in approval, “I will have no accidents, purposeful or not, occurring on my lands. Now, tell me about the equipment, the tourney swords and lances.”
“Fifty lances and tourney swords have been prepared. The lances have been specially ordered and their creation watched, and I guarantee that they will not cause any deaths. They will be kept in the equipment tent, which has several guards inside and outside of it, and mine own two sons will be bringing the lances to the knights after they are horsed and prepared at the lists. The tourney swords have all been carefully dulled a precise rounding, so as to completely prevent any accidents during the melee. They will also be in the tent and brought to the men when they are already prepared and on the grounds. All of the participants in the melee will be briefly checked to ensure they harbor no hidden blades.”
“Job well done Ser Tristifer, I commend you on your precise planning. You will receive a stipend for your hard work.” Byren said, as he moved on to his Captain of the Guard. “Ser Andros Herston, how fare the guards? I assume you have prepared a fool-proof plan for the safeguarding of the grounds?”
“I have M’Lord, the guards patrolling will be in pairs of two, and they will be making rounds around the grounds to prevent anybody from sneaking in. All guests will be respectfully asked to leave their weapons in a tent which will be strictly guarded, and be offered compensation should any weapons go missing. Guards will be posted regularly around the hall and the grounds to look for anybody suspicious, and make sure nobody has any hidden weapons.”
Ser Byren Selmy nodded, and went inside the keep to speak with his Steward. “Have all the preparations been finished?” He asked, “And all the precautions taken?”
Vayon Swygert nodded his head, wiping sweat from his brow. “M’Lord, all precautions have been successfully taken. My staff of servants has been carefully chosen from a long list of recommended workers, and all have been questioned and given… stipends, encouraging them to work well and to not tamper with anything they are carrying or preparing. All the cooks preparing food, and all the servants bringing out the food and drink are going to be watched by specially trained men who will watch for any tampering of the food or drink. Rest assured Lord Selmy, you will have no accidents.” Vayon finished, smiling.
“That is very good, Vayon, job well done. It seems my tourney may go off without any hitches. I hope for it to be perfect, lest all this money be in vain.”
Results:
The Tourney at Harvest Hall has been prepared so that almost no accidents will occur.
Ser Byren Selmy has reached Noteworthy Stewardship
Ser Byren Selmy has reached Apprentice Espionage