The Jousting Lists

[The Flint]

"Your Kingsguards are doing quite well for themselves this day. It is good to know that his grace's person is in such capable hands."

[Sam]

"I wish I could take credit for them," Ser Mychel said with a slight frown. "Ser Galahad and Ser Peregrin are the only men of them that I've sworn in myself, in truth his grace appointed the others save Ser Betram, despite my objections. Still they're all capable men, if not the men I would have chosen."

[The Flint]

Justin filed that piece of information away for later.

"It will be good for the Kingsguard if they can get the respect in the realm that they deserve. They are a traditional institution, and a kingdom need have its institutions. You do not say much at council though, Ser Mychel, in truth I should find myself grateful to hear your accumulated wisdom as much if not more than those others. Veterans of the Dorne campaign are still held in high regard in the Far Reach."

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

As Ser Bertram exists the lists to wait for his next match, Galahad silently congratulates him.

Moments later, when Ser Peregrine exists the lists, Galahad dips his head in respect for the knight.

[Sam]

"That is good to hear, Lord Hightower, for my experience in Dorne was certainly a time that I learned from, to say the least. In truth, the council meetings often focus on issues that I cannot even wrap my head around; tax and trade agreements and the like," he said. "My, ah, expertise, is generally in the matters of war, and we have been lucky enough not to become embroiled in such conflicts in recent years."

[The Flint]

Justin nodded. "Finance is just a war with different weapons Ser Mychel, think of it in those terms, and your experience may prove more valuable than you know. For some of our neighbors it is the very first arrow in their quiver."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Oct 21, 2008 11:37:21 GMT -5 Sam said:

"That is good to hear, Lord Hightower, for my experience in Dorne was certainly a time that I learned from, to say the least. In truth, the council meetings often focus on issues that I cannot even wrap my head around; tax and trade agreements and the like," he said. "My, ah, expertise, is generally in the matters of war, and we have been lucky enough not to become embroiled in such conflicts in recent years."

Loren laughed, "Though only a boy, I remember my father lamenting that same idea to Lady Varner, he used to say he prefered the openess and honesty of battle to the secrecy of the council meetings, at least in battle you know who your enemies are and where the attack is coming from," Loren said recalling the words of his Father though his smile withered as he realized that this belief may have what ultimately done him in at Deep Den.

He turned back towards the joust and feigned interest in the next till.

[Sam]

"That is an interesting philosophy, Lord Hightower, I will take it to heart to be sure." He watched the young Irwyn's face as the reachlord spoke of his late father, and Mychel saw the sadness in his face, thinking of the Basilisk War that had caused Lord Irwyn's death. "Even in battle it is not easy to always know what direction your enemies will attack you from. Even such great warriors as your father and Lord Benfry cannot see in all directions at once." The Lord Commander fell silent, thinking of his own sworn brother who was almost twenty years dead by now. The younger man had inspired him to do better and to serve the King with the greatest possible fervor, but the feeling of disappointment had gnawed at him almost constantly since Benfry's death. Deep Down, Ser Mychel had always felt that Rodrick's ascension had taken the meaning from Benfry's sacrifice.

[The Flint]

"Ser Benfry was a good man who met death from the front as all warriors hope one day to do. Too many of the old guard, like Lord Irwyn's father, or my wife's uncle Lord Roland, had grimmer fates."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Loren nodded as Justin spoke, though it made him long to be back in the Reach and far from the Capital. King's Landing seemed to bring about only troubled memories for many and Loren was getting edgy missing the relative serenity of the highlands around Uplands.

[Sam]

"I take it that Lord Roland is still languishing under the Red Keep? It's been fifteen years since his arrest, I believe. A grimmer fate than that much time in the Black Cells can hardly be imagined," Mychel said with a shudder.

[The Flint]

"I was given to the impression that he had died during his captivity Ser Mychel. Does he live still?" Justin's voice rose in a sign of shock.

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Loren looked over at the Lord Commander, he hoped that Roland had died, as he remembered his Grand Father Alphonse Florent's condition was worse the wear after only a relatively brief 7 years in the Black Cells. He darted his eyes back to the field after a particularly violent colision between two lancers. "That had to hurt," he muttered,

[Sam]

Ser Mychel scratched his head, with a sheepish look crossing his face. "Details have been getting harder to recall properly, these days," he said softly. "I suppose my age is the one enemy that I have no power over, however, I have heard rumors that he is not truly dead, and still lives down in the bowels of the Red Keep. Truthfully, I would not put it past his grace to keep Roland alive and imprisoned out of spite."

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

"In spite of what would be the true question on every gossip monger's tongue," Loren said his eyes still watching the Joust.