The Knights' Barracks

[Sam]

Located inside the massive Drum Tower in Storm's End, the Knights barracks is placed one level higher than the other, larger barracks, where the common men-at-arms are billeted.

[Sam]

Steffon walks through the Knights barracks, mingling with his men, swapping bawdy jests and wineskins, but ultimately seeking one of the men who he knew to be a skilled leader and commander of warriors.

[The Stranger]

Steffon didn't know anyone like that, but it never hurt to look from time to time to see if a diamond had emerged from the rough.

In the corner, one man is not swapping bawdy jests, or drinking, or dicing, but is instead reading by candle light.

[Sam]

Steffon makes his way over to the knight in the corner. He attempted to make out the cover of the book before speaking. "A book in a barracks is a rare sight, Ser, you surprise me," he said, offering his hand.

[The Stranger]

"A Lord in the barracks is often times rare... milord," The man says with a smile, extending his hand and gripping Steffons. "Ser Tarrick, at your... well in your service, milord."

[Sam]

"Aye, I'll grant you that, Ser Tarrick," Steffon replied, smiling slightly as well as he shook the knight's hand. "I like to stop in every now and then, to make sure nobody's started a brawl or destroyed my castle. What do you read, that is more interesting than all this?" he asked curiously, gesturing around to the other men.

[The Stranger]

"Love poetry," Tarrick replied softly, as if afraid to be overheard.

[Sam]

"Looking to woo a beautiful maiden, Ser?" Steffon asked, with a slight note of amusement in his voice. He sat down on a barrel next to Ser Tarrick. "My lady wife tried to get me to write her some poetry, when we were first married, but I do not have quite the ability with words that is necessary."

[The Stranger]

"No. I just like it," Tarrick replied, "I find the words beautiful for their own sake."

[Sam]

"A Knight of Words," Steffon said, nodding. "To tell it true, most of my reading concerns warfare; my father had one of the largest collections of treatises on command and tactics outside of the King's own library and the Citadel. How well to you wield a blade, Ser Terrick?"

[The Stranger]

"Passable, I am not the best in your service milord, and I'm honest enough to say so," Tarrick says.

[Sam]

"Will men listen to you and obey your orders? I need a man who can command, while I am hosting the King and his court arrives."

[The Stranger]

Tarrick shrugged, "You can lead a horse to water, milord, what he does once he gets there, that's up to him. Knights are much the same, except they whinny less and eat more. Course they both do their best with blinders on." Tarrick grinned.

[Sam]

"Aye, that is certainly true," Steffon replied with a grin. "With my brother overseas I am in need of someone to command the garrison here, should I need to depart for some reason, and I also have need of someone to lead my knights, should I have to send them from Storm's End for some military purpose. I would choose you, Knight of Words, for I believe you are wasted down here, reading in the dark by candlelight."

[The Stranger]

Ser Tarrick swallowed nervousily, "Well, I make no promises milord, but I'll do the best as I am able."