Runestone's Prison

[The Stranger]

The Prison of Runestone

[The Stranger]

The bard is thrown into the cell, and the the heavy iron door is shut behind them.

[Jherek Doryn]

Jherek sighs, and seats himself in a corner, humming quietly. He shouldn't have told that last joke. All he could do now was wait for his accuser to step forward.

[Marie]

Water was brought for the bard but nothing else. After what seemed like hours, the door opened. Joanna stepped inside. She was clothed in riding leathers and was frowning. Her eyes gleamed with anger as she looked down at the bard.

"On your feet," she commanded. "When your lady enters, you stand."

[Jherek Doryn]

The bard quickly jumped up, ignoring the various pains all over his body and stood at attention.

[Marie]

Having never seen herself in the mirror when angry, Joanna had no idea how magnificent she looke in a temper.

"Master Doryn, my daughter tells me two things that incense me. Firstly, that you were going to juggle with knives in the presence of my two eldest daughters, and secondly that you made lewd comments in their presence. If you are to remain in my service, you will cease behaving in that way. I will have you remember that Runestone is home to many children, not just my own. I will not permit you to risk harming them by throwing sharp objects in their presence. You wll refrain from doing so at any time except at a feast. We are civilied in the Vale, not like those nasty Ironborn who take pleasure in risking their flesh in that ridiculous finger dance!"

She paused to catch her breath and the rant continued.

"Eleyna repeated your lewd comments. Maybe you thought you would get away with it because the girls are only children and don't understand such things? Well, Eleyna may not have comprehended your full meaning but she is nearly ten and old enough to know she hears something she shouldn't. If you ever make comments of that nature in front of my daughters, I'll have you thrown out of Runestone and I'll warn every lord in the Vale and the Court not to employ you. Is that clear?"

[Jherek Doryn]

"Understood, milady. Requesting permission to speak."

[Marie]

"You smay," she said.

[Jherek Doryn]

The bard stayed standing completely and totally straight up, not relaxing in the slightest.
"Firstly, once your daughters expressed their fear towards my juggling knives, I put them away with no further intention to juggle them. Second, my juggling routine is mostly geared towards adults, and I have been busy working as both your sneaker and as an entertainer to think of new material. Third, I would like to know if it is still acceptable to juggle torches in the presence of the children."

[Marie]

She regarded him carefully for a moment.

"Eleyna told me that you put the knives away. I am thankful for that, at least, but I trust you will remember not to use them in future. As for the torches, how likely is it that one of my girls might be injured if you dropped one?"

[Jherek Doryn]

"In my entire career as a professional minstrel, I have only accidentally dropped juggling items a total of three times. If you wish me to do so, I will keep a ten foot distance from them while I perform my act, in the slightest chance that they will be hurt."

[Marie]

"That is suitable, for the time being. We'll talk again in the event of the slightest mishap, but that will do for now."

[Jherek Doryn]

"Understood, milady. Thank you for your kindness in sparing my life."

[Marie]

"It was no kindness," she said. "If I thought you meant harm to my children, you'd be dead already."

[Jherek Doryn]

"I would never even consider anything of the sort. Your family is the first and only to take me in, and therefore I will do anything in my power to protect you."