Post by The Smith on Jun 11, 2007 19:05:59 GMT -5
"If you can best one of my best men in combat then I will reward you splendidly. But be known, it would be no small task."
The words of the King's Hand rang in Rhodri's ears. A challenge, and against what would surely be against one of the realm's great warriors. This will be no ill-equiped clansman on a shaggy steed; it will be a finely fitted and battle hardened knight, perhaps even one of the Kingsguard themselves.
Rhodri wished that Lord Michael Dondarrion had revealed the name of his opponent. Success was about preparation; did his opponent prefer the sword, or axe? Did he move aggresively, or await a mistake from his rival? Did this knight have a weakness, was he slow to defend his legs? An unknown opponent was far more dangerous than a familiar one.
The Redspear returned to his inn, The Splendid Eagle, a two story balconied stone building that loomed over the market square, with his squire and half-brother Selwyn Stone. Naunt Lilith had disappeared to make arrangements for her party, while Ser Jon had vanished into the crowds. Jon was likely off to find drink and whores; Rhodri had already found too much wine the night before, wine and a braggart Tyrell and scheming Lannister. He did not care much for such company; Ser Rindwynd was friendly enough, if a bit loud. The Lannister -- who called himself the Worm of all things -- seemed slippery and completely untrustworthy.
Rhodri needed to train. Weeks aboard ship had tightened all his muscles into knots. He knew that the Red Keep would have many sworn swords, young nobles, and knights in the training yard -- perhaps even his future foe. He would want to train there in advance. But he dare not be rusty when first watched by the yeoman and knights of the castle. Selwyn and Rhodri went to the open stables behind the inn and rattled each other's helms with padded blades and poles, practicing moves and styles, reminding the muscles how to flow in combat.
Once he felt ready, Selwyn saddled the Destrier -- "Javelin", named for his speed -- and Rhodri took mount and rode to the gates of the Red Keep, and asked for the Master-at-Arms.
~~~
The Master-at-Arms, Ser Dalwyn Rykker, took an appraising look at the young knight. He was a tall man, and his roan charger looked well tended. He wore bronze plates of armor, and carried a thick visored helm with a horsehair braid as crest. The Runestones of Royce were upon his shield, with the upward crescent cadence that told him the knight was a second son.
"The page said you wanted to train in the yard. That be fair, but we won't fight with live steel -- only padded blades and such. We have some young boys, and green, so it is only fair."
"Padded weapons are fine, I'd not be crippled by an accidental blow. But have you no knights worthy of a challenge, only these green boys?" asked the red headed knight.
"Hmm. You want a challenge, do you? How about you test your mettle against an accomplished, blade, then?"
"I'll fight against one of the best, no small task", said Rhodri, echoing the words of the Hand -- he only hoped he could train against the future champion, and was hoping to draw it out of the Master-at-Arms.
"Well, then I'll meet you in the yard meself." Ser Dalwyn replied.
~~~
In the yard of the Red Keep, in the shadow of the Hand's Tower, Ser Rhodri Royce, the Redspear, faced Ser Dalwyn Rykker, Master-at-Arms of the castle and the King. Ser Dalwyn was a stern master to the young trainees in the yard, quick to scold poor form, so the novices crowded to watch if the strange knight from the far off Vale could face him, or even shame him.
Ser Dalwyn raised his blunted sword, and Ser Rhodri picked a padded pole as a stand-in for his spear. Rhodri had little skill with the sword, but with the spear he rivalled anyone. It was his weapon; his own trainer, the Master-at-Arms of Runestone, often joked what a miracle it was his Lady Mother survived Rhodri's birth with a spear in his infant hand.
He hoped the range of his weapon could keep the swordsman at bay, at distance, until he could lay in enough blows to be judged the winner. He wondered if Ser Dalwyn was "one of the Hand's best", if Ser Dalwyn would be the champion he would have to best. The two circled each other, and then engaged.
Ser Dalwyn circled the younger man quietly, while Rhodri looked for a weak spot and lunged with his staff. The two combatants seemed to use up most of their strength parrying each other's blows, though Rhodri did make one successful hit on the master-at-arms. Shortly after, however; Rhodri was hit by two swings of the blunted sword and fell over almost completely. Determined to regain his strength and win the training match he jumped back up and with great force knocked the sword from the trainer's hands. Unfortunately, it was with such great force that the staff broke in two and the match was declared a tie. Ser Dalwyn congratulated him on fighting well but told him that with live steel conditions would be different.
The words of the King's Hand rang in Rhodri's ears. A challenge, and against what would surely be against one of the realm's great warriors. This will be no ill-equiped clansman on a shaggy steed; it will be a finely fitted and battle hardened knight, perhaps even one of the Kingsguard themselves.
Rhodri wished that Lord Michael Dondarrion had revealed the name of his opponent. Success was about preparation; did his opponent prefer the sword, or axe? Did he move aggresively, or await a mistake from his rival? Did this knight have a weakness, was he slow to defend his legs? An unknown opponent was far more dangerous than a familiar one.
The Redspear returned to his inn, The Splendid Eagle, a two story balconied stone building that loomed over the market square, with his squire and half-brother Selwyn Stone. Naunt Lilith had disappeared to make arrangements for her party, while Ser Jon had vanished into the crowds. Jon was likely off to find drink and whores; Rhodri had already found too much wine the night before, wine and a braggart Tyrell and scheming Lannister. He did not care much for such company; Ser Rindwynd was friendly enough, if a bit loud. The Lannister -- who called himself the Worm of all things -- seemed slippery and completely untrustworthy.
Rhodri needed to train. Weeks aboard ship had tightened all his muscles into knots. He knew that the Red Keep would have many sworn swords, young nobles, and knights in the training yard -- perhaps even his future foe. He would want to train there in advance. But he dare not be rusty when first watched by the yeoman and knights of the castle. Selwyn and Rhodri went to the open stables behind the inn and rattled each other's helms with padded blades and poles, practicing moves and styles, reminding the muscles how to flow in combat.
Once he felt ready, Selwyn saddled the Destrier -- "Javelin", named for his speed -- and Rhodri took mount and rode to the gates of the Red Keep, and asked for the Master-at-Arms.
~~~
The Master-at-Arms, Ser Dalwyn Rykker, took an appraising look at the young knight. He was a tall man, and his roan charger looked well tended. He wore bronze plates of armor, and carried a thick visored helm with a horsehair braid as crest. The Runestones of Royce were upon his shield, with the upward crescent cadence that told him the knight was a second son.
"The page said you wanted to train in the yard. That be fair, but we won't fight with live steel -- only padded blades and such. We have some young boys, and green, so it is only fair."
"Padded weapons are fine, I'd not be crippled by an accidental blow. But have you no knights worthy of a challenge, only these green boys?" asked the red headed knight.
"Hmm. You want a challenge, do you? How about you test your mettle against an accomplished, blade, then?"
"I'll fight against one of the best, no small task", said Rhodri, echoing the words of the Hand -- he only hoped he could train against the future champion, and was hoping to draw it out of the Master-at-Arms.
"Well, then I'll meet you in the yard meself." Ser Dalwyn replied.
~~~
In the yard of the Red Keep, in the shadow of the Hand's Tower, Ser Rhodri Royce, the Redspear, faced Ser Dalwyn Rykker, Master-at-Arms of the castle and the King. Ser Dalwyn was a stern master to the young trainees in the yard, quick to scold poor form, so the novices crowded to watch if the strange knight from the far off Vale could face him, or even shame him.
Ser Dalwyn raised his blunted sword, and Ser Rhodri picked a padded pole as a stand-in for his spear. Rhodri had little skill with the sword, but with the spear he rivalled anyone. It was his weapon; his own trainer, the Master-at-Arms of Runestone, often joked what a miracle it was his Lady Mother survived Rhodri's birth with a spear in his infant hand.
He hoped the range of his weapon could keep the swordsman at bay, at distance, until he could lay in enough blows to be judged the winner. He wondered if Ser Dalwyn was "one of the Hand's best", if Ser Dalwyn would be the champion he would have to best. The two circled each other, and then engaged.
Ser Dalwyn circled the younger man quietly, while Rhodri looked for a weak spot and lunged with his staff. The two combatants seemed to use up most of their strength parrying each other's blows, though Rhodri did make one successful hit on the master-at-arms. Shortly after, however; Rhodri was hit by two swings of the blunted sword and fell over almost completely. Determined to regain his strength and win the training match he jumped back up and with great force knocked the sword from the trainer's hands. Unfortunately, it was with such great force that the staff broke in two and the match was declared a tie. Ser Dalwyn congratulated him on fighting well but told him that with live steel conditions would be different.
Hope you all are well and happy.