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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 23, 2017 18:14:05 GMT
The joust is set up two days after the melee, the contestants coming out in a long line of horses, lances raised high, favors tied to them and the crowds cheering. Dozens of knights and lords are competing, and the morning looks exciting as the tilts prepare. The crowd is sorted roughly by kingdom, but intermingling is more common now as the tourney goes on and friends are made, and alliances slowly becoming public are broadcast, as some of the northmen are now to be found speaking to girls from the Riverlands in hopes of securing a profitable marriage.
The format of the joust is simple, bracketed lists and single combat. The first to three broken lances wins, in the event of a tie it is simply sudden death or to whoever is knocked off.
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Post by Prince Willem Lannister on Aug 24, 2017 13:06:29 GMT
Willem Lannister arrived in the lists attended by his usual large entourage. The Prince was a splendid sight, dressing clearly to impress the crowd. He wore a gold-plated breastplate etched with lions, spaulders in the shape of paws, greaves and sabatons with filigree. Atop his head was a helmet adorned with the Lannister lion's roaring head, while his leg greaves were also painted gold. Behind him, a cloak woven of red and gold silk with a massive embroidered gold lion on it billowed in the breeze.
Willem's squire led out a massive warhorse at least ten stone heavier than many other horses with the golden barding and stirrups glinting in the strong sunlight and dazzling many in the crowd, its pack adorned with ornate weapons, including Willem's customary two swords.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 12:58:46 GMT
Perceon sat alone, well away from the rest of his family. He was garbed in ill matching greens, looking as if he had simply grabbed clothing at random without giving his appearance any thought. He sat quietly, making no effort to speak to anyone.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 16:40:02 GMT
As a sign of solidarity, King Grayson and King Harmund are seated on the royal box where they may discuss the differences that have kept their kingdoms apart, while the Martells, Durrandons, and other royal houses are near it as well, a great tarp providing shade from the heat of the day as the contestants come out. The Targaryens have set themselves a bit apart, Prince Baelor still ailing from the melee and seated with his daughters on the other side of the stands nearest the entrance for the jousters.
The summer sun is hot today with no sign of refreshment in sight, and the crowd is thick and bickering. Chants for the different kingdoms go up as it begins, and after a few hours only eight contestants remain. The West and Reach dominate the lists as expected, but some of the other kingdoms yet have a fighting chance, centered mostly on the heir to Gulltown, Ser Owen Grafton.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 17:31:33 GMT
Melissa sat thoughtfully among the visiting courtiers from the Reach. She was clothed all in white, with silver embroidery, her hair confined in a hairnet set with emeralds. She watched the joust eagerly.
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 25, 2017 18:00:57 GMT
Alyssa offered to sit near the Targaryans, thinking it an opportunity for them to get better aquatinted as she watched for her husband. She didn't want to be anywhere near Percy or the stormlanders.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 18:44:04 GMT
Florys was seated next to Melissa, looking about, dressed in emerald green with silver jewelry; a wise cousin didn't dress richer than the princess in public. Her hair is done up in an intricate bun as she watched the proceedings, cheering the Reachmen on at every opportunity. "So, cousin," she asked Melissa, as Lilith sat quietly a row ahead, near her father, "tell me I won't be a lonely maiden much longer."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 18:46:21 GMT
Alyssa offered to sit near the Targaryans, thinking it an opportunity for them to get better aquatinted as she watched for her husband. She didn't want to be anywhere near Percy or the stormlanders. She is quite far from the Stormlanders, and the host of Targaryens accept her presence with open arms and smiles, as their new partner joins them. Shiera moves over to her. "I never liked jousting," she admitted. "It lacks the visceral thrill of simply having the men beat each other up." She tapped her lip and regarded the Lady of Oldtown. "I hope your sister is like you." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 18:52:10 GMT
Perceon sat alone, well away from the rest of his family. He was garbed in ill matching greens, looking as if he had simply grabbed clothing at random without giving his appearance any thought. He sat quietly, making no effort to speak to anyone. "May I sit?" Asks a man in his early twenties, Ser Isaak Tarly, the heir to Horn Hill. "You seem...not yourself, my prince," he noted. "Like something is weighing you down: |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 18:52:26 GMT
Florys was seated next to Melissa, looking about, dressed in emerald green with silver jewelry; a wise cousin didn't dress richer than the princess in public. Her hair is done up in an intricate bun as she watched the proceedings, cheering the Reachmen on at every opportunity. "So, cousin," she asked Melissa, as Lilith sat quietly a row ahead, near her father, "tell me I won't be a lonely maiden much longer." "I've no news for you," Melissa admitted. "The negotiations for my hand have gone horribly awry, especially now Percy's put love before duty. Seven hells, Florys, I almost wish I cared less for our family! Life would be so much easier if I could just run off to the Steel Mermaids. I don't have your taste for men. If it weren't for the scandal I'd say you should marry first but Father will never allow that." |
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 18:55:50 GMT
Perceon sat alone, well away from the rest of his family. He was garbed in ill matching greens, looking as if he had simply grabbed clothing at random without giving his appearance any thought. He sat quietly, making no effort to speak to anyone. "May I sit?" Asks a man in his early twenties, Ser Isaak Tarly, the heir to Horn Hill. "You seem...not yourself, my prince," he noted. "Like something is weighing you down: "Of course." Perceon gestured to the space about him, indicating Ser Isaak could have his pick of it. "It is always a pleasure to have the company of a Tarly, especially at an event such as this." He was doing his utmost to be polite and not get anyone else mad at him. "I have some problems, but nothing you need trouble yourself with." He added, figuring it might be rude to ignore the question outright. "My father has matters well in hand, as always." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 18:56:17 GMT
"I swear by all the Seven," she grumbled, "I will go find some man and just let him ravish me until I get pregnant, then he'll give me away," she said. "Who are you looking at? Surely...surely you've done something?" She asked. "I'll help, with all my heart."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 18:58:22 GMT
"May I sit?" Asks a man in his early twenties, Ser Isaak Tarly, the heir to Horn Hill. "You seem...not yourself, my prince," he noted. "Like something is weighing you down: "Of course." Perceon gestured to the space about him, indicating Ser Isaak could have his pick of it. "It is always a pleasure to have the company of a Tarly, especially at an event such as this." He was doing his utmost to be polite and not get anyone else mad at him. "I have some problems, but nothing you need trouble yourself with." He added, figuring it might be rude to ignore the question outright. "My father has matters well in hand, as always." "That is his job," the young knight allowed. "I have heard some rumblings of the trouble," he admitted. "I came to tell you Horn Hill thinks the backlash is...overblown," he said. "We border both Dorne and Stormlands, and so relieving the pressure from Nightsong only helps us. It isn't like you're interested in a damn Karstark or something." |
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 25, 2017 18:58:35 GMT
Alyssa smiled and nodded, "she and I are more similar than my husbands siblings are to him," she said, glancing to Alex who was watching the joust with pleasure, "I share your thoughts... men on horses running at one another with sticks is too removed, but perhaps we can see some sword fight also," Alyssa was not fond of the Melee either in truth, all an opportunity to be needlessly injured. "Is prince Baelor recovering?"
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 19:05:18 GMT
"Of course." Perceon gestured to the space about him, indicating Ser Isaak could have his pick of it. "It is always a pleasure to have the company of a Tarly, especially at an event such as this." He was doing his utmost to be polite and not get anyone else mad at him. "I have some problems, but nothing you need trouble yourself with." He added, figuring it might be rude to ignore the question outright. "My father has matters well in hand, as always." "That is his job," the young knight allowed. "I have heard some rumblings of the trouble," he admitted. "I came to tell you Horn Hill thinks the backlash is...overblown," he said. "We border both Dorne and Stormlands, and so relieving the pressure from Nightsong only helps us. It isn't like you're interested in a damn Karstark or something." Perceon looked shocked. "Seven hells Isaak, does everyone know!?" He offered, more stunned than angry at the man, although he was furious word had already gotten out. He half thought of blaming his sister for a moment, but she would never have betrayed his doings to their vassals, surely. Nor, did he think, would have Geralt. As angry as his brother had been, it was not his way to go about things behind people's backs. Which left only... "It's Alyssa, isn't it." He scowled. "Inflaming opinion against me because she does not like the match." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 19:08:11 GMT
Alyssa smiled and nodded, "she and I are more similar than my husbands siblings are to him," she said, glancing to Alex who was watching the joust with pleasure, "I share your thoughts... men on horses running at one another with sticks is too removed, but perhaps we can see some sword fight also," Alyssa was not fond of the Melee either in truth, all an opportunity to be needlessly injured. "Is prince Baelor recovering?" "My father is quite fine," she said, pointing to him. "Thank you for asking. He just feels this is all a younger man's game, I guess." She looked to Alex. "I hear you're coming to stay with us a bit?" She asked brightly. "I am eager to get to know you." She looked her over like she was inspecting her, then she met her evident approval and she grinned. |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 19:11:45 GMT
Isaak shrugged. "We all saw you with her at the melee," he said, "she is gorgeous," he added, "every bit a queen in appearance, and my father says you're a clever prince, so if you think she fits the part, she most likely fits the part." He looked at the Durrandon girl, among the Stormlands boxes. "I was thinking you looked like you needed a friend. Do you drink ale?" He offered him a giant mug. "I got knocked out by that damned Grafton and my back stil laches from the impact on the ground. Mind if I sit?"
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 25, 2017 19:14:34 GMT
"I hear the same," she said and grinned, "if my sister arranged it though, the opposite is just as likely to happen!" She Joked, happily rubbing her more serious sister, she shared a tent with her and Geralt after all, and knew her sister had been disappointed by her own royal family recently. "I am excited to see Pentos, it will be quite the adventure,"
Alyssa smirked a little at her sister and looked to Shiera, "if you can teach her to be more mindful of her words, you can have my share," she smiled and moved back a little so they could talk as a three, rather than over one another.
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Post by King Perceon IV Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 19:17:40 GMT
Isaak shrugged. "We all saw you with her at the melee," he said, "she is gorgeous," he added, "every bit a queen in appearance, and my father says you're a clever prince, so if you think she fits the part, she most likely fits the part." He looked at the Durrandon girl, among the Stormlands boxes. "I was thinking you looked like you needed a friend. Do you drink ale?" He offered him a giant mug. "I got knocked out by that damned Grafton and my back stil laches from the impact on the ground. Mind if I sit?" "Of course, I'm happy for your company, and I'm afraid your father is too kind to me." Perceon replied politely, wishing he was actually gracefully brushing off the compliment as it sounded like he was rather than truthfully denying it applied to him. "Nevertheless, I am grateful for your support and that of your house. Nobody else seems to look upon the union with favor. Probably because they do not share the burdens of defending two borders as your house does." He accepted the mug. "I don't normally drink ale, but since it is with a friend I would be happy to on this occasion." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 19:18:13 GMT
Shiera looked amused at that. "Pentos will be happy to have some new members in its social scene. It has grown a bit stale lately," she winked. "An adventure is for my brother and your men joining him," she added. "This is more like...a vacation," she grinned. "And I shall find a way, if it means so much to you," she promised Alyssa. "Maybe I can give her wine every time she says something nice?"
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 25, 2017 19:31:57 GMT
"She'll die of thirst," Alyssa replied, smiling in good humour.
Alex waved off her sisters comment, "you sound like you'd like to go with them? Perhaps we could, for moral support?"
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 19:47:29 GMT
"I swear by all the Seven," she grumbled, "I will go find some man and just let him ravish me until I get pregnant, then he'll give me away," she said. "Who are you looking at? Surely...surely you've done something?" She asked. "I'll help, with all my heart." Melissa smiled. "The Hoares and Lannisters came to nothing and so did the Starks but I'm hoping House Martell will not fail me. I'm running out of options if Father truly wishes me to marry a prince." She eyed her cousin curiously. "Surely you have at least two men dangling after you, cousin?" |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 19:50:38 GMT
"Twenty," she said, "but they are nothing until you're betrothed. Just..." she made a motion. "Martell?" she nodded. "That is a handsome man," she admitted grudgingly. "A real fit, honestly." she looked to her. "Who should I be looking at , in your opinion? Your friend Wayland?""
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 19:52:53 GMT
"She'll die of thirst," Alyssa replied, smiling in good humour. Alex waved off her sisters comment, "you sound like you'd like to go with them? Perhaps we could, for moral support?" Shiera laughed. "Moral support? I don't think Viserys would like his sister following him to battle, worrying for her safety as support. But...it'd be amusing," she allowed. "I'm sure he'd much rather have you go," she winked. "He said you were rather fetching, after the dance." She laughed at Alyssa's comment but didn't respond, her smile enough. |
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 19:59:23 GMT
"Twenty," she said, "but they are nothing until you're betrothed. Just..." she made a motion. "Martell?" she nodded. "That is a handsome man," she admitted grudgingly. "A real fit, honestly." she looked to her. "Who should I be looking at , in your opinion? Your friend Wayland?"" "Ser Wayland is a good man but perhaps too straightforward and sweet for you. I think you need someone a bit more...powerful. Someone to challenge you," Melissa suggested. "Wayland would probably prefer someone gentle and sweet and you're a big flirt." |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 20:33:02 GMT
She nodded. "Well, I won't need to flirt when I'm married," she said. "I would like a big...personality man," she agreed. She looked over at the northmen. "That Stark or maybe that Durrandons would have been nice," she said. "Or Lilith's brother Jared..." she sank back into thought, then cheered as Geralt beat Prince Willem. "Go go go!" She clapped.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 25, 2017 20:46:52 GMT
Theon was present, and did his best to enjoy the game.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 25, 2017 20:48:56 GMT
Melissa cheered as well. "Don't tell me you have designs on our cousin," she scoffed. "How about one of the Targaryens? I bet you'd like an exotic man and they might know love tricks that your Westerosi admirers haven't heard of."
She sipped her drink. "I hope Geralt is victorious. We could use something to celebrate."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 25, 2017 20:51:23 GMT
She grabbed her hand. "Good idea," she said. "Let's go," she added, "have you met the Targaryens yet? Not much time left to do so, and sweet Maiden alive Viserys is good looking." She tugged her until she followed. "And your good....sister is already there," she grumbled. "At least she isn't trying to get...fuck, Alex is there too. We must move quickly."
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Post by Lady Alyssa Hightower on Aug 25, 2017 21:08:47 GMT
Alyssa saw the Gardeners approaching and the side of her mouth twitched in annoyance. Did they need to get involved in everything.
Alex didn't need to turn to see what was annoying her sister and stood to move over to the Prince.
"Well, I am sure it'd be a bigger incentive to give him something to get home to quickly," she said to Shiera with a grin and moved over to Viserys.
"My prince, may I join you?" She said with a curtsey.
Alyssa kept the conversation going with Shiera, "at least the Tourney has not been boring, all the time, even if you have not seen us at our best, I cannot wait to return home."
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