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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 6, 2017 1:34:08 GMT
"Oh, indeed. Harren the Black labored forty years to build this place, and it has only grown more splendid ever since." He paused before adding, "It is my most fervent hope and desire, Your Highness, that you are able to enjoy your time here... As much as I have looked forward to having you visit us."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 6, 2017 9:51:25 GMT
She met his gaze with a thoughtful expression. "You flatter me, Prince Theon. I was not aware I had attracted such interest from your family. Tell me, do you feel the same about my entire family, or am I the only one so blessed?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she asked the question.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 6, 2017 17:17:15 GMT
"Well..." Theon grinned at the question. "There's a certain amount of bias, I confess. Not many princesses outside Harrenhal are said to be so gifted in the art of war as yourself, my lady."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 6, 2017 17:30:20 GMT
She smiled. "I didn't know I was so famous. Don't tell my father, will you? That's not going to please him." She eyed him, trying to assess his abilities. "Are you a martial man yourself?"
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 6, 2017 19:22:08 GMT
He shook his head sheepishly. "I am not, though I like to imagine the phrase 'knight of the mind' has some literal meaning. My brother Erik taught me the sword when I returned to Harrenhal, but a proper swordsman, I am not. Certainly not capable of hamstringing Clayton Caswell..."
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 6, 2017 20:00:04 GMT
"Oh, you know about that, then? And you aren't recoiling from me in horror. That's something. Caswell got what he deserved," she said, speaking barely above a whisper.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 7, 2017 5:29:25 GMT
Theon laughed. "Warrior women are respected by my people. Some of our most feared captains are women. I think you will receive very few strange looks here."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 7, 2017 11:35:49 GMT
///
Three days after the Reach and West arrived the other kingdoms filtered in. House Durrandon was first, four hundred men and half as many women, Swanns and Dondarrions and Fells. Leading them is Prince Kyle, second son of the king and Warden of the Marches, charged with defending his kingdom against Dorne. His sister Bethan is with him and they ride into the town proudly.
Behind them are the Dornish, somewhat ironically. Their column is near a thousand; the hoares and Martells have no bad blood due to their distance and mutual rivals, and as such have always been rather friendly. Princess Serena has come herself with three of her four children, the twins Prince Samael and Princess Sarissa, and Princess Arianna. The best swords and spears of Dorne are there, Yronwood and Fowler and Gargalen, and the sun reflects brightly off their overly polished shields and spears, making it seem as though day itself has come to Harrenhal.
The Arryns arrive at the same time but defer their place in line to the Dornish, and their contingent is small but elite, Lord Grafton and his sons and daughters, Princesses Wylla and Irene Arryn, Howling Horas Hunter, and the king's nephew and potentially heir apparent, Ser Mathis Arryn. Twelve hundred or so follow them, the Valemen generally on good terms with their only neighbors, and they bring goods from their trade with Braavos as well as plenty of the truly....unique mountain goat stew they delight in.
Last come the Starks, the isolationist warriors, seldom seen in the south, and less seldom welcome in Harrenhal. Prince Torrhen is in the lead, his cousins the Twin Fangs next to him, and behind them stretch a smattering of Manderly knights, giant Umbers from the far corners of civilization, a Mormont who has two bears pulling his wagon, but canny observers note the horses following, and even a wild man from somewhere darker, a giant of a man, over seven feet tall, armor and jewelry made of bones from various strange beasts adorning him.
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Post by Princess Melissa Gardener on Aug 7, 2017 17:28:19 GMT
Theon laughed. "Warrior women are respected by my people. Some of our most feared captains are women. I think you will receive very few strange looks here." "That's good, at least. I should like to meet these feared woman captains, if I may. In the meantime, do you miss the south at all?" |
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 8, 2017 16:45:18 GMT
They come by the shipload, fifty good men on each ship besides the sailors, all dressed impeccably in red tinted leather and chain, the officers in matte black steel. Horses are brought from the depths of the hold, the nobles mounting the giant destriers for the parade. Three dozen men form the vanguard, holding a great banner of black and gold and red silk, displaying the royal arms of Maegor Targaryen. Behind them are two hundred foot and women of surpassing beauty, clearly plucked from the very finest of the empire. It is after them that Prince Baelor rides, tall and proud and strong as he nears forty, his three children following on their own steeds, Rhaena and Shiera twins in looks and posture, the only difference the color of their eyes, Rhaena's an emerald green, Shiera's a silver-blue. Viserys is to their right, a strong young man with a black lance and a shield in the shape of a dragon's head.
Behind them come more nobles with lances and footmen and women bearing trinkets for the people, tossing out candies and small copper coins. As they near the castle the soldiers peel off row by row, until they form a perfect square, and the Prince of Pentos approaches the Lords of Westeros and dips his lance in salute, then dismounts. He approaches King Harmund and they clap each other's backs, then goes down the line, until all the royals assembled have been properly greeted.
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Post by King Theon IV Hoare on Aug 8, 2017 17:12:13 GMT
Prince Theon stands politely by his grandfather, dressed in his usual black and grey. He smiles, but does not feel the need to introduce himself. It's quite apparent from his cool demeanor that he was expecting them, and never once does he feel compelled to study the horizon.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 8, 2017 20:51:27 GMT
After the introductions the Targaryens reassemble and march to their ships, three of which are lashed together as workers turn them into a sort of floating manor. Baylor stays behind and he and Grayson Gardener and Harmund and the monarchs go forth for a chat.
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