Re: [D8:MA-LA] Watching the Melee

[Septon Arlyn]

The Septon's curiosity was pecked by the knights objection, "
So what would you recommend them Ser Theomore?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
There are many lords gathered here that can find room for another serving girl, quite a few of them having a septon in their household."
Theomore isn't too keen on announcing that she had received precisely that offer from such a lord. "
Perhaps it is best to have her stick to what she knows, and then this septon might present to her the other option when she chooses after her heart rather than with her need for short-term security?"


"
Becoming a septa is not a choice you can turn back from as I understand."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
And"
Dunstan adds his own thoughts, "
if she wants to become a septa, she can be that in my own Sept."
he concludes.

[Septon Arlyn]

"
So she will be under your protection then my Lord "
asks the Septon. Well this is indeed an interesting development. If I remember correctly it's Lord Dustin himself whom presented her as a witness in the trial. Ser Theomore also seems a bit too vague as too which Lord offered that option to the poor girl. I feel that there is more to this story then meets the eye. Especially with Lucas's involvement in the proceedings. I would have thought they would want her far away and someplace quite, although the benefits of having her close are much more sinister. Especially if that plan on permanently silencing her. I wonder if I can recall any information about these Tullison's. "
Ser Theomore I'm sure you realize that all septa's go through an initiation process before they become fully fledged Septa's, because add you say, it is a large commitment to devote yourself to the gods."
although even after initiation some still stray. "
I'm sure you just have her best interests at heart. Do I have your word that she will be well taken care of? I would hate for any of this political blowback to come back on her. She has had a rough enough time already I do believe. It would be nice for her to be able to find some peace."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Do you have my word?"
Dunstan raises his eyebrows, "
In what way are you connected to her?"

[Septon Arlyn]

"
I may have placed her in greater danger by my actions in the trial, benjen is not known for his forgiveness and I want to make sure I can do everything in my power to keep her safe."
Then with a slight shrug "
but I am mearly a Septon my Lord. If she has a gallant knight and a strong Lord protecting her then I know that she will be be safer then any protection I could offer her. "

[Derrock Swann]

"
And who is this that would need your protection, good Septon?"
Ser Derrock comes from the battlefield, a honest and friendly smile on his wrinkled face as he gives Arlyn a nod of greeting. He seems a bit winded, but carries himself as if he wasn't. After a moment, he acknowledges the others present, bowing to Lord Tullison and the women, and nodding to Ser Theomore and Nathaniel if they look his way.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I may have placed her in greater danger by my actions in the trial, benjen is not known for his forgiveness and I want to make sure I can do everything in my power to keep her safe."
Then with a slight shrug "
but I am mearly a Septon my Lord. If she has a gallant knight and a strong Lord protecting her then I know that she will be be safer then any protection I could offer her. "

"
Certainly you do understand why I can't share information concerning the poor girl to any person that just happens to walk by and ask about her. Perhaps it would be for the best if you tried not to further endanger her life by words and actions of your own in the future. That is the only way I see in which you could help her , by not harming her any further."


Dunstan frowns

"
By what authority do you come here and ask about her, and demand of me to assure you of her safety? By the words of Gods? I saw good and well what religious nuts are capable of doing on my own, no need to further explore that particular kind"
.

[Septon Arlyn]

My this boy is a testy one, and a Lord none the less, he could mean trouble of not handled carefully. And the old Arouchs here himself. He stood up to defend her honor as well. Maybe he can be a valuable Ally. "
My Lord Dustin, I do not mean any harm in my questions. But me and Ser Derrock here both stood up to defend this girls honor at the trial. Do you think that a man of the Faith would so willingly give up on one under his care. I'm afraid you mistake my intentions. I mearly want to ensure that the girl will be safe. If that is your and Ser Theomore's intentions then what harm could come from making a simple oath of protection to a man of the Faith. Am oath that Ser Theomore took already as part of his knights vows?"
Asked the Septon. His curiosity firmly peaked. A puzzle to be solved. "
Don't we all as Lord's, knights, and septon's take oaths to defend the innocent. Surely you can not fault me for following through on my scared oath? I'm sorry you have had bad experiences with the clergy in the past, but I am looking out for her best interests."

[Septon Arlyn]

"
Ser Derrock I was simply inquiring about brenna, the young girl from this morning. But it appears that Lord Dustin has taken his charge of protecting her very seriously. So I was simply commenting how a humble Septon from house Dulver can do little to compete with the protections that can be offered by a Lord such as Lord Tullison. Don't you agree good Ser. Is not the sworn protection of a Lord greater then anything that a simple Septon such as myself could offer?"

[Septon Arlyn]

"
My Lady Corrine, did you not just see that pact that must have been formed by the coldbrook gaurdswomen and your betrothed? Now they both go after Ser Loreth, whom I think is the strongest contender right now, but I doubt even he can stand up to the strength of your husband to be and the gaurdswomen. Looks like you're bet may still pay off. "
Septon Arlyn turns towards Ser Kevin. "
My good Sers bet is hanging on the sidelines waiting for his opportunity to present itself, he I think has the best lot of it unless Ser Benedict and the gaurdswomen keep there truce and are still standing after they defeat Ser Loreth."

[Nathaniel Mason]

Nathan excuses himself as Ser Jon Roxton is carried from the field.

[/leave]

[Septon Arlyn]

Poor boy, hopefully Ser Jon Roxton is not seriously injured. Those greatswords are dangerous weapons, even in a controlled event like this. Seeing his paramour in combat, even pretend, must be disconcerting for him. Septon looks to Lady Corrine. Hopefully there will be no more deaths today, I think that loosing one life today is enough.

[Kevan Lyras]

Septon Arlyn turns towards Ser Kevin. "
My good Sers bet is hanging on the sidelines waiting for his opportunity to present itself, he I think has the best lot of it unless Ser Benedict and the gaurdswomen keep there truce and are still standing after they defeat Ser Loreth."

"
Yes, they have to keep their alliance, if they want to defeat the rested Ser Baelon. The interesting bit with these temporary alliances is to see how long they last and who will break it. Generally it is always the fighter who judges himself weaker than his partner. As soon as their target, in this case Ser Baelon, is worn down enough, the defector will strike out against his former partner, because he knows he has to wear down both of his opponents as he knows he probably wont win the one-on-one battle against a non-weakened fighter. Let's see who it is here.."

Kevan turns his attention back to the melee ground
"
Even though my money is on Baelon, I am kind of rooting for that guardswoman as well!"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Nathan excuses himself as Ser Jon Roxton is carried from the field.

[/leave]

"
I'm sorry, Nathan. I hope he's alright,"
Corrine says to Nathan quickly, giving his arm a little squeeze as he gets up and leaves.

Poor Ser Jon. He looked exhausted.

She then turns her attention to the Septon;


"
Yes, Ser Benedict is doing rather well. He has a difficult fight ahead of him though. All strong opponents. As long as he gets out without being too broken, I will be happy."

[Septon Arlyn]

"
Wouldn't that be something Ser Kevan? A women winning the grand Melee, Albeit she is a strong one. Helped me carry that smallfolk all the way through town without even breaking a sweat. It might set people to talking that maybe women should be allowed to have knighthood on terms such as the most devoted have in the faith."
The Septon begins to laugh. "
Could you imagine the day that a women was knighted. It would be something to talk about for centuries to come!?"
Turning to Lady Corrine. "
I hope that he stays safe, As well as winning the bout. It would be quite a gift from the gods if he could present your house with that honor. The Melee champion of the Riverrun Tournament, to be capped off with a generous donation to the unfortunate of Riverrun? Now that is a song for the minstrels to sing about for sure."
replies the Septon with a generous smile.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
He has done me proud already,"
Corrine replies. "
And I will donate to the poor, win or lose. I'm just trying to enjoy things without worrying too much. I have plenty of worry ahead of me."

[Septon Arlyn]

The Septon nods gravely at that. "
May people suffer from living too much in the future or the past. Here is my advice to you."
The Septon Sees a boy selling Honeysweets and gestures for him to come over. "
My Lady, try one of these, let the sweet tangy flavor enter your tongue and tantalize its way up past your ears. Let yourself live in the moment."
The Septon smiles as she plops one into her mouth. "
You see my Lady, sometimes we must think of the future, sometimes we remember the past, but if we live too much in the future or looking back in the past we forget the most important thing in life. To live, in the here and now, let your future troubles come in an hour and let yourself enjoy these moments when no important decisions must be made, when life is fresh, fun, and invigorating."

[Derrock Swann]

"
Ser Derrock I was simply inquiring about brenna, the young girl from this morning. But it appears that Lord Dustin has taken his charge of protecting her very seriously. So I was simply commenting how a humble Septon from house Dulver can do little to compete with the protections that can be offered by a Lord such as Lord Tullison. Don't you agree good Ser. Is not the sworn protection of a Lord greater then anything that a simple Septon such as myself could offer?"

"
One would expect so, Septon. I imagine House Tullison's defensible holdings would do well in sheltering a single woman."
Ser Derrock nods, and turns his eyes to the field.

"
I believe the Targaryen bastard has the day. He fights like a viper, biding his time on the outskirts before lashing in to bite, yet unharmed. He lacks only poison, but just like a venomous snake, his prey is weakened by the time he commits."
He lets out a faint snorting sound. "
It'd be more interesting to see the men in proper duels, but I suppose we'll have to settle for gang-ups and cowardice today. At least that towering woman has some spirit in her."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ellie's ears perk up at the word "
cowardice"
and she turns to address the older man. "
Excuse me Ser, but is the melee not meant to mimic war? And as I know it few wars are settled by gentlemanly duels."


Keep talking bad on my brother and you will see venom old man.

[Derrock Swann]

Ser Derrock considers Ellie as he excuses himself to take a seat. I wonder what interest these young girls have in bloody melees. Perhaps she's here to see some strapping knight of her fancy? Still, it ought to be better to stay away, as matters oft get gruesome faster than she could look away.

He smiles an indulging, grandfatherly smile to her. "
Oh no, child, there is little of war in a tourney - mostly only the steel. 'tis just a game, albeit a dangerous one, where men can show their skill and make a name for themselves. I do think such names are tainted, however, if they show no honor in their fight."


Derrock lets out a sigh, then looks at the field. "
Were this war, half of these men would be dead, pierced by arrows and transfixed by lances of horsemen. And it would be an army against the other. Woe to me the day I see a war where each man fights to show himself better than the others, and a single one is left standing in the end, having cut all that surrounds him. There is no mimicry in tournament, girl, only spectacle."

[Septon Arlyn]

"
Let's hope this melee is the closest thing that these men will get to seeing a real war then,"
replies the Septon gravely, "
may the mother grant her mercy in this.

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

"
Ellie has the right of it,"
Corrine pipes up, pushing the honey sweet into her cheek momentarily to let her speak. "
Even if it is unlike a true battle, I see no cowardice on this field today."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
A game yes, but meant to simulate war, which it may due poorly. There were originally teams to be the opposing sides."
She breaths deep and sighs knowing this is a battle much like the melee that she may not win alone. "
And as to your definition of honor: three smallfolk armed with farm implements attacking a steel armored Knight on horse back would be dishonorable? What about the trained, well armed, mounted and pious knight is he honorable? Or for that matter the line of them who ride down a whole levy of smallfolk? Honor is a fickle thing and often blurred by ones experiences. The fact that this is just a game does lessen the gravity and make it seem callous, but it is preferable to real war. Is it not?"


You want dishonor try a young girl pissing in a pail in a tiny cell while the smell of her brothers burning flesh wafts through the air. Where survival has you latching on to the very people you fear for your life from. Siding up against a greater opponent for survival is not dishonorable.

Ellie turns back to the field but continues to address the now seated knight. "
As for honor my septa taught me it was disrespectful to talk about someone. Especially in the presence of their family and loved ones. You, Ser, have named those on the field cowards for taking on an opponent who clearly out matched them alone."

[Derrock Swann]

At Ellie's last words, Ser Derrock simply shakes his head. He mantains a warm, unperturbed smile towards her.

"
That is not what I have called cowardice, girl - you put words on my mouth. There are, however, more things happening on the melee than simple 'team-ups'. Perhaps my tired eyes are more trained at distinguishing them than your young ones."
He takes a deep breath, looking over the field. "
There are no farmers facing warhorses today, and every single man, and the single woman, who made it to the final are capable fighters. There is easier opportunity to adhere to honor in a tourney than in the battlefield, child. Trust me, for I have seen it disregarded in both."


The old warrior looks back to Ellie. "
Honor is never fickle to those that uphold it, though many would see it malleable so they could struggle around. For this, I ask your forgiveness if my words have offended you or yours, my Lady...?"
He looks at her questioningly, probing for her name.

She is certainly here to witness someone of her fancy, the way my misinterpreted words have flared her temper. Poor thing.

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