[Epilogue] A Lord earns his spurs

[Reader]

After Ser Benjen Frey's defeat in the trial by combat, Lord Tully hold a feast to thank the Seven for their just.

The attendees swap stories of their own jousts, duels and skirmishes, but a hush descends as one of the finest swordsmen in the realm, Ser Jon Roxton, stands to speak.

“It is not just our the Seven's champion we should show respect to tonight,” he shouts, his voice carrying throughout the hall.

“The traditions and oaths of Westero's knights are well known, and well beloved of the small-folk. But too often, knights are simply killers or brutes. The Seven have judged Ser Bejen as that kind of knight today, while Ser Jorah showed the mother's gift of mercy and demonstrated himself as noble as he is skilled with a blade. For every Ser Jorah Holt there are a hundred men like Ser Benjen Frey.”

Ser Jon lets the crowds shouts condemning Ser Benjen fade away.

“This tourney has been blessed by the presence of a young Lord who is not yet a knight, yet lived up to the best parts of our knightly traditions."


"
He acquitted himself well in the tilting and the melee.

"
He carried the favour of the beautiful Gwyneth Marsten, the darling of the court during Lord Tully tourney."


"
He donated his winnings from his martial endeavours to the Sept, to help the needy."


"
He investigated Ser Benjen's depredations without fear or favour."


"
By all this and more he has proved himself worthy of knighthood."


“Honoured guests, let me present to you Lord Tullison's final day as a squire, for when you set eyes on him tomorrow he shall be a Ser.”

Ser Jon Roxton moves towards Lord Tullison, holding a white garment aloft in his hands. His normally playful manner is replaced by a serious aspect, pleased that the fine qualities he saw in Dunstan when they met in the Drunken Huntsman at the beginning of the tourney have been confirmed.

“Lord Dunstan Tullison, take up this simple shift and give your devotions to the Seven for the final time as a squire.”

“The Sept has been prepared. Once you have said your farewells you may begin your vigil. I beg for myself the honour of knighting you on the morrow.”

Ser Jon raises his goblet, and a great cheer erupts throughout the hall.

[OOC: first in a small vignette, everyone still present at the tourney can chime in. Well done Dunstan]

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan rises, his hands shaking with excitement.

Bold Jon himslef will knight me!!, he thinks. This was all he could ever dream of, a situation he would often play around in his head while playing with wooden swords in Mountain's Reach.

Accepting the white garment he squeezes it into his hands and says

"
Thank you, Ser Jon. I will sit a night's vigil at a sept, and look forward to seeing you on the morrow"
.

After a few drinks and words with other men, Dunstan will walk to the statue of the Warrior and pille his armor and sword at the base of the statue, wearing a piece of garmnet Ser Jon gave him. There he will pray all night, promising to himself and the Gods to be a worthy knight.

In the morning he will walk barefoot to the stairs to receive the honour.

[Septon Arlyn]

Septon Arlyn cheers loudly at the announcement. it's always good to see a strong young Lord take the vows. Hopefully he can live up to his sacred vows.

[Reader]

[OOC: thanks Dunstan. Other PCs welcome here, made a separate thread for Dunstan's vigil and one more coming for the knighting ceremony

viewtopic.php?f=61&
t=1363 - vigil]

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

Corrine grins broadly, overjoyed for Dunstan, and gives a standing ovation.

[Gwyneth Drakeson]

Gwyn stands up beside Corrine, clapping as well, and offers a cheer to go with!

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah cheers the young lord, standing up to clap

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon stands beside Gwyn, cheering for his friend.

[Loreia]

Next to Jorah, Loreia claps with her gloved hands, choosing not to stand. She'd better not, knowing full well what it would mean to rise and show herself more visibly - the woman who forced him to yield and placed second in the grand melee. It was physical gestures she was more keenly self-aware of when around nobles in social gatherings. There's always some perceived slight to avoid, lest these southron types become very put off.

[Daveth Coldbrook]

On the other side to Ser Jorah from Loreia, Daveth is standing and applauding. It will be interesting to see how you develop. Will you stay true to your oaths? Or will your uncle's influence guide you down a darker path?

Looking at you now, all bright-eyed and proud, I think that if he does, that will be a second great tragedy he's responsible for. That I'm aware of.

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