[Day 9, EN] Last night (Open)

[Dunstan Tullison]

As the tourney was coming to the end, Dunstan decided to once again visit his favorite place in the whole Riverrun. Saying hellos to various thieves, whores and mercenaries he got to know good and well, he ordered drinks around and danced and sang like he was some cobbler's son - and not a Lord.

OOC: All welcome, traditional drinking thread.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon had not been to the tavern for most of the tourney. A bit out of character for him - or at least for whom he had been. It had started with Lady Isobel convincing him to woo Corrinne. She didn't seem the sort to approve of nightly drunkenness and debauchery. Baelon had ever been one to put his immediate pleasures on hold - temporarily - in service of his ambitions. Then his secret nightly training started - which left him too exhausted, and with no time for anything other than sleep if he wanted to compete at peak performance - which was crucial for all of his aims. Now though - with his father departed and the competitions ended, he finally had a chance to relax. Yet, despite that, he did not feel the urge to let loose completely the way used to. He had changed... for the better, many would say.

If some Maester ever writes my tale, they will say that this tourney is where everything changed. My father, Gwyn, House Drakeson... my life before is gone, and I am reborn.
He smirked at himself a little, internally. it's good to relish one's victories, but not get too big-headed about them.
That's where the Wrecker went wrong. Glorify your successes too much and you will spend your life looking backward rather than forward. I mustn't make the same mistake.

He steps into the dimly lit tavern and looks around for familiar faces.

Suddenly, he remembers Eoric Tully's words: "
The Huntsman is watched"
.
I'll have to be careful what I say and do in here. Life was simpler before.

OOC: *I've made a huge assumption that the Prince and Princess departed on schedule on Day 9... Reader, if I am wrong (if, for instance, against all odds they decided to stay for the weddings) let me know and I will edit appropriately.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben enters the Huntsman like entering the hall of his family. The handshaking and congratulations begin once over the threshold. He smiles and repays all the well wishing with much gratitude. There were new and old faces alike.

He quickly finishes his rounds ending at his cousins table. He stands before Dunstan his arms outstretched and a playful grin.

"
Lord Dunstan! What a first tourney for you! Congratulations!"
His voice and expression become more serious. "
And thank you, cuz."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Ben! Baelon!"
Dunstan breaths heavily, tired from dancing.

"
I mean, my Lords!"
he smiles upon realizing all three of them are now Lords in their own right.

"
Baelon, congratulations on your melee victory. Ben! Can't wait for the wedding!"
he finally calms down and takes a seat beside his cousin and Baelon.

"
What do you think of the tourney so far? Any plans for the future?"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
I will say this, it was not dull. We need drinks. I feel a good many toast coming on."


Ben orders a round for the "
Lords"
and takes a seat.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
It's going to take some time to get used to that - 'Lord Baelon Drakeson'."

He takes a seat.
"
Well, after the wedding, I'll be moving to my new lands. Not too far from Mountain's Reach, actually. Right at the southernmost bit of the neck, where the coast of the Bite meets the Mountains of the Moon."


OOC: FYI, there is going to be a D9:Epilogue thread in which Baelon formally swears leal service to Lord Tomas and founds House Drakeson, unveiling his new sigil, etc.
Relevantly, it would have occurred prior to this thread chronologically, so he actually has the new title and name already.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
There's our first. To House Drakeson!"
Ben raises his mug high. Then takes a long swallow.

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve he smiles at Baelon. "
You will be in my family's backyard. If you are ever in need of a fleet let me know."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
To House Drakeson, and our friends, Houses Marsten and Tullison!"

Baelon drinks deeply.

"
I'll keep that in mind. There are a number of ways that we could help each other out. In time I may ask you to introduce me to them."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Of course."
Ben gives a grin.

"
Just bare with them if they seem rough at first. Our house was founded for its loyalty to the Arryns when your ancestors ... claimed Westeros."
Ben's demeanor seems more in jest than warning.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I always wanted to visit your family with you, Ben"
Dunstan says and leans in to listen to more tales of Blakthornes. He knew the unfortunate accident with the pirates, but never dared to ask more - in order not to touch Ben's tough spot. Afar from that, he never really knew much of them.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
My great grandfather was a lowborn Captain. He did not always sail under a white banner as we do now, if you catch my meaning. He likes to say his mother was the daughter of a Thorne from the Reach and his father a clans men from the mountains. Though which clan changes with the telling. He told the best stories."


Ben smiles in recalling fond memories.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
It must be nice to have family tales to tell. If my father is who they say,"

The tone of his voice makes it clear that he at least believes it to be true.
"
...then everyone knows all the tales I could tell about him... and no one really seems to know who exactly my mother was, so I have no tale to tell there, either."

He takes a drink, realizing that he brought the cheer down a little.
"
My children, and their children, however... they will have some tales to tell, I should think."

He adds with a smile, then raises his mug in another toast.
"
To family!"

[Benedict Marsten]

"
To family. New and old. Blood and bond."
Ben smiles at each man on their subsequent title.

Following it up with another long pull from his mug.

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
Blood and bond."

Baelon drinks.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Blood and bond!"
Dunstan cheers and drinks and listens to the two companions.


"
I've never really known my father, Sterl. He died when I was just a boy, but all say he was a good man. Died fighting the Brackens."
he weights in with a story of his own.

"
Now, my mother is sick too. I have been thinking of asking that septon of Dulver to come and see her, maybe Daveth too. They seem to know their way around healing techniques.."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
The both have a good deal of skill. Though as official heir Daveth may be too buay guiding his house to travel."


Ben motions for more drink. Then his eyes brighten as of remembering something.

"
Perhaps this new Maester will be more skilled in the healing arts. He seems sharp despite his age."

[Baelon Drakeson]

"
What happened with Haelis, anyway?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan frowns and takes a deep gulp of ale,

"
He failed at his duties. Therefore we got a new Maester."
it was clear he did not want to dwell deeper into the subject.

"
Are you going to populate an already existing castle, or build a new one completely?"
he asks Baelon, in an effort to change the topic.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon notes the conversation shift and decides to follow it. No need to upset Dunstan over mere curiosity.

"
Well, I haven't seen the place myself yet, but from what Daveth has said there is a stout Hall waiting for us. Apparently it was one of the properties that the northern branch of House Darry abandoned during the war. From the sound of it, they had only just themselves branched from Grenward to the area when they were forced to abandon it. There's not much there at the moment, but it seems to have potential."

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Guess that means you will be moved up on the Darry list of friends. Of course riding out with Dunstan probably already had you on it."


Ben sips at his drink, thinking about the trouble Baelon and Gwyn might have.

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon shrugs.

"
If it wasn't them it would be someone else. You can't live life like I have and not make a few enemies. Hell, some people hate me just for being born. If they come after me, I'll beat them back. I hear I'll have a nice high cliff to throw people off of."

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben gives Baelon a forlorn look. He quickly replaces it with a big grin. "
To high cliffs!"

[Baelon Drakeson]

Baelon grins. "
To high cliffs, and to hopefully not having to use them!"

[Lady Corrine Marsten]

A pair of figures stride into the Huntsman, side by side. One is instantly recognisable as Dyana Marsten, the other is less distinctive, but can be recalled, especially by Ben, as the White Hart Hunter. Clad in charcoal grey and black riding clothes, hooded cloak, and a scarf covering their mouth, only piercing blue eyes give an indication of a person beneath the costume. They seem smaller and thinner up close, though the lithe poise and prowling gait presents the impression of an agile person, despite their stature. Not a warrior, but their competent performance in the archery contest showed them to have skill.

Lets see how sharp dear Dunstan is.

They fetch drinks, and the Hunter sits opposite Dunstan, Ben &
Baelon, giving a silent nod.

[Dyana Marsten]

Dyana joins the Hunter stoicly, sitting beside him clad in her armor and holding the hilt of her sword as she looks into her mug. She gives a soft smile at Dunstan, Ben &
Baelon, but speaks only as much as her companion.

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