Scene 2 – Crab and Seahorse

[Kevan Lyras]

Scene 2 – Crab and Seahorse
With the Tourney in Gulltown over, it was time for Kevan and his entourage to break camp at the ‘Silver Gull’. While the next planned stop on their tour was located further south, the Marsten knight decided to make a slight detour and attend a wedding at Claw Isle to which Lord Bartimos Celtigar had invited him after he bested his green opponent at the Tourney. He booked a passage on a merchant vessel, a two-master sailing under the flag of King’s Landing, that was bringing provisions to the small island, likely in preparation of the feast. At least that was what Kevan concluded after having had a look at the wine and ale barrels stored below deck.

Despite it being only a short trip, Kevan was more than happy to reach the island’s harbor. The seat of House Celtigar was decorated with flags and banners – some white with red crabs, others sea green with a seahorse on them to represent the colors of groom and bride.
The invited guests comprised mostly Crownland nobles that came over from the various islands, Crackclaw Point as well as the mainlands. Among others, Kevan could see the blue swordfish of Bar Emmon as well as the seven stars of the Lord of Sweetport Sound.

Not one green knight present…

The groom, Ser Davros Celtigar, was the heir of Lord Bartimos Celtigar, a young man with brown hair and a winning smile. He was to marry Lady Valaena Velaryon, a young girl from the extended Velaryon family. Both seemed rather insecure and unfamiliar with each other. Kevan assumed that the betrothal was decided not long ago.

The bride was delivered by Ser Vaemond, the nephew to Lord Corlys Velaryon. The man was courteous and played his part, but overall he seemed displeased at the proceedings. His wife was quite the opposite, the Lady seemed to enjoy the wedding and could be seen smiling and socializing with various other guests throughout the feast.

Kevan himself did the same. Thanks to his recent success in the Tourney of the Gull, he was a sought-after guest and he made sure to introduce himself to as many guests as possible. As the feast slowly reached its end, Kevan also spent some time talking to men and women of lesser standings, servants and retainers from the various guests’ entourages, sometimes in combination with the exchange of small coin pouches

[Kevan Lyras]

Scene 3 – Dark wings and bright suns
Standing on the small wooden dock, Kevan could see Rook’s Rest towering above him on top of the cliffs. He had taken one of the ships leaving Crab Island after the festivities to continue his Tourney. He had met a landed knight serving House Staunton during the wedding and had spent quite some drinking with the man. Kevan never tried to gain any secretive information from the man, at least not then, but after a couple of rounds the intoxicated knight started talking about his liege and so Kevan felt prepared for the meeting that was about to follow.
Lord Staunton was a known supporter of the Princess and one of the more important figures of the Crownlands. All reasons for Kevan to build a rapport with House Staunton. At least the next steps on my journey will not involve any boats, he thought as he started the journey up to the castle.

___

It was a few hours later, when Kevan stepped out of the great hall of Rook’s rest, entering the training yard. It was almost empty, except for a boy and a guard in the tunic of House Staunton practicing with a wooden swords. Kevan approached with a smile on his face. He watched the two going through a very basic routine of attacks and parries, patiently waiting for them to be finished. The young man sported a ludicrous beard, which made Kevan think of his youth, when he attempted the same thing to look older than he actually was – only that the Lyras’ men always had a strong beard growth.
“That was good, you recognize your opponent’s intention quickly and bring up your sword for the defense in time. However, on your attacks you have a tendency to overextend yourself leaving your left side defenseless. Here I show you”
Kevan motioned for the guard to hand over his sword, who after a slight hesitation did so.
“Attack me as you did before” – “I have been working on this for hours, but I never seem to get it right.”, the boy replied raising his sword.
The two exchanged a number of hits with the wooden swords, while Kevan was making sure not to be too fast. After one attack of his opponent, he quickly stepped up and grabbed the wrist of the boy’s sword hand pulling him towards him. The boy fell losing his sword in the process.
“That’s what I meant. You have good reflexes Damian, but you have to make sure you use them right.” He threw his on wooden sword in to the ground and offered the boy a helping hand to get up. “You are Damian, correct?” and as the boy nodded, he continued: “I am Ser Kevan Lyras, Keeper of the Gates of House Marsten.”
“You participated in the Tourney at Riverrun. I read that in Maester’s correspondence. He get reports from many houses and I help him with it.”
Hm… a boy interested in scholarly work… Maester Ronnel was right…
“That is true, though I am surprised that you know that. I have been talking with your Lord Father and I would like to present you with an opportunity. I am looking for a squire and your family has agreed to leave you under my protection during your studies. That is, if you yourself want to…”
Damian was patting off the dust from his clothes, looking at the Marsten knight. “I.. I am honored Ser. Would you allow me to think about your offer and talk to my father first before answering?”
Kevan smiled warmly: “I expected no less. I will stay at Rook’s Rest for the night. Your father invited me. Take your time and if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them.”

[Reader]

The groom, Ser Davros Celtigar, was the heir of Lord Bartimos Celtigar, a young man with brown hair and a winning smile. He was to marry Lady Valaena Velaryon, a young girl from the extended Velaryon family. Both seemed rather insecure and unfamiliar with each other. Kevan assumed that the betrothal was decided not long ago.

Ser Kevan was man of high reputation by now, and Lady Valaena Velaryon sought him out for news and his opinions of the realm's notable personages.

"
What do you make of Lady Corrine Marsten? Quite the contrast to her traditional mother?"


"
And what of Ser Jorah the Just and his squire? We hear you know the newest Kingsguard well?"


Now in more hushed tones, an edge of girlish excitement.

"
And what of the swordsman Baelon? Is he truly as licentious as the singers say? Do you really think him Prince Daemon's son? Driftmark does not lack for boys with eyes of purple and silver hair, but that does not make them Velaryons."


Nearby, Ser Vaemond listened attentively for the Valeman's opinions while his lady wife charmed the other guests, the room enchanted by her genuine enthusiasm for Valaena's wedding.

[OOC: Answers and awareness (empathy) TN 13 then we'll hit step 3]

[Kevan Lyras]

Kevan smiled at the newly-wed lady, well aware that his answer would be heard by not only Valaena, but more importantly also Ser Vaemond.

"
Well, Lady Corrine is both different and the same as her mother. She is quite contrary to her in the methods she applies, but she cares for her house and the ones she swore to protect just as much as her mother - unlike Lady Isobel, she is willing to show this as well. Our newest member of the kingsguard, I know him well indeed. I consider him a friend. I do not know what to say about him, other than he has earned that nickname and it fits him well. His squire I do not know that well, unfortunately, I have only met him once or twice. He seems like a capable young men with the usual tastes young good-looking men have..."
, the last remark was followed by a slight grin.
Kevan looks at the young bride as well as the Velaryon knight, trying to read their reactions to his words. He lowered his voice to answer the sword question: "
I am sorry to disappoint you, but I do not know any dirty secrets about his rumoured heritage. However, his temper certainly does not help to fend off these rumours...."


[url=Valaena - Awareness][/url]: 3d6 10

[Reader]

Lady Valaena hid the motivating force for her inquiries behind a wall of courtesy, but smiled politely and seemed genuinely engaged by Ser Kevan's company. Her laugh at the knight's jest was a surprisingly deep sound, a marked contrast to her speaking voice, and seemed all the more sincere for the difference.

Scene 3 – Dark wings and bright suns
Standing on the small wooden dock, Kevan could see Rook’s Rest towering above him on top of the cliffs. He had taken one of the ships leaving Crab Island after the festivities to continue his Tourney. He had met a landed knight serving House Staunton during the wedding and had spent quite some drinking with the man. Kevan never tried to gain any secretive information from the man, at least not then, but after a couple of rounds the intoxicated knight started talking about his liege and so Kevan felt prepared for the meeting that was about to follow.
Lord Staunton was a known supporter of the Princess and one of the more important figures of the Crownlands. All reasons for Kevan to build a rapport with House Staunton. At least the next steps on my journey will not involve any boats, he thought as he started the journey up to the castle.

___

It was a few hours later, when Kevan stepped out of the great hall of Rook’s rest, entering the training yard. It was almost empty, except for a boy and a guard in the tunic of House Staunton practicing with a wooden swords. Kevan approached with a smile on his face. He watched the two going through a very basic routine of attacks and parries, patiently waiting for them to be finished. The young man sported a ludicrous beard, which made Kevan think of his youth, when he attempted the same thing to look older than he actually was – only that the Lyras’ men always had a strong beard growth.
“That was good, you recognize your opponent’s intention quickly and bring up your sword for the defense in time. However, on your attacks you have a tendency to overextend yourself leaving your left side defenseless. Here I show you”
Kevan motioned for the guard to hand over his sword, who after a slight hesitation did so.
“Attack me as you did before” – “I have been working on this for hours, but I never seem to get it right.”, the boy replied raising his sword.
The two exchanged a number of hits with the wooden swords, while Kevan was making sure not to be too fast. After one attack of his opponent, he quickly stepped up and grabbed the wrist of the boy’s sword hand pulling him towards him. The boy fell losing his sword in the process.
“That’s what I meant. You have good reflexes Damian, but you have to make sure you use them right.” He threw his on wooden sword in to the ground and offered the boy a helping hand to get up. “You are Damian, correct?” and as the boy nodded, he continued: “I am Ser Kevan Lyras, Keeper of the Gates of House Marsten.”
“You participated in the Tourney at Riverrun. I read that in Maester’s correspondence. He get reports from many houses and I help him with it.”
Hm… a boy interested in scholarly work… Maester Ronnel was right…
“That is true, though I am surprised that you know that. I have been talking with your Lord Father and I would like to present you with an opportunity. I am looking for a squire and your family has agreed to leave you under my protection during your studies. That is, if you yourself want to…”
Damian was patting off the dust from his clothes, looking at the Marsten knight. “I.. I am honored Ser. Would you allow me to think about your offer and talk to my father first before answering?”
Kevan smiled warmly: “I expected no less. I will stay at Rook’s Rest for the night. Your father invited me. Take your time and if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them.”

Damian did not need a second invitation. His keen mind spilled over with questions, first the typical martial matters of any young squire...

"
What was it like to face the Aurochs?"


"
How did you defeat Ser Jorah himself in a joust?"


"
Was Battle Valley a more trying skirmish than the fierce mountain clans?"


But buried in amongst it a bolder question and some appreciation for politics:

"
What is Prince Daemon like? Father says that Prince Aemond is the true demon, not his uncle."

[Kevan Lyras]

A broad smile appeared on Kevan's face, as the young Staunton boy fired question after question, indicating his enthuiasm as well as thirst for knowledge.
"
Hold on, young friend. One question after the other."
, he raised his hands motioning for Damian to slow down.
"
I jousted against both of them, but I rather think back to the round against Ser Jorah, not only because he is a kingsguard now, or because I won, but mostly, because I consider him a friend.
Both battles were trying, but the fight against the clans was harder, because we fought to defend our homes, our lands and the men and women we swore to protect.
If you come with me, I will try my best to prepare you for all knightly duties, be it fighting with a lance or leading negotiations."


At that point, Kevan lowered himself on one knee, to be closer to the young squire-to-be:
"
But to your most important question regarding the Targaryens: They both are dangerous men and they both require you to be cautious when dealing with them. One may be closer to our own political perspective, but you should always assess a man independent of politics, Damian."

[Kevan Lyras]

„A black field with green vipers?“
“House Lynderly of the Snakewood”
“Correct. A purple unicorn on silver?”
“Easy. House Brax of Hornvale, vassals to the Lannisters”
“That makes it nine. Let’s see…. A brindled black and white boar?”
“Hm, what is the color of the field?” the boy asked, searching for clues.
“No, Damian, sometimes you only see the main symbol on an armor and not the whole coat of arms”, Kevan smiled as he finally seemed to have found a House his young squire did not know. “Pah, you are just changing the rules mid-game, that is unfair…” the young Staunton boy grumbled, before his face lit up in a smile: “It’s the boar of Crakehall! I knew all ten you asked. First watch is yours, haha!” Kevan smiled as well, as the two of them slowly followed the coastal road south towards Duskendale: “You won fairly, so I will hold my side of the bet! Besides, it is our last night under the stars. Tomorrow we should arrive in Duskendale, just in time for the start of the Tourney.”
Since leaving Rook’s Rest, the two of them had used the days to get to know each other a bit better and Kevan had wasted no time to start the boy’s education: Taking care of his armor, cleaning the horses – most of the tasks seemed less than exciting, but Damian had never complained. Kevan also made sure to test his companion on his political knowledge, a studying field, which his new squire followed with enthusiasm he would not have expected from a boy this age. Before going to sleep, the Marsten knight had also started to exercise with Damian. The boy had all the intangibles, a good swordsman needed in a fight, but training adequately would still be a long process.
Looking up at the sky, Kevan estimated that they would likely had two more hours before dusk. “Let us ride for another hour then we set up our camp and repeat these shield defenses from yesterday again…”

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