The hearth of stone

[Yoren longshore]

The heart and stone is a prosperous inn placed centrally. The clientele seems to hold a high standard, however in the corner, by the fireplace sits a dirty traveller in a ragged red cloak. His horse waswell cleaned when he led it into the stables, but the man seems to have had little regard to his own cleanliness or lack thereof. A little while ago he sent for Kevan Lyras.
Yoren wonders if Kevan will recognise the red cloak, and if he will see Yorens face, regardless of the dirt.
Yoren finds it interesting to sit and watch just how much appearances alters peoples perception of you. Will Kevan even deign to look at the ragged, dirty, Yoren in the corner? Only one way to find out, unfortunately that way involves waiting...

[Kevan Lyras]

Yoren had to wait for a quite some time, before a new visitor entered the establishment. Kevan was dressed in unremarkable cloth: A simple brown traveller's garb and leather boots. The only thing that set him apart from a simple traveller was the well crafted sword on his belt, but even that was designed with to be serviceable rather than decorative, his black beard was recently trimmed.
He stepped into the inn's main room and looked around. A few merchants sitting in a corner, what seemed to be a young noble couple at the table near the backdoor, a rather dirty traveller sitting by the fireplace...
Obviously, the man who sent him the message was not yet here. Kevan was all about to sit down near the bar to wait for his arrival, when his eyes darted back to the traveller. A man of such appearance was not allowed in here unless he belonged despite his clothes. He examined the figure once again, when he suddenly realized and a little smile played on his lips.
"
Is there some space for another traveller on your table, M'lord?"
he asked deliberatly talking with a smallfolk's accent as he moved over to Yoren.

[Yoren longshore]

Yoren switches to a guttural language for a moment, before he tells Kevan in a royal tone: "
You're not the only one with a mastery of tongues."
He then smiles before admitting: "
However your smallfolk accent is much better than any I can do."


Yoren then signals to a barmaid, asking for two jugs of the houses special. When he turns back to Kevan he tells him: "
I saw you at the tournament last winter, with the amounts of horses you picked up I think your son will be happy with his father's stables."


Yoren gives the compliment before telling him: "
I have gotten my lodgings here, at this inn. Where are you intending to sleep? Have you found a proper inn?"

[Kevan Lyras]

"
Haha, I am not sure if I should take this as a compliment or not!"
, Kevan replied with a wink, before grasping for one of the jugs, Yoren had ordered.
"
You mean the Tourney at the Wedding of your sister? Yes that one went quite good, though I fear my son is never gonna see any of these horses, as I ransomed all of them back to their owners. Some of the hedge knights were whining a bit about the prices, but they all paid up. Anyway, how is she, your sister that is? Married to a greenlander and all?"


Kevan raised the jug to Yoren, before taking a gulp. "
I have not yet decided where to stay, but this place seems like a good enough inn for me."

[Yoren longshore]

"
My sister is doing well enough, she always was adaptable."
Yoren leans closer before telling: "
I fear for her husband more than for her, truth be told. I'm not sure who will be wearing the pants over there."

Yoren smiles to Kevan as he takes his own jug.

"
I suppose that for a jouster like you horses are easy to come by, all you have to do is beat a foolish young knight..."


"
I have nothing but good words of this establishment, even the fireplace is clean!"
Yoren tells Kevan: "
So, what are your plans here? Is Corrine here to make decisions or do you come in her stead?"

[Kevan Lyras]

"
Easy enough to say for a men that is still on the search for a potential match. You are the heir of a lord's title, there should be many potential brides..? As for horses, I guess I never thought about it, I still ride the same trusty steed that helped me becoming the runner-up at Riverrun. Are you looking to purchase one?"
, he did not quite understand whether this talk about horses was merely idle conversation or whether Yoren was building towards some kind of remark, but the young man had always been a peculiar type, ever since he'd known him.

Leaning back in his chair, Kevan studied the surroundings, the place was indeed a lot nicer than most Kevan had visited in recent months. "
I am but the vanguard, as I expect Lady and Lord Marsten to arrive here soon. I deliberately arrived a bit earlier to take a look at the situation and this Esra Stone's grip on the town."

[Yoren longshore]

"
It is allways good to survey the situation for yourself. I intend to do much the same, though I do not await such an influential entourage. Brides are easy enough to cone by for a good courter, much like horses for a good jouster, however, getting one that is perfect is nigh on impossible."
Yoren smiles to Kevan. "
You should consider getting a few horses, if not for anything else, then just to give your own some company."

[Kevan Lyras]

Kevan laughed at Yoren's jest about women, answering: "
I hope that is not also your approach with wives, Yoren!"
Kevan lowered his voice to ensure that only Yoren could hear him: "
Form your comment I conclude that House Longshores does not raise a claim to the town? Are you supporting another suitor?"

[Yoren longshore]

"
We have not yet looked at the different people we can support, I only arrived right before I sent word for you. I haven't even had the time to bathe yet, which I assume you've noticed."
Yoren smiles wryly at Kevan before asking: "
Does the Marstens want to expand? Either hold it for yourselves or find a suitable vassal?"

Yoren does not stop smiling as he asks his questions.

[Kevan Lyras]

"
Yes, House Marsten will raise its claim. We have the support of our liege, House Arryn. Lady Corrine and Lord Benedict have worked hard to improve our relations especially within the Vale, and our neighbours are starting to acknowledge our standing. However, our economic base, our holdings do not match our position. Hence, it is with great timing, that the king finally decided to resolve the situation about Markettown. It is not yet decided how exactly the town will be integrated, should we actually suceed. I guess we will have to install steward, that is correct. Though wether Lady Corrine decides to raise a landed knight, I do not know."

[Yoren longshore]

"
I will be able to support you. Geographically you are close, and I trust that Corrine can choose a good steward."
Smilingly Yoren adds: "
However, nothing comes for free, so I'll have to insist that the next round of ale will be yours to pay for."

[Kevan Lyras]

Smiling at Yoren, Kevan orders motions for a second round of ale. The man seemed calmer and more at peace with himself than the last few times the two had seen each other.
Maybe he is finally growing into his role
"
If you truely will support us, House Marsten will not forget that, Yoren. I cannot offer you anything other than our gratitude right now, as even with your support there is a chance that we will not succeed in arguing our case, be it politically or later on horse back. However, in case of success, we can offer you more than just words."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Good, I'll see if I can't talk to a few people and secure Corrine a few votes. although I'd first like to tell you that I hope that you have practiced with the lance, because no matter who you come up against, you can be sure that they are intent on winning this city for themselves."

Yoren looks piercingly at Kevan: "
You are an experienced rider, could you tell me whom you expect you can defeat on horseback?"

[Kevan Lyras]

Kevan nods at Yoren's remarks, "
True, which is why we were cauteous in our offer for your votes. There is a real chance we end up with the most votes but lose out on Markettown nonetheless. From all the potential jouster, I'd say there are two that would definitely defeat me due to their superior skills as riders - Lord Baelon and Ser Theomore. With the Lannister knight it is hard to tell. Both of us could fall, but there is also a possibility that neither falls for three rounds and things are decided by the sword, in which case I do not know who has the better chances to win. What do you think? Besides all that, it could also be that someone else is riding for our cause..."

[Yoren longshore]

"
I think that success will be dependent upon many factors, everything from who purchased the best lances to who is the least nervous may come into play. I think that the riding skill of all potential champions is so great that in the end it will come down to a swordfight, so perhaps even tasking Ben with the fight would be a good idea?"


"
None of my Ironborn are great horsemen, but I reckon there are several that may win us this fight. What Corrine needs to procure are proper oak lances that will give us an advantage. Then we would need to get our fighter a good colt. Regardless of who rides for us, if they have the best equipment, chances are that they will win."

[Kevan Lyras]

"
I am sitting here, discussing jousting techniques with an ironborn!"
, Kevan laughes, before adressing Yorens points: "
Equipment is important, agreed, but it is not the determining factor here. If one rider falls, while the other does not, there is no reason for him to dismount as he could just ride down his opponent. So staying in the saddle is vital.
Lord Ben is a very good fighter and his showing at various tourneys have shown he is a capable jouster as well, but I'd say I have the better chance than him to force a decision by sword. But let us not get ahead of ourselves, first we have to secure one of the two final places in the voting"

[Yoren longshore]

"
That we will be in the final two is all but ensured. We have all of Marsten and all of Longshore. I do not see any other house managing to gain the same amount of sway here. Especially not considering the geographical proximity Marsten has to these lands. They would probably rather be ruled by a neighbor than by a distant liegelord."

[Kevan Lyras]

"
True, we are in a good position, but still I expect some others to fight for their claim, no matter how small it is. And as far as the locals concern: Unfortunately, they have little to decide in that matter."


Taking another sip of his tankard, he decides to switch topics: "
Remember that first time, we met all these years ago? We were still so young, I was barely a squire and everything seemed so exciting. I happen to think alot about these times lately... A couple of months ago I took a squire into service, a young boy as inexperienced as they come, but so eager to learn..."

[Yoren longshore]

"
Teaching your skill onto the next generation?"
Yoren asks. "
That sounds like a great idea... I remember being young, I was too foolhardy to take much advice. Having a squire can be rough, I've heard, you have to watch out that your squire is tractable enough to take your advice, but not so malleable as to taking on your vices and not ask questions."

Yoren smiles: "
You have some hard work ahead of yourself, but I think that you are just the man to be able to deal with a young, up and coming, squire."
He raises his mug at the last comment, wanting to toast with Kevan.

[Sponsored content]