Watching young men clobber each other

[Theomore Tullison]

Theomore could count the number of melee's he had joined in the past decade on his hand, would be possible even if he had lost all the fingers on it. There wasn't much else to gain from partaking than aches and bruises, cunning and guile could only carry him so far when his swordsmanship, speed, robustness and strength were all merely average.

If asked how many melee's he had observed in the same time, he would be at a loss for count, few men in the Riverlands was like to have seen more. Few things surprised him anymore, yet some things did, like finding the man who by all accounts should be counted as the favorite in this particular event. "
Ser Walton, I had thought I might see you on the grounds today, beating the rest of them real good, and yet, here you are to be found."
Theomore greets, his curiosity shining through, but with it, a welcome sense of a desire to make a cheerful comment just for the sake of it. "
But at least I will have someone to talk to."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Ser Walton, taller by head than most of the crowd, humbly nodded in response. "
I'm glad to have honorable company, aswell, Ser"
. For longer moment Dulver was looking with thoughtful face into the ground, where melee tournament was about to begin. Someone could have sworn, that he saw something in there. His voice was indifferent and he didn't raise his sight when he continued "
That would be almost four years since my last tournament, Ser."


Suddenly he looked back into eyes of Tullison, with joyful sparkles in his eyes. "
It's hard to find worthy warrior nowadays, Theomore. Both with skill and honor. Would I be favorite in this melee tournament? I would be favorite in every tournament, Ser."
He said that with such amusement, that no one could say how seriously he was saying that. "
I don't remember when I met someone, who could match me in combat. I'm not sure how good or bad that is..."


Walton, with grin on his face changed topic. "
Did You visit Riverrun since our last meeting maybe? Ser Eoric Tully could prove my words, for sure. I'm also curious does he still have a grudge against me after our last meeting..."
Whole situation seemed to be pure amusement to Ser Walton. "
At least I'm glad that Prince Targaryen enjoyed our short show, though"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I have not spoken with Ser Eoric since the Tourney of Riverrun."
Theomore shrugs, odds were that he was rather cautious about whoever his mother held in high esteem. "
I may have heard a rumor about the encounter, Ser Walton."
And he was proud of it? For all his strength, Ser Walton ought to remember that no man was invincible, the bloody history of Westeros held a few swordsmen without equal being felled by an anonymous crossbowman "
But if it is challenge that you seek, Ser Walton, perhaps you ought to try the joust sometime? I have seen enough not to wish to try my blade against yours, though I would stake more than the regular ransom on my chances lance against lance."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Ser Walton laughed loudly hearing bold provocation "
We, Dulvers, are highlanders, Ser. As we cannot match others in saddle, they cannot match us in toughness and character. Ask Ironborn. If You would see our lands, You would understand. It's not good place for cavalry raids. Even keeping too much heavy infantry is useless in surroundings, where even mountain goat must watch it's steps."


Moving to next Theomore's words, Walton strongly denied "
It's not challenge I seek, Ser. There is enough cruelty without searching for opportunity to take sword out of scabbard. Opportunity will find You anyway, You want it or not. Just stand like a man and take what Seven prepared for You."
He opened his hands in gesture of helplessness before continuing. "
I just do not participate in tournaments, that's all, Tullison. Personal reasons, enough said."
Dulver waved around with his hand, showing surrounding people, most of which were common born. "
Fight for Yourself, Your vows and Your honor. Not for rabble's joy..."
To finish his thought, he spit to the ground with contempt.

"
And how did You end on stands, instead among contestants, Tullison?"
Walton simply nodded with his head towards battle ground.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I suppose I have not lived enough years to claim that I am too old for this shit, ser?"
Theomore chuckles. "
It is rather more practical, I was never more than average with the sword, men would see me beaten over and over. I am a leader of men both in battle and politics, a courtier and diplomat rather than warrior. I have a reputation, an image of a man you want by your side cultivated through squring for prince Daemon, through slaying men in battle and duels and my prowess with the lance, enough early defeats in the melee and people will know that I can be beaten. I take my victories when and where I can, and losses only when I must, preferably never."


"
I sometimes do envy the man who can live by a simple code, but I am a knight, entrusted by Lord Frey to tend some of his lands and otherwise serve him to the best of my ability, and I had other duties before that, not to mention expectations placed upon me because of who I am and how I got here. Part of fulfilling such obligations is to maintain such an image as best allows me to do so. You say it is for the rabble's joy, Ser Walton, and part of me would agree with you. But if you take a gander at this particular rabble, you will find that many are not wearing tatters. Showing your prowess is a good way to catch the attention of interesting people, and open doors that otherwise would be closed. You might be surprised by the number of lords I have befriended that would not even entertain the notion of granting me an audience had I not first bested them at the list."
Theomore adds with a grin "
Besides, the ransoms and victor's purses allows a skilled knight to live a life of comfort without burdening the coffers of his house."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
I cannot complain on lack of funds, Ser. Not mentioning that warrior doesn't need much than his sword, armor and good horse. Glory also is not something I chase. Do right things and people's respect won't miss Your person, old knight I squired for, always repeated."


"
Well, Ser, I'm afraid that Stony Heath is too far from main routes to take part in politics of anything. If ask our neighbours You can even hear that Dulvers are nothing more than just landed traders..."
Walton made short pause before continuing. "
Truth is that we look with envy on their fertile lands, and they dream about our wealthy mines. Seven were very humorous granting my ancestors their lands, You can't deny."


Honest smile appeared on Walton's face. "
I'm luckier than You, then, Ser Theomore. I have no expectations awaiting, as since I took sword into my hands for the first time, I went into completely opposite direction than my good father ever wished. He is my liege, when he will pass away, I will become Lord Dulver. You can't even imagine how that amuse me, Ser"
Walton wasn't hiding laugh. "
Since my twelth birthday I was spending most of my time in stables and training grounds, what made my father's blood boil. But I'm glad. Knight I was squiring for, taught me, that knight has easy life. The easiest possible. His only problem is to be loyal to his liege and not stain his honor. That's much more easier than politics or whatever else great lords can deal with, won't You agree, Ser?"


"
We have devoted men in our council, who are proficient in every area any lord could wish. Those are people I know my whole life, their loyalty I would never put in doubt, Ser. I believe that's enough for House to prospect in right direction. Oh, and we have more money than we can spend, I'm afraid I forgot to mention."
Walton added last words with laugh. When he finally stopped laughing, he added jauntily "
We are loyal vassals of Lannisters, we fill their coffers, now also my sister is marrying Lannister. What else connections could we wish for, Ser?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
How about a lovely wife of high station, ser?"
Theomore throws in a good natured little verbal jab, in truth, he found Walton's thoughts on the matter to be petty and immature. "
I dare say that most lords I have ever met have taken a considerably greater interest in their duties, or future ones in case of heirs. Most of them for good reason, for when his advisers are in disagreement or there is no time to seek counsel, a lord must ultimately make a decision based upon his own intuition. And like any skill you wish to rely upon, intuition should be trained."
Then again, some men were not fit to make such decisions, and was better served having someone telling them what to do.

[Ser Walton Dulver]

While part about wife, Walton simply concealed, he responded to other words. "
Septon Arlyn taught me that truly wise man is the one, who listens to experts of matter, when he needs to make important decisions. How to not agree with that? One man can run his House, but can't take care of all things only by himself. I'm not afraid, that anyone at our council would be less favorable to my reign, than he is to my father's. If we are already talking about distant future, of course, Ser. But for now... There is nothing what could rejoice my heart more than my Lord Father being head of our House for many more years."
Walton bowed with courtesy to those words.

"
I am as strong, as people I lead. Let them push their agendas and make best possible decisions based on that. And if House will really need something, You will see it. If You don't, then it doesn't need it that much. Or You are a fool. That's what Lord Harald was always saying, and I can't not agree that he brought House Dulver to impressing status, much more impressive than at the moment he took over reigns after his father, for sure."
After short pause Walton added. "
Look at me, Ser, and tell me what You see. Do You see man, who can match his younger weakling brother in counting coins? Man, who can out-talk or beat in knowledge Maester or Septon? I can guess for sure, that You see man, who can break their necks with his bare hands, but that's not the way lords rule, I'm afraid. There is right way of doing things, and wrong way. Being lord doesn't make man the wisest in room..."


"
And coming back to where we start, winning contest with blunt weapon in hand doesn't make You warrior, either. Like You can forge sword only in fire, only real battle can forge warrior out of You. Have You ever seen great fanfares, polished armors and beautiful ladies handing knights their handkerchiefs on battlefield? Because what I remember is chaos and dirt, to not mention more distinct aspects of art of war. And what we do here is making fun of Stranger, if You ask me, Ser..."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Did the septon tell you that a tourney is a mockery of the stranger, ser?"
Theomore raises an eyebrow. "
I could name at least one holding the opinion that these events delights the warrior, but no matter."


"
I would add the commentary that a wise man knows what advice to listen to, ser. A man is responsible for his choices, an adviser can only suggest a course of action. And what a lord decides carry far greater consequence than the choices of a warrior. And that is what I see, ser. A young man, a talented warrior, mayhaps one that could match blades with Ser Criston himself, however, this young knight is also a lord's heir, who one day will become lord if gods are good, and I have known no Lord who has not been challenged in a manner where no adviser could be of help. And I fear history is full of so called experts that turned out to be less able than they appeared, or had other things in mind than the well-being of the house they were supposed to serve."
One unscrupulous man, with ambitions and a talent for deceit would be all that is required to send the man before Theomore into his doom, and perhaps, House Dulver along with it. "
If you wish to rely upon advice from those with greater experience, ser, then mine is to learn to separate good counsel from bad, and how to know who can be trusted to enter your inner circle."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

Walton honestly laughed at first words of Theomore. "
Septon... mockery of the stranger..."
Dulver had some problems to get serious again. "
Take no offence, please. And no, Ser, he didn't. But I will have to repeat him those words, for sure. Stranger or Warrior, depends on what part of battlefield journey we are looking at. If You ask me, I would not want to take my chances laughing at any of them. Men train to fight and they fight to kill. What's here is pretentious."


Young knight looked decisively into Tullison's eyes and finished. "
I like to think about myself, that I am man of action. Talking about future, planning and dreaming- those things aren't for me. I have little sister, who loves to dream- I don't find that amusing. I fulfill my duties towards my family, liege, and take what life gives. Live here and now, it's pretty simple, Ser. And face obstacles when they approach You."


Ser Walton is obviously avoiding debate and tries to end the topic. "
And if You ask me, circumstances aren't proper for discussion we are having, Ser. Great weather, colorful surroundings, men hungry of glory..."
Trying to give substitute topic, Walton asked "
Do You have any favorites for today, Ser? Someone worth placing a bet?"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
I always found obstacles more easy to overcome by preparing for them in advance, Ser."
Theomore comments off-handedly. "
Though in the absence of the strongest warrior, this melee is a deal more difficult to predict, though Lord Baelon tends to want to win more than most others, and that is often what makes the difference."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
Well, You can focus better on present obstacle, if You are focused on it, not on next hundred. One day at a time, Ser."


"
I heard saying that what makes greatest warriors the greatest, is their attitude. They win fights already before they start. And Baelon may be favorite today, indeed"
Walton didn't even think about naming Baelon lord. "
I don't think there is anyone, who can match him among participants, would You agree? I don't think it will make this tournament memorable. But it's not big wedding, either"

[Theomore Tullison]

"
And if you faced one obstacle after another, never having time to prepare, I would agree with you, ser. However, most times I find that you can do much and more in advance to make your path easier."
Theomore shrugs. "
I think the question is more a matter of whether Lord Baelon's opponents recognizes that they ought to cooperate to bring him down first should they wish to win, most of them happens to support the queen after all, and he is a symbol of everything they dislike. Some might not wish to see him piss upon the best the queen's men has to offer in their own territory."


"
Aside from the part where the best the queen's men has to offer sits here with me, on the sidelines."
A shake of the head. "
Wicked tongues might suggest that doing so is a disservice to House Dulver's good name, ser. There is much to be gained from building a reputation as a great warrior, even if it comes from mock battles."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
It's an honor to hear praises like this, Ser Theomore. But Her Majesty doesn't need real men with fake swords. Of course all of them here will jump on Drakeson, like hunting dogs. And I wish them all best."


Walton showed one of his nasty smiles while saying "
But here we are again at the beginning of our discussion, Ser. I'm not going to change my mind on that matter, Theomore. I don't care about one's reputation gained on fake battlefields. If glory is what Seven have for me, I will get it. I was made for greater things, Ser, I know it. And I don't think many of mentioned wicked tongues would dare to talk as boldly in my presence, as they are in my absence. And You know what, Ser?"
Here Walton put his big hand on Tullison's shoulder "
I piss on them."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
After hearing of the tales told by other tongues, supposedly Ser Eoric was nearly murdered in what was supposed to be a friendly sparring match, ser..."
Theo had first thought of it as exaggeration, but he had grown to be much less certain. "
Such men cannot be blamed for their caution, and yet, they talk, how else could they strike at an enemy that would slaughter them if they faced him with sword in hand?"

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
Ser Eoric almost murdered? Word almost might be key here, Ser. Well, I wouldn't listen to tales spread by stable boys, who know nothing about art of sword. Also young Tully- with al due respect, Ser, disappointed me a lot. Every man can be beaten by someone stronger, but not every man reacts with cry to that.I'll tell you this, my estimation about Eoric Tully as a man, at that moment plummeted."


"
But that's the way of the world. You are meant to beat someone in one area and be beaten in other by someone else. I would say, do what You can to leave descendants name without stain, Ser."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Our children will remember us when we are in the ground, ser. And their children, too."
Theomore shrugs. "
But when they have also joined us, all that remains of our memory is that which has been chronicled by maesters, and few men not holding high position tends to be mentioned in the scrolls and books others care to read. What other legacy is there to give to our descendants than to take care of that which was provided for us by those who preceded us and pass on something more to those who comes after?"

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
Even though my Lord Father brought greatness to our House, no one beside our neighbours and debtors knew our name. I lived for nineteen name days and already knights and lords spread the word of how I almost murdered Ser Eoric Tully, in something what was supposed to be only friendly sparring match, Ser. And I expect many more name days to come!"
Ser Walton had great amusement while saying that.

"
Don't worry about my renown, Ser. I think in Your new countryside I'm not anonymous man."
Walton's smile was ugly. "
I'm not in hurry, I don't need mock fight to make my name- I can wait for something what happens for real. Then we will see who will piss his pants, and who will stand his ground like a man."
He pointed with his head towards ground, where melee was about to start. "
This ain't the place, Ser."

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Someone always seems to have a real battle to fight somewhere, ser."
Theomore sees no particular reason to talk Walton into any sort of action. "
Acquitting yourself at tourneys is a good way to draw their attention, those who know naught about a Dulver knight of no small talent will not make the effort to seek his sword for their cause, and then the opportunity for a real fight will pass you by ser."
Another shrug, "
And by supporting others with your strength, ser, House Dulver can reap the benefits, I am sure Lord Harald or the experts can figure out the how of it."


"
But a man standing by his convictions is to be admired as well, ser, so I shall not call it wrong not to partake, but I must point out that I have engaged in many acts and with many people over the years that I had little taste for in order to gain something that made the efforts worth it. I know many a noble knight, second sons like me, who only ever undertakes tasks that appeals to them, most of them are found where they were ten years ago, by their lord brother's side, a burden most of the time. I should like to have word with the man thinking that the unpleasantness I have had to endure did not pay off."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

On Walton's face appeared calm and warm smile. "
That's what makes the difference between us, Ser. I'm not simple knight or second son. I'm heir and in some years I will rule the lordship. I don't have to do anything what I have little taste for. For lord being in ten years at the same place he is now, is still place, where most don't even dream to be one day."
Ser Walton bowed slightly while continuing "
And hereby I'd like to congratulate You on taking over vacant place at Tower of Falling Stars. What a luck, that there happened to be place like this, missing the noble ruler."
Ser Walton added with satisfaction, being the one, who wrote last chapter of Benjen Frey's colorful story.

[OOC: Theomore is Knight of Tower of Falling Stars already, right? Other informations are right also, Benjen Frey was last known Knight of Tower of Falling Stars?]

[Theomore Tullison]

[Yeah]

"
I make my own luck, Ser Walton."
Theomore had indeed, the vacancy did not simply happen on it's own, nor did it just occur to Lord Forrest just to offer him the chance to fill it. "
The man who blames fortune for his failures will never learn from them, and the man who sits around waiting for whatever fate has in store for him will find that his destiny is to die in that very chair. Sometimes sooner than he might like."
The words sounds darker than they ought to sound like, the thought of just how he sealed the fate of Benjen lingering like a haunting ghost, though it's touch having lost most of it's chill with the revelations of what he and his boys had wrought upon the land. The silver linings did not make the clouds any less black in the night. "
You ought to be aware, ser, that when other lords seek to advance their own fortunes, this often happens on the expense of another, typically the one who seems rather too content on his seat."

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
We are too close to Iron Isles to forget about dangers of this world, Ser. And for last few years I was rather guest than dweller in Stony Heath. I chase my own fortune, Ser, despite already great future awaiting me as Lord Dulver, Seven protect my Lord Father. But building name on something like this?"
Walton pointed with his head towards melee contest "
This is not the way, Ser."
Dulver bowed slightly to Tullison "
And if You would ever want to train Your skills with iron, Ser, I am at Your service."
Dulver crossed his muscular arms in front of him. "
Maybe if I won't almost murder You, Riverlands lords will see I have nothing against them!"
loud laugh ended his words.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
Prince Daemon told me to always seek men more capable than myself to train against, ser. Though I fear that there is nothing to be learned from a thorough trouncing."
Theomore waves the notion away, well almost. "
Unless, this sparring might start on horseback?"

[Ser Walton Dulver]

"
Perhaps we could arrange this one day. But please remember that highlanders are shite riders, Ser!"
Dulver smiled apologetically.

[Theomore Tullison]

"
How else am I to have a fighting chance, ser?"
Theomore puts on one of his flashier smiles. "
A big man like you should fall pretty hard when tumbling out of his saddle..."

[Sponsored content]