[Day 2, LE] Another night at the Inn (Open)

[Dunstan Tullison]

Dunstan took these nights at the Inn to a liking. Everyone seemed to loosen their tongue quickly after a few drinks and the informal atmosphere felt good after entire day of courtesies and pleasantries and diplomacy.
Strolling around the bustling town of Riverton with Ben was good, they laughed together as they retold each other's hunting adventures from earlier today.

Finally Dunstan came to the Inn and quickly took what apparently became his usual table.

"
Two cups of ale for me and Ben!"
he shouted to the inkeep, "
or would you prefer some wine tonight?"
he asked Ben.

The plan for tonight was to unwind and share words with many fine visitors of this establishment.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben thumps down into the seat near Dunstan, glad that the guards had not hassled him to keep Dunstan clear of the inn. All todays riding and prancing for Lords and Ladies had left him a little worn. "
No, no beer will do."

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Gentlemen!"
Nathan approaches their table with his usual smile. "
I was just on my way out, but I noticed your arrival and I wanted to complement you on your showing at the Tourney grounds today. Many of tonight's patrons have had very positive things to say about House Tullison's martial skills in the pageant."

[Athelstan]

Athelstan has been avoiding all sorts of noble things, not like a bastard was meant to be there, that was for Lord Leifnarr and Yoren, he was just a bastard, but left him with more idle time that he could want. Taking the evening for an interesting turn he decide to go fetch himself a drink and relax in a more informal and welcoming place.

Not paying much attention at the lords that brag about their introduction as if that would save them from falling of a horse or an arrow to the knee, he smiles and sits close to them "
My Lords"
giving a slight bow and raising hi beer in respect and silent toast.

[Benedict Marsten]

"
Gentlemen!"
Nathan approaches their table with his usual smile. "
I was just on my way out, but I noticed your arrival and I wanted to complement you on your showing at the Tourney grounds today. Many of tonight's patrons have had very positive things to say about House Tullison's martial skills in the pageant."

Ben pulls his mug from his lips, beer still dripping. "
Aye. Thank you, Nathan."
He wipes the dregs with his sleeve. "
Of course I am sure there a few who lost coin that are not so pleased."
Ben absentmindedly scans the room. "
You were in attendance then?"

Athelstan has been avoiding all sorts of noble things, not like a bastard was meant to be there, that was for Lord Leifnarr and Yoren, he was just a bastard, but left him with more idle time that he could want. Taking the evening for an interesting turn he decide to go fetch himself a drink and relax in a more informal and welcoming place.

Not paying much attention at the lords that brag about their introduction as if that would save them from falling of a horse or an arrow to the knee, he smiles and sits close to them "
My Lords"
giving a slight bow and raising hi beer in respect and silent toast.

Ben with his mug once again at his lips nods to the ironborn newcomer and then raises his half empty cup in salute.

[Nathaniel Mason]

Ben pulls his mug from his lips, beer still dripping. "
Aye. Thank you, Nathan."
He wipes the dregs with his sleeve. "
Of course I am sure there a few who lost coin that are not so pleased."
Ben absentmindedly scans the room. "
You were in attendance then?"

Nathan laughs. "
A man who loses coin on a wager has only himself to blame. I would have lost no coin on your performance."
He smiles. "
I was able to catch some of it, yes, although I arrived after the opening speeches, which may have been a good thing. My heart did go out to the young man who had to follow you. His efforts were earnest even if the results were rather unfortunate;
made all the more glaring by directly following your fine performance. I'd buy him a beer if he were here. He probably is in need of one."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Dunstan greets both Athelstan and Nathan, the second a bit more eagerly than the first.

When he mentions Daveth's speech Dunstan laughs so hard a bit of ale sprays out of his mouth.

"
Aye, that was a marvelous speech. To Daveth!"
Dunstan proposes a toast, in a tone of slight mockery.

[Athelstan]

Athelstan raises his hand and toasts, then cuts the in clean "
It takes courage to stand in front of an audience my Lord, and even more so to speak highly of another one and not himself."
drinking from his beer slowly, tasting it letting it wash down the sour cheer at the expense of another mans effort, and changing the subject

"
I saw you at the pageant, you did very well my Lord any time you want to spar and train for the jousting let me know, but I think your man"
pointing to Benedict "
Could teach use both a thing or two with the lance for what I saw"
.

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
It takes courage to speak of virtues belonging to others, and cowardice to speak lies about others as well. Rarely there is a man who is good at both"
"
Dunstan says.

Looking to Athelstan, "
I don't believe we've met. I am Dunstan, as you seem to already know. What might be your name?"

[Athelstan]

"
Athelstan Pyke my lord, and honor to meet a man of your stature and station."
as he bows in a courteous manner to the lord, "
I would not presume to know you, just saw you in the pageantry as I'm also participating hoping to acquit myself well."

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Great to meet you!Pyke is it? Associated with Longshores perhapes? Yoren is a friend of mine!"
Dunstan says pleased to find out who the person is, "
I trully am sorry for missing your performance in the peagentry!"

[Athelstan]

"
Yes my lord, I'm with Yoren Longshore, and House Longshore"
giving lord Dustan a smile "
No worries there, I did probably reasonably well and nothing to be amazed off, but I waited to see many of the participants to see who I could face and any chances of winning I had."

[Benedict Marsten]

Nathan laughs. "
A man who loses coin on a wager has only himself to blame. I would have lost no coin on your performance."
He smiles. "
I was able to catch some of it, yes, although I arrived after the opening speeches, which may have been a good thing. My heart did go out to the young man who had to follow you. His efforts were earnest even if the results were rather unfortunate;
made all the more glaring by directly following your fine performance. I'd buy him a beer if he were here. He probably is in need of one."

Ben winces at thought of the failed performance. "
Aye the Northener. It is regrettable. He did well with the dummy. The pressures of performance can weigh one down heavily. I hope he takes it with a grain."


Ben looks curiously to Dunstan after his comments on his new acquaintance Daveth.

Athelstan raises his hand and toasts, then cuts the in clean "
It takes courage to stand in front of an audience my Lord, and even more so to speak highly of another one and not himself."
drinking from his beer slowly, tasting it letting it wash down the sour cheer at the expense of another mans effort, and changing the subject

"
I saw you at the pageant, you did very well my Lord any time you want to spar and train for the jousting let me know, but I think your man"
pointing to Benedict "
Could teach use both a thing or two with the lance for what I saw"
.

Ben shakes his head in true modesty. "
No, no. I am afraid that I could teach little. All I do is what was beat into my head by Ser Markus Elridge, my mentor."
Ben rolls up his sleeve and points to a 6 cm scar intermingled in what was a jigsaw puzzle of numerous others seen continuing up his arm. "
This is where Ser Markus' lance went through my vambrace"
Flipping his arm he shows a similar scar on the otherside. "
and this is where it came out. With lessons like that you improve or suffer."
Ben gives a fond smile.

"
As to your performance I thought it was will liked by the crowd, Athelstan. For an Ironborn you have very good mastery of horse."
His words are sincere. "
I am Ser Benedict Blackthorne."

[Athelstan]

"
Yes, being an ironborn bears a similar price Ser Benedict."
drinking some more "
I'm not like most ironborn, I believe we must adapt and change, we are a House in the riverlands and should adapt to live as one, yet our culture is also rich and worth preserving, hence the dilemma, but there has to be someone that can joust."


A smile crosses his face "
In the Grand Melee is were most iroborn will have a chance to do well"
. patting Ser Benedict on the shoulder "
I would be honored yo spar with you"
then looking at Dunstan "
Or anyone of your House, besides any friend of Lord Yoren should be mine also"
.

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
Another Ironborn?"
chuckles Nathan, but there is no animosity. "
I have tripped over more Ironborn in the last two days than I have in the two years previously. I just left Yoren, by the fire. We were swapping stories. I also met Leifnarr this morning. A very imposing man, and one I expect will do very well in the melee. It is men like him that make be glad I do not involve myself in such pursuits."


By his appearance, Nathan is the very antithesis of an Ironborn. Short in stature, thin boned, lean of body, flawless of skin, and perhaps used to a level of luxury that would be foreign to many on Pyke. Still, it is obvious by his agile and athletic build that hard work and some degree of martial training are not completely foreign to him, but he would certainly be considered 'soft' by Ironborn standards.

[Athelstan]

"
That might be so, and I'm glad you didn't really trip on them or you might have found your self in a bit of trouble"
smiling at Nathan and really looking at him for the first time.

"
You seem trained with a sword, but I would be more wary of you if you were holding ink and quill"
as he raises another beer to Nathan "
We all serve our purposes, but quill and ink has never stopped a sword either"

[Nathaniel Mason]

"
I agree a quill would be a poor weapon in a fight,"
grins Nathan, "
although I did once bash someone in the head with Maester Orlons 'Treatise on 'Pre-Targaryen Political Stratagems by Regional Kings'. A quite hefty tome that up to that point had probably seen little practical use."


"
I tend to avoid pain and have little desire to inflict the same on others. Quite the opposite in fact."
Nathan smiles wryly. "
So I try to avoid being hit by swords entirely;
which is why I don't participate in activities were being hit by a sword is extremely likely. Not that I don't appreciate the skill of those who do."
The young man gestures with respect to the three martial men. "
I have had some training with weapons, though. I may not seek conflict, but sometimes conflict seeks me."


"
I am Nathan, by the way. It's nice to meet you. I am sure you will do House Longshore proud."

[Athelstan]

"
My lord"
bowing slightly to Nathan "
I'm honored, and would still suggest to pursue a higher training, perhaps one more suited to a man like yourself"
rubbing his chine for a moment 'In the Free Cities the men of Bravos have a particularly fluid and fast style, it's different to the style practiced here of the heavy armor and strong arm swinging blades, you may be yet more suited for that one."

[Nathaniel Mason]

The young man grins broadly. "
Please, call me Nathan, or Nathaniel if you feel the need to be more formal. I am as far away from being a Lord as one can get and still be in the seven Kingdoms."
Nathan considered Athelstan's suggestion. "
It might be something to look into. I am always open to new experiences. However, I do have responsibilities here in the Riverlands, so traveling to Braavos would not be possible at the moment. Perhaps someone from Sunspear might be an option. I understand they do a bustling trade with Braavos and all the free cities."

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah entered the tavern, rain dripping from his hood and it still drizzled outside, his sword ever present at his side. He shook off the rain and looked around the room, spotting the group talking. He focused on the young lord, walking over to them.


"
Excuse me, Lord Tullison, I am Ser Jorah Holt;
we met the other day in the Sept,"
he reintroduced himself, not presuming that Lord Tullison would remember, "
if I might have a word for a moment?"

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
Ser Jorah! Glad to see you joining us! These men are all fine people, sit down have a drink with us! This is Nathan, Ser Ben and Athelstan"
Dunstan introduces his companions for the evening.

He was well aware Ser Jorah is associated with House Coldbrook and did not want to step outside alone with him. Firmly believing a member of the House he serves, Daveth, lied him to his face about Theomore killing multiple boys in different tourneys made Dunstan very suspicious of that House. Yes, Dunstan knew about an accident his uncle was involved with but believed it is a consequence of the boy's ill preparations.

It is not Theomore's fault they let a boy who doesn't even know how to ride to joust with knights, Dunstan thought, and if Coldbrooks are such men who accuse Theo of murder, they are not beneath stabiing in dark alleys in the night.

[Ser Jorah Holt]

Ser Jorah's face remained neutral as he responded

I have other matters to attend to, so it is not my intention to stay."
he sighed, before continuing, "
there has been much recent issue between House Tullison and House Coldbrook and I am here to arrange for a meeting to soothe relations between our two houses."


ooc
If anybody wishes to make a status reputation check about Ser Jorah

[Dunstan Tullison]

"
I'd prefer to deal with diplomacy somewhere other than in the Inn late at night good Ser. If you and members of your House want, you can stop by our camp tomorrow morning? We can have breakfast together and me and my council can hear what you and the rest of House Coldbrook has to say."
Dunstan says.

[Benedict Marsten]

Ben shifts uncomfortably in his chair, a bit confused by current events. He can here the concern in Dunstan. His eyes watch Ser Jorahs hands, his own hands falling to his belt.

[Athelstan]

"
I can see about your good will meeting take place in neutral ground"
looking at lord Tullison "
Lord Yoren Longshore would be happy to meet with you and House Longshore pavilion can serve such purpose, or I can ask lord Yoren to be present as witness in the proceedings at your own pavilion lord Tullison"

[Sponsored content]