[Day 5, Mid Evening] Swans Old and New

[Derrock Swann]

Derrock is refreshed from his jousts earlier in the day, having bathed and mostly recovered from a sore back the exertion gave him. Competent as he was with lance or on horseback, he wasn't anything near young anymore, and such strenuous activity was something he'd been avoiding for the last couple years.

Putting grim thoughts aside, he went to find his niece's tent. He'd barely spoken to her since their arrival at the tourney. In truth, he was avoiding this conversation for some time, but the hour to find her heart was nigh. He wanted only to see her happy.

"
Kid. Would you know if Lady Ayleth is in her tent? Would you announce me? I don't want to seem intrusive."
He nodded to a stout guard standing idly by the Bartheld pavilions.

[Reader]

The burly guard banged him polearm on the ground.

"
Ser Derrock Swann,"
he announced, more loudly than necessary.

His niece, Lady Ayleth Swann is inside in a pale blue gown. Together with her almost white blonder hair she looks more spirit than flesh and blood today.

"
Uncle,"
Ayleth greets him with a curtsey, as proper as ever. "
You were unstoppable again today. I am so glad you could make it, I feel safe just knowing you're here."

[Derrock Swann]

With a nod to the guard, Derrock entered the tent.

"
Ayleth."
He takes the vision of his niece in full. Ethereal, yet so fragile. In some ways, she reminded him of Johanna - of a Johanna of years long past. He wanted to embrace her, hold her close, take her away, away from these hounds, back to Stonehelm, to family, to real safety.

Instead, he smiled with a bitter warmth and bowed to her. "
Thank you, Ayleth. I'm glad I can be here with you as well, my dear. It seems those old bones still got some fire to them."
His fists clenched one another behind his back, and he took a step in her direction. "
How is the day finding you? You look lovely as always. I sometimes forget how fast girls become women."
Derrock wasn't as good a man as he wanted to be, but near her, he had only honesty and dedication to dispense.

[Reader]

"
The day has not been unkind, although I will happily confess to preferring yesterday's singing and dancing to today's rather wild debate."


"
Still, the 'morrow offers mummer's play and jesters."


She smiles mischievously.

"
And two days hence I expect to have been named Queen of Love and Beauty by my victorious uncle."


A strung-harp sat on her bed - Ayleth had always had a musical soul.

[Derrock Swann]

"
Hmm, yes, the debate. I heard it did not go very well."
Derrock edges closer. "
Still, you are right. The days to come bring promises of greater joys. And should the Seven grant me a victory, my dear, you shall be most lovely and beautiful Queen of Love and Beauty these old eyes have witnessed."
His smile widens and tightens at the same time, and though he seems happy to be talking to her, his expression of restrained suffering beneath it all makes him look ten years older.

He takes a seat, gesturing for her to do the same. "
But, alas, that is not why I came to you, Ayleth. I came to talk about your present, and your future."
The knight takes a deep breath. "
We both know why we are here with the Barthelds. But I worry for this house. I..."
He stops for a moment, and his mouth mutters for the next words. He seemingly gives up on a line of thought, and with a sigh, looks at her with caring, intent eyes. "
Are you happy here, Ayleth? Tell your uncle the truth."

[Reader]

Ayleth takes a seat beside the Aurochs before continuing.

"
I am not unhappy Uncle."


"
A safe home, with a Lord-husband that can protect me, that is all I ask.

She pauses a moment, before adding a little defiantly.

"
I have my music, and I shall make my own happiness."

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