GM Xan Nes- Song of Ice and Fire Back from the Dead (Inactive)

Game Master Xan Nes

Dot in here. Once We have discussed things in the discussion I will set up the first post.

Dot

House Blackbury stands on the precipice of a new Lord. We welcome the Lord's of the Reach, the Lord's of the Riverlands, and the Targaryen Lord's and Ladies of the Iron Throne to a Tournament held in our Lands. We humbly ask that you come celebrate this glorious event with us.

-Maester Colbrin Blackbury.

Eight days have passed since your Maester sent out the letter inviting warriors and Lord's to arrive to an event long planned by the now deceased Lord Blackbury. He had set aside a pocket of Wealth for his heirs ascension to Lord of the Household, and already Knights and Lord's of the Reach have entered your lands for the event. Even the Tyrell's and High tower's have arrived.

You have all been awaiting this day for various reasons, and with two days until the Targaryen's supposedly arrive, and three until the Tournament starts, you can all feel the pressure.

Sunlight crept across the worked stone floor, illuminating motes of dust as the day began. Dennith sighed groggily as he pushed his way in to a sitting position. He took a moment then, head resting in his hands, breathing deeply, glaring at himself in the mirror in the corner. His pulse still raced, his tongue feeling swollen and cracked. He had awoken some time before dawn, cold sweat dripping from his body, the smell of blood and fire in his nostrils.

"The Dragons are coming..."

He sighed and stood slowly, running his hand through his shoulder length hair and shaking slightly. He moved to the washbasin and stood there, staring deep in to his own deep green eyes, searching for the meaning of the words he had just spoken and the nightmare he had just endured.

"Well it is time for breakfast I suppose."

He moved through his morning ritual, finishing by slipping a light green tunic over his head and belting it on, before turning and striding from the room.

He moved through the halls of his Keep slowly, taking in every sight and sound, smiling and nodding to the men and women who worked and lived there. He meandered his way through, till he came to the great Hall.

He took a slow glance around before crossing the hall to his seat at the table and sitting down, resting his elbows on the table before looking up and meeting the eyes of those gathered.

"So... what is news today family?"

Ser Weyland started his day early before the light of the first rays crossed the earth as he always did, at the Rookery, awaiting messages from any one of several "acquaintances" with whom he had placed wagers. Soon enough, he would win. He could feel it, was he not favored of the Gods and Men in the Light of the Seven? Horses, dogs, cocks, all manner of other wages all had come back either losers or break evens.

Weyland the anointed Knight sighed and climbed down from the rookery to head to the small Sept in House Blackbury to pray. He was always there before anyone else ever was. Weyland the Pious always praying, his prayers never being answered. Tomorrow, I will just need to increase my wagers and tomorrow I will... Ah blast it, the Tournament.

Weyland stands and heads back to his room to dress and head to the Great Hall to meet with his Lord, his captor truth be told. Despite his predicament he was treated with respect by Dennith anyway.

As he entered the Hall all were gathered save him he headed to the table at a deliberately solemn pace, "Good morning my Lords and Lady, you all slept well I take it?"

Brydan's day was as it always was, a late start. He hated mornings, if there wasn't a hunt or some work that he actually had to do in the morning he was generally the last to rise now that he had started to settle into his life as it is.

He made his way to the mirror, ruffling his hair a bit. It looked fine enough for the day he had planned. He sighed before plashing a bit of cold water over his face and proceeded to dry it. He grabbed a tunic a random and began to slide it over his athletic form as made his way towards breakfast.

He barely got in the room before he looked at the meat on table and grabbed a small hunk hurling it at the corner of the room. Tempest, a rather large shadowcat in the corner was startled like she was most mornings as food landed on her head. She gave him a dirty look, to which he laughed as she ate it.

He took his seat and patted his side, Tempest begrudgingly got up and stretched as she made her way over for her morning scratch. He looked around the table and grabbed a bit of food for himself "Oh, it's a morning alright. I suppose I slept well enough considering how crowded it's already gotten and how late I stayed up visiting with the crowd." he said before looking down at Tempest and giving her a final pat.

"Tell me we don't have anything of import to do today, I'd rather relax before all the tournament festivities begin. I'm sure there are two or three of the Ladys I have yet to introduce myself to." He said before putting a big chunk of bread in his mouth.

Athera's seat at the table was noticeably empty when the new Lord Blackbury entered the main hall. Though it wasn't too long before the young Dornish woman came in. While she had been in the Reach for thirteen years now her clothing style had still been more like her homeland, Dorne. Her riding clothes where no exception: a long lavender top the fell over her slider frame just past her hips with an open back and a silver chain held it over her front, a brown belt wrapped around her hips that held her knives and whip, and purple pants tucked nicely into high dark riding boots. Her raven hair was pulled back in a braid that fell almost to her knees, all save for the silver strip of her bangs that she let hang freely.

"Good morning everyone, nice day isn't it?" She said, speaking rather quickly as she grabbed up a slice of bread and placed a thick piece ham on it. "Going out riding, be back before the tournament games." She told them before taking a bite of her "breakfast". She turned and headed back to the doors of the hall only to notice Tempest. She backed up to the table of food, grabbed a sausage, then tossed it to the Shadowcat that she often spoiled. Offering a charming smile to the creature she headed back to the door.

If no one stops her she heads for the stables.

"Wait. All of you sit down please. We are soon to be hosting members of the royal family and our Liege family. We have much to discuss. And it applies to you all, even to you Athera. And good morning to you too also Weyland!" Dennith frowned at the shadow cat and shook his head softly before sighing.

"We really have to start being better about this," He gestured around the room at them all, frowning slightly. "Communication is key within any Noble house if it is to thrive. We will be eating breakfast together every morning we can, where we will talk about well... well whatever we can think of. Do I make myself clear?"

He looked around sternly for a moment before nodding. "And brother, please at least make sure the Lady's you are introducing yourself to are at least unwed. I'd hate to see your pretty face getting messed up!"

"I do not wish to come off as stiff or demanding but we must at least appear to be a functioning House, if only for the duration of the Tourney to come, yes?"

Weyland nods at Dennith, "Agreed my Lord. I have no doubts that lack of communication led to my family's downturn. Poor choices due to lack of communication. No doubt the Seven will be with us and assist us with this Tournament. However, as my Mother always said, the Seven help those who help themselves. Do you have specific tasks for us to perform related to this Tourney?"

Brydan looked horrified and made for mock anguish as his hand come to rest over his eyes. "We're not a functioning family if we discuss things over lunch instead of breakfast? I concede to you, my Lord...I shall attempt to be up and proper for the next few days."

He gave the cat a rough pat. "So what is this that we need to speak of this morning? From what reports I had heard of recently, the lands seem to be doing well. I mean, it could be a bit safer for the smallfolk but that is something that is what it is. I'm unsure where to begin to make it any better for them though. Are you wishing to hold a hunt for the early comers to keep them entertained?" he asked curiously.

He doubted the last as there wasn't enough woods in the area to support a proper hunt. "Do you wish me to make the rounds and welcome everyone to our lands, or would you wish to do so personally?" he asked trying to coax out his brother's requests.

Athera gave a soft nod. "Of course my Lord." She said as she moved to take her seat at the table. She pulled over a plate and put a proper breakfast upon it. If she was going to stay here for the whole part of breakfast she'd eat a full one.

When Bryden mentioned making a round to the early comers Athera spoke up. "I don't mind going with him on that. I know tensions are still a bit high with my... countrymen, but maybe I can smooth things over. Expectantly with what happened four years ago..." She cut up the sausage on her plate, then ate the small bite she cut.

A small unit of men was approaching the small castle, wearing mix of green, black and brown while being led by one person.

Some disturbance in the form, no neatly lines and small talk or whispers could be heard occasionally. The obvious leader in the front of men sighed as he had dark expression on his face. Barking orders to his men and soon separating from them, followed by another person.

Moving through the portcullis as he arrived innersidemof the keep. Not being stopped by the guards as they recognized the person and saw his heraldry. Moving inside and soon being lead by servant to his liege lord. Waiting outside the door for the permission to come inside as he waited with his follower.

Hearing the announcement of the servant Marcus patiently waited "My lord, the lord Marcus Grimwood of House Grimwood, Banner house of House Blackfury, is seeking audience"

An older man with a neatly trimmed beard opened the door. He wore a chain over his neck, and smiled at Marcus.

They are sitting down to breakfast good lord. I will ask if they wish for you to enter. The Maester said.

The Maester turns to the seated family, leaving the door just barely open behind him.

Lord Blackbury, a Lord Grimwood is requesting an audience with you.

Brydan looks up at the door and looks back at his brother. "It seems your morning meetings are quite popular. Even Lord Grimwood got the missive and you barely uttered it." he said chuckling.

"Mornings are often busy Brydan, you'd know if you pulled yourself early from bed more often." Athera told her foster brother with a playful smile. She knew he wasn't an early riser, had hardly ever been.

What is the seating arrangement? I mean I know Dennith is at the head of the table, his mother would be to his right because he isn't married yet but outside of that, I'm not sure what the seating would be... I don't know the protocal on where Wards sit... Do they sit together on the other side of the normal children or with the normal children just after them all. And even then do we follow it?

Would probably sit by his adopted sister, he's semi protective of her. He feels responsible for her...and if he's nearby, he can mitigate the amount of bows and bells that Tempest has to wear he thinks. And unless his brother preferred it, he would probably sit closest to the hall door...seeing as how he finds Tempest an annoyance ^_^

I would think I would be seated on the other side of the table form the family member likely towards the other end of the table from Dennith.

Dennith frowned slightly at his brother before sighing. "No, I do not mean we are not a real family, I just wish us to breakfast together so we may speak in relative privacy over the course of the next few days. We will more than likely lunch and dinner with our guests after all brother, so breaking fast alone will be our little luxury, yes?" He grinned before playfully tossing a hunk of bread at the mans head. "Smart ass!"

"My tasks are not specific to the person Weyland but more so a list of things we need done. Firstly, someone does indeed need to go meet with the newly arrived Lords and Ladies. I will be visiting with our Lords after breakfast and it seems Brydan and Athera will be visiting with the Hightowers. That would leave the other Knights for you, if you wish. Or you may help the Maester in making sure everything is in order?" He arched an eyebrow before shrugging. "Your main task, you and Brydans actually, will be to secure victory at the Tournament. I would rather one of my household won in this, just to show everyone a thing or two, hey?" He smiled, turning towards the door as the Maester peaked his head inside.

"Ah yes, indeed, please escort him inside Uncle. And send a runner to have his men housed with our own, if you please?"

Dennith snorted at Atheras comment and nodded slightly, "Oh that would be the day, when this lazy rogue managed to drag himself out of his cot before day break!"

Brydan was sipping a bit from his cup when the bread came flying at his head. He lifted his left hand and caught it as he finished his cup. "Now see...if breakfast was more like this, I would show up. It's too slow, too boring." he said laughing a bit before taking a bite.

He looked over at Athera "Looks like we get to be pretty today, mind your manners and all that." he said, looking back towards his brother before he had a sudden thought and looked sidelong at her "No bows" he said giving Tempest a scratch under the chin.

He sighed at his brother "Oh, giving up on winning yourself. Must be nice being able to just sit up on a chair instead of getting down in the dirt with the rest of us. " he said laughing, knowing his brother might well prefer to fight then watch.

Athera took the bread thrown at the younger Blackbury from him, and set it down on her plate. "Now now Dennith, are we children all over again? Shall I start calling you Den-Den again then?" She asked playfully as she raised her eyebrow. When she had first come to Blackbury hall, only being six, she had given Dennith the nick name Den-Den and Brydan, Bryde.

"Hightowers? A Dayne speaking with a Hightower. What will he think of next?" Athera joked as she looked at Brydan. She gave him a side way glance with a smirk saying, "No promises." However when Dennith mentioned Weyland and Brydan's main task was to win the Tournament Athera spoke up. "What are the competitions? Surely there is a list already. Maybe something even I can do?" She asked.

"Be fair now my Lord, Brydan did get up early on my thirteenth name-day! For that race with Starfire, that I am still sure you all let me win." Athera said with a slight smile, remembering the day. She elbowed Brydan in the ribs when he spoke of his brother giving up. "He cannot take part. He's the hosting Lord." She reminded him.

Dennith sighed and shot the Maester a bitter glance before coughing slightly and pouring himself a large goblet of wine. "I would love to be competing, believe me I would, but Uncle thinks it not proper for the Host to be getting down in the dirt!" He leant his arm on the rest of his chair and took a deep gulp of wine before shrugging.

"We will see. I might enter the Melee perhaps."

He smiled at Athera before sitting up and tapping his lips in thought. "Perhaps we could have a Poetry or Performance based competition. And I have been thinking about a race through our lands. Though that may be dangerous..."

Athera's violet eyes lit up when he mentioned the other two competitions. "It's just a race though the hold my Lord. How dangerous could I-oh, it be?" She smiled as she leaned back in her chair. "After all I'd be entering with Starfire." She leaned down and gave Tempest a soft scratch behind the ear. "If you're that worried, have Brydan put in for it as well. He'll protect me. He always has." She said before she looked down to Tempest. "Isn't that right Tempy!"

Dennith looked at Brydan for a moment before nodding slightly. "Fine. I will have some of the men mark off a course with some plains, some obstacles and some other terrain. We will have ourselves a race then. Please do not break your damn neck!"

"Guess I'll hold off on the morning ride then, don't want to run Starfire into the ground before the race begins." Athera said with a joyful sound in her voice. "I'm not going to break my neck Dennith, it's just a race. And anyone who would be willing to push a woman off her horse during a race will get whats coming to them." She stated.

"I would like to think that no man would raise his hand to you but I can not promise it. I can promise swift and brutal retribution, something along the lines of murdering their whole family line before chopping them to pieces." his voice is mild and quiet and deadly serious.

Brydan listened to the two quibble about the race. He sighed, he would have to take one of the House's horses for the race as he'd prefer not to risk his own before the jost.

He looked up when the conversation turned sour "Now brother, I am sure that no one would dare attack anyone under the guise of a celebration. Let alone someone of the House that everyone is celebrating." he said waving it off.

"I will carry my blades with me per chance that event does befall...or are little sister falls from her horse again and stirs up some kind of new trouble. Maybe if she falls this time she'll find a husband hiding under a log" he said trying to tease.

Dennith arched an eyebrow at Brydan, "And what poor bastard would you subject to that pray tell?" He grinned before taking another sip of wine. "I jest of course. But thank you both for being careful!"

"Could it ever have occurred to either of you that I don't wish to marry?" Athera asked as she crossed her arms. Her expression a mixture of interest and serious. "After all, being married would mean I'd have to leave aaand, I rather like it here." She told them before she turned back to her breakfast, knocking half of her sausage onto the floor before Tempest.

Dennith watched the sausage tumble on to the floor in front of the cat. "She is going to get fat if you both keep spoiling her like that you know?"

He took another sip of wine before sighing, "You will be welcome in this house for as long as we live Athera and just because you may not live here any more, at some time in the future, does not mean that you will be any less welcome. We will always be a safe haven for you. It is how my father wished it to be and how it will remain!"

"She can run with me in the race. That will work it off." She said with a shrug.

"I never said I'd be less welcome Dennith but... Things will change... I don't know if I want them to change. At least not that much..." Athera told him as she reached for her own cup. "Besides, I have impossible standards." She said trying to lighten the mood.

Weyland eats as the family banters and then he interjects, "Certainly my Lord, I would be more than happy to compete in the Tourney, I have not done so since before... never mind let's not discuss unpleasant memories.

A race is an interesting idea as well. An interesting idea indeed. Perhaps spears? The more competitions the better I say".

Weyland turns to Athera and smiles mouthing a can we speak after this to her.

A runner goes down to meet Marcus and leads him into the room everyone has gathered.

Colbrin gives a nervous look as you discuss competitions. Ehh, Lord Blackbury before I forget, Lord Tyrell asked you to his tent for brunch. He had said there were matters he wishes to discuss with you before our great king arrives. And he wishes for you to arrive alone, and unarmed. He has also, quite generously if I may add, offered to have his Knights go on a bandit hunt.

And there are other things to discuss of course. A lot truthfully. Have you decided how you will great our Targaryen Lords? You have greated a great many Lords so far, but this is the king the Maester rambles.

Moving behind the runner and soon arriving to the room where others were dining. Looking briefly over the other occupanrs, his gaze lingering a bit over the young dornish woman before looking at the lord of Blackfury. "Greetings Lord Dennith. It has been quite time since House Grimwood has visited your holdings and we haven't been formally introduced I am Marcus Grimwood, the new lord of House Grimwood. There has been some issues lately and it took some time to get everything in order. Also the upcoming event and regarding your raise to be lord has demanded me to make this visit at last."

Moving closer to table but stopping few feets before it, Marcus took a relaxed stance as he same time motioned the man behind him to come forward. " And regarding this I have a gift for you and your House. May I present Master of the Hunt, Erlon Graus. He is experienced one and quite talented with the bow."

Dennith smiled at Weyland and nodded appreciatively. "Aye the Spear is a fine idea, we will try work it in."

As the Maester spoke, Dennith began to frown, lost in thought over how he would greet the King. When Marcus entered his face relaxed and he smiled politely, inclining his head to the man in return before standing and moving forward, patting the man on the shoulder.

"Welcome Lord Grimwood. Your predecessor was ever my fathers loyal hand I hope we can work together half as well. Now, this has given me an idea. Your Master of the Hunt can lead the Lords on a bit of sport, before the King arrives and what we catch can be cooked for a massive feast in his honor." He arched an eyebrow at the Maester as he spoke, before turning back to the others.

"But for now I must speak to our Lord. Brydan see that Master Graus is settled please. Maester, Marcus, accompany me as far as the Tyrells." He took off the dagger hanging at hisome hip and tossed it on to the center of the table.

"Athera and Weyland if you could compare some notes as to what competitions you believe would benefit us, I would greatly appreciate that."

With that he strode from the room, on his way down to Gods know what.

Walking along his liege lord and watching around and taking in all of the smells, as his stomach grumbled. "My lord, what is it that you wanted to speak with me and Master? As I can see there is a lot of things happening and it won't be quiet for a while here." Marcus speaks out as he notices the trembling of Maester

Dennith stared out the window for a moment before turning and beginning to walk again. He listened to Marcus ask his question, before beginning to speak. "I am simply looking to get a measure of you my dear boy, that is all. And the Maester is accompanying me so he too can get a measure of you, as sometimes he sees more than I."

"So tell me Lord Grimwood, how is your position within your house? I do not wish to be blunt but you are my Banner House and I need to know the strength of your standing. We are holding one of the biggest tournaments that has been seen outside of either the Hightowers or the Tyrells in these parts and I expect trouble, I need to know moreally about you before I can trust you!"

Athera gave Weyland a slight nod to let him know she would speak to him after. When Marcus entered and looked each of them over it didn't shock her that his eyes lingered upon her. She had been told once by her foster mother that she was beautiful. Though she was fairly sure her three foster brothers didn't see it.

She figured her chance to speak with Weyland would come on it's own when Dennith told them to work together. The dorish had just stood from the table when the runner came in.

"Brydan, why don't you leave this to me? I'll even take Weyland with me for protection." Athera said as she headed to the doors. "Come along Weyland. Let us go take care of this problem." With that she turned to the runner. "Show me where they are then."

Eyeing at the lord, towering above him and showing him the smile, grim one "Loyal to you and showing my respect as it is your right. The happenings in my domain has not been so good during the recent years as well my adoption to the Grimwood family. Can't say that people does not trust me but it took a bit time and still building it. I have even improved recently our agriculture although there is a long way to go."

Moving still next to his lord as Marcus took a look at everything around him. "also I am not from here as you can most likely hear from my speak. Northerner you see my lord and... We do things sometimes differently. Banditry is running on my domain, my recent rise to the power is still a bit taken a back by people, even though I have brought positive changes with me and the population is small compared to others. Still I do provided my taxes to you as well my troops, who are forming the bulk order f your army my lord" stating this matter as a fact, no boasting or threatening. "and I have seen my own share of battles on north, against bandits, wildlings and other northerners. Umbers are also making a huge noise when they fall down. But may it be as it is, Even you my lord have a lot to prove, in order for me to believe in you"

"Trust goes both ways my lord"

Dennith laughed slightly, shaking his head. "You do provide the bulk of our number, that is true, but then again you are to be handsomely rewarded for that, yes? You provide the men and my family provides a market and a port with which you can trade. We help each other and that is no lie. Enter the tournament Lord Grimwood. Show the people who you are and what you can do and they will respect you. We can talk about your bandit problem after I have spoken to our Lord."

Since everyone is split up please write up a spoiler tag as of now. I will let you know when it ends