Having finished re-establishing security, and telling the guards to notify him once Marcus and Matthias returned, Garran joined Darne and Lord Ulryden, respectfully sitting further down the table.
"Glad you have capable men, most greenlanders are soft, but your father is as though as steel as I recall, much respect for him, but I see more of your mother in you than him"speaking in a matter of fact way when he says it, and beginning to eat his food "so regarding the agreements, that Ser Marcus brought forth, which I hope you are well aware of yes?" not looking at you, but in a casual informal tone.
and the first event of the tournament for the morning, of course the jousting shall continue, as the need to save face is great and needed by many as a distraction.[/ooc]
Darne raised a brow at what the man had said "I may not have his strength yet, but I have lived through my fair share of mortal blows I like to think." he said with a smirk.
He took a bit more of the bread as he the agreement was brought up. "Yes, I was informed of it. I understand that he has offered up notion of beginning a trade system between us. He also said that you wished to work out the details later...I assume your early presence is to discuss these details out now? I believe you are indeed interested in perhaps some of our wood yes? I will tell you now, I don't plan to tax the woods so heavily they do not last the life of my House but I am sure I can turn the production up a bit and more towards your direction..." he said as he pushed the ale to the side for the moment and stared at Lord Uldyren.
"Aye, I do have need of wood, Lannisters charge so much, the lumber should be lined with silver for the price and northenrs are a hard to bargain with if they didn't shoot you first, but they all want our iron at fair prices" he spits frustrated "I will give you iron for your lumber at fair price, 5% tax and I guarantee delivery as long as you can also do the same"
Darne began to contemplate, it would be at a small loss for his house but having access to iron is something they don't currently have and that could very well prove very useful.
He drummed his fingers a bit before leaning forwards and looking at the man. "We could both stand to gain from this, if the 5% of course goes both ways then I agree to that. Perhaps even they would be more eager to pay a better price for the iron if it comes from the hands of someone else. If and this is an If, it proves to be such a case...then direct the bulk of your iron towards our House and I will be sure to split the profit of what the House makes 60/40. You would gain a little more and both our Houses will flourish. That is of course when we began to have a bit of a stockpile and start attempting to sell that we can sell at a higher price then your own House can manage. If not, then we still both gain well enough with a decent tax incentive towards each other for much needed iron and wood. Of course, for what I propose to work we would have to keep this idea of mine a secret from prying ears and eyes..." he said before he leaned back in his chair to see how his opponent took the speech.
I know that the wrongs that have been committed against our House and others have been the deluded and dishonorable acts of the Faith Militant, I can't help but think that maybe they were directed to do the dirty work of someone else. I may be blowing snow, but it is in the realm of possibility with all the posturing and maneuvering of the nobles. The question is, who stands to gain?
"To many people" says Ser Ereth barely understandable blurb, as he still has Ophelia with him, and won't let no one touch her, he is stubborn to his death bed that he would keep her safe.
It takes the better part of the morning, but you will arrive in the "Late Morning Slot" as Darne is conducting business, after all you must be on time for the Joust!
As they near towards the camp at evening Marcus sighs, as the stress and rigidness escapes from his body leaving only soreness behind.
Slowly riding towards the guards positioned to the "entrance" of House Naelareon camp, the head of Lionel Darry visible on the side of his saddle and body hanging behind his horse, Marcus approaches slowly as he looks around and motions others to follow "I suppose we all want to get out of these armors, eat and drink and rest, but I would like all of you to bear with it a moment since we need to brings all things to end. At least removing armor and seeing maester for our most visible wounds would be a good thing before we continue" Marcus commends as he drops down from his horse "All of you are welcome to House Naelareon camp and dine with us for the evening" extending his offer to Erik Ulryden und Ser Ereth as he looks at them and waits for answer
"I just need to inform my Lord about our success and will be shortly back" as he turns and approach one of the guards "Guards, everything well and good here as I was away? Any recent news and if you could tell me, where I could find lord Darne?" approaching them with stern expression and authority
Erik and Ser Ereth accept it graciously, even if Ser Ereth is to take more time of Maester Lucen than the food.
Guards tidy up at the sight of Ser Marcus.
Right now the event that has been missed for the day is the Equestrian competition
Equestrian competition
House Tully has set an elaborate course for the equestrian competition, with fences, water pits and even a forest of training dummies for participants to pick their way through.
Participants: as as desired.
Challenge: Three Animal Handling (Ride) rolls. A superior mount gives +1 to these rolls.
Consequences:
Highest total score: +1 glory & a superior courser (can take injuries/wounds), a black gelding from House Fossoway's stables.
2nd highest total score: +1 glory, saddle with semi-precious stones sewn in to it, worth 1 gold dragon.
I pray the Seven and the Old Gods grant that Lord Naelareon's condition has improved.
Ser Weyland waves to the group as they arrive at he Pavilion. "Well met my friends. I am glad to see you all alive and with Lady Ophelia rescued. Come, we have much to discuss..."
Weyland walks as smoothly as he is able back into the Pavilion.
Once they are out of earshot of any outsiders, Weyland whispers to Matthias and to Marcus. "We have suffered yet another attack. Many were slain, including our Liege I am afraid, bastards poisoned our guards and plunged a dagger into Lord Naelaron's heart, not a proper way for a man like him to go. The Assassins claimed to be of the Faith Militant and Maester Lucen is questioning one of their ilk we took prisoner. Darne meets with one of the Iron Born now I think to keep up appearances and Garran is with him. Now that you have returned, I would take my rest for the morning, to say the least, I am feeling ill in both body and mind though if you believe you need my assistance or presence I will keep moving".
For a moment, something passes across Marcus face and his eyes turns a bit lifeless before returning to its normal state, but something still staying there. Slowly nodding to Weyland "Thank you for the information Weyland. I guess its fine for now and better if you were to take rest. If you dont mind, could you please just make sure that our guest will be catered food and drink before leaving? That is everything so far, if you may. What about young lord Darne and Lady Naelareon? Are they fine and without wounds at least? Oh, and please tell the captain of the guards to go to my tent... I will need to speak with him." as a fury and anger appears on his speech and fire lits on his eye
Looking towards the pavillion and beginning to slowly move towards it as he graps the head of Ser Lionel Darry with him as he yells to one of the guard group "You there, grap the horses from everyone and take them to rest and make sure they are given food. The body I want to be hung from a pole in the middle of this yard and after its done, everyone... and I mean everyone single bastards of you, who are not in guard duty gather here in exactly one hour or there will be consequences" the words seething out of his mouth like poison.
With a face chipped from stone Marcus enters the tent to see what is going and preparing him to worst, as he moves towards the back area, where the sleeping quarters are
Weyland nods, "I could use food and drink myself so a break in my fast would be welcomed, I will attend to them.
Darne is well. My Lady Naelaron was struck but luckily the wound was superficial".
Matthias' jaw hardened at hearing of the attack, his eyes going wide at hearing of Lord Naelareon being struck down while lying in bed recovering from poison. He starts breathing hard, each breath clearly audible, veins begin to bulge along his neck, face turning red as he fights against the rage seeking release.
In a voice devoid of emotion, Send word off to Lord Darne of our victory. It may help with negotiations with the Ironborn. A sign of strength they will respect.
A page was quickly dispatched to lord Darne.
Ser Ereth was to be seen at a later point by Maester Lucen, but he administered some quick patching to at least easy his pain, clean and bandage his wounds.
The guardsmen assemble at the courtyard where they are finishing mounting the corpse Ser Marcus has brought with him
A page running as fast as possible coming towards Darne, he wears the Naelareon colors, but at this point it can be anything
Darne looked a bit surprised when the page showed up but ushered him over and gave him a cup of water before listening to his report. He nodded and whispered a bit back to him real quick before standing up at the table.
He cleared his throat before speaking "It seems that seven have favored us this day, the duel was a victory for our side. We have struck a hard blow to the Faith Militant today." he said as he raised his cup. "A toast to our men for their bravery and skill today. Lord Ulryden, you man fared well, he deserves his praise and his glory." he said as he toasted the group. He waited till it settled back down. "Forgive me, I wish to have a quick word with my men. It helps keep the moral up after all to be given a proper thanks straight from the source, by your leave I will only be but a moment or two." he said before bowing to the table and slipping out to go to his tent to speak with the two and find out what all transpired and let them know what all transpired.
[b]"I'll be right here, my tent is a mess so it will take time to clean" he smiles and sees you off, which seems to have not faced him or bother him that you have to leave for some moments.
I am assuming that the body of Lord Naelareon still lies in the tent but covered
Slowly the scene in front of Marcus reveals itself, as he moves a bit deeper into tent, unmoving person on top of bed covered with sheet. Walking next to it and watching at his now deceased lord, Marcus slowly places the head of Lionel Darry on the end of bed, in front of feet.
"Its done my lord... and forgive me for not being there in your need. This is not how you should have died" as a tear flows out, only to disappear soon as if never existing.
Turning around and heading out of the tent, looking at the mounting of corpse and rapidly moving towards his tent to find Guard Captain waiting for him there. Closing the door of the tent and watching at the Guard Captain with fury and rage building inside him as he finally mutters out to him "What in the f$$#ing hell were you incompetent fools doing this whole time? I swear to the Old Gods, that your head will be rolling if your answer does not satisfy me. This is total g@#!*~mn farce, absolutely unacceptable under my command g$#~&@n son of "§$%"%&. How the hell could something like this happen here!" Marcus bellow as a mad expression appears on his face
.
Matthias looks to the sky, not wishing to follow Marcus into the tent. His hand absently clenching the hilt of his sword, knuckles bone white. He then turns and absently watches the men working to mount the corpse.
Dead?! Assassinated! Lord Domeric we are diminished without you. I swear, I will serve Darne to the best of my capacity. Darne may not be a warrior, but he will have the strength of the House you built and make it stronger still. All of Westeros will know the name- Matthias looks to Marcus, disturbed from his introspection at Marcus' tirade. He then walks, taking position next to Marcus, drawing his blade as he does so, holding it at an angle so that the point is down. Eyes locked on the Guard Captain.
Guards have no words to express themselves "Calm down Marcus, they probably got into the camp with the mercenaries we hired, and they had the money to get fake uniforms, so they must had a sponsor there is yet someone that support's the faith militant among the nobles, but it would be hard to find" as you turn around there is a glee of madness in the blood drenched Maester "The man is still alive, we just had a... long conversation"
"Ser Marcus, it was so sudden, we barely were reacting to the poison when the fight broke out, it was a mere moment they used as distraction and..." he is lost for words "Our lords are fine, we were able to stop them from any lasting harm"
Maester Lucen is a stone revealing no emotion now after the man spoke "He does have a point, lord Domeric still lives, but we don't know for how long do the poison" making inflection in the still lives, a hint for Ser Marcus before he loses it
Ser Marcus noticing hint but keeping his angry expression "This man, I hope wont die soon... but still this can not be accepted. Assassin moving around, in the middle of day, just walking among us and able to attack not only our Lord but also the heir. This is not something I can not and will not accept and let go just like that"
Pointing to the body being mounted "That body there happens to be Lionel Darry, one of Faith Militants and the leader. That, is a memory and pointer for everyone to show that messing with House Naelareon is not recommend. That will also to serve to point each and everyone in this House about consequences." breathing out and watching most of the guardsmen getting on rows front of mounted corpse.
"You will now delay message to each and everyone that the moment we return back to our holding and lands, we will start our training again from the basics and keep doing and doing and doing it until there is no more complains but just smile and desire for more. Each one of you will be digging holes and sweating blood before I am satisfied. And pray to Sevens, if I find someone among my men to be Faith Militant supporter... I will let Maester Lucen experiment on him and after that feed to pigs piece after piece. You tell them, that if anyone comes forward now and admit himself being part of this, he MIGHT keep his life and bodyparts but it has to be now" with a grim expression on his face as he spit the last words out It does not matter as long as we find out who was behind this... I swear that someone will pay for this
Ser Marcus is rewarded with an eerie silence as no one comes forward to make such claim, as it would be suicide, or not but no one if there was any of the faith militant risk his wrath.
In a voice that is not loud, yet carries to everyone in the area, I swear that all Faith Militant found on House Naelareon lands or interfering with House Naelareon affairs shall be executed as heretics to the Seven and crimes against the people of Westeros.
Looking to Ser Marcus, speaking in the same tone of voice, Ser Marcus, what has occurred is neglect of the highest order. An example must be made for such dereliction of duties. Retraining, digging ditches, and sweating blood is not enough. It is not your training that is lacking.
"Nor your leadership as Castellan." Matthias levels a withering look at the Guard Captain, "The standard of excellence demanded has been," Matthias voice fills with contempt, , forgotten and discarded. If their is something salvagable, I don't see it. Matthias' eyes pass over all of the guards before finally resting on the Guard Captain.
Closing his eyes and thinking over before opening them again as he considered Matthias wrods"You are correct Matthias but for now that will suffice since we do not have the luxury at this moment. We need to secure our area and make sure it does not repeat itself for the rest of our duration. All guards personnel are to be doubled and there is no more free-time during our the stay. I will see myself later that everything will be taken care off to the letter and ignoring that will be instant death" finishing with a weight on the last words as his eyes wandered over all the guards
Waving his arm to dismiss the people get back on their positions and heading back towards his private tent "I will just remove my armor and then head to others for something to eat and drink Matthias. You can head to others. I need to also let Maester Lucen see my wounds" as he slowly moves "We need to prepare and see Darne, to get things balanced."
Matthias nods, slowly sheathing his blade, never taking his eye from the Guard Captain. Too true, Ser Marcus. I shall clean up then join you with Lord Darne.
Darne sits and waits for his more trusted men to arrive. He had already briefed the othere of his inner council of how they were going to proceed but he wanted to personally brief Marcus and Matthias before sending out word to his sister requesting that she take the time some time soon to come have lunch with the family.
Matthias heads back to his tent to clean up, before heading to the Pavillion to meet with Lord Darne. Walking in, he gives Darne a thoughtful look, how much of Lord Domeric resides in you? Our House will need every bit of it in the coming weeks and months.
Lord Darne, Master Fain. Matthias greets, bowing slightly to Darne before nodding to Garran. He then takes a seat, sitting heavily, weary from both the battle and hearing of Lord Domeric's assassination.
"Ser Matthias, it is good to see you return. I believe I heard Ser Marcus's shouts as well. Tell us, how have you fares in the battle?"
Darry is dead. With all that has happened, it was a more honorable death than the deluded bastard deserved. Lady Ophelia is recovered, though the wretch ordered her death when we arrived. We won the duel, but at what cost? It played into the bastard's design. Matthias' voice is measured as he speaks, face absent of any outward expression, save for looking angry for a moment when he spoke Darry's name.
How fare you this ill morning?
Marketplace is open
Quickly removing the armor while trying to be careful with his injured arm. Grapping some of the formal clothes and dressing on them, Marcus soon moves towards others and hoping to find both Maester and Lord Darne
Darne motioned for the men to sit when they arrived, he had poured the two a bit of ale and had made sure to have some breakfast prepared. His look at the moment was a bit stern and annoyed but he was doing his best to hold his composure.
"I am glad to see that you have both made it back safely. Please, brief me on what has happened before I brief you as well as to what has transpired this morning and what the plan is moving forwards till at least the end of the...celebration." he said though the last word trailing off as this particular party had left some sour notes in his mouth.