Pella looks up to her father, placing her own hand on his. Pella had never before visited the capital, and her mind rushed when she thought of the opportunities that lay there.

As Wallace spoke, she nodded reservedly - the castellan was as much a part of Poppy Hall as the furniture, but he was a sensible enough fellow for the most part.

Relaxed before, Pella sat rigidly when he suggested throwing flowers at the desert, a moment of shock in her eyes.. Her mind raced as she tried to think of arguments against the suggestion of intermarriage with the Dornish.

"I can't imagine that any Lady of the Reach would wish to spend their life tied to some sun-addled pervert and his bastards scattered behind him like footprints...or do you mean to tie Victarion to one of their purebred nags?", Pella challenged, resorting to harsh words once again.

Dyllan bows respectfully to Pella.

"And ye're the expert on pies and soft beds I've heard, m'lady."

He nods and listens to the news about the marriage with some skepticism. His brows furrow and he scratches the scar on his left hand that he earned fighting on the road to Dorne.

"Honor is won in war, conquest by the point of a lance. The king's a fool if he thinks an alliance held together by a ring will keep the dornish peaceful. They're hot tempered and gritty as the sand."

He sips the wine and smiles his thanks to the castellan. The justman was wise and tempered, an admirable servant to the house. Were he a proper man and a poorer servant, Dyllan might challenge him to the field for the quip about a potential tourney.

"Speak not so ill about dornish nags, m'lady. Tis said they breed the finest horseflesh in the kingdoms."

A wink to the young daughter of his lord shows that Dyllan did, in fact, understand her point.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Fri 16 May 2014.

Lord Ashfield smiles at his daughter, then looks at Dyllan "Well you will need to curb the tongue and prepare as we will house four from Dorne in the next few days."

"Garin Kaldor of House Kaldor & Petyr Chiffon of House Chiffon as well as two from House Steiner. They will visit us under the 'Nobles Call' As such we may not refuse unless we plan to continue to fight against our kings wishes." Lord Ashfield then looks at Castellan Justman, "You will need to keep an eye on them."

"Aye, we must peace with our tongues. Just mind ye keep an eye they don't try the same with their daggers."

Dyllan grumbles and sits back in his chair to think, stretching as he does so.

"The names I've heard before. Are they influential in Dorne? Or are we bein' snubbed afore the peace has even begun?"

"Well you should know they are all warriors first but its an interesting mix as House Steiner are know as sea goers, they have a sizable navy and know how to use them. Some even dare to say they are second to the Iron Born.

If you ask me they are lucky to be so far south and on the wrong shore to test that claim."

The lord is being sarcastic but he does respect the fact that they are good at what they do and at no point is his ideal chatter meant to be anything other then to lighten the mood.

"Now House Chiffon has become a great house and is often in discontent with the Martell's, if the Martell ever lost favor House Chiffon would be a likely successor"

"I know little about House Kaldor, .... Wallace do you know anything about these men."

In reply to Dyllan Redbrush (msg # 13):


Known History: Prince Garin led 250,000 men to their deaths in an attempt to stop the Valyrians. He was named Garin the Great for giving the Valyrians pause, during this time Nymeria made plans to leave and the Kaldor's went with her.

  House Kaldor come from a long proud line of fighters, they joined their cousin and married one of their own to House Martell. The Kaldor's were always willing to fight on behalf of Mor and they were rewarded land in the west. The Mor regarded the Kaldor's as loyal subjects and unflinching in their duties. House Kaldor would do what was needed should trouble ever arise.

  Since their raise status abd during the early years of House Kaldor has stayed in their position, more often than most being outmaneuvered and outplayed

Wallace considers his Lord's question. "I believe they are one of the noble houses that protect the princess pass, M'Lord."

He then regards Redbrush, "Ser Redbrush, I did not mean to give offense. As you know, the closest I have seen to true battle is walking guard for the house and in the hamlet. A few skirmishes with drunks. I am certain your experience of true glory rings true. I meant only gains in political standing and perhaps fame - faint ghosts of true glory and courage."

His words ring sincere.

"The worst enemies we had in the war, those who stood the strongest, and we're expected to give them bread and salt? Best keep an eye out they don't betray us, then."

He raps his fingers on the table and finishes his wine.

"Been many a battle started for foolish causes. I'll keep the men on a tight leash, see that they don't get to boasting or fighting while we have guests."

Lady Iliria Ashfield enters the chamber, she is dressed in a blue and green with gold flowers along the trim.

"M'Lord, M'love" as she kisses her husband close to his lips. "Daughter, good morning", and looks around the room.

She then moves between her daughter and husband, "Ser Redbrush, castellan Justman is seems the wine is flowing early today?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Mon 19 May 2014.

Pella sat silent at the table, having fallen into a sulk at her father's calm acceptance that the Dornish were now our friends. Lord Ashfield was rarely derailed by Pella's fervent objections, much to her frustration.

"Apparently we are celebrating, mother.", Pella commented with a scowl. "And the Dornish are coming to Poppy Hall as if they were long-lost cousins."

In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 19):

Lady Iliria - "MY little Poppy Flower, the Dorneish are colorful people, with a hunger for many things. Especially women" .... Smiling and being somewhat fresh "and sometimes men."

"My Lord I would be more concerned about our daughters ventures, then the sword." 


A young boy enters, he waits by the door "Lord I have a message that came from Lord Dannor Steiner" Lord Ashfield replies "Very well boy, don't just stand there bring it over," snatching it from his hand.

He opens it, reads it to himself, and passes it to his wife, .... "Well It seems they are setting camp outside in the fields west. They have asked that we meet for talks in the field."

"Boy why are you still here, again your just standing, .... get that the cock out of your mouth and say something or leave."

"Yes Lord the scout have also returned they say The Stainer's & the Chiffon's have arrived with 25 men each. And Garin Kaldor was seem coming from the south only accompanied by a squire." Once done speaking he puts his head down. The lord is upset and takes it out on the boy. Ascar walks up to him quickly "again just standing around" and gives him a quick hard slap across the back of the head knocking the boy over "GET OUT!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Mon 19 May 2014.

Wallace Justman gives a quiet "Tut tut" under his breath to Pella's comments. He stands even straighter when Lady Ilira comes into the room.

He pours a goblet of wine, and offers it to her, "We are celebrating, M'Lady. Peace is worth toasting. I pray to the Crone we are collectively wise enough to weave peace as passionately as we waged war."

Wallace follows quickly on the heels of the boy Lord Ashfield scolded. Outside, he bends down, and quickly and quietly gives the boy a lecture in how to speak with the Lord of the house, and why.

He returns to the room a moment later.

"Half a hundred dornishmen? A large number to bring for a strictly diplomatic party." He spits out the last words with suspicion and unconsciously rubs a scar under his arm.

"I'll ensure the lads are on their best behavior and watchful. Where are we going to keep the sand children camped?"

In reply to Dyllan Redbrush (msg # 22):

After Lady Iliria has read the message delivered by the boy she replies to Dyllan "according to the scouts the have helped themselves to a field west of us very close to one of our poppy farms'.

Ser Victarion has been on patrol with his men along the boarders. he walks in sweaty and weather beaten "I road straight back when I heard the new, are we seriously going to just let things be? So may have given so much and the Targaryen are just short of giving a knee with a marriage to those sand prairie dogs."

"I also heard that they are coming to speak terms, and to stop boarding fighting and hold a truce with our banner men." He pours himself some wine to quenched his thirst.

Lady Iliria simple stares at her son with a disgusted look "So the boarders have made my son a wildling? he doesn't even properly greet those at the table, not even his mother? Husband perhaps you should give your son a reminder of his position, and what first before all is perception as its to some reality. Soon son the fights will be held in court and your sword and quick to draw it will only bring you defeat."

"I will take my leave and let the boy and men discuss strategy and get drunk before meeting our guests."  "Wallace, Dyllan ... hopefully you will be able to guide my men well, ... Come Pella, unless you want to hear more about how much they hate the Dorneish people."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Wed 21 May 2014.

Pella allows herself a smirk as her older brother talks his way into a scolding, enjoying seeing the reprimand even though she agreed entirely with his sentiments.

"Actually I should rather like to hear our strategy, mother. If Victarion is to guide us, I shall need to prepare quite a few more bandages.", she says in polite but mocking toned, hoping to provoke the heir to the house, out of habit more than malice.

Despite her comment of inclination to stay, Pella closes her book and rises to leave the room; it was not her place to discuss warfare and treachery, being singularly untalented in both fields.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Thu 22 May 2014.

In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 24):

Ser Victarion smiles at his sister "Well sister if you really must know about strategy, when one is at peace it normally involves marriages just like or King and Dorneish Prinsessa. Perhaps it's time for you to think about who is suitable for you before father picks for you."

Victorian truely and deeply cares for his sister, and his comment is well intended. It is common that during peace time - war is found in the courts of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Perhaps you and mother should discuss these future & important matters, and the boy & men will discuss the vultures at our door" he walks up to his mother, smiling the whole way there, he extends his arms out to hug her and leans in to kiss her.

She simply replies with crossed eyes and pulls away when he tries to kiss her. "Your a beast sometimes, (whispering to him) we'll played son you will be a fine lord when it's your time"

Lady Iliria exits without looking back, ...... "I would hurry daughter before they peddle you off to a Dorne Sand bastard"

"Worry not, m'lady. You'll only be married off to the finest murderers of Westerosi knights that Dorne has to offer."

Dyllan cracks into a grin at his own, rather belabored, joke.

"In truth, though, m'lord, it would be good to know what you'd have us do about the men they've brought." His eyes dart between his liege and Victarion. "They're successful on the battlefield because they prepare a defensive position and use the sands as their own. No chance these diplomats will prepare any less well, even though they're comin' to us."

Pella purses her lips, trying to hide her hurt at the callous way in which her family is talking about sending her away forever. She passively trails after her mother and exits the council room.

In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 27):

Your mother was loving in your younger years but as you got older and the war with Dorne grow, she too grow into a different person. She has alway shown her love for your father, but has also been more cynical toward him.

The conversation about marriage has come up a few times in the past, a lady should marry and few marry for love.

Once outside the council room lady Iliria slows down for Pella "your brother is right you are well into the age to marry and with age it will become harder to find a respectable noblemen, If you have someone suited for the task he should resent himself soon or you could be shipped off to a part of the world that you will be quite discontent with."

In reply to Dyllan Redbrush (msg # 26):

"Yes Dyllan they are well prepared in the battle field but I can not understand why these houses have been asked to come so far as diplomats of peace." The Lord sit at the table, he has not asked all of his councilmen to join in these talks. Simply because they are all to quick to fight and his trust doesn't really extend to much further then the three currently at the table.

Lord Ashfield is known to be short tempered and even angry towards those he feels are useless and just about everyone in useless unless they provided something he needs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Fri 23 May 2014.

"M'lord, ... Dyllan is our intent to meet them on the field or do we demand that the talks take place here?"

Lord Ashfield walks up to Dyllan, "Dyllan ride out and greet this Kaldor Boy, see what he is made of. No need to test his metal but no need to be easy on him either."

"Son ride out to Steiner', go with force, match him man for man, let him know that if he wishes to meet in the fields, .. House Ashfield will consider this insulting ... as peace is discussed under the sanctity of one's home not in a battlefield tent under the stars. Tell them that food and wine will run heavy in his honor and lastly say nothing to the other house or banner men they may have with them."

"If they accept wait for them, if they refused leave at once and return with there reply."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:32, Sun 25 May 2014.

Pella frowns as Lady Iliria quite plainly spells out what the future holds for her daughter. Yes, many girls married younger than 18 but Pella had never taken the need to rush into marriage entirely seriously; now it seemed that the sudden peace brought with it a very real sense of urgency.

"I don't have anyone in mind, mother." Pella replied, blushing at talking about this sort of thing with her mother. While her statement was technically true, she had followed the squire Ellery Clegane around like a shadow during his visit to Poppy Hall, though any admiration on her part was entirely unrequited - the strapping young man had shown far more interest in the work of the smith Hallys du Val than in any human being.

The visiting brutes from the south were not likely to be of any merit, but father had mentioned a trip to King's Landing...Pella smiled, a thrill running through her at the thought that she may well meet her husband there.

"Perhaps I will have to find someone suitable in my travels...", she mused.

In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 32):

"That is a Lady of Ashfield, willing, able and ready to do what's needed for family but smart enough to know to plan it .... making the best of what noble life has for her."

"We will begin to prepare for King's Landing. And we women of Ashfield will plot for they best picks of men among those worth your hand." "You know that all the great houses will be present and I'm sure the other houses will be planning to introduce their heirs, as they weave and plot, ... But we will plan then weave and plot" she chuckles at the ideas as she says the words.

Pella rolls her eyes in reluctance at talk of plotting, an aptitude which she is aware she severely lacks, and which her mother enjoys perhaps too much.

"Mother, can I not just try to find a nice fellow? I'm sure there's no need to do anything underhanded.", she gently chides Lady Ashfield.