In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 34):

"Who was talking underhanded I was simply stating the obvious, your of age and we are going to Kings Landing, ..... so is every other house across Westeros, so this is a likely place to find you a suitor."

"Come lets get the servants packing, .... it will take days before we are ready and it's a long road ahead to the 'Landing'.

"As y'will m'lord. I'll take a flank of cavalry with me, as a show of strength. If all goes well, perhaps a few spear-runnings to test the lad and show our camaraderie for our new Dornish allies. I'll have them brought safely by dusk, m'lord."

Dyllan bows and strides out of the room. His first destination is to check on his horse and see her saddled. Not a great beast for the spear, but his skill was such that he could make do.

We must be seein' that they're not a threat before we allow them within our walls. The war was long and bitter, no need to see trusting allies when our council can't even get above suspicions.

In reply to Dyllan Redbrush (msg # 36):

The men, squires and servants start getting ready the horses & gear to ride out and greet the Dornish lad. They waste no time and quickly are ready to go, ...once ready they wait for Dyllans word.

Once given word they ride out behind him, exiting the south gate they ride at an aggressive pace, passing some farms and small folk they come to the crest of one of the many hills of the Reach. Looking down a knight on horseback and a single squire lagging behind on horse with a mule can be seen on the road.

The squire is holding a banner with 2 flags one of Dorne House Martell the second not so common of House Kaldor. The Dornish men seem unphased and ride slowly and do not stop at the sight of your men trailing over the crest and down the hill.

"Your Orders, .... ?" As one of the men rides along side Dyllan.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:25, Wed 28 May 2014.

A servant girl comes running down the hall, almost falling over her known feet, then at the sight of lady Ashfield stops cold, out of breath "Lady Ashfield, .." she bows gently "M'lady Pella you told me when Ser Edric Neumann should arrive to let you know, ... well he's here M'lady."

Ser Edric Neumann you have been requested to see Lord Ashfield, his letter was pretty clear. He is very upset that you have a business arrangement with his daughter and wishes to speak to you. The exact words were more in line with, .....

 'How honorable a man is to have a women supply him with his needs. I normally have my women supply me with other needs, but we will save that part of the conversation when you come and see me. Do not have me wait.'

Upon receipt of the letter you headed straight to the lord without any delays to discuss the matter. After several days on the road and avoiding Dorneish men headed to your lords home, you are now passed the gates and in his courtyard waiting for the lords approval to see him - he makes you wait outside.

Mounted Ser Edric Neumann looks around and sees they are very busy getting ready for some Dorneish visitors.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Tue 03 June 2014.

Pella looks confused for a moment but her eyes widen as she remembers why Ser Edric has returned to Poppy Hall. "Oh...thank you Jesca", Pella says before quickly trotting out of the hall into the courtyard, not even seeking Lady Ashfield's pardon in her haste.

As she steps outside and considers taking care of her fine silk dress, but time was too short to worry about the lush soil of the Reach being untidy. She looked around for Ser Edric's destrier, Ranner, a proud chestnut horse of impeccable stature, and made her way across the muddy thoroughfare, waving to draw his attention.

"Ser Edric! Over here!", Pella called out,"We need to talk."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:37, Tue 03 June 2014.

Edric and Mara had traveled none stop to reach Poppy Hall, leaving Blue Hall under the cover of darkness so that they would not draw the attention of Olaf. He was exhausted from his ride and was nearly falling asleep in his saddle wait for Lord Ashfield when he caught site of Pella. As she called him over he dismounted Ranner, walking the destreir on foot to her. M'lady, it is a pleasure to see you again. He said blushing while failing to meet her gaze, preferring to stare at her feet. It seems as if your Lord father is quite displeased with our actions the last time we met.

Mara could barely maintain her place on her saddle. The ride was a great challenge to her lithe and frail body. She loved to ride her prized white palfrey, Wintermoon, but she had never ridden so long or hard. At closer inspection, she had tied leather strapping across her legs to the saddle so she would not fall off.  Any watching could tell that Mara was extremely fatigued, but it was a testament to her will that she was able to remove the straps and dismount. She stood tall on the ground almost as nothing seemed to be wrong.

She straighten her sky blue dress, and breathe deep of her satchel hoping that its honey and jasmine scent covered the smell of horse and sweat. She would of preferred a few moment to ready herself before meeting anyone. Her family nearly forbade her to go because of her constitution, but she knew that her brother was better suited for combat than he was toward diplomacy. The Ashfields were an important House in the Reach. She hoped her six years at court had prepared her to mend the fence that had come up between their two houses.

Brother, the road was a little rougher than I remember can you please pass me some of your water before we parlay with any one.

Untying his waterskin and handing it to her. Take what you need sweet sister. You look weary, we should of stopped somewhere for a few hours. Perhaps you should seek out Lady Illiria and introduce yourself and maybe she can offer you a bed to rest in. I can hopefully settle this business between Lord Ascar and myself and then we can offer our proposal together at a later time..

Brother, I am right, and we had to travel as you suggested, or possibly face bandits. I came to help you in this matter, and when that is done we shall seek rest.

Mara took the water skin, and drank some. She wanted to drink it all, but she knew that could cause her to become ill. She took some additional water and dapped it on her face to refresh. Shaking the dust from the ride from her hair, she turned to her Brother.

Edric, let us not be rude, and greet our hosts.

Pella smiled and stepped over to the destrier, petting the horse affectionately. "I see you've kept him well", she commented. "Father has no reason be displeased but that has never stopped him before."

Watching Edric's companion dismount, Pella was a little uncertain of who this young woman was. She was beautiful, no doubt, leaving Pella immediately suspicious and slightly resentful, but there was a certain cast to her features...

Pella turned to face Mara directly and curtseyed to her, draping her red & green silk dress even more through the mucky loamy soil. "M'lady, I am Pella Ashfield, welcome to Poppy Hall."

"Introduce your sister please, Edric., Pella requested with a smirk, not so subtly implying that he needed to be reminded - such quiet jibes had long been Pella's way.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Tue 03 June 2014.

Yes he might be so, but I have lived here longer than I Blue Hall. Lord Ascar is like a father to me , I don't like that we have brought him to anger. Rolling his eyes at yet another one of Pella jibes that were all to common from his time spent at Poppy Hall. Smirking It seems as if you haven't change much since I left 6 years ago. This is my sister Mara, a lady of court from King's Landing and a self proclaimed beauty of the Realm accord to our King. Mara, this is Pella, a healer who skills are unmatched in the all of the 6 Kingdoms.

Walking down from the battlement walls is Lord Ascar Ashfield, he is alone, ... a rare moment as there is normally always someone at his side discussing some business. It seems his only interest is his new arrivals.

He stares down Ser Edric as he walks up to Edric in the courtyard, "Edric, ... 6 years looks good on you, your not so much a boy anymore. In my letter I didn't except you to bring a women, only discuss them." He looks at Lady Mara Neumann with a foul demeanor, he undresses her with his eyes "Such beauty is rare, ... Your a lucky man Ser Edric, .... is this your Lady?" as he turns to his daughter and kisses her on the forehead.


"Where is your mother?" as he whisper in Pella's ear.

It is my pleasure to meet you Pelia. As my brother said, I am Mara, Daughter of the House Neumann, and I am most pleased to meet you. Maybe sometime, Pella when my Brother's business is conducted with your Lord Father I would be pleased to talk to about the ways of healing. At   home, my brothers only talk of fighting and old heroes. It will nice to once again have a conversation that does not have "I took my sword to them"

Mara giggled briefly as she curtsied.

Lady Iliria walks from around the horse "I'm right here my husband."

In reply to Mara Neumann (msg # 48):

"Perhaps that time is now, daughter, ... wife why don't see Lady Mara to a comfortable room you should stay a few days and relax enjoy the fields." He realizes who he was addressing after catching the tail end of her story about her brother.

"Come Ser Edric walk with me." as the lord heads out the gate to walk the fields of red and green.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Tue 03 June 2014.

The Lord was all that she had heard. Like most men in Westeros he had a certain notion of what a woman was. She wanted to go with her brother, but this was not the time to exercise her independence.

The Lord is a most gracious host. I appreciate the offer of a comfortable room, and of course the grandeur of Poppy Hall. Perhaps, later Lord Ascar later you can give me a personal tour of your home.

In reply to Mara Neumann (msg # 51):

"Perhaps, ..." as he looks at his wife "or better you can have the honor My Lady" .... "What I would enjoy Lady Mara is news from King's landing as you may have heard our King is to marry and we are preparing for the events. Unfortunately we most first meet the Dornes and discuss peace and handle the trade agreement that starts with Lord Steiner and a few others. his attention has shifted quickly from Mara's beauty to his wife and family and or course now his wanted guests as well as his unwanted ones.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:51, Tue 03 June 2014.

Pella smiled, finding herself liking Mara despite her first reservations "Mara, I would be happy to share some stories, though I fear many of them are quite unseemly and involve the phrase `I took a sword out of them'...perhaps not a great improvement, and with far less honor than a courageous tale of battle."

It seemed to Pella that she could enjoy Mara's company, but for now there was a more pressing issue. Through her own loose tongue, Pella's father had discovered her `investment' in Ser Edric's tournament aspirations, and she felt that she had inadvertently dropped the former Ashfield ward in a deep pot of dung.

In defiance of Lord Ascar's attempt to send his daughter off with the other women, Pella broke away from Mara & Lady Ashfield to follow Ascar & Edric. "Father, perhaps I should accompany Ser Edric and yourself? Do you not wish to discuss what I have chosen to do with what was my destrier?"

In reply to Pella Ashfield (msg # 53):

His eye widen at Pella's attempt to win him over, "NO, This is not meant for your ears." He was firm, and his voice was just off enough to let Pella know not to ask again.

Lady Iliria gently grasps hold of Pella arm and with their arms locked together she then gently attempts to grab lady Mara's, having all three lock arm to arm she leans in "come lady's let the men by boys and the girls be Ladys"

Pella looks at her father with daggers in her eyes, her face flush with quiet fury at being dealt with like a little girl in front of visitors. But, she knew her place, though perhaps not as well as she ought.

She accepts her mother's arm and allowed herself to be escorted back to the hall, fuming but trying to calm down again.

Edric's eyes turned to meet the man On the landing. With a bow Lord Ascar, It is great to see that Poppy Hall and yourself have done well since I have left. I am sorry I did not get to see you when I last came to Poppy Hall. He was just about to introduce Mara when she beat him to it. When Ascar bid Edric to walk with him he followed suit, turning to Pella and giving her an I'll be fine look before stepping out of the gates.

"So Lady Mara what are the lady's of the kings court wearing these days?" as they walk up some stairs to the main chambers within 'Poppy Hall'.

Truly, it is often a competition between the ladies of the Reach and those of the West to determine what fashion will rule the season. I may be bias, but I find that the ladies of the Reach tend to win hands down. The ladies of the West tend to over accessorize with gold and gems. Thinking that will make them seem classy. Where the ladies of the Reach like you I find try to emulate the beauty that is found in our gardens. In spring we bloom with fresh and forgotten color that the Winters tend to hide.

Mara momentarily turned and watch her brother. Pella and Edric obviously knew each other. Back than they we to young, but not so young to wonder and explore. She put it out her head for the time less she miss what the fine Lady was going to say.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Wed 04 June 2014.