In reply to Gabriel Laurent (msg # 21):

Lady Tansa replies with a sharp tongue "you simple minded man youve been away and there has beem much over the last few days" "ahhash you explain to him" .... "He's ruined my monument with you Ashara. I will take my escort and head back to the castle." ..... "Gabriel see that you get my daughter back before dark this time." She kiss Ashara and whisper to her "watch him he's after more then his honor".

Gabriel seemed to take the berating stoically, weathering the storm of Tasna's fury like a redoubt of stone - though who was to say? With his face hidden behind that mask of steel, the finer details of his reaction were unknowable. His metal-clad fists stayed at his side, one palm rested on his blade's pommel as the other hung free but still.

In the silence that followed Tasna's outburst, a briefly lived breeze blowed through the market and set his cloak to fluttering gently. Its brown cloth licked and lapped at his immobile heels, stock still like the rest of Gabriel.

"Yes, Lady Tansa." The warrior replied with humble solemnity, the narrow opening at the fore of his helm tracing her steps as she departed. In her absence the Raindrop Knight said nothing. His visor, and seagreen eyes, slowly and expectantly turned their way to Lady Ashara.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:07, Tue 03 June 2014.

"Wait!" Ashara calls after the fleeing boy. She sighs and turns around, worried for a second she'd said something wrong to frighten the boy. She smiles up at Gabriel as he bows to her. "Hello, Gabriel. It's good to see you again"
"It's all right. I'm sure my parents would rather have my bodyguards close enough to protect me, even if you look a bit fearsome" she responded to Gabriel's apology. Ashara rises to her feet.
"Oh..." Ashara says, disappointed, when Lady Tansa says she is leaving. "I'll see you soon" she adds affectionately and gives her mother a hug. "Yes, my lady mother" she responds dutifully to her mother's orders to explain the situation to Gabriel and to be careful.
She had to admit, Gabriel's air of mystery appealed to her, and she hoped she could get him to open up a bit.
"We had a pair of very unusual visitors at Kolwyn Hold. A pair of Red Priests from Amaranth Dawn; polite as ever, they managed to insult me in just the day they were here. They claimed they were ambushed by forces of House Steiner, and brought along a prisoner in an attempt to prove it. Ser Hassan has taken a group out to the supposed ambush site to see what they can find out" she explained.
Ashara gazes out over the ocean. "Have you ever been to the Six Kingdoms, Gabriel? Are you looking forward to the trip?" she asked curiously.

Gabriel took in Ashara's explanation quietly, turning his steel-clad figure to face and place his attentions entirely on Kolwyn's daughter. Within the shade of his helm pale blonde eyebrows arched above his eyes, rising as Ashara's story played out to its eventual end. The mention of Ser Hassan, and an investigatory expedition, drew his mind elsewhere - he looked to the distant horizon, perhaps wistfully, wondering what he was missing.

"Ser Hassan is a good man," the warrior spoke at last "If any can make sense of this, it will be him."

When he looked back the warrior's eyes paused on Ashara, noting that she was enjoying the same view he had been on the docks. The open sea. Gabriel Laurent followed her gaze, coming to stand beside her as they both looked out over the sparkling Dornish sea. "I have, Lady Ashara." He offered in return to her question, as an osprey cut through the ocean wind and across their vision. Gulls scattered.

"The Stormlands and the Reach, mostly my Lady." Laurent suggested. "A few other places." Then a pause. "With my father."

"I do look forward to it." Gabriel suggested, helmed head nodding slowly in agreement. "Do you, Lady Ashara?" The bodyguard asked, the well-oiled plates of his armor making not a sound as he turned to regard her.

"Lady Jadis went with the investigation group. My lady mother is a bit cross about it" Ashara added to her explanation.
"My uncle Ser Hassan is indeed a good man and a fine knight. I'm confident they'll find the truth, and I think the Red priests are lying. I certainly don't trust those heathens" she responded with a nod.
"Still, I am reassured by having you to protect me" She turn to regard Gabriel and smiled at him "Having a fine fighting man about is an enviable position for any lady"
"Oh yes, I look forward to it quite a bit. I'm very curious to see the Six Kingdoms. I've never been there." She shivered slightly "Although they have come to Dorne." It had been a shocking experience to have lived through the invasion, to know that Dorne was under the thumb of the Dragon king. "What were the Kingdoms like? Were the people very different from Dorne?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as she looked at Gabriel
She flinches slightly when Gabriel mentions his father, hoping she hasn't brought up a painful past. "I'm sorry to bring up painful memories. Please forgive me."

In reply to Ashara Kolwyn (msg # 26):

"Not much different then the stories M'lady" Gabriel as always is brief and begins to walk back not really ending the conversation on a closed note. Ashara is getting used to the knights demeanor in fact at times its comforting to know that he is truly more interested in his duties and less into getting something out if it.

"Come M'lady before I get in trouble again for getting you home late" one hand on the hilt of his blade and metal boot clanging on the ground as he walks.

Ashara tilts her head slightly at her taciturn protector's brief explanation; apparently, she wouldn't get much more out of him at the moment. She valued his loyalty and skill, but Gabriel wasn't always the most chatty of knights.
She nods and follows along with Gabriel. "Of course, Gabriel, I'm coming. It's not my intention to get you into trouble" she responds. She smiles teasingly and adds "And you never know what people would think if we were late." She enjoyed teasing him perhaps more than she should sometimes.

"There's no need to worry," Gabriel comforted, words kindly but placidly spoken "I fear I'll find myself in trouble no matter your intent, Lady Ashara." The admission came easily as Gabriel walked. His steps fell lightly for a man so heavily armored, the crowd parting way for the warrior automatically as he made his way toward the keep. "Your lady mother is not fond of me."

"... But no, I have never concerned myself greatly with what others think." Gabriel suggested, turning his helmed head to regard the stunning woman who walked in his wake. The violet-dyed horse hair crest at the top of his side swung hesitantly, purple hairs wavering hesitantly on the edge of his vision. "... Though if any were to suggest as much, they could hardly blame me..."

"House Kolwyn was blessed the day you were born into it, Lady Ashara." The warrior suggested, voice quiet and focused as he guided a man from out of his path with a gentle push of his hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. My lady mother is a fair woman, I'm sure she'll come around" Ashara says, slightly embarrassed. She loved her mother deeply, but she also felt her mother was being unfair to Gabriel.
Ashara smiles more shyly that her teasing would seem to indicate. "Thank you, Gabriel. That's very kind of you to say."

Gabriel nodded, in a rather self-assuredly matter of fact way, his helm dipping nearly imperceivably in a curt motion. "Of course." Came the simple reply, perhaps meant to answer both comments equally. His voice sounded young, with a lyrical quality to it rather than baritone that one could hear even through the metallic deafening of his helm. That made sense, according to the stories Gabriel Laurent could not be very old at all. A young man, in his early twenties if he was a day.

The warrior kept one hand on Cloudbreaker's hilt, helm swiveling as he moved through the crowd... A crowd that had thinned now, to nearly nothing, as they began to depart the dockside market. The Raindrop Knight looked no more at ease, though no less at that, as he began to guide Ashara down the rest of the way home - past carts, fishmongers, and winesellers alike toward the gate of Kolwyn Hold.

Ashara nods at the lack of much response, figuring Gabriel doesn't want to talk at the moment. She head back with him to Kolwyn Hold, occasionally trying to make small talk along the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Wed 11 June 2014.

Gabriel & Ashara leave the village by horse back and travel the road back to the castle. The weather has lighted up and its a fine mild day in Dorne.

OOC: need Awareness checks, then Animal Handling, and lastly Athletics in that order please

16:43, Today: Ashara Kolwyn rolled 8 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,1,1,5.
Unless my Empathy speciality applies. j
16:44, Today: Ashara Kolwyn rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,5. Animal Handling.
16:45, Today: Ashara Kolwyn rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,5,6. Athletics. 


EDIT BY CALADIN

quote:

Unless my Empathy speciality applies. j

If it works on horses then YES.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Thu 12 June 2014.

10:25, Today: Gabriel Laurent rolled 18 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,5,1,6. athletics.
10:24, Today: Gabriel Laurent rolled 17 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,6,4,6. animal handling.
10:24, Today: Gabriel Laurent rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,4,4. awareness.

Ashara is enjoying her ride home, .... it's nice to ride without someone chatting away to kill the time (Lady Tansa). As the horse comes around a rocky bend it gives a quick jerk, and Ashara in control steers it back to the road.

Gabriel notices the jerking of the horse and begins to scan the area, ... a horse with the jitters normally mean trouble.

Ashara does not yet understanding why the horse is being difficult, but then notices Gabriel's actions, and she figures there is something wrong.

A deep loud 'Hissing' sound of a Viper, ..... the horse now rises up on its hind legs Ashara holds on for dear life. She slips,.... grabbing onto the horn of the saddle with one hand and taking in the slack of the reins, she barely keep on saddle of the horse.

Gabriel quickly attempts to grab the reins as well to bring the horse back to all fours, .....

Then the viper strikes at the forward legs of the steed, again the horse kicks its front legs up wiping the viper away but the damage is done and as soon as all four of the horses legs touch ground it starts to race down the road. Ashara feels the rush of the wild steep ripping through - its going to throw her off if she does clam it down or do something, but what ?? ..... a mount passes it's as time sits still, her heart has stop as near death reminds her how precious it all is, to be alive.

Gabriel losses his grip of the reins on the second kick he sees the viper crash against the near by rocks, it's all so fast he doesn't have time to react and grab the reins for a second time - the horse bolts down the road.

Ashara gasps and feels her heart hammering in her chest, but doesn't sceam or panic. She's a dornishwoman and therefore no too-delicate blossom. She pulls on the reins and tries to rein in the horse, speaking calmingly too it. If she can't, she prepares herself for a nasty fall.
16:56, Today: Ashara Kolwyn rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,2,4. Animal Handling.
Though I'm not sure what good it will do; 16 was nearly a perfect roll and it didn't help at all. I hope you've got something you can do, Gabriel.




***EDIT CALADIN
Keep in mind you have not gotten injured nor has anything really negative happened. Your roll did save you from falling off, or losing complete control. The rest is story

***EDIT ASHARA
*Blushes* I'm sorry, I didn't mean to whine.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Sun 15 June 2014.

Gabriel’s hand shot for the reins, quick as a viper, chain and plate-clad grip closing tight around the leather leads. He pulled back gallantly, hauling downward with sudden but calm urgency - seagreen eyes narrowed in focus within the shadowed hollow of his helm. The snake was forgotten below, as well as all else, as he put aside everything but the young woman in his care. Arms tensed with hidden muscle, cloaked beneath brigandine, as the mysterious knight brought the horse once more to the ground - its hooves found their place in the sand with a sudden 'thump'.

Gabriel's grip loosened around the reins for a moment. Only a moment, as the horse seemed to regain its wits.

... But then it rose again, kicking back against and swatting aside the viper that had threatened it. Front hooves came up, then slammed, the reins shaking and rattling across its tensed muscular back. Gabriel reached, fingertips brushing the reins - but it was too late, the horse was gone, racing down the road with abandon.

Gabriel kicked his heels into his horse's side, tucking his helmed head low and racing after her. Men rushed out of the road, hurrying to be out of the path of their mounts. The Raindrop Knight's tattered cloak and violet helm topknot tossed wildly in self-made wind, no hesitation apparent as he chased after Ashara's wild horse.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:59, Mon 16 June 2014.

It's not an easy task Ashara almost panics, if that, ... just only for a moment but then starts to remember her teachings by the master of horses, keeping herself on the saddle she struggles with the reins and fights to take back control of the horse, .....

Gabriel races t her side and grabs the Harness and as Ashara pulls back he turns the horses in to slow it down. Its not easy nor is it quick but between Gabriel determination and Ashara sheer will the horse is calming down, by this time they find themselves along side a small lake several hundred feet away from the road.

The horse looks weak, its starts to stumble a bit, the horse as it was racing most of not felt the effects of the poison until now that it has slowed down, but now the poison is wide spread and she will fall soon.

"Lady Ashara!" Came the cry, Gabriel's mount thundering to close the gap between them. It pulled up beside her, trotting energetically and excitedly, as Gabriel assessed the situation.

Gabriel wasted no time as he saw the flagging demeanor of Ashara's steed, pulling his horse to sidle beside Ashara's so close that their mounts' flanks pressed against each other. His right arm reached out to wrap itself around her, both hands coming to grip firmly on her waist as he pulled her free. His body moved back in his saddle as he did, making room in front of himself as he tried to lift her from one horse to another. The Raindrop Knight would bring her to sit in front of him, then rein his horse in and withdraw safely from its dying counterpart.

Despite herself, Ashara screams in fright as she fights to keep control of the horse. She looks urgently to Gabriel as he grabs the reins but focuses on the road as he looses his grip. She takes a deep breath to steady herself and keep from panicking, then attempts to control the horse with the reins as she speaks calmingly to it. Mother show me mercy...
Ashara looks sadly at her horse. She is very fond of her palfrey, and saddened to see it poisoned.
She gasps in shock as Gabriel wraps his arms around her, unused to being touched in such a manner, but cooperates as he lifts her onto his horse. She pulls her feet from the stirrups so she won't be dragged behind her horse if she fell.
If Gabriel pulls her onto his horse successfully she gives a loud sigh of relief.

Gabriel & Ashara are late in returning to the castle they should not waste any more time or Lord Perros will send men searching for them and again be unhappy with the fact he was forced to look for them.

Gabriel set Ashara down in front of himself on the saddle between is steel-plated legs, one arm remaining wrapped around her waist while the other seized the reins of his horse. The stallion snorted indignantly, feet prancing backward as it distanced itself from Ashara's poisoned palfrey. The Raindrop Knight held tightly to Kolwyn's firstborn daughter, rather than lose her in the chaos of the moment, as he silently pulled tight on his mount's reins.

The stallion calmed, shaking its head and sending its mane tossing from one side of its thickly-muscled neck to the other.

Slowly, Gabriel's plated-hand reluctantly left its place on Ashara's stomach, drawing back before grasping the reins instead - surrounding the girl with his arms as he brought his horse to turn towards the castle. Behind them, the lake's shore glimmered brightly with the afternoon's sunlight. The horse hung there, steps coming lightly in the beach's loose sand.

Behind her, Ashara would be able to feel the press of Gabriel's brigandine-covered chest. He smelled faintly horse and dust - a result of having been on patrol the last several days.

"Are you all right, Lady Ashara?" Gabriel asked, voice soothingly quiet against the murmuring incoming and outgoing of the lake's waves against the beach.

A moment's quiet. "If you are, we ought to make for the castle. Your Lord Father will be worried."

Ashara sighs in relief and begins to calm down. She blushes, feeling Gabriel's strong arms around her. For some reason, her heart kept beating quickly even after the danger was past. "Yes, I'm all right, just rattled. Thank you, Gabriel, I think you just saved me from being seriously hurt" she says softly, but gratefully.
"Yes, it's best he know I'm all right" she adds, nodding.
She was largely silent during the trip back to the castle, still rather rattled.

RECAP

Lady Tansa Kolwyn and daughter Ashara Kolwyn go off to the village in search of things to bring with them to Kings Landing, they also want to pass the time as they wait for the return of the men that have gone out to check the ambush site.

The Red Twins quickly break camp after the party leaves to the site.

Mother and daughter discuss the important topics of marrage and the roles they most play for their House and Country

Gabriel Laurent Ashara's Bodyguard is always close by and disrupts the conversation. Lady Tansa doesn't like Gabriel and everyone knows this but the Lord has assign Gabriel to watch over his daughter.

His price as a Bodyguard comes cheap as he helps save Ashara from a possible disastrous moment when a viper strikes Ashara's horse. Of course Ashara's skill at horseback riding is also to contribute to her being safe, but that is a different debate.

They now head back to the castle before Lord Perros sends out men in search for them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:43, Wed 25 June 2014.

  This scene has ended, a new thread will be posted.

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Scene:3, Group:1

No experience awarded

Being the scene and events were very short exps will be awarded next scene.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Wed 25 June 2014.