Lord Ashfield had to make a difficult choice, but he had no choice other than to declare his intentions. The following day after Garin left Poppy Hill the Steiners were invited to the 'Hill' they were given the finest wine the house could offer and a meal just short of a feast. In a very delicate manner, House Ashfield declined Steiner's proposal and declared their position with House Kolwyn. House Steiner left with House Chiffon, both houses had many foul words to share with the Lord of Poppy Hill, the conversation went very badly, very quickly, …. both guest houses stormed out with a simple remark at the gate of the Hill ‘Dorne Lords do not forget disrespect, House Ashfield will taste ash at the hands of such Lords’

Lord Vernon Son of Steiner was not present at the discussions; many believe that he chases down Lord Garin.

Once the Dornish break camp and begin their journey home, Lord Ashfield sends patrols to make sure none stay behind and they leave peacefully.

---

Now that Poppy Hill has returned to normal the house and servants begin to get there things ready. Lord  Ascar Ashfield will be taking half his men and will be taking supplies for 60 days and enough gold and silver to take care of their needs for the trip. He has officially asked his oldest to stay behind with Wallace to manage the house as the rest head to Blackhaven to meet their new partners of trade and then head to King’s Landing for the events that await them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:13, Fri 08 Aug 2014.

With so many guests leaving rather unexpectedly and a lot earlier than anticipated Wallace’s careful planning for the day, and especially the evening festivities, was thrown into the wind.

Most likely that was the reason why he was rather short-tempered with the small folk under his command for the whole day. He became a tad bit less forgiving and empathic listening to their typical problems and troubles.

However, he got quite alarmed when one of the maids told him of what had transpired in the yard before he had gone outside. Once again, Lord Ascar’s second-born son had proved to be a hothead. His reaction to Veron Steiner’s provocation had shown that rather blatantly.

So all in all, Wallace had to admit that he was rather relieved that the Kaldor heir would leave them so soon, never mind the reasons for his departure, which he surely hoped to be enlightened upon by his lord as soon as time allowed to have a word with him. If no Dornish were present, so much the better.

Alas, time was precious and there was far too less of it for the remaining day.

With the festivities over, Wallace finally found the time to retreat to his small room. He was glad that his praises of the cook had been valid, Lady Mara had complimented the dishes served and he did have the feeling that she had been honest. Well, with someone raised in Kings Landing, however, you never knew.

Wallace sighed inwardly.

He was most devout to House Ashfield, but lately he was beginning to have some doubts as to what would happen to the house should the current lord no longer be there.

Victarion, the heir apparent, was still too indecisive and a bit too reclusive, spending more time reading books than actually showing a leader’s charisma. Victarion was a knight, however it was common knowledge that he was not truly a man of the sword and lance. Maybe the evolving peace with Dorne would see his qualities shown to the world at large. Wallace only feared that the household did not respect the heir as they should. Ashfield had spent too much time in borderwars with Dorne and the small folk expected a martial leader in their lord. Victarion was already at an age when many lords of the Reach were younger than him, but so far he had not really shown the qualities one would hope to see in a lord of an influential house like Ashfield. Wallace hoped that marriage would mend these shortcomings and he vowed to get to know the heir’s wife better during the next months. He wasn’t sure if Lady Polina would join the voyage to Kings Landing, but he had the feeling that her skills were indeed required there. The Ashfield men were capable warriors and leaders of men, but peace would suit them badly. And if the stories held even minimal truth, then it was clear that the capital held a lot more threat than a battlefield. Threats which the Ashfield men might just blunder into without seeing them coming. If young Mathys would not be able to rein in his temper he would get into trouble quickly and easily. And his skill with blade and lance would not help him out of these kinds of straits.

Mathys. Unlike his brother Lord Ascar’s second son reveled in battle and the peace shook his confidence. As a second son, Mathys had never been required to learn the finer aspects of lordship and so he had focused on sword, lance and horse. And women, too. What was there to do for a warrior in peacetime ? The trouble was that Mathys did not listen to reasoning, only accepting the views and opinions of other warriors. In fact, only Ser Redbrush seemed to have a way to reach the young man. Wallace feared for Mathys. No matter how good he was with the blade, there was always someone better. And Wallace feared that Mathys would not realize that fact until it was too late. How to curb the knight’s exuberance ?

Wallace wished he could have joined the family on their trip to the capital, but Lord Ascar had made it clear that he himself would join and Wallace did not trust anybody else in the household to keep affairs running as they should. How to protect the Ashfield family then ? Wallace shakes his head in frustration.

With uneasy ponderings plaguing him, Wallace blows out the candle and finally drifts off into sleep.

As the family's departure to King's Landing drew closer, Pella became more and more apprehensive. She hadn't travelled further from Poppy Hall than Old Stump since she was 8 years old, all because of a trip to Cider Hall for a wedding.

She could still remember the strange landscape they travelled through, seemingly full of woods that could be filled with anything from bandits to maybe a lost shadowcat. Even at that age, Pella could name every tree, but the fact of them was unsettling...they exhibited something primal and foreign to the gentle rolling hills of farmland at home. Cider Hall itself had been no better, filled to the brim with important people she didn't know, and she had begun to panic.

The next morning, Pella couldn't remember what had happened the night before; Lord Ascar and Lady Iliria had shared concerned glances but said nothing. Her older sister, Alianna, treated her as if she had grown an extra head, and Mathys told Pella that she'd been screaming something but he couldn't understand it through the adjoining wall. The family left Cider Hall before dawn, missing the wedding, and while Pella had felt guilty about what had happened, she was glad to be returning home.

After that, excuses were always made by her mother and father as to why Pella needed to stay at Poppy Hall when the family travelled, which she rarely fought against. However, as a young lady in need of a match, it was time for Pella to travel again.

To distract herself in the lead up, Pella became heavily involved in preparations for the trip, ensuring that a suitable amount of high quality medicinal herbs were packed as a gift to the Grand Maester, that all her best clothes were ready for travel, and trying to find out as much about King's Landing as possible from Mara Neumann - maybe familiarity with the city would help her anxiety.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:20, Fri 08 Aug 2014.

As Merius mounted his horse he could not say that he was in the best of moods. This guard duty was not only potentially hazardous as he felt he could end up being one of the people to take the blame if things went around. As Hagop started on the road ,scouting ahead, Merius went to meet Lord Garin...

Garin was not a man of many words and short to urging speed he had not a lot to say. Merius was quite happy to leave it at that. He motioned the Blue Lances forward and has they trotted on the road to Blackhaven, he could not help to remember his other mission here... Mara Neumman would be looking for something once they met again. It would be interesting to see what Garin would say... Merius spurred his horse to near Garin and decided to make the first approach...

'We should make good time. Not a difficult road and we had plenty of rest, as long as you can keep up we will continue. I have men scouting ahead to avoid surprises. What is the reason for the rush? It would be useful to know what we are running into...'

 The talks with the Dogs of Dorn, went from bad to worse, when his Lord father, declined the agreement with the Vipers. Mathys had remained aloof of the talks, staying in the background, as he knew full well his own temper, and not wanting to bring dishonor to his Father's Hall, by  hacking off a head or three, with his sword. When the Men of Dorn departed, but not before a dire warning was issued to House Ashfield, Mathy's saw a red haze, as he glared at the backs of the departing Dogs.  When  Mathys appeared girded for war, to lead the patrol to shadow the departing Dorn, his Lord Father forbad his leaving the confines of the Castle, as his Father knew full well his sons, intentions.
  The young Knight was well vexed, indeed. No more war, insults, to his honor and that of his family, left unanswered, and not even allowed to lead a patrol. Mathys Ashfield felt without a purpose, that hunting and arms practice, did nothing to fill the void, he felt these days.

 The time between the departure of the Dornish filth, and leaving for Kings Landing, was one Mathys used to train for the Tourney in the Capital. He rode against the Rings, and tilting dummy, sword and hammer practice with the House Master at Arms. His War Horse was reshod, a special mixture of mash fed to it, and exercised twice a day. His armor and weapons where looked over by the Smith, as Mathys looked on to see all was done, correctly.

 The young Knight had two Shields and two Long Swords, made as gifts for the weddings. Both shields had the coat of arms of a House Ashfield painted in the them, and the Swords, unadorned blades, but of excellent quality.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Sun 10 Aug 2014.

Mara was uncertain that all was good. She feared greatly that the Dorn's had lured them into a trap. Garin and his crew on one side baiting the Steiner's on the other. She was uncertain what game they played, but she was certain that in the end that the Houses from the Reach would fare poorly in these transactions. One thing about the Dorns were that they were a people of tradition.

For the next two days after the Steiners left she spent in research. She was hoping that perhaps the Library or Maester would be able to illuminate the history of this feud. Also, perhaps the game they play upon the Reach was like something from their past. Other than eating, and the little time she spent with the ladies of the house speaking of fashions and scents that would be appropriate for the court. She spent her time searching for the answers.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Mon 11 Aug 2014.

In reply to Mara Neumann (msg # 6):

Spending a great deal of time researching, .... Their seems to have a lot of information on them, in fact the families of Kowlyn and Steiner have some interesting shared history.

Some well known historically events are the 'Omens of Doom' in which the Steiner's engaged the Targaryen's on the high seas stopping an invasion on the Kowlyn coastlines, House Steiner sailed out and caused havoc using guerrilla style tactics during storms. This was called the 'Omens of Doom' because everything was set against them yet House Steiner refused to except the omens - cured the old and new and sailed out to face the Targaryens. They continue to have a reputation as a Salty Dornish House not to be reckoned with if met upon the waves.

Some 500 years ago, House Steiner pledged a lasting alliance to House Kolwyn when the only heiress to their House was rescued by the heir to House Kolwyn. The history and books and notes don't seem to have much detail on his except that this has been the founding detail that links their houses, but they are no notes of any blood relations, no marriages and no exchange of house in good faith.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:42, Mon 11 Aug 2014.

Mara concluded her research. She was uncertain how to take it all, but time was against her. If a plot was being hatched against the Ashfield and Neumann there was little time. She was uncertain who to turn to, but perhaps Pella, Maester and Wallace would have insights she lacked.

She sent with a servant a note to each to join her in the evening about an hour after sundown. She wanted to reveal what she had learned. She was uncertain what she was missing, but the pieces of the puzzle seemed out of place. Maybe the others could help her put them in order.

Edric spent the rest of the day planning with Mara about what they should bring with them to King's Landing. Edric would be returning to Blue Hall the next morning and want to make sure that his Household was packed and ready from the arrival of the Ashfields so that they can depart for Blackheaven without delay.

At the banquet Edric attempt to ease the tensions between them and the Dornish party after today's events by conversing with the Dornish Lords and Ladies throughout the Banquet. When it came time to dance he first ask a Dornish Lady, but for the rest of the night dance with the ladies of the Reach, even asking Pella to dance several times.

The next morning Edric was ready to ride with Bruce Strong and Brandon Snow at first light. He decline Lord Ashfield's offer of an escort in case the Dornish try to ambush him and his party. Edric had other enemies to worry about besides the Dornish and keeping a low profile would make sure Olaf wasn't aware of his movements.