In reply to WaryJasra (msg # 30):

Ok
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

In reply to Bron Snow (msg # 31):

In reply to WaryJasra (msg # 32):

Pm

Pm

In reply to WaryJasra (msg # 34):

Pm

In reply to Bron Snow (msg # 35):

In reply to WaryJasra (msg # 36):


Bron heard the clomping hooves and the swing of the spear. His well practiced reflexes did not allow him to avoid the blow, but keep it from hitting his neck. That would have been serious damage, but it just struck his back. Allowing for a nasty bruise as opposed to a strain or broken spine.

He rolled on the wet earth, coming up in an animal like stance. As if he was about to spring at the mounted lord. The look of pain and rage in his face making Bron seem somewhat less than human for a moment.

Even as his muscles tensed to spring, he noticed Ashara. That was no pirate he would be attacking. It was her kin-and if he harmed him, she would know him as Bron the beast-not Bron the man. It was important to him for the one person who did not look upon him with fear to not regard him as an animal.

So he straightened himself, cracked his neck, and flexed his fingers. "You strike well my lord when trying to harm someone not paying attention to you. It might go a bit different now...but then, you would be striking down someone who wanted to insure your kin's health. Do you plan on trying again? Let me know, so I can be ready this time..."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Tue 28 Oct 2014.

The dark-haired woman watched as Fatimah left without so much as a word towards her; Cyra's expression was more surprised than anything else, as though she were not accustomed to being so ignored. "Not much for compliments, your cousin." But she turned back to the task at hand over the roar of the wind, "Thank you, dear sister," Cyra said, smiling brightly at Ashara, "Now if brilliance could neuter storm, we be warm as well."

The woman from Myr spent the majority of the journey fervently avoiding horseback, and whenever a horse came too close to her she would visibly flinch. Once after a thunderclap the scare was bad enough she'd curse in Myrish, her words as colorful as her pirate's face. At first the storm and the lands were a novelty she cherished, but after a few days hard travel the novelty began to wear thin; if it weren't for the sunny company of Ashara and Dio her Westerosi might have turned colorful as well. Her fine, but thin, clothes were soaked through, and she was chilled nearly to her soul. She often spoke aloud to her companions of the delights of heated strawberry cider, fire-heated feet, and exaggerated stories to help them sleep easier at night. Speaking the words seemed to ward off the chill and bring a candlelight to her eyes--it was too wet for anything more.

When Bron stepped up to give his skin-armor to Ashara, Cyra watched the exchange for a moment with narrowed eyes, but they eased and she allowed herself to drift slightly further, giving the two privacy by distance, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She had turned to say something to Dio when she flinched away at the sound of hooves coming so close to herself, and the thuds of weapon against man and man against ground drew her attention. Drawing herself up, confident that most everyone else would be more intent on the man with the weapons than on her loss of composure, she raised an eyebrow at the blatant attack.

Cyra snorted. "Had I known kindness was so punished, you'd have been drawn and quartered years ago," she said to Dio in Myrish. The last was punctuated with a playful elbow to his ribs. "What a boar."

Ashara laughs at her reflection and blushes as Bron pulled off her helmet. She had smiled and opened her mouth to reply when her uncle came charging in. She gasps in shock as Ser Hassan hits Bron.
"Uncle, stop it!" Ashara pleads. Ordinarily, she likes how protective her uncle is, but at the moment he frightens her. "Nothing improper was going to happen."

"Bron, don't talk that way to a knight" she chides. It wasn't respectful, but more importantly, it wasn't safe with her uncle in the move he was in. "There isn't going to be any more fighting." I wish I could reassure Bron, but that would just make uncle angrier.

Fatimah is rather stunned. She's frightened too by her father's outburst. This was not the time to fight. A storm, potential enemies, the need to get to cover. All over teasing Bron. And now Bron was being insulting. We should get to shelter and safety. We don't want to be ambushed in the middle of this maddening weather! Fatimah yells, doing her best to talk over the storm. If we all just pretend it didn't happen we will be fine right?

Lord Perros approaches Bron, he is on horseback - The steed is unsteady and its legs are muddy. The rain starts up again lightly soaking into everyone that was almost dry and everything is wet again.

"ENOUGH! Bron mind yourself and remember your place or the next time I will have you whipped. You service this house and you have served well to do not mistaken our kindness for weakness nor think you are family. We will respect your abilities and your ways but you will do the same, and my daughter is high born and you are not, ..... so you are not to think as her equal. And it be wise to remember that when around those north of the Boneway."

"Ser Hassan this matter is over, .... Your diligence to our family is also well received, this man will not suffer this day but if he continues you will administer the punishment that is required."


Loudly so everyone can hear clearly, ....

All of you hear my words - Hear this and know it well! We are not in Dorne any longer your actions are a reflection of me and 'My House' know that your indiscretions will be handle accordingly, ....

This will be my only warning!
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:40, Wed 29 Oct 2014.

Bron glanced over at Lord Perros, and exhaled. Trying to calm down and not retaliate. Last man who laid hands on him had been dealt with firmly-but this was the south. The Lords where allowed to abuse anyone under them whenever they wished. He considered briefly leaving at first light-leaving these people to whatever fate awaited them. However, that was just pride talking. Still, why stay when he could expect such treatment?

That is when he noticed Sundancer sitting in a tree branch. Normally the bird sheltered itself when the rain came. It could see the storm clouds from far away-and made sure to avoid them. However, the animal was always there when he needed him. Somehow. He looked on the animal, and it shook its head back and forth, as if saying no.

It was insane to take guidance from a bird. However, he had been doing so all his life. He had never been steered wrong-although the connection between events and the eagle was tenuous at best. Without Sundancer,  it would be too frighting being in a world without anyone watching out for him at all...

"As you command, my Lord." He said, bowing to Lord Perros. He ignores Hassan, trying not to add to his own frustration. However, if that man touches him again-knight or no knight, Bron would make sure he regretted it. At least it made him feel better to say it in his own head, if not out loud.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Wed 29 Oct 2014.

Ashara is dismayed by all the trouble she caused Bron and her family. She gives Bron an apologetic look. She nods to Fatimah and rides slowly over to Cyra. She whispers to Cyra
She rides over to Lord Perros. "Father, Bron is loyal to this family. It's me you should be angry at. I was teasing him. All Bron did was give me a compliment. I'm sorry I caused you trouble" she explains quietly so the others won't overhear, looking apologetic. A very sweet compliment, too. I never realized Bron was so romantic...

That didn't work. That definitely didn't work. I see what he means by representing, but there weren't people to watch and the storm is here... Fatimah's horse trots behind her father, and she does her best to look suitably embarrassed.

Aislin who was riding upon the horse near Perros watched as lady Ashara rode up. "Please allow me to talk to her Perros, I have a more... gentle touch." Ashara's aunt looked her over and shook her head, "What are we going to do with you my dear." She grabbed for Ashara's hand to console her as they rode, "You must understand Ashara, what he did, even helping you as he did was a major breach of Etiquette," Ashara knew that Aislin was referring not to what he did, but the way he did it. "The line must be set now, we are not in our own lands, and if people see you cavorting around with a man, let alone a northern bastard, then rumors will start. You can not have a future with him even if you want one, you are High Born and he is not. A man such as him would not be able to provide for you. Let me smooth things over with your father," Aislin looked back in the group at Bron, "Had he not saved your life it would not have surprised me if your Uncle had hit him with the proper end. Do not disappoint the family Ashara."

"Aunt Aislin!" Ashara greets Aislin hopefully. She was very fond of her aunt, as fond as she was of her uncle Hassan. And talking to her beloved aunt was certainly better than facing her father.
"Bron asked very politely if he could help me, and I agreed. I really was freezing. And I was teasing him. If anything improper occurred, it was my fault and not his. Father and uncle Hassan can be cross with me, I deserve it, but they shouldn't be angry at a loyal shield of House Kolwyn." Ashara explains.
Ashara blushes when the talk turns to marriage. "We, we were not 'cavorting'" she replies, flustered. "I... I don't intend to disappoint my family." she adds sadly. Ashara sighs Bron's valorous and kind and saved my life... but he's not highborn and it's not my choice. What should I do? It had always seemed so easy to do what was proper before...

Bron watched from afar at Ashara's discomfort. He could accept the noble's treatment-after all, they believed themselves better than others. It's that thinking that led to his mother's fate. Why argue with them? He was free-and they where trapped by oaths, and duty, and willful blindness. In the end, only Bron decided his own fate-even if it was to stay with these people.

But Ashara...she was not like them. She had compassion for people, and enjoyed her life. Her enjoyment was based on other's happiness, unlike most people. Now she was trying to shield him from her family.

If Bron was becoming a threat because of his existence, then he had to leave. Ashara would be punished because of her family's fears. They wanted to marry her off to some useful lord, who's land they could use. No matter what she wanted.

Maybe I should not have returned her to her family. He thought for the first time. Maybe this is a worse jail then the one she was in.

Cyra did her best to keep her face composed despite the goings-on, fighting down an expression of both parts wonder and revulsion, as though she were watching a play. Each part, from the disapproved lover to the lordly men protecting a daughter's virtue. It couldn't have been better if the whole scene was planned. She had little doubt that Bron had just given these wounded noblemen an excuse to exercise power and control, despite the fact they were licking wounds they weren't sure they had. If anyone had been watching, he would have gotten an eyeful of the Kolwyns, and a mindful of how they used their power.

Ashara's approach pulled Cyra out of herself and she listened closely, nodding. She reached out a hand at first to take the large bearskin off of the lady's shoulders, but she paused for half a moment, thought better of it, and just laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "As you wish," she said in her heavily accented Westerosi. And she watched as Ashara went off to dutifully take her chastisement. She turned away, hiding a snort and a chuckle.

Steering her horse, with some difficulty, Cyra went until her horse was next to Bron, her leg would have brushed his arm if he did not take a step back, but she did not dismount, appearances being what they were. "Your bird not fly 'way." It was a statement, not a question, "Not behavior of wild thing in storm." She studied his face as she said this as though she were trying to read a familiar story in an unfamiliar language.

In reply to Cyra Vyraes (msg # 48):

Bron indeed had been focused enough on the distant goings on of Ashara that he did not notice Crya's horse until it brushed by his arm via her leg. He glanced up at her. "Ummm...what?" He looked at Sundancer, who was staying dry under the tree canopy. "Er...yes. He knows where his treats come from..." He waved off the bird like it was an annoyance. Sundancer cawed, but did little else.

After the events unfold with few not realizing what was even happened, ..... most of the procession just pushes forward with their heads down to shield from the rain. Soon a break in the clouds and over a small ridge a clearing just outside Blackhaven. Riding up to meet the caravan a unit of Dondarrion men, bearing the sigil of a forked purple lightning bolt on black field speckled with four-pointed stars. Their equipment looks a bit mixed and matched except for their shields and helms. The rain seems not to trouble them as they seem to feel at home with the rain on their faces and their hair knotted and soaked. Lord Perros and his guards move to the forward to meet these men. Horses side by side with no signs of a threat they converse on horseback, both sides nodding in agreement as the Dondarrion men head back to Blackhaven proper and Lord Perros returns to the caravan.

"Over there on that hill crest we will set camp. The lord has extend a few to stay in Blackhaven."

"Ashara, Cyra, and your guards, ..... Ser Hassan pick 4 others to join us to ride now into the city. House Dondarrion will respect the "Nobles Call" and the right for food and shelter this day. "

Lord Perros then rides to the wagon holding his dear wife and a few house servants. He leans into the tarp and speak to his Lady, "Driver follow us into Blackhaven."

4 of the Lord's personal guards escort the small group as they head down to the city.

In reply to Bron Snow (msg # 49):

"Your bird more wisdom than you. Know who give your treats. Know who give her treats," she glanced meaningfully, but subtly, between Lord Perros and Lady Ashara before returning to Bron, lowering her velvet voice. "Learn to get treats and be naughty when your master not look." From beneath her sodden cloak she produced a small piece of dried meat, a ration she had stowed for the road. She urged her mount forward with tentative, unhappy hands. The horse grudgingly closed the distance between Bron and the bird's tree. Her arm was an arc of blue as she tossed the meat high towards Sundancer. A treat for a good and watchful pet. She moved off, not looking if the bird moved to catch the treat or let it fall uselessly to the ground.


Several hours later as Lord Perros relates the invitation, Cyra nodded and smiled out of sheer relief. Turning to Dio she switched to Myrish, translating for him, "We ride on to this Blackhaven. That means we get warm beds, fires, and meals tonight, maybe even a bath. Good time too, I thought this rain would wash away everything but my bones."

She moved close to Ashara, seeming ready to ride forward the moment the final selections were made, and leaned closer to her friend with a cheery grin, speaking in hushed tones.  Her hair dripped, her lips were tinged blue, and despite her efforts her hands shook from cold, but her face looked more alive than she had in days, not since the morning the storm broke.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Wed 05 Nov 2014.

"Yes, father. It will be nice to see Blackhaven." Ashara follows her father, encouraged by the prospect of shelter and rest.
Ashara nods to Cyra and takes off the bearskin armor. "Good thinking" It isn't the sort of thing she could wear to meet the Dondarrions, anyways. She shivers in the cold and rain.
She blushes and giggles at Cyra's whispers. "Oh, yes." She was growing to rely on Cyra's company as she had on Jadis'.

Want me to be one of your guards? Fatimah asks Ashara riding up next to her.

Ashara smiles at Fatimah. "Yes please, coz. I appreciate it."