A small suite of rooms has been set aside for Ser Berion and his immediate retainers. The walls are sparsely decorated, but clean, with several chests set aside for personal belongings, and a set of small statuettes of the seven set aside for private meditation and prayer.

With the feast having largely finished, most of the guests have returned to their quarters, Berion being no exception.  Unfortunately with the goings-on of the evening, he hadn't had the time to talk to his sister about recent goings ons, and that needed to be rectified.  And so he had dispatched a runner to find the young lady and bring her to the quarters provided for the Knollwoods.  Once she was done attending to Lady Gwendolyn at any rate.

As the feast died down Valen saw fit to return to his quarters, namely that of house Knollwood. The energy of the event had made him somewhat tired, but at the same time his excitement over the upcoming tourney made him awake with excitement in contrast, as such he was currently trying to balance both by eagerly taking on the chore of arranging all of Ser Berion’s belongings in their appropriate places on the room. His physique was one of the things he trusted, and honest labour was something commendable in the eyes of the Seven, as such he usually took on such work with much more enthusiasm than other squires, and with stubborness that made others call him a neat freak from time, though in his mind it was the fault of others that they left their things so disorderly that he felt the need to comment on it. He sometimes would even try to each the younger ones how to properly fold, though not too much success, he was honestly not a great teacher.

As he’s putting up Berion’s armor in a stand and setting other pieces onto nearby chests for easy access when the knight’s armor needed to be outfitted in the coming days, his mind returned to the tourney. Noticing how his master had called for his sister and not knowing whether he’d be staying around during that time he felt it was the better time to ask, he had also done enough work to likely not be scolded for wanting to talk, “I tried learning more about who will be frequenting the lists but I’m afraid there weren’t many involved with such talks in my table and it felt inappropriate to go around asking, do you know who you’ll be facing Ser?” His face made it evident that he was eager to see Berion compete as much as he was for the possibility of participating in the Squire’s tourney. Valen personally held Berion’s abilities in the highest regard, and even when the older fighter went into the training ring it was already enough to make him watch his every move attentively, the thought of being by his side preparing his equipment for the tourney and watching him win filling his mind.

Alyssa had enjoyed the welcoming feast immensely, and proved to be in no particular hurry to attend her brother’s request. She had enjoyed both the surface - the courtesies, music, and fine foods of the Lychester table (though, she suspected, the Wylde purse).

She had enjoyed the deeper layer even more; the intricacies of who was seated where, the veiled and weighted comments. Even the nuances of what was left unsaid, and which seats were empty.

“I hope I did not keep you waiting long” she said, sweeping in at no early hour. She took in Valen at a glance before adding, “Naturally I had to wait for my lady to dismiss me for the evening. When last I left her, she had yet to grant her favour to any man, knight, or squire,” she added giving Valen a wink.

"Entirely understandable, so don't worry in the slightest.  And as for who I'm facing, I can't say that I know yet.  I'm sure we'll see the list posted soon enough."

Gesturing to an open chair just across the room from where he was seated, Berion continued  "Take a seat and try to rest for a moment Valen, goodness knows when my dear sister will grace us with her presence, and the next few days will be long ones.  A tip from an old soldier, never turn down the chance to rest or eat, for you never know when it will be the last opportunity you have for the foreseeable future."

As they waited on Alyssa to finally appear, between quick cat naps Berion shared what information he had gathered with his squire.


It wasn't until Alyssa burst into the room that Berion cracked an eye open as he fixed his sister with a knowing look and shot the young woman an amused-looking smirk before replying.  "Duty neither makes nor needs excuses dear sister.  But I do hope that Lady Gwendolyn wasn't too harsh a taskmistress and you were able to enjoy yourself.  And oh?  And how about the other ladies of the court?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Sun 12 Dec 2021.

“Lady Gwendolyn is by no means harsh, but she is… thorough.” Alyssa nodded to herself.
“Most contenders and ladies hold back, as this is the first event of the season for many, and not all of the participants have presented themselves. Even though Ser Adham’s wedding is small, the most eligible houses arrive on the morrow. The Mistwoods, Banemarks, and Mallisters will be here in numbers, and Lady Iris tells me to expect even the odd Blackwood, Frey, or Darry, so there will be a fuller field to be sure.”

She smiled, a little self-consciously, “I think Ser Gareth will ask for my favour. He seems a proper gentleman, and handsome. You would not mind if I gave my favour to a natural son?”

“As for other ladies, there are many. Some of Ser Jaspers wards have given favour to one another and seem practically affianced. Ser Lyonel will wear his wife’s favour should he compete. I had expected Lady Iris to wear Ser Walton Banemark’s but his party is delayed, which seemed to strike her as significant…” Alyssa trailed off to see if she had guessed right about where he bro to we’d interest lay.
This message was last updated by the GM at 04:06, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Berion's eyes immediately opened at the talk of his sister giving out favor, and he couldn't help but smile warmly.  "You're the better judge of character than I am sis, so if he's caught your eye, who am I to refuse?"  In truth, Berion would be quite pleased with the match as Sir Gareth was an accomplished knight and his father's heir presumptive.

At the talk of Lady Iris, Berion seemed to snap entirely out of his sleepy stupor as he added "Oh really now?"

Hearing about the knights each in turn, Valen commits the names to memory, and would be sure to watch out for the more prominent ones when their time to joust came,

As Alyssa came into the room he moved towards the side of Ser Berion but a little backwards, as was an appropriate position to be referred to but hang back while Ser Berion discussed family matters. At the mention of Lady Gwendolyn not yet having granted someone her favour he was somewhat surprised that a throng of suitors had not yet pined for it, or maybe they had and he didn’t know, still he couldn’t bring himself to ask. The thought of asking for her favour was indeed prominent on his mind, a side of him imagined winning the prize with it and honoring her as well as being showered with glory. He then quickly shook his head and tried to dismiss the thought as well as try to play off the confusion, thankful he was probably not in Ser Berion’s line of sight.

It was more common for a fully fledged knight to bear a favour, and he understood that their glories reflected on who gave it, House Blackfin would benefit much more than having the one belonging to their heir assigned to him, and though he tried not to acknowledge it, Valen couldn’t the bear the thought of embarrassing her by making a poor display in a Squire’s Tourney of all things. Of course he had confidence in his skills and even believed he could win, something that’d certainly prove the worth of Ser Berion’s training and reflect well on his master as well.

When the jousts came Valen would have to deal with his own expectations of himself, trying to make Berion proud, living up to the history of martial prowess of his family that he trained so hard to fulfill, and take in his first experience of a proper Tourney, not to speak of his duties to suit up Berion and help him during his rounds. If he won glory however, he’d be more than just one of the other Squires and may even be truly worthy of asking for Gwendolyn’s favor in a future event.

Brought back from his inner thoughts to the talks in front of him he felt it wasn’t his place to interfere too much but in thanks to Alyssa’s consideration of him he decided to add some more. ”House Darry is also no short in prestige, and have a respectable martial history of their own, from what I’ve seen of Ser Gareth he may  certainly give a solid performance in your name.” Heraldic knowledge was driven into him plenty, and he hoped it could instill some more confidence in Alyssa, not that she needed it though, he thought.

At the mention of Lady Iris he can’t help but make a slightly confused expression, not knowing the context behind what might make this so interesting.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Alyssa nodded in thanks at Valen’s words and at her brother’s gesture of trust “Ser Gareth is a knight, leal and true, regardless of the traditions that deny him his father’s name. His stepbrother Daveth is squire to Ser Adham, and no more a true Darry than he is a knight,” Alyssa mused , “though I admit to my own confusion in the matter, as the boy wears Ser Lyonel’s colours and name with pride, while Ser Gareth is forbidden to do so,” she shook her head at the irony of it. “Daveth is the son of a Frey knight by Lady Alianna, a daughter of House Erenford. Daveth took Ser Lyonel’s badge as his own when his mother remarried. Ser Gareth tells me the boy is long overdue to take up a maester’s chain, but Alianna could not do without him.” Alyssa shrugged at the unusual family arrangement.
</b>
She brightened, “now cover your ears, for you are a gentle soul and I must discuss matters of the heart with my brother.”

She turned to Berion, “Iris fears that ‘her’ Walton has been seduced by the Mistwood’s daughter, explaining their delay. If she is correct, then Iris will seek another champion to bear her token. Before you decide whether you want that to be you, you must decide first whether your goal is to bed or wed her.” Alyssa laughed, but there was a serious, contemplative note in her voice, as though one might exclude the other.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:50, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Nodding as Alyssa corrected Valen "Aye, there was some family... discussion as to that matter tonight during dinner, and I was sucked into the middle of things despite my best effort"  Given Ser Lyonel’s outburst and Lady Alianna's sudden departure, it wasn't hard to put two and two together as to what precisely he was referencing.

Unable to resist snorting as his sister teased his squire, Berion mulled over her words for a moment before replying.  "Well one can't say that she isn't a woman possessed of a strong will?  And a fair enough question, though easily answered.  In my experience bedding without wedding causes far more problems than it's worth.  After all, the goal is to bring the Lychesters closer to us, not drive them away."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

When asked to cover his ears Valen couldn't help but frown, he was still of age fifteen and not as unknowing of the basic ways of the world as people liked to think of him. Still he made the movement of covering his ears in kind with a stoic face as if he was a soldier taking an order. "Covering them is not enough to stop me from hearing at this distance. He resisted speaking out any further, being overtaken by taunting was unbecoming.

When the mere of notion of Ser Berion bedding Lady Iris out of wedlock was suggested his face was filled with disbelief, before even the thought of embarassment his eyes dug into the back of Berion's head awaiting trying to peek any reaction from him. "Bedding a lady out of wedlock would be sacrilegious upon the eyes of the Seven and a terrible stain on her honour. It might have been spoken in a joking tone but there was no way the pious Valen would not take such matters seriously.

He felt relieved and nodded strongly upon Ser Berion's response to affirm it, no true knight would ever seek such things. "Such cases have broken down diplomatic relations between houses for years many times, and even feuds." When one lived among major houses, even when he was a younger such scandals reached all branches of any family that didn't keep themselves isolated from courtly talks.

OOC: I'll continue the conversation disregarding the Darry section until the corrections of the retcon are complete.

In reply to Berion Knollwood (msg # 10):

“ Oh I quite agree; unseemly, ungodly, and impractical,” Alyssa nodded, the very soul of propriety. “I would suggest that Iris is well loved by her father, and seldom suffers a want of anything - fine clothes, jewellery, servants, and until now knightly champions. One who receives such things at a moment’s notice values them little,” Alyssa noted, adjusting the cuff of the dress she had sewn herself. “And I suspect if you were to champion her she would appreciate it in the same vein as she appreciates these other things, which is to say, fleetingly.”

“I do not pretend to know Iris’s heart, but my guess would be that she values what she cannot easily obtain, which will make it all the harder for her if Ser Walton has been seduced by Selene Mistwood,” Alyssa frowned in apparent sympathy. “But this also means that the best way to distinguish yourself from the dozen or so men who will offer themselves as her champion is simply not to do so. Defeat Ser Walton in the tourney, defeat whoever Iris offers her token to, and make her wish she had chosen you in his stead. I would suggest either accepting no token at all, or one that Iris would not consider a genuine threat or rival, such as the Lady Yve Tullison..”
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:13, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Giving his squire a nod of approval, Berion smiled as he tipped his hand towards his sister in acknowledgment of her point.  "Very true.  The thrill is in the chase after all.  No hunter wants their prey to simply walk right up to them, they want to work for it, so that when they do catch it, the victory is all the sweeter.  Unless they're you perhaps dear sister, after all, I heard about your falconry exploits" he added with a low chuckle and quick wink.  He was after all just teasing the woman.  After all, given their upbringing, falconry was hardly high up on the list of pursuits.

"I trust that I can count on your assistance in this matter as always?  Seven know what mess I'd step in without it.  Court is your chosen battlefield after all, not mine."  Not that he really had to ask given that he already knew the answer, but still, it never hurt.  "I of course would be more than happy to intercede on your behalf with Ser Gareth if you'd like.  It seems the least I can do after all."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

Alyssa redenned at the mention of the falconry, “I have hardly had much chance to handle such birds before, and both Iris and Yve seems to find my attempt charming. Lyman seemed impressed that I was even willing to attempt it.” She sighed, as if uncertain of her own words, “but you are even less practiced with court nuances than I am with beastly talons - and rest assured both can rend. I shall speak with the Lady Moiraine and reassure her that any offer you make to the Lady Yve will be of quite chivalrous intent. Yve can then see it as an innocent gesture, and both of you will gain in the eyes of your peers - so long as you don’t go rolling off that horse too soon.” She smiled, glibly.

“As for Gareth,” she shrugged, “it is a simpler road to smooth, as our own family’s finished standing is no obstacle given his own humble origins. I was a little worried you would need convincing.” She admitted, with relief.

After a while of this talk of seeking Favours, Valen grew into a conflicted and tired expression, he of course didn't want to intrude into his master's courtly business unless asked for, and as such had kept himself quiet till now, but as the discussion between the siblings seemed to come into a conclusion of how they'd act he felt it was an appropriate moment.

"Forgive me if it will trouble you Ser Berion, but I don't know much of the business of seeking favours, nor do I have an idea of any possible individuals to approach. He glares at Alyssa as he says this with a plead not to comment what she finds obvious, as much as she may have been being nice by saying Gwendolyn hadn't been asked yet, Valen's position was entirely untenable on such a matter, and it went against his sense of loyalty and proper courtesy to the liege House of his knight to do so. "But as much as I tend to keep myself away from such pursuits, it would be...unwise to do so for long." It might sound surprising to hear it from someone who took so faithfully to Ser Berion's lessons of being wary and staying out of trouble when possible in courtly politics, but the knight might have expected Valen's hand to be forced.

Amid letters Ser Berion would usually receive from Valen's father in Atranta, amid question of the boy's welfare, developing skills at arms and prospects as a knight, politely veiled inquiries on whether he was making connections at court, or on the matters of possible betrothals, were surely many. Valen might dedicate himself extremely on his knightly pursuits, but clearly they weren't the most vital on his family's eyes, who probably thought just having Berion as his mentor would be enough to shape him up on that front.

Returning his sister's glib smile with a wink of his own, Berion replied "You know I could never resist you sister dearest.  And that would be much appreciated, thank you."

Rounding on his squire as the young man spoke up, Berion clucked his tongue in a chiding noise, though the wide smile plastered to his face made it plainly clear that he was doing so in hest.  "Valen, how many times must I tell you that when we're in private that you may dispense with the formalities?  And I think that finding a young lady willing to grant you her favour an excellent idea.  You're old enough to have to start thinking about that sort of thing, and Seven know that it would delight your father to no end to hear that you're thinking about more than hitting men with pointed sticks."

Glancing back over at his sister, he quickly added "What do you think Alyssa, one of your fellow handmaids perhaps?"

In reply to Berion Knollwood (msg # 16):

Alyssa exhaled sharply, “A safe choice in some ways, free of diplomatic entanglements. Appropriate for the squire of Ser Berion Knollwood, who is kin to silversmiths,” she smiled to her brother, sharing a family shame that did no harm in friendly company. “But as Valen Vance, cousin to the vaunted Lords of Atranta and Wayfarer’s Rest?”

She shook her head, “Myranda and Lanna are both too lowborn. Jenny perhaps, though the Ironborn are considered barbaric in some refined circles,” she clicked her tongue. “Lady Gwendolyn met a new ward this evening. A Mooton girl, Catelyn I believe. I do not know much of her, but the Mootons are an old house, and considered to be in the King’s favour as his brother, Prince Gambel, married old Lord Mooton’s daughter. This one must be in disfavour though, else she would not be warded with Lady Gwendolyn.” Alyssa smiled devilishly, meaning no insult to Lady Gwendolyn, but being well aware of House Blackfin’s infamy.

“A more ambitious choice would be Elinor Mallister, set to arrive on the morrow. She is sister to Edric, a girl of fourteen or so I believe. The Mallisters are well respected throughout the Riverlands for long centuries warding off the Ironborn, and well connected by marriage to House Erenford and Frey. I hear she is pretty and well spoken, but have not made her acquaintance.”

The idea of seeking favour any of the ladies who were constantly around Gwendolyn was an entirely uncomfortable idea, whether he failed or succeeded it smelled like trouble nevertheless. "Unfortunately I think what my father wants is more towards the diplomatic side than anything else." Valen notably didn't show too much of any reaction to Alyssa speaking of House's Knollwood origin, time and time again new nobles were made through their feats, and that was something he admired in Knighthood, so Valen would never think less of his knight's House because of it.

At the mention of the Mooton girl he gets pensive, considering the circumstances. "House Mooton also has notable economic power which puts it at a somewhat balanced status to mine, though our standing comes out of extense of land and armed forces instead." Not yet fully able to put his heart in the matter, Valen was at least smart enough to look at the situation properly, trying to set himself up to fail out of his stubborness would be foolish, and he'd already avoided this for too long because of it. Though it was best to not make assumptions without base, the two should at least be in more similar personal positions, even though she's from the main line he was a cousin. He knew all too well how dynamics within a large family were constantly at change.

At the mention of Mallister Valen shook his head immediatelly. "I have great respect for House Mallister but that's not an approach I think I should take with so little experience, it spells trouble." If Valen was one thing, he was incredibly aware of certain personal and political dynamics, the brother or uncle to a lord using his children to get in the graces of a more powerful house had a tendency to end badly. Personally Valen didn't want to risk botching any relations with one of or perhaps the most important martial house in the Riverlands.

"I think Lady Catelyn Mooton is the best choice for me to seek a Favour from, if it does not go through there is nothing shameful about a Squire riding without a favour and my father won't get to complain on my lack of effort." Seeking a favour from multiple people at the same time sounded dishonest and distateful to him so he preferred to settle on one choice.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:32, Fri 24 Dec 2021.

"Aye, I think choosing the young lady who hasn't had the opportunity to spend extended amounts of time with you is a smart move" Berion replied as he flashed his squire a quick smile and a wink.  "Though teasing aside, this Mooton girl does seem like a wise choice.  If only from a suitability perspective at least."

Blowing out a heavy breath, the knight glanced upwards at the ceiling before turning his gaze back to Valen and asking "So now that you've settled on a lucky lady, what's next?  Trust me when I say that you want to have thought it through lest you just stand there, mouth hanging open.  Learn from my mistakes and what have you he added as he winked again.

This time Valen at lets out a sort of theatric exaggerated sigh of relief to comply with Berion's joke.

The next question brings him pause. "I can't claim to know anything about her besides what I´ve already mentioned, and I wouldn't like to make it something purely based on that, I certainly don't greatly appreciate whenever someone wants to talk with me purely due to my family or position." To act without empathy and seeking only political goals towards a lady would certainly make The Mother and The Maiden displeased, thus he did not want to consider it.

"So I guess my plan is to introduce myself and ask about her in turn? Hopefully through conversation we may understand better of each other or find some common points, I too had to go through of the experience of traveling to another House's lands to be educated albeit a tad younger." Valen's best ability in conversations was usually his empathy.

"With her incoming wardship it would also be good to be properly acquainted with someone who's there or usually nearby." Now that he was thinking of it this way he could see the situation in a better light. "Certainly better than doing it solely for suitability reasons, and I don't really have the disposition to base the conversation on flattering platitudes." Too often had he heard professions of admiration or beauty from knights and squires towards ladies, while noticing how superficial those statements were.

"If that goes well then I proceed to asking for the Favour? Or do I do that from the start? What do you think of it overall." When Valen put his mind into something he certainly always put serious effort into it.

“It is not so uncommon to ask for a lady’s favour without a drawn out process of introduction. If you preferred to introduce yourself, the wedding itself may be the only opportunity, as the parade of arms will likely follow it. Many competitors will simply polish their armour, make sure their horses are presentable, and seek to avoid insulting the lady when they ask for the favour.” Alyssa summarised, rolling her eyes at the means by which men were expected to impress women

”I’ll seek an occasion during the festivities then, it may not be uncommon to ask without so, but I think it’s better that way. Though not as expressive as Alyssa, the idea of approaching someone asking for their belief and nominal support in an event such as the jousts, while having no idea who they were and trying to use just base flattery and their arms for it, was impersonal and superficial in a way, though if both parties had no chance to communicate before it might be understandable, Valen was already planning and could find the time during the wedding, so he might as well do so.

“By all means follow your sense of what is right.” Alyssa nodded agreeably.

She sighed I must soon be off. I know the Lady Gwendolyn has put much thought into who she may grant her favour to at the tourney. She would seek a promising knight from a house of greater renown than House Blackfin. With so few of the major houses in attendance, she is likely to be beset with offers from landed knights or even hedge-dwellers,” the handmaiden gave a laugh. “This is perhaps an area where you are well positioned to offer advice. Are any lesser sons of notable houses considered strong contenders in the joust to come?”

"Of course dear sister, duty neither makes nor needs excuse" Berion replied as he let out a low chuckle.  "Strong contenders from amongst the sons of the noble houses you say?  Ser Ronnel is probably the foremost among that list, though he is a bit on the older side.  Still, he's an excellent hand at the tilt, and one of the favorites to take the prize.  Beyond that, Ser Derrin Erensford, while not particularly known for his skill in the list is a rather accomplished warrior, having shown great skill when facing down Ironborn raiders.  And while he most certainly won't win, he shouldn't embarrass Lady Gwendolyn with his showing."

Alyssa smiled as Berion shared his insights into the forthcoming joust.

"Thank you brother, and with you advice tucked away I must depart. Of course I wish you all the best in the tourney to come, but if you are to lose, do make sure it is to Lady Gwendolyn's champion," she embraced Berion and turned to leave.

After the Squire's Joust, but before that night's feast

The past few days had been busy ones, leaving little room for anything but the scheduled pageantry and festivities.  However, given the various intrigues that seemed to be lurking behind the pomp and circumstance, Berion felt it important that the Blackfins and their retainers were all on the same page.  After all, despite the honeyed words, a single misstep at court could be just as dangerous as on the battlefield...

Thus, he had sent a runner asking for Lady Gwendolyn to join him at her convenience, with instructions to invite her uncle as well, provided he too was available.

OOC: There was a bit of confusion on our part, we thought that the joust was over two days.  This conversation has since been retconned to be taking place in Berion's tent
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Sun 13 Mar 2022.

Gwen made her way to the Knollwood quarters without much delay, though she'd obviously freshened up a little from the day's events. Her long, brown hair had been re-braided and hung over her left shoulder, and she wore a simple dress of pale green. Berion knew that her natural stature was well short of his, and whatever footwear was hidden by her hem likely didn't provide her any additional height.

When she saw the knight, her face brightened considerably. She acknowledged him with a subtle lifting of the fingers of her right hand. "Berion, I received your message. I'm not certain if my uncle is planning a brief rest before the rigors of the feast, but I invited him to join without compelling him to do so. I hope you enjoyed the day's activities?"

Wearing little more than a comfortable gambeson and trousers, Berion, much like the Lady Blackfin wasn't particularly dressed to the nines.  That would come later.  Berion wasn't the type to put on airs, though given that the joust was tomorrow, it was probably best that he at least try to put his best foot forward tonight.

"I did indeed Gwen, how about you?"  he replied with a smile.  It was just the two of them right now, so there was no need for formality.  The pair of them had grown up together after all.  Well, more or less at any rate.  There was still a bit of an age difference between the two of them, but it wasn't that significant in the grand scheme of things.  "I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk much since the... events of the hunt, but I figured there was no time like the present to remedy that.  Especially given everything that's going on."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 16 Feb 2022.

Gwen had remained near the doorway, having not been invited further inside. However, when it became plain that this was likely to be a session devoted to chatter both idle and not, she moved further into the Knollwood Quarters. "Indeed, there has been a lot going on. I had hoped to catch up a bit at the feast, but a bit more privacy is likely better, anyway."

She looked to Berion for direction on sitting, standing, wine, or water, but considered some of those idle topics to discuss before the main course. "The ceremony was beautiful, if not so well attended as one might expect. And the words were a bit more conventional than those shared by the lavender-eyed guest from the welcoming feast."

Gwen smirked slightly, apparently slightly amused by something she'd said.

Chuckling, Berion gestured for Gwen to find a seat wherever she wanted as he replied "Noticed that too did you?  I expected most of the peerage to jump at the first opportunity to get out and show off after a long winter, but it seems that circumstances have conspired to prevent quite a number of folks from attending" he added, smirking slightly.  There were plenty of absent well-wishers after all, amongst them, the most prominent names in the Riverlands.  "And yes, the welcoming feast was certainly... memorable, to say the least.  It certainly set tongues to wagging, that's for sure."

Letting out an amused chuff, Berion glanced about the room before his eyes settled on the pitcher and cups standing on the table next to him, seemingly causing the knight to finally remember his manners.  "I must apologize for being so rude as to completely forget to offer immediately, but better late than never I suppose.  Can I get you anything Gwen?  Afraid it's just water for me.  Busy day tomorrow and what have you."

Gwen took a seat in one of the plush chairs that adorned the Knollwood Quarters. She crossed her legs neatly as she settled in, providing a glimpse of the soft, white leather that covered her feet. An amused smirk drew at her lips at the question of what they should drink. "I may be busy on the morrow as well, but not in the same way as you. A bit of Arbor gold if it's an option?"

While awaiting the knight's response Gwen gestured through the open door. "Indeed, I was expecting the passageways to be bustling with energy and so choked with traffic that I'd have to allow extra time to get to the feasts."

She waited for the knight to sit closely so that they could speak quietly enough that they wouldn't be overheard by any eavesdroppers. "Of course there are some rumors as to why. Financial problems are one such rumor. Another is that preferred company played some part. I also do wonder about the lack of Conningtons in attendance. Have you seen many around?"

The heiress half-shrugged. "Of course some of those not in attendance make your job a bit easier on the morrow. The lists will be a fair bit simpler to navigate, I should think. Speaking of, and before I forget, under no circumstances are you to show any favor to my chosen champion should you meet. Regardless of anything else going on here, I won't turn what should be a fair competition into a farce."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Wed 16 Feb 2022.

Fetching Gwen a glass of wine, Berion took a seat next to the woman and listened quietly.  At the mention of the Conningtons, the knight nodded.  "Not a one.  And I haven't seen a single representative of the Brackens aside from us.  Also, you mentioned financial problems?  Whose?"

At the mention of the following day's competition, Berion couldn't help but chuckle softly and grin as he tipped his hand to the woman by way of a concession.  "Gwen, you know I adore you, but trust me when I say, there's nothing you could do that would cause me to do anything less than my best tomorrow.  And besides, I owe Ser Robar a beating."

The heiress accepted the glass with two hands, and took the tiniest of sips. "Thank you." Gwen took a slightly longer pull before setting the drink down on a table that had been situated near her chair. She first addressed the joust. "Glad to hear you will do your best, as should everyone. And Ser Robar has a dark reputation so many will be happy should you unseat him, though not all will be bold enough to outwardly demonstrate their appreciation. Yve Tullison certainly will, though." The left side of Gwen's mouth tilted slightly as she considered the young lady who favored Berion. "Were there any squires today that didn't give their best effort, in your opinion?"

Her volume dropped a bit as she returned to discussion of rumor and hearsay. "As for lack of finances, I have heard a few things. Lord Lyman's poor health is plain for all to see, but his treasury also seems to be in poor health. I've heard more than one comment about it in recent days. His lands are seemingly in need of investment, his debts are mounting, and at a guess he doesn't seem to be sleeping all that well."

The Blackfin heiress paused and pressed her lips together for a moment. "I am trying to ally ourselves with the Lychesters, at least as far as Riverthorn goes. Though I admit to a little concern about what I've heard. And I wonder at all the refusals. I am unsure if those have largely been truly polite to avoid added expense of housing and feeding more, or if there is some strain between this family and others. Or if the lack of Connington presence put some people off, though they'd have had to know in advance."

Gwen narrowed her eyes. "I am a little worried that something sinister is afoot here and we are stuck in the middle of it. And without the Brackens, as you've noted, our allies are few enough though not entirely absent."

"Bastard lamed Bucephalus a month or so back, so even if the man's reputation were pristne, I'd want to see him kissing dirt."  Berion replied with a slight grumble.  At the mention of Yve Tulison, the knight's mouth twisted into a wry smile and he arched an eyebrow in a quizzical manner before continuing. "Speaking of the good Lady Tulison, has my sister bothered to loop you into her plans then, or must I?"

Listening to Gwen's comments about their host's finances, Berion fell silent for a minute. Brow furrowed, his demeanor became rather pensive as he quietly processed the information before finally piping up, his voice low, lest they be overheard.  "Interesting.  And it certainly puts a number of things into perspective.  After all, this marriage certainly came out of the blue, and did you notice how none of her family was present?  It could easily make a man draw any number of conclusions at any rate."

However, mirth quickly returned to the knight's face as he continued.  "As for allying ourselves with the Lychesters, I'd say that we've made a decent enough start with that.  The events of the hunt being what they were that is.  And if things continue, I suspect our houses should become much closer in the near future.  Hopefully at any rate."  At this, Berion exhaled heavily, seemingly steadying himself before adding.  But yes, I agree.  We've certainly stepped into the middle of things.  The politics of the situation aside, I fear we haven't seen the last of that warg and their beasts.  Promise me that you'll carry steel with you going forward?  I don't doubt the sincerity of the Lychester's hospitality mind you, only their ability to see it through."

Gwen nodded at the reasoning for Berion's apparent disgust. "I hope that the lists are arranged to allow you that opportunity, then. And while I am no expert in jousting, be careful with your emotions should you face Ser Robar. He seems the sort to use whatever advantage he can get, and tugging at the strings of your anger could be the route to advantage he will use."

The heiress took another small sip of the Arbor gold, enjoying the fruity flavor without imbibing much of the alcohol. Her voice remained low and quiet. "And yes, I noticed her family was notably absent. It does make one wonder, but Connington is not a house that anyone involved would want to annoy, Lord Bryce being Master of Laws and all. Ser Jasper would have to be complicit, and I'm not inclined to believe he would wish anything ill of one of his wards, so if anything is odd I'm inclined to think he is doing something to help Sylvia. As you say, though, it does make one wonder. Alternatively, the marriage could have included an infusion of needed monies for the host family." Gwen paused and considered. "There are many possibilities at this point, so I suppose the conclusion is to keep your ears and eyes open. Hurried marriages out of the blue also make one wonder what the woman has been doing in private while far away from her family, of course, so I suppose we shall see how quickly the next in the Lychester line appears."

Her face darkened briefly. "Lychester needs money, Connington has some, and Connington and Jasper want a daughter that has not kept her legs closed to have the life they'd always envisioned for her?" She shrugged. "Idle speculation, of course, but some of the pieces fit. Let's not spread this one around, though, Berion. I'd not impugn her honor based on idle speculation. And if that's the secret, I feel better about these plottings not being so sinister."

The brunette smiled at the knight as she returned to the subject that seemed closest to his heart. "As for Yve, I am too young and naïve to give you advice concerning your heart, but please have a care. Your sister outlined your plans, of course, and I believe she is looking out for the best interests of your family. Your tactics generally seem sound, though I suggest that you proceed slowly and make certain you understand the person you are courting. Lady Iris seems a very lively young woman, with an infectious amount of energy and zeal for life. There are many men who are well-mannered, skilled at arms, strong, and handsome. But the key to Iris' heart seems to be the spice that one can add to life. For you, that means the way to separate yourself from the others is on the dance floor. That is your true battleground, Berion, not the lists. Though you obviously want to be competitive with lance as well."

Gwen's comment about Ser Robar drew a barking laugh from the knight, his whole body shaking in obvious amusement. "You sound like me when I'm lecturing one of the boys!  I always tell them that anger and unchecked aggression clouds your judgement and gets you killed.  Seen that more than enough to know better, so don't worry, I'll do my best to keep a level head tomorrow."

Falling silent as the Blackfin heiress laid out potential theories surrounding the wedding, it wasn't until the mention of some sort of exchange that he tapped his nose twice in rapid succession, making his agreement with her theory quite clear.  "I'd be inclined to agree.  But as you say, it's just idle speculation, and besides, even if it is true, what does it matter?  Their families are obviously happy with the arrangement, and thus it is no business of anyone else's."

The talk of Iris brought an extremely faint tinge of red to Berion's cheeks, but he nodded his agreement once more.  "As always, thank you for your sage counsel.  But don't worry, I'm not about to rush headlong into the thick of things without thinking.  Well, certainly not with you and Alyssa around to guide me at any rate" he added with a chuckle.  "But yes, your point is well taken, thank you.  If of course, you're able to find out anything that would help me understand the good lady better, I would appreciate it.  Now of course, I simply need to brush up on my dancing skills.  I wonder if I can make one of the boys practice with me..." Flashing a quick wink to Gwen, Berion fell silent for a moment, obviously lost in thought.  Small wonder, she had given him quite a bit to think about after all.

Gwen merely nodded at Berion's statement that he wouldn't let anger cloud his judgement. She trusted the knight to be above that, and certainly hoped he would triumph. The Blackfin heiress bit her lip briefly at the knight's question about what should be done if her hypothesis were true, though happier points of discussion quickly caused her to brighten considerably. "I'll continue to keep my ears and eyes open where Iris is concerned, though I think the general rules are that you should dress well, demonstrate nobility, excel where you can, and act honorably in all things. But be memorable, and by the gods, do not be memorable for being dull. She is energetic and lively. I think she wants similar in her husband."

"As for you practicing your dance, most boys won't be the right height nor shape, nor will they move properly. Given that your sister is working with you on this, perhaps she will be the best choice of practice partner? I can certainly remind you of the steps and give you criticism when you stumble." She pointed to his feet. "Your feet will have to remember the steps well enough that you can find places to add your own bit of creativity without causing the entire routine to break. It would be poor form to forget that Yve is also there and trying to stay in routine." It was easy to say, but her tone made it clear she considered it somewhat difficult to accomplish. "Oh, and make sure to smile, a lot. That grin you often wear can brighten anyone's day."

Gwen steadily raised the wine to her lips again and took another sip. Like the previous sips, more for the taste than the contents of the liquid. She set it aside and leaned in, dropping her voice again as she didn't want to be overheard. "If my wild speculation is accurate, and I'm not saying it is, but if it is, it will matter to more than just the families involved. First, you assume that Ser Adham is complicit, but what if he is not? Is that why Lord Lyman looks like he has barely slept in a month? And then let's look forward to the birth of Sylvia's first child. If the gods are kind, it will be a sweet girl with curly, strawberry locks who eventually has several blond brothers. But what if the first child looks like Ser Konrad Storm, as an example. You and I won't be the only ones wondering, at that point, and then there is every possibility that a bastard inherits Castle Lychester. And if that should happen, there might be a fight for succession here and that would destabilize the entire local area. A local area that will include your family seat, plus Blackfin Den, and, gods-willing, a reinvigorated Riverthorn."

The brunette's face clouded again. "To some extent you are right in that we could keep our noses out of other families' business. But we are all lessened when a bastard inherits, and the fighting it could cause would strike awfully close to home. Not that there's anything we can do about it at this point except deal with the consequences should the worst come to pass." She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. "That's not to say I wouldn't be sympathetic to everyone involved. If no one is the wiser, the deals made to save the Lychester family's finances and Sylvia's honor are done between senior members of their households who are trusted with their best interests. If done between adults where everyone is aware of what agreement they are making and why, then like you say, is it really our business?"

Arching an eyebrow at Gwen, Berion chuckled.  "You can say many things about me friend, but being dull or unmemorable isn't one of them.  Still, your point is noted, thank you."

At the mention of one of the boys helping him, the knight lost his composure and began laughing uncontrollably.  Clutching his sides so as to steady himself, Berion's grin went ear to ear as he replied "Gwen, you didn't think I was serious did you?!  Of course I'll force poor Alyssa to suffer through it, not them.  Assuming you're willing to part with her for a bit sometime soon that is.  And worry not, I shant forget the good Lady Yve, regardless of how anything else turns out."

As the talk shifted to bastards and succession, the mirth on Berions features quickly faded, his expression becoming far more somber.  "Fair enough.  Seven willing that this is little more than a minor scandal at best, and that the two have a long and happy marriage.  And many many blonde children."  However the talk of a reinvigorated Riverthorn caused him to arch an eyebrow in Blackfin heiress' direction.  "Riverthorn eh?  Do you know something I don't then?  Beyond the obvious I mean" he added with a chuckle.

Gwen quirked an eyebrow at Berion's profession of 'not being dull' as if to say she would be the judge of that. "Alyssa is your sister first and foremost, at least until she weds. Though once her feet ache from being trodden upon too often, there are others I can make available." She was satisfied with the single warning about Yve, and was apparently happy with Berion's response.

When the knight wished many blondes upon the wedded couple, Gwen raised her glass to that sentiment. "From your lips to the gods' ears." She didn't feel the need to add any more fuel to that fire, having spoken at more length than she liked. Rumors were one thing, rumors built on rumors built on rumors...she didn't like spreading those overfar.

"Ah, yes, Riverthorn. Apologies for not speaking with you earlier about my plans, but the seed I planted hadn't even sprouted above the surface when last we spoke." Gwen made a twirling movement of her hand that generally seemed to encompass Castle Lychester. "Our host family has noticed that there seems to be a concentration of outlaws that have taken root in Riverthorn. It is one thing to have a few bandits using the woods as cover, something completely different when they have a stronghold. Lord Lyman was hoping for some support in recommending the re-settling of those lands. I think that would be of help for everyone nearby. More, I'd like to have a Blackfin in Riverthorn, as even if sworn to Lychester we will have friendly relations on our border for decades to come. Bryn is unwed and unpromised, so I suggested to Lord Lyman that a union between him and Saerai Paege would solve a lot of problems. She could continue her family line and Riverthorn could avoid any future conflicts over ownership. Bryn will be an excellent steward of the lands and his family will hold a title. That a Blackfin will be there allows us to reasonably provide Blackfin military support and receive some benefit from the investment. And we all get rid of the outlaws."

The Blackfin heiress re-settled her braid over her left shoulder. "Much more work to be done here, for certain. Thus far I've reached agreement with Lord Lyman and broached the subject with Bryn and have his tentative agreement. Ser Jasper and Saerai would be next. Of course Darvil received her favor for the tournament, but I'm not certain that's a bad thing, as her acceptance seemed to be focused on appreciation for our family. It seems the most likely sticking point with her is that she is considering giving her life to the Faith rather than carrying on the work of her family." Gwen pressed her lips together. "Whether that is because she didn't think someone would help her retake Riverthorn remains to be seen."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Thu 17 Feb 2022.

Chuckling at the insinuation implied by Gwen's look, Berion grinned.  "Much obliged my friend.  Though I can't promise that she won't hate you after this, so on your head be it."

At the talk of Riverthorn the knight fell silent for a bit, his expression pensive.  Given the state of things, it was likely that the Knollwood levies would be doing the majority of the heavy lifting during any sort of conflict.  It's not that the Blackfins lacked a military force, but the majority of their resources were tied up in their fleet, and thus, they were forced to rely on the banners to provide the bulk of any forces they might muster.  "I had heard some rumblings about banditry, but it's good to hear that there are plans to deal with it.  And your cousin wed to Lady Saerai you say?  It's certainly a a logical decision, and one where everyone wins" he replied, giving an approving nod.

"You of course know that you can, as always, count on my support in this endeavor."  Not that it needed to be said given that they were sworn banners of the Blackfin, but it never hurt to make the fact quite clear.  "And truth be told, given the circumstances, I'm quite pleased for the opportunity to leave Lord Lyman with a good impression."

Gwen smiled and nodded at Berion’s approval. ”I’m glad you approve, as we both know that you and your house will be crucial to any military efforts. I will add that this is an opportunity to wipe out bandits plaguing Lychester lands. Should you present yourself before the Lychesters covered in Glory from such beneficial military exploits, well, I would think Iris could be impressed by that.”

Her face clouded briefly, though her tone was inquisitive rather than troubled. ”What did you make of Ser Ramsbold’s report upon his arrival? And more, do you have an opinion of him?”

Chuckling, Berion tapped his nose by way of reply, making his agreement with the Blackfin heiress quite plain.  "The thought had crossed my mind, yes.  As for Ser Ramsbold, I trust what I say does not leave this room?"  Waiting just a moment for Gwen's acknowledgment, the knight continued.  "I think he's a brave man and loyal servant of your family.  Even if he is more than a little brash and impatient.  As for his report, I must admit that it gave me pause.  He mentioned seeing a band several scores strong, perhaps more. That by itself is rather notable, if only because bandits and their ilk don't usually gather in those sorts of numbers as they're a disorganized, fractious lot, who usually lack any sort of centralized leadership.  Beyond that, it's simply a lot of mouths to feed, clothe, and house."

Pausing only to take a sip of water, Berion quickly continued.  "Any man who has been to war will tell you that battles are won long before you take the field.  The numbers and quality of the men, the terrain, and the supplies they have.  Now, most armies have supply chains to provide them with anything that they are not able to acquire via forging.  But these men don't have that luxury, they're bandits after all.  And for a force like this to winter in Riverthorn, they'd have to be immensely well supplied.  Supplies that, given the state of the things, should be next to impossible to procure simply from the surrounding lands..."  Leaving the implication unsaid, Berion finally fell silent, his expression pensive.

Gwen nodded at the request for discretion, then smiled at what she suspected was insinuation. “I am not yet wed to Ser Ramsbold, so his loyalty is still Bracken first. He is on my father’s short list which is why I asked your opinion of the man. As turnabout is fair play, I’ll further ask you to keep your eyes and ears open for anything concerning him. Though mostly I want you to consider how you would feel about him as Blackfin’s Lord Protector. And Ser Derrin as well, of course. I don’t need to tell you how significant this decision will be.” Gwen hadn’t previously sought outside counsel on this, but she obviously placed a great deal of trust in Ser Berion.

She quirked an eyebrow when considering the bandit troubles. ”Easiest way to supply Riverthorn is, well, by the river. Are you thinking a blockade may be in order? Uncle Thoren will be excited by that prospect I’m sure. It won’t necessarily tell us who is behind the supplies, though perhaps it will give some clues.” Gwen also had her own sources of information concerning what happened on the river. She would likely consult with them on her return.

"My lady, Ser Berion," he said in greeting to the both of them.

"Apologies for the late entrance. I had a few conversations to wrap up before I could get away. Now, I could be wrong, but I thought I heard something about a prospect that might excite me. What is this now?"

Berion's reply died in his throat as Gwen's uncle entered the conversation.  Waving the man in with a smile, the knight stood and extended a hand in greetings as he quipped "How many times must I tell you that there's no need for titles amongst friends?  And we were discussing the matter of Riverthorn.  I was busy speculating wildly about the nature of the bandit problem.  Namely that given their numbers and the recent change in seasons, there remains the potential of outside assistance of some sort, else they'd have likely long since run out of supplies."

Gwen grinned as her uncle appeared. She nodded at Berion’s greeting and waited for her uncle to take a seat before adding her own emphasis. ”Your name came to the fore because my speculation is that the bandit’s supplies likely came by water. Thus if we are to sever their supply lines, a naval blockade may be in order. If we commit to that, you would be my choice to lead our forces.”

Gwen considered what else they’d discussed, then provided a condensed version for Thoren to digest.

OOC: Basically, Thoren, feel free to read through the above and assume Gwen passed along the gist.

He clasped Berion's hand, and then clapped the knight on the shoulder before seating himself with the both of them, his presence obviously being at ease belying his earlier formality. Listening to Gwen's summary of what he had missed, Thoren took in the information quietly and dispassionately, as he was wont to do, digesting what was told to him, integrating it with his own thoughts, and thinking about what to say in response.

"Supply by river when possible given the options offers an edge with regard to safety and security with respect to the transport of goods. It requires many more men and resources to waylay river supply, whereas a small group of brigands can disrupt a wagon train more easily - and it is easier to avoid attention on the water than it is on land. I'm inclined to agree that for that number to subsist in Riverthorn, they would have need of outside supply, and that it is likely such supply comes by river," he said.

"A blockade would be good, and not only for cutting off the supply. If we intercept the supply, we could learn who is sending it. That would give us some information on the stakes and the parties involved, and what we might be up against. If we're committed to this endeavor...and I agree that this provides as good an opportunity for House Blackfin to expand it's footprint...we will need all the information we can get."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

Taking another sip of his drink, Berion fell silent as Gwen brought her uncle up to speed.  It wasn't until Thoren had finished sharing his thoughts that the knight spoke once more.  "I'm glad we're in agreement.  Though it also strikes me that given some of the contacts that the Blackfins have amassed over the years amongst the law-abiding river folk, that we might be better positioned than most to find out just who might be supplying these ne'er-do-wells.  As you say, we need all the information we can get" he replied, flashing Thoren a smile and approving nod before turning to Gwen.

"The good news is that spring muster was started some weeks ago, so it won't take long to mass our forces, if and when you desire it.  And besides, this seems precisely the sort of thing needed to shake the rust off the men after a long winter."

"That is a good note. The smallfolk that live along the river - especially closer to Riverthorn - may be informed to a degree about the goings on there. Riverthorn is a few miles inland from the Red Fork, but much closer to a creek that feeds into it. If they are supplied by river, they'd have to unload here and transfer cargo into smaller craft, or move it overland at least a bit. That's going to leave a mark and make some notice."

Gwen nodded at the points raised by both her uncle and Ser Berion. "I've a few contacts that I've developed over recent years, and Father likely has more." Not to mention anyone Thoren had befriended among the river captains and crew. "We can see what turns up when we start to ask questions. Perhaps someone has seen something."

She pondered for a moment. "It seems like we will need to co-ordinate several groups. The Lychesters from here, our own naval and land forces, and likely Ser Ramsbold will want to take part as he has responsibility for the Riverroad."

Nodding his agreement, Berion sat quietly for a minute before piping up once more.  "I had something else that I wished to speak of, though I'm a touch leery of doing so given the circumstances."  Exhaling heavily, the knight turned to the Blackfin heiress and continued "Gwen, you asked me earlier if I saw any squires today that didn't give their best effort, and while I can't say with absolute certainty, I can simply say that Daveth Darry had no place in the finals.  None whatsoever.  The fact that he made it out of the first round was near miraculous, as Ayron Kettleblack is a notably better hand at the tilt."

Turning to Thoren, he added "You remember the boy during the hunt.  The young man was barely able to stay on his horse, much less control the damn thing.  And yet he makes the finals?  And then there was the matter of Valen's performance.  I've never seen him struggle the way he did, not even close.  And it wasn't because of Daveth Darry's skill in the saddle, let me assure you.  I can't quite put my finger on just what it was, but I've been at this long enough to tell you both with complete confidence that something was amiss today."

"People seemed surprised that Donmere Wallain was unhorsed so quickly. I heard some talk that Donmere Wallain complained of some fault in his equipment. Maybe there was truly something off about his kit," Thoren mused.

"I do trust your instinct that something is off, though I don't know why they would act to favor the Darry boy. Unless I'm mistaken, he's a cousin of the main line, with little chance to inherit. I think they've got at least three sons. I heard his cousin betting a fitted suit of full plate from my Lord Father's own armoury, and a castle-forged poignard to match against Daveth's making the final four. That was his wager against a mere five gold. My nephew stands to make out well from that bet. Why he publicly bet against him is anyone's guess, though perhaps to throw off suspicion that his doing well was on account of tampering...that's a possibility."

Gwen listened closely to what Berion and Thoren each had to offer concerning the earlier joust. She nodded and considered briefly, her hazel eyes focusing briefly on the wall opposite where she sat rather than on her companions. After some thought, her gaze returned to the knight and her uncle. "If there was some impropriety, I certainly hope it wasn't perpetrated by anyone in our party, though I'm inclined to think it wasn't. As far as I can tell, the only one of us who stood to gain anything from Daveth's progress was Bryn, and I doubt the prospect of winning armor from a squire's joust is enough to entice foul play."

The Blackfin heiress pressed her lips together briefly. "Still, it reminds us that there are wagers being made, and some of them rather substantial. Bryn may not have been the only one to do so." Gwen paused and took another small sip of the Arbor gold. "Obviously, Daveth stood to gain the most from a victory. A title and the ability to inherit from his stepfather could drive a person to attempt to skew results in their favor. If that were the case, one could argue the gods provided swift punishment."

Berion frowned slightly at the mention of Donmere Wallain's complaint, but remained silent, listening to the others share their thoughts on the matter at hand before speaking up once more.  Turning to the Blackfin heiress, he asked "Gwen, do you remember dinner the other night?  The exchange between Lady Aliana and Ser Lyonel about the young man's future prospects that is.  We know that passions are running high, and given the stakes, it doesn't seem too shocking to me that someone sought to put their thumb on the scale as it were."

Sighing heavily, the knight paused for a moment before adding "Truth be told, it also gives me pause ahead of the rest of the competition.  If someone was influencing earlier events, who is to say they won't try again?  Especially given that they by all accounts not only succeeded but managed to keep everyone else in the dark about their manipulations."

Gwen nodded at Ser Berion's question. "I do recall the conversation about the boy's prospects. And yes, it's certainly possible someone put their thumb on the scale, as you say. Though as my cousin stated rather succinctly, Daveth may eventually be an excellent steward of his father's estates, among other qualities. Given he would have been unlikely to be knighted in any other way, perhaps the outcome is for the best and we should wish the Darrys well and be generous with our praise for the young knight at this evening's feast."

Gwen looked back at the entrance. "It sounds like the knightly joust is about to begin. We should continue this discussion later, perhaps with Valen, Bryn, and Darvil as well."

A broad smile brightened Gwen's face and she wished the knight good fortune. "May the gods smile upon you, Berion, though we will need to take our leave."

OOC: Note that this concludes the portion of this thread that took place in Ser Berion's pavilion between the Squire's Joust and the Knight's Joust.

In between rounds Cat shows up a Ser Berion's tent. She's careful to stay out of the way, figuring her presence will draw Valen's attention when he's not immediately serving Ser Berion. Until then she waits patiently.

After checking over Ser Berion’s horse and righting some dents in his armor from the last joust, Valen returns to the tent to replace his tools and sees Catelyn to the side. He puts them down and turns toward her with a greeting.

”Hello again Lady Catelyn, what brings you here?”
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:44, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

Cat glances about subtly, but obviously to Valen and anyone paying her serious attention. She seems to be making sure no one from outside of Ser Berion's group is within earshot. Quietly so that even Ser Berion's group is unlikely to hear she says, "Can horses hear sounds we can't hear? Ser Gareth's mount seemed like it was being distracted by sounds I could not hear, maybe no one could hear. Someone may be assisting Ser Jarrack, making some sort of distraction for his opponents' mounts. Ser Berion isn't up against Ser Jarrack yet, but he could end up being later. I don't know if doing something to muffle sounds in his horse's ears might help or not, though. I'm going to try to watch and listen from somewhere better during Ser Jarrack's next match."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

Valen is surprised when Catelyn is the one to bring up this topic, maybe others in the crowds who had a better opportunity to observe things were able to also notice something weird with the horses. He responds subtly as well.

"It's a possibility but I think that's something more akin to dogs, I noticed something similar so I went around the field asking some people who worked with horses what they know can affect them, however I did not hear anything like that. It might seem hard to believe but there have been plenty of signs already of a Warg acting in the areas surrounding the castle and they might have powers that could spook or affect a horse." From the incredibly aggressive feline in the hunt to the attack in the wolves such ideas seemed a lot less unbelieavable to him now. "I think it'd be wise to observe anyone who seems stressed, strained or observing Ser Jarrak or the horses intently during the joust, he has repeatedly bowed to a certain woman who he seems to be championing for, it's a motive to aid him so it's worth paying attention to her.

He stops for a moment before continuing. "It might not be just with Ser Jarrak, I experienced something that might be related, but I'd ask that you do not talk of it further if we do not find anything, I don't want to make unfounded excuses and if it turns into a rumour it could affect others. Are you fine with that?" He seems serious and trusting of Catelyn to speak of this.

Cat listens to him. She doesn't seem at all surprised when he mentions a warg. "There is a reason I pray to the old gods and the new. The new have arrived, but the old remain. A warg was not what I'd immediately thought of, but that is a reasonable answer. I'll keep an eye out for a woman associated with Ser Jarrak. And don't worry, I'm not going to go around telling people. I wanted to let you know because it seemed like your horse was a little off, and I wouldn't want your mentor to have trouble how Ser Gareth did."

Content with the confirmation Valen continues. ”During my joust against Daveth I had more trouble controlling my ride than I’ve rarely experienced, specially with a trained one which I made sure to get acquainted with before the events. For someone who couldn’t control his horse during the hunt he beat many better riders without showing as many power with the lance as say Edric and Ofren, I suspected him of using a mare in heat but that was disproved by my change of mounts. Darvil and the others who faced him might well have experienced the same, but I’m not in a good position to question the other two as I do not know them and bringing the topic up as also someone who lost to him may well make them more unwilling to mention it, it’s easy to assume I’d plan to bring it up to dispute the result and if unconvincing any compliance from them would stain their honor as well. It’s something I don’t want for myself nor them if there’s no proof of foul play.”

Even though there were many people affected, direct evidence seemed hard to find, specially if a warg had been behind it.  “However I can’t imagine why the Warg would help both Ser Jarrak and him, both might not even be aware there was interference if the source was sorcery.”