A small suite of rooms has been set aside for Lady Gwendolyn and her immediate entourage, with separate bedding arrangements made for Ser Thoren and his squires. The rooms include fresh bedding, two small tapestries, several rugs and fresh reeds for the floor, a tray of fresh fruits and pitcher of wine set aside for personal refreshment.

Jenny returned to their rooms and laid down on her bed, allowing herself to relax after the stress of the day. "That was lovely, although I was rather nervous. Ever so exciting, I'm glad I didn't make a fool out of myself."

Myranda wore a smile from ear to ear as she followed Jenny into the quarters, and replied effusively"Such a sight, and the beautiful music as well! I know the harp is a more refined instrument, but the minstrel Sam seemed more invested in his craft, even though he played only a trouper's lute!"

She  was in many ways the least of Gwendolyn's handmaids. Her father was lowborn, having won his knighthood in service to House Blackfin. Myranda was attentive though and had learned much from Lady Gwendolyn over the years. She had also been among those who had helped Jenny avoid scrutiny following the battle with the wolves, and to find her appropriate clothing in the aftermath.

Myranda smiled at Jenny's humble comments, "You were charming! Lady Yve was hanging on your every word, and you mingled with the sons and daughters of noble houses as if it were something we did every day." Both knew that this was far from an everyday occurrence for House Blackfin, though Myranda clearly hoped that it would become more common.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

Jenny smiles at Myranda. "Oh, you're too kind. I do love the harp, but I hope I get a chance to sing." she said happily. She looked at the poem for a moment. "I guess I did make an impression."

Myranda’s eyes went round with the possibilities a hidden note might entail. “Oh my Jenny, what is it? Lord Thaddeus’s ward Isembar wrote me sweet a time or two, but the boy had no way with words. Very heartfelt, but left little to the imagination,” she nodded contemplatively, her own cheeks resending slightly. Such things were not uncommon, between the wards of noble houses, though Lord Thaddeus ensured they were always chaperoned

Lady Gwendolyn entered with her other ladies in her train. Lanna immediately set about preparing some hot tea on the nearby hearth, and Myranda joined her.

Gwendolyn naturally looked to Alyssa Knollwood as a more senior handmaiden due to her sharp wits, though the Knollwood name was not well regarded, and the two of them sat upon some cushions in the centre of the room, with Lady Gwendolyn ushering in an unfamiliar face, a maid of perhaps fifteen years, while also gesturing for Jenny to take her own seat.

“Lady Catelyn will be joining us for some time as a new ward of House Blackfin.” She informed them, abruptly “There is no need to hold back or be alarmed. She turned toward the newcomer, “Catelyn, the first thing you should know is that this is a frank and collaborative group, and so I shall open our discussion with the simple question: What have we learned?”

Jenny smiles shyly; a maiden should be modest, but she was very excited. "Some kind and very touching words from an admirer." She shows the poem to Myranda, but does not tell her who it is from. "What do you think? Perhaps I haven't set the right impression?" she asked, quite curious to know what her fellow ward would say.

When Lady Gwendloyn enters Jenny curtsies to her and takes the indicated seat. "Yes my lady. Lovely to meet you, Lady Caetlyn! I'm so glad to have you with us" she said excitedly.

"Lord Mallister’s heir won't be here. The rumor is he prefers the company of the Ironborn" she reports.

"Thank you, Lady Gwendolyn. Greetings, everyone. May the Seven and the Old Gods bless our union."

After Lady Gwendolyn's question to everyone Cat replies, "When I was finding my way here I stumbled across an odd sight. Father Mattheus and three of the Order of the Swords were secretly carrying away the woman who prophesied and passed out at dinner. They are taking her to Stoney Sept by way of Pinkmaiden. Apparently Father Mattheus wanted to keep this secret from Ser Jasper."

“I have never heard of a wrong impression leading to poetry,” Myranda giggled. “And besides, it rhymes and is about you, not every maid with blonde hair, so that is more than most men are capable of.”  Myranda’s curiosity shone almost luminously from her eyes, but she did not pursue the identity of the poet.

In reply to Jenny Goodbrother (msg # 7):

Lanna and Myranda each reported details about who had arrived and who was absent - Lanna observed that the major houses of the Riverlands seemed to be avoiding the wedding, though the Lychesters were traditionally too well thought of for that to happen. That spoke either of scandal in the wedding, or some black mark of Lyman’s reputation known only to the realm’s elite. Myranda simply observed that Lord Raylon Ravensong was one of the few true lords in attendance, and the only Blackwood bannermen to arrive early for the wedding, though she drew no conclusions from this.

Gwendolyn frowned in thought at Jenny’s response. “A troublesome rumour. If true, the Mallister’s are set for a season of distrust, and damage to their reputation. If false, then we know someone is seeking to destabilise or denigrate the Mallister heir. Their representation at the tourney will be one to watch.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise at Catelyn’s revelation, “An interesting and dangerous piece of information, that we shall not see repeated outside of this room. What does it tell us?”. She sipped from her tea, leaving the question open for Others to explore.

"Yes, my lady," Cat replies when told not to share the information further. When asked what it might imply she says, "I don't know those involved well. It would seem Father Mattheus is not on good terms with either Ser Jasper or those at Storm's End. If he seems on good terms with them, he is working secretly around or against them. I'm not really sure if he is worried Ser Jasper will suspect him for what the woman said or for the woman disappearing."

Alyssa smiled at Catelyn’s words. “You show wit with your words, and wisdom by admitting what you do not know.” Her tone carried a tinge of condescension, as if she counted her experience as Lady Gwendolyn’s handmaiden as more significant the Cat’s significantly higher birth.

She turned back toward Lady Gwendolyn, “It seems that your father’s hopes of you becoming more widely acquainted with the realm’s eligible bachelors is limited by empty seats and declined invitations. Ser Naton Serbera and Ser Walton Banemark are both well regarded heirs, while Ser Derrin Erensford and Ser Ronnel Beesbury are from well connected families and tipped to win some glory in then joust. Ser Ronnel is considered a favourite but,” Alyssa crinkled her nose, “is perhaps better suited to be a grandfather than a suitor.”

Jenny smiled at Myranda. "He was rather talented. It's nice to be an inspiration."

She gasped at Lady Caetlyn's observation. "Do you... do you think he was allowed to do that? I would think someone would have interfered."

She looked rather disappointed at Alyssa's words. "Oh dear, I did look forward to the knights coming forward to ask for Lady Gwendolyn's favor. Still, I'm sure that they'll be a few handsome faces..."