It is the first month of the Two Hundred and Ninety Ninth Year of Durrandon rule over the Riverlands and ravens have brought word of the upcoming nuptials of Ser Addam Lychester, the heir of House Lychester and Lady Sylvia Connington, the ward of Ser Jasper Wylde, the High-Reeve of Fairmarket.

As a public event, Lords from as far away as Riverrun, Seaguard, Ploughman's Keep and Atranta are welcome to attend, though most prominent among the guests will be the representatives of House Blackwood and Bracken, who have often taken an interest in the affairs of House Lychester.

No mention is made of specific celebrations in the invitation, although expectations for such an event might include Jousting, Hunting, Falconry, A Prayerful Vigil, The Ceremony itself, The Bedding ceremony, Dancing, Feasting and more.

However, some may choose to snub the event and miss these festivities, for Ser Jasper is disliked in his role as King Arrec's Tax Collector.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:09, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

In reply to The Many Faced God (msg # 1):

Lord Thaddeus sat upon his house seat within the Blackfin Den. The Great Hall was a modest affair, comfortably housing perhaps fifty souls, with room for as many as one hundred to cram inside. The ceilings had been recently aired and dusted, and fresh threshing rested upon smooth stone.

The occasion was somewhat anticipated. With the frosts given over to a spring thaw, the roads had become safer to travel, and it was expected that Lord Thaddeus would announce the first major event of the season. Many orders had gone out from his solar in the preceding weeks, but he had done little to address his wider household as a group. Many of those souls were now gathered. His immediate family, retainers, senior servants, and a handful of petitioners, their needs now met, were gathered. Tradition held that most would be dismissed after the main announcement, with a chosen few asked to remain for specific instruction.

"House Blackfin has received invitation to attend the wedding of Ser Addam Lychester," he informed the assembled group, though many had already heard the rumour. "It is my decision that I must remain at Blackfin Den to oversee the opening of roads and riverways with the spring thaw, and see to the needs of our people. I therefore ask who among you is willing to represent House Blackfin in my stead?" he inquired in a somewhat stilted tone adopted when he oversaw the business of the house.

Seeing the hesitance on the part of the others to speak up, Berion's mouth quirked upwards into a small grin.  Giving a tiny chuckle as he stepped forward to address Lord Blackfin, the knight gave a quick nod of respect to the older man before speaking.  "I had planned to attend to take part in the tournament already, and so I would be honored to represent the house my lord."

"With your leave, brother, I would be among those in attendance, helping to represent Blackfins," he said. It might have been something of a surprise. Thoren usually did not relish these events, though more and more with age he began to see them as something of a duty.

As was her custom, Gwen was seated near Thaddeus, busily taking notes on the day's proceedings, offering her thoughts on matters that were brought into Blackfin Den, and otherwise considering how the day's news and goings-on would affect the fortunes of her house.

When her father asked about who would be heading to the Lychester wedding, the heiress did not immediately respond. He knew full well that his daughter would be going. Only after some of the other voices responded did Gwen add her own. "I will also be travelling to the wedding." It was more an expected statement of fact than anything that should come as a surprise to Lord Blackfin.

Along with Gwen would come some of her friends. White Lanna and Myranda at the very least, and perhaps others. The Blackfin heiress didn't feel the need to mention them just now. Her uncle, herself, and Ser Berion were those of most importance that could represent Blackfin interests.

"By your leave, Lord Thaddeus, I would accompany my father to Castle Lychester as well," the Blackfin cousin announced formally, standing by his father's side.

"Excellent." Thaddeus announced, though his tone was hardly exuberant.

"You will each have personal effects, squires, or handmaids, mounts, and hounds to bring with you. This will make travel by boat a somewhat more difficult process to arrange, but it is my preferred route for you to take. The Riverroad through Riverthorn is still considered a dangerous road, though the plague in that region has long since run its course."

"A handful of houses: Serbera, Tullison, and Blackfin, have been invited to arrive early for the celebration, for the hunt that will precede the tourney and joust. I would have you do so, for this is a good sign that Lord Lyman and his son would prefer closer ties with us than with the Blackwood lickspittles that shall also be in attendance."

"Of course my lord" Berion replied simply, bowing his head in acknowledgment of his liege's command.  "And that is most excellent news for sure."  Glancing about at the others, he smiled slightly before adding "Unless there is something more my lord, we have quite a bit of work to do, and not much time to do it in, so I beg your leave to go prepare for the coming trip."

Gwen nodded at the logical and reasonable response from Ser Berion, though looked to her father for final confirmation that nothing else needed discussing at the moment.

Lord Thaddeus narrowed his eyes slightly at Ser Berion's words, though they had given him little to complain of.

"Of course Ser Berion, Gwendolyn." He paused a moment before adding, "You as well brother, for I would have the train both well organised and sufficient." With a wave of his hand he indicated the formal audience was over. "Darvil, walk with me a time," he gestured toward his nephew, before moving to leave the hall.

[Players should feel free to continue this scene within or without the hall.]

He nodded to his brother, clapped his son on the shoulder, and urged him on to walk with Lord Thaddeus before turning to the others.

"Let's speak on some of the matters that pertain to planning," he said to the others as Thaddeus and Darvil left, looking after them as they left the Hall for only a moment. He wondered what his brother wanted of Darvil, but trusted that it would be within all of their best interest.

"Gwen, I have come to understand that you have quite the head for numbers," he said. He privately suspected that while his brother spent much of his time in his cups in recent months, some part of the burden of House Blackfin's fortunes had been bolstered by Gwen's capability in this area, though he had voiced this suspicion to no one.

"When you are done making your own preparations, I would like to enlist your aid in organizing the logistics of our men at arms in terms of our travel to Castle Lychester. I would benefit greatly from having your keen mind at my disposal, though I think you might also learn a bit more about what fighting men need when they are transported from one place to another. It is not so different from the activities you help your lord father with."

Gwen watched her father go, and adopted an even more upright posture in her chair as she nodded once at Thoren's suggestion. Her uncle was certainly a trusted advisor in many things, and someone whose opinions she generally respected.

"I enjoy planning." This was something of an understatement. Gwen didn't like being unprepared for anything, and prided herself on having the foresight to be ready for most situations. "And I also am practiced in keeping ledgers concerning the provisioning of our household." Among other things.

"I expect this is somewhat similar to the logistics used by field commanders, though in supplying a house - we likely assume less loss and easier time replenishing than a military commander would." She smiled broadly, apparently happy with the potential intellectual challenge. "And yes, I would like to help and learn a bit more about supply lines and logistics. Consider me at your disposal, uncle."

"Excellent!  I will be bringing a small contingent of my men, provided that is fine with you?" Berion asked Thoren, arching an eyebrow in the older man's direction.  Not that he suspected that the marshal would take issue with the matter.  After all, the household guard of House Knollwood were amongst the finest soldiers in the Riverlands and their presence would undoubtedly be a boon for the Blackfin contingent.

"I'll have my steward Ryn co-ordinate with you in regards to anything you might need as I'm afraid that unlike the good Lady Gwendolyn, my skills lie more with hitting men with pointed sticks, and less with numbers and figures" he said, giving the Blackfin heiress a quick wink.

Gwen nodded at Ser Berion's question. She wanted to ask for precise numbers of people and animals, but decided that could probably be better discussed with Ryn. Her face brightened a bit at the wink from the banner knight. "That is certainly fine with me, Ser Berion. And I look forward to discussing specifics with your steward." And she truly would. Few details were too small for the Blackfin heiress to notice or consider.

He smiled warmly at his niece's acceptance, though given her predilections, her agreement had been a foregone conclusion.

"Quite correct. Your mind is already moving in the right direction. We will certainly discuss supply lines and logistics. Once the key preparations are made, if you have an interest, we could discuss hypothetical tactical situations as well, and how to ensure that supply chains remain resilient in the face of odds." He had a notion that Gwen's intellect gave her the makings of a fine commander in her own right, should it fall to her. This opportunity would give him a chance to probe that theory. With logistics, he did what he had to. His strength was in command, so he hoped that with her insights, his ability to use their power would be augmented.

He easily nodded in Berion's direction.

"Your men are fine soldiers, Ser Berion, and a credit to you. We will be the better for having as many of them with us as you wish to bring," he said. That, and it would strengthen House Blackfin's contingent without it seeming like they themselves were bringing an outsized force. With how things had gone recently for their House, especially his brothers, he wanted every sword under his command that custom and propriety would allow him to have. Nothing would befall his niece under his watch, and anyone who had such thoughts had to know how they would be punished.

"Speaking of hitting men with pointed sticks, does that mean you will be taking part in the joust, Ser Berion?"

His smile widening, Berion gave Thoren a nod before responding.  "Aye.  Had a bit of bad luck a few weeks ago at the start of the tournament season, and my horse got lamed.  So now I find myself needing a new mount and kit, and those things aren't cheap.   Which means I'm not about to pass on the opportunity to make some money, especially at the expense of the Blackwoods and their ilk."

At the mention of monetary needs, Gwen's mind immediately start churning through possibilities, though she didn't immediately offer any suggestions. Rather she filed it away for future conversation fodder. She also considered ways in which she might be able to help Ser Berion without causing any loss of face.

It was an interesting conundrum that she would spend some time considering.

"It will be good to see you unhorse a few of those...heathens," he said. It was possible that in different company, he might have uttered a more coarse term to referred to the enemies who would soon be among them, but he thought better of it in Gwen's presence.

Ser Donwald, House Blackfin's Captain of the Guard, approached Sers Thoren and Berion, and Lady Gwendolyn, bowing deferentially to the Lady of the house. His young squire, Isembar Stone, walked beside and behind him, keeping a respectful distance.

"My Lady, I am sure Quill will be happy to accomodate any requirements for your upcoming travel." He began, referring to the House's Steward, "But I wished to reassure you that Blackfin Den will be kept well-maintained in your absence, and discover whether there was anything you would require from the guard before your departure?"

Ser Donwald's expression was weathered, stoic and emotionless as the stone of Blackfin Den.

Gwen considered the question for a few heartbeats before shaking her head. "From the guard? No, ser. And I trust Quill to fulfill stewardly duties that would otherwise be mine during my absence. I do thank you for you consideration, however. Your devotion may sometimes seem overlooked, but is noticed and appreciated."

Valen stood both behind and a ways back of Ser Berion as he spoke to the gathered knights, Lord Thaddeus and Lady Gwen. He was wearing his well-made tunic in the colors of red and yellow, representing House Knollwood. To be the squire of such knight as Ser Berion was something the lad was quite proud of. Yet, Ser Berion could be a hard task-master. Rarely was a word of praise given, and he did not suffer fools or slothful squires lightly. So young Valen tried his best to be ever alert. Ready to serve his liege, and by doing so, House Blackfin, whenever possible.

Valen stood straight with good posture, his hands clasped behind his back. He wore only a dagger at his belt. He would never attend court wearing his own father's sword unless given permission by Ser Berion himself. Though Valen did his best to keep his eyes and ears focused on the knights and Lord around him, his chocolate brown eyes often drifted to where Lady Gwen sat. To Valen, she was the most beautiful woman in all of the Riverlands, and Storm Lands combined. He desired to wear her favor during the Squire's Tourney at Lychester. The winner of which would be knighted by the Master of Arms.

Valen was excited about attending Ser Berion as they traveled to Lychester for both the wedding and tourney. To be among the Lords and Ladies, there would be nice. Perhaps he would even see his Aunt and cousin there. Yet, Valen knew he should also be wary. Hose Blackwood would also be in attendance. There was more than a rivalry between them and House Bracken and Blackfin. The squire would be most attentive to watch Ser Berion's back and make sure he was well attended. With luck and the Maiden's blessing, he would be able to introduce him to his Aunt Syreena. To have Berion as both liege and uncle would be most excellent indeed!