|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Jul 30, 2013 16:46:18 GMT -8
Alayna Sands sighed as she began to look over the documents strewn over her desk. Initially, they had been ordered and perfectly stacked--Simon Groat was finicky about neatness--and during her poring over the papers she had easily undone his hard work. In any case, it would help to pass the time until...
Just then, Ser Hugo Flynt strode into her office, taking a moment to observe the proper gestures of respect and deference due her before he spoke.
"My Lady, there's someone here to see you. Claim they've heard about you taking in sworn swords."
The Lady at The Crossroads smiled at this report. "Show them in, Ser Flynt. Usual precautions as always, of course."
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Jul 31, 2013 13:44:04 GMT -8
Lilyandra Valra would not have been the one there to see her about hiring sworn swords. For numerous reasons.
The first of which, Lilyan was not familiar with the concept of the sworn sword. She was not a native of this country, and neither was she a part of the social strata where such things most likely took place.
The second reason being that, if Lilyan heard about it, she would likely be confused. From what little she did know of a sworn sword, they were sworn, not hired. They weren't paid for their services so much as adopted into the family, gaining the benefits thereof, rather than being a mercenary force hired and paid for by whoever had the wealth to afford them.
And thirdly, most importantly in Lilyans mind, was that she was not a sword. True, she carried a light, supple little sword, trained in the Bravos style of fighting which presented only your side to the enemy and focused on fast, precise strikes rather than the heavy powerful blows favored by the Westeros warriors. But her sword was for her defense while she was busy selling something far more valuable. Her companionship, her grace, and her socialite skills. These were not the skills of a swordarm. They were the skills of a emissary, a diplomat, and of course a courtesan.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Jul 31, 2013 14:22:20 GMT -8
The newcomer Alayna was faced with resembled, mainly in skin tone and facial structure, one of the people of Lys. However, unlike the fair-haired people of that land, her mane was dark and her eyes, while green, were the shape of almonds. Even so, the combination worked to her favor and from her stance, the Lady at the Crossroads guessed this woman did not lean towards martial prowess.
"Care for a seat? And I would like to know your name."
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Jul 31, 2013 15:05:02 GMT -8
Lilyan gave a closed lipped smile, and a practiced submissively polite nod of her head. "But you have an appointment with someone else." She said, gesturing to Ser Flynt who was going to fetch the Sworn Sword.
"I will not take your time until you have more to spare." Her voice did have a hint of Lys, as did the dress she wore. As such, Lilyan found herself waiting patiently, observing how the court ran. Or rather how Lady Sands ran things.
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 18, 2013 15:43:44 GMT -8
From his experience, a horse often looked like its rider. The noblest of men with their chests a'glimmer with armor and the finest Valyrian steel at their sides rode atop purebred steeds of snowy white and midnight black, trimmed all proper and what have you. The less fortunate-born - those like him - had only the mangiest of nags to have the indignity to call their mount, dirt-covered, flee-covered, shit-covered, and usually with a matching paint job.
Ennis of Broken Arm fell into the latter category, as his old horse cantered up to the gates of the castle interior, massive sword leveraged at his side, his hand resting loosely gripped upon its hilt - not out of wariness or paranoia, but the hopes that the great blade would not cause him to fall from his own horse.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 18, 2013 15:47:54 GMT -8
Some stableboys went over to retrieve his horse while a guard stopped in front of him to make his inquiries. "State your business."
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 22, 2013 0:10:49 GMT -8
Ennis eyed the guard skeptically as he dusted his rusted armor off, the sands of Dorne encrusted in the crevasses and cracks in the iron he adorned himself in. "Lady Alayna Sands is my business," he replied, the title sounding strange as a prefix to the name of the girl he once knew. "I've come for the . . . job opening. To swear my sword to the House."
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 22, 2013 6:08:26 GMT -8
It almost seemed to be his natural state, really, to be forever happy. A smile, warm and inviting, plastered along his visage even in the face of sandstorms, boiling heat and vicious cold. Walking to the assembled group, hands open at his side, Jayla spoke with familiarity and warmth as if they were old companions.
"Brothers," He almost shouted in earnest excitement, looking from man-to-man, "Would one be so kind as to inform Lady Sands of Jayla's arrival? I'd be quick to introduce myself to such a figure soon, yes?"
He laughed, almost annoyingly so, before he looked at the man next to him, Ennis. He looked at him, noting his attire and equipment took him apart from the assembled servants.
"Ah, you've come to fight too, yes?" He said, cocking a look at the man from his peripheral vision, before he turned rapidly and took him into his arms, squeezing him. "A glorious thing, yes? Upon the sands I'd be quick to make you Friend, true? A beautiful thing, really."
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 22, 2013 18:39:25 GMT -8
The guard looked at both of them, his features hard to discern beneath the helm. After a few seconds, he spoke. "Wait in the courtyard until I get back." He then headed back into the keep's interior, soon crossing paths with Ser Hugo Flynt. "Captain, two sworn swords in the courtyard. Say they're here to swear themselves to House Sands."
Ser Hugo nodded to the guard. "Tell them to proceed, they are to leave their weapons outside my Lady's office." The guard rushed back to carry out the order, nodding to both Ennis and Jayla as he stepped outside. "I'm to lead you to Lady Sands' office."
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 22, 2013 19:52:33 GMT -8
Nodding, Jayla stood with his hands neatly tucked over his groin, rocking slightly on the heels of his leather shoes, seeming to take in every detail and facet of the area. He turned to Ennis, nodding and smiling at him at an occasional interval.
As the man approached, he nodded. Walking casually, his fingers tracing details in the wall or objects as he walked before he got to the area outside the Lady's office. He took his quiver of arrows and relic bow and placed it gently against the door, before he just threw his dagger with a casual remark as it hit the ground with a clutter.
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Aug 22, 2013 20:53:04 GMT -8
Lilyandra gave Jayla a look over as he was removing his weapons and matched his jovial smile with her far more demure one, meeting his gaze with a look that said: "Nope. This one will not do at all."
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 22, 2013 22:27:41 GMT -8
As if he hadn't been bewildered enough by the large, coal-skinned man trotting forth, deep, jovial laughter a thing he'd not grown all that accustomed to despite all his travels, the Islander who called himself 'Jayla' tucking him into a tight embrace rocked something that kept the hedge knight on the right side of his boots, inertia and equilibrium seemingly working against him for the briefest of moments.
"Yes, you are correct," Ennis managed to wheeze as the larger man hugged him. He lurched, but remained on his feet as he was freed from his grasp. "Upon sands or snow or the King's Road, feel free, but pull me into a vice like that again and you'll be wishing you never left those islands."
Upon being addressed, Ennis followed along at the guard's behest, admiring the work put into Alay--err, Lady Sands' great hall.
She had to have changed, he decided in his head as he entered the Lady's court. The Alayna he knew, she was as dirt-born as he, bastard or no. To have ascended so far, to have have played such a Game to reach this point, that Alayna was placed aside, in all likelihood.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 22, 2013 22:47:53 GMT -8
Just then, Ser Hugo Flynt stepped out of the office, quickly checking to see that both men were unarmed. "Lady Sands will see you both now. It goes without saying that you shall pay her the proper respect due her station." He waited a moment, letting his words sink in for effect, then stepped aside so that Ennis and Jayla could walk through.
"She will see you once she's dealt with those two; many pardons for the inconvenience." Ser Hugo told Lilyandra as she waited on her seat.
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Aug 22, 2013 22:56:01 GMT -8
Lilyan gave a nod to Ser Hugo. "Of course, I understand completely."
Besides, she wanted to see how Lady Sands dealt with these two. It might give her a bit better of an idea as to how to leverage herself for the Lady and advance her cause.
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 22, 2013 23:04:34 GMT -8
"People tell me of Lady Sands's beauty on the travels, Ser Knight," He said, eyes catching Ennis in his peripheral vision to cast a knowing look at the man. He smiled, once more, stretching the contours of his face from ear-to-ear. "Take competition with sport and drink to be the first to devour said cunt, yes?"
And with that, almost without waiting, he walked into the office of one of the most respected women in Westeros.
"Lady Sands," Jayla bellowed, arms out to his side in distant embrace as he approached. He attempted to follow through and drown her in his arms affectionately. "It would do such justice for one to see the beauty in the words of travelers, yes?"
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 23, 2013 6:37:45 GMT -8
Unfortunately for Jayla, the Lady in question had already held up a hand in the air, her palm facing towards him in an upright position. "You're being rather familiar for our first meeting." Alayna stated curtly, the gaze in her eyes warning Jayla not to take one step further. In addition there was Ser Hugo just beyond her office doors.
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 23, 2013 6:56:11 GMT -8
"Apologies, Lady Sands," Jayla remarked, casually taking the indifference with a warm smile and a few steps towards his original position as not to impose himself further. "No slight intended, but the embrace of a woman so beautiful after such a long march of isolation, well..."
"A firm grasp of hand, rather?" He asked, taking a few steps forward with carefully guided choice. "Or shall I fall to your feet in benevolence as many have before, true? Or something more... intimate for a later occasion? Yes?"
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 23, 2013 13:38:53 GMT -8
(Thanks for waiting, and sorry for the delay, the post I made last night must have not gotten through.)
Ennis had not cast so much as a prolonged glance at Lady Sands, having bent the knee and looked down upon the floor with a firm "Milady", waiting for her to instruct him to rise, and so on.
The last thing he was expected was for the Islander to simply keep walking, going so far as to touch the Lady herself. He had looked up, a mask of confusion painted upon his face, finding solace in the prospect that maybe - just maybe - the bumbling ebony creature would be cast into the nearest dungeon. Or beheaded for his trouble.
All the same, Ennis' gloved hand had balled into a white-knuckled fist, and he looked to compose himself before he struck the man called Jayla as soon as he got into arm's reach. Luckily, he saved himself the dishonor, and merely waited for the Lady to speak again.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 23, 2013 13:49:06 GMT -8
The look in her eyes would have incinerated Jayla where he stood, had Alayna Sands been vested with such a power. Instead, they simply made the man back up and she didn't even bother to give Jayla's advance a response. "I'd have your names as well as your capabilities and skills. Finally, I'd like to know why you would swear yourselves to my service before I take you on."
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 23, 2013 17:15:25 GMT -8
"In time, Lady Sands." Jayla remarked before he took a stand somewhat away from her, albeit giving her a familiar eyeballing the entire time, chewing his lower lip. He listened carefully as she spoke, occasionally looking around the room for items of interest before returning to her.
"Jayla," He began, "Swordsman, archer, lover."
With an amused smile on his face at the last of his 'skills', he tucked his hands over his groin neatly.
"Because war is a man's place." He said. "Is it not pure to know where you stand on par with one another, yes?"
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Aug 23, 2013 18:18:23 GMT -8
Lilyan looked over Jayla's body again and made sure he was looking away before she let a little smile curl the edges of her lips and a tip of the head. Mostly for the benefit of Lady Sands. This man couldn't be serious, could he be? He would likely be more trouble than he was worth to keep around.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 23, 2013 18:39:55 GMT -8
"In time, Lady Sands." Jayla remarked before he took a stand somewhat away from her, albeit giving her a familiar eyeballing the entire time, chewing his lower lip. He listened carefully as she spoke, occasionally looking around the room for items of interest before returning to her. "Jayla," He began, "Swordsman, archer, lover." With an amused smile on his face at the last of his 'skills', he tucked his hands over his groin neatly. "Because war is a man's place." He said. "Is it not pure to know where you stand on par with one another, yes?" "You're deviating from the subject. And I need to know more detail regarding your skills so that my people know how best to use you for the duties you might take on in service to House Sands."
|
|
lovely corte
Persistent Member
Lindsey Looseflaps
HE LOOKED AT ME! HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME!
Posts: 1,402
|
Post by lovely corte on Aug 23, 2013 18:43:27 GMT -8
"Details, Lady Sands?" He cocked an eyebrow at her, smiling. He laughed slightly, scratching at his forearm gently, nodding. "I told you my skills, yes? To what detail can I go? Demonstration, yes, but to portray what I can do with words alone?"
He smiled at her.
"Allow me weapons and I'd show you lifetime dedication." He said, looking at her. "Yes?"
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 23, 2013 19:06:00 GMT -8
She raised an eyebrow then sighed. "Fair enough. We'll test your skill after I interview this one." She said, motioning to the hedge knight kneeling on the floor. "Rise."
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 24, 2013 19:26:37 GMT -8
As he was addressed, Ennis rose to his feet, looking to Lady Sands closely. "Ennis of Broken Arm, Milady," he said. "I am a knight of gainful employment, a man of horse and sword. I have traveled the all of Westeros in my time, from the Wall to the shores of the Narrow Sea, and have returned to pledge fealty to House Sands. My blade unto your will."
He wanted to tell her how beautiful she was. He wanted to sod all the paltry formalities and that fucking islander and her door-guarding troll and stroll up to that throne and say 'hello, Alayna! I've returned from this brutish fucking job of cutting the hands from sneakthieves and beating indebted drunkards into piles of shit and jelly to sweep you off your feet like I promised and fuck you over that table or something then we can stow away on some merchant vessel to the Free Cities so we can fuck over there or something!'
He didn't even know if she recognized him.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 24, 2013 19:47:36 GMT -8
Alayna frowned, recognition slowly dawning in her eyes as she looked him over. "I knew an Ennis once...He was son of the stablemaster at House Saador's manse in Sunspear." She slid off her desk, moving closer to him. "Are you he?"
Her heart beat a little faster as she recalled certain memories but Alayna did her best not to let those emotions show on her face.
|
|
|
Post by JW% on Aug 24, 2013 19:56:37 GMT -8
Lilyan did likewise to hide her interest in this turn of events. The words and motions of Alayna gave away what her face did not, moving near Ennis. And he... he was hardly versed in the arts of emotion and concealment.
Jayla... rather an open book so far. One of those lewd ones, with crude and simple drawings. Lilyan preferred something more refined for her reading... but there was a use for such...
|
|
|
Post by Adlai Stevenson on Aug 24, 2013 20:25:40 GMT -8
Alayna frowned, recognition slowly dawning in her eyes as she looked him over. "I knew an Ennis once...He was son of the stablemaster at House Saador's manse in Sunspear." She slid off her desk, moving closer to him. "Are you he?" Her heart beat a little faster as she recalled certain memories but Alayna did her best not to let those emotions show on her face. Ennis smiled, despite the fact that the Lady had only a clue despite their time together as children. "The very same, Milady, the very same."
|
|
|
Post by Fiery Firefly on Aug 24, 2013 20:27:01 GMT -8
"Stop right there!"
Damia grimaced as she turned around, her load of food falling from her hands, She had gotten arrogant, sloppy. And now she was gonna pay the price.
"I guess that explains where the food stores have been going," the guard sneered, grabbing her by the arm.
"Let me go!" Damia yelled out of instinct.
"Be quiet girl. Lets see what the bailiff wants done to you."
He dragged her away. Damia panicked and tried to let go of his iron grip, but it was no use. She was certain, she was about to die.
|
|
|
Post by Alkonost Storm on Aug 24, 2013 20:43:56 GMT -8
Alayna frowned, recognition slowly dawning in her eyes as she looked him over. "I knew an Ennis once...He was son of the stablemaster at House Saador's manse in Sunspear." She slid off her desk, moving closer to him. "Are you he?" Her heart beat a little faster as she recalled certain memories but Alayna did her best not to let those emotions show on her face. Ennis smiled, despite the fact that the Lady had only a clue despite their time together as children. "The very same, Milady, the very same." It was all Alayna could do to stop herself from hugging him, instead returning his smile with her own. "I'd ask how you've fared all these years but now isn't the time. Why do you wish to serve this House, Ser Ennis?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Simon Groat was hard at work at the moment, going over the counting house ledgers while gnawing away at a meat pie and drinking some Arbor Gold. He looked up as the door suddenly slammed open and a guard strode in, dragging in a waif of a girl in his wake. "What is it?" "A thief, sir. Caught her trying to filch some food from the storerooms. She's likely the one behind the recent string of missing foodstuffs." The guard declared as he threw her down to the floor before Simon's desk. The bailiff raised an eyebrow and leaned over, studying Damia intently. "Interesting...Return to your post, guardsman. I'll see to our thief." With that he rose from behind his desk and walked over to the girl, grabbing her arm and hoisting her up to her feet, his grip surprisingly strong for a man of his age.
|
|