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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 13:15:26 GMT -5
The yard at Eddard's Rest.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 13:16:36 GMT -5
The Lord of Winterfell is in the yard rather than the hall, as Lord Royce usually holds court. He is watching the children of the city play a game of handball as Benjen approaches. He does his customary half bow to his liege and moves his fingers to loosen them up. "Took ole Frances's head off yourself, Your Grace? I knew you had it in you." Benjen grinned and gave Kal a clap on the back as he watched the children. "I thought about bringing the top of his skull back for you but remembered you aren't the Crowl. Felt good to use a sword again though. How's everything fairing?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 13:22:14 GMT -5
"Boring," he said, watching Rhaegar tackle a boy four or five years older than himself with a vicious anger. "I took my cut of him years ago. Best leave the main course to others sometimes." He claps a hand in anger and points wordlessly to Rhaegar as he continues being a bit rougher than the game needs, then points to the weighted training weapons. "Angriest boy in the world," he said, "other than maybe me." The silver haired child looks at Kalvin but then notices his father and goes to move, then stops and heads to the weight ed sword, where he sits against the wall holding it out in front of him. "He'll be stronger than Hollis if I keep using that punishment," Kalvin said drily. "I've posted Lord Coldwater and four thousand men at the border," he said. "In case anyone from Queen Joanna's little spat get any ideas."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 13:30:11 GMT -5
"Good thinking," Benjen said, regarding the border guard. "I doubt it'll spill over but you can never tell." He chuckled. "You should see Hector. He's tall now, and far more confident than before - probably more than he should be, the little know-it-all." He grinned and looked over at Rhaegar.
"Anything worrying I should know about the boy?" He asked. "He's half dragon after all and we all know about their potential for madness. And how are Rickon and Ned doing?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 13:41:01 GMT -5
"There's madness and there's just mad," Kalvin said, regarding the bastard boy. "He is quite aware that both his parents are royals. He is also, unfortunately, considerably more skilled than anyone his age at arms, except that little Bracken boy who uses a staff." He pointed to Rickon and Ned, playing handball, absorbing hits and giving them. "Better," he said. "More calm, more talented at multitasking. I fear neither has that...instinct for violence yet, though." He let out the tiniest sigh. "It will not serve them well, to think being a prince can save them from anything."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 13:43:39 GMT -5
Benjen nodded, thinking on that for a moment. "It seems they all need a bit more of the other. They're still young as of yet and have plenty of time to learn. I'd like them all to see the North and Winterfell - perhaps after the tourney we'll come and visit you and Robyn. And your own kids." He grinned.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 13:52:52 GMT -5
Kalvin rubbed his jaw. "Perhaps," he agreed. "But it does not look good to the other boys to see Rhaegar smashing all his opponents so. Particularly his trueborn brothers. He needs more...virile enemies," he said. "I think he should go to the border, with Lord Durand. That man could leech the pride out of a lion."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 14:01:38 GMT -5
"The boy is eight years old, Kal!" Benjen said, though there was humour in his voice. "You've seen the boy develop though, so I trust your judgment. A spell with Coldwater will do him well. Anything else been going on?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 14:06:09 GMT -5
"I tasked Lord Dudley with stopping some Ironborn raids on our shores," he said. "I heard he didn't stake the heads on the coast, but the end result was the same, I suppose." He thought a moment. "Lord Quentyn is greatly...displeased."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 14:16:17 GMT -5
Benjen grunted. "I'll have to speak to their king when he comes to the tourney. The man expands his lands to the east and can't even keep a hold on his island men."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 14:19:16 GMT -5
"Perhaps this time I should just kill him," Kalvin said offhandedly. "I fear for Lord Royce's temperament, having his daughter paraded as a whore before the lords of the North."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 14:23:03 GMT -5
Another grunt. "I hope it won't come to that and no doubt Ami will have enough brains to wear something less revealing. I could always forbid her presence."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 14:28:14 GMT -5
"Word already spread through the kingdom about her predicament," Kalvin said. "I hanged a man last week for his daring to say that your daughter may share a bed with the man one day." He looked at his fingernails and then filed one down with a dagger. "Only for show, I rather agree with him. I do not think salt wife is a mainland legally binding term, or perhaps I should go join this war going on," he said. "I could form my own cabaret."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 1, 2016 14:35:01 GMT -5
"You think we should just take her back?" Benjen asked, crossing his arms. "She betrayed us too, you know. I don't doubt her father will forgive her for everything but he might be the only one of my lords. And Greyjoy wouldn't be happy."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 1, 2016 14:45:29 GMT -5
"If Killion Greyjoy brings her to Westeros he is a bigger fool than I could ever ask for," Kalvin said. "Alas, he is still drawing breath so I suppose he is not." He was silent a moment as Benjen's words faded away. "I almost killed his father, you know. Not twenty five miles from Winterfell. A duel only a few seconds long. I'd had such high hopes." He looked...oddly disappointed. "They were everywhere up north while the West invaded. The Rills, Barrowton..." he clenched his right hand's fingers into a fist. "And they never had to give up their ways. Hundreds of salt wives from Westeros breed with the degenerates. Maybe thousands. But," he admitted, "I only count northern women. We never found Mandy Tallhart." He looks to Ben. "So, Your Grace, I understand you have diplomatic concerns as befits your station, but never tell me what Killion Greyjoy may or may not like."
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