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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 15:20:38 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 1, 2016 15:20:38 GMT -5
The great city of the south looked like a dream come true to Leona. She gazed in wonder at the height of the Hightower and at the city streets.
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Soon enough, Leona, Alysse and their kinsman Dexter arrived at the Hightower alongside their entourage.
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 15:27:32 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 1, 2016 15:27:32 GMT -5
As they aren't exactly expected that day, their reception is muted at first, but as their banner is seen word is passed along quickly enough and the Hightower itself opens its main entrance, the structure taller than most mountains on the Arbor. A dozen knights in the finest looking armor Leona has ever seen exit, with an equal number of regally dressed crossbow men. Alysse giggles as they move in perfect unison. "So disciplined," she breathed. An older man comes out and bows.
"Greetings, ladies of House Redwyne," he said nobly. "I am Ser Ryan Hightower, the castellan of the Hightower. My cousin Lord Beric is on his way, I assure you; he was on the thirtieth floor when news of your arrival reached our ears. It is...a long walk down," he said with a hint of humor. He kisses both Leona and Alysse's hands. "Enchanted," he finished.
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 15:39:29 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 1, 2016 15:39:29 GMT -5
Leona simply stared for a moment. "The thirtieth floor!" She barely breathed the word. "how many floors are there, ser?"
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 15:46:08 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 1, 2016 15:46:08 GMT -5
"Fifty one," he said. "There'd be more...but you'll see the second floor takes up a lot of space," he said. "Please, come inside." He leads them up a few stairs into the main chamber, Lord Hightower's throne at the far end. The vaulted ceilings are nearly ninety feet high and interrupted only by balcony after balcony for more citizens to petition and watch proceedings from. See Ryan leads the pair to a sort of platform with chains holding it. "We installed a dumb waiter," he said, "because the walk is quite tiresome to Lord Beric's solar on the third floor. If the thought of using it frightens you, we can surely use the stairs." Alysse tossed her hair proudly.
"I am not scared of anything," she said confidently.
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 16:01:02 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 1, 2016 16:01:02 GMT -5
Leona felt a bit nervous but she smiled as if she weren't troubled. "We Redwynes are as brave as any Hightower. We will ride this thing. Let's do it."
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 16:14:25 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 1, 2016 16:14:25 GMT -5
The ride is smooth and honestly, neither girl particularly notices the slow but steady raise. In a minute or so they depart the dumb waiter and Ser Ryan leads them to a beautifully appointed room where a serving girl offers them both wine. "It's your vintage so you know it's good," he joked. "Anything to eat? Bread..." As he talks, a voice cuts in.
"Quite enough, cousin! They've come a long way! A full dinner is needed!" A boisterous voice lets out, and the ladies see Lord Beric enter. He is about an inch past six feet and, while still growing into the fullness of manhood, is already building into a warrior's strength. He is extremely handsome, save for the one thing everyone in the kingdoms knows of him; his missing eye. He wears no patch and the scar is faint save directly over the socket. He smiles gallantly at the pair. "Ladies, I am so honored to finally meet you. I had been hoping Lord Jakob would one day bring his lovely sisters to visit. He is always so...business-like. I fear I did believe he had no pulse at all." He kisses Alysse's hand first, then bows his head and kisses Leona's, lingering a half second longer than custom required. "I am Beric Hightower," he said, "and it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Hightower."
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 16:19:51 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 1, 2016 16:19:51 GMT -5
"It's our pleasure to be here," Leona answered. She felt a little thrill at the touch between them. "Even in the Arbor we hear only good things about Beric Hightower. I am pleased that we can finally claim your acquaintance. I hope you will be able to advise us with regard to the places we ought to visit in the city?"
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Oldtown
Aug 1, 2016 16:22:24 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 1, 2016 16:22:24 GMT -5
"Advise?" He said, "what sort of host would advise? I shall take you!" He declared. Food is brought out and he invites them to sit at the balcony. "Now, you would be the Lady Leona, yes?" And you are Alysse?" He smiled. "Please, then, tell me what you would like? The sunset is synod amazing atop the Hightower," he said, "but the city has all the pleasures to be found in the world. It is...a continent all its own culturally."
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 12:55:39 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 2, 2016 12:55:39 GMT -5
"A continent? I'll allow you a fondness for your home but that sounds like a terrible boast," Leona said, eyes sparkling. "I would like to rest a little while right now but I would like to go shopping soon. A girl can never have too many fine clothes, and I would not wish to embarrass my hosts but appearing in unfashionable attire."
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 12:59:17 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 2, 2016 12:59:17 GMT -5
Beric's eye twitches as she discusses clothes but he smiles. "Of course..." Alysse cuts in.
"I would love to see the city, my lord. This evening is too lovely to let waste, no?" She asked, blinking her big doe eyes at the young man. Beric rubs his Adam's apple a moment as he swallows.
"Of course, my lady. Much too lovely." He turns to pour a glass and Alysse grins wickedly at her sister.
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 13:34:48 GMT -5
Post by Leona Redwyne on Aug 2, 2016 13:34:48 GMT -5
Leona rolled her eyes at her sister.
"We shall all go, then. It would be pleasant to watch the stars with a cup of wine in hand, I admit."
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 13:37:54 GMT -5
Post by Lyonel on Aug 2, 2016 13:37:54 GMT -5
Lyonel had been having some trouble getting his luggage off the ship, his incompetent servants had managed to get one of his several trunks stuck on the below decks. With the deal settled he clambered to the port as quickly as he could, only to find both the young ladies already being led on by the Lord and his Steward. He grumbled a little, cursing the servants in their inefficiency, then, mounting a horse, tried to keep up with his protegees.
"Pardon me for my delay, my lord and my ladies." Lyonel said bowing and entering the designated room. The thought of being late would torture him for a couple of nights to come. "Can you believe the servants managed to scratch one of my trunks? Damned man; it's fine Summer Islands wood, his whole life's wages wouldn't pay for fixing."
Observing the situation, he found no sign of any malicious prospects that Hightower might have presented the girls in his absence. Maybe they could hold back a little with the wine, though.
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 13:46:42 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 2, 2016 13:46:42 GMT -5
Alysse rolled her eyes in annoyance as the young lord agreed. "An hour then," he said, "please refresh yourselves." He rises and offers a hand to the newly arrived man. "Master Lyonel," he said, having met the man before during his infrequent trips to the city, "it has been a long time. But," he added, "I'd never forget a man of your height. My mother admonishes me for that," he said with a grin, "she claims I should remember your intellect...but I believe I was nine the last time you visited."
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 13:52:44 GMT -5
Post by Lyonel on Aug 2, 2016 13:52:44 GMT -5
"I wouldn't blame you for that, my lord. My appearance is something that seems to catch the attention of younglings. " Lyonel chuckled, he had never been very good with kids. For some reason, most of them cried when he got nearby, maybe it was his super creepy figure and face. But who knows? " But gladly I'm remembered. As my father used to say: 'Speak well or speak ill, but at least talk about me'. How fares your dear mother? It's been a while since I lastly gazed upon that lovely smile of hers."
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Oldtown
Aug 2, 2016 13:56:45 GMT -5
Post by The Forgotten God on Aug 2, 2016 13:56:45 GMT -5
"She is at the Rock, or approaching it," Beric said. "Keeping busy and trying to make me learn all those lessons on math and letters and the like," he said, "which most men ignore, I am afraid." His eyes twinkle a bit, "I find making money quite entertaining. A well-negotiated trade deal has more value than an expertly wielded sword almost all the time."
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