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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 6, 2012 19:48:07 GMT -5
Situated near the Goldroad and west of the Blackwater River, Mason Keep is an old but modest castle, with large open grounds with which to hold such a vast assembly. Lord Aemon Mason and his retinue have prepared separate yet close-knit camps for all the kingdoms, while the monarchs are afforded rooms inside the castle proper.
Inside the castle walls, a huge training yard has been set up for budding warriors to test themselves against the realm's finest. Alehouses that never close have sprung up everywhere. Ladies of varying degrees of virtue are drawn to the gathering like moths to a candle.
North of the castle is the North's Camp, naturally enough. On the east side of the keep is the Kingsland, south-east is Dorne, south-west the Goldlands, and then west is the Iron Islands contingent.
Across a stream, and northeast of the keep, is the tourney field, nearly half a square mile in size, with stands that can accommodate ten thousand.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 16:45:43 GMT -5
As promised to his father, Prince Benjen makes his way to all the chambers of the various rulers, introducing himself to them. He chose to visit the Dornish first, as they were the most remote. He wore a handsome black and grey doublet, an onyx direwolf head sewn to his tabard; his longsword was at his hip and his riding boots were recently polished.
Thus attired, the Prince looks around for Princess Nalya Martell's rooms.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 16:55:07 GMT -5
They are easy enough to find in the relatively small visiting quarters. A small, unassuming man in simple clothes is seated before the doorway to the Dornish section, talking to an astoundingly beautiful golden-haired girl. He appears to be some sort of guard,with a tabard of a seashore. When he sees the prince, he nods but does not rise. "Prince Stark?"
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:00:59 GMT -5
"Indeed," Benjen replied, smiling at the golden haired girl before nodding to the man. "I have come to pay my respects to Princess Nalya Martell and extend the hand of friendship of the North. May I ask your names?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:02:39 GMT -5
"I am Harryld, my prince." The young woman bows, unintentionally revealing a little more of herself than she no doubt would normally find proper.
"Ellaria Dayne, Your Grace."
Harryld motions. "Please, you are welcome to come in. I merely keep out the riff raff."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:04:10 GMT -5
"In that case I do hope you were not keeping the young Lady Dayne out," Benjen joked with a handsome smile. "Perchance we shall speak later." He added, before entering the chambers.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:10:03 GMT -5
The Princess Martell's chambers are rather spare but comfotable, and a servant immediately offers to take his cloak to hang up, along with his sword so he may sit. Nalya is eating some grapes, but rises immediately. "Prince Benjen Stark! You were only a boy when last we met!" She looks him up and down. "A boy no longer, I can see that. Your father said you have become quite the general."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:13:37 GMT -5
"I am able enough, Princess Nalya," Benjen replied with a respectful, though not too low, bow. "I owe it all to Lord Rickon; without his vast knowledge I would still be shouting orders no man can understand. Tactics and strategy would just be meaningless words." He grinned. "How have you been? I hope the border conflicts aren't proving too stressful for you."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:26:13 GMT -5
"I breathe conflict, Benjen. It keeps me young." She chuckles. "But, please, wine. It isn't every day we get a foreign prince to entertain." She makes an odd look for just a moment at her servant and he vanishes. The wine is very fine and tastes sweet, but has a tart aftertaste to balance it out. "So long as your father and I maintain our alliance, I feel we are both positioned rather well."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:34:47 GMT -5
"It would appear so," Benjan agreed, taking a sip from the rather interesting, if not strange tasting wine. "I do indeed doubt that neither my father nor yourself will do anything rash in the near future. Peace is best for all of us."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:37:48 GMT -5
"Well, at least, not full out war. We are seldom really at peace in the Marches." After a moment a young woman walks out dressed in a modest but colorful dress of forest green. It matches her olive skin tone perfectly. "Oh, my apologies, you've never met my daughter, Nina." The Martell girl nods politely. "This is Prince Benjen Stark.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:39:55 GMT -5
"Pleased to meet you, Nina," Benjen says with a nod of his own. He extended his hand and if she offered he would kiss it. "A beautiful dress you are wearing; it suits you very much."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:46:08 GMT -5
She doesn't blush at all his words or kiss, but her eyes are mischievous. "Why, thank you my prince. It took my servants almost thirty seconds to get it on." She speaks in a lovely low tone, her voice much like her mother's. She looks little enough like her, though; taller than most women but at least three inches shorter than Nalya, and much fuller at the hips. Her breasts haven't fully developed at seventeen but she has a certain exotic look many men would find appealing.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Oct 7, 2012 17:51:26 GMT -5
Benjen gave a chuckle. "I had never considered the speed at which servants dress the ladies; who knows, perhaps races could be held... no, how disrespectful of me," He grins. "Princess Nalya, what do you make of this voyage to the East? I have not heard much about it yet, though I doubt I will myself be able to go."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Oct 7, 2012 17:59:51 GMT -5
Nalya leaned back at that. "Ah, yes. Slaver's Bay is a place little known, in truth. I doubt my other daughter would wish to go, But Arthur and Nina have both been begging me to let them meet a Targaryen." She shakes her head. "Young people and dragons. Even human ones."
Nina looks at Benjen with a new interest. "So you WOULD go east, if you could?"
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