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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 12:19:14 GMT -5
Banners from as far north as Banefort and as far south as the Arbor fly in this camp, situated to the southwest of Mason's Keep. The more important houses have tents closer to the Keep.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 12:29:11 GMT -5
The caravan from the Reach arrived, grown longer and wider as each keep and stronghold was passed on their way north to Mason's Keep. It was chaos as everyone began to dismount and servants began unloading the wayns.
Arania was relieved to finally step out of the cramped carriage. Her dress was horrifically wrinkled from the small space, and she had finished her book before they even left Highgarden. She almost had it memorized now, having read it over and over to stave off the tears of boredom. Running a hand through her long black hair, she yawned. Traveling was just as tedious as her sister Alysanne had said, not that she would let the younger girl know that she was agreed with. She watched the servants, in the colors of many houses, scurry around with heavy loads. Now would be a good time to meet nobility she had never encountered before. Smiling, she slipped away from her family's tent and went to see what she could see.
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 12:32:53 GMT -5
Jason notices the Hightower carriage and limps his way over to the carriage to see who has arrived. Seeing Arania Hightower he was surprised but did not look like it upon his face. He studies her for a moment or two then walks the best he can over to the Hightower and bows lightly.
"Greetings Lady Hightower, a pleasure it is to meet someone from so far west." He offers her a kind and gentle smile.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 12:40:31 GMT -5
Arania almost passed the man by, until he greeted her. "Oh, hello," she said with a sigh, bowing her head to him. "You are of House Rowan, are you not?" She studied his face, calculating ages in her head, trying to place his name and face.
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 12:45:56 GMT -5
"I am, my name is Jason Rowan, I am the Kings Ambassador to Dorne." He smiles. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Hightower." He said leaning on his cane
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 13:45:02 GMT -5
Jason Rowan...the name sounded somewhat familiar to her, though she was sure they had never met. "Ambassador to... Oh!" she exclaimed, recognizing the name. "I've read your books! About Dornish customs! Your style is a little dry, but they were very informative!" She blushed, realizing she had just critiqued the style of an expert. "Ah, sorry. It is good to be able to meet you, though, Ser Jason."
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 14:02:37 GMT -5
He looked confused and blinked a few times then gave a chuckle. "You have now? I was unaware they were so popular here in the Goldlands." He shakes his head. "I am no Ser, what a Knight I would be with this." He taps his leg with his cane with a smile to her. "You are a reader then? What is your favorite subject?" He asks with interest.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 14:19:50 GMT -5
"My apologies..." What a faux pas, to have called him ser when he was not. She avoided looking at his misshapen gimpy leg. "It is notthat they are popular, outside of the Citadel. I simply wished to know about our neighbors to the east." She shrugged. "I've read on many subjects, though histories and statecraft have fascinated me above other things. I also have a fondness for the Valyrian literature." Someone who understood her at last! She would talk his ear off if given the chance.
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 14:23:49 GMT -5
He speaks in Valyrian, "It is rare to find such woman so interested in knowledge. You have impressed me already and we have simply just met." He smiles. "History is one of my more known subjects and I have spent years improving the villages of the Goldlands, statecraft is something I too am accustom too." He flashes her a smile.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 14:57:51 GMT -5
His accent was not quite the one taught at the Citadel, but he spoke Valyrian very well. She replied in the same language, "Thank you, I would study to be a Maester if I could," she said with a smile. "It must be very convenient to be a man. To be able to put your knowledge to use. I am sure I will scare away all my suitors, lest they find I am smarter than they."
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 15:09:06 GMT -5
"Any man who shies away from a woman of intelligence, has shown that he has no mind." He says honestly. "I have never once thought to be a maester. However, do not believe you are useless, you seem like an knowledgeable woman someone who takes pride in what she studies. A woman like that could be very much useful." He said giving her a kind smile.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 15:35:54 GMT -5
She realized then that she had been speaking very familiarly, and much too casually to a man she had only just met. And of higher rank...they were all of higher rank than she. She corrected her manner, speaking to him more coldly than before. "You are kind to say so. I believe many would argue otherwise, though perhaps their skill in debate is not up to par."
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 15:49:20 GMT -5
He noticed her change in attitude. "I would agree with you, If any man wishes to challenge your intelligence simply because your a woman, I will come to your aid in the matter. However if you would like to feel less useless. I could use an intelligent woman if you wish to use your mind to some good." He smiles to her.
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Post by Arania Stark on Oct 7, 2012 16:07:50 GMT -5
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And how exactly would I be...put to use?" She suddenly mistrusted him, for all his compliments and his impressive Valyrian and his books. "Most men would say there is but one use for a maid of eighteen."
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Post by Lord Robert Dondarrion on Oct 7, 2012 16:19:30 GMT -5
"You have read my books have you not? I am not like normal men, Lady Arania, I simply do not have the accessibility that other people do, and I would be most interested in gaining a diplomatic aid, you seem to be a clever woman and those are rare to find. I mean no distrust and I can assure you I mean you no harm." He smiles to her.
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