The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 1:06:36 GMT
Riverrun is a strong three-sided castle, although not especially large. The castle is bordered on the north by the Tumblestone and on the south by the Red Fork, while on the west a third side faces a massive man-made ditch. In time of danger the sluice gates can be opened to fill a wide moat and leave the castle surrounded on all three sides by water, turning Riverrun into an island and leaving it practically unassailable. It commands a view of many leagues. The castle has sandstone walls which rise sheer from the water, its battlements are crenelated and have arrow loops, and its towers command the opposite shores.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 18, 2016 2:26:02 GMT
10th day of the 3rd moon
Belric road up to the front gates, mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead. His eyes looked over the brooding castle, it's strategic positioning immediately becoming apparent. He was well rested, having drank himself into an early nights sleep.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 18, 2016 18:38:42 GMT
Riding a little way behind her brother, Violet gazed at Riverrun with awe. She was intrigued by the castle's unusual triangular shape and eager to see what it was like inside. Her heart thrilled with excitement as she waited for the drawbridge to be lowered.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 19, 2016 0:06:20 GMT
The sentries raise the portcullis and the drawbridge across the moat lowers steadily over the steep ditch. A score of Tully guardsmen and half a dozen household knights ride out across it, fully armed and armored as if prepared for battle, one of them hoisting a tattered warbanner displaying the white Tully Trout, on a field of dark red the color of mud soaked with blood, and azure blue. At the head of the column road a bearded scowling knight, with auburn hair and a wild untamed glint in his eyes. He road up to the Blackfort party, plate barded destrier snorting angrily, as ill-tempered as its master, both steed and rider looking eager to charge into battle at a moment's notice. "You're late, Blackfort," the Tully knight growled, giving the three words the air of a damning accusation, rather than a mere statement of fact.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 19, 2016 3:54:09 GMT
He watched as Tully put on a show, shifting uncomfortably in his saddle. Perhaps a politician could see it for what it was, but Belric's blood began to boil as he watched all of the little fish form ranks. His left fist clenched his reigns, his right hand brushed the pommel of his great sword. He reminded himself that he wasn't standing on a field of battle, but instead at the door of his liege.
The aura of aggression surrounding the approaching knight was not lost on Belric. Though, having just felt the thirst of war, there was as good portion of Belric that was begging for a fight as well.
"I'm here." He replied pointedly, negating the importance of time. It was far more tactful than telling the man to go fuck himself, though less effective in Belric's opinion. "And which Tully might you be?" He did well to hide any disdain in his voice, a trick he was slowly picking up from his wife.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 19, 2016 4:32:16 GMT
"Aye, you're here," the knight echoed, in a gruff yet distinctly mocking tone. "Suppose the great Ravensbane thinks he can keep the rest of us waiting. Well there aren't no spindly albinos here and if you step one hair out of line it'll be me that puts you down. The way I see it, you and your ilk were just a missed opportunity for cradle death as it is."
One of the flanking knights, the one with the banner fluttering from his war lance spoke up. "You are addressing Ser Toren Tully, brother to Lord Medgar Tully, Castellan and Master at Arms of Riverrun."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 19, 2016 5:02:50 GMT
Belric did not acknowledge the knight who spoke at Toren's side. When staring down a lion, one does not avert his eyes to look towards the hyena at his hip.
"Ser Toren, it would seem both our reputations proceed us." He stared back at the knight, remaining indifferent. "Me and mine will do well to mind ourselves while staying in your brothers home. Now, as it would appear you are as eager to get this over with as I am, perhaps you can take me to see him. That way we can speak, Lord to Lord." Belric emphasized his rank, in case Toren had forgotten himself.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 19, 2016 17:02:01 GMT
"Lord to Lord Paramount," was Toren's biting reply, in case Belric had forgotten himself. Arguably the direct kin of a liege outranked a vassal, in the same way the son or brother of a monarch outranked a lord paramount. One of the men in the party, the only one unarmed and advanced in age, easily identified as the maester of Riverrun by the chain around his neck, leaned over to whisper in Toren's ear.
"I am being civil!" the knight bellowed in retort, raising his hand as if he wanted to strike the man. Clearly Belric and Toren had at least a few things in common. "You want to see uncivil, I guarantee you'll be seeing something new."
"Suppose you've kept my brother waiting long enough," he relented, shaking his head as he returned his gaze to Belric, turning and riding back over the drawbridge.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 19, 2016 18:30:16 GMT
Violet rode forward to join her brother.
"Belric, please," she hissed. "This is no time to stand on our pride with the Tullys. I know you want to show them that you are a lord now - and justly so - but Lord Medgar is our overlord and we must needs behave with caution. With his kin as well as with the lord." She frowned. "I hope Ser Toren took no offence. I suspect he meant to provoke you."
If so, Ser Toren had clearly succeeded. Valeria hoped her brother would not be so easily provoked again.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 19, 2016 20:24:06 GMT
Belric could not help but respect the way Toren talked to the Maester. It seemed only fitting that a man of books should bend to the will of those with swords. He thought of his own Maester, and the scars he had so undoubtedly deserved.
Belric nodded to Toren, following him across the drawbridge.
With great strain Belric stayed his hand from striking his sister. She would have to learn to hold her tongue. Above all else, Belric would have to remain strong and decisive if they were going to get out of this alive. To have Violet question him at every turn would only work to undermine him.
"What do you know of a man's pride, girl?" He barked back at her, keeping his voice down so that no one else could hear. "He just wished death upon our entire family. Should I order you to suck his cock in thanks?" In truth, Belric had thought he handled the situation rather well. Under different circumstances he would have drawn his sword and died for his families honor. Hard men thought little of those who bent easily. The worst possible thing Belric could have done was seem submissive. Toren was not Lord Medgar.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 19, 2016 20:33:58 GMT
Violet winced at her brother's vulgar language. She hoped he had the sense to avoid such terms in the presence of Lord Tully's wife and daughter. The sooner she were married to a suitable husband, the happier she would be.
"Do as you please," she whispered. "So long as you do not put the rest of us at risk for the sake of your pride. I don't wish to die because of your pride."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 19, 2016 20:52:22 GMT
Did she not know her brother, and the little sense he had? The man was a brute, any expectation of the contrary was a waist of time. Though, they were not laying face down in the dirt, riddle with arrows. Whatever he had done had been enough.
"Blood begets blood, dear sister." was all he said.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 19, 2016 20:55:53 GMT
Violent winced again and shook her head. They would be very lucky if Belric left Riverrun unscathed, she felt.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 19, 2016 21:13:41 GMT
Ser Toren led them through the gates, where grooms awaited to take their horses to the stables, the knight dismounting and heading to the Great Hall in silence, not bothering to slow or even turn to see if the others followed.
(Can post in the Great Hall)
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Aug 10, 2016 1:08:19 GMT
/////////////////// 11th day of the 3rd moon
Belric arrived at the main gates, ready for the return journey.
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