The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 1:13:56 GMT
The Inn of the Kneeling Man is an inn in the riverlands located near the spot where Torrhen Stark, King in the North, is said to have bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror.The main building sits along the shore where the Red Fork of the Trident bends. It has long, low wings that stretch out. The lower story is made of grey stone, the upper one of whitewashed wood. Its roof is slate and has a stables and an arbor. It reportedly brews a good ale. Above its door is a painted sign of a king on his knees.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 1:47:14 GMT
6th day of the 3rd moon
Abiding the will of the storm, Belric retreats to the shelter of the Kneeling Man. Fitting, he thought, considering the circumstances.
He ordered a unit to post up positions surrounding the inn. Two sentries were to perform regulars sweeps of the area, while the rest of the men covered the entrances and exits.
"Benjen," he said to the knight. "Take a handful of men and scout the perimeter. Keep your heads low, If there is anyone else out here, I want to know about it."
"Yoren, you're with me."
Walking into the inn, Belric looked around the room, hoping to spot the owner.
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Post by Sigfry Deddings on Jul 10, 2016 2:12:17 GMT
"Aye." Yoren replied as he walked behind Belric, keeping close to his lord as his eyes looked around the room as well, looking for anyone who might be giving any side-ways glances or glaring looks.
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 3:35:26 GMT
The innkeeper, a heavyset balding man named Donald, gave the group a queer look. Lord Blackfort had no authority within these lands, so treating the inn as a military HQ was alarming to say the least, as they were technically on the lands of Lord Bracken at the moment. It was the responsibility of the Knights of Stone Hedge and its guardsmen to maintain law and order in these parts. Besides that, the inn had its own security, consisting of four rough looking men with cudgels.
"Really coming down out there, milord," the innkeep remarked, as the no doubt soaking noble entered his establishment. "Can get you some hot mulled wine and a bit of grub to stave off the chill?"
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 4:10:05 GMT
Benjen just managed to keep himself from sighing. It was pouring out and Ben would not have turned down a warm fire and a good ale. Not that Ben ever really turned down the latter. Ben was glad he had a pair of spare bowstrings tucked away somewhere dry, because the rain was destined to ruin his. He also doubted anyone was lurking out in the rain to ambush the Blackfort party, but the war bred caution in men. Benjen included. So in the end Ben just nodded to his lord's order.
He picked four men, calling them out by name. He took a long look at the terrain, sizing up the most likely approaches that could be used by large forces and the most likely hiding places a few men could tuck themselves away.
[Observation 50]
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 4:13:07 GMT
(You rolled a 1. You can't see jack shit.)
It is pouring rain. Benjen can barely see passed his nose, let alone anywhere someone might lay an ambush.
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Post by Benjen Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 4:21:54 GMT
Benjen muttered something about the godsdamn fucking rain, and wasn't there supposed to be peaceful snow or some shit this time of year, and why did it have to be cold and wet at the same time. Then he looked at the men he had picked out. "You three. Go sit on the southeast corner of the place, keep an eye out and holler if you see something that's not right." He turned to the remaining man. "You and me, pal, we got the northwest corner." Ben trudged off with the guard to stand sentry.
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 6:05:07 GMT
Belric had always been a military man, if there was another way he was supposed to act he did not know it.
"That would be fine, thank you. See that my men get fed as well would you?" He asked politely, brushing the rain from his hair. "We will also be needing rooms, can you accommodate a group our size?"
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 6:11:27 GMT
Buxom serving wenches began setting out plates and drinks at one of the long trestle tables as the smell of roast duck wafted from the kitchens. The inn was quite packed, with dozens of travelers, noble and common, seeking shelter from the storm.
"Can house the highborns for certain, milord," the innkeep said. "The rest are welcome to bunk in the stables. Dry enough in there."
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Post by Lord Belric Blackfort on Jul 10, 2016 6:22:06 GMT
"Thank you for the hospitality. We will be on our way once the storm clears." Belric tipped the innkeeper a few coin, a sign of good will. "What can you tell me of Lord Mandrake's lands? How are the people fairing through the winter?"
Belric looked around, searching to see if he recognized any of the faces amongst the crowded tables.
"Go and see to Lady Saesha and Lady Violet," he ordered one of the guards who had followed him in. "And let the men know they can find dry beds in the stables tonight."
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 10, 2016 9:35:52 GMT
Violet entered the inn presently, huddling under her cloak in an attempt to stay dry. She looked around with interest.
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Yseult Rivers
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Post by Yseult Rivers on Jul 10, 2016 11:14:42 GMT
Yseult would help Saesha inside, most likely carrying the luggage so that Saesha does not have to, she looks about the inns main room and then looks to Saesha for instruction as she really is quite new to this and as yet cannot fully predict her Lady's wants or needs, although she has asked the usual servers at Harrenhal for the Lady's easier to find out preferences in food, drink and such like. 'M'Lady.. Would you like to warm by the fire and eat first or should I see if I can procure some kind of bath or at the very least some hot water for you to wash in?'
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 16:56:42 GMT
"No, thank you for your patronage, milord," the innkeep replied, pocketing the coin. "We're currently on Lord Bracken's lands, milord. The river marks the border between his territory and Lady Madrake's. Can ask the lord himself how his lands are fairing," he added, somewhat uncomfortably, motioning to a table packed with guardsmen bearing the red stallion of House Bracken. It seemed Belric was not the only lord the storm had stranded.
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Post by Tim of Raventree on Jul 10, 2016 17:40:18 GMT
After seeing her own things taken to the bedchamber, Violet headed back down to the common room. Noting the Bracken men she recalled Ser Whalen, who she had met at Belric's wedding. She immediately looked over to see if he were present.
Observation 43 (if required)
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The Gambler
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Post by The Gambler on Jul 10, 2016 18:15:08 GMT
He were not. Lord Harys were however.
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