Goodbrook's Arrival

[The Raven]

Lord Goodbrook halted the procession a hundred feet from the gates, and then dismounted. He first helped his wife down, while Ser Robert, the heir, offered his hand to Dacey. Both men had spent the trip prattling about old battles Dacey had never heard of. Together, they had apparently murdered half the Riverlands in glorious battle and reinvigorated the smallfolk's fields with the tears of their widows. The other knights had a much broader memory of the past few years, but glittering prizes seemed of little interest to the Lord, and no one dared discuss more carnal conquests anywhere near the Lord and Lady.

The bloody tales had often been broken by Osmynd leading the group in singing with his rich baritone voice. He seemed especially fond of living duets with his wife, in between explaining to Dacey how precisely one pulls a man's tongue out through his throat without killing him, and the psychological value of such a practice.

Now, they were approaching the Blackfort family, arm in arm like it was their wedding day. His armor was shined, but quite practical. Her light blue dress clung to her fragile frame as she leaned on her husband.

[Vex]

Dacey had spent the journey back alternating between mentally lamenting this travelling circus and thoughtfully listening to their war stories, trying to figure out where this family fit on a moral scale of Baelor the Blessed to Ser Simon Whent. Somewhere near the latter, she decided, though wasn't far from pulling out a notebook and taking notes on some of their alleged techniques, strictly for theoretical reasons, of course.

She wasn't sure what the point of this procession was, but walked through the gates with them all the same.

[The Raven]

The new castellan, Ser Valarr Rivers, muttered to his lord. "Watch your knuckles. The man shakes hands the way a farmer breaks a chicken's neck. Squeeze back and and let him know what kind of man his new master is."

Indeed, Goodbrook was already removing his gauntlet. "Lord Blackfort!" He bellowed. "An honor to finally meet the Ravensbane in person!"

Lady Goodbrook was perhaps approaching her twilight years, but her face was still smooth, framed by her silver hair. She declared to Saesha, in a tired but friendly voice, "I would know those features anywhere. You must be Saesha."

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric took Valarr's word, offering Goodbrook a hearty handshake. "It should have happened far sooner, Lord Goodbook. The honor is mine, however. Your reputation draws its own infamy. I am happy to have never found myself standing against your battle lines." He gave the compliment in good spirits. "How was the road?"

[Lucas of Brindlewood]

Ser Willem, in accordance with his new duties had made himself present, something he likely would have not done had Goodbrook arrived two days prior. His expression was one of boredom. He wore his plate, freshly polished, but he had left his helm in his quarters, envisioning no need of it. His sword hung sheated at his left hip, and his shield was nowhere to be seen.

He stood a decent distance back from Belric himself, not presuming to place himself directly at Belric's side. This would have put him close to Jormun if he had cared to socialise with the man whilst waiting. But he had not, and he had ensured that a healthy distance remained between the two as a sign Jormun's impetuant behaviour at Armistead's Crossing had not been forgiven by him. If Belric had need of him, he assumed he would be summoned over.

[Barley]

Nov 7, 2016 23:43:45 GMT The Raven said:

The new castellan, Ser Valarr Rivers, muttered to his lord. "Watch your knuckles. The man shakes hands the way a farmer breaks a chicken's neck. Squeeze back and and let him know what kind of man his new master is."

Indeed, Goodbrook was already removing his gauntlet. "Lord Blackfort!" He bellowed. "An honor to finally meet the Ravensbane in person!"

Lady Goodbrook was perhaps approaching her twilight years, but her face was still smooth, framed by her silver hair. She declared to Saesha, in a tired but friendly voice, "I would know those features anywhere. You must be Saesha."

Saesha gave a curtsey to Lord Osmynd, but he seemed to be intent on conversing with her husband. She would keep and ear out on their conversation until gave Lady Goodbrook a soft warm smile and kissed her cheek, moving beside her so they could talk.

 She laughed softly at her comment on her family features. "Welcome to Harrenhal, Lady Jeyne, I hope the journey here was pleasant enough." 

[The Raven]

(1 point to Strength. Personal disposition level raised with Lord Goodbrook raised on account of not being a delicate flower.)

"The road was quiet, sire. I was pleased to see that you keep your lands in better order than the Lothston girl. Simon, old boy, I'm pleased to see you survived that black magic bollocks." He grasped the other knight's hand. "If I had a dozen knights like you, my Jeyne would be resting her head in Stone Hedge instead of my drafty old castle."

Jeyne returned the kiss, and smiled. "The trip was peaceful, my lady. I apologize for having to rest on your lands, but my heart is not what it once was. I hope your own journey to Riverrun was likewise tranquil."

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric stifled a grimace as Goodbrook spoke to Ser Simon. It was obvious Osymed had not heard the true story behind the 'black magic bullocks,' of which he reference. To save face Belric chose to keep the truth to himself, hoping everyone around him was smart enough to do the same.

"A man cannot hide behind high walls while his lands are ravaged by outlaws. I have done what I can to bring law and order to Harrenhall, though there is still work ahead of us. Work that will require your help, and that of all my Vassals." Belric gave Goodbrook a strong slap on the shoulder, a sign of endearment for a brute like Ravensbane. "But enough talk of work, there is a fine meal to be had, and plenty of wine to drink."

Belric turned to Lady Goodbrook, and politely interrupted her conversation with Saesha. "I am glad to see you well, m'Lady. I had heard you were under the weather, but you appear before me as the perfect picture of health. However, should you need, Maester Percival is at your disposal." He sealed his words with a proper smile.

[Barley]

There is no way to politely interrupt a conversation, and Saesha stood a bit straighter with annoyance. Perhaps this was a better way of doing things, though. "O not think of it, Lady Jeyne You may rest here for as long as you need. The Journey to Riverrun was uneventful, but considering the circumstances, Lord Medgar was a fine host." Saesha said with a smile and let her husband take over if he wished. She'd deal with Goodbrook.

"There are no Knights like Ser Simon, I count myself fortunate to have him watching over me," she said, "he was telling me that you had a large part to play in halting the Bracken forces, I would enjoy a first hand account, my lord." All men of war enjoyed reciting their exploits. He may have been on the other side to her but that was in the past, and men were men.

While he talked she tried to detect if he was being genuine, or putting on a front,

(Observation for Disposition request, please. Skill = 50)

[The Gambler]

The stoic and grim knight of few words merely offered the ghost of a smile and the humble incline of his head at the praise from Lord Goodbrook and his lady, though the corner of his eye twitched at Lord Osmynd's slight against his former lady. "If there had been a dozen knights like me,, Lady Danelle would still be alive," he replied, more statement of fact then bitter retort. "But times change. A new house rules, but Harrenhal remains. If you serve the Blackforts half as well as you did the Lothstons, no obstacle will be insurmountable." That said, neither he nor Goodbrook were the time of man to devote only half their effort to anything.

(Saesha gains +3 Observation. Lord Goodbrook was a soldier, not a courtier, and there was little evidence to show he did much to hide his like or disdain for others. She judges the he likes Belric and is largely indifferent towards the others present.)

[The Raven]

They began their trek towards the castle.

"I expect you will hear all about my husband's role in the war very soon, but I assure you, my Osmynd never had a poor word to say about your brother Daemon. We have no use for that sort of talk in our house."

"Aye... And what's more, if Daeron wanted real respect, he should have..." He paused and leaned towards the noble couple. "I must say, your commoners have been glaring at us since we arrived, and I cannot think why..." Goodbrook had left his famous mace on his horse, but his hand rested comfortably upon a large dagger at his waist.

Indeed, many of the local smallfolk had been following the entourage since it had left the castle. Some were obviously attempting to gain Blackfort favor, but many were clearly there to quietly stalk the Lady Saesha's sworn sword. None had dared approach past their other armed guards though.

[Barley]

Saesha kept on a polite smile as they walked, though since the Goodbrooks had stayed with Lothston when she decided to betray the Blacks, good and bad words seemed to mean little in terms of loyalty.

"It is always good to hear that people respect my brother, regardless of how their houses fought." she did not look back at the smallfolk that have gathered, she replied in a low voice "I would pay them little mind, my Lord, but it is getting rather cold out here, and I would hate for your wife to catch chill, should we get inside?"

After the suggestion, she did look round and tried to see if any of them looked mad enough to try anything.

Observation 53

[The Raven]

(Two Observation points awarded.)

Quite a few looked enraged, but none of them struck her as desperate enough to charge into the entourage for the opportunity to avenge their loved ones. Instead, several were holding what seemed like small stones in their hands.

"Aye, lead the way." Said Goodbrook tensely, his hand not having left the knife.

[Barley]

"I will leave that to my husband and Ser Simon," She smiled and motioned towards the castle, "I shall be along presently."

As they moved on, she approached the small folk speaking fairly low.

"My husband and I understand your position," she said, trying to sound understanding, "But this..." she motioned down to the level the stones were being held at, "this is not going to help anyone. While the deal my husband made with Jaime still stands and always will, action will have to be taken if anything happens to disrupt this visit and I do not wish to see that happen, as I care about the people in this town, but it will be out of my hands if anything were to happen."

Persuasion 54

[Lord Belric Blackfort]

Belric watched as Saesha road over to the townspeople, noticing the rocks they concealed. He straightened in his saddle, ready to cleave the mob in two should it attempt to turn upon his wife. To assassinate Simon Whent was one thing, to attempt a public stoning amidst a noble procession was entirely different. Not only was the likelihood of successfully killing Whent extremely low, but many innocents would die if Belric became forced to defend Lord Goodbrook and his entourage.

He glared at the perpetrators, surprised by their blatant stupidity.

Belric approached the highest ranking member of his guard, "The common folk will come no further. Stop the procession, and have them return to their homes." He was almost finished before he added, "No one is to be hurt.