The White Sword Tower

[The Raven]

"Elric, Ser. Just Elric."

[Ser Richard]

"A pleasure Elric. Page to Ser Quentyn I assume? What are you duties at this time?" Richard asked courteously. He was going to live the rest of his life here, and this would be the first step in learning the people that made up the new Red Keep that the Blackfyres had established.

[The Raven]

Jun 6, 2016 4:33:02 GMT Ser Richard said:

"A pleasure Elric. Page to Ser Quentyn I assume? What are you duties at this time?" Richard asked courteously. He was going to live the rest of his life here, and this would be the first step in learning the people that made up the new Red Keep that the Blackfyres had established.

Elric gripped the broom as he spoke. "I'm to keep the Tower clean and polish the armor and sharpen anything that needs sharpening. Sometimes, when he leaves the castle, I get to squire for him. Ser Robb's page Wilford also helps out, but he's not allowed into the Lord Commander's quarters so he usually stays down here. Our sleeping quarters is near the Tower in a separate room. If you call for us out the window, we'll be up here straight away." The boy's blue eyes never blinked, revealing the fierceness of character Fireball always favored.

[Ser Richard]

Jun 6, 2016 4:44:45 GMT The Raven said:

Elric gripped the broom as he spoke. "I'm to keep the Tower clean and polish the armor and sharpen anything that needs sharpening. Sometimes, when he leaves the castle, I get to squire for him. Ser Robb's page Wilford also helps out, but he's not allowed into the Lord Commander's quarters so he usually stays down here. Our sleeping quarters is near the Tower in a separate room. If you call for us out the window, we'll be up here straight away." The boy's blue eyes never blinked, revealing the fierceness of character Fireball always favored.

"So you two are the only pages in the tower? I ask because, well, " Richard chuckles " This is a bit embarrassing, but I have to ask is there also a washerwomen who comes in and collects dirty clothes? I noticed some of mine was missing, and I'm unused to to sleeping in a castle."

[The Raven]

Ahh... That would be Nymeria. Don't let the name fool you, she was born right here in the castle. She washes the clothes and alternates the bedsheets. Forgive my pertness, Ser Richard, but all your clothes looked and smelled like you just walked out of a charnel house jointly run by a Bolton, a Uller, and a Greyjoy. The other Kingsguard had the same issue."

[Ser Richard]

Jun 6, 2016 4:58:32 GMT The Raven said:

Ahh... That would be Nymeria. Don't let the name fool you, she was born right here in the castle. She washes the clothes and alternates the bedsheets. Forgive my pertness, Ser Richard, but all your clothes looked and smelled like you just walked out of a charnel house jointly run by a Bolton, a Uller, and a Greyjoy. The other Kingsguard had the same issue."

Richard laughed "Not the first time I've heard that, I'd always..." Richard shook his head. Couldn't go back to those times "I will have to introduce myself to her and thank her. Thank you for your answer. You say you squire sometimes? You're experienced with a sword, yes or no?"

[The Raven]

Jun 6, 2016 5:06:11 GMT Ser Richard said:

Richard laughed "Not the first time I've heard that, I'd always..." Richard shook his head. Couldn't go back to those times "I will have to introduce myself to her and thank her. Thank you for your answer. You say you squire sometimes? You're experienced with a sword, yes or no?"

His finger gave a slight but noticeable twitch before replying. "Yes, Ser, I fought in the war." As did most males who could hold a weapon. "I was at the last Battle of Stag's Mount." A minor battle, one of many skirmishes fought in the Stormlands, and the site of one of Fireball's more celebrated rampages.

[Ser Richard]

Jun 6, 2016 5:17:18 GMT The Raven said:

His finger gave a slight but noticeable twitch before replying. "Yes, Ser, I fought in the war." As did most males who could hold a weapon. "I was at the last Battle of Stag's Mount." A minor battle, one of many skirmishes fought in the Stormlands, and the site of one of Fireball's more celebrated rampages.

His face softens at that. Poor boy. Man. He was certainly a man now, whatever the age. What a terrible thing to force someone to grow up like that. "If you would have need of me, Elric, do not hesitate to ask. I was but a hedge knight, and I fear that I might always be one in my heart."

[The Raven]

Jun 6, 2016 5:23:45 GMT Ser Richard said:

His face softens at that. Poor boy. Man. He was certainly a man now, whatever the age. What a terrible thing to force someone to grow up like that. "If you would have need of me, Elric, do not hesitate to ask. I was but a hedge knight, and I fear that I might always be one in my heart."

The boy's eyes softened at the last remark. "Ser, my father said we are all hedge knights in this life. Some of us just sit at the Lord's table a bit longer than others, and some of us keep our cloaks a bit cleaner. There is nought shame in a service to a master you believe to be righteous and decent."

[Ser Richard]

Jun 6, 2016 5:34:08 GMT The Raven said:

The boy's eyes softened at the last remark. "Ser, my father said we are all hedge knights in this life. Some of us just sit at the Lord's table a bit longer than others, and some of us keep our cloaks a bit cleaner. There is nought shame in a service to a master you believe to be righteous and decent."

The knight smiled "I like that. It rings true to one who has wandered the seven kingdoms for a long portion of his life. Your father might have been a wise man. Who was he?"

[The Raven]

Elric actually smiled. "A hedge knight, Ser. And a fine one. Many respected his honor, and he never traded it for an easy victory. Because then what would his title be worth?"

[Ser Richard]

"As you say. Though I fear that I have met many a man who put little worth to his title. High and low. A man like him was a rare pleasure to meet. What was your fathers name? Though I frequented the Riverlands, I thrice found myself in the Stormlands. Mayaps I knew him, if only briefly."

[The Raven]

Jun 6, 2016 16:29:22 GMT Ser Richard said:

"As you say. Though I fear that I have met many a man who put little worth to his title. High and low. A man like him was a rare pleasure to meet. What was your fathers name? Though I frequented the Riverlands, I thrice found myself in the Stormlands. Mayaps I knew him, if only briefly."

"Ser Renly Rainmaker." The name meant nothing to Richard.

[Ser Richard]

The knight thought for a second and shook his head "No name I've heard before. But I think I would've liked to know him. Thank you for your time Elric. I will leave you to your duties."

[Ser Richard]

Before he leaves, Richard turns and asks over his shoulder "Is there yet a master of arms for the Red Keep?"