Tourney of Castamere

[Pericles of Athens]

It was a relatively warm winter's day in Castamere, and the lands just outside the keep itself were a buzz with activity. Scores of hard wood tables from the jungles far to the south east, decorated with painstakingly carved figures depicting stories from the history of House Reyne, and the Westerlands.. strangely omitting mention of House Lannister. These tables sat beneath massive overarching tents, spun from red silk made in Dorne, the edges gilded with minerals from Castamere's own mines. The embroidery on the tents themselves were gilded as well. Banners of the Red Lion of House Reyne fluttered in the breeze above the throngs of servants preparing food and drink for the guests that would soon arrive. Places were prepared where any lords that arrived might put their banners. A jousting field was prepared for the knights that would arrive, so they might compete. Lord Robert sat on a throne of plush cushions and some of the finest carved marble in all Westeros. Lady Roberta wore a fine dress, red with solid gold trim and accessories, she was beautiful - a woman grown, with luscious red hair falling in lazy curls, and flattering golden eyes complimented by thick eyelashes. Ser Robb Reyne was dressed in a simple tunic, of red and white, he was young and handsome - with high cheek bones and a cutting smile, with a tall lean frame of a warrior. His crimson hair was long for a boy, but fell quite short of his shoulders, lying in lazy ringlets about his head. He sat, feet up on a stool and a goblet of wine in his hand. His eyes were gold, with flecks of green in the irises. All were waiting for the guests to arrive..

OOC: I'm positing this now because I'm on vacation and just happened to have the time because I'm doing an online compliance for work at the same time.

[Oznerol]

Tywin Lannister arrived at the head of a splendid retinue, comprising many knights and courtiers. In a crimson carriage travelled Lord Tytos, too fat and too feeble to actually ride a horse, Genna Lannister and his daughters-in-law, Serra Lefford and Dorna Swyft. Lady Swyft, chinless and bare-chested made quite a contrast with the plentiful, luscious Genna and the fair Lefford. Dorna was only a couple years younger than her sisters-in-law, but far less beautiful. Kevan's wife was truly fond of both Genna and Serra and they chattered joyfully as the carriage approaches Castamere, discussing about the fabled dancing hall of the Reyne's seat. Tytos... just took a nap. Ser Tywin rides at the head of the company with his siblings, including Ser Kevan and the unruly Tygett. Gerion had remained at Casterly Rock under the care of his tutors, even if the kid had complained about being left at home.

Tywin wore a magnificent golden plate armor, of supreme craftsmanship. His helm was shaped like a lion's head. Kevan wore a tabard with the arms of Swyft quartered with Lannister's, roosters and lions sharing place over his chestplate; he did so as toke of love for his young wife. Tygett's heraldry were three lions pasant, the arms fitting for a third son, that he wore most begrudgingly as he had always envied his brother's preminence as heir. Squires and attendants flockered around them. They were followed by many Lords and knights who had joined their liege's company, like Jast, Vikary, Serret, Farman or Lydden. All in turn had their own squires, retainers and relatives around them. The great banners of Lannister can be glanced over all the rest, mighty and imposing with the golden lion silently roaring to the sky. Trumpets did roar to announce the arrival of Lannisters and many of their vassals to Castamere.

[Pericles of Athens]

Robert is there to greet the Lannister procession, along with his fair daughter and fiery youth of a son. Robb's armor was blood red with silver trim, and a lion roaring impressed on the front. Roberta was busty, with a voluptuous bottom and a well fitted dress of silk. Robert himself remained seated, his gilded cane in one hand - a lion head with ruby eyes at its top. Lord Lannister. He pronounced, eyeing the obese lord. Robert was old, but still fit in his own way. My ladies Genna and Serra, Sers Kevan and Tywin. He stated running the fingers on his left hand through his graying beard. It is good of you all to come, to celebrate my dear Roberta's name day. He gestured for his daughter. For now there is food and drink, soon the competitions will begin.

[Oznerol]

Kevan and Tywin nodded. The ladies bow, Serra and Genna most gracefully, Dorna stiff and plain. Tytos breathed heavily:

"Fair day indeed, for a fair maiden as your daughter. Shall she see many more springs after this one"

Said Lord Lannister, smiling.

"I need some rest, however. The road is tiresome for my old bones"

His face was red, his eyes buried among fat, his smile faint.

"My sons shall ride for me"

Tywin stared at him coldly.

[The Mad Skylord]

The Procession of Aerys Targaryen was, in contrast to the Lannisters, relatively small and plain. Aerys himself rode a small grey horse, which pranced handsomely down the road. Followed by 20 of his best men, it was a small and business like company. A few notable lords and ladies had been invited to accompany the king, including Donnel Lefford, Lord Stark, Lady Hightower, Queen Mother Shaera, Lord Rosby and Lord Qoherys.

Aerys himself was dressed in a dark green robe like tunic, with a black cloak fastened with a silver brooch in the shape of a three headed dragon. Perhaps most noticeable of the King was the unstrung Weirwood longbow placed in its case in the King's quiver. Aerys had come here to shoot, and shoot he would.

[Poach]

Early to arrive were the Westerlands Houses, the Leffords among them. Lord Raymar lead the party, his second son Ryon alongside him, and his own brother Godric near the back. His sister, Kyra, rode in a carriage. She remained unwed, though her prospects fell when Harmund died, as the daughter of a Lord is always preferable to the sister of one. The men of the party wore their best armour, polished plate with the Lefford sigil embossed upon the chestplate, and rode on warhorses as befitting their Knightly manner. Bannermen followed carrying lances topped with the family flag, followed by the lesser Lords sworn to Goldentooth displaying their own banners.

"Lord Reyne." said Raymar flatly, meeting the old Lord's gaze and giving a nod.

Already Kyra had made an exit from her carriage and rushed over to greet Serra, who she hadn't seen in some time.

* * * *

Donnel rode within the King's entourage: he'd received the summons at Dragonstone and couldn't say no. Glad to be off of that rock he'd taken two trusted men and boarded a ship back to King's Landing, dutifully joining the party leaving the city towards the Westerlands. As they moved through the Crownlands the group grew ever larger, the many Lords and Knights of the Crownlands joining the procession to attend the tournament. En route they'd crossed a new bridge under construction: a smaller version of the Twins it seemed. Rushbridge, it had been named, the land given to some member of House Tully as a reward for something apparently.

Arriving at the tournament the King had rode ahead with a small group of his personal retainers to make an entrance, while the larger group containing the bulk of the nobles continued on a short distance behind.

* * * *

Within the Lefford tents

"How's Dragonstone?" asked Raymar as his son entered the tent, keeping to his usual flat tone.

"Cold, wet, windy." said Donnel in response, a scornful tone apparent.

"You must marry." said Raymar, "Whatever your current misfortune you remain the heir to Goldentooth. That carries responsibility, a responsibility you assured me you would address."

"I will." replied Donnel. In truth he'd neglected that particular task entirely. He'd been able to meet his desires without requiring a wife thus far, "Though it will prove difficult while I'm exiled on that bloody rock."

"Find a wife or I will see that one is provided to you." stated Raymar matter-of-factly, "Your grandfather allowed me that privilege and I had my children already by your age. You are dragging your feet."

Donnel departed the tent, this new problem now heavy on his mind, piled on top of his other woes.

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[Lord Dread]

With news of a tournament, House Hightower approaches the camp lines of Castamere with a large retiniue. While there were rumors that the Hightowers planned anyways a feast on their own regarding them being named Lord Paramounts of the Honeywine, they came for a short stay. Lord Rolland Hightower, accompanied by his Essosi wife and his five-year old son rode with his guards aside the multicoloured rows of tents, his brother Edmund following him.
Though the second Hightower brother was laying for a long while in coma, while not remembering anything regarding the last war except for House Hightower marshalling their forces, he looks a bit pale, but nonthess stable.
Whether one of the Hightowers would sign up for the tourney wasn't known.

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Lady Myrcella rode aside the King's group, having accepted the surprising invitation of his grace. Having chosen a dark-grey dress, which kinda suited the event, she had also decided to wear a wine-red corsage as well to remain decent, but nontheless conspicous in the mass of wonderfully clothed ladies. And as well she liked the combination of red and dark grey, since it also was a small reference to the banner of the Targaryens in combination with the regular Hightower grey.

[Gandalfus]

(OOC: Caron, Tarth, feel free to tag along)

Arriving sometime later was the Baratheon procession, a trailing throng of Stormlords that had travelled through the heart of the Reach, up past the golden city of Lannisport, to finally arrive at Castamere, the seat of the tourney. At the snaking columns head rode Steffon Baratheon, bedecked in finery, and Harbert Baratheon - fit and strong despite his age - clad in the steel plate, forged in the heat of the furnaces within Storm's End. The younger Baratheon held no love of jousting, but it was his elder uncle's forte, Harbert was keen to ride in the lists against younger, supposedly "better" men.

"Lord Reyne. It is an honour." Steffon greeted jovially, a handsome smile crossing his face and his eyes fluttering towards the young Reyne maiden.
"The fair maiden Reyne. Enjoy your name-day, my lady." Baratheon said graciously, whilst Harbert merely provided a curt nod in greeting to the old lion lord.

[Pericles of Athens]

I look forward to seeing their performance. He spoke through half gritted teeth. In truth Tytos disgusted him.

----

The new lord Leofford. Reyne began dryly, he had no great love for them - but they needt know that. Shame to hear about your father. I pray I don't follow him too soon.

----

Thank you lord baratheon. Came the voice of Roberta, soft like a humming bird. She moved along to talk with other young woman of the west. Enjoy the festivities lord Baratheon. Robert added curtly.

----

While his father greeted lords Robb was off greeting their daughter, a cutting smile and and easy laugh was all it took for some others required more work. Some of the leoffor do women drew his attention, as did a lannister or two. He leaned against a beam calmly, there was still time.

[Oznerol]

(OOC: Caron, Tarth, feel free to tag along)

Arriving sometime later was the Baratheon procession, a trailing throng of Stormlords that had travelled through the heart of the Reach, up past the golden city of Lannisport, to finally arrive at Castamere, the seat of the tourney. At the snaking columns head rode Steffon Baratheon, bedecked in finery, and Harbert Baratheon - fit and strong despite his age - clad in the steel plate, forged in the heat of the furnaces within Storm's End. The younger Baratheon held no love of jousting, but it was his elder uncle's forte, Harbert was keen to ride in the lists against younger, supposedly "better" men.

"Lord Reyne. It is an honour." Steffon greeted jovially, a handsome smile crossing his face and his eyes fluttering towards the young Reyne maiden.
"The fair maiden Reyne. Enjoy your name-day, my lady." Baratheon said graciously, whilst Harbert merely provided a curt nod in greeting to the old lion lord.

Lord Tarth was encassed in his harness, of fine craftsmanship, with a fluted design and golden filigree. His large bascinet was topped by blue feathers and wore a coronet, signaling his as a high lord and of royal blood. Boremund wears his heraldry on the surcoat, just like the barding depicted the stars and moons of Tarth. He was acompanied by several retainers, including his cousin Lord Penrose, who wore a pair of long white flowing feathers on his dog-faced bascinet, Lord Errol and few knights, like Godric Storm, bastard of Drakesgrave. Selwyn Tarth, lean and comely wore a good-fitted armor and rode a sure footed stallion. His wife, Lady Rowena Arryn, and his lady mother, Lady Alys of Pennitree rode their own horses, good dornish steeds. They were among Baratheon retainers when he complimented Reyne. Boremund was in somber mood since the King had shown him an accusation of treason.

I look forward to seeing their performance. He spoke through half gritted teeth. In truth Tytos disgusted him.

Tytos walked away with the help of his daugthers-in-law, while Genna courtsied with a handsome knight. Lord Lannister coughs and begrudgingly Genna follows her elderly father and her brother's wives. Tywin and Kevan followed suit, with the first greeting every single lord and knight of note.

---------------------

Tywin Lannister looks for Steffon Baratheon, his old friend, once the tents were raised and the Lannister camp established.

[Adamat]

Lady Commander Ilsa Corbray arrived, in a carriage like a regular noblewoman rather than on a horse, clad in armor as she usually was. She had taken her infant son Aerys Waters with her. She was able to attend thanks to the leave that Aerys had given her, and even though she would not be participating she looked forward to seeing the knights in action at the lists.

[Poach]

Ooc: You really need to name the father before coming out and about with the kid because people would've asked by now and I need to know as it may significantly impact my RP. I'll need to edit my first post here at the very least if you say Donnel.

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[Poach]

Donnel had been completely unaware of Ilsa's pregnancy and subsequent child due to being away commanding troops during the Reach affair, followed by his swift posting out to Dragonstone in the aftermath of the trial and exile of Mace Tyrell. Though he'd intended to attempt to see her before he left, at which point she'd have been evidently pregnant, settling the affairs at Cider Hall had him back in the Reach immediately afterwards, followed by settling into his post at Dragonstone.

He'd discovered Ilsa had given birth only while on the road to the Westerlands, overhearing some of the King's retainers mentioning it. Seemingly she'd refused to name the father to anyone, which had caused whispers of their own: the assumption it seemed was that it would be his, as he knew fine well about the whispers and they certainly weren't unfounded whispers, but then why had she refused to name the father or contact Donnel about it? Worrisome.

That evening, while the more far-flung parties continued to arrive at Castamere, Donnel went to visit her.

"You had a child." he said as he entered her tent, the question, though unsaid, was obvious.

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[Xion]

Five ships approach the port of Castamere and dock, three of them being lighter warships, one being a Ironborn-styled longship, but with a violet sail, and the last one being one of the massive warships that serve as the flagships of the Armada.Gregor and his children disembark from the longship along with a few of the crewmen, most of them being drawn from Harrenport. The three Redwynes wait for Lucifer and Regenard to disembark from the large warships with a small retinue of guards, servants, and some courtiers. The group makes their way towards the tourney grounds.

[Adamat]

Donnel had been completely unaware of Ilsa's pregnancy and subsequent child due to being away commanding troops during the Reach affair, followed by his swift posting out to Dragonstone in the aftermath of the trial and exile of Mace Tyrell. Though he'd intended to attempt to see her before he left, at which point she'd have been evidently pregnant, settling the affairs at Cider Hall had him back in the Reach immediately afterwards, followed by settling into his post at Dragonstone.

He'd discovered Ilsa had given birth only while on the road to the Westerlands, overhearing some of the King's retainers mentioning it. Seemingly she'd refused to name the father to anyone, which had caused whispers of their own: the assumption it seemed was that it would be his, as he knew fine well about the whispers and they certainly weren't unfounded whispers, but then why had she refused to name the father or contact Donnel about it? Worrisome.

That evening, while the more far-flung parties continued to arrive at Castamere, Donnel went to visit her.

"You had a child." he said as he entered her tent, the question, though unsaid, was obvious.

Ilsa mustered Donnel for a moment, a smile on her face. "Aerys Waters, as per the King's wish," she spoke, ignoring the implications completely for the time being. "Come see him," she motioned into the tent before she herself disappeared inside herself.

The child lay asleep peacefully, just weeks old. Ilsa stood next to its bed, and put a hand on Donnel's shoulder when he joined her. "Isn't he beautiful," she daydreamed. "You can't see it now, but I think he has your eyes." A naughty twinkle came into her eyes. "Wouldn't you wish to have such a beautiful son," she said. "Too bad he's all mine, his father is unknown. Our secret, you might say."

[Lord Dread]

Once spotting the Redwynes retiniue approaching the tourney grounds, Lord Rolland would use the opportunity to talk with them, since his mother was after all a Redwyne and relations with their House weren't the worst.
At least he hoped so, since there was since the Reach assault against the capital barely any communication with them. Hightower had heard though that they became direct vassals to the King as well.

[Xion]

One of the guards with the Redwyne notices Lord Hightower approaching and goes to inform Regenard, who walks towards Hightower while the rest of the group keep moving towards the tourney grounds. "Cousin, it is good to see you again. How is Oldtown?"

[Lord Dread]

Lord Hightower himself looked friendly towards the man, getting off from his horse with some help due to the plate armour he wore, while Ser Edmund nodded politely into the direction of the man.
"Renegard, the same can be said about you", he replied with a smile, while embracing the men like a comrade, "Apart from the war and the reparations we had, I assume better than originally expected. House Targaryen was mild when it came to Oldtown - for what reason I can't say, but neither would I say it is bad for Oldtown regaining a status, which is comparable to the one it had during the old ages."
He made a pause before continiueing.
"Nontheless, the Reach is the thing which concerns me more in terms of the stability of the Honeywine than my own regions."

[Xion]

Lord Hightower himself looked friendly towards the man, getting off from his horse with some help due to the plate armour he wore, while Ser Edmund nodded politely into the direction of the man.
"Renegard, the same can be said about you", he replied with a smile, while embracing the men like a comrade, "Apart from the war and the reparations we had, I assume better than originally expected. House Targaryen was mild when it came to Oldtown - for what reason I can't say, but neither would I say it is bad for Oldtown regaining a status, which is comparable to the one it had during the old ages."
He made a pause before continiueing.
"Nontheless, the Reach is the thing which concerns me more in terms of the stability of the Honeywine than my own regions."

Regenard nods to Ser Edmund before turning to Lord Hightower, smiling slightly. "Yes..his grace was quite merciful considering this was the third time in several years the majority of the Reach has challenged the authority of the crown." Lucifer yelling at several of the Harrentown men to stop singing their rendition of a old reaving song causes Regenard to momentarily turn away from the Hightowers before continuing. "Indeed, and as for the Reach, I would agree with you, cousin...while the Arbor prefers to remain aloof of the issues of the mainland Reach, that may not be possible anymore with the Reach divided."

[Poach]

"Why did you keep this from me?" he asked, looking at the child.

'Born a bastard because she kept it a secret,' he thought, 'the child will never inherit, even if he's able to shed the name Waters. And does she think it ing funny to name him after the man who's spat in my face time and again?'

That last thought brought the feeling of pent up anger back, but he suppressed it.