The King's Stables

[Pericles of Athens]

With orders from the Queen Ser Blackwood makes his way to the stables. It was not likely that anyone would remember anything suspicious from two long years ago, but he had to try. Blackwood addressed the stable master. I am on a mission from the King himself. He began, his white cloak and armor marking him as a member of the Kingsguard. It seems the King's own wife the queen has gone missing.. I've reason to believe she left through the keep's own stables. It would have been after the burning of the Kingswood, but before Tyrell's assault on these walls. Any expression Brynden might show was hidden under his helmet's face. Do you have anything to add?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Does the Stablemaster know of anything?
Range: 1 - 10 (1 - 5, yes. 6 - 10, no)
Result: 5

The stablemaster was a middle-aged man by the name of Hector, a lowly servant in the King's employment, yet honored enough to be the stablemaster. He was cleaning one of the stables when Ser Blackwood arrived, forcing Hector to look away from his work. He grabs a wet towel to clean his hands off as he thinks for a moment. He thinks for a moment, looking at the stables as if searching for something, then points at the far end near the backdoor into the stables.

I came here one morning to find a horse missing. It eventually came back, was found by a traveling merchant. Didn't say where if I recall correctly.

[Pericles of Athens]

Do you remember this merchants name, and where I might find him now? He questioned. Or anything about any of the people there.

[Lucius Malfoy]

OOC: Did a couple rolls for this response.

The stablemaster looks outside for a moment, pondering on who it was that brought him the horse. He sighs deeply and rubs his neck before looking at Ser Blackwood.

Unfortunately, I forget the man's name. But I do believe he has a shop on the south side of the city. Don't know where it is or if he is still there though. However...

He rubs his chin slightly, remembering something about the merchant.

I do recall that he looked like a Stormlander; hardy, black hair, thick beard and broad shoulders.

[Pericles of Athens]

Blackwood nods. Thank you. He replies curtly, making his way back into the open air - away from the smell of horse . He made his way to the south side of the city, asking at every shop along their for a shop owned by a travelling merchant - a stormlander with black hair, a beard, and broad shoulders.. not much to go on at all.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Range: 5/10
Modifiers: Vague description = -2
New Range: 3/10

Result: 3 (Lucky SoB!)

The description, though vague, did capture a few people's attention who knew the area well. There were at least three people who matched that description within the vicinity of where Ser Blackwood was looking; Martyn Mertyn of Mistwood, Brus Bronzehand and Richard of Blackhaven. These three were well known by the people of this area and surely one of them was what the stablemaster was speaking of.

OOC: Want me to do three rolls to see which are currently in the city for you?

[Pericles of Athens]

OOC: Sure thing. And yeah, lucky indeed.

IC:

Blackwood made his way toward the closest of these merchants, hoping that would be the one.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Range 5/10

Martyn Mertyn of Mistwood: 7
Brus Bronzehand: 5
Richard of Blackhaven: 5

Of the three merchants, Martyn's store was closed and it seemed he was away on an extended venture in the Vale. The closest to him was Richard of Blackhaven. His store was closer to the harbor, allowing easier access of goods. He matched the vague description given as Ser Blackwood came to his modest establishment. A small group of customers departed his store just as the Kingsguard entered. His dealings appeared to be of cloth and trinkets, some appeared to be exotic as well, from Essos and beyond. Richard looks up when Blackwood walks in, noticing his posture.

You seem like a man on a mission. Something I can help you with... err... what your name be, sir?

[Pericles of Athens]

Blackwood. He replied curtly. Ser Blackwood of the Kingsguard. He removed his helm, revealing an aging face. I am indeed, a mission from His Grace. He replied. Richard. He began, not feeling the need to explain how he knew the name. I come seeking the man who discovered a royal stallion some two years ago and returned it. I must ask where this stallion was.. recovered. He was serious, his black eyes inspecting the stormlander. It is tied up with the disapreence of some very important people.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Is this the man who Ser Blackwood seeks?
Result: 8, no

Does Richard know anything about what is spoken?
Result: 7, no

The merchant's eyebrow goes up slightly at the mention of this mission and the inquiry made. He scratches his thick beard slightly before shaking his head.

You must have me confused for someone else. I rarely use a horse these days, keep to King's Landing. If I ever do leave the city, I use a boat in the harbor. Haven't heard of any missing stallion either.

If this was not the man that Ser Blackwood was after, then perhaps it was Brus Bronzehand or Martyn that may know something.

[Pericles of Athens]

Aye, if anything comes to mind do inform the Goldcloaks. He moved on through the city to the store of this Brus Bronzehand.. queer name.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Brus was a further from the harbor and more inland towards the tournament grounds. He handled in the trade of weaponry and armor, having a set of blacksmiths who work for him throughout King's Landing and supply him with quality products in return for a cut of any profit made off their work as well as a stipend for the production of these items. His store was noticed immediately with sign that had a bronze hand upon it. Brus was from Bronzegate, a city within the Stormlands and right along the road between King's Landing and Storm's End. When the Kingsguard walked in, Brus was at a table, calculating a recent profit made with an abacus in hand and parchment upon the table.

[Pericles of Athens]

Brus. Blackwood stated curtly as he entered the merchants office. I've come searching for a man who retrieved a lost royal stallion some two years ago and returned it to the royal stables.. You match this man's description. He added. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

[Lucius Malfoy]

Result: 4

Brus did not look up as he continued to examine the pieces of parchment upon his table. He flicked a few beads upon the abacus, before examining another set of papers. Yet as he did so, the Stormlander spoke passively.

Aye, I be him. Who be asking hm? If you are the owner, not my fault you lost it.

[Pericles of Athens]

Ser Blackwood, of the kingsguard. He replied. I am on a mission from his grace, I need to know where you found that horse and who you found it with.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Brus looks up at Ser Blackwood for a moment, then points south.

I came across the horse as I crossed over into the Crownlands. Reeked of river water, so it most likely came from Wendwater and the Kingswood area. It came alone, the saddle and everything was still on it, but it seemed to have been abandoned by whoever rode it. I tried looking for an owner, but found no one. Then I found the marking on the horse shoe and noticed it was from the royal stables, so I brought it back for a reward.

[Pericles of Athens]

Blackwood nodded. Thank you for your assistance. As he walked through the city he thought to himself.. They went south.. Toward the Stormlands? To Dorne? He decided to visit the goldcloaks and see if any carriages slipped out of the capital in the aftermath of the Kingswood burning, any carriages baring the seal of a stormlord like Tarth or the Queen's own seal.

OOC: I do believe the city was put under lockdown when they left and the carriage that took the queen away had a writ sealed by the queen granting the passage.