Feast of Friendship - The Twins

[Pontifex Maximus]

Walder Frey declared ten days of feast and celebration for the end of the war with the Westerlands. With the northern houses invited, several dozen pigs, cows, goats, chickens, partridges, many colored fish, and barrels upon barrels of ale were called in from the countryside. The work of slaughtering and preparing the animals for feats was underway, large cooking fires sprung up on the outskirts of the keep.

Soon the lords would be arriving, but the feast would start without them. Many of Walder's men who had marched off to war and returned victorious had begun the festivities at sundown. Lothar and Edywn had traveled south to greet the new King and fight in his tournament. Walder, Tommen, and Georgina remained behind, as well as all of Frey's other children. Georgina was eating her fourth partridge pie less than an hour into the feast. Walder occasionally fed her sweet cakes, laughing as the lemon icing dribbled down her plump cheeks.

[The Mad Skylord]

A hesitant Lord Howland Reed arrived. It was obvious he had hauled out the best of his clothes for the event. He had traded his jacket for a high quality woolen shirt, dyed emerald green. He wore a pair of soft, supple doe leather breeches, instead of the heavy treated trousers. He even wore shoes, with the silver buckles polished to a high shine. To complete his appearance, Howland Reed wore a long cloak, dyed dark green and fastened at his shoulder with a broach in the shape of a crocodile's head. From his belt hung a short sword - well balanced but plain.

Stepping through the hall uneasily, the Crannogman quietly took his seat in the feast. It was obvious he was slightly uneasy around this many people.

[Pericles of Athens]

Rickard arrived with his escort of retainers, a grim sight these men had seen a decade of wars and betrayals in the south - many bearing the scars to prove it. A few Northern lords had gone with their own escorts, but many had opted to return home with their job in the south done. Rickard long onyx hair was tied back in a ponytail. His salt and pepper beard freshly trimmed into shape. Ice rested comfortably over his back. He wore his usual attire when not at war, a simple leather jacket with a white shirt underneath, along with mute gray pants. A thick shadow cat hide hung from his back, a silver direwolf clasp holding it together at his neckline. A number of Northern lords had come with him, accompanied by their own guards, but most had returned home with their work done. Stark's men made straight for the ale as they entered the hall. While Rickard stayed back a moment, scanning the crowd with pale gray eyes.

In the company of the Northmen came Jocelyn Tully, Rickard's younger sister and the mother of Warrick's children. She wore a flowing gray gown that complemented her curves, with an unidentifiable fur cloak of some kind resting on her shoulders. Her brood was close at hand. Including the young heir to Riverrun. Artos, the heir to Winterfell, remained in the North - opting to help organize the planting. Benjen and Brandon had returned North as well.

[Pontifex Maximus]

After being informed of the Starks' entry, Walder rose and called for silence. "Let us all raise our cups to the northmen, our truest friends and allies. We honor them for answering our call for the second time in ten years, and affirm that should they ever call us north, we would ride. To the north!" Walder raised his glass and drained it. The place of honor set at the right hand of the table was reserved for the Starks. Walder noted with some disdain that Tullys were present. He would need to be more cautious when he talked to Stark now.

[Pericles of Athens]

To the Rivermen our trusted friends that can't seem to keep their asses out of the fire! Rickard chuckle with a knowing grin, mug raised. And to a thousand years of summer, and as many years of peace. The men smiled and cheered as they began pounding down ale, arguing over who was the best fighter and who had the largest member. No physical fights had broken out so far which was a good sign. Rickard took his place of honor, he began settling in and drinking a bit of ale. His thoughts turned to home, soon enough. He chatted peacefully with one of his lords, discussing the upcoming summer season and the uncharacteristic increase in Wildling raids. Unsettling news.

Jocelyn and her family found a place between the Northmen and the Rivermen as they were of both sides. She longingly looked out the window. She wanted to see just how easy it'd be to leap from the bridge into the water.

[Pontifex Maximus]

When Rickard took his place it wasn't long before Walder turned to greet him. "The old grey wolf flied south to protect us again. My reward was Oldstones, soon to be Freykeep. I will keep the Godswood in good repair behind the tomb of the River King." he said by way of promise.

"Yet...I am troubled. This is the second time in ten years we have been attacked from outside forces, and we clearly lack the men and commanders of skill to protect such a wide frontier of enemies. I have secured friendship with the Vale, and the north will forever be our friends, but the Westerlands constantly seek to attack us and the King? I myself declared for Baratheon and Tully more or less his own independence. We will be vulnerable to attack from that way as well." Walder finished his ale and had another poured.

"I do not want to be dependent upon the north for protection, we ask too much of our friends and offer so little in return. Mormont seemed most displeased to have come such a long way for nothing. Yet House Tully has had more of an eye for politics in King's Landing than the rule of the Riverlands as of late. They do too little and too late for our defense. Perhaps it is their youth, my counsel has constantly been ignored. I must do more for the protection of the lands."

Georgina was gorging herself on cake to his left. "I plan to take some measures to end this infighting in the Riverlands. Bracken and Blackwood, their wars cannot go on. It threatens us all. I would ask that the north allow us to work out these internal problems without interference, even if Tully should not always approve of our actions." He poured Stark more wine. "They did not approve of my raid, and yet I ended Lannister raids. How many children still have fathers due to my actions? I cannot count them. Tully's policies lead to blood. I must show my son-in-law and his brothers that other ways work better."

[Pericles of Athens]

Morning thinks himself more important than he is. My ancestors won Bear Island in a wrestling match and gifted it to his ancestors, it can be taken away as easily. Rickard stretched his arms out. The Westermen, the Blackfyres - they're no friends of the North. I march because I call you friend, but also because I rather not have a bunch of southern dogs at my doorstep. He sipped his ale. The Tully's will learn I'm certain they're young, and if not you'll see what the wolf's blood does for a leader, when my nephew sits in Riverrun. He thought of the blood feud between those two houses. Aye, from what I've been told Bracken is an oath breaker. His ancestors were too, poisoned a ing Weirwood like savages. I won't interfere as long as you're just dealing with two bit traitors.. After all I want my sister's children to be safe.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I want that as well." Tully assured him. "And my gates will never be closed facing north. Nor will I allow any foe to march north. The Tullys will always be my friends and kin, as they are yours. I will never attack or betray them, but I cannot ignore the threats here at home."

Walder snapped his fingers. "

Áed, come here!" Soon an eleven year old boy with long black hair and dark brown eyes appeared. He was tall for his age, and skinny. "Rickard, this is my grandson, Áed Frey." Áed gave a bow.

[Pericles of Athens]

I wouldn't expect betrayal from you.. You hide it well but you're a goodman. A strong Riverlands is good for us both. He replied. To a defended border and a safe people.

He eyed the gangly boy as he approached. Doesn't look a bit like you old man. Rickard japed. A pleasure meeting you my boy, I'm Rickard an old.. Friend of your grandfather's. If the Northmen didn't feel old before he did now.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Thank the gods." Walder laughed. "He might find something better than this!" He turned to Georgina and drunkenly fondled her openly. She seemed not to notice as she was increasingly occupied with a lemon cake. He drank to Stark's toast. "This little brat needs proper training. And I see you've got plenty of lads his age. I'd be honored if he could squire a bit in the north. He could learn a thing or two."

[Pericles of Athens]

"Thank the gods." Walder laughed. "He might find something better than this!" He turned to Georgina and drunkenly fondled her openly. She seemed not to notice as she was increasingly occupied with a lemon cake. He drank to Stark's toast. "This little brat needs proper training. And I see you've got plenty of lads his age. I'd be honored if he could squire a bit in the north. He could learn a thing or two."

Can't well knight him.. But I can teach him how to fight like a Northmen, but he'd be coming back with a bit of respect I can tell us that much. He laughed. Little Torrhen and Diana are close to his age and my Grandchildren are coming up on it. He drank more of his ale. No one up there to teach him about your seven though.

[Zeus Almighty]

Edwyn Tully, Heir to Riverrun sat next to his mother. He was a quiet and thoughtful young man. This was his first time in the Riverlands since he left for the war, and hasn't seen his fathers side of the family in some time. He sat quietly eating whatever was put on his plate.


Lord Dustin accompanied Lord Stark south, swearing that he would never let his Lord venture anywhere south without him again. He comes with his retinue and his great-axe as was his families custom and sigil. He was a rowdy man, good humored with other Northmen but keeping a keen eye around him. He left his sons in the North as this was not the time for them to be away.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Elsewhere:

Tommen approached Lord Reed, a quiet man and slight of frame. "Greetings" he ventured, wondering how the strange man would reply

------

Jenna Frey had likewise travelled east from Riverrun for the feast. She sat next to her nephew, Edywn, and ensured he ate all his vegetables.

[The Mad Skylord]

Howland looked at the young man with a start. He was used to just blending into the background and being ignored, but this boy seemed to want to talk to him. "Hello. What can I do for you, Ser?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Howland looked at the young man with a start. He was used to just blending into the background and being ignored, but this boy seemed to want to talk to him. "Hello. What can I do for you, Ser?"

"it is said that the Crannogmen's use of poison is renowned." Tommen began. He set down a large jug of brandy on the table. "I've come to see how you fare with our poison." He poured two large cups. "A drinking contest, Lord Reed."

[The Mad Skylord]

Howland Reed raised his eyebrow.

"It is, we use it to fell crocodiles, and other larger beasts. Like Frey men at arms, more than once in the history of our houses!"

The small man suddenly began to smile, he had played this game with Tormund many times, always with the harsh spirit the Crannogmen made from shrubbery. He was confident to say the least.

"I accept your challenge! Let us see how you Southrons can handle your drink!"

Howland had surprised even himself by his sudden sociability.

((OOC: How does this work? I trust you, so want to just do a couple rolls to see who ends up more drunk or what? I'm assuming you have a plan.))

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Oldstones is better than a fetid swamp, you Reeds might have some peace for a while." Tommen replied while pouring the liquor. "Let us see what you're made of, Reed!" He drank down his first cup with ease.

ooc: really just a simple duel roll, no modifiers.

[The Mad Skylord]

Howland grinned.

"At least we don't need castles to defend our lands, Frey!"

Howland tossed the cup of brandy easily, noting the pleasant taste.

((Okaliy smokily. YOu wishing to roll it?))

[Pontifex Maximus]

Tommen poured the next round, drank it, and burped loudly. "Only because you don't know how to build 'em!" Tommen retorted with a laugh. He was feeling a bit drunk at this point, but in good humor.

ooc: yeah sounds good.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"That's all I ask." Walder replied. "I can teach him about the seven easy enough, but he needs to learn how to fight from proven warriors. There's few of those in our lands now that Stevron's gone off to the Vale."