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Post by skyman on Apr 5, 2009 8:13:06 GMT
Word had been sent to the Mekelns as soon as Ser Courtnay had brought back the untranslatable parchment, and from there word had been sent to the Storm King. Soon, a small group had arrived on Harpy Rock, led by Paul Mekeln, second son of the house. Along with him came Ser Boris Graves, a well known warrior in service to the Mekelns, as well as Maester Kalland, a fluent speaker of Valyrian in service to the Tharons, his assistant, and a dozen Mekeln house guards.
Maester Kalland had quickly departed to Alys's room after the formal greetings. Paul Mekeln had gone with Lord Adam and Ser Courtnay to discuss some issues in more privacy. The guards had been given quarters. Only Ser Boris was left with Irma, Dray, and Ser Erik.
Boris was near seven feet tall, but extraordinarily thin. The sword at his side was also as long as a greatsword but half the width. His black hair was very short and his eyes were perpetually wide.
"Do not let me keep you, milord, milady, ser," he said in a flat, nasal voice. "I think perhaps I will take a ride in the woods. If you care to join me you will be welcome, but otherwise I shall not hold a grudge."
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Post by aagon on Apr 5, 2009 9:27:07 GMT
Dray watched his father disappear with his uncle. He would never have kept Ranulf out of the meeting he thought bitterly. While his father welcomed him home, he seemed unprepared to fully accept him as heir. Him and everyone else. Dray cleared his mind and studied the tall man curiously. He had heard of Ser Boris and his sword of course, but never met him. "It would be an honor, ser." He hesitated. "I must admit, ser, I have heard many rumors of your sword. An unconventional form, but it must be a masterpiece I have never seen the work of Elja Starfall. I would look upon it if you would allow it."
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Post by Cosmichorror on Apr 5, 2009 12:27:01 GMT
Though she wanted to find out how the girl was doing, being the one who found her afterall, but the Maester was seeing her now, and hopefully he could help her better than she. For now, she decided to play her part as the lord's daughter.
"Indeed," Irma agreed with her twin. "maybe we could see a demonstration of your skill with it? Here on our, admitadly small, island, Ser Erik is known as being the best with a blade." She smiled, looking up at the castle's Master-at-arms.
"Maybe after a short ride? I know I would enjoy a ride through the woods." Irma was already dressed for riding, wanting to get out of the castle and away from the bustle if only for a short time.
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Post by Edivad on Apr 5, 2009 20:14:35 GMT
That is one interesting sword mused Erik to himself I wonder if he's as good with it as they say..... Erik had been sizing up Ser Boris from the moment he had seen him, not having paid much attention to Maester Kalland other than giving him the customary greetings.
"Ah, ser, we would indeed be happy to join you for a ride in the woods."
"Who, me? "Erik tried to act embarassment at Irma's proposal of a friendly duel, but it was obvious he would be eager to test his skills against such a renowned warrior "I'm a good swordman, but I do not think I could match you Ser. Though it wouldn't hurt either of us if you could teach me a few tricks...You know, a knight must always keep his skills sharp..."he trailed off, obviously interested in seeing how good Boris really was .
"After the ride, of course."he added echoing Irma's words
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Post by skyman on Apr 8, 2009 0:42:48 GMT
Boris drew out the blade at Dray's request. The steel was dark, but when it caught the light correctly it glimmered like a jewel. "This sword has saved me many a time, though it would not be so well suited to others. I find that learning to fight is largely about finding the tactics that most suit your own skill, before thinking about fighting a particular foe."
When it appeared everyone wanted to go for a ride, Boris mounted up. "Let's ask for some tourney swords then, if Ser Erik and I do try a friendly duel. Is there somewhere in particular you find to make for a nice ride on this island, and that would have a good space for our little bout?"
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Post by Cosmichorror on Apr 8, 2009 7:01:59 GMT
Irma swung up into Stormwind's saddle. "The old Owl Well has a clearing around it, and it's not too far." Irma offered, pulling on her riding gloves and looked to the others for confirmation.
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Post by skyman on Apr 8, 2009 7:11:15 GMT
The Owl Well was located within a denser part of Rikkard's Woods; the path leading to it was too narrow for more than two to ride side-by-side.
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Post by aagon on Apr 9, 2009 5:01:05 GMT
When Ser Boris drew his blade, Dray studied it, clearly impressed. "It is a fine blade, Ser."
Dray concurred with Irma's suggestion. As they rode he, caught Irma's eye at one point and smiled. In all the excitement of the strange appearance of the Valyrian girl and preparing for their visitors, they'd never had the chance to take their ride. Silver Eye flew overhead, though he kept his distance after Dray signaled him too.
As they rode Dray said to Irma loud enough for all to hear, "I had forgotten much of this place. But it comes back to me now."
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Post by Cosmichorror on Apr 9, 2009 5:15:56 GMT
Irma smiled as they rode. Tempest lazily drifted far overhead, barely noticable in the clear sky, and impossible to find once they entered the forest.
"That's good, it would be unfortunate if the future lord didn't know the lay of his own land." She quipped lightly, but there was a purpose behind her words, to keep the fact that Dray was the heir of his house in the mind of Boris as they rode.
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Post by skyman on Apr 9, 2009 5:19:29 GMT
"Yes indeed," said Ser Boris as he admired the foliage. "I imagine you Calderrons are getting to know Brenton lands better than your own, these days," he said with a stifled chuckle.
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Post by Cosmichorror on Apr 9, 2009 5:37:55 GMT
Irma's face reddened a bit at that, but returned the jab. "Well, we should know them afterall. They were ours once." She reminded him. "Though I'm sure the Mekeln's know that too, they are our liege lords afterall."
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Post by aagon on Apr 9, 2009 5:53:33 GMT
Dray stiffened when Boris spoke and opened his mouth to respond, but Irma beat him to it. Some of the tightness drained away as she spoke and he nodded with her. Dray waited to see how Boris responded.
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Post by skyman on Apr 9, 2009 5:57:25 GMT
"True enough," said Ser Boris. "Although I would never bet more than a few groats on the Mekelns knowing something." This time he remained straight-faced. He plucked a pinecone from a tree as they rode, and began tossing it into the air to catch.
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Post by aagon on Apr 9, 2009 6:14:44 GMT
Dray froze in shock for a couple of moments, before bursting out laughing. He recovered and asked with a relatively straight face, "Are you insulting my liege lords, ser?"
Dray stared at Boris for a few seconds, studying him.
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Post by skyman on Apr 9, 2009 6:18:52 GMT
Boris shook his head. "I'm afraid you must have misunderstood me, my lord. Both of us are faithful servants of our liege lord, I know."
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