(A work done by
@MrDidact and (I? Me?). Thanks buddy!)
The day began on a brighter note today, at least. The sun peered shyly over the curtain of mist, its rays attempting in vain to pierce through the dense fog. Frados found himself already awake, yet not entirely, half-listening to Arillos convey everything he knew about the guests and their behaviors. He slept light as of late, never knowing when he had to be ready for an invasion that outnumbered his garrison tens or hundreds to one. Still, for now, the visitors are not causing any trouble. He nodded as Arillos finished his report, then sent him away. It won't be long before Lindsay and the guests wake.
Daeron, being nobly born, was given a suite of his own while the rest of the men had to contend with shared quarters. Daeron was also the first to wake. He was anxious, wishing to quickly cement Frados' commitment to their cause, and not knowing if he could do so. The young lady seemed sympathethic to their side, but it was the old Lord Regent that he had to convince. He had to find some way to swing Frados to their side. The Roxtons were well-positioned, and would be able to help control travel between the Reach and the Crownlands. With them on their side, they could help stifle any march from either direction by Green forces. But the Greens already had some of the most powerful houses in the province on their side. It would take quite a bit to convince Roxton to risk himself in the face of that.
The young knight got dressed in clothes more suitable to formal meetings, though he still wore darker fabrics with no device or distinguishing color to them, the only adornment being his Velaryon pin. He checked his boot and made sure his holdout was still in place. He left the room and found his own men, almost all abed save Longjon, who nodded at him. Together they roused the rest and were ready and presentable. Doubtless their host would soon gather them to break their fast. This would be another chance to talk.
"Lords and Sers, to your meal," said Arillos, bowing low to the little party and gesturing down the corridors. He led them through to the dining hall, where Frados and Lindsay sat, their korzion board as always sitting between them. Frados looked up at the group as they entered.
"Good morn, I hope you've had a refreshing night," he said, turning back to the board.
"Could you help uncle with his play? Without it, he's going to lose in three moves," Lindsay giggled, under Frados' withering glare.
Daeron brightened, smiling, "Korizon? I didn't think the game was very popular outside of the Crownlands. My father taught me when I was very young. It's been a while since I played but..." He glanced over the the board, noting the positions of each piece and feeling the old strategems coming back to him, "Ah my dear lord Frados, the young lady has you in quite a pickle. However, Lady Lindsay is brilliant and bold in her moves, but doesn't have a more experienced player's caution. Look closely my lord."
Daeron traded glances with Lindsay and smiled at her, settling down to watch as the boys all sat at the table and made small talk.
Frados rested his head in his palm while Lindsay huffed. She was not inexperienced! Her skills with games such as these were unmatched in the castle! Then she stopped, and gave a sly grin, bordering on wicked. "Well, I have much to learn, Ser. If you would kindly sit down and teach me a few strategies, it would be valuable towards helping me grasp this game."
"Guest's move first," Frados chuckled. He'd seen this before. In his mind's eye, he saw a young Keles, so assured in his merchant ventures before being run out of Planky Town, sweating a storm under Lindsay's careful planning. So too did he remember Arillos, suffering a similar fate after spending his last silvers buying his freedom from the Fighting Pits and a charter to Westeros. Lindsay began resetting the pieces, and gestured to the opposite chair.
The young knight laughed, "Very well, who am I to deny my host. But I hope the young lady will be merciful, and offer quarter." He looked over the board, making eye contact with his even younger opponent and decided to play it safe. He would be prudent, advance methodically and safely. Most like the girl would prefer to move quickly, and may slip up. It was exactly the opposite of how he preferred to fight, but games resembled war very little, with their neat, ordered lines and luxurious pace. Not that Daeron had ever been in a true war, fighting sellswords and pirates in raids hardly counted.
But if there was one valuable lesson these games taught it was the psychology of battle. Daeron made his move, an unspectacular and safe tactic before letting his host continue. He spoke to Frados as he did, "I hope you've given some more thought to our proposition, my lord. I'm sure Ser Otto or one of his envoys came about to see you and try to persuade you to fall in line. But any coin or honors they can give you, we can match, I'm sure you know. The Sea Snake is the only man richer than the Hightowers and the Lannisters. And he can be quite generous to his friends."
Frados cut the knight off with a wave of his hand. "I've told Lindsay many times, and I'll tell you now. The table is no place for worries. Save those for the main hall. Outside of that, I must suggest you watch your left side." True enough, Lindsay was quickly advancing her pieces through, covering the left wall in an attempt to trap Daeron's stray outer pieces.
Daeron nodded, "Very well, your hall, your rules." He was right so far. Lindsay was bold, quick to pounce. He shored up his left side, as he should. But he left just enough of an opening to tempt an advance anyway. It may have seemed like innocent oversight from someone who had not played the game in some time. But it was something Corlys had taught him. Offer the enemy an oppurtunity, then turn it to your own advantage. He would see if Lindsay would take the bait. In the meantime, he kept advancing the rest of his formation of pieces methodically, with no hassle.
Lindsay could see what Daeron was up to. Ser Haraway had made the same move in the only game they played together. After, he had whimpered about how he was doing the chivalrous thing by letting the child win, then tended to make himself rather scarce when Lindsay showed up in a room, board in hand. She played a piece into the center, where she could catch the opening with a fork. Then, she faked a yawn, and pretended to be very interested in the glasswork behind Daeron's back. "You have two moves, Ser. Make the most of them," she said, acting as if she was very bored of him.
Hmm, not so foolhardy as she could have been. Interesting. Child players usually threw caution to the wind, the best managing to slaughter their way through the board before being taken out of play quickly. Daeron knew he had been so brash when he first started playing. Lindsay was different. Very well, then. He'd have to adjust.
Daeron moved to shore up the opening he had left. He had advanced slowly, but hadn't exposed himself. His lines were a tight, ordered cluster. The most likely thing would that Lindsay would chip away at him, or else try to force an opening at his flanks. She seemd confident at least. Daeron smiled, "Two moves? The lady is very assured of herself. I will strive to surprise."
He started to strike out on his right, heretofore mostly ignored, a cursory probe. He wanted to see how she would react. They went on for some time, trading moves, feints, and strikes as the sun continued to rise, Daeron finding himself surprisngly hard-pressed to contain his opponent. Until . . .
"Perhaps the battlefield would be more suited to your talents, Ser," Lindsay said, moving her center to capture Daeron's last triarch piece. "Let us play again sometime. You're far better than Ser Haraway, that I'm sure." She laughed, seeing Daeron's confused face. "But enough for now. Breakfast!" Servants sidled through the door, laying out many breads and cheeses.
The Velaryon knight smiled good-naturedly, "I gave as good as I got, but I must conceed victory to your ladyship." Lindsay was far better than he had thought a mainlander, a mainlander child even would be. He had come close, but he had been defeated with style, "A battlefield, a real battlefield is much different from a game, a soldier's instincts aren't as well served. Particularly against an opponent as formidable as yourself."
The boys dug in eagerly to the food, Daeron eating politely while making small-talk, "The tales of Reachman grain and cheeses are true. Surely, your lands are the richest in the kingdom in such matters. But perhaps, Lady Lindsay could some day experience the fare of Dirftmark or Dragonstone. On the islands, we have all the treasures of the sea at our disposal. And recipes dating back all the way before the Doom of Valyria. Seafood to best any other in Westeros or Essos, I assure you. Dining with the crash of the seas and the roaring of dragons to accompany it? Nothing quite tops that, in my humble opinion."
Lindsay's mind was afire with romantic images of soaring cliffs, dragons roosting at the top like majestic kings. "I would love nothing more," she said, mouth full of bread. An admonishing look from Frados made her quickly close her mouth back up with a sheepish look.
"That sounds lovely indeed, my good Ser Daeron," Frados said. He ate nothing of the meal. His stomach was already filled with stress. "But unfortunately, the two of us cannot stray too far from the castle. If there is no Roxton present to keep the Ring in check, I fear we may return to a less appealing home. You, as a leader of armies would understand best. Your captains work best when you are watching over them." There, unfortunately, was no diplomatic way to put off the starry-eyed knight, and he felt that dancing around the subject like he was would not get the point across to Ser Daeron.
Daeron nodded, "I understand that, Lord Frados. But should you enter the war, you most like would need to send Lady Lindsay away to a safer refuge, whether you choose Green or Black. Dragonstone is one of the most formidable fortresses in these lands, that is a fact. Should you declare for us, I swear on my honor as a knight and as a member of House Velaryon that no harm would befall her. Likewise, I can assure you that your friendship to the Queen and her Hand will be remembered and rewarded. My uncle has quite a bit of influence. Friends throughout the kingdom and the Free Cities. He can do great things for House Roxton."
Frados felt trapped. The walls, once keeping the room at an airy, open space, now seemed so much closer than before. "Erm . . . " he groaned, stumbling over his words. Lindsay said nothing, but her gaze told him everything. She wanted, no doubt, for him to take Daeron's offer. She is but young, and doesn't yet understand that honor, while all well and good, is not the primary deciding factor in war. "Yes, I think in time, both Lady Roxton and I would be able to visit the coveted spires of Dragonstone. In time, of course." Twenty, perhaps thirty years would do the trick nicely. "I think you have said your part, and said it well. You should be off to visit our neighbors soon. In due time, I shall send a raven to your Hand, Lord Corlys, stating my descision. Now, if you are of good heart, you would allow an old man his thoughts."
The young knight managed to keep his disappointment from his face. If Frados wasn't willing to commit now, the more likely it became over time that he would simply say no. He would fail. To the young man, such a prospect was incredibly disheartening but he soldiered on with a polite nod, "And you have been a very gracious host, my lord. And young Lady Lindsay has been the picture of charm and courtesy. I'm sure that when the time comes, she will be a great beauty and an excellent ruler."
He finished his food, standing up with a knightly bow to Lindsay and Frados, "No matter your decison, I'm glad to have come and made your acquantince. But I would be remiss if I didn't say that you have plenty of time to make a choice. House Tyrell has thus so far elected to remain neutral. So can you. If you do not wish to join us, I urge you to defend your lands and nothing more. I'm sure the Tyrells would be willing to foster Lady Lindsay if you wished to ensure her safety. Hopefully for all our sakes, brother and sister can find peace. If not, I believe neutrality is the best choice for your house, until you can consolidate your position."
Daeron looked at Lindsay then, "I cannot speak for my uncle, nor my king or queen. Not even the other members of my house. But on my honor, no matter your decison, I vow to not raise arms against the Ring or House Roxton, for the hospitality and friendship you have offered me. I swear it by all the gods, old and new, as well as the gods of my ancestors in Valyria." He bowed his head and left the room, his men following in step behind him.
This can't be the end already! Lindsay knew she had to speak to the fascinating knight one last time before he leaves. So when the party was assembling their supplies, ready to make way back to their islands, Lindsay, finding an opportune time when her uncle was well occupied, paid a last visit to the guest chambers. She tapped the door with a knuckle, and when a soldier came to open it, she smiled and curtsied best she could, and spoke. "I've come to bid you and the Ser a good voyage."
Aurion nodded to Lindsay, bowing low as befitted their respective stations and beckoning Daeron to come forward. They were all ready for the road, in their high-quality but undecorated and unassuming armor with dark travelling cloaks and hoods. Their weapons had been returned to them and Daeron wore his sword on his hip.
Daeron saw Lindsay and he smiled earnestly at her, bowing in turn to her, "Lindsay, your presence was a bright spot in these serious matters. I hope with all my heart that our paths will cross again, and that I can show you the wonders of my home." Daeron thought that in another life, Lindsay could have been a sister to him. But in another life, this war would not be approaching at all.
He knelt to be on the same level as her and said, "I wish you and your uncle the best, and that the gods will go with you. We have a long journey ahead of us. Before we go, I would ask the lady for her favor. The favor of such a cunning and lovely young lady would surely offer great protection to a humble knight such as myself." It was a somewhat foolish notion, wrapping some garment of hers around his armor. She wasn't his bride to be or any such thing. But Daeron had no woman he loved, yet. No mother or sister to offer him theirs. But perhaps this brilliant, charming girl could offer her protection. A foolish notion, but he had never been accussed of having a surplus of good sense.
There was one thing Lindsay felt, would make a good gift. She had no scarf on her, but one thing she never went anywhere without. She grabbed his hand and turned the palm up, then pressed a small steel object into it. A round disc, in the center carved a Valyrian rune. The third Triarch, the goal required to win a game of korzion. "Don't lose it. I'll be wanting to win it back," she said, grinning ear to ear. "Uncle might be getting worried soon. I hope then, that I may visit you soon, and we can play as friends, like today."
Daeron's smile mirrored hers, "I would like that very much, my lady. I'm sure you'll trounce me, as before. But I'll practice, and I promise to put up a good fight. When you come to the island, I can take you sailing. I don't think you've ever sailed before have you?" Daeron just had to make sure that Rhaenyra won the war first. And for that, they needed to meet with some of the Riverlanders now. They had made their pleas to the Reach Lords they could speak to. Now their path would take them through the Trident and on to Maidenpool before home.
The Knight decided to give his own gift. His hair was pinned back behind his head in a Volantene warrior's knot. But Daeron took out the knife at his hip, and cut the braid, letting his long white hair fall back straight. He could always get it redone later. He sheathed the dagger and offered braid and weapon to Lindsay, "Something for you to remember me by, should the worst happen. And something to defend yourself with. Should we see each other again, I'll trade you for an even better one. But this was my first knife, the one I had as a squire when I sailed with the Sea Snake to put some pirates to Justice and earned my knighthood. Hopefully you won't need it, but you should learn, just in case. Treat it with respect and practice at it, and it will serve you well." The steel was plain but high-quality, and Valyrian etchings were worked into the hilt, translating to the Velaryon words, which he recited, "The Old, The True, The Brave"
"Those are the words of my family, Lindsay. May you be true and brave as well." He offered one last smile and stood to leave, walking off with his men behind men.
The blade glittered in the sunlight, at last breaking through the wall of water between. It was as if it broke through at just the right time to strike the steel at its center, giving it the impression of being alight in a warm glow. With its humble, bright air, the dagger was almost a hopeful antithesis to the brooding pride inherent in Orphan-Maker. The braid rested in her other hand, as silver and reflective as the steel. She would remember Ser Daeron, she promised herself, clutching her gifts tight. She would have her Triarch back.
Kronshi
Noctis
Vampiretwilight
Little Bill