Lessons Learned (D1 LA)

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell sat patiently in his chair beside the end of the spectator seating area. There were no jousts today, so he imagined it would be fairly quiet in the area, while still comfortable in the pleasant outdoors.

He checked on his mule quickly, his sturdy animal that often towed him from place to place, especially in the outdoors where the softer ground proved difficult for him to navigate himself. Kevan shouldn't be far away but the Maester was in no rush, the warm sun was penetrating even his heavy robes and he found the sensation quite pleasant.

[Kevan Dunn]

Kevan strode in with some haste, as if he had hurried from somewhere else quite a distance away and didn't know if he was already too late. "Maester Oswell, I hope I haven't kept you waiting." He approached the mule and patted it.

[Maester Oswell]

"Not so much as I'd notice milord. Besides contrary to reputation some of us stuffy old Maester's appreciate the kiss of the sun upon our cheeks from time to time."

"I hope you don't mind the informality of the setting, but I thought you might like the chance to cast your eyes over the lists and tourney area before it becomes too hectic to really appreciate it."

[Kevan Dunn]

"I trust your forethought about it." Kevan moved to the man's side and grasped the handle of the wheeled contraption. "What can be learned from looking at it?"

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell laughs in a barking rough sound.

"I could lecture you until you were my age about the exacting lengths and dimensions the pure physical construction of the lists. How the height of the divide and the wood used reflect the wealth and prosperity of the host house. But you want to be a knight milord."

"Does not the sight of it fire your blood? Stir a feeling within your soul? Can you not imagine the wind whipping past as you bear down upon your opponent? This isn't a lesson of the brain, it's a lesson of the heart and soul."

[Arwyn Forrester]

It was warm, and Arwyn had shed one of her layers after the cool of the morning gave way to a warmer afternoon. Compared to what she was used to it was practically hot, and she'd prepared. The fabric was dark but not heavy, adorned with silvery and grey embroidery of tree branches, with only cap sleeves rather than full. She'd wanted to see the tournament ground where her brother would likely be riding... and that mystery knight from earlier.

Speaking of others who might be, though, she noticed the others present and approached with a genteel curtsy and a smile. "The clear skies make it feel like the event starting on a good note, don't they?"

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell placed a gentle hand over the top of Kevan's to guide him in turnng the chair around to greet the new arrival.

"They certainly do milady. Although I think I'll still over a prayer to the Warrior for the safety of those who would compete in Lady Ashlyn's name in the days to come. Did you manage to catch a glimpse the Royal party when they arrived this morning Lady Forrester?"

[Kevan Dunn]

"I don't know if this is a lesson that can be learned from afar rather than right out there..." He was pondering something in line with mysterious knighthood when a Forrester lady arrived. The lists had little chance to win his attention over her, and he didn't have the instinct to pretend it was otherwise. Seeing a Northerner dressing lighter than a typical Northerner was a curiosity in itself, it looked like even they were not stubborn enough to defy and distrust the weather. At least one lady wasn't. "I hope the fair weather is here to stay." He smiled at her warmly, adding to the forgiving aura, and bowed a bit at her curtsying as his flickering aquamarine eyes were regarding her. Out of respect for his maester he did not try to direct the conversation from the tracks he had been setting it on, about the royals.

[Arwyn Forrester]

"Yes, I hope so, as well... Admittedly, I am not used to it yet, myself," she admittedly with a smile with returned warmth. Her blue eyes met the aquamarine briefly before bowing, wildflower blue rather than carrying the cold of the North farther south. She approached closer. "I will be making my own prayers for just such a thing a little later this evening." If not to the Warrior. "I did... quite the event."

"I am Arwyn Forrester. It's a pleasure to meet you both."

[Kevan Dunn]

"You still worship the Old Gods, don't you?" Kevan tilted his head with a small, wandering smile, natural on his lips. "Kevan Dunn." Looks like they were skipping hereditary appendices to presentation for now. "And this is Maester Oswell of the Burrow, my venerable teacher. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Forrester."

[Arwyn Forrester]

"We do," she agrees with a nod. Generally, she preferred not to discuss religion much in the South - some people were very intent about it - but since it was brought up, no harm in clarifying. "There's no Godswood here that I know of, but there's forest, at least."

"I hope your trip here was well?"

[Maester Oswell]

"Godswood or no, when one carries their faith in their heart they are never far from the comfort it provides." Oswell answered.

"The roads here were quite hospitable and thankfully not as long as your own. I am sure the long trek will prove worthwhile for your delegation though."

[Kevan Dunn]

"Silver Hills are not too far from here." Kevan agreed. "Would you need an escort for your forest prayers, my lady, forests being forests, especially after sundown?"

[Arwyn Forrester]

"Just a little way south, correct? Well..." She bows her head and smiles demurely. "True... there are things to be wary of. I wouldn't wish to trouble you, though."

[Kevan Dunn]

"It wouldn't be any trouble, my lady. I am a Reachman after all, so as close to a host as one can be around here without being an Ashford." Kevan tilted his head slightly toward the forestline. "Unless you have another company in mind for that already."

[Maester Oswell]

Content to let the youngsters chinwag amongst themselves, Oswell contented himself with observing for now. Kevan was the heir to the Burrow after all, and this was an eligible noblewoman.

While the old Maester didn't consider himself a matchmaker by any means, he knew that given Kevan's age an arrangement should be made sooner rather than later.

[Arwyn Forrester]

"Not at all... Perhaps you might have time tomorrow evening?" She dips a little again. "I would be most grateful for both the company and another watchful eye on the surroundings."

[Kevan Dunn]

"It'll be an honour, Lady Forrester. I'll be your company and your watchful eye." Kevan bowed chivalrously, then glanced at the maester, more or less guessing where his thoughts were going on this. "My father respects the Northerners."

[Arwyn Forrester]

She smiles at that. "My brother has quite a lot of respect for Southron traditions, as well," she replies with a nod. "Has your father had much interaction with the northern houses?"

[Maester Oswell]

Oswell's thoughts were truly not difficult for young Kevan to read. As the boy's tutor for the last few years (among his other duties) the Maester had made no secret of his thoughts regarding the young man's marital status, both to Kevan and his father.

To hear his future Lord starting to make connections (and possibly overtures) with a potential wife brought a slight smile to his face.

[Kevan Dunn]

"My father has not been a keen traveller ever since his injury, and as the Lord Commander his duties keep him at the Burrow, so for him it's more about principles than interactions. He believes the Northerners to be upright, honouring oaths and customs and scornful of treachery." Kevan explained, his attention on Arwyn, aquamarines flickering. "But I think Maester Oswell would agree that interactions and ties are very important too. It may be my task as his heir to make them emerge."

[Arwyn Forrester]

"I would like to think most of the Houses of the North kerp to that idea. The Starks are good leaders and examples of that." She agrees. Aside from the Whitehills. "They are important. We're hoping to develop more ties and interactions beyond the North, as well. Forrester is a young House, after all, if not in history."

[Kevan Dunn]

"I can't say I am too familiar with the fortunes of your house, Lady Forrester, but the house is noble if its members are, and you certainly exude nobility." Kevan inclined his head in recognition. "My father, once he arrives, may have a need to talk with the head of your family about how best to foster our mutual interactions." A smile, small and brisk, acted as a dot at the end of his sentence as he regarded the young woman.

[Arwyn Forrester]

"You flatter me, my Lord," she says with a small smile, dipping her head. "Perhaps we can get to know one another a bit more in the mean time as the Tourney progresses... You are competing?" It was never good to assume.

[Kevan Dunn]

"And I thought I was doing a fine job in restraining my urge to compliment you, my lady." Kevan smirked. "So much for not coming off as a flatterer. I do hope that as we get to know one another you'll see my more desirable qualities." He nodded. "Yes, I'll be competing in whatever I am allowed to. It's no secret that my knighthood is overdue so I cherish the opportunity to prove myself. There haven't been too many in the long winter."