The Tourney at Ashford

Tomas and Redbark are out exploring the woods, seeing if there is any interesting game out there.

Desmond and Walder were still in the woods. The Terrick boy sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. He tossed a stick and watched his dog eagerly race after it.

The Reach pair approaches quietly until Tomas sees the boy and his dog. After a moment, he speaks up. "Oh. Hey. Hi."

"Another dog!" Desmond grinned. "Is it named Walder, too?"

Tomas gives Derrick a mild confused look. "Um. No. Her name is Redbark. Is that common name for dogs at Ashford?"

"I don't know." he shrugged. "I met a girl earlier, from the north, with a dog named Walder. My dog's name is Walder too, named after one of my Frey cousin. My name is Desmond, of House Terrick."

"Oh." Tomas wondered why he named his dog after his cousin. And why the Northern girl did. Maybe Walders are great guys?

But a little lord introduced himself. Tomas gives a bow. "I am Tomas Flowers, from House Dunn."

Desmond stood and returned the gesture. "Nice to meet you Tomas, and you Redbark. Have you found anything interesting out here?"

Tomas relaxes a little. This guy hasn't made any snide or horrified reactions to his face, nor does he seem pompous. Redbark senses her master relax and goes over introduce herself to Walder.

"Nothing yet. But I haven't been out here long. How's your hunting going?"

"I haven't found anything yet." he shook his head. "I did hear of a white stag or something like that. Gwen, the one with the other Walder, and I were thinking of forming a hunting party. Would you be interested?"

Tomas nods. "That sounds like fun. I never heard of a white stag before though." Tomas didn't disbelieve it though. His curiosity was piqued.

Desmond shrugged. "I've never seen one. But, I'd like to. We should learn more about it and about the area."

Mayhaps nearby, Ferris and his owl were on the prowl for game.

Slowly he moved deeper into the woods and after a moment he was fairly certain he had caught the figure of something worthwhile.

Not noticing Cafferen, Tomas considers where to learn about the white stag. "Maybe we could ask the maester about it?"

"That's a good idea." he nodded. "I was thinking of just asking locals, but you're right."

"Do you want to get together tomorrow to take to him? Maybe you can bring the girl you met?" I wonder if she's pretty....

"I'll look for the Maester in the morning. Join me if you want. It would be good for all of us to meet, though." he nodded.

Tomas nods. "I'll be there." Tomas smiles. It was rare that another of his age wanted to be seen in public with him. He liked Desmond.

"Good." he smiled. "Gwenyth Snow is the girl I spoke to earlier. Hopefully, the six of us can get together to really explore these woods."