[LA D2] Observing the Squires' Joust

[Maester Oswell]

"It seems our mutual sense of duty manifests itself in similar ways. With Lord Dunn's arrival unavoidably delayed, I have cast a similar eye across the field regarding his eldest son Kevan."

Almost as if summoned by the sound of his name the heir to the Burrow took his turn at the joust - with satisfactory results.

"Good showing milord." Oswell cheered from the stand.

[Davelyn Sand]

Similarly turning to Kevan during his turn, Davelyn clapped for the young man. "I expect he'll be able to make his way into the knights competition with that showing," the Dornishman said. "He did excellently."

Turning back to the Maester. "Well, I'm certain that there will be many meetings between many lords and ladies with marriage in mind. There will likely be overlaps in interest as well. It might be sound to have discussions about which matches are also best between competing houses as well."

At that, Davelyn sighs heavily and looks at the ground. "I dislike this. Treating people like political pieces to be traded and married off. The necessity of it isn't lost on me, but it is a bit depressing."

[Maester Oswell]

"It does seem a little...impersonal at times doesn't it. But the future of the Houses must be secured, if we leave these things to happen naturally, well...." Oswell lets the thought trail off, certain that Davelyn knew where he was going with it.

"Besides it's not like most of these arrangements go against the will of either party. The aim is a civil union at the list, a resentful bride or groom would defeat the purpose."

[Davelyn Sand]

"That's true. I suppose I'm simply more used to life in Dorne where matches of political convenience are slightly less emphasized. Paramours and open relationships based on emotion being more commonplace," he replies. "It sometimes feels like a completely different world between there and the northern realms."

[Gwenyth Snow]

Gwen cheered loudly for Marqus from the stands, even going as far as to chant some of the lines from that song that seemed to be spreading around Ashford.

[Maester Oswell]

"Even among the noble houses? I hear it often pined by many a noble that a commoner can marry for love yet such freedoms are denied to themselves due to their station of birth. If such is the case in Dorne then your culture is truly more free and liberated than I had heard."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Well, like I said, slightly less emphasized. It still is common, but it's not always demanded," he replies with a shrug.

[Maester Oswell]

"Well that's why our Lords have fine servants like us. Let their eyes catch sight of the filly they'd like to harness and leave it to us to see if the young lass is amenable. If I have to force anyone to marry milord, I'll consider it a personal failing - and I don't take failure very well."

"Hell, for all we know our Lords could become the hunted under the watchful gaze of a lovestruck maiden, wouldn't that make our lives a lot easier."

[Davelyn Sand]

"That it would," he says with a nod. "For the Lord to be chosen so I can be free to pursue duties I am more fit for." He chuckles at that. "But duty is what it is and I am glad to do so even if the task is a challenge I've not faced and I may be ill suited for."

[Maester Oswell]

"So where to Ser Davelyn's true talents lie I wonder? As a sworn knight, I imagine that you have some martial talents but what other secrets hide deep within?"

"An artist perhaps? Do you paint milord?"

[Davelyn Sand]

"Mostly I fight, practicing with my spear. Even my love of horses has a martial use. But whenever I get the chance I like to read stories as well," he says with a smile. "I used to frequent the library in the Sunspear palace between training and before bed."

[Maester Oswell]

"Ah, a literary fellow, that's good to hear. Never been down to the Library at Sunspear, don't expect to get the opportunity either if Lord Dunn has his way either, the Citadel has the finest library in the land of course. But I often find there's a title or two in the most far flung corners of the Empire that hasn't made it to their hallowed halls."

[Davelyn Sand]

"I'd love to get the opportunity to read in the Citadel... but I think I have a few years before that becomes my path," he says with a chuckle. "But, maybe, if my fighting days are not cut short..."

[Maester Oswell]

"I shall offer a prayer to the Warrior for a long and illustrious career for you then Ser Davelyn. The Citadel is a hard place for a young man, believe me."

[Davelyn Sand]

"It is an honorable service, that is often thankless I imagine. And comes at a great cost, likely the younger you are. But, thank you none the less," he replies. "The world would be a darker place without the Citadel's memory to guide it."

[Maester Oswell]

"I'll be sure to pass on your kind words to the Grand Maester during our Conclave later this week. It is always nice to know one's work is appreciated." Oswell answered before his attention was stolen by a member of House Algood making a tremendous showing in the lists.

[Davelyn Sand]

The young man's skills were quite exceptional, Davelyn smiled brightly and clapped for him. "There are many skilled squires competing today. It is a stiff competition. I think for many of them knighthood is a matter of time than likelihood."

[Maester Oswell]

"There are indeed quite a few talented individuals," Oswell agreed, not drawing attention to the failed efforts of the two female competitors.

"I trust they will all earn their spurs in the coming years based on today's performances, if not sooner."

[Davelyn Sand]

"Many of them are around my same age, so I doubt they would be interested in serving as a squire for me," he says. "But I do think I'd enjoy the chance to teach a young, ambitions squire."

[Maester Oswell]

"Surely there's a nephew or distant relation of Lord Kellington that you could take under your wing? Or are you looking to cultivate a young Dornish lad perhaps to strengthen the ties between Sunspear and Cragfort?"

[Davelyn Sand]

"There are no distant relatives of Lord Kellington that are Kellingtons. Perhaps there are some among the Cafferens. But I also think that at this point I still need to prove my worth to him before he'd ask me to do so over other knights in his service," he says with a shrug.

[Talieas Corbray]

She recalled that when they had met the night before, some of her innuendo had flown completely over his head, it seemed it had happened again. Regardless, she was quite serious, "aside frrom his skill in the joust, he is an accomplished warriorr and tactician, and no doubt he will put on a memorrable display in the grrand melee, as well as the equestrrian. Norr is he any slouch in managing rresources and people."

"But I cannot imagine why you wish to know this, unless you arre meaning to prropose. Do you fancy yourrself a Lady of the Rreach?"

Tal was not the best with sub-text, double talk or metaphors. Only the most obvious got through regularly. Sometimes, when he was paying particular attention for them, he picked up on them and tried to keep up. This afternoon his attention was on the squire's joust however.

"A gifted man and a good Lord one day." Tal replies, giving Kaliya an amused little smile. "If I do then will you recommend a dress for me to wear and help me with styling this?" Winking at her he runs a hand through his short blonde hair. "I'd want to look my best."

[Kaliya Redding]

Laughing, she reached up to ruffle his tresses, "Tal, when I have finished with you, Tarrgarryen prrinces will come courrting," and she winked, "you should stop by some time in the next few days. We'll have a drress fitting," the tone of the final two words weighed significantly.

[Talieas Corbray]

"Hahaha! As good a life that may be I'd rather visit you for... well, anything else!" He chuckles wryly as his cheeks redden ever so slightly. "I'd also like to introduce you to my fellows, such as Lord Warryn Wydman."

[Kaliya Redding]

"I jest, sweet Tal," she purred, "though pink cerrtainly does flatterr you. But you arre most welcome to brring along a frriend orr two, if you wish. You will find I am morre than adequate a host to accommodate you all."