The Tourney at Ashford

Entering confidently, looking left and right, Tal was assessing the Dirty Dornishman. It was his first visit. Taking a seat on one of the tables he ordered himself some wine and a meat pie. He was both thirsty and hungry.

Kevan was there on multi-purpose mission of both confidential and less than savoury nature. Part of it involved checking which knight was coming here to head for the second floor... And there her was, a Valeman, Corbray if Kevan remembered correctly, the spear guy who helped apprehending the Laughing Storm. He was not heading toward the brothel though, but... eating. Without much ado, the Dunn approached the table with a decanter of Arbor. "On me, Ser. Have a good meal."

Tal was glancing up only just before Kevan got to his table. He lifts his head fully when it's obvious Kevan intends to speak to him and he half moves to rise as Kevan begins to speak. However, the Dunn's words aren't quite what Tal expected (though they were very generous!), and he falters a moment. "Errr...?"

Clearing his throat gently and catching his bearings he finishes rising to stand. "Apologies, my head was in the clouds. Lord Kevan, yes? You need not be so generous. Do you wish to sit? You fought well yesterday; your company would be an honour." Tal enthuses with a friendly smile.

"I didn't want to impose on your time of reflection, Ser Talieas." Kevan said honestly, without false politeness. "But we fought that strange battle for justice together yesterday and that's the least I can do to express my gratitude for your timely involvement." He smiled back. "A good wine from a Reachman to a Valeman."

"Your wines are good and I am thirsty. Aye, you have my thanks for your kind gesture." He dips his head and retakes his seat. "Anyhow, you're not imposing. Are you here for a meal as well m'lord?"

"Actually, I am here for the sake of my sister. She's given me an assignment I can't discuss the details of." He smiled wryly. "But that can actually coincide with having a bite of something." He joined the knight and soon ordered ribs with copious amounts of fried onion and an assortment of other local vegetables. The cuisine was not unlike at home, not truly Dornish. Or maybe he was not aware how much what he considered as Reachmanly was actually Dornish, given that the Burrow was the borderland. "I am glad for your company."

"That's good to hear young Lord. Haha." He paused to study Kevan a moment, then rubbing his cheek. Actually you might be older than me. Hmm. Thankfully his meat pie's arrival helped him shift to another topic. Thanking the wench he turned back to Kevan. "Let's test the cooking here eh? I hope your ribs are good when they arrive m'lord, and that you don't mind me being so rude as to start before you." Tal hadn't at all asked about Kevan's sister or her assignment, in fact completely skipping the topic as per Kevan's words.

"The ribs are decent, I have tried them before." Kevan replied, Seeing Tal's early descent on the pie, he poured Arbor for both of them. "Though I still wonder why one of very few places we can unwind in Ashford has Dorne in name."

"Have you asked the owner? There's probably a story to it, eh?" There surely was somewhere in the inn's conception. Maybe more than one.

"It's a little odd though, yes."

Tal began to sample the pie. It was already giving off an appetising smell.

"The last time I was here I focused on drinking and singing and cultivating camaraderie, so I didn't. And the staff looks busy right now, so we can leave it at that for now." Kevan paused, then raised the wine beaker. "Judging by the jousts and what happened right after, the Vale turned up with knights of valour and skill at Ashford."