The Tourney at Ashford

Wandering around the eastern pavilion grounds to see who was about and to stretch his legs Talieas sometimes paused to greet the groups around the various campfires. Some were anti social or standoffish, but most gave kind greetings or invited him to join them for a bit. It certainly helped that he had some dried meat that he was offering cuts of in return for other food. Little exchanges like this gave variation and a great opening to meet people and find out what was going on in the world. However, for Tal it was just nice and common courtesy.

Dressed in a slightly loose green tunic with onyx studs and practical brown breeches along with thick boots he was in a good mood. With any luck he'd be jousting in the morrow.

Arwyn, held up by her conversation with Cassana, passed through the the Pavilion grounds on her way back to the camp, only to find another person on her way. She curtsied politely to the man before her. "Good evening."

Arwyn's appearance and curtsy were a little surprise, but a nice one. He had met mostly men around the camp sites after all. Another pretty lady? There will surely be a lot of competition in the tournament to impress all these beautiful women. He grinned at the thought of how good the challenge would be, though he tried not to consider how well he might do.

"Good evening m'lady." Her curtsy was returned with a polite bow. "Ser Talieas Corbray at your service. Just getting to know our neighbours." He gestured toward the Wydman tents and flag. "How do you do?"

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I was just on my way back to my camp after visiting the forest a little earlier, so I feel refreshed," she replies with a smile. "Arwyn Forrester, daughter of Lord Eddard Forrester of Ironrath."

A Forrester going to forests. Well, makes sense. "The pleasure is all mine good lady Forrester. The forest's blessing must be one your House enjoys very much for I feel refreshed meeting you this evening." He smiled boyishly at the slightly cheesy line. A chuckle followed. "You'll have to forgive me. I feel far too excited because of the jousts due to begin come morrow. Will any of your family be competing?" He rolledhis hand in the air "Or perhaps those sworn to it?"

She chuckles. The line was cheesy, but it was cute, at least. "We are named for it." She says warmly. "I was able to find a nice clearing... it might be able to serve in lieu of a godswood, so that was nice."

"Not at all... it is rather exciting to be on the ever of the tournament, isn't it? My brother, Marqus, and possibly Derryk Flint may be competing. I haven't spoken to them since early this morning to say for sure."

Nodding and murmuring his understanding he does take a moment to glance toward the distant forest.

Looking back to her he becomes a bit excited again. "Well, if either is then it'll make the tournament all the more interesting." He realised then he was focusing on the martial competition a bit much. Here he was speaking to a lady. "Still, that's probably enough about men going at each other with sticks eh?" He smiles again. "What are you looking forward to m'lady? What brings you here?"

She shook her head. "I don't mind hearing about it. As to that, though, it was very exciting seeing so many of the Targaryens here. I'm looking forward to meeting so many of the other Houses present... I rarely have a chance to travel South. I'm hoping for..." She demures, looking down a little. "... possibly being able to help my house. And watching the tourney itself."

"Oh, the princes? Absolutely." It was a huge deal after all.

At her honesty and earnestness he adopts a more serious and impressed expression. "Your House is fortunate to have you Lady Forrester. We're all looking to aid our family and friend eh? I wish you good fortune." He says respectfully.

"I also hope you're finding the heat not too oppressive. Even for us Valers it's rather warm in these southron lands. How is it for someone from the North?"

A light blush when he compliments you. "Of course. If we can find to form a friendship of mutual aid with another House, all the better." She laughs gently. "Marqus and I are probably going to look like we're dressed for summer to be honest," she says. "It feels much warmer than we're used to.

"Aye, for me too m'lady." Running a hand through his hair he glances around and then recalls where the Forresters had their camp. "Might I escort you to your tents? We could perhaps discuss what aid your fine family are seeking - and I could share the same of the noble Wydmans."

"I would be grateful for your escort," she replies with a smile and a nod. "I know Lord Warryn Wydman was mentioning trouble with the mountain clans... perhaps you could tell me more? Our own troubles are more... diplomatic, a land dispute with our close neighbors, the Whitehills."

"Aye, I certainly can. Mean uncivilised raiding brutes." Tal frowns as he thinks of them. "Lord Warryn is a strong man. He'll lead the Wydman House just as well as his father when the time comes I expect, but putting down the clans and exerting proper influence and control over the land - ya, that's got to be the main aim for both." Taking a few steps in the direction of the not too far Forrester campsite he ushers her politely to walk as they spoke. When she did he walked beside her while keeping a couple of feet away; close enough they could speak easily, but not anywhere near so close as to be at all improper. "If the lands could be secured then there are good prospects for mining, farming and such. A good profit to be had."

Shrugging his shoulders he returns to Arwyn's points about her own house's troubles. "Lady Forrester, I confess I've only heard a little of your family and even less of the Whitehills. Could you tell me a little more?" He chuckles softly and looked away, actually a bit embarrassed. "I was never the best student to my tutors. Too much time running away to swing sticks. Being with the Wydmans I realised that I ought to learn more of the world and the ways of things. I hope you don't mind."

She follows his leads, continuing toward her camp, skirts carefully lifted enough not to get them too dirty as she walked. "I see," she replied thoughtfully, considering the Wydmans' situation.

As the request for information, she explains. "Our House is fairly young... if you've heard a little of our family, it is likely that, and our stewardship of the Ironwood groves of the Wolfswood. My father, Lord Eddard Forrester, was a distant cousin within House Stark not so long ago. However, before the Blackfyre Rebellion, there was a great contention in the North for who had claim to those groves. Lord Barthogen Stark chose to resolve the matter by reviving the ancient House Forrester and placing my father in charge of it. However, many of the Houses that were warring over the groves before turned their attention to us. We managed to dissuade most of them except House Whitehill, our close neighbors. Whitehill had Ironwood groves once, but they overharvested them until there were no more in their own lands, so now they look to ours." She sighs and shakes her head. "My apologies... it's rather aggravating to me, though Father doesn't feel there's much worth to worrying about the situation beyond doing what we can to resolve it."

"Aye, still, better safe than sorry eh? If you could persuade them to push off somehow it'd be the best for both of you." He sighs a moment, but quickly rises up straight and smiles at Arwyn. "Maybe I'm naive, but after fighting the clans and bandits I just think there are too many houses needlessly fighting each other. It's a waste." He pauses there to see what Arwyn thought about that.

"It would," she agrees, her gaze switching between him and her path forward. "We truly have no interest at all in fighting the Whitehills. We have far too much to worry about as a new House to want to start a war with them, or want them to start a war with us. We'd rather solve things diplomatically, if possible, and be able to focus on doing our job and helping our allies."

The young knight made a thoughtful noise, his gaze sweeping to those around them as he slowed for a few steps. When he looked to Arwyn once again and caught up he dipped his head apologetically while rubbing the back of his neck. "Things sound difficult for yourselves just like the Wydmans. I confess my own family have their challenges to overcome. I'm not one for politics. Wish I was moreso sometimes. Then again I dislike all the trickery and games. Probably for the best I'm just a knight eh?"

She chuckles softly. "Well... the politics of the North don't tend to involve too much trickery usually," she replies. "We tend to know each other's intentions, even if they're ill ones."

"Vale's the same for the most part, unlike..." He clears his throat quickly even as he looks around. Yeah, enough said about that. In fact, the little the better!

"So, both yourselves and the Wydmans are seeking allies eh? Could well be worth talking it over after getting to know one another. I mean, building trust first is important right?" Tal smiles back. A moment later he scratches his neck, trying to be delicate in his language. "Tragic though it certainly is, you may know Warryn is a widower. That might mean something. Worth considering eh?"

"And so young..." she looks sympathetic for a moment, then shakes her head. Men had their pride, he likely wouldn't want her fussing about it. "I was mentioning to him that we might wish to discuss how our Houses might interact in the near future... I think it's certainly worth considering. We will have to find a good time to have a talk like that."

"Aye, just don't leave it too late eh? From what the young Lord's told me these tourneys go by fast." He rolls his shoulders, excitement returning to his expression. "It's my first one. I'll be pestering the steward for the whole thing until he lets me joust." Tal bursts into a laugh but hushes quickly as a few other folk nearby give him looks.

"Right, it's late. Sorry about that m'lady." He says much more quietly while ducking his head and looking suitably chastised.

She chuckles and shakes her head gently. "Well... There's tomorrow in the morning or late in the evening, or the next day... It really depends on when he might be free."

"I will relay the invitation if you wish m'lady?" Tal kindly and dutifully offers.

She bows her head. "Please do. I would be very grateful." She dips a little bit. "It looks like our tents are close. Thank you very much for the escort this evening."

"You're most welcome Lady Arwyn. Consider it done." Tal smiles generously to the young woman. Then he spread his arms briefly and chuckled. "Don't be surprised if you have knights asking for a token from you on the morrow when the lists begin. If I'm called up to the lists I hope to see your pretty face in the crowd m'lady." Bowing fully, flourishing his hand, he steps back and smiles more softly. "Have a good evening and a peaceful night's rest."