The Tourney at Ashford

Warryn sat on his horse, waiting for his fellow companion to join him. He caressed the horse's neck, sitting patiently. His arm was still hurting, but he would see a maester about it later.

Derrick was still feeling a bit worse for wear, but bruised ribs and stitches wpuld generally do that to you. Arriving up in Harvey, his old Rousney he nodded a greeting in Warryn's direction.

"Good morning, Milord."

"Morning Derrick! Well fought the other day... you holding up well?" He asked as he rode closer to the Algood man.

"I'm in mostly one piece." He offered with a nod. "I've got a few bruises and a few holes, otherwise I am doing well though."

What of yourself, Milord? That was a hard fight you had yesterday. One i believe you almost won."

Warryn nodded. "Glad to hear. My arm still feels funny... I'll visit Maester Oswell I believe, to get it looked at."

The heir sighed. "Almost.... Ser Beesburry was a strong opponent. It was hard fought, but in the end, I didn't succeed. Still... I'm glad he beat me. He is a good fighter."

"Likely a good plan Milord, such injuries can linger if you aren't careful."

"Aye, he seemed to be. Though I think with a bit of luck you could of bested him." The young solider frowned slightly. "Do you plan to join the melee tomorrow?"

"Thank you, though not close enough still." He trotted closer. "Aye... now that jousting is over for me, the melee could be a good change of pace." He stretched his arm. "You? You seem to hold yourself well in combat. Planning to join I take it?"

"Yes..." The young soldier lips curled into a frown. "I might not be in peak condition, at least not after the last few days... Though the same can likely be said of quite a few others."

"With all the brawl's jousts and other things of the last few days... I imagine quite a few people aren't at their peak."

"True..." He sighed. "It is insane what happened. Honor can make men go crazy." He frowned, before trotting next to Derrick. "Do you ride often?"

The young man frowned, the expression lingering for a few moments. "Well I think it as more drink in Lord Baratheon's case... Or something more sinister, if some of the others I've talked with are to be believed."

"I ride some, more to keep in practice then anything. I don't get a lot of long hours at it."

"Something more sinister?" He frowned. "That is news for me..."

He strode forward, standing net to him. "So, pointers. Are you interested in mounted combat, or long term riding?"

"That he was perhaps drugged? Or mildly poisoned? He did well on the first pass, but seemed extremely unsteady on the second, seems some think he was slipped something." Derrick frowned. "He was certainly drunk when I fought with him."

"Mounted combat." The young solider replied without hesitation. "I might need to teach it should I become a Master of Arms after all."

"Hm, interesting... it feels a bit like grasping at shadows, though to be fair, I did miss the start of it. I was just undressing after my own bout." Why can't things be easy?

"Well, in that case, you must know, the work is in the knees. You keep yourself stable on the horse there, in case you need to lean. Of course, don't lean unless you absolutely have to. Preferably with a weapon with a nice reach. Don't use daggers, in general."

"You are probably right. Though it seems odd to me for Lord Tyrell to agree to joust against a drunk man. It's a rather dangerous thing after all, something you one the other to be sober for." He shook his head. "Well, either way someone else will figure it out."

He drifted to silence as the instruction started, ears open for what advice the older man might have. "Aye, that sounds much like I've learned thus far. any weapons you particularly suggest to use from horseback? Other then a lance of course."

"Aye, strange.... I guess." HE sighed. "But then, there are rumors all over, we might need more information to know more."

He turned around. "Well, spears are always good, and nice decent sword. I've noticed that an axe or mace can also be useful, horseback gives you more leverage to use them. You're a swordsman, it seems to me?"

"Aye, that's the truth. It's not really my business to look into after all." There was a small pause as a frown made it's way onto his features. "Do you mind if I ask you about something Milord?"

"Aye, swords are my specialty. I have a fair hand with spears as well though. I've not spent as much time with axe's or maces." There simply wasn't enough hours in the day.

"Ask away Derrick. I have no secrets." He smiled as he said it. "Swords and spears are always useful weapons. Axes and maces are useful, but you can never go wrong with a sword."

"Well..." His voice trailed off for a moment. "I am quite sorry to ask you about this, but I wasn't sure who else to ask." There was another lingering pause. "A noble woman approached me the other day... It she she wanted me to join her in bed. she wanted to give me lessons she said. I refused of course, I'm a commoner after all."

"I was curious though if you knew a better way to handle these situations though? Or to avoid them?"

Well. That was a thing. "I... see." He was dumbstruck. "I confess.... I have heard of the opposite happen more, noble man and smallfolk maiden. You did the honorable thing, even if invited to partake. In the future.... ugh.... perhaps say your heart beats for another?" He offered lamely. "This isn't a situation I am too experienced with."

"Ah..." Derrick frowned slightly. "I was certain you had a large number of ladies that admired you. There was quite a bit of disappointment when you fell yesterday after all."

"So I should lie then?" He asked a bit cautiously.

"Oh? Well..." he wasn't sure how to say. "I strive to treat women with respect, it must be the reason." He blushed. "Well, lying is not good, but women are delicate creatures with hearts made from glass..." he recalled his grandmother. "Scratch that. They will not let you go if you don't put up a shield. Lying can be shameful, but it could be better that way."

"Ah..." His lips curled into a frown. "So, what you are telling me, is that women aren't delicate creatures, and lying might be the best and safest option."

"Perhaps I should take this moment to admit I'm not a very good liar."

Warryn shrugged. "Well... you can always try telling them you're not interested. That might work." And not offend them. "They are not as delicate as they seem to be, that is for sure."

There was a long pause. "I was interested though Lord Warryn, she was a lovely woman, and..." A bit of a blush colored his cheeks but he shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the embarrassing thoughts. "I don't think I've ever met a Lady like her before."

"Probably for the best I just avoid her."

Derrick wrote:There was a long pause. "I was interested though Lord Warryn, she was a lovely woman, and..." A bit of a blush colored his cheeks but he shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the embarrassing thoughts. "I don't think I've ever met a Lady like her before."

"Probably for the best I just avoid her."

"Oh, my apologies, I thought you... weren't." He coughed. "Well, if she is a lovely woman and offering... just be careful of bastards, I'd say."