The Tourney at Ashford

She recognized him, having seen him with the Terricks from time to time. Perhaps he wouldn't mind escorting her as she stretched her legs. With a boldness she did not possess before coming to Ashford, she approached him.

"Pardon me, good Ser." Kaelyn curtsied and dipped her head. "Do I know you? You look familiar."

Reynard looks at the girl thoughtfully, clearly trying to recall if they'd met. His sister, Roycelyn, shakes her head--though it's not clear why--and disappears as he responds, "I don't recall it, but Milady's memory may be better than mine. I'm Ser Reynard Goodbrook of Thornwood. And this is," he turns to indicate his sister and realizes she's disappeared. "Er, was my sister Roycelyn."

After just a moment, Reynard is back on track: "And milady is?"

Kaelyn looked where the young knight had indicated but saw nothing. She quickly returned her gaze to the gentleman before her. "Ser Reynard. If we have not met before I am happy to meet you now. Would you care to join me for a walk? Perhaps we'll find your sister along the way."

"Uh, yes," Reynard said with a nod of his shaggy blond locks. As he turned to walk in the lady's direction, he added, "And milady's name is?"

"I'm sorry, where is my head? I am Lady Kaelyn of House Dunn. How does this day find you?"

"As well as can be expected, Lady Kaelyn. I'm anxious to earn a place in the lists, though others might be dissuaded from such an effort right now." Reynard shakes his head, looking saddened. "I'm sorry, Last Kaelyn. My condolences on the sad passing of Lord Tyrell."

Kaelyn nodded her head. "Thank you, Ser Reynard. You condolences are appreciated. But I wouldn't let that sully your intentions in competing. I'm sure you'll earn your place." she encouraged with a smile. "So tell me, when did you become a knight?"

Reynard smiles a little in response to Kaelyn's smile, though it's fleeting. "Almost two years ago now," he answered, a little quietly. "I think Father was prouder that day than when Lord Terrick granted him his--our--lands 20 years ago." Reynard seems to be smiling at the same time he looks pained. "Not that I saw that day myself, of course. I'm just going by what I've heard." He swallows hard as he looks at the ground for a few moments.

"Being knighted is a huge accomplishment. As is being landed. I'm certain your Father is quite proud of you." she encouraged, unsure of their relationship and why he would have said nothing to his newly-knighted son at the time. "So what sort of things do you enjoy when you're not performing knightly duties?"

Reynard nods as the girl speaks, listening attentively until she asks about what he does beyond being a knight. The look he gives her is probably the same as if she'd asked how often he wears dresses, with both probably equally nonsensical to him.

To his credit, Reynard tries to puzzle his way through the idea. "Uh, well I do spend a lot of time training and looking after my weapons, armor, and horses. But I suppose my... Well, managing our lands isn't exactly a knightly duty. And it's taking a while to get the hang of it. It's more complicated than being a knight." Reynard shakes his head, his blond locks rolling from side to side. "It never seemed like father had any trouble with it."

Kaelyn laughed a bit, nodding her head. "Yes, I think parents often go out of their way to make everything look effortless. But I think it's just that they've had more practice or didn't share their difficulties. You could find yourself with things well in hand sooner rather than later."

Kaelyn wasn't a fool. She was picking up that Ser Reynard didn't seem to have the most comfortable of relationships with his father. She was determined to find a point of conversation that wouldn't bring him up. "What weapon do you prefer? I don't know much about such matters and I'm learning quite a lot."

Reynard could easily relax into a conversation about weapons, so he took that path after nodding politely about Kaelyn's comments on parents. He needn't share personal information if it wasn't desired.

"My primary weapon is called a morning star. Have you seen one? I hadn't thought of it as an uncommon weapon until I realized how few are here at the tournament. But regardless, it's been a great tool for protecting our small folk from ironborn." There's a hint of a prideful smile as he talks about such a comfortable topic.

"I've reads the name, but I don't think I've ever seen one." Kaelyn tries to recall. "Is it a difficult weapon to master?" She could tell that this was a topic Ser Reynard was agreeable with and she, herself, was looking to increase her knowledge of weaponry. It seemed to be something that men cared a great deal about and so she should as well.

"Yes, it's quite difficult to master. Many knights are used to their swords and learn little about other types of weapons. Learning to properly use even a straightforward bludgeon like a mace is a whole different fighting style." Reynard goes on for a bit about how neither of the basic styles for bladed weapons (thrusting and slashing) are suited to bludgeons, but he finds a stopping point before completely taking over the conversation. "I'm surprised that one of the Dunn knights wouldn't have discussed this with you... since you're interested, I mean."

Kaelyn listened carefully, soaking in the knowledge being offered. It was wonderful meeting someone so enthusiastic about their craft. At the mention of other knights back home, smiled and blushed a bit. "Truthfully, before I came here I always considered myself quite shy. I've never really had much in the way of practice approaching people without an introduction. Unless it's hosting a party, naturally." she added.

"I tend to gather most of my information from reading, but weaponry isn't something that can be learned inside the pages of a book." As they walked along, she could see Dahlia flying overhead and grinned. "Also, battle tactics are not something a Lady usually studies. I'm afraid my focus has been elsewhere from an early age. But seeing the passion so many have here for their fighting skills has intrigued me and I want to better understand. Does that make sense or am I terribly complicated in this?"