The Tourney at Ashford

The mystery knight did their best in returning to the compound inconspicuously. They went to a dark and secluded area, where they had left a change of clothing, and began to remove their splint mail. The clothes were the very same as the outfit Cassana had worn at the beginning of the day.

A voice rounds the bend, low and conspiratorial, "-And what has become of my sister dear. I found her clothing, and I feared for her truly. But should some nayer-do-well have grabbed her, I'm sure they would not take the time to fold her clothes so neatly... And so I asked myself, where could this web lead?"

Lord Arryk Algood wondered, glancing to the mystery knight now and again. "This is a certain turn of events, that much is a surprise."

The armored figure stood there, clearly off-guard, and then relaxed. "Hello, brother," she announced casually before removing her helmet. She placed it down and unfastened her longsword's scabbard. "It appears I should have chosen a better hiding place," she mused.

"You never could hide from me, Cassana. And besides, what do I do all day but wander?" He mused in return, regarding her starkly, mouth in a fine line.

The next bit of armor to go were her gauntlets. "I was hidden away for quite some time, brother." Unlike him, she maintained her own smile. "A good Lord ensures that his compound is secure."

"I will ensure your identity continues to remain hidden, sister," as she shed further layers, he aburptly turned on his heel, and shielded his eyes that they wouldn't see more of her than he bargained for.

"You were always a competitive sort, I shouldn't be surprised to make this discovery. Never quite sure where you stand."

Cassana had no intention of completely disrobing in the presence of her brother. She was simply shedding the simpler aspects of her armor pass the time.

"I seek to prove myself as a knight," she remarked. She saw no reason to be dishonest on that matter. "If it were not for secrecy, I would never be given the opportunity."

"Sometimes the actions one takes justify the cause," he said solemnly, and shrugged.

"You're determined. You set your mind to a goal, and you accomplish it. I do not doubt your prowess."

"It would not suit me to embarrass myself at this tournament," she stated plainly. She paused and then looked at him, genuinely curious. "Will you be competing in the jousting yourself, brother?"

"I think my jousting days are in their twilight, behind me, looked upon with fond memory, but better left there in the past," he answered, subdued, and found himself something to lean on, returning his gaze back to Cassana.

"You are not so old yet, brother." Cassana shook out her hair to give it a more natural flow than its prior helmet-constricted form. "You could bring great honor to our House," she urged, as she herself was unable to do so.

"There are better men than me here, Cassana," Arryk said a bit more firmly, implying he would not be swayed on this matter.
Since his children were taken from he and his wife, Lord Algood was a changed man. Maybe he had become a coward, as rumour claimed. Did his sister believe such?

"Better men than my own brother, my own Lord?" The blonde woman shook her head. "That is unfitting for you," she concluded with a fair smile.

She paused and turned more serious. "Who will be representing House Algood officially in that capacity? If not you, brother?"

"No one is representing our noble house at the tourney. We are here with other reasons in mind, with other goals to accomplish beyond this tourney," he explained, slightly round about, and waved a hand.

"What better way to accomplish these goals than to show our mettle on the field?" Cassana let out a soft sigh and then peered at her brother. "What are these other goals, anyhow?"