The Tourney at Ashford

Desmond and Walder walked around the area set aside for House Terrick, inspecting their accomodations. If he was honest, he didn't really know what he was looking for. But, this was one of father's morning routines at home. One day, it would be Fesmond's responsibility. Practice seemed like a good idea and the boy was curious about their new surroundings.

Walder was up early, his dreams had been a dreadful affair once again. It seemed like he could never get a full night's sleep without the nightmare's coming for him nowadays... He turns a corner, his eyes tired and annoyed, only to come face to face with the heir himself. He bowed deeply.
"M'lord... How does this morning find you?"

"G'morning, Walder. I am well." the boy nodded. "Have you noticed anything unusual?"

Walder raised a tired eyebrow, scratching his chin. "Unusual? Cannae say I have, m'lord."

"Neither have I." There was a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Everything is pretty quiet."

A small smile spreads over his face as Walder speaks. "Och, well there's nothing wrong with quiet. It's better than loud."

"I know..." he sighed. "I've never been this far from Hawkspray, though."

Walder shook his head. "Ach, ye homesick lad? It's alright, me and my namesake here'll keep you safe won't we?" He scratched the head of the hound. "It's a tourney lad, I'm sure you'll find things to keep you preoccupied. Watch the joustings, talk to the knights..."

"I just expected something different, I guess." he shrugged. "Have you ever been this far south before?"

Walder took a deep breath, looking off into the distance, thinking. He shook his head slowly. "Nae, cannae say I have. Most of my travelling was in the North... The south didn't attract me that much. Isn't me first tourney though."

"I am looking forward to the tourney." he smiled. "That should be exciting. I hope there's some archery, too."

From somewhere a somewhat still young knight appeared. The knight was yawning and stretched.

'' Good morning, my Lord, Ser Walder '' The knight offered them a respectful bow. Ser Allard was dressed in his normal sturdy traveller garbs and was carrying a lute. He was tuning the musical instrument.

'' Looking forward to the tournament?'' He asked while he continued inspecting the instrument.

Desmond nodded. "Very much. You should do well, cousin."

The area would sound with the clack of a well made noblewoman's shoe, as Wylla would sluggishly move into view. Gouren Pyke was beside her, looking much more awake, as he held a thin scroll, and was rapidly speaking with the young woman. Going on and on of various power players of the neighboring houses as Wylla's steps tried to increase in speed, her wrist held to keep her from running into something, and presumably to keep her well within ear shot of the softly talking old man. Despite her distress, there was no mistaking that beuaty. She'd been cared for, and regardless of the anguish on her face she still had the scents, jewels, and natural loveliness to push it back for those less close to her.

Desmond Terrick wrote:Desmond nodded. "Very much. You should do well, cousin."

'' Hopefully.Tournaments are not my forte, my Lord'' He shrugs a bit. '' But here I am. I will not disappoint your father and his house.'' He offered a smile to the young lad. Finally he strummed the instrument to check that the strings were in the correct tune.

'' One day you will be representing house Terrick in other tournaments like this one, my Lord. This will be an important source of experience . Learn and have fun. '' He said to the young lordling.

Allard turn around and noticed Lady Wylla approaching. '' Good Morning, my Lady.'' He offered a respectful bow. '' I hope you had a good night sleep.'' He said.

"I'll be cheering you on regardless, Allard." The boy smiled. "G'morning, Wylla."

Wylla paused for a moment, as Gouren smiled a bit, quieting down and releasing her hand. The woman restraining her embaressment with a brief blush, as she first turned towards Desmond, moving to gently pet his hair, as she approached a bit blindly, using his voice as a frame of reference.
"And a good morning to you as well. I hope you aren't finding too much trouble in the holdings we've been granted here. And... Ser Allard, I believe? I've rested finely, especially now that I've been able to find a proper bed rather than a campsite."

Wylla Terrick wrote:"And a good morning to you as well. I hope you aren't finding too much trouble in the holdings we've been granted here. And... Ser Allard, I believe? I've rested finely, especially now that I've been able to find a proper bed rather than a campsite."

'' Indeed my Lady.'' He said to her. '' Glad to hear that you found some rest. Countryside roads can be rough. And this is only the Reach, I could only imagine how rough the roads north of the Neck must be.''

"I liked the camping." Desmond added. "But, I'm glad you slept well. Everything is pretty quiet around here, so far."

"Rough travels, so I've heard. You could ask Walder more on that matter, supposing he doesn't just get annoyed and bark like Desmond's hound." Wylla smirked a bit, as she refocused her attention on her brother. "That is no fun at all. I'd shudder to think that nothing of note is happening. The jousts begin in a day, you'll find many knights and would be heroes all hard at work."

"I hope so." he smiled. "There are some woods I can explore, if nothing else."

"Ser Allard. M'lady." Walder offered a respectful bow to both of them. He considered the conversation for a moment before speaking, in his usual quiet, low manner.
"The travels can get quite rough in the North, yes. Especially during wintertime, though not many dare travel then. I recall many a month when I did not even lay my eyes on a proper bed." He explained.
"Hmm... Yes, jousts were never my thing. There's a reason why I don't ride many horses..." He said with a tired chuckle.

'' I see. I must admit that I kind of admire the Northmen. To live under such conditions, even during summer, they must be though people.'' He nods the oldman. '' How much time did you spent up there might I ask, Ser Walder?'' He asked politely.

A dark look flashed on Walder's face, but it was gone as quick as it came. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "Och, I left for the North when I was but a young lad, and came back as an old man." He chuckled darkly. "Twas... Gods, twas nearly thirty years I spent there..." He looked off into the distance, suddenly seeming much older than he usually did.

'' Interesting. Thirty years is quite a long time, probably full of adventures, stories and experiences.'' Allard nods with interest to the old knight.'' As for myself, I only know the Riverlands and the Reach. Spent a few years in Oldtown studying at the Citadel. '' He said. '' One day, perhaps I should go to the North and see it with my own eyes. ''